See My Two Front Teeth...

by, Andrea Harris

From the Colgate Comedy Hour TV Show on the NBC network (1950-1955), we bring you the timelessly funny Spike Jones…

If he really needs his two front teeth, he also need a great cosmetic dentist. Luckily, we know a great one right here in Provo!

Merry Christmas from Dr. Blake Matthews and the entire MatthewsSmiles staff!

And the Nominees Are...

As you know, our own Provo dentist, Dr. Blake Matthews is giving away a set of braces to one lucky winner!  They will start treatment in 2014 and get a New Smile for the New Year!

We wanted to introduce our amazing nominees, selected by Dr. Matthews and the MatthewsSmiles team. And they are...


1. Quinlan

Story: My son Quinlan was born at 26 weeks and weighed 2 pounds 3 ounces when he was born over 12 years ago. He has survived over 57 surgeries and is doing great. He has cerebral palsy and cannot walk but does really great other than that. He was born on 09/14/01, I actually went into labor on 09/11. He is an amazing boy.

On his birthday this year he asked for one thing and one thing only...... Braces! Who does that??? Well he is very insecure about his smile. He tells me his teeth are "jacked up". It breaks my heart but I wanted to wait until he was a little older and understood how important beautiful teeth and a beautiful smile are. I think he's ready.

Please consider giving this amazing kid the chance at having straight teeth and the confidence he deserves to have, in an amazing smile.

2. Alexa

Alexa is a beautiful girl with a fun personality.  Our family has gone through a job loss and a cross-country move in the last year.  Money has been tight and we are needing to get Alexa into braces. Please help us make her smile.

3. Andy

Andy never got a chance to have braces as a youth.  His father worked construction which provided for the family but never had insurance that would pay for braces to fix his smile.  Now that he is an adult, the cost of braces is prohibitive even though he has always tried to take care of his teeth.  Andy has always wanted to have a nice smile and where he wasn't ashamed when he was happy in front of other people. 

To vote go here: http://woobox.com/46gnfp

Let's share our Jimmerosity!  And join Dr. Matthews and the Fredette Family Foundation in picking someone special to get braces in 2014.  Voting runs until 12/9 and the winner will be announced 12/10.  

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

Team Spotlight: Mary, Office Manager

In 2007 Mary and Ray Valgardson joined their lives and large families when they married and moved to Utah to begin a new life together.  In addition to bringing the kids and belongings, Mary brought with her 15 years of experience in Dental Office Management.

Starting in 1992, Mary worked for a dentist in California.  Her expertise in insurance coding garnered her an invitation by a local business college to teach some courses.  Working out her schedule with the dental office, Mary was able to teach insurance coding and medical office practices for a number of years, passing along her knowledge to benefit other medical and dental offices, all while still working for a dentist.

With a resume this good, you can see why Dr. Blake Matthews was glad to hire Mary in 2007 after her move to Utah.

Together, Mary and Ray have 11 children and currently have 17 grandchildren. They love to do lots of things outdoors including driving on scenic byways, taking their camper to the mountains and boating at Lake Powell.  They are also die-hard Cougar fans with Mary especially enjoying BYU Basketball.

Mary also loves tablescaping (creating beautiful table settings) and has past experience with event planning where she put together events of all kinds, although she specialized in weddings.

Mary does an amazing job at MatthewsSmiles.  I have personally appreciated that before any procedure, she gives me a run-down on the costs, an estimate of what my insurance might pay and a print out with all of that information.

She has been fantastic to work with on the financial side and is always willing to patiently explain things I don't understand.  Mary is an important part of the MatthewsSmiles team and appreciated by Dr. Matthews patients.