Go Green with these helpful Spring cleaning Tips!

Most people’s first choice for spring cleaning would be to hire someone to do it. Realistically we all know that it is something that we don’t like to do but just have to do!

I recently came across a few helpful tips for the job that are environmentally safe. Think about the amount of money a household could save during one year if you used these “Green” cleaning agents. The four essential cleaners are, white vinegar, salt, lemon juice and baking soda. The combination of white vinegar and baking soda, you can clean almost anything; mix 1 cup of white vinegar with ½ cup of baking soda to one gallon of warm water.

Did you know that you can scrub floors with a combination of baking soda and vinegar? Both of these “green” cleaning agents do the job, but there is no pleasant clean smell. Add a few drops of an essential oil, such as Lavender or Eucalyptus, for a fresh clean scent. To clean windows or mirrors, mix 4 tablespoons of lemon juice with a half -gallon of warm water and put into a spray bottle. Spray surface and wipe clean with newspaper or a clean lint free rag.

Soap scum and mildew can be removed from the shower head by placing some vinegar into a baggie and securing onto shower head with a rubber band. Kitchen cupboards can be cleaned with a mixture of white vinegar and water, when finished you can shine the wood by using a few drops of olive oil on a clean dry rag. There are so many great ideas to clean your house and keep your family safe from harmful chemicals. The internet can also be a wonderful source of information!

Good luck and Go Green!!!

The benefits of positive thinking, from Drs. Bernard & Eimer

Are you a person that believes the glass is half empty or is it half full, are you a pessimist or an optimist? Your answer can unlock many unanswered questions about your life, career, health, your relationships with others, and your general happiness.

A negative attitude can cause a decrease in the body’s immune system’s ability to fight off infection, resulting in chronic illness.

Living a stress free, positive life can be beneficial in many ways. Most studies show that positive thinking can improve your health and well-being. The Mayo Clinic published a study in December 2006, the study found that optimists report a higher level of physical and mental functioning than pessimists. The study was conducted on 447 patients who took part in a health survey over a 30 year span. Pessimists reported a poorer physical and mental functioning.

Try to approach unpleasantness in a more positive productive way. Think that the best is going to happen, not the worst. It is true, that a pleasant, good life is just what the doctor ordered!

The harmful effects of fruit juices & sports drinks

There are many health benefits to consuming orange juice, fruit juices and sports drinks such as Gatorade. These drinks may contain beneficial ingredients such as vitamin C and antioxidants; they can also replenish nutrients lost during a sporting event and lower the chance of heart disease, cancer and even Alzheimer’s.

These drinks can sometimes do more harm than good, if not consumed carefully. Orange, fruit and sport drink consumption should always be followed by tooth brushing, or if you are not able to brush, drink plenty of water to remove sugar that lingers on the teeth and gums.

Sugar is consumed by bacteria and converts to and acid, which wears away at teeth and causes cavities.

Tooth enamel can be worn, by consuming these drinks, leading to cavities, sensitive teeth and eventually tooth loss. Studies have indicated that toothpaste with fluoride may help to lessen the effects of these drinks.

What germs are lurking on your toothbrush?

You use your toothbrush several times a day (or you should be using it several times a day) did you ever stop and think about all of the germs lurking on it? There are several kinds of bacteria that can be found on your toothbrush. Streptococci, staphylococci, Herpes Simplex I and an Influenza virus are just to name a few. Where do you store your toothbrush? Most families have a toothbrush holder that sets on the bathroom counter, with the whole family’s toothbrushes in it. A toothbrush is used, rinsed off and put away damp and this is the ideal situation for bacteria to thrive in. It is best to disinfect weekly and allow it to air dry in between use.

Studies show that you should not keep it in an open container, store it in a well- ventilated place, not in a sealed container or near the toilet. Each time you flush your toilet, a spray of bacteria and virus contaminated water droplets fill the air, it is best to close the lid before flushing. These germs can be found floating around in the bathroom for at least two hours after flushing, before landing on surfaces including your toothbrush.

Just remember, to choose a clean, dry, well- ventilated area to keep your toothbrush and replace it often, especially during the cold and flu season.

Internet Contest: Website Scavenger Hunt

Go to our website to look for the answers to these questions! GOOD LUCK!


1. What High School did Dr. Bernard graduate from?

2. What branch of the military was Dr. Eimer in?

3. Which staff member is the “Communications Technician”?

4. Who handles insurance and finance in our office?

5. What are the names of the two Treatment Coordinators?

6. Who is the newest member of our staff?

7. What does a QH (Quad Helix) do?

8. Where do we hold our annual theatre party?

9. What do we call our “incentive” tokens?

10. What is our address?

11. Who is our lab technician?

12. Where is our records room and who is the records technician?

13. How many clinical assistants do we have?

14. What college did both Doctors receive their dental degree from?

15. What are the names of our two scheduling coordinators?

The importance of mouthguards for athletes

With the arrival of spring, it marks the start of baseball and softball season. There are many options to protect your child from unnecessary mouth trauma. Typically mouth guards cover the teeth, and are designed to protect the mouth from trauma, such as: broken teeth, cut lips and other damage to the mouth. A mouth guard should be worn by anyone that participates in a contact sport, any activity that might result in injury to the mouth.

A custom mouth guard can be made in our office at an additional cost this ensures the proper fit, which makes it more comfortable and the best protection. Mouth guards can be made in a variety of colors. All professional athletes wear custom made mouth guards.

However, patients that are in braces or have an appliance cannot wear a custom mouth guard. These patients need to wear a pliable mouth guard (there is no charge) that allows their teeth to still move.

Check with our office before the season begins for a pliable mouth guard or a custom made one.

What’s A Smile Worth?

A recent study out of Great Britain found that just seeing a loved one’s smile was worth 8,500 Pounds or $13,175 U.S. dollars! The smile of a friend was valued less at $225 dollars. A subsequent British study of 1,000 adults rated smiling as more likely to give a short term high, than sex, candy or shopping (and in that order).

The next study needs to compare the value of a “straight smile” following braces with a crooked or spaced smile. Since smiles are valued so high, orthodontics to create the ideal smile is the ideal way to get the best “bang for your buck” when you smile.