Patient of Advanced Dental Care of Las Colinas On the Dr. Phil Show!

At Advanced Dental Care of Las Colinas, we are pleased to announce that one of our favorite patients, Jim Hrncir owner of Las Colinas Pharmacy, made his third return visit to the Dr. Phil Show on Tuesday April 21. Jim is a nationally recognized expert in the field of Bio-Identical hormones, and has made guest appearances on the Dr. Phil Show for this and his best known anti-aging skin care products.

Together with Dr. Phil, Jim will be tackling the topic of male/female Bio-Identical hormone therapy vs. traditional pharmaceutical hormone replacement. What’s the difference and what are the benefits? This is an important medical issue that many of our patients struggle with.

Most recently, Jim has provided consultation and guidance regarding this very topic in Robin McGraw’s new book “What’s Age Got To Do With IT”. Her book, released in January of this year, is a great health and beauty resource for those of us who really want to fight the aging process! If you would like to learn more about Jim Hrncir and The Las Colinas Pharmacy, visit their web site.

Regular Checkups are Important from Dr. Dunn

Is your child brushing his/her teeth twice a day? If yes, that’s great; but, don’t forget that it’s also important for your child to visit the dentist every six months in addition to brushing their teeth a couple times a day. If your child will be visiting the dentist for the first time, it’s important to bring them in after their first tooth comes through, and no later than their first birthday. Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health. At Advanced Dental Care of Las Colinas, we can:

--Check for problems that might not be seen or felt
--Detect cavities and early signs of decay
--Treat oral health problems early
--Show your child how to properly brush and floss their teeth

During an oral exam the doctor will check the health of your child’s mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If your child has not been to the dentist in the last six months, it’s time for you to schedule an appointment. Call us today at Advanced Dental Care of Las Colinas!

When is Thumb-Sucking Cause for Worry? Dr. Dunn Explains

Lots of you have asked us at Advanced Dental Care of Las Colinas about whether it’s healthy for children to suck thumbs (or, less frequently, fingers). If you’ve got a thumb-sucker in the house, you are not alone. Research tells us that between 75% and 95% of infants suck their thumbs. Is this anything to worry about?

In most cases, no. Sucking is a natural reflex for an infant, and can provide security and contentment as well as relaxation for your little one. It’s a habit that most children grow out of between the ages of 2 and 4.

However, if your child keeps sucking after he’s gotten his permanent teeth, it’s time to take a closer look. If your child sucks his thumb aggressively, putting pressure on the inside of his mouth or his teeth, it could cause problems with tooth alignment and proper mouth growth. If you’re worried, give us a call at Advanced Dental Care of Las Colinas and we can help assess the situation, and provide tips for how to help your child break the habit.

Baby Teeth and Gums Need Special Care -- From Dr. Jerry Dunn

One question we hear all the time at Advanced Dental Care of Las Colinas is “When should I start brushing my baby’s teeth?”

You should begin regular cleanings even before your baby has teeth. After each breast feeding – or bottle-feeding – use a clean, damp washcloth to gently rub your baby’s gum tissue. You can wrap the material around one finger to make it easier to remove any food bits from your baby’s mouth.

When your baby’s first tooth comes in switch to a baby toothbrush. Look for special baby toothbrushes in your drugstore – they have just a few bristles and are very soft. There are even brushes shaped like finger puppets that fit over the tip of your pointer finger! All you need at this point is water – no toothpaste yet.

After a few more teeth appear, you can start using toothpaste, but you only need a tiny bit, and make sure it doesn’t contain fluoride for the first three years. From the beginning, have your little one practice spitting the toothpaste out after brushing. That way, he or she will already have the good habit of spitting when you switch to fluoride toothpaste, which should never be swallowed.

If you have any questions about caring for your baby’s teeth, please contact Dr. Dunn.