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Summer is almost here, which means a season full of vacations, adventures and great memories is just around the corner for our patients at Kozica Dental.

Everyone wants a glowing and radiant white smile when the sun comes around and we have a few reminders to keep your pearly whites healthy and beautiful over the summer! Try to stay away from drinks that will stain your teeth like coffee, soft drinks, or dark colored juices. Not only will drinks like this weaken your enamel but they will also darken that fabulous smile you're working on! Another tip is to try and focus on brushing your teeth; everyone knows that when busy schedules start picking up, getting a good brushing session in tends to take the backseat! A good tip for keeping your mouth safe from staining and other possible pitfalls is to rinse your mouth with water after any meal you can’t fully brush your teeth after. Your teeth, inside and out, will benefit!

And remember, whether you are headed to a barbecue, a camping trip, or just having fun in the backyard this summer, we want to hear all about it! Make sure to let us know what you’re up to below or on our Facebook page! We also encourage you to post any photos from your adventures!

Dr. Kozica and our team at Kozica Dental will tell you that good oral health habits when you are pregnant are very important. A plaque or infectious buildup can affect the baby in gestation, and cause some unforeseen issues during birth. There are a few steps relating to oral health that can help prevent complications and other pregnancy issues. Here are a few things to consider about oral health when you are expecting.

Proper brushing

Brushing your teeth at least twice a day is essential when you are pregnant. This will peel away any buildup that you have on your teeth, and help create a shield against future buildup. Swallowing large amounts of plaque or bacterial buildup can and will affect the gestation of the fetus, and can cause certain complications.

Floss

Flossing will also help remove a lot of the buildup in your teeth that can promote infection. Make sure you floss at least once a day. Bacterial infections fester on food buildup, and certain destructive viruses can also breed and grow on these remnants.

Morning sickness

The acidity of vomit can erode the enamel on your teeth, and create buildup of damaging particulates in your teeth. If you are experiencing regular morning sickness, rinse your teeth with a mixture of baking soda and water. This will remove buildup, and alleviate some of the acidity from the vomit.

Alcohol-free, antimicrobial mouthwash

Regardless of whether you are trying to or not, you will swallow small amounts of your mouthwash. Alcohol can affect your gestating baby. Use an antimicrobial, alcohol-free mouthwash.

Visit the dentist

If you have any dental issues, please give us a call at our convenient Worcester office away. We will be able to diagnose and treat any oral health issues immediately, and make sure they do not affect your developing child. Protecting your baby includes protecting your oral health.

During the early days of the environmental awareness movement, those who demonstrated against pollution, toxic chemicals, and the general public health were known as hippies. The early 1970s were a time of change, and assertions that we needed to pay more attention to the Earth's atmosphere were generally dismissed. But within a couple decades, it had become clear that the previous generation was right; the citizens of the world needed to become more environmentally conscious.

Many people feel that they can't make a difference if they don't do something big. But caring for the environment doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing concept. In fact, the little things you do can add up to make a great impact, especially in our community. Here are a few ways you can help the environment on Earth Day, April 22nd and all year around.

Four Small Ways to be Environmentally Friendly

• Recycle Your Textiles. Nearly 21 million tons of textiles are added to American landfills each year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Donating your unwanted clothing to a secondhand store or an organization that repurposes fabric helps cut down on solid waste and conserves natural resources.
• Reduce Usage of Disposables. Plastic bottles and bags, disposable diapers and other things we can use and toss out are convenient, but they're not necessary. Simply choosing to replace one of type of disposable with a reusable product can help you cut down on waste that has a large negative impact on our environment.
• Conserve Water. If everyone in the United States turned off the water while brushing their teeth, more than 1.5 million gallons of water could be conserved. Turn the water on long enough to wet your toothbrush for brushing and rinsing, and then immediately turn the water off again.
• Turn Off the Lights. Flip the light switch to "Off" if you're going to leave a particular room for 15 minutes or more. This will conserve energy on incandescent light bulbs and cut down on cooling costs.

It's not necessary to be an activist or install solar panels all over your home to help the environment. Although you can do these things, the little everyday measures make a big difference in helping to conserve energy and the environment, while reducing your carbon footprint. Our team at Kozica Dental wants to remind you to celebrate Earth Day and help the environment, knowing that it will benefit your and your children's generation.

Conventional wisdom suggests dental visits once a year, maybe with a cleaning in between. In fact, for optimal oral health visiting the dentist, every three to four months is recommended. Staying on a consistent appointment schedule with the dentist can help keep teeth and gums healthy and identify potential problems before they worsen.

Ward off Serious Problems

Tooth and gum diseases tend to have a gradual onset, which means the early signs may be evident to a dentist. Finding these problems early prevents them from causing serious damage to the mouth. Early detection often limits the amount of treatment needed and thus lowers the cost. Early detection is not limited to oral health problems. Many physical conditions show signs in the mouth, including osteoporosis and nutritional deficiencies. The dentist can detect these symptoms and help the patient take steps to correct the problem.

Create Healthy Habits

Getting into the routine of seeing the dentist regularly helps make it a habit. If dental check-ups are not part of a quarterly schedule, it's easy for them to fall by the wayside, especially with the bustle of modern life. Months can pass without a dentist visit, which is plenty of time for gum disease and cavities to develop. Even those who brush and floss after every meal as directed can experience these issues; tobacco, coffee, and sugar consumption all play a role, as does heredity. Tobacco use can lead to gum disease and even oral cancer. Coffee and sugary foods and beverages contain acids that damage and erode the enamel of the teeth, making it easier for bacteria to cause cavities. Those with a strong family history of tooth decay and other oral health problems have a higher risk of developing these problems themselves.

Receive Continuous Treatment

Many dental issues take more than one visit to resolve. Having a regular appointment can protect the continuity of the care plan by allowing the dentist to monitor the progress of treatment carefully and make adjustments as needed. This is particularly important for patients having a root canal, oral surgery, or a cosmetic dentistry procedure. If issues aren't present, a deep cleaning from the dentist every few months keeps the teeth and gums in tip-top shape, saving time and money in the long run. They can remove plaque and tartar that are resistant to brushing and flossing alone.

For preventive dental care in the Worcester, MA area, consider Kozica Dental. We have proudly served the community for more than 25 years, providing treatment using only BPA-free and mercury-free materials. Dr. Kozica is committed to offering preventive treatments, cosmetic procedures, emergency care, and treatment for oral health issues such as gingivitis and TMJ. Services at Kozica Dental are available in English, Spanish, and Lithuanian. Call us at (508) 755-0751 or request an appointment online today.