Thursday 10 September 2015

Better Safe Than Sorry



With a growing number of youth and adolescents participating in sports, the number injuries is rising.  Some reports indicate that 36% of all unintentional injuries to children and adolescents are sports related.  According to the American Dental Association, of those injuries, 10-20% involve maxillofacial structures (face and teeth).  The National Youth Foundation for Safety has reported that an athlete is 60 times more likely to sustain damage to the teeth when NOT wearing a mouthguard! Most of the time, these injuries cause permanent damage to the teeth.

While damage is often times permanent, prevention is easy!  Fit yourself or your child in a protective mouthguard to be worn at all practices and competitions.  Not only can mouthguards protect teeth, but they may also reduce the rate of concussions when properly custom fitted.  The American Dental Association recommends wearing custom mouthguards for the following sports: 
acrobats, basketball, boxing, field hockey, football, gymnastics, handball, ice hockey, lacrosse, martial arts, racquetball, roller hockey, rugby, shot putting, skateboarding, skiing, skydiving, soccer, squash, surfing, volleyball, water polo, weightlifting, and wrestling. 
Other experts include baseball and softball infielders on that list. 

When selecting a mouthguard, keep in mind that there are 3 types:
                Ready-made or stock mouthguard that are available over the counter
                Mouth-formed "boil and bite" mouthguard, also available over the counter
                Custom-made mouthguard made by a dentist


These mouthguards vary in price and comfort, yet all provide some protection. According to the American Dental Association, the most effective mouthguard should be comfortable, resistant to tearing, and resilient. A mouthguard should fit properly, be durable, easily cleaned, and not restrict speech or breathing. 

If you aren't wearing a mouthguard and do incur an injury to your teeth, time is critical!  Seek dental treatment immediately, do not wait till the end of the game!  For the best outcome, get to a dentist within 2 hours.





Monday 31 August 2015

Leave Your Medical/Dental Jargon Dictionary at Home!





     Here at our office, Dr. Hopkin will walk you through every option and procedure in a way that you can understand, helping you to make informed decisions about your health care.  Whether you are an adult, teen or child, Dr. Hopkin caters his approach in order to best relate to any patient.  When patients understand their condition, and have their questions sufficiently answered, their treatment experiences are much smoother!  Even parents are surprised to find that their once frightened children will relax and trust Dr. Hopkin to provide the care they need as he relates to them on their level.  Anxiety decreases, questions are answered and concerns are addressed. 

Friday 28 August 2015

What to expect with Dr. Dustin Hopkin


     When any patient is told that they need to see an oral surgeon, there's always a bit of stress that hits.  There are concerns with pain, questions with cost, and anxiety about treatment, just to name a few.  In fact, dental anxiety effects an estimated 30-40 million Americans, causing them to avoid even seeing the dentist!  This may be why so many reluctant patients are pleasantly surprised when they come to our office for treatment!

     Your first impression will come from the inviting and warm atmosphere of the office, with our comfortable reception area and a friendly greeting from Stephanie or Maggie.  Maggie is our bubbly receptionist who tricks people into thinking she's from the South as she charms them with her down-to-earth Southern hospitality, referring to them as "Honey" or "Sweetie".

     Next, you'll be invited into the back where you'll meet one or more of our amazing surgical assistants, Renae, Kenzie or Nikki.  In addition to the fact that they are exceptionally well trained, they are also kind, cute and perceptive, working to anticipate your every need and keep you comfortable. It's about  this point when you'll start realizing your choice to come to Dr. Hopkin's office was a good one.

     If you haven't already done so on the way in, you'll see Dr. Hopkin approach you with his hand outstretched, ready to introduce himself and get to know you.  Like most patients, you may be a bit surprised when you meet him.

     First of all, you may notice that he is rather young-looking.  Not in a "Doogie Howser" way, but in a fresh, current, and energetic way.  We tease him enough that he wears glasses and grows a 3-day beard to give him a more mature look.  Regardless of his appearance,  it only takes a minute before you will feel as though you have always known him.  The treatment he renders is very sophisticated and intricate, contrary to his easy-going, talkative personality.  Dr. Hopkin sincerely enjoys his patients, treating them more like friends.  You won't feel like just a number, or as though you are being shuttled in and out.  As your appointment ends, you will feel well-informed about your care, comfortable with your new friends at our office and confident the you made the BEST choice!