Yogurt Builders Gift Card Giveaway

August 18th, 2011

Ok, so we’re all tired of this hot and sticky weather, especially now that kids are back in school and, for those of you from other parts of the country, it’s supposed to feel like fall.

Let me help cool you off with thoughts of a delicious Yogurt Builders gift card.  Think about savoring those wonderful sweet cold flavors with all your favorite toppings…and for free if you win my gift card!

Now, think about a teacher who inspired you, made you work harder, or maybe made you feel just a little bit better about yourself when you were in school.  Or maybe you’re a parent, and your child has had an especially wonderful teacher that you’d like to talk about?  You can enter too!

I remember when my daughter was in first grade and it was hard for her each day when I would drop her off in the classroom.  Each day there were quiet tears streaming down her face as I would leave the room, of course making for tears on my face after I’d leave.   Her teacher, a wonderful woman who is now retired, Mrs. Bear at Cochise Elementary School, noticed my daughter and told her that if she didn’t cry, she would give her a sticker.  So, for the next few days, my daughter would sit down in her chair in the absolute pandemonium of the normal classroom at the start of the school day.  Mrs. Bear would be simultaneously talking to several parents and kids at the same time.  Out of the corner of her eye, she would notice my daughter struggling mightily to maintain her composure.  Without interrupting her conversations with the other students and parents, she would walk over to where my daughter was sitting, quietly place a sticker on the back of my daughter’s hand and walk away.  Immediately, my daughter’s face would light up with a huge smile!   It was exactly what my daughter (and her mom) needed!

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How does tooth whitening work?

August 4th, 2011

There are many products on the market used to whiten teeth.

Some are simply toothpastes that are more abrasive and whiten your teeth by removing the stains caused by what you eat and drink.  These toothpastes, while good at removing brown stains due to coffee and tea, are not particularly effective at lightening the overall shade of teeth.   Only whitening gels that contain a type of peroxide can do that.

But how does tooth whitening gel actually whiten teeth?  I don’t want to bore you with a lot of details, but suffice it to say that tooth whitening is a chemical reaction involving hydrogen peroxide.   Most professional whitening gels start out as something called “carbamide peroxide”.   When this carbamide peroxide comes in contact with your teeth and saliva, it breaks down into hydrogen peroxide and ions that soak into the enamel.   Those ions oxidize and open the carbon rings that give the enamel its yellow color.  These carbon rings change shape into chains which are naturally lighter in color.

That’s enough of the chemistry lesson… here’s what you really need to know:

  1. The higher the concentration of the gel, the better it works.  However, the higher the concentration of the gel, the more likely it will cause sensitivity of the teeth and gums.
  2.  Most over the counter gels typically are 10% carbamide peroxide.   Professional strength gels can be purchased in a dental office and range in concentration from 10% up to 45%.  With the stronger gels there is greater chance of “burning” the gum tissue.  This is a temporary irritation of the gums that is less likely with a properly fitted whitening tray.
  3. Whitening gels do not change the color of fillings or crowns, which may make them more noticeable as the natural enamel whitens.

Talk to your dentist about whether professional teeth whitening is an option for you.

 

Posted in bleaching, Cosmetic Dentistry, Healthy Mouth Bites, technology in dentistry, Veneers, whitening | No Comments »

Why do I like being a dentist?

July 9th, 2011

I’ve been practicing dentistry for 23 years now.   My staff and I love treating our patients and their families.  When we see people every six months, we mark the passage of time in their lives, as well as our own.  We love seeing  kids when they come in for their first “happy visit” and take a ride in the dental chair.  It seems almost overnight that we’re seeing them around Christmastime  home from college!

So many of my adult patients who are fearful tell me  they had bad dental experiences as children, and that fear has carried over into adulthood.   It is a very common and unfortunate refrain.  Moreover, fearful patients tend to put off dental issues until they become painful and expensive emergencies, which only reinforces those negative feelings.

I consider it both a privilege and a responsibility to make sure that children in my practice have positive dental experiences.  Nearly all of my staff are parents (and some grandparents!) themselves, and we make it our business to make kids’ dental visits exceptional.  Here’s just some of the things we do in my office for our younger patients:

As a mom myself, I know how hard it is to get kids moving in a particular direction for appointments (my father-in-law likens it to “herding cats”) so I stock a fridge in my reception area with healthy snacks for patients.  Busy parents coming from work and school greatly appreciate that!

I have a collection of age-appropriate movies for kids to watch during treatment, and I use laughing gas (when needed) to help distract that fidgety-can’t-sit-still-for-a -second kid.   Kids are not fearful dental patients unless the parent has taught them to be that way or the dentist has hurt  them.   My most important dental tool  is communication.  If I think something is going to be even remotely uncomfortable, I tell the child this in advance and when to expect it.  I show them everything I’m going to do before I do it, so there are no surprises.   By the time I’ve shown them everything and gotten them hooked up with the movie, headphones and laughing gas, they really are somewhat annoyed with me when I stop the movie to tell them what I’m going to do next!

It’s simply music to my ears when a child says to a parent that a procedure wasn’t bad at all!   I know that this child is building a foundation of good dental health, and will have positive memories of going to the dentist.   And not surprisingly, we treat our adult patients with the same kindness and compassion.

So why do I like being a dentist?  When I call my patients in the evening to see how their doing, and they tell me how great they’re feeling and how nice it is that I called to check up on them—that’s my payback.   The satisfaction that comes with knowing I’ve not only provided a valuable service, but I’ve treated my customers with  care—that’s why I like being a dentist.

Posted in afraid of the dentist, Dental Emergencies, dental phobia, Healthy Mouth Bites, pediatric dentistry, personal health and wellness | No Comments »

Germs on your Cell Phone??

June 21st, 2011

Today I read a short article in the Wall Street Journal titled “Hospital Germs May Be a Call Away”.   The article was referencing a study just published in the American Journal of Infection Control.  It suggested a possible source of hospital infections was the cell phone.  The study took samples with swabs of the keypad, microphone and earpiece of 200 phones of patients, visitors and healthcare workers at a hospital.  Not surprisingly, over 50% of these phones had potentially harmful bacteria present.

While this study did not show that there is a clear link between the presence of bacteria on cell phones and hospital acquired infections, it should make you think.

I am not suggesting that we become  “Howard Hughes” in our cleanliness, but  it would benefit all of us to think about where our hands have been before we sit down to eat a meal, or  touch our faces.   Most people still cough into their hands as opposed to coughing into their sleeves.  The next thing they touch could be that handrail, grocery cart handle, steering wheel, office phone or doorknob that you touch.  If you have unbroken skin on your hands, that’s usually not a problem unless you put your hands in your mouth.

But think about that cell phone.  You take it everywhere.  You hold it in your hand and put it up to your face.  You may touch it while you are eating, or, take it into the bathroom stall with you.

I’m just saying, think about it.

For more information about how you can protect yourself and your family with common sense cleanliness  habits, click here.

Dr. Marcia Blazer

 

Posted in Healthy Mouth Bites, personal health and wellness | No Comments »

Don’t like that sound of the drill?

June 14th, 2011

Hi everyone.  As many of you may have noticed, my office building has been under construction for the past few months.  Every day has been an adventure for my patients and my staff as we navigate around the dust, noisy jackhammmers,  construction crews and closed off entries to our building.

While I have to say that I have been bragging to my patients  that the sound of the jackhammers is drowning out the noise of my dental drill, I have to admit that I finally get it!  Now I understand why that noise is, for most people, what makes them not want to go to the dentist!  At first it’s not that bad, but after a while it wears on you!  Now don’t laugh at me, I know it should have been obvious to me, but I’ve been a dentist for so long that I don’t really even hear the dental drill any more.

But now I get what you people have been telling me all these years!

That being said,  if you’ve been avoiding going to the dentist for that reason, here’s what I’ve been doing for my patients for years:

Bose headphones and movies!  When you come in, you get to choose a movie to watch and wear those awesome headphones!   You know, those are the ones that drown out plane engine noise….what’s a little dental drill compared to that??  Anyway,  it’s a wonderful way to pass the time when you’re in for a dental visit.  I remember going to the dentist myself as a child, and looking at the ceiling tiles or up the dentist’s nose.  Isn’t this a nice improvement?

So, as you drive by the intersection of Scottsdale and Shea for the next few months, think of us as the dust settles!

 

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What’s it like to be a patient and work for Dr. Blazer?

June 3rd, 2011

Jill has been a patient and employee of Dr. Blazer for years.   Click here to listen to what this very special lady has to say about working in our office!

Posted in afraid of the dentist, Dental Emergencies, dental phobia, Healthy Mouth Bites | No Comments »

Patients Give Reviews for Dr. Blazer’s Office

May 17th, 2011

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Posted in Cosmetic Dentistry | No Comments »

Take a short visit to Dr. Blazer’s office…

April 28th, 2011

Just thought you would enjoy seeing me and my team in action!  Check out this video!

http://youtu.be/qK1SnrRXyXY

Posted in Cosmetic Dentistry | No Comments »

I don’t like that numb feeling after the dentist!!!

April 26th, 2011

No one wants to experience  pain while having dental work.  So we dentists traditionally give an injection of what is called “local anesthetic” which essentially numbs the tooth for the duration of the appointment.   Unfortunately, oftentimes that also means a numb tongue, lips or jaw for a period of time afterwards.  This can make eating or talking  unpleasant long after the dental visit is over.

Of course, for some procedures, such as having teeth extracted or gum surgery,  there’s an advantage to being numb for a while to minimize postoperative pain.  But for most routine dental procedures, there’s simply no need to be numb for hours afterwards!

Now there’s a product called Oraverse that helps the numbness to go away in less than half the time!  I’ve been using it in my office for several years.   So, if you have a business meeting after your appointment, or a lunch date, or dinner reservations, whatever the situation, it’s nice to know there’s something that can help you get your mouth “back to normal” as soon as possible!

Posted in afraid of the dentist, Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Emergencies, dental phobia, Healthy Mouth Bites, pediatric dentistry, technology in dentistry | No Comments »

Teeth Whitening…what’s the best way to whiten my teeth?

April 14th, 2011

There are two ways to whiten teeth.

The first way is by using a  whitening toothpaste.  The toothpaste contains abrasive ingredients which, when used with a toothbrush, can mechanically remove debris.  You can remove superficial staining on the outside of the teeth, making them appear whiter and brighter, but whitening toothpaste cannot lighten the overall shade of your teeth.

The second way to whiten  teeth is with a bleaching agent that comes in the form of a peroxide type gel.  The gel is applied to the outside of the teeth with a form-fitting customized or prefabricated tray.  The gel comes in different concentrations and, over time, can lighten the overall shade of the teeth.

Which whitening method you choose is up to you, but here are a few points to consider:

  1. No whitening method can permanently lighten your teeth, all must be used on a regular basis to maintain the color.
  2. The bleaching gel will not change the color of tooth-colored fillings or crowns, so be sure to check with your dentist to see which of your teeth may have crowns or fillings.
  3. Bleaching gels tend to be much more effective than whitening toothpastes in lightening teeth, especially when applied with a customized whitening tray fabricated in a dental office.  And many dental offices have more potent bleaching agents than what is available over-the-counter.

If it’s been quite some time since you’ve had your teeth professionally cleaned, maybe a simple dental cleaning to remove the accumulated stain and tartar will do the trick.   And remember, white teeth are not necessarily healthy teeth.  Regular dental care is an integral part of your overall health.  For more information about dental health, check out my website.

 

 

Posted in Cosmetic Dentistry, Healthy Mouth Bites, technology in dentistry, Veneers | No Comments »

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