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Need some gift ideas for family members and friends who seem to have absolutely everything? Who are impossible to shop for? Who tell you not to worry, it’s the thought that counts? Well, we have a few suggestions which will show the people on your gift list that you’ve put a lot of thought into their gifts this holiday season. 

You love to see your friends and family smile, so we’ve come up with some smile-worthy ideas designed for their specific interests. 

Environmental Ally

The world is becoming a more eco-conscious place, and happily this transformation includes products designed for personal care. Put together a spa basket which is good for your friend’s comfort, dental health, and the planet!

A recycled gift box filled with environmentally friendly bath products and organic cotton face cloths becomes even more mindful with the addition of bamboo or recycled plastic toothbrushes, zero-waste fluoride toothpaste tablets, and biodegradable picks and floss. 

Don’t forget to include a colorful, insulated water bottle for sustainable hydration—and washing away food particles when there’s no handy place to brush after eating. Healthy planet/healthy smile.

Talented Techie

If your friend or relative is cutting edge high-tech, maybe it’s time for a dental upgrade. 

Modern electric toothbrushes offer plenty of options for the tech-savvy. They come with different settings for brushing and massaging. They can let brushers know if they’ve brushed long enough, if they’re brushing too hard, or when the brush head needs to be retired. Smart models even link to apps, which can, among other things, map out any missed spots in brushing coverage or suggest more effective brushing angles. 

And for an extra thoughtful touch, include a packet of plaque disclosing tablets. Chew one of these helpful little tablets and they will reveal any plaque that’s still on the teeth.

Adventure Seeker

How about a new backpack or carry-all for outdoor or travel adventures? A travel first aid kit is always a welcome addition for the person on the go.

Go the extra step and help a friend be prepared for anything with an emergency dental kit. You can find these lightweight kits in stores or online, or you can assemble one yourself with a travel-size toothbrush and toothpaste, floss, a travel mirror, cotton rolls, pain relievers, and even temporary fillings. Include a pack of sugar-free gum—it helps with altitude changes and hydration. Ask Dr. Kerry Olszewski or the team at Mill Creek General Dentistry for suggestions!

Timeless Trendsetter

Older relatives might love a selection of modern gifts designed with old-fashioned comfort in mind, such as an automatic jar opener and a selection of jams, trekking poles for easier hiking, or wireless earbuds for enjoying music or an audio book.

For a lifetime of healthy smiles, consider adding a water flosser to your gift basket. Gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss for older Americans. Water flossers are a great way to eliminate stubborn plaque, especially when mobility issues make manual flossing difficult. Adjustable water pressure applies just the right amount of cleaning power, and the flow can be directed to the gumline, between teeth, or anywhere necessary. 

Film Buff

If your bestie likes nothing better than an evening spent in front of the home screen, consider a subscription or gift card for a streaming service tailored to his or her favorites, whether it’s classic films, sci-fi, action, rom-coms, or epic adventures. 

And don’t forget the binge-watch treats! Fill a basket with dental-friendly goodies like fresh fruits, nuts, and dark chocolate. Include a collection of simple sparkling waters or a gift card for vitamin-rich smoothies. Who needs sugary candies and sodas with options like these?

No matter who’s on your shopping list, tailoring your gifts to their interests and their well-being is a great way to share happy, healthy holiday smiles with family and friends in Mill Creek.

At Mill Creek General Dentistry, we know that as many as one in 88 children today have some form of autism, a complex brain disorder that affects a child's ability to communicate or form relationships, and makes a child appear distant, aloof, or detached from other people or surroundings. Autism varies widely in symptoms and severity, and some people have coexisting conditions such as intellectual disability or even epilepsy.

That is why Dr. Kerry Olszewski and our team are specially trained to provide dental care to the entire special needs community, including autistic children. We know that a visit to the dentist with an autistic child can be difficult. In addition to the common fears associated with strangers, there are also unfamiliar sounds, sensations, bright lights, and tastes with which your child may not be comfortable. We work with parents to make sure visiting the dentist is not so traumatic for our autistic patients.

Dr. Kerry Olszewski and our team also know that patients with autism may be more interested in equipment and instruments than in us. We show our patients every piece of equipment we are going to use in a way that they can understand. We also allow a patient to sit in a parent's lap in the open bay if he or she is not feeling at ease. We want your child to enjoy getting to know us and to be comfortable while under our care.

A pleasant, comfortable visit at our Mill Creek office builds trust and helps put your child at ease for future appointments. Before a visit, we ask parents or guardians to bring their child's favorite toy, comfort item, music, or other coping device their child requires. We have a caring and compassionate team and know how to help autistic children acclimate themselves to a dental environment. We may not get everything done at the first visit, but we are able to schedule several appointments so that your child can get used to our office, the dentist, instruments, and our staff.

Children, especially those afflicted with autism, are not born with a fear of the dentist, but they can fear the unknown. Our team at Mill Creek General Dentistry genuinely cares for our patients beyond their teeth, and are more than happy to discuss any concerns you may have, as well as answer questions about your child's ongoing dental treatment. Please give us a call to learn more or schedule an appointment with Dr. Kerry Olszewski.

Your gums are responsible for a large part of your overall oral health. So keeping them healthy and knowing how to detect gum disease is extremely important.

Since it’s often painless, gum disease may go unnoticed and can progress when left untreated. Understanding the causes of gum disease will give you the ability to keep your oral health in great shape:

• Bacteria and Plaque. Good hygiene helps remove bacteria and plaque from teeth. When plaque is not removed, it turns into a rock-like substance called tartar, which can only be removed by a dentist.
• Smoking and Tobacco. Smokers and tobacco users put themselves at a higher risk of developing gum disease. Tobacco use can also stain your teeth, give you bad breath, and increase the risk of oral cancer. It’s best to avoid using tobacco altogether.
• Certain Medications. Ironically, certain medications for other health conditions can increase your risk of developing gum disease. Talk with Dr. Kerry Olszewski if you have concerns about a medication you are taking. Steroids, anti-epilepsy drugs, certain cancer therapy medications, and oral contraceptives can be among the culprits.
• Medical Conditions. Certain medical conditions can also affect your gum health. Diabetics can have an increased risk of gum disease due to the inflammatory chemicals in their bodies. Talk to our team about your health condition so we can take that into account when treating you.

Luckily, there are actions you can take to prevent gum disease. You should make regular visits to our Mill Creek office for regular cleanings. It’s also worthwhile to maintain good hygiene habits at home, such as flossing and brushing at least two times every day.

Good oral hygiene practice and visits to our Mill Creek office can help you eliminate or reduce the risks of developing gum disease!

Nothing is more welcome at the Thanksgiving table than your happy, healthy smile! Here are some ideas to keep your holiday smile looking and feeling its best.

#1 Good Dental Hygiene Doesn’t Take Holidays Off

Thanksgiving day is bustling with activity, with shared meals and travelling and get-togethers in Mill Creek. But it’s still essential to make time for proactive dental care. When foods stick around your teeth after you eat, the bacteria in plaque use those sugars and carbs to create acids which erode teeth and lead to cavities. And since Thanksgiving offers plenty of opportunities during the day to nibble on foods high in sugars and carbs, your teeth might need some extra TLC.

• If you’re home, brush and floss as usual after eating. If you’re travelling, bring a kit with a travel-size toothbrush and toothpaste and some floss to keep your teeth clean and your breath fresh throughout the day. 
• If you’ve been eating acidic foods like cranberry sauce, wine, or sodas, wait about 30-60 minutes to brush. Acids weaken enamel temporarily, and, until the enamel rehardens, brushing can be abrasive.
• Hydrate with water. Water helps wash away food particles from teeth and braces and helps neutralize enamel-damaging acids in foods and drinks by encouraging healthy saliva production.

#2 Be Choosy about Your Food Choices

• Make sure your plate has a healthy portion of protein and vegetables.
• If your dinner just isn’t complete without carbs, try whole grain rolls instead of soft breads and sweet potatoes instead of white potatoes.
• Eat sweets and desserts with meals, when saliva production is high. This helps wash away sugars and neutralize acids.
• If you or your child wears braces, be sure to keep to braces-friendly foods. This means nothing crunchy, chewy, hard, or sticky.
• Make water one of your go-to beverages. If you do drink acidic beverages such as coffee, soda, or energy drinks, don’t sip them throughout the day. This bathes the teeth in acid for long periods.
• Chew sugarless gum if the team at Mill Creek General Dentistry recommends it. Sugar-free gum encourages saliva production.

#3 Use the Right Tools When You Cook and Eat

And the right tools are never your teeth! Even when every surface in the kitchen is devoted to food prep and you can’t find the bottle opener or the nutcracker or the scissors anywhere, using your teeth to open bottles or nuts or bags of chips is a recipe for disaster. Avoid fractured and chipped teeth by using the appropriate tool for the job.

#4 See Your Dentist to Prevent Small Problems from Becoming Big Holiday Disruptions

If you’ve been suffering tooth pain or sensitivity, schedule an appointment with Dr. Kerry Olszewski before the holidays to make sure your teeth and gums are their healthiest. Nothing takes the fun out of feasting more quickly than a dental emergency. 

Work with Dr. Kerry Olszewski to ensure that your dental health is at its best for the holidays and every day. With proactive care, a tooth-friendly diet, and regular examinations, you’ll be welcoming friends and family with a beaming, healthy smile all year long.