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During the early days of the environmental awareness movement, those who demonstrated against pollution, toxic chemicals, and the general public health were known as hippies. The early 1970s were a time of change, and assertions that we needed to pay more attention to the Earth's atmosphere were generally dismissed. But within a couple decades, it had become clear that the previous generation was right; the citizens of the world needed to become more environmentally conscious.

Many people feel that they can't make a difference if they don't do something big. But caring for the environment doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing concept. In fact, the little things you do can add up to make a great impact, especially in our community. Here are a few ways you can help the environment on Earth Day, April 22nd and all year around.

Four Small Ways to be Environmentally Friendly

• Recycle Your Textiles. Nearly 21 million tons of textiles are added to American landfills each year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Donating your unwanted clothing to a secondhand store or an organization that repurposes fabric helps cut down on solid waste and conserves natural resources.
• Reduce Usage of Disposables. Plastic bottles and bags, disposable diapers and other things we can use and toss out are convenient, but they're not necessary. Simply choosing to replace one of type of disposable with a reusable product can help you cut down on waste that has a large negative impact on our environment.
• Conserve Water. If everyone in the United States turned off the water while brushing their teeth, more than 1.5 million gallons of water could be conserved. Turn the water on long enough to wet your toothbrush for brushing and rinsing, and then immediately turn the water off again.
• Turn Off the Lights. Flip the light switch to "Off" if you're going to leave a particular room for 15 minutes or more. This will conserve energy on incandescent light bulbs and cut down on cooling costs.

It's not necessary to be an activist or install solar panels all over your home to help the environment. Although you can do these things, the little everyday measures make a big difference in helping to conserve energy and the environment, while reducing your carbon footprint. Our team at Simsbury Pediatric & Adolescent Dentistry wants to remind you to celebrate Earth Day and help the environment, knowing that it will benefit your and your children's generation.

A solid oral health routine begins with daily brushing, flossing, and rinsing. Without a consistent oral health regimen, you may begin to experience tooth decay and bacterial infections. Few patients ask Dr. Maryam Azadpur about different mouthwash options, so we’ve put together a list of the conditions that mouthwashes can treat. This should help you decide which oral rinse would be best for you.

Gum Health

Antiseptic mouthwashes reduce large amounts of bacteria on and near the gum line and generally help to decrease your chances of developing gingivitis. The key ingredients of antiseptic mouthwashes are antibacterial and antimicrobial items. Antiseptic mouthwash is a preferable option if you are concerned about the general gum health of your mouth.

Fluoride

Fluoride is a great tool for preventive tooth decay treatment. It prevents tooth decay and is great for oral health in general because it kills germs that can live in your mouth. Fluoride also builds stronger teeth. If you’re a bottled water drinker, Dr. Maryam Azadpur may recommend that you purchase a simple fluoride rinse to use after brushing.

Bad Breath

Fluoride mouthwash can be used to fight any bad breath issues you may be facing. It’s designed to combat any bacteria that might be building up in your mouth. Most mouthwashes will help eliminate bad breath, but some are specifically designed to address this difficult problem. If you feel as though this might be turning into a chronic problem, please contact Dr. Maryam Azadpur to discuss other options that would be effective for treating your symptoms.

American Dental Association (ADA Approval)

The ADA reviews all mouth rinses for safety measures and to prove effectiveness. Any mouthwash approved by the ADA has met strict guidelines according to whether the manufacturer’s claims are supported with scientific evidence. If you’re looking for a quality mouthwash, look for one that has the ADA seal of approval to ensure you have a great rinse for your mouth.

Considerations

When you’re trying to decide which mouthwash to pick, contact our Simsbury, CT office or ask Dr. Maryam Azadpur during your next appointment. If you experience a burning sensation in the soft tissues of your mouth, be sure to discontinue use immediately. Avoid letting children under age six use a mouth rinse, and be sure to keep all mouthwashes out of the reach of children, because they contain alcohol and other substances that could be harmful.

Hello from Simsbury Pediatric Dentistry. Our office is currently closed and we anticipate a reopening date in early May, pending information and updates from the federal and state authorities, as well as the CDC, CDSA, and ADA. If your loved one is experiencing a dental emergency, please call our main office number at 860-658-7548. Dr. Azadpur will return your call and speak with you directly. We will hopefully start rescheduling patients starting on April 22. Be sure to look for updates on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and our website as this situation constantly is evolving.
Make sure you and your loved ones are keeping up your dental health routine while we are stuck at home!

Dr. Azadpur and our team recommends brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing at least once a day. Be sure to stay away from sugary and sticky sweets as much as possible. A healthy diet makes for a healthy smile. Remember to stay hydrated as well. Reach for water as your first drink of choice.

While spending more time at home, our team is keeping busy by a variety of different activities; cleaning out closets, reorganizing shelves, donating or giving away books, keeping up our social media presence, reading books, watching movies, and playing games with family. Our dental assistant, Lilly, finished redoing her dining room and our marketing director, Shari, is practicing her chorus music. Susan, who you have probably seen at the front desk, is power washing her deck and taking walks by the lake near her house while Cindy, our hygienist, is making videos and taking pictures. Jill, our Financial coordinator, (besides keeping up with the finances at work) is helping her children with distance learning. Emily, another front desk staff member, is learning cross stitching.

To stay connected while social distancing, the team video chats with loved ones. We also work on home projects, take walks, and reconnect with old friends. To stay connected as a team, we have a group text chat for the office to keep each other laughing with funny pictures, jokes, and posts. Through this we have been able to share our home projects, our concern and joys, and it has allowed us to stay connected to each other. Some of us have families at home while others are on their own. We check in with each other throughout the day. It has really brought us closer together as a team.

It’s important to remember we will come through this and eventually life will resume, albeit with some new normals in place. In times of stress and uncertainty, there are always people willing to step up and lend a hand. As Fred Rogers said, "Look for the helpers." We are grateful for all the blessings of family, friends, and faith in our lives. As a dental office, we contribute to the well-being of our community and are looking forward to seeing our patients and their families again soon.

Stay safe, stay home, save lives. We can’t wait to see you in our office again soon!

Some lucky babies wake one morning displaying a brand new tooth to the complete surprise of their unsuspecting parents! But your happy baby is irritable and drooling. Or your hearty eater doesn’t feel like finishing her food. Perhaps she finds it hard to go to sleep when she’s usually nodded off before you finish the first lullaby. A small number of children suffer little or no discomfort teething, but for the majority of babies who do, here are some helpful ways to ease their teething pain.

• Massage--Rubbing your baby’s gums with a clean finger or piece of gauze—gentle pressure is all you need. And do be careful of your fingers once those teeth start coming in!
• Chewing—there are many colorful and easy to grasp teething toys available, including BPA-free models.
• Cool Relief—Cool a solid teether in the refrigerator to help ease discomfort. Placing a teething ring in the freezer is not recommended, as extreme cold can be damaging to little mouths and gums.
• Comfort Food—If your baby is eating solid foods, try cold applesauce or other purees.
• Skin Care—Drooling is often part of the teething process, but try to keep your child’s face free from rash and chaffing by wiping with a clean cloth when necessary.

And while you are trying to keep your baby comfortable, also be sure to keep her safe!

• Know what your baby is putting into her mouth. All teething items should be non-toxic and free of harmful chemicals. Teethers filled with fluids may break or leak, so a solid toy is best.
• Make teething items size-appropriate. Avoid anything small or breakable that might present a choking hazard.
• Over-the-counter gels and liquids containing benzocaine, meant to reduce pain in the gums and mouth, may on rare occasion lead to serious health conditions in small children. Always check with Dr. Maryam Azadpur or your pediatrician before buying an over-the-counter teething medication for your baby.

For many babies, teething can be a long and sometimes difficult process. If there is anything we can do to help you and your baby in this journey, please give our Simsbury, CT office a call.