Children Oral Health

How to Ensure Your Child’s Healthy Smiles All Year Long – Tips From a Parent and Professional

Are you a parent looking for ways to ensure your little one’s precious smile stays healthy all year round? It can be intimidating with all the information, but never fear! As both moms and dental care professionals, we’ve compiled some helpful tips that can make it easier for busy parents like you. Not only will these ideas help keep your child’s teeth clean, but they can easily fit into an already-packed family schedule. From simple at-home dental hygiene habits to the importance of regular checkups at the dentist’s office – get ready for smiles galore!

Understanding The Basics Of Good Oral Hygiene

We know firsthand how daunting it can be to instill good oral hygiene habits in your children. But trust us; it is necessary! Proper brushing and flossing are the foundation of good oral health and can prevent many problems. And guess what? It doesn’t have to be a chore or something to dread. It can be fun! Turn on some music, grab silly toothbrushes, and make it a family affair. Your kids will thank you later, we promise. As a knowledgeable and compassionate woman, let me stress the importance of taking care of your pearly whites – it can make all the difference in your overall health and well-being.

Creating A Dental Routine That Your Child Will Enjoy

One of the most important things we can do is teach our children healthy habits, including dental hygiene. But let’s face it, convincing kids to brush their teeth can be a challenge. That’s why it’s essential to make it an enjoyable experience. One way to do this is by setting up rewards for brushing their teeth. It doesn’t have to be anything extravagant; it can be something as simple as stickers or a fun activity they love. By incorporating rewards, you can help your child look forward to brushing their teeth and turn it into a positive experience. With a little creativity and compassion, you can create a dental routine that your child will enjoy and have them wanting to brush their teeth daily!

Visiting Your Family Dentist Regularly For Check-Ups And Cleanings

One way to ensure your family’s oral health is by visiting your family dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings. These routine appointments help prevent tooth decay and gum disease, and they can also catch any dental issues early on before they become bigger problems. As compassionate and knowledgeable dentists, we believe in making these visits as positive and fun as possible for our patients.

Determining When To Introduce Fluoride Treatments

One topic that often comes up is when to introduce fluoride treatments. The truth is, no one answer fits every child. Factors such as age, dietary habits, and dental history all play a role in determining the right time for fluoride treatments. But don’t worry! With a knowledgeable pediatric dentist, you can feel confident making the best decision for your child’s teeth.

Adding these practices in children early on allows them to better understand the importance of proper teeth care while giving them the ability to create an enjoyable routine with stylish dental products, tasty toothpaste, bright toothbrushes, and exciting rewards. Teaching kids healthy oral habits from a young age helps them make healthier decisions for the future and gives them their brightest smiles yet!

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.

Senior Dentist Emeritus

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

Senior Dentist

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.