February is National Children’s Dental Health Month

Because developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums, the American Dental Association sponsors National Children’s Dental Health Month each February.

Now in its 63rd year, this month-long national health observance brings together thousands of dedicated dental professionals, health care providers and others to promote the benefits of good oral health to children and adults, caregivers, teachers and many others.

Parents and teachers can help kids celebrate and learn more about the importance of a healthy smile. The ADA offers free downloadable information, kid-friendly oral health worksheets and games on MouthHealthy.org, the ADA’s consumer website. Click on the For Kids tab on the left side of the page for a variety of age-appropriate activities, games and videos and presentations. There are also teaching guides that adults can use at home, in the classroom or in other community-based settings.

To read the entire article visit Colgate.com.

Honolulu Smile Design   
John Ha, DDS   
1481 S. King Street, Suite 303 
Honolulu, HI 96814   
(808) 941-2088   
HonoluluSmileDesign.com

Fun Facts from the Doc: Do Dental Fillings Last Forever?

YOU MAY BE SURPRISED TO LEARN that dental fillings and crowns don’t last forever! While they are extremely durable and can last years, there will come a time when they will have to be replaced.

We Check Your Fillings At Your Regular Visits

You may be wondering, “If fillings don’t last a lifetime, then how long DO they last?” That depends on a number of factors, such as the type of procedure performed, the size or area being treated or replaced, the kind of materials used for the filling and the patient’s level of oral hygiene and care.

At your check-up appointment, we will examine your fillings and make sure they are still intact. We will look for early signs of wear and tear so we can replace a dental restoration before it breaks, loses its effectiveness or falls out on its own. We also take x-rays to make sure there is no decay under or around a filling, which can cause it to come loose.

We’re Here For You In An Emergency

Despite your best efforts, a filling may crack or fall out unexpectedly. This is unlikely to occur if you visit your dentist regularly, however accidents can happen. Over time, dental fillings can be weakened by:

• Tooth decay
• Frequent jaw clenching and teeth grinding (bruxism)
• Chewing on hard items or foods
• Injury or trauma, such as those sustained during sports activities
• Time; no filling lasts forever no matter how well kept

Although the following video discusses tooth loss, the same principals apply for a lost filling!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iI99sY538aE

If you ever have a filling fall out just remember, don’t panic and don’t wait. Even if it falls out after hours, call us immediately–we’re here for you in an emergency! We will get you in as quickly as we can. In the meantime, keep your filling if you can but don’t try to push it back into place. Make sure to keep the affected area clean and debris-free.

If you don’t experience any pain after losing a filling, it’s still important to come in as soon as possible to have it treated. Not seeking immediate care could result in pain, discomfort and even tooth loss.

Call Us Anytime!

Regular dental visits are imperative to maintaining a healthy smile. With that being said, we know not every dental emergency happens during normal business hours. That’s why we strive to make ourselves available to our patients as often as possible. If you need us, call us! Your health and comfort is our number one priority.

Thank you for reading our blog and supporting our practice!

Dentist Honolulu HI

John Ha, DDS, is pleased to be able to offer beautiful smiles to his neighbors in Honolulu and the surrounding communities.

Dr. Ha earned his bachelor's and dental degrees from Creighton University, where he also completed a dental post-baccalaureate program. He has engaged in extensive postgraduate education, with specific training in dental implant placement and restoration, endodontics (root canal treatment), restorative dentistry, and cosmetic dentistry. Certifications in CEREC™ one-visit crowns, Invisalign™ clear aligners, and the Inman Aligner™ demonstrate his achievements in education and training that allow him to provide many options for his patients to obtain the smiles of their dreams. Recent programs in advanced bone grafting and complex implant restoration mean even more patients can receive full-mouth implant restorations without having to be referred to another office. Dr. Ha's commitment to lifelong education means he is constantly evaluating emerging dental methods and technologies in order to provide his patients with the best results in the least invasive manner with a high emphasis on comfort. This commitment ensures the highest level of care, both today and tomorrow.

Dr. Ha is a member of the American Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry. He is proud to mentor newly graduated dentists, and he has served as a dental volunteer for Project Homeless Omaha, One World Community Health Services, Give Kids a Smile, and We Serve Day. He has been featured in Dentaltown magazine and Austin MD magazine. In his spare time, Dr. Ha enjoys spending time with his wife Julie and their rescue dog Calvin, running, and cooking new foods.

Honolulu Smile Design
John Ha, DDS
1481 S. King Street, Suite 303
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 941-2088
HonoluluSmileDesign.com