Here's to 2012!

As we near the end of yet another year, I look to the words of others for guidance for the new year.  Here is a "gem" I found from Mark Twain:

New Year's Day:  Now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions.  Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual.  ~Mark Twain
Well, if that isn't just the truth.  I find that anymore, I won't even propose a resolution for the new year, for if I do, I am sure to fail at it.  More often that not, the resolutions we make are more about the champagne we are drinking than the reality we will have to deal on January 2!  That being said, I have found that setting small goals throughout the year works much better for me, and if I set those goals when I am not "under the influence" I have a much better success rates! 

Here at Austin Bluffs Dental, we are excited for the New Year.  We plan on carrying on our resolution to provide our patients with the best possible dental experience by continuing to attend education courses and keeping up-to-date with all the latest and greatest technology.  Thank you to all of our patients for a wonderful 2011, and as we transition to 2012, please know that we are here for you! 

I hope everyone has a very happy New Year!

-Trisha

Always remember:  Keep your teeth healthy, and don't let them take a bite out of your life! ;)

Merry Christmas!!

Well it is here, Christmas is only two days away and I think I am just about as ready as I can be!  I have wrapped the gifts, hung the stockings, decorated the tree and gained 5 lbs from all the wonderful goodies we have received here in the office!  So, yes, I would say I am officially ready for Christmas!  I did want to thank all of our awesome patients and all of the fantastic offices we work with for the many delicious treats you brought to us, we have enjoyed them all. 
 
I did scan the Internet to find a few good holiday jokes, so I hope you can get a good chuckle with these!

What did the dog breeder get when he crossed a Irish Setter with a Pointer?
           A PointSetter!

Why are Dasher and Dancer always taking coffee breaks?
          Because they are Santa's star bucks!

What do you call an elf who has just won the lottery?
          Welfy!

What do the elves sing to Santa after he finishes his rounds on Christmas Eve?
          Freeze a jolly good fellow!

What is a snowman's favorite food?
          Burrrr_itos!

LOL!!

FYI:  Our office will be closing early today, December 23, and we will open again on Wednesday December 28, 2011.  I want to wish everyone a safe and joyous holiday!  Merry Christmas to all!

Trisha

Always remember, keep your teeth healthy and don't let them take a bite out of your life! ;)



 

Recipe Alert! Nutmeg Maple Butter Cookies

Here is a recipe I found on one of my favorite food blogs; smitten kitchen.  If you ever have a chance to get on the smitten kitchen food blog, you will not be disappointed.  She has several recipes that you will not see anywhere else and many of them are really simple.  This recipe sounded yummy and doesn't involve much, so I figured I would post it here. 

Nutmeg Maple Butter Cookies

1 cup unsalted butter (at room temp)

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup maple syrup (Grade B works best for this recipe)

1 large egg yolk

3 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg or 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 1/4 teaspoon flaky salt or 1 teaspoon table salt

Using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.  Keep the mixer running and add egg yolk.  Once that is incorporated slowly pour in the maple syrup.  In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients (flour, nutmeg and salt).  Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix until just combined.  The dough will be loose.  Gather the dough together and wrap tightly with a piece of plastic wrap.  Chill the dough in the refrigerator anywhere from 2 hours to 4 days.  Dough should be firm. 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Roll out dough on a floured surface (quarter to half the dough at a time, keeping the remaining dough in the fridge until ready to use) to 1/8 inch thickness.  Cut into desired shapes.

Arrange cookies on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 8-11 minutes.  Cookies will be golden at the edges when they are ready to come out of the oven.  Transfer to cooling racks and cool.  Store cookies in an airtight container for up to a week or freeze them until you are ready for them! 

( smittenkitchen.com/2011/12/nutmeg-maple-butter-cookies)

Enjoy!

Trisha

Always remember; keep your teeth healthy and don't let them take a bite out of your life! ;)

December is here!

I have such a hard time believing that we are now into December and that the holidays are coming at us like a freight train, but my 5 year old son keeps me in check!  Everyday he gives me the countdown to Christmas, last night I heard, "24 days until Christmas mom!"  (like I need the reminder!)  It's not that I don't love the holiday season and all that it represents, but I am just not ready!  Is anyone else with me on this?  I don't know how it happens, but with every passing year time moves faster and faster!  I am ready for a slow down, "mommy needs a time out," but I doubt I'll get it.  Here's to wishful thinking!  I want to wish all of our patients a little slow down!  Let's all take a "time out" and be thankful for what we have right in front of us!

-Trisha

Always remember; keep your teeth healthy and don't let them take a bite out of your life! ;) 

New technology for oral cancer screening is here!

We are excited to announce that we now have a new "tool" in our arsenal to help us screen for oral cancer.  We attended a continuing education seminar in Denver, Co last Thursday and Friday and part of the focus of that seminar was on oral cancer screening.  We have always preformed oral cancer screenings in our office, but we now have a velscope.  A velscope "is the most powerful FDA approved oral screening tool for assisting in the discovery and detection of oral cancers.  The velscope works by emitting non-harmful blue light allowing the doctor to see areas of concern that are otherwise undetectable with the naked eye.  The velscope is NOT a diagnostic test.  It is, however, a visualization tool that will help the dentist and hygienist to identify a wide range of unhealthy tissue in the mouth including oral pre-cancer and cancer." (Velscope.com)  If the doctor does see something of concern he will then schedule the patient for diagnosis.  For more information you can go to Velscope.com. 

We will begin to use the velscope routinely at your regular check-ups, so if you need another reason to get in for your check-up, there you have it.  Our patient's health is extremely important to us, and this is why we have decided to bring this new technology into our office. 

-Trisha

Always remember, keep your teeth healthy and don't let them take a bite out of your life! ;)

Quote of the Week!

I was driving to work yesterday and I was reflecting on the seminar our office attended on Friday November 4th (which, by the way, was AWESOME!  If you ever get a chance to hear David Weber speak, don't miss it!), and I pulled up behind a truck with "the best" bumper sticker for the mood I was in.  The bumper sticker read:

  If it's petty, don't sweat it

        and         
  If it's sweaty don't pet it!

Now isn't that the honest truth!  The tough part is not sweating the small stuff, boy can that one be tricky!  Well here's to trying! 

Trisha

Always remember, keep your teeth healthy, and don't let them take a bite out of your life! ;) 

 

Halloween Laughs

It's the Friday before Halloween, and I thought I would make today's entry a fun one!  I have searched the Internet for some Halloween jokes, and here are a few I thought were pretty funny!

Q.  Why didn't the skeleton dance at the Halloween party?

A.  He had no body to dance with!

Q.  What do Italian's eat on Halloween?

A.  Fettuccine Afraid-O!

Q.  What do you call a fat jack-o-lantern?

A.  A plump-kin!

Q.  Why didn't the skeleton cross the road?

A.  He didn't have the guts!

LOL!  Now those are funny!  Happy Halloween to everyone!

-Trisha

Always remember; Keep your teeth healthy and don't let them take a bite out of your life! ;)

Recipe of the month

It has been a while since we posted a recipe here on the blog, so since fall is probably my favorite time of the year to cook, I thought I'd post this recipe which a good friend of mine shared with me!

Dinner in a Pumpkin!!

Ingredients:

     1 Medium pumpkin

     1 Onion, chopped

     2 Tablespoons vegetable oil

     2 pounds ground beef

     2 Tablespoons soy sauce

     2 Tablespoons brown sugar

     1 (4 ounce) can sliced mushrooms (I like to substitute fresh mushrooms, if possible)

     1 (15 ounce) can cream of chicken soup

     1 1/2 cups cooked rice (for a healthy version, use brown rice)

     1 (8 ounce) can sliced water chestnuts

Directions:

1. Wash the outside of the pumpkin, cut off the top and clean out the pulp and seeds.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
3. In a large skillet saute onions in vegetable oil until tender, add meat and cook thoroughly, drain excess fat.
4. Add soy sauce, mushrooms, brown sugar and can of soup, simmer mixture for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Add cooked rice and water chestnuts.
6. Spoon mixture into the cleaned pumpkin.
7. Cover the pumpkin with the top of the pumpkin and place entire pumpkin on a baking sheet. 
8. Bake 1 hour or until the pumpkin flesh is tender.
9. Remove pumpkin from the oven and place on a platter to serve.  Food will stay hot for quite awhile. 
10. Scrape out part of the pumpkin flesh to serve with the meat mixture as your vegetable. 

I hope you all enjoy this as much as I do!  If you do make this, let me know how you like it and if you did anything to alter the recipe! 

-Trisha

As always; keep your teeth healthy, and don't let them take a bite out of your life! ;) 



Joke of the day

As we creep into the middle of October, I can't help but get excited.  I love the fall and Halloween is definitely one of my favorite holidays.  So in honor of Halloween, I have a joke for you all...

Q.  What do vampires and false teeth have is common?

A.  Both come out at night!

Trisha

Always remember; Keep your teeth healthy and don't let them take a bite out of your life! ;)

And the answer is...

Sorry for the delay in posting the answers to the quiz, We were really busy around here last week (no complaints) and so I was not able to get on the blog to post the answers.  As I know you are all waiting with baited breath, without further delay, the answers to the pop quiz are as follows:

1) True, thumb sucking can cause a misalignment of the teeth, which can cause a range of problems including breathing problems and problems with chewing.  If at all possible discourage your child from becoming an avid thumb sucker.

2) False, the acidity of the lemons can actually cause the enamel to erode and weaken the structure of the tooth. 

3) False, while neither option is good for your teeth, chewing on ice, can cause serious damage to your teeth because of the cold temperatures and the hardness of the ice.  If a blender needs a special setting to crush ice, take that as a clue that you should not be attempting to do it with your teeth!

4) False, brushing your teeth too hard can cause sensitivity to hot and cold, it may irritate the gums, and can wear down your tooth enamel. 

Hopefully you got the answers correct, and maybe you learned a thing or two.  I'll be back with another quiz eventually, so study hard and be on the look out for the next pop quiz!

-Trisha

Always remember; Keep your teeth healthy and don't let them take a bite out of your life! ;)

It's Pop Quiz time again

Take a quick minute to see if you can answer these questions.  I will post the answers next week, so check back to see how you did!


1) True or False:  Thumb sucking can result in permanant changes in tooth and jaw structure.

2) True or False:  Sucking on lemons actually cleans your teeth.

3) True or False:  Chewing on ice cubes are way better for your teeth than hard candies.

4) True or False:  The harder you brush your teeth, the more plaque you will remove.

-Trisha

Always remember:  Keep your teeth healthy, and don't let them take a bite out of your life! ;)

Oral health and Overall health

 "Every tooth in a man's head is more valuable than a diamond."  -Miguel De Cervantes,  Don Quixote 1605

Amazing, don't you think, that even back in the 1600's, people were writing about the importance of oral health!

It is astonishing to learn just how many aspects of our overall health are directly linked to our oral health.  It seems that nearly everyday more and more articles are published discussing just how important it is to take care of our mouths.  Oral health has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, pre-term labor and the list goes on and on.  Researchers from all major medical institutions are just scratching the surface on the links and the cause-effect relationships that exist between oral health and overall health.  So, not only could going to the dentist regularly help you to keep those valuable teeth, it may also save your life! 

Hope everyone is having a great week!

-Trisha

Always remember:  Keep your teeth healthy and don't let them take a bite out of your life! ;)

A Little bit of Humor!

Dental Implants

Have you ever wondered what options are available for replacing a missing tooth? Did you know that dental implants are often times the best treatment option for replacing the missing tooth or even multiple teeth? 
A dental implant is a metal post that is surgically placed into the jaw bone which then acts like a root of a tooth.  A crown is placed on the post and what you end up with is a long term solution for the missing tooth. 
Dental implants are a great option for patients of all ages.  Schedule an appointment today with Dr. Kearney so we can tell you more about this exciting treatment!

Here's hoping everyone is having a wonderful summer!  Time is sure flying by!

-Trisha

Always remember: Keep your teeth healthy and don't let them take a bite out of your life! ;)

You've been waiting...

Here are the answers to the quiz from last week.

1.  It is recommended that you brush your teeth at least 2 times a day, but not more than 3.  If you brush your teeth 4 or more times in a day you can irritate your gums and possibly erode the tooth enamel.  So, it is a good idea to brush your teeth 2-3 times per day. 

2.  In order to effectively clean all surfaces of your teeth, you should be brushing your teeth for 2-3 minutes each time you brush.  Here's a tip: don't always start brushing in the same spot of your mouth.  If you mix it up a little, you are less likely to get board with brushing and more likely to give your teeth a proper cleaning. 

3.  You should plan on changing your toothbrush every 3-4 months according the the American Dental Association, but more important than the time that has passed since your last toothbrush purchase, is paying attention to the quality of the bristles.  Once the bristles lose their flexibility and start to break apart it is time to change your toothbrush. 

Bonus Question:  Kids ages 2-5 who skipped breakfast are nearly 4 times more likely to get cavities than those who eat breakfast according the the Journal of the American Dental Association.  Even when the kids eat the surgery cereals they will normally put milk on that cereal which is teeth healthy.  Plus, kids who eat breakfast tend to eat less surgery snacks for the rest of the day.

So there you have it!  Hopefully you have learned a few things, and if you have any questions about any of this information, let me know!

Trisha

Always remember: Keep your teeth healthy, and don't let them take a bite out of your life! ;)   

Pop Quiz

OK, so it is Friday May 27, 2011 and Memorial day is just around the corner.  I want to wish everyone a safe and happy weekend!  Before you begin all of your weekend festivities, take my pop quiz to see if you are oral health smart!

Question 1:    How many times is it recommended you brush your teeth in a day?
Question 2:    How long should you brush your teeth each time you are brushing?
Question 3:    How often should you change your toothbrush?

Now for the bonus question....Can feeding your child breakfast help reduce their risk of getting cavities?

Think you know all the answers...check back next week to see if you passed the quiz.  There is really no prize for getting the answers right, but you just might improve your oral health knowledge, which really is a win-win!

Again, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, Austin Bluffs Dental will be closed for the holiday, but we will be back in the office on Tuesday!  Get outside and enjoy all Colorado has to offer!

Trisha

Always remember: Keep your teeth healthy and don't let them take a bite out of your life! ;)

It's Friday

Good Morning to all-

Wow, I can not believe that it is Friday, May 20, 2011 already!  Schools are wrapping up for the year and summer is just around the corner.  Spring has been feeling more like winter so far this year, but I guess with the dry winter, we can't complain too much about the moisture.  That being said, I am definitely looking forward to some warmer weather!  Barbara decided she was tired of waiting for the warm weather to get here, so she took off for a weeks vacation to find some sunshine! Send a little our way please Barb! 

As always, we welcome your comments, and are available to take care of all your dental needs!  Give our office a call, we are here for you!

Trisha

Always remember: keep your teeth healthy and don't let them take a bite out of your life! ;)  

Periodontal Disease: Just the facts

Periodontal Disease ranges from simple inflammation of gums (gingivitis) to a far more serious problem involving the soft tissue and bone that supports teeth (periodontists), which can result in loss of teeth.

Plaque and tarter build up are the major contributing factors to the development of periodontal disease.  Other risk factors include but are not limited to: smoking (do you really need another reason to quit?), hormonal changes, diabetes, and genetic predispositions.

Preventing periodontal disease is as easy as caring for your mouth daily; brush your teeth twice a day, floss your teeth at least once a day, visit your dentist for regular cleanings and check ups, and if you are a smoker, consider quitting.

There is some research that periodontal disease not only affects the health of your mouth but can be linked to other health risks including: pregnant women with periodontal disease giving birth to preterm babies and/or low birth weight babies, periodontal disease can make controlling blood sugars difficult, and may cause such health problems as stroke and heart disease.  Bottom line; periodontal disease is not good for your health!

If you are diagnosed with periodontal disease, there are treatments to help get the disease under control, and the sooner you see a professional the better chance of minimizing the damage caused by the disease. 

If you are concerned that you may have periodontal disease, don't put it off any longer.  Get an appointment with Dr. Kearney so we can get started putting your oral health back on track!

Trisha

Always remember: keep your teeth healthy and don't let them take a bite out of your life! ;)

Dental Facts You Never Knew You Wanted to Know!

Toothpaste in collapsible tubes was introduced way back in the 1850's. Fluoride, however wasn't added to toothpaste until 1914, but was met with disapproval from the ADA (American Dental Association). It wasn't until the mid 1950's that Crest introduced it first clinically proved fluoride toothpaste.  Currently, in the United States, we buy over 14 million gallons of toothpaste yearly. 

All of this talk about toothpaste makes me want to go brush my teeth! :-)

Hopefully you found this information interesting, and if you have any interesting facts you have been dying to share, please do so.  I am always looking to increase my knowledge of totally useless information! 

Trisha

Always remember: keep your teeth healthy, and don't let them take a bite out of your life! ;)

Happy Spirng to Everyone!

Well it is May and typical of Colorado, now we get the snow!  Good news is, the forecast appears to be warming and things are getting hot around here!  As we roll into the summer months there is one schedule change to take note of.  Starting Friday May 13th, we will begin our summer hours, which are our regular business hours 8-5 Tuesday-Thursday and then on Fridays we open at 7am and work until 3:00.  So, for all of you early risers, the time to schedule is now! 
As always, we at Austin Bluffs Dental love to hear from our patients with any suggestions or comments they may have.  We strive to provide the best care for our patients and really value your opinions!

Here's to a wonderful Spring!

Trisha

Always remember, keep your teeth healthy and don't let them take a bite out of your life! ;)

Let's learn dental terminology!!

This week's dental words of the week...

Mandible:  Your lower jaw; the largest and strongest bone of the face.
Maxilla:  Your upper jaw

Now, don't you feel smarter! Go out and try to use your new found knowledge.

Trisha

Always remember:  Keep your teeth healthy, and don't let them take a bite out of your life! ;)

Zesty Pasta Sauce Recipie - ENJOY!

ZESTY SPAGHETTI SAUCE

1 lb. Hot Italian link sausage

1, 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano

1, 14.5 oz. can regular diced tomatoes

1, 8 oz. can tomato sauce

1, 6 oz. can tomato paste

1, 7 oz. (4 oz. Drained) can of sliced mushrooms

½ t. salt

¼ t. black pepper

½ t. oregano

1 t. basil

½ t. fennel seed

½ t. crushed red (cayenne) pepper

1 t. sugar

4 good sized cloves of garlic, minced

1 medium-large onion

½ T. olive oil

Pinch of baking soda

Cut sausage links into bite size pieces and boil in water for 10 minutes to render fat; drain. Cut up onion into small pieces and place in dutch-oven pan with olive oil.  Add minced garlic to dutch-oven type pan and cook up until onion is soft.  Add canned tomato products, salt, pepper, oregano, basil, fennel seed, crushed red pepper, and sugar to dutch-oven and stir together.  Add rendered sausage and bring to boil.  Simmer for one hour and then add pinch of baking soda (reduces acidity).  Simmer for one hour more.  Stir in drained mushrooms about ½ hour before done simmering.  Serve over piping hot spaghetti.  Unused portions can be frozen for later use or kept in refrigerator for up to one week.  The sauce actually tastes better if refrigerated overnight after cooking before serving.

Serves 6-8

Always remember:  Keep your teeth healthy and don't let them take a bite out of your life! ;)

Fun Dental Facts you just have to know

32% of Americans report bad breath as the most irritating trait of their co-workers.
60% of people don't realize that a sore jaw when combined with chest pain can signal a heart attack, especially in woman.
73% of Americans would rather go grocery shopping than floss their teeth.

Although these little known dental facts are a bit silly, in all seriousness, taking care of your mouth can and will prevent other health issues.  The health of your mouth directly affects your overall health.  Teeth and gums that are well cared for allow us to talk, smile, laugh and kiss!  Now, isn't that reason enough to take care of your oral health. :~)

Always remember:  Keep your teeth healthy and don't let them take a bite out of your life! ;)

Keep an eye out for more fun facts to come!

Trisha

It's Friday!!!

Happy Friday, happy bloggers!  It looks to be a beautiful weekend in the great state of Colorado, so get out and enjoy!  I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and we'll check in with you all next week!

Always remember: Keep your teeth healthy and don't let them take a bite out of your life ;)

Welcome new staff member!

Hey, hello and good day to ya! I am the newest member of the Austin Bluffs Dental team and I am excited to be here!  I grew up in the Colorado Springs area and have been in the dental field for over 10 years.  My three children keep my totally busy when I am not at work, but I do "attempt" to get outdoors and enjoy all Colorado has to offer!  I look forward to getting to know all of the great patients Dr. Kearney treats, and will try to keep up with you all on this blog! (at least a couple times a week) :-)

As I tell my kids; If you don't want to end up like the dinosaurs...you need to take care of your teeth! (and it works...some of the time)

Until next time-

Trisha

A Delicious Recipie! Enjoy :)

CHOCOLATE SUNDAE SAUCE

3 oz. unsweetened chocolate

5 oz. can of evaporated milk

1 cup sugar

3 T. butter

1 t. vanilla

Melt chocolate, sugar, evaporated milk and better together until all is dissolved.  Stir in vanilla.  Let cool until slightly warm and serve over the ice cream of your choice.  Unused portions can be stored in refrigerator for up to 10 days.

Always remember: Keep your teeth healthy and don't let them take a bite out of your life ;)

See What's New

There are a couple of new buttons on my facebook page on the left.  You can now request an appointment online and see what people are saying about our office under reviews.  Isn't this cool?

Always remember: Keep your teeth healthy and don't let them take a bite out of your life ;)

Dr. K.

Welcome to Dr. Kearney's Blog

Hi All,
I am new to this, but I hope you use it to help you stay informed of new things coming up in dentistry to help you maximize your oal health in which studies show improves the quality of your life and can even extend your life by 7-10 years!  What a beautiful Saturday!  I hope you are all out and enjoying yourselves.  Information will be upcoming - stay tuned!

Always remember: Keep your teeth healthy and don't let them take a bite out of your life ;)

Dr. K.