by Roseman Dental | Oct 5, 2022 | Dental 360, Dental Clinic Blog, Roseman Dental - NV
Temperatures are dropping, days are getting shorter, and Homecoming festivities are in full swing. In this October issue of Dental 360°, you’ll find out how to keep sugary treats under control on Halloween and get the facts about how to deal with tooth sensitivity. Plus, you’ll meet Dr. Matthew Thacker, a friendly new face in the clinic.
October is Orthodontic Health Awareness Month! We thank our providers and residents for their great work in our community, and we encourage you to make an appointment with Roseman Orthodontics if you or someone in your family is curious about orthodontic treatment. Teeth that are properly aligned are easier to keep clean with flossing and brushing, and may help prevent other health problems. And since orthodontics are more customizable and time-efficient than ever before, there’s never been a better time to take care of your smile.
Roseman Dental & Orthodontics’ Dental 360° is a monthly e-newsletter. Each month you’ll receive a panoramic view of dental health. Dental health is key to your overall health and here at Roseman Dental & Orthodontics, we are dedicated to improving not only your mouth, but your whole self. At our clinic we have an excellent team of licensed dentists, orthodontists, orthodontic residents – 30 to be exact, and dental residents all focused on you and your family’s oral health. Roseman Dental & Orthodontics has been serving its community since 2009 and is a comprehensive, one-stop shop for all your dental needs including dental, orthodontic and craniofacial cleft lip & palate treatment.
We hope you find Dental 360° helpful and informative. We look forward to connecting with you each month.
Dental 360° October Articles
5 Ways to Prevent Sugar Overload this Halloween
Caring for Sensitive Teeth
Meet Dr. Matthew Thacker
Trick or Treat! Halloween, Candy, and Medication Safety
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by Roseman Dental | Oct 5, 2022 | Dental Clinic Blog, Oral Health, Roseman Dental - NV, Roseman Dental - UT
Trick-or-treating is the highlight of Halloween for most children, but excessive candy consumption can be harmful to a child’s dental and physical heath. Halloween doesn’t have to be a sugar-laden free-for-all. There are many ways to limit your child’s sugar intake without a making a scary scene.
- Collect Less Candy – Limit the amount of candy your child collects by having her use a smaller treat bag and calling it quits once the bag is filled. You can also set a time limit on her trick-or-treating or visit only houses within a certain walking distance.
- Trade Candy For Cash – Many dentists participate in a candy buyback program. If yours doesn’t, consider forking out some of your own cash in exchange for your kid’s candy, then donate the stash to a local shelter or a branch of the military.
- Plan a Visit From the Candy Fairy – If your child is too young to be interested in cash, consider swapping the loot for a toy they have had their eye on. Instruct your child to leave the goodies in a special location, and make the trade while they are asleep.
- Ration the Goodies – Let your child pick out a few of his favorites on Halloween night, then store the rest out of sight and out of reach. Pack one small piece in his or her lunch each day, or save it to dole out only on special occasions.
- Pass Out An Alternate Treat – You can do your part to limit junk food in your neighborhood by passing out something other than candy. Stock up on stickers, glow sticks or another prize to give away, and encourage your neighbors to do the same.
However you choose to prevent sugar overload this holiday, be sure your child knows what to expect beforehand. Fill her up with a healthy dinner before she begins knocking on doors, and allow a little indulging before the night is over. Have a plan for the rest of the candy, and no matter how late your little ghoul is up, don’t send her to bed without brushing!
by Roseman Dental | Oct 5, 2022 | Dental Clinic Blog, Providers - NV, Roseman Dental - NV
Roseman University welcomes Dr. Matthew Thacker as the new Program Director for the Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency in Henderson, Nevada and AEGD Clinic Director. After earning his bachelor’s degree in Biology with a concentration in Integrative Physiology from UNLV, he attended UNLV’s School of Dental Medicine and received his Doctorate in Dental Medicine (DMD) degree in 2018. After graduating dental school, Dr. Thacker served in the U.S. Navy as a Fleet Marine Force dental officer for four years aboard the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in 29 Palms, California. He continues to serve the Las Vegas Valley community as a volunteer dentist for the Special Olympics, Give Kids a Smile®, and UNLV’s Sgt. Ferrin Memorial Veteran’s Clinic. He is passionate about providing a broad scope of evidence-based dental care to the community and is dedicated to training the next generation of dentists to be skilled, compassionate, and service-based healthcare providers. Dr. Thacker is a member of the American Dental Education Association, Nevada Dental Association, Southern Nevada Dental Society, and is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry.
Dr. Thacker brings to his work a team-based approach to problem solving, an inordinate amount of energy, and a genuine desire to serve our Nevada community with empathy and respect. While serving in the military was something he may not have expected as a child, he enjoyed his time serving and caring for the young service men and women coming up through the ranks. It also seems that the four attributes of the US Navy – initiative, accountability, integrity and toughness — are traits he embodies even now moving out of active service. Dr. Thacker has attacked his new role with focused initiative, and a data-driven approach. With his combined role of teaching, practicing and running the day-to-day operations of the clinic, his job is not for the faint of heart. He bears multiple responsibilities and must also work with staff across Roseman Dental & Orthodontics dental clinic, with his colleagues in the ortho clinic of Roseman Dental & Orthodontics, with Roseman Dental – Summerlin, and across campus and state lines alongside our South Jordan, UT clinic and faculty.
Despite this workload and an intense focus, what most people also immediately see in Dr. Thacker is an easygoing kindness and affability. Dr. Alice Chen, Roseman’s new pediatric dentist at Roseman Dental & Orthodontics, says, “Dr. Thacker works with his team with the utmost respect and kindness, he empowers us and brings a level of positivity to everything he does.” While Dr. Thacker has youth on his side, he imparts a wisdom and calm that seems befitting of someone much older.
Excited to be back serving his local community, and the community in which he was born and raised, Dr. Thacker reflects on his younger years as a kid bowling at the Henderson bowling alley and getting pizza with his friends at the local pizza place. “It is so nice to be back in Nevada, where I grew up, serving our community and to continue the incredible work of Roseman University.”
Dr. Thacker had always known of Roseman’s dental programs and was intrigued by Roseman’s Six-Point Mastery Learning Model®. He’d even attended some of Roseman’s online Neighborhood Health Series events during COVID while stationed in California. With a confluence of factors occurring at just the right time to bring him to Roseman, Dr. Thacker is breathing new life and energy into our beautiful state-of-the art clinic. Dr. Thacker reports that the clinic is very busy, and is seeing many patients for routine and more significant dental work. In late August, a new hygienist will join his team and allow for more patients to be seen.
In his free time, Dr. Thacker and his wife, Dr. Angelica Jane Bustos-Thacker, also a dentist, play with their two dogs, Puka and Boba. Dr. Thacker also enjoys playing ice hockey, graphic design, computer coding, traveling and is an avid woodworker. Welcome Dr. Thacker!
by Roseman Dental | Oct 1, 2022 | Dental Clinic Blog, Oral Health, Roseman Dental - UT
Brushing and flossing regularly are essential habits for healthy teeth, but did you know that nutrition is also important to the overall health of your mouth? It’s especially important to help kids start healthy eating habits while they’re young and their teeth are still developing. Here are the top nutrition tips to keep your family’s oral health strong.
1. Don’t Put the Baby to Bed with a Bottle
Many people like to put their baby to bed with a bottle of milk or other drink. However, this seemingly harmless practice actually allows bacteria to flourish and can lead to tooth decay. Giving your baby a bottle at night is okay, but make sure you follow it up with a gentle tooth-brushing session (or simply wiping their gums with a warm washcloth if they don’t have teeth yet) before putting your baby in bed.
2. Eat Plenty of Fresh Vegetables and Fruits
The standard American diet is extremely high in sugar. While avoiding sugar entirely may not be practical, it is best to limit consumption of sweets and sodas since they increase the risk of cavities. Even so-called “fruit” drinks contain highly concentrated amounts of sugar and should not be consumed in excess. Make sure to check the nutrition facts to get the real scoop on how much sugar is involved, even if a beverage claims to be fruit-based. If you or your children do have sweets, make sure to brush soon afterwards.
3. Avoid Sugary Foods
The standard American diet is extremely high in sugar, and while it may not be practical to avoid sugar altogether, it is best to limit consumption of sweets and sodas since they increase the risk of cavities. Even so-called “fruit” drinks contain highly concentrated amounts of sugar and should not be consumed in excess. If you or your children do have sweets, make sure to brush soon afterwards.
4. Drink Water with Food
Drinking water with each meal helps to wash away food particles and bacteria that might otherwise become stuck on or between the teeth and contribute to tooth decay. Taking a drink of water immediately after a meal serves the same purpose and can keep your mouth from becoming too dry.
A nutritious diet is just as important for oral health as brushing and flossing. Improving your current diet can be as easy as adding an extra portion of vegetables or fruit to a meal, eating fewer sweets, and increasing your water intake. Small changes can make a big difference.
Talk with your dentist about how your nutrition and oral health are connected. If you don’t have your next check-up on the calendar yet, make an appointment with Roseman Dental for affordable quality dental care.
