February 2009 SmilEmail

2009 Healthy Smiles Golf Classic

To sign up for this year's event - click here

 

The Southwest Dental Conference played grand host to The TDA Smiles Foundation’s  first Great Grape Chase event in the Grand Ballroom Foyer of The Adolphus Hotel in Dallas, Texas on Friday, January 23rd.  Over 50 participants walked the line, challenging their taste buds to pick the most expensive Cabernet or Chardonnay on the table (and for those of you unable to stay around for the results, the correct guesses were R3 and W2).

Of our pool of players, 14 correctly guessed Heintz Cabernet as the winner:  Drs. Jerry Katz, Jay Adkins, Dale Green, Karen Frazer, Larry Spradley, Janet Hendrick, Don Lutes and Richard Smith; Diane Giesler,  Jimmie Smith , Shelby Nelson, Alisa Gibbons and Marty Garrett rounded out our Cabernet sommeliers with our drawn winner of the prize being Dr. Ken Crossland.

Only 3 players guessed Chalk Hill Chardonnay from the selections on the table:  Dr. Richard Smith, Jimmie Smith and our drawn prize winner was Amy Knitt.

Our thanks to everyone that participated in the fun that helped raise awareness and funds for the TDA Smiles Foundation.

Rockdale Smiles on Wheels Rolls Out

The inaugural Smiles on Wheels event happened on Saturday, December 12th in Rockdale, Texas at the First Methodist Church. Smiles on Wheels projects are the newest addition to the TDA Smiles Foundation's list of projects and services. Modeled after the successful Texas Mission of Mercy projects, the Smiles on Wheels events set up in rural communities with 10-12 dental operatories to provide immediate dental treatment to the area residents.

In partnership with the First Methodist Church, the Rockdale Chamber of Commerce, 16 dentists, 36 dental professionals and over 50 community volunteers provided $58,312 in charitable dental treatment services to 108 patients. Through these events we are servicing the rural community's oral health needs and changing people’s lives. To see how these events make a difference in the lives of those we serve, check out the story of Joyce, one of our Smiles on Wheels patients. (Click here to see Joyce’s video)

 

Our second Smiles on Wheels event was held Friday, February 2nd in Crockett, Texas. We would like to thank The First Baptist Church of Crockett for their gracious hospitality and community support.  There were 7 dental operatories and 3 dental hygiene stations in the main building and the University of Texas Dental Branch brought their dental van, providing an additional 3 operatories. We provided oral health care to approximately 124 patients at a value of care in excess of $78,000!

We couldn’t have done it without the wonderful support of 18 dentists and over 100 community volunteers who donated their time and services in order to make this event a great success.

If you would like to volunteer at future Smiles on Wheels or Texas Mission of Mercy events, go to www.tdasmiles.org to find more information.

Brushin' Up

Food preferences are developed early in life, mostly during early and middle childhood.

Join our mission to improve the oral health of all Texans and help us spread healthy smiles across the state.  Share this Brushin’ Up segment of SmilEmail with your family and friends.

 Be True to Your Tongue!

It is a known fact…we all have millions of bacteria living in our mouths.  They actively multiply and excrete awful smelling sulfur-based compounds as they die and decompose there.  Your tongue is covered with millions of these bad-breath causing bacteria, viruses, fungi, yeast, rancid food particles and cellular debris, not only emitting a strong unpleasant malodor, but also causing gum disease, dental decay, plaque, sore throats and colds.

The surface of the tongue resembles a thick plush carpet which is the main breeding grounds for bad breath causing bacteria.  Bacteria camp out on the ridges and valleys of the tongue which generates foul-smelling sulfides and fills the mouth with noxious gases.

Ordinary brushing fails to entirely dislodge this plaque and mucus.  Toothbrushing tends to churn up and redistribute debris on the tongue, whereas tongue scraping can cleanly remove this debris in a few quick strokes.  Tongue scraping should be part of your daily oral-hygiene regimen of brushing and flossing.

Tongue scrapers can be found where other dental aids are displayed in your local retail store.  If you are unable to purchase a tongue scraper, you can use your toothbrush.  Remember to brush your tongue’s middle and back where microbe populations can be especially high.  Hold your tongue with your free hand if you have difficulty with gagging during brushing or scraping your tongue.

Want to control bad breath and have a healthier mouth?  Don’t ignore the tongue.

Snackin’ Stickwiches

“I’m starving, Mom.  What’s there to eat?”  Are these the first words out of your son and/or daughter’s mouth after stepping off the afternoon school bus?  Children will often rebel with the offer of a plain ole apple or carrot sticks.  Candy and cookies will likely be on their minds.  Creativity is the name of the game.  Provide your child with an increased interest in eating healthy after-school snacks.

Create stickwiches by cutting up small cubes of whole grain bread and cheese.  Slide the cubes of bread and cheese along with turkey slices and cherry tomatoes onto small skewers.  Serve it up with some fresh fruit mixed into lowfat yogurt.  This is sure to be more appealing than eating a plain piece of fruit or cheese stick.

Make a family affair of planning after-school snacks by preparing a weekly mini-menu with your children on Sunday evenings.  You will be surprised at their interest in creating special menu items.  Let this activity serve as an educational experience in food nutrition facts.

Happy snackin’!

 Until next time, we wish you miles of healthy smiles!

 

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