Happy New Year!

Can you believe 2010 is almost over? Today, Dr. Matt & our team thought we’d ask: what was memorable about 2010 for you or your child, and what are you most looking forward to in 2011? Do you or your child have a new year's resolution, or any exciting plans for the coming year?

Have a safe and happy New Year, to all our patients, friends, family and all our dental and medical colleagues in Overland Park, Olathe and surrounding communities in the Kansas City area.

See you all in 2011!

Safety first this winter! From Dr. Matt & Smiles Dentistry for Kids

Winter is officially here, and with it comes not only the holiday season, but also sometimes unpredictable and inclement weather. This week, Dr. Matt Hillman and our staff at Smiles Dentistry for Kids thought we'd share a few winter safety tips from our friends at the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. These tips include everything from what to wear outdoors to tips for winter snow sports. Enjoy!

* Older babies and young children should generally be dressed in one more layer of clothing than an adult would wear in the same conditions
* Several thin clothing layers will keep an infant or child dry and warm. Warm boots, gloves, mittens, and a hat are necessities!
* A cold air humidifier, saline nose drops, and petrolatum will help a child that suffers from winter nosebleeds.
* It is important for children to wash their hands frequently, and to use the bend of their elbow if they need to sneeze or cough to prevent the spread of colds and flu.
* Never ski or snowboard alone. Adults should supervise young children participating in winter sports.
* When sledding, it is preferable to separate young children from older children, and to avoid crowded areas.
* The AAP recommends that children under age 16 not operate snowmobiles and that children under age 6 never ride on snowmobiles.

We hope that these tips help keep you and your kiddos stay safe and sound this winter season. Please give our Overland Park office a call if you have any questions, or if you would like to schedule your next appointment at Smiles Dentistry for Kids.

Happy Holidays!

Dr. Matt, helping ease your child's fear of the dentist

Dr. Matt knows some children fear going to the dentist, and this morning, we found a great article on how to help your child overcome fears of visiting our office, courtesy of our friends at WebMD.

Serving Overland Park, Olathe, Kansas City and the surrounding areas of Kansas and Missouri, it is our goal to make your child's first dental experience a positive one. Whether it's a simple checkup or restorative care, Dr. Matt Hillman & our experienced team at Smiles Dentistry for Kids provide comprehensive gentle dental care in a comfortable and welcoming environment. In fact, most of our kiddos look forward to their next visit! Schedule an appointment by calling (913) 685-9990, and we'll see you soon!

Can germs really live on your child's toothbrush?

Fall is here, and with it comes the dreaded cold and flu season. After recovering from his or her cold, Dr. Matt Hillman our team will tell you one of the most important steps you can take to avoid your child becoming reinfected is replacing his or her toothbrush!

Germs can linger on the bristles, and you risk prolonging your sickness by continuing to use the same toothbrush. Be smart - keep a spare, just in case! To protect your toothbrush from bacteria all year long, consider the following tips:

• Wash your hands before and after brushing

• Allow the brush to air dry after each use, harmful bacteria dies after being exposed to oxygen

• Store the toothbrush in an upright position to allow water to drain and dry faster

• Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months. Worn bristles are less effective in properly cleaning your teeth, and can actually be damaging to teeth if used too long!

Hope this tip helps! Feel free to call us if you have any questions or ask Dr. Matt and team on Facebook. We hope you had a terrific weekend! Thank you to everyone for spending Saturday morning with us at our Holiday Movie and for your generous donations to Harvesters. It was another huge success!! Congratulations to the Quiz winners and the Golden Ticket winners! Be sure to check out the photo album we posted.