8 Tips on Getting Your Child to Brush His Teeth

Brushing your child’s teeth should not be a daily rendition of an atrocious horror story. If it’s such a struggle getting your child to brush his teeth, you are not alone.

Having your young one embrace the early habit of cleaning his teeth may be a challenging task, but it is certainly an important one. Your child may respond differently to the usual brushing techniques other children his age would, so you may need to add a dose of creativity to get your child brushing in no time.

Here are a few tricks that may encourage your children to enjoy brushing:

1. Make toothbrush shopping special. Let your child pick out his own toothbrush. Colored, cartoon themed or even those that light up when squeezed - there are plenty of choices available in the market. Alternatively, you can buy identically colored toothbrush just for you and your little one.
2. Practice makes perfect. Let your child enjoy brushing the teeth of his favorite stuffed animal. You may even let him brush yours! When he’s done, give him a chance to brush his own teeth. Be sure to follow up with ‘polishing touches’ to make sure his teeth and gums are thoroughly cleaned.
3. Show your child that brushing is fun. If he’s hesitant about letting you brush his teeth, let him watch you as you carefully brush yours. Children love to copy what adults do and this could be the key to getting him engaged in taking care of his own oral health.
4. Add spice to the routine. While he tries to brush his teeth, make up silly words and dance along!
5. Brush away the pinky plaque. Give chewable tablets that turn plaque pink a try, and playfully persuade him to brush away the color with his toothbrush.
6. Name that tooth. Make him understand that each member of his pearly whites is important. Let your child give each tooth a nickname and remind him that not a single toothy character should be left out.
7. Be your child’s very own tooth fairy. Don’t forget to praise your child and reward him for a job well done!
8. Flavor counts. Let him choose the flavor that appeal to his taste. This could be the single most important key to getting him hooked on brushing. Also, be sure to use toothpaste that's specially made for kids.

Brushing should not be a chore. Don’t lose your heart if your child doesn’t develop a liking to brushing right away. Make the habit so much fun that he won’t be able to resist the urge to pick up his toothbrush next time!

Dr. Michael's Joins Thousands at the Beat Diabetes Walk 2015

22nd November 2015, Dubai, UAE: Dr. Michael’s Dental Clinic’s team joined over 17,000 participants last Friday at the Beat Diabetes Walk at Zabeel Park.

Gulf News reports that the event organized by the Landmark Group raised almost Dh350,000 and the proceeds will be donated to Al Jalila Foundation, a Dubai-based philanthropic organization that promotes medical education and research.

According to the International Diabetes Foundation, there were 803,900 cases of diabetes in UAE in 2014. There are more than 37 million people in the MENA Region who have diabetes and by 2035 this will rise to 68 million.

What do we know about diabetes?

Here are some data from the World Health Organization.

• Diabetes is a chronic, metabolic disease characterized by elevated levels of blood sugar, which leads over time to serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves.
• The most common is type 2 diabetes, usually in adults, which occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn't make enough insulin. Type 1 diabetes, once known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin by itself.
• In 2014, 9% of adults 18 years and older had diabetes.
• In 2012, diabetes was the direct cause of 1.5 million deaths. More than 80% of diabetes deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
• Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. In a multinational study, 50% of people with diabetes die of cardiovascular disease (primarily heart disease and stroke).
• Diabetes is among the leading causes of kidney failure.
• The overall risk of dying among people with diabetes is at least double the risk of their peers without diabetes.

Dr. Michael’s Dental Clinic Begins 2016 Massive Abu Dhabi & Dubai Expansion

22nd November 2015, Dubai, UAE: Dr. Michael’s Dental Clinic, the premier dental health care provider in Dubai, is set to embark on the largest expansion in the UAE.

The company is rolling out two new fully-digital branches in Abu Dhabi and two new branches in Dubai in 2016. Together, these offices will house 35-chair multi-speciality surgeries for both children and adults.

Dr. Michael’s Dental Clinic invites application from Western educated and trained professionals for the following positions:

• General Dentists
• Orthodontists
• Endodontists
• Pediatric Dentists
• Periodontists
• Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons
• Implantologists
• Dental Hygienists
• Dental Assistants
• Receptionists
• Insurance Coordinators

Apply today! 

10 Commonly Asked Questions About Cavity Treatment

Cavities, dental caries or tooth decay, is the destruction of your tooth enamel, the hard, outer layer of the teeth. Around the world, 60–90% of school children and nearly 100% of adults have dental cavities. This makes cavity treatment one of the most common procedures dentists do on a day-to-day basis.

Here, Dr. Chris Johansson answers the 10 most commonly asked questions patients ask about cavities and how they are treated.

Be Safe, Drink More Water: Fact or Myth?

Author: Dr. Thomas Lyth, Dr. Michael's Dental Clinic

Do you have bad conscience about drinking water? Do you think you’re not drinking enough?

ExpatWoman Review: Visit to Pediatric Dentist Dr. Chantal Kengo

4th November, Dubai, UAE: ExpatWoman’s Sarah visited our Specialist Pediatric Dentist Dr. Chantal Kengo with her 7 year old daughter Sassy last Saturday. Here are some tidbits from their experience.

First visit: General checkup and fluoride application

“Dr. Chantal Kengo personally came to get us and we all sat down on chairs and talked about the reason for the visit. Sassy was to have a general checkup and Fluoride wash. Once the purpose of the visit had been established Dr. Chantal explained to Sassy that she would need to sit in her special chair so she could get a good look at her teeth.

The whole experience was stress-free and verging on fun. Sassy was given a mirror, watching as Dr. Chantal counted her teeth and got her involved in each procedure and action. Dr. Chantal has a natural easy way with kids and explained each and every instrument or tool she was to use. It made Sassy feel really comfortable. She introduced Shower and Mr. Thirsty as she did a good clean on her teeth after exposing the plaque left on Sassy’s teeth and a few stubborn sticky bananas.”

Second visit: Fillings

“Dr. Chantal’s child-oriented approach shone through as she explained about the sugar bugs that have made homes in Sassy’s teeth and now that there are so many of them they need more homes and were taking over more teeth.

I didn’t even see Sassy flinch as Dr. Chantal administered the injection! Dr. Chantal and her assistant, Christina, worked quickly and calmly mending the holes in Sassy’s teeth.”

Read Sarah’s full review.