Practicing good oral hygiene has nearly limitless benefits. When our mouths, gums or teeth aren’t healthy, our bodies may be more susceptible to serious disease, so taking care of your mouth is just as important as taking care of the rest of your body. Although February is children’s dental month and we focus on building good oral health habits for kids, it’s always a good time to reevaluate your current techniques. Working with children to create good oral health habits early on can go a long way toward a lifetime of healthy smiles, but as adults, any bad habits we have acquired might have stuck around longer than they needed to. Here are a few tips for making sure your teeth and gums stay as healthy as possible.

Care for your teeth daily

Make sure you are brushing your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. The fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and makes teeth more resistant to decay and if you use mouthwash, do not use it directly after brushing as it will rinse away the fluoride. It’s important to brush your teeth before bed to make sure bacteria that cause plaque, tartar and gingivitis can’t spend all night on your teeth.

Proper Brushing

When brushing your teeth hold the toothbrush at a 45 degree angle so both the gum line and surface of the tooth are exposed to the bristles. You should brush using an up and down and back and forth motion. After brushing be sure to floss! While it might be a chore, flossing can remove debris from teeth that brushing misses.

Visit your dentist regularly

You should be seeing your dentist at least twice a year for semi-annual cleanings and a thorough checkup. Your dentist will examine your teeth for potential issues, discuss a customized care plan and determine if you need to be seen more often as well as additional procedures that may need to take place. Going to the dentist can make some people uneasy and if you experience anxiety thinking about a trip to see your dentist, try bringing a friend with you or listening to music during your appointment.

Watch your diet

A diet rich in vitamins, minerals and fresh fruits and veggies can help prevent gum disease. It’s best to avoid snacking when possible and limiting yourself to soda at meal times can reduce the amount of time your teeth face added factors for decay and damage. If you are in need of a snack, cheese cubes are a tasty way to reduce lingering acid on your teeth. Finally, a diet

Our oral health changes throughout our lifetime, as does the attention our teeth and gums might need. To learn more about oral health or to schedule an exam and cleaning please call 816.474.4920 today or request an appointment online!

LARGE OUTDOOR SCULPTURE BY RITA BLITT FINDS NEW HOME AT RODGERS HEALTH

January 12, 2016 By Sam Rodgers

Downtown Campus now has a new look, thanks to a large sculpture from well- known artist, Rita Blitt.  Titled, “Trio” the sculpture measures 26 feet in height and 15 feet wide.  It was installed in the Health Center’s Legacy Park Oct. 30th.

“We are truly excited that we have finally become ‘home’  for this piece of art,” said Hilda Fuentes, President and CEO at SURHC.  “The work had been in storage in need of some refurbishing, and funding was needed for its relocation and installation.  Now, thanks to the generosity of its creator, Ms. Blitt, our campus has a new addition that we know our patients, neighbors and staff will enjoy.”

SURHC’s Downtown Campus, located at 825 Euclid Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri, now displays drawings, paintings and a small sculpture by Blitt, throughout its 3 floors.  Blitt provided the large outdoor sculpture “Trio” when SURHC moved in to its current building—new at the time–in early 2012; she then also loaned the art displayed within the Health Center.

Rita Blitt is an award winning and internationally known artist, sculptor, painter and filmmaker whose works of art can be found throughout the world.  “I am grateful for the opportunity to share my work which hopefully, will bring joy to many people,” Blitt said.  Blitt has strong ties to the Kansas City area having attended the Kansas City Art Institute and graduating from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

The park is adjacent to the Downtown Campus and features an 1/8 of mile paved walking trail and vegetation native to the area; it’s open to the public and accessible to the community.  “Who knows,” said Fuentes, “this could be the beginning of a new ‘art in the park’ development providing patients and residents with a more aesthetic, healing environment while also offering a greater sense of identity to the northeast area of Kansas City.”