In This Issue:

1. A New Year

2. Baby's Toothless Grin

3. From the "Smile Gallery"

January 2008

A New Year Brings New Things To Come

I trust your holiday was everything you hoped for and that I’m the first to wish you a Happy New Year.  2008!  Where has the time gone?  I remember ushering in the new decade in 2000 like it was yesterday, and here we are looking at the last half of this decade.  With what seems to be an increase in the speed of time though means I getting to see many of you sooner.  I’m happy to see so many people returning and getting to meet many of your family members. 

It’s been about two months since we started sending out post cards after your visit asking for your feedback and I’m pleased with many of the comments we’re receiving (be sure to read them later in this newsletter).  But some of you have not yet responded to our request. 

Within this New Year you’ll see some additional services in my office.  One I’m very excited about is an in-office plan for patients without Dental Insurance.  A few patients have asked for it.  It’s not yet finalized, but watch for more in next month’s newsletter. 

Happy New Year, and I look forward to seeing you soon.
Dr. Manbir Pannu

Baby's Toothless Grin

Having the smile of a lifetime starts at an early age. A baby's toothless grin warms the cockles of our hearts. By the time that baby enters kindergarten, that grin could still be toothless and not because the primary teeth are giving way to the permanent teeth. 

The cradle of protection
Starting good oral habits at an early age is critical. To launch your baby on the trip to good oral health, the baby should not be put to bed with a bottle containing a sugary liquid or a liquid with a high concentration of carbohydrates, which includes breast milk and formula. These liquids continually bathe the mouth and teeth with sugar that oral bacteria feed on and ultimately cause tooth decay. Exposure to sugary liquids can result in a condition called "baby bottle syndrome." A baby's first teeth are attacked by the acids produced by the bacteria feeding on the sugary liquids, and the teeth literally rot away. 

Your baby's mouth and gums should be cleaned after every feeding. Use a soft, clean, wet washcloth or gauze to gently wipe the gums. This helps to remove decay-causing bacteria. A wet washcloth gently rubbed on the gums when baby is teething will feel really good to baby. 

Begin baby's brushing routine as early as six months of age, just before the teeth appear. Use a soft-bristle brush to gently massage (brush along) baby's gums during teething. Not only will this help to soothe baby, but will get your child accustomed to the toothbrush. 

It may seem that we're making a big deal out of an early oral care routine-and we are-for good reason. Baby teeth have thinner enamel than permanent teeth; so, they are more vulnerable to decay. Unchecked decay can even progress to periodontal disease-in a young child! If your child takes medications for special needs or a systemic condition such as diabetes, there is an even greater chance of having periodontal disease because the medications can decrease saliva production. Saliva helps to protect your youngster's teeth by washing destructive bacteria off the teeth. 

If your youngster is old enough to participate in sports, have the child fitted with a mouth guard. Many children participate in some sort of sport, competitive game or athletic activity as early as four-years old. A mouth guard protects those vulnerable and important baby teeth. Make a mouth guard a bike riding must-do, just like the bike helmet has become. 

Make sure your child always brushes before and after using the mouth guard. Thoroughly cleaning the mouth guard will help to prevent your child's mouth being re-infected with decay-causing bacteria. Many sports begin with the start of the school year; so call our office at least two months before school starts. We get really busy with sports exams and cleanings at that time. 

The stats aren't good
The Surgeon General of the U.S. published a study in 2000 about oral health care in America. One of the alarming facts it uncovered was that children who live in lower economic conditions have double the number of cavities that affluent children have. They don't have access to dental insurance. They don't have regular dental check-ups. Twenty-five percent of economically disadvantaged kindergarten children have never been to a dentist!  

Tooth decay is the number one chronic childhood disease. In fact, more than half of children as old as nine have at least one cavity or filling.  

According to the Surgeon General, over 51 million school hours are lost every year because of dental-related illness. Economically disadvantaged children suffer almost twelve times more ill days than their more fortunate classmates. 

This CAT is not a kitty
Clearly, drastic measures need to be taken to help children with their oral care through those formative years. Fluoride supplements would help but are only one part of the solution. One measure is a new movement to identify children who are at high risk of tooth decay. It is called the Caries-risk Assessment Tool, or CAT for short.

Using the CAT method, dentists hope to identify at-risk children before caries (tooth decay) becomes a problem.

The CAT factors to identify children at high risk for cavities include children who:

CAT promotes a thorough examination to look for gingivitis (inflammation of the gum tissue around the teeth) and white spot lesions, which are cavities boring into the tooth's enamel layer. 

But there are other factors to consider-the child's whole health environment that includes changing-

• Public perceptions about the importance of oral health care

•  Local, state and federal policymakers' decisions about the importance of oral health services for all economic groups

• Healthcare providers' perceptions about the importance of educating their patients. We all educate, but we need to go that extra mile. 

Promoting good oral health involves the entire community.
The governor of California signed a law that mandates that every kindergarten-aged child must have a dental check-up before entering school. In California, the land of sunshine and Hollywood stars, almost 66 percent of children have cavities by the time they enter the third grade. This is a step in the right direction to help those who cannot help themselves. 

We can all do our part, beginning in our own homes and community. Brushing, flossing, fluoride, sealants and regular dental check-ups all help to promote healthy teeth. 

Baby those babies-teeth, that is
A healthy smile can put a child on the right track toward a bright future. Call us today and schedule an appointment for an exam and cleaning and maybe even a protective mouth guard for that little sweetie who just got a trike. 

The Smile Gallery is a special page on my website where I post the comments I receive from patients.  To visit the entire Smile Gallery, click on this link.

I HAVE NEVER HAD SOMEONE SO CARING TO HELP ME GET THROUGH THE NIGHTMARES I HAVE ABOUT GOING TO THE DENTIST   DR PANNU TALKS YOU THROUGH THE ROUGH MOMENTS AND MAKES GOING TO THE DENTIST A LITTLE BIT EASIER.  I WISH THEY HAD DENTAL INSTRUMENTS THAT WERE SILENT.  WE THINK YOU ARE AN EXCEPTIOINAL DENTIST NOT ONLY ARE YOU OUR DENTIST BUT WE FEEL LIKE YOU ARE A FRIEND TOO AND YOUR STAFF IS ALSO VERY FRIENDLY  MY WIFE LOVES YOUR CHAIR AND SHE WILL ALWAYS COME SEE YOU BECAUSE SHE REALLY RELAXES IN THE CHAIR. 

MICHAEL BUTVIN
North Royalton, Ohio 

I enjoy the attention my whole family receives including Chris, Emily and Alec.  You are sensitive to the needs of each patient, i.e. how you take care of Chris during fillings, crowns and so forth. 

Keith Marcinowski
Strongsville, Ohio 

Dr. Pannu's gentle manner makes you feel comfortable. 

Leonard Cmich
Hinckley, Ohio 

I always become nervous before my visits, but once in your hands I feel relaxed and confident that you will be very gentle and caring. Your very honest in your practice and I for one appreciate this. Your are the most helpful dentist I have ever been to.  You do not insist upon doing something that is not necessary. I am a senior and you do everything you can so that I may keep my teeth without costing me an arm and a leg. 

Dorothy Rose
Parma Heights, Ohio 

I think it is wonderful that Dr. Pannu spends so much time with her patients -- it is very RARE! And that there is the opportunity to discuss directly with her any concerns or questions.

…it is rare that the dentist does both the cleaning and exam. It is wonderful! 

Diane Petro
North Royalton, Ohio

DR. PANNU AND HER STAFF ARE THE BEST. 

DONNA BENDER
Brookpark, Ohio

Thank you everyone for the great feedback... and make sure you go online as soon as you receive your postcard and fill out the survey.  I'm very interested in hearing your feedback.  If there's something I need to improve, I want to hear about it.

Patient Surveys

After you visit the office you'll receive this postcard in the mail

When you receive it, go to www.northroyaltondentist.com/yourhelp as indicated on the card, complete the brief online survey and submit it.  You'll receive a $10 gift certificate via email within 1 hour, which is valid in the office against any service we offer.   Be sure to complete it right away.  I want to make sure we're providing you with a complete, "pain-free" experience.

Manbir Pannu, DDS
8523 Ridge Rd.
North Royalton, OH 44133
(440) 237-7730
www.northroyaltondentist.com