Just wanted to share with everyone the well wishes that Prime Minister Stephen Harper sent to the Canadian Dental Hygienist’s Association while celebrating National Dental Hygiene Week! Congratulations to 50 years of CDHA and CRDHA as well!!!
Happy National Dental Hygiene Week 2013!
Meditation techniques to help those fearing their dental appointments
Hello all, just the other week I had a very very nervous patient in my chair who told me at the end of her appointment that she was meditating all throughout to get her through the hour! It was quite a coincidence that she was in my chair, because the week prior I had a colleague mention about one of her patient’s praying the rosary during their dental hygiene appointment as a form of coping with fear! For my patient, her meditation worked extremely well, and she even mustered up the courage to book back for the rest of her inital periodontal therapy and restorative care.
My particular patient had a background as a spiritual advisor. She explained that meditating involved three things for herself; the breathing, the focus on specific words or mantras (a prayer), and trying to block out any thoughts or ideas past the specific mantras and words. It was a breath of fresh air, no pun intended, to see a form of calming jittery nerve and phobias by ways other than 1 .nitrous oxide 2. ativan 3. or any other sedative. I was very proud of this patient as it took her 4 years to get back into the dental chair. Meditation is a great holistic way to help deal with ones fears, whether they be in the dental chair, an exam to be written, or dealing with a new black diamond ski run!
At Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Dentistry and School of Dental Hygiene, a program was launched in 2008 to help students learn the benefits of meditation in their every day personal and work lives, called the Mindfulness Awareness Training Program. What a great idea, this would have been helpful for sure at my program!
For those who woud like to learn more about meditation techniques, check out the Mayo Clinic’s guide on relaxation techniques for stress busting. It could help you or a friend or family member at the next visit to the dental office!
Namaste!
How to keep your toothbrush clean!
I just finished reading an article that I felt I should share with others.
It has to do with the fact that yes, your toothbrush also needs to be kept clean! There are some basic rules such as throwing away your brush or brush head every 3 months or when you have been sick. But here are more helpful suggestions to decrease contamination of your “brosse de dents” whilst in the bathroom.
I know, so many things to think about to maintain that healthy smile, but enjoy the read.
Do bumblebee’s sleep?
Why yes they do!
This weekend we found one snoring away in our ornamental crab tree. Apparently the male bumblebees love to gorge themselves all day long and night, chase after the queen bees and then find a great buttercup like flower to catch some zzz’s. Sounds like a busy life. When we found this one, my first thought was that it was dead, and to see if it was in fact, touch it. Not a very good idea, I know, so would rethink that action. D and I decided to complete our walk with Barkley and when we came back the bumblebee was gone!
The bumblebee unlike the honey bee, has only enough energy to carry on its activities for that day. It needs it’s “morning breakfast and jolt of coffee” or in this case nectar to restore energies to its body and fly from its flowery bed. They say bees are some of the hardest, diligent workers on the planet. Bees work hard, play hard and rest completely! The reward (maybe not for our teeth)? Honey.
Spring has sprung in Calgary!
Although I don’t think it was a honey bee, here is Zee Avi singing about one anyway.
Cooking a gluten free dinner menu can be challenging
Hello all! Hope everyone had a great May Long Weekend! We sure did, relaxing with family and doing nothing but visiting and eating.
On Saturday evening we had 10 family members over for supper and decided that all of the meal would be gluten free, as we had one guest who has Celiac’s disease. I was up for the challenge and figured this was going to be a piece of cake! Boy was I in for a surprise. Gluten is in almost EVERYTHING you can imagine. Straight down to drinks, sauces, broths, and desserts. We had to check all our ingredients as anything processed will use gluten as its binder. WOW.
Our guest was gracious enough to provide the dessert for the evening, a Lemon Meringue pie, gluten free of course. It was delicious!
We also had a gluten free spinach and artichoke dip; yes binder can also be in the cream cheese, yikes. This was very very tasty, even though it was also dairy free (dairy product allergies as well by some). This was served with gluten free crackers of all sorts, which were lots of fun to buy.
There was a gluten free soup as well; cream of curried cauliflower. If you have not tried this it is one of my most favourite soups. The first batch I made had Campbell’s chicken and vegetable broth which I found out had gluten. So I started another batch, but substituted with just plain water, which believe it or not tasted somewhat good (sorry J).
We had a standing rib roast done on the rotisserie and I was concerned that there may be some hidden gluten in the spices. But all was OK!
The big question mark to the meal, was how the gluten free flour was going to do when cooking yorkshire pudding. In a nutshell, it did not turn out as well as it could have. I decided that after looking at a few recipes with and without Xantham powder, that I would forgo. I was wrong to omit, as it was the “binder” part of the recipe, oops! Next time:)
This month is Celiac’s Disease Awareness month and for anyone who has to make the lifestyle changes to deal with the repercussions of this disease, kudos to you folks, a job well done! I found out in just one meal, how difficult it must be to plan meals in general, around travel, or just in general when you are not at your house.
As you can see in the picture, I could not resist having at least one glutenized menu item: a strawberry rhubarb pie. IT was also yummy, but not eaten by my gluten free guest. We had it made not at the house, but rather picked up from the Log Barn in town here. PS a good gluten free, reduced sugar content drink for your guest is DRY SODA; the rhubarb and juniper berry are the best. R
Good dental habits begin at an early age
Help older kids brush up on oral health
(NC)— Did you know that an estimated 57% of kids aged 6 to 11 years-old have cavities? That number increases to 59% for teens, but with good oral care, specialists tell us that all children can grow up cavity-free. The habits you help them develop now will last a lifetime, so take a look at these helpful tips:
12-24 Months: Begin regular dental visits by age one. Teach a toddler about dental hygiene when the first teeth come through. Children should get used to holding a toothbrush and should watch others as they brush. Let them practice brushing, but continue brushing their teeth for them. Begin flossing when most of the baby teeth are in.
2-5 Years: Teach young children to use no more than a pea-size amount of toothpaste and make sure they do not eat it. Continue to brush and floss their teeth for them. Avoid sugary sweet treats.
6 + Years: Encourage children to begin flossing. Your dental hygienist will demonstrate proper technique. Continue to supervise brushing and flossing. The surface of your child’s permanent molars may be sealed with a light coating to prevent cavities in the deep fissure and grooves of the teeth. Keep a record of any accidents or falls that could affect the placement or condition of permanent teeth.
More information about oral care is available online at www.cdha.ca.
How to care for your child’s teeth
Healthy smiles for babies and toddlers
(NC)—We don’t usually associate cavities or gum disease with infants but in fact, oral diseases begin very early. For example, early childhood caries (cavities) is a form of severe tooth decay in the primary (baby) teeth of children from birth to age 3, and it affects more than 10 per cent of preschool-aged children in Canada. Baby’s first teeth are crucial to healthy adult teeth, and early childhood cavities can lead to much bigger oral health issues later in life.
Reduce the risk and follow these simple care tips with your little one:
• Be a good role model. Keep your own teeth and gums healthy.
• Wipe baby’s mouth and gums with a clean, wet cloth or piece of gauze after feeding.
• Gently clean newly erupted teeth with a small, soft toothbrush.
• Avoid fruit punches and other sweetened drinks in baby bottles, especially before bed.
• Reduce the frequency of nighttime feedings.
• Use only pacifiers with an orthodontic design, and don’t dip it in sugary substances.
• Avoid transfer of your saliva onto items used by baby, including bottles, cups, pacifiers. Bacteria spreads.
• Rinse baby’s mouth with clear water immediately after any liquid medication is given.
• Check for early warning signs by lifting up baby’s top lip. White, chalky teeth or brown or black stained teeth indicate a problem. Contact your dental professional immediately.
• Gradually introduce fresh fruits and vegetables to the diet. These foods, which require chewing, stimulate saliva flow and help to neutralize acids.
• Begin regular dental visits by age one.
More tips and information about oral health care is available online at www.cdha.ca.
April was also Cancer Awareness Month in Canada
Oral cancer—not just your grandparent’s disease
(NC)—Oral Cancer is the 13th most common and fastest growing type of cancer, particularly for younger Canadians. Smoking, drinking, sun exposure of the lips and HPV are all risk factors in developing oral cancer. Here’s what to watch for:
• Red or white patches in the mouth
• Lump or thickening of tissue in the mouth, neck or face
• Sores in the mouth that bleed or do not heal within 14 days
• Numbness in face or mouth
• Wart like masses inside the mouth
• Pain or difficulty swallowing, speaking, chewing or moving the jaw or tongue
• Hoarse throat that lasts for a long period of time
Most cancers of the mouth can be treated if caught in time, and oral cancers are easily detected by dental hygienists who are familiar with the signs and symptoms. Reduce your risk; maintain regular dental hygiene appointments, and at your next visit request an oral cancer screening.
www.newscanada.com
Celebrating National Dental Hygiene Week 2012!
“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”
-St. Francis of Assisi
This year I was able to get out and celebrate National Dental Hygiene Week within the community of Kensington. I had the pleasure of visiting with 4 different West Hillhurst Preschool Classes and boy was it fun! Teeth were counted in English and en francais; we learnt how to brush teeth and gums using Doogan Dog as a trusty but sneezy model,: kids listened with wide eyes and open ears during story time and explanations about what sugar bugs did in their mouth! What an attentive, and happy go lucky audience.
Dental Hygiene Week is a time when Canada recognizes the initiatives of this profession and how it impacts Canadians. It is both a good time and bad time to be a hygienist in 2012; good because of the changes made to the Health Professions Act that gave Canadians more direct access to dental hygiene care and bad because of economic changes that affected the landscape of once plentiful jobs for us hygienists.
If there is one thing that has not changed, it is the constant need for access to preventive oral health care in this country. I would like to personally thank every hygienist I know who has been instrumental in spearheading these legislative changes that would affect how healthy Canadians mouths could be. You pioneers and trailblazers are amazing individuals! This is a great time to be a hygienist and it is only going to get better. Lots of faith, hope, and love.
Rocell
Happy Easter Weekend!
It is amazing how fast this Easter Weekend went by! D and I decided to stay in town for this Easter year, and opt out of the long 7 hour road trip back to Saskatoon. Before you could eat the rest of your chocolate Easter rabbit, it was Monday!
We shared a traditional ham with the gang and introduced them to my mom in law’s sweet honey mustard sauce. Usually we have a tonne of the sauce left over, but it was gone faster than a kid eating his chocolate rabbit’s ears! I have to admit the sweet honey mustard sauce is my favourite part of D’s mom’s ham dinner and am so thankful to have had that past down to me in the kitchen:)
Sweet Hot Mustard Sauce
Combine mustard and sugar in a double boiler. Slowly add vinegar, and then whisk in egg. Let simmer for 12 minutes whisking constantly until sauce darkens and thickens slightly.
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup vinegar
- 1 egg
- 2 tsp dry mustard
The house smelled fantastic not only because of the food, but because we had a variety of flowers in the house all weekend long to celebrate the season. Lilies have the most amazing smell and some people do not like the potent fragrance, but myself, I really like it. To make them last longer, my friend told me to remove the stamens and it seems to be working!
Also got some miniature hydrangeas from Paul’s in Kensington and if I take care of them, they should last 3 weeks! Can’t wait to see if my cut flowers will really last that long…I feel that they will. So I know that I am not really talking about gums or teeth in this post, but really would just like to take the time to hope that everyone had a wonderful Easter with their family and friends.
Ps…I tried out my whitening pen again this weekend and wow, it seems to be working!
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