Quinlan Gets Braces!

Back in Nov you met an awesome bunch of nominees for free braces.  When one of our nominees, Andy, read about Quinlan, he asked everyone to vote for Quinlan and, well, everyone did.  (I'm thinkin' Andy's a pretty awesome guy, too.)  Quinlan won!  And the day finally arrived.  Quinlan was getting braces!

Quinlan came in and got a little work done.

And in true Matthews style, got a few other things to smile about.

It's looks like Quinlan's having fun in Provo hangin' with Dr. Matthews.  Really, who better to have work on your smile than a cosmetic dentist?

We'll keep you posted on Quinlan's progress.  

Eat More Chocolate?

http://www.carefair.com/nutrition/Your_Teeth_and_Food_4223.html

So it's January, and if you're like me, you're still in the swing of setting goals and trying to add healthier habits to your lifestyle.  You know, lose that last 5 lbs, exercise 3x a week, get more sleep... the usual.  

I also had my annual check-up with Dr. Matthews.  I have a tooth that's behaving badly, so we talked about some options to keep it healthy until I can afford more aggressive treatment.  (I should probably just talk to Mary about CreditCare ®.)  When Dr. Matthews asked me if  was flossing, of course I sheepishly said, no. You can't lie about flossing.  Trust me.  But it got me thinking about more preventive measures.  Of course, we all know that milk is great for your teeth–so are fruits and veggies.  And DON'T chew popcorn kernels! (Ugh. Guilty as charged)  But I did a little homework and found a few dental heath surprises. 

Drink to your oral health

This one seems like a gimme, but Americans tend to be soda drinkers. Drink plenty of water. It can help wash off sugars and acid from your teeth. Better still if the water is fluoridated! Fluoride has been proven to strengthen the enamel and prevent cavities. It is especially effective when used early on in childhood.  Chug-a-lug, y'all. 

Whole is better

Research has shown that whole grains are great for your teeth along with being better for preventing diseases like diabetes and heart ailments. A study from McMaster University, Canada found that men who ate at least three servings of whole grains were 23% less likely to suffer from periodontitis than those who ate more wholegrain breads. It also stabilised blood sugar levels in diabetics which reduces periodontitis.  Your heart will thank you, too. 

Open sesame!

Sesame seeds and sesame oil are extremely good for your teeth as them remove dental plaque helping boost oral healthy. In fact, one Ayurvedic practice involves oil pulling – swishing oil around in your mouth which actually whitens your teeth. It also helps remove streptococcus bacteria from both teeth plaque and mouth saliva.  Sesame seeds, which are rich in calcium, have been found to reduce plaque and also help re-mineralise tooth enamel.

Chocolate – friend, not foe

Woohoo!  Here's one I can totally get on board with! Chocolate has long been linked to ruining teeth in children but that’s mostly due to improper cleaning practices after eating the said-chocolate. When taken in moderation, chocolate especially dark chocolate can benefit your teeth thanks to its antioxidants but the major benefit comes from the cocoa extract called theobromine. Theobromine is an alkaloid of the cocoa plant and is found in chocolate along with teas and other foods. It helps harden tooth enamel which prevents teeth from decaying. In fact, in 2-4 years we could actually have cocoa-enhanced toothpaste!  I think all my dreams just came true. 

Go herbal

In many parts of rural India, it’s the norm to use neem twigs to brush one’s teeth instead of toothpaste and brushes. The plant itself has immense antimicrobial and antifungal properties. A study tested whether neem could be used to treat gum disease and they found that it was actually better than regular mouthwash! Other than neem, ginger is known to help maintain healthy teeth and gums and prevent plaque.  The highly valued holy basil (tulsi), a natural antibiotic, is known to protect against bleeding gums and also increase the whiteness of the teeth. (I grow my own basil...Guess I better start grazing!) The antibacterial property of basil can prevent dental plaque build-up and eliminate bad odor too.

Coconut oil

Like sesame oil, coconut oil is also used for oil pulling–swishing it in the mouth like a mouthwash. Used for thousands of years as a traditional remedy, coconut oil is particularly effective in battling oral bacteria. It works similar to digestion as the enzymes break down the fat from the oil into acid, which wipes out the germs from your mouth!  If you're not ready to start swishing, try cooking with it instead of butter.  Or add some coconut milk to your morning smoothie.  Every little bit helps. 

Of course, noshing sesame seeds and basil leaves followed by a nice coconut oil chaser isn't going to keep you out of the chair, but these are some fairly simple ways to keep your teeth healthier in the new year.  And we can all eat a little more chocolate, right?  

Gettin' Ready for the New Year

In January, my schedule relaxes a little from the hectic pace my family keeps in December.  It also happens to be when we go to the dentist.  Visiting Dr. Matthews in January makes sense for me.  With three kids with some specific health problems, I find that I actually have more money to spend on fixing things up in January when our health reimbursement account reboots at the start of the year.

It's also been a great time for us to think about things like what cosmetic dental work we need (my husband Wendell got a dental implant last year) and mapping out how to do that.  CreditCare® is a great option Mary shared with us last year.  CreditCare allows to finance your dental work with NO interest.  0%.  Seriously.  You just figure out, in advance, how long you'll need to make the payments; set it up; and pay it off on time with no interest.  CreditCare can also be used by the whole family for ongoing treatment without having to reapply.  This can be a life saver if you have a couple of people who need some serious work.  And because it makes sense, CreditCare has no upfront cost, no annual fees and no prepayment penalties.

If, like my family, you need some work done and money is tight, you don't have to put it off.  Get it done this year.  I know my husband and I are both glad we got his implant done in 2013.

And whether it's teeth whitening that you've just always *wanted* to have done, or something bigger that you need to have done, it's wonderful to have an amazing cosmetic dentist right here in Provo who is specially trained and equipped to save the day!  Aren't those pearly whites worth it?

Smiles Giveaway Winner | Rachel Elder

And the winner of the $25 Outback Steakhouse Gift Card is...

Rachel Elder!!!

And, just so you know, her favorite drink is a Diet Dr. Pepper with Coconut.

To pick up your $25 Outback Steakhouse gift card come by the office Tues-Friday of this week.

Dr. Matthews office located at 3610 N. University Ave Suite 200 in Provo.

Also, make sure to LIKE us on Facebook so you don't miss a single giveaway!

Now I Can Winner and Donation Total

This Now I Can Promotion has been amazing.  Perhaps it's because there are two wonderful organizations thinking about how to help kids who can use a hand up.  Perhaps it's because the Now I Can kids are amazing.

What ever the reason, it has been a special privilege for us at Dr. Blake Matthews' office to partner with Now I Can.  Our total count was 680!  So Dr. Matthews will be dropping by Now I Can with a check for $680 dollars.  It is so heart-warming to think of a family in need of some help who will benefit from our collective efforts and Dr. Matthews' generosity.

And that's not all!  As our thank you for participating in promo, we've selected a winner to receive 4 reserved seats to the Legends Benefit Concert at the SCERA Shell on Sept 14th.  And the winner is...

Alicia Christensen Durrant!!!

A huge thanks to everyone who participated!  Thank you for the LIKES, for the Shares, for the entries. We could not have done this without you!  

Alicia, to get your 4 tickets, come by Dr. Matthews office this week.  Dr. Matthews dental office located at 3610 N. University Ave Suite 200 in Provo.

For all those who entered and would like to buy tickets, you can get them here: http://nowican-concert.eventbrite.com

If you can't come to the concert, but you'd like to make your own donation to Now I Can, go here: http://www.nowican.org/donate/

Now I Can

In late July, after meandering around an office park in Provo, I located the Now I Can Foundation and went it.  I was greeted warmly by the Development Director, Brent Nelson, who was sporting a goatee and polo shirt.  He spoke with energy about the foundation and his love for their patients as he took me on a tour of the facility and gave me the background.

"It's amazing," Brent told me, "you cannot have a bad day while working here.  You come in and the kids are smiling and it picks you up."

Now I Can founders, Joel and Tracey Christensen began with their own search for help.  Their first child, Colby Anne, was born with Cerebral Palsy.  As directed, they participated in many interventions including physical and occupational therapy.  But as time went on, they felt that Colby was capable of more than she was doing.  They found a facility in Poland (POLAND!) that did intensive physical therapy and they felt it was worth trying.

The Christensen's made the trip and the results were impressive!  Their daughter began saying, "Now I can use righty better."  They knew this new treatment was making a difference in her life.  When they returned to Utah, they were determined to have a physicality with intensive--four hour a day, five days a week--physical therapy in the intermountain west.  The Now I Can Foundation was born of that dream.

The facility has three main physical therapy rooms, where the kids work with both a therapist and a volunteer to increase what they can do.  I met a darling little girl who was getting a massage to help limber her up.  And a little boy who asked what my favorite canyon was (what a great question!) who was working on balance.

The children who come to Now I Can, spend 3-4 weeks of 4 hours of therapy for 5 days a week.  These are expensive treatments (approximately $6000 per round) and insurance companies will often not cover the costs leaving thousands of dollars burden on the parents.

So, twice a year, Now I Can does a big fundraiser to provide grants for patients.  The grant pays the difference between what insurance will cover and what the family can afford.  100% of the fundraiser donations go to these grants.  Now I Can fundraises in other ways for facility improvement and overhead--largely using corporate sponsors.  (Each physical therapy room is named for the organization that made that happen.)

You can understand why Dr. Matthews is behind this organization!

On Sept 14th, Now I Can has a benefit concert at the SCERA Shell.  Country bands Bootleg BLVD and Firefly will be performing.  If you have been touched by the awesome Now I Can kids, join Dr. Matthews and make a donation so that we will have more and more kids saying, "Now I Can!"

Being Thoughtful

My dad and I were sitting in the hospital waiting room.  My mom's knee replacement surgery was over and we were waiting to meet with the surgeon to get the run-down, when my dad's cell phone rang.  I couldn't tell who had called my dad, just that they were asking after my mom, wondering how she's doing.  He hung up the phone and I pounced.

"Who was that?"

"Dr. Matthews office," he replied.

I felt confused.  Why was the dentist calling my dad about my mom?

"I guess they heard about Mom's surgery," Dad explained.  "They want to send flowers. They just needed to know which hospital, the room number and how long she's staying."

Aside from knowing which hospital, we had none of the other information at the time.  But, when he knew, my dad called back telling them where to send the flowers.

These arrived the next day.  

Even against the backdrop of the hideous hospital blinds, you can see how beautiful they are.

I was sooooo puzzled about how Dr. Matthews' team had learned about my mom's surgery.  Turns out my mom had an appointment two days before surgery for her annual cleaning.  It came up in conversation and they remembered and sent flowers.

Not every business understands the value of this kind of thoughtfulness.  But Dr. Matthews sure does.

Team Spotlight: Dr. Blake Matthews

Matthews Family taken in 2011 (before Brock's LDS mission)

Dr. Blake Matthews met his gorgeous wife, Sydney on a blind date at BYU.  They dated for two years and married in 1989 just in time for Blake to finish his undergrad and begin dental school in 1990.  Blake applied to a prestigious program at the University of Utah where he proved himself to be one of the top 10 dental students in the state.   This earned him a scholarship to Creighton University where Blake graduate with his dental degree.

Dr. Matthews with Bailey and Quade in a ghost town

In 1994 Blake, Sydney and their new addition, Brock headed back to Utah to join forces with Blake's dentist father, Gary Matthews.  (Gary has now been in practice for over 40 years and together as father and son, Gary and Blake are one of the longest running family dental practices in Utah County. )

The Matthews family was soon joined by two girls McKell and Bailey and another boy, Quade, completed their family in 2001.

If you quiz Dr. Blake Matthews' kids, they would tell you that Blake is the world's greatest dad.  He's a highly involved father and family man who loves to share with his family his love of sports and the outdoors. He loves hiking, skiing, boating, horseback riding, and camping.

In addition to being an amazing dentist, Blake is a fantastic baseball coach. He has coached both of his boys' teams, most recently helping Quade's competition super league baseball team to become the best 11-year-old team in the state last year.

Coach Matthews, Sydney and Quade

Blake enjoys running and has competed in 2 marathons and a triathlon.  Last year, Blake, Sydney, McKell and Sarah (from the office), put together Team Matthews and ran a 1/2 Marathon together.

Blake loves being a dentist and is particularly honored by being one of the official dentists of BYU Athletics and the official dentist of the Fredette Family Foundation.

Smile!

by Andrea Harris

Photo Credit: Neurosciencestuff.tumblr.com

When I was a kid, I remember thinking my dad was sort of a grumpy guy... and also somehow secretly related to BYU coach LaVell Edwards (though he never seemed to show up at any family reunions, much to my disappointment). Partly it’s because my dad has really big, black, furrowy eyebrows, but mostly it’s because half the time he looks EXACTLY like Coach Edwards in the 4th quarter of a game there’s no hope of winning.  You know the frown I’m talking about!

Photo credit: The Sports Bank.net

Over and over my dad would say, “I am happy! I just forgot to tell my face.”  And still, people would mistake him as one orney fella.  (If you know him at all, nothing could be farther from the truth!)

So what’s the big deal about smiling?   Well, as it turns out, smiling is crazy good for you and there’s research to prove it.  Here are  just a few things smiling can do for you:

1. Lower Heart Rate – Smiling slows the heart and relaxes the body. This lets the heart work without overworking. People who smile and laugh often are less likely to develop heart disease. Smiling reduces blood pressure temporarily, too.  My frowny-faced dad?  He just had a heart attack...Might be something to this, right?  

2.  Reduce Stress – Stress is a common problem in the modern world that causes a myriad of health problems. Stress relief may be as simple as smiling a little more throughout the day. Smiling releases endorphins that counteract and diminish the stress hormones.  It also costs less than new shoes and works faster than the speed of chocolate!  Now, that’s a mood booster!

3. Increase Productivity –  So your boss just handed you a whole stack of things to do by the end of the day?  Instead of rolling your eyes before you dig in, try smiling! Smiling has been shown to increase productivity while performing tasks. There’s truth to the “whistle while we work” mentality. This also explains why silly internet memes and pictures of cute animals can actually get people motivated and working harder after a few moments of smiling or laughter.

4. Encourage Trust – Studies show that we are more trustful of others when they smile and smile genuinely. Trust is an important part of social health when dealing with people, whether they be loved ones or just acquaintances. Seems relationships are truly built on smiles.

5. Kill Pain – Smiling and laughter both have been shown to lessen pain. They release endorphins that lift our moods, but many of these act as natural painkillers, too. Now, don’t get crazy and skip the doctor next time you fall off a ladder, you can’t smile your way out of that one!  But smiling lends to our general sense of well-being, which helps us forget our minor aches and pains.

6. Increase Attention – Stress limits our perceptions and narrows our attention. Our body kicks into fight or flight mode where we can focus only on one of those things. Smiling counteracts this and widens our attention again, opening us back up to multitasking and insights that come from the fringes of our perception and our subconscious.

7. Build Attraction – Smiling makes people more attractive. This seems to be especially true for women. Men are more likely to approach a woman who smiles than one who simply makes eye contact while women aren’t necessarily drawn in by a smile alone.  

8. Look Younger – Smiles naturally lift the face and in studies have shown to make people look younger, around 3 years younger on average.  Go ahead, use a little less face cream.  Your face is naturally beautiful when you’re smiling.  The other day, my co-worker guessed that I was 8 years OLDER than I am.  If I wasn’t frowning before, I sure was after he said that!  But I’ll confess, I forget to tell my face I’m happy every once in awhile, too.  

9. Longevity – The effects of a good smile extend past just the exterior good looks. People who smile more often live longer too, around 7 years longer than most according to one study. It releases stress, helps the heart, and much more to keep you healthy longer.  There it is again!  That old smile to heart connection!

10. Contagious – Around 50% of people smile back. This spreads the health benefits throughout those around you and it comes back to you several times as well.  Try it this week.  Smile at every person you encounter.  I’m willing to bet you’ll make at least one person’s day... and your own!

So go ahead and get your smile on!  You’ll look younger, feel better, and gosh-darn-it, people will like you more!  And don’t forget to take good care of your smile! After all, it’s taking good care of you!

Baby Teeth--They Totally Matter

Once, sitting with a group of young mothers, the conversation turned to dental horror stories about solving preschooler's dental issues.  These mothers talked about baby root canals, multiple fillings and pulled teeth.

Finally someone nudged me.  Well, didn't I have a single dental horror story to share.

No.  Even with 5 kids and less-than perfect brushing habits (though we do make a good effort at it), I've only had to deal with, maybe 3 fillings. Maybe.  And, as I tried to explain to these friends, it's not genetics; it's because I have a couple of secret weapons.

Weapon #1: Fluoride
From the time my kids' pediatrician recommended it, my kids have taken fluoride.  The American Dental Association (ADA) says, "While teeth are forming under the gums, the fluoride taken [internally] strengthens tooth enamel making it stronger and more resistant to cavities. This provides what is called a “systemic” benefit. After teeth erupt, fluoride helps rebuild (remineralize) weakened tooth enamel and reverse early signs of tooth decay."

Weapon #2: Sealants

Photo Courtesy: Mouth Healthy.org

My third child, Nathan, got a cavity when we delayed getting sealants on his teeth.  Sealants cost a fraction (half or less than half) of a filling.  They are not covered by most insurance companies on baby teeth.  Get them sealed anyway.  Not only are they a fraction of the cost--they are even a smaller fraction of the trauma.  Sealants are "painted" onto the teeth.  They are super fast to get done (many of my kids have been able to get sealants the same day as our regular check up) and Dr. Matthews guarantees them.  

If the sealant chips, or peels after it's been done, Dr. Matthews touches them up, effectively redoing them at no cost.  That's the kind of thing that makes every mom happy. (To learn more about sealants go here.) After that postponing sealants with Nate that once, I've never done it again. 

Weapon #3:  Early and Often
I've usually taken our kids to MatthewsSmiles between 18 months and two years of age.  That visit is usually quite relaxed.  They get to ride up and down on the chair, Dr. Matthews counts their teeth (while giving them an exam) with a cool pokey-thing and they get prizes.  *PRIZES!* 

Six months later, we come back for our first cleaning.  And we're on our way every six months thereafter.  Based on how much my 1st grader still likes it, I think this plan is working.

The reality is that baby teeth matter.  On the ADA website for families called, Mouth Healthy.org, the ADA notes, "When a baby tooth is lost too early, the permanent teeth can drift into the empty space and make it difficult for other adult teeth to find room when they come in. This can make teeth crooked or crowded. That’s why starting infants off with good oral care can help protect their teeth for decades to come."

Photo Courtesy: Mark Stein Photography

Grinding

When we were little girls, my older sister and I had to share a bed on summer vacations.  I remember more than one vacation being awakened in the night with my sister threatening me through (ironically) clenched teeth.

"You're grinding your teeth," she hissed.  "Stop it!"

I had no idea I was doing it and no real way to stop.  I still grind my teeth and I'm not alone.  It is estimated that at least 25% of adults grind their teeth.  (Turns out my sister is every bit as bad a grinder as I am.)  And studies show that more children--perhaps because they're gaining and losing teeth--are teeth grinders than adults.

The big deal in all that, is that teeth grinding is, eventually, costly.  The American Dental Association (ADA) notes that people who grind their teeth often complain of waking with a headache, earache or toothache.  Their facial muscle are sore and the jaw joints tender.

Even though that's problematic, it's also just the beginning.  This article from the ADA points out that grinding can damage dental restoration, damage the jaw (think TMJ) and wear away the tooth enamel. 

As a grinder himself, Dr. Matthews recommends using a night guard and has tried out many.  Some 15-16 years ago, I got one specially made for me.  It was deliciously rubbery and once it was in my mouth--it was like giving a dog a bone.  I couldn't stop chewing on it.

It protected my teeth, which is good, but my jaw was getting such a work out that I couldn't stand it.  I gave up wearing it after only a few days.  But at my last dentist appointment, Dr. Matthews mentioned a new mouth guard he'd been asked to test.

Photo Courtesy: Amazon.com

It's made by Under Armor and is designed to improve athletic performance.  (Or at least give athletes something to protect their teeth while lifting weights or in other stressful circumstance where they might clench or grind.)  Dr. Matthews connected with the BYU Football team to test it out. 

Although actual performance improvement was negligible, Dr. Matthews was impressed with it as a mouth guard.  "It uses a hard surface between your teeth," he told me, "so that your teeth just slide around on it.  It doesn't give your jaw that really rubbery reward. It creates a disincentive to grind." 

And the best part?  The price.  It's only about $30 and you can buy it from Under Armor or Amazon.  (On Amazon, you can get free shipping.)   Lately, my jaw's be really tired and my teeth a little sore.  So, I'm placing my order and I'll let you know what I think.  I can tell you this much, I'm super excited to try it out.