Dr. D – Our Healthcare Hero

A big congratulations to our very own Dr. Dougherty! He was recently selected as a Health Care Hero finalist among 165 nominees for Phoenix Business Journal’s 2015 awards. He is one of three finalists in the dental category.

Phoenix Business Journal along with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Abrazo Health Care and Delta Dental will present awards and recognize finalists at a breakfast held on August 20 at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. The event open to the public, will recognize the outstanding contributions that healthcare professionals make to our community.

Dr. Dougherty’s dedication to providing the best patient care possible begins with his commitment to continued education. He along with Dr. Adhikari and the rest of our staff frequently attend classes to learn the latest treatments, techniques and tools available. His dedication to patient care goes even further with his commitment and investment in new technology. In November of last year Artistic Dental was the first practice in Phoenix to introduce the Solea laser from Convergent Dental. This laser device allows Dr. Dougherty to fill cavities shot and drill-free and has many different capabilities for treating other issues related to oral health.

Dr. Dougherty has been dedicated to the advancement of Arizona dental healthcare since moving to the Valley in 1991. Early on he worked with Onsite Dental, traveling throughout Arizona to provide dental care to underprivileged children and families living on Indian reservations. In addition, he donates his time and services to Arizonans in need through organizations like St. Vincent de Paul and directly to Veterans. His goal as a dentist is to focus on educating patients and providing treatments that will help them achieve optimal overall health by integrating oral care with systemic health.

Dr. Dougherty goes that extra mile and his enthusiasm for dentistry and patient care is contagious. We are a strong team at Artistic Dental and we feed off his passion for patient care.

On Thursday, August 20th at the awards breakfast, we will be cheering for Dr. D when the Phoenix Business Journal presents the finalists their honors. As far as we are concerned, you are already a healthcare hero and we think your patients would agree.

How to Make Veneers Last

Veneers typically have a life span of around 10 to 15 years, depending on the exact specification (whether they are porcelain dental veneers, such as those offered by Artistic Dental).  With exceptional care and attention to cleaning, the veneers can and will last longer.

While they make your smile brighter and more uniform, veneers will also react to substances in much the same way as your teeth. It’s no surprise to learn that avoiding foods and drinks that stain teeth, as well as abstaining from smoking and chewing tobacco, will lengthen the cosmetic life of your veneers. Even though the face of the veneer itself is resistant to many stains that natural teeth are more vulnerable to, the cement that binds the veneer is very susceptible to staining.

 To prolong the life of your veneers, you also need to continue good brushing and flossing habits. Care for veneers should mirror the care you need to commit to   your permanent teeth. Proper brushing is also great prevention against gum recession, which can lead to the need to replace a veneer down the road. Keeping scheduled dental visits, at least once a year and preferably twice, will help ensure proper cleanings are maintained and will help prevent future problems that can be costly when ignored.

It is also best to protect veneers from activities that can be jarring to the mouth (such as contact or combat sports) by wearing an appropriate mouth guard or mask, and that potential cracks or wear are addressed promptly with your dentist. Remember – anything that can break a tooth can break a veneer. If anything, the porcelain is more fragile to forces that involve major pressure like grinding and heavy biting.

If you are looking to improve your smile, veneers may be the answer. Artistic Dental currently has a special offer  that includes a complimentary cosmetic exam and consultation – that allows you an opportunity to discuss your options with one of dentists and determine the best treatment plan to a healthy new smile. Please be sure to mention the offer when you call to schedule an appointment.

How to teach your child good oral hygiene

Teaching healthy habits is much more about what we do than what we say. Children will closely observe their parents’ behavior and other important adults in their lives as they learn and form their own behaviors and habits. In other words, it is important that parents practice what they preach when it comes to maintaining good oral hygiene.

It can be difficult for children to understand the importance of taking good care of their teeth and gums and how it can impact their overall health. Fortunately, there are ways to engage kids using age appropriate activities to help them understand just how vital oral hygiene is. 

Here are a few strategies you may want to try: 

·         Give kids choices. Let them choose their own toothbrush and toothpaste, providing that they’re age appropriate. Before the age of two fluoride-free toothpaste is recommended.  From the age of two on it’s best to use an ADA approved brand containing fluoride. Characters on toothbrushes or a superhero on the tube of toothpaste might encourage them to stick to their brushing routine.

·         Show them how it’s done. Let them see you brush your teeth in the morning and evening. If the message is not resonating consider showing them some fun YouTube videos. Watching what a peer is doing is often more relatable and considered a lot “cooler” than mom or dad!

·         Invest in technology. If the novelty of a manual toothbrush wears off, consider purchasing an electric toothbrush. If you have more than one child, you can save money by purchasing one and then buying individual heads for each child. Turn brushing into fun-time using this new “toy” to do the job. For younger kids consider a less expensive option—adding a fun faucet fountain like a whale or dolphin to make it more entertaining.

·        Turn tooth brushing time into story time. If you are creative you can make up a story where all the bad guys have brown, ugly teeth. Otherwise, there are a number of great books to read aloud, like Open Wide by Laurie Keller or The Tooth Book by Dr. Seuss.

There are many factors that help children learn how to take good care of their teeth and maintain a healthy smile. Beyond modeling good habits, the other most important thing a parent can do is book regular checkups and limit sugar intake. If a dental emergency should occur, contact your dentist immediately.