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2019 Healthy Living Checklist

2019 Healthy Living Checklist

With so many areas of health, it can be overwhelming picking a place to start achieving your 2019 health goals. Believe it or not, your mouth is the perfect place to start! It has been shown that poor dental hygiene can contribute to other medical issues such as heart attack, stroke and early labor. Investing time in good oral hygiene can prevent these issues and keep you on track with good overall health. Need a place to begin? Here is a healthy living checklist to kick-start your 2019 health goals!

Make an Appointment

A great place to start achieving better oral health is by making an appointment with your dentist. Even if it has been a while since your last visit, making an appointment will start providing you with the preventative care you need. Commit to scheduling and attending your appointments on a regular basis, this means making your next appointment before you leave the dentist’s office. If dental care costs are preventing you from making an appointment, ask about a Membership Savings Plan.

Get a Calendar

With a busy schedule, it can be hard to remember appointments of any kind. Invest in a calendar to remember your appointments and when you have time to schedule them. Some calendars even provide lists for writing down healthy groceries and dental care products that are running low.

Add Healthier Foods to Your Diet

Adding more dairy products and fibrous veggies is great for your teeth! Dairy products help kill the bacteria that cause tooth decay while fibrous veggies help scrub away excess food particles. Apples are a great example of a fibrous food that scrubs your mouth. You could even add a protein-filled cheese stick for a dose of dairy.

Cut the Sugar

Cutting sugar can reduce the risk of tooth decay tremendously! This can be done by simply being mindful of what goes into your grocery cart. Try adding more whole grain bread and cereal to your diet rather than white bread and sugary breakfast items. Avoid shopping for items in the bakery and candy aisle. If you crave sweetness, add some fresh fruit to your cereal or stock up on sugar-free gum.

Set a Time for Brushing

It can be difficult to stay consistent with brushing when you are too tired or do not have enough time. Pick a time in the morning and at night for your family’s dental care routine. If you forget to brush your teeth most mornings, make it the first thing you do when you get out of bed. If you find yourself too tired to brush at night, set an earlier time when you have the energy.

Start Flossing and Rinsing

Brushing and chewing sugar-free gum is not enough when it comes to your dental routine. Food particles can easily hide in between your teeth and are hard for your toothbrush to clean. Using floss to clean difficult-to-reach areas and rinsing with fluoride mouthwash is vital. Make a point to stock up on these items and keep them next to your toothbrush.

By checking off one of these dental care tasks, you are on your way to great oral and overall health. One task will lead to another and before you know it, you will be reaching those 2019 healthy living goals! If you would like to kick-start your health journey with us, click here to browse our locations and make your first appointment!

From MyDDSOffice.com – Keep Smiling!

Dr. Laura Lan

Dr. Laura will be in our office over the next couple of months. Dr. Laura Lan grew up in Los Angeles, California. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, Davis. Dr. Laura made her way out to the Midwest to attend The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, where she earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree.

In her free time, Dr. Laura enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking, and practicing yoga.

FUN FACT… Laura was a classmate of Dr. Rachel’s at Ohio State, and while Fara is a year ahead of Laura and Rachel, she is a close friend of Fara’s from dental school.

Steve M. Jones, D.D.S

Dr. Steven M. Jones is a graduate of Shawnee High School. He attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio where he received his B.A. in Microbiology in 1986. Four years later he received his Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree (D.D.S.) from the Ohio State University College of Dentistry. Dr. Jones entered private practice in 1990 in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Jones also practiced in one of the first after hours dental emergency clinics in the country. After several years of private practice, he returned to his hometown of Lima, Ohio. Dr. Jones served as a clinical instructor at the Lima Technical College Dental Hygiene School and began planning a new general practice in the Lima area. In 2002 Dr. Jones opened the newly constructed Northwest Dental Center. Dr. Jones is a member of the Ohio Dental Association, American Dental Association, Northwestern Ohio Dental Society & Academy of Contemporary Dentistry in Columbus Ohio.

Dr. Rachel Salen, D.D.S.

Dr. Rachel Salen grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania until her family moved to Quincy, Illinois where she graduated from Quincy Notre Dame high school.

She then crossed the Mississippi River to study at Saint Louis University where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology and Bachelor of Arts in Classical Humanities. Her family then moved to her father’s hometown of Warren, Ohio, leading her to choose The Ohio State University College of Dentistry for her post-graduate education where she would go on to earn her Doctorate of Dental Surgery.

Dr. Salen is very excited to begin her career serving the great people of West Central Ohio.

Dr. Salen will make a great addition to our patient-centered team by providing comprehensive care for patients of all ages, including operative, prosthodontic, endodontic, and surgical treatments.

In addition to delivering great dental care, Rachel enjoys taking too many pictures of her cat, traveling across the Midwest and Northeast to visit her family and friends, and reading a good book!

Fara Hurt, D.D.S.

Dr. Fara Hurt grew up in Lima, Ohio. She is a graduate of Elida High school.

Dr. Hurt earned a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene and Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the Ohio State University College of Dentistry. Fara worked for several years in the Columbus area, helping patients with their oral health needs and supporting patients with their periodontal care.

As a dentist, Dr. Hurt will make a great addition to our patient-centered team by providing comprehensive care for patients of all ages, including operative, prosthodontic and endodontic treatments In addition to delivering great care, Fara enjoys spending time with family and friends. She also enjoys hiking, traveling, and attending football games.

Mary Wiechart, D.M.D

Dr. Mary Wiechart is a Lima native. She is a graduate of Lima Central Catholic High School. Dr. Wiechart earned a Bachelor of Science in Nature Sciences from Xavier University. She earned a Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry.

Her practice includes operative, prosthodontic, endodontic and surgical treatments. In addition to delivering great care, Mary enjoys spending time with family, friends and her dog, Bella. She also enjoys baking, golfing, traveling and listening to music.

Jill A. Miller, D.D.S

Dr. Jill A Miller is an Elida native and Elida High School graduate.

She is a graduate of Ohio Northern University and earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from The Ohio State University in 2009.

Dr. Miller provides comprehensive care to patients of all ages and strives to make patients feel comfortable. Her goal is to make going to the dentist a pleasant experience for children and adults.

Dr. Miller has served as externship site host for Ohio Northern University and has partnered with the University of Northwestern Ohio to provide emergency dental care to student athletes.

Dr. Miller is a member of the Ohio Dental Association, American Dental Association, Northwestern Ohio Dental Society, and the Ohio State University Dental alumni society.

In her spare time, Dr. Miller volunteers in the children ministry at her church, enjoys running and spending time with her husband, Zac, and their 3 children.