How Do You Enjoy Cleveland in the Fall? Enter to Win a Halloween Gift Basket!

This post is not about teeth, it’s about our beautiful city, Cleveland! I am active in many organizations in Cleveland, as I care about the future of our city and I love it! I especially love Cleveland in the autumn months. In the fall I love to go apple picking at Patterson’s Fruit Farm, and walk around Shaker Lakes looking at the amazing foliage as it changes color. This year I think I’ll take my daughter to “Boo at the Zoo”! I am so excited to dress baby Scarlett, my daughter, in her Halloween costume, but they’ll be NO candy for her!

Please share with Richards Frankel Dentistry what your favorite fall Cleveland activities include! We love to hear how our patients are active in the community and what they love to do in Cleveland! The best activity done in Cleveland in the fall will win a Halloween gift basket. 

Please share your pictures, and/or the activities you do in Cleveland in the fall and enter your family to win a Halloween gift basket! To enter, email your photos and story to info@richardsfrankeldentistry.com or complete the form below.

Enter to Win

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Enjoy the fall in Cleveland,

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“Falling Leaves” by Rodney Keeling is licensed under CC BY

in Entertainment / Orange Dentist / Pepper Pike Dentist / Press / Shaker Heights Dentist

We love our patients!

Thank you to our sweet patients today who sent us this lovely fruit arrangement! We are grateful to have such amazing patients and we are thankful for each and every one of you. Remember, Richards Frankel Dentistry is truly a family practice, and we treat our patients as we would our own family.

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Gratefully yours,

Dr. Frankel

in Press / Shaker Heights Dentist

Got Wisdom?… Teeth, That Is!

Today we’re going to talk about wisdom teeth! A question I commonly receive is should I keep my wisdom teeth? Well, today I’m going to help to demystify why many dentists recommend that wisdom teeth be extracted, while some wisdom teeth can happily stay in the mouth.

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are another name for your third molars, the back-most teeth in your mouth, and they erupt around the age of 18.

Why Extract Wisdom Teeth?

Common dental issues associated with wisdom teeth include, only partially erupting into the mouth, or being impacted- the teeth are trapped inside the bone of the jaw. When this occurs it is often necessary to extract the wisdom teeth because they can cause dental disease. Even erupted third molars can be prone to disease, as they are difficult to keep clean due to their location in the mouth. Wisdom teeth can also crowd the existing dentition, and can cause movement of existing teeth.

Why Keep Wisdom Teeth?

If your wisdom teeth are erupted, and are kept clean, and are not causing disease in your mouth, they can likely stay put. Just make sure those teeth are kept clean with regular brushing and flossing.

Richards Frankel Dentistry works closely with oral surgeons to make sure your wisdom tooth removal experience is comfortable. If you are concerned that your wisdom teeth are causing you dental discomfort, then book your consultation appointment today!

Brought to you by your wisdom-toothless dentist,

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Dr. Frankel

in Adult Dental Education

Its Mouthguard Season!

soccer

With fall sports season comes the need for custom-fitted mouthguards! Here at Richards Frankel Dentistry we can make you and your children custom fitting mouthguards that optimize facial protection when playing contact sports. Over-the-counter mouthguards provide significantly LESS protection than do custom-fitted mouthguards.

 

Why wear a mouthguard?

Mouthguards help you avoid injuries to the mouth when playing sports such as basketball, softball, football, wrestling, soccer, lacrosse, rugby, hockey, field hockey, and skateboarding.

Common injuries that can be avoided include:

  • jaw fracture
  • broken teeth
  • split lips
  • concussion (mouthguards may reduce the likelihood of concussion)

 

Why wear a custom-fitted professional mouthguard?

A mouthguard made by your dentist is made to an exact model of your teeth, so it fits! It doesn’t require that the athlete hold it in place by biting on it.  Mouthguards sold at sporting goods stores, or drugstores are not able to create a tight fit to the teeth and are often loose and bulky, thus providing less protection and are less durable. While an over-the-counter mouthguard is less expensive, it is less durable, and is not backed by your dentist’s warranty.

Don’t let you or your children be more susceptible to injury! Have a custom mouthguard made by Richards Frankel Dentistry and let the games begin!

Happy sports season,

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Dr. Frankel

“Week #17: Sport” by Kicki Holmén is licensed under CC BY

in Adult Dental Education / Dental Tips / Orange Dentist / Pediatric Education / Pepper Pike Dentist / Services / Shaker Heights Dentist

Why Floss?

The floss seen in the image above is vintage. A patient brought it into our office this morning, and said it was over 60 years old! This little bottle of vintage waxed floss made me think, and I want to share my thoughts with you! Flossing has been around a long time, and dentists and hygienists always remind their patients to floss. Yet, still my patients admit that they aren’t flossing twice a day. But why? Well, why floss?

  • Flossing is an essential part of  your home hygiene routine because it removes plaque (bacteria) from between the teeth and at the gumline where periodontal disease often begins, or cavities can form.
  • Flossing twice a day is a proven way of decreasing the likelihood of gingivitis, periodontitis and cavities.
  • Flossing can remove old food debris from between the teeth and thus improve your breath!

There are now a variety of flossers that you can use if you find the floss string awkward. Bottom line:  flossing improves oral health, and also your overall health. The bacteria that cause gum disease is now linked to heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s Disease, just to name a few. So, flossing is a cheap, easy and quick way to do something good for your body ( and teeth) everyday. Make it a part of your daily routine so that your next dental visit is excellent!

Keep flossing,

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Dr. Frankel

in Adult Dental Education / Pediatric Education

Smile Mini Session with Richards Frankel Dentistry!

kids Kim Ponsky Photography and Richards Frankel Dentistry are teaming up on Friday August 8th! Come have your child’s photo taken and learn about the best oral hygiene tips for your children, schedule a free dental exam, and enter to win a free whitening, too! Smile Mini Sessions!

Put your best face forward when you go back to school! Kim Ponsky Photography is teaming up with Richards Frankel Dentistry on August 8th because we’re all about smiles! Richards Frankel Dentistry will be at the mini session to provide dental information to you and your family, hand out lots of free dental goodies, enter you to win a free whitening, and schedule you for a free exam! Book your session today!!!

  • Mini Session $20
  • 10 minute session
  • 5×7 “Kim’s Pick” Print

“Zion and Daeker Sunset” by Robert Conley is licensed under CC BY

in Dental Promotions

Our littlest patients love to brush!!

Just a reminder to make sure your kids begin practicing good oral hygiene habits from a young age! Our littlest patients love to brush!

  • Don’t put your children to sleep with a bottle of milk or juice. The liquid can stay in their mouth after they fall asleep and cause tooth decay.
  • Wipe your child’s gums off with a gauze after they eat or drink.  After their teeth have come in, its time for them to brush!
  • Keep sugary beverages to a minimum. Sugar causes cavities!
  • Say adios to sippy cups by age 3. Start phasing them out between the ages of 2-3. Sippy cups can cause/perpetuate a sucking disorder, and change the shape of a child’s mouth if used to long.
  • Fluoride is a good way to combat tooth decay. It can be administered by your dentist, Richards Frankel Dentistry!

Thank you to our families who send us adorable photos of their kids brushing, keep them coming!

in Orange Dentist / Pediatric Education / Pepper Pike Dentist / Shaker Heights Dentist

Your Mouth has a Huge Impact on Your Overall Health!

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It is extremely important to let my patients know about the connection between your oral health and overall health.  Here is what I want you to know:

  1. Periodontal Disease is an INFLAMMATORY DISEASE. It is inflammation of the gums, which can subsequently impact other structures in the mouth, including bone. What causes it? Bacterial overgrowth ( bad bacteria outweigh good bacteria).
  2. The destructive forces of Periodontal Disease (oral bacteria) are the same destructive forces in many common diseases like STROKE, RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS, CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, etc.
  3. Periodontal Disease exacerbates other inflammatory diseases, including ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE, CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, DIABETES, etc.
  • Up to 50% of HEART ATTACKS are triggered by bad oral bacteria
  • The oral bacterium P.Gingivalis raises the risk of HEART ATTACK 13.6 TIMES- that’s two times more likely that you’ll have a heart attack due to gum disease than being a smoker.
  • Having Periodontal Disease is as big of a risk for a STROKE as having high blood pressure.

So, what can you do to lower your risk of Periodontal Disease, and stay healthy? Visit your dentist! Dr. Frankel evaluates every patient for Periodontal Disease (gum disease). If you are diagnosed with gum disease, Richards Frankel Dentistry will make sure your disease is controlled and well-treated. Don’t ignore your mouth, it will impact your overall health!

Stay healthy and informed,

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Dr. Frankel

“Definition of Perfect Retouch” by T.J. Lentz is licensed under CC BY

in Adult Dental Education