Follow Dr. Matt on Twitter!

You probably already knew Dr. Matt has a Facebook fan page, but did you know Dr. Matt and our team are now on Twitter?

We'll be tweeting as often as possible and would love if you'd "follow" us at @sd4k!

FDA Issues Warning About Benzocaine in Teething Medication

Dr. Matt and our team at Smiles Dentistry for Kids would like all our parents to know that recently, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, issued a warning about over-the-counter teething pain medicines that contain benzocaine, a local anesthetic and the active ingredient.

The FDA has received reports of methemoglobinemia, a rare but serious blood disorder that is associated with pain relievers, including teething gels, that contain benzocaine sold under the brand names Anbesol, Hurricaine, Orajel, Baby Orajel, Orabase and generic brands.

Methemoglobinemia reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood stream and, in severe cases, can lead to death. Symptoms include pale, gray or blue-colored skin, lips, and nail beds; shortness of breath; fatigue; confusion; headache; lightheadedness; and rapid heart rate. Symptoms could possibly follow a single application of benzocaine with concentrations as low as 7.5 percent.

Read more by checking out this very important announcement. For more information, visit the FDA website or the ADA website.

As always please feel free to give us a call or submit questions via our Facebook page! :)

Dr. Matt & team, supporting National Smile Month

Can you believe it’s already June? Today, Dr. Matt Hillman and our team at Smiles Dentistry for Kids thought we’d tell you June is National Smile Month, and a good time to remind all our patients to practice good oral hygiene between your visits to our friendly Overland Park office!

That means you too, parents! After all, there’s more and more evidence that suggests folks with gum disease are more at risk for serious health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and strokes.

Below are a few simple steps you can take to improve your oral health so that you may celebrate National Smile Month for many, many years to come:

* Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
* Floss everyday to clean between your teeth.
* Reduce your intake of sugary foods and drinks
* Visit us regularly (every 6 months or as recommended by Dr. Matt)!

If you have questions about any of these tips, we encourage you to give us a call, ask Dr. Kelly or our team during your next visit or ask us on Facebook!

Have a wonderful rest of the week!

Patient Appreciation Day on June 5th!

We are SO Excited for our Patient Appreciation Day this Sunday, June 5th! Have you RSVP'd Yet? We already have so many of our wonderful families registered and ready to have some fun!! A lot of you have also registered for the bonus entry to win the iPad2!! See you on Sunday!