verwest

Shark Teeth!

Courtesy of the Business Observer! 

NAPLES — When it comes to alleviating children’s anxiety over visiting the dentist, Pediatric Dentistry of Florida provides an undersea environment of whimsical whales, sharks and other sea life to help take a bite out of their apprehensions. Practicing in Fort Myers since 1992, Dr. Tim Verwest reinvented his approach in 2013 when he rebranded the business and opened a new office that is part theme park at 8016 Summerlin Lakes Drive.

When his next location opens in mid-July, Verwest will expand his footprint into Collier County with a new, 4,000-square-foot office at 1035 Piper Blvd., Suite 103 in Naples. Just as at the Fort Myers location, when parents bring their kids to see the dentist, they will be immersed into a world of aquatic wonder.

“We wanted to create an office to take the brand we have built in Fort Myers and create something inviting not just for the kids, but to the parents as well,” Verwest tells Coffee Talk. “Sometimes when you put things together as a clapboard office, it doesn’t delver then results you want. We want to make a unique and pleasant experience for everybody.”

From the reception desk to the waiting room to the six-bed open bay to the three private treatment rooms, the practice transports young patients to a world of an underwater shipwreck and sea life including a coral reef, various species of tropical fish, stingrays, a mermaid and a 16-foot whale shark and blue whale suspended from the ceiling.

Verwest is also becoming a landlord. The entire building is 10,000 square feet with 6,000 square feet being leased to a urology practice. Verwest has invested $2.5 million in the building, with build-out by Lee Berchtold of Fort Myers and whimsy provided by Imagination Dental Solutions of Alberta, Canada, with a Florida office in Pompano Beach.

Declining to disclose build-out costs compared to a traditional dental practice, Verwest says the investment will pay off in more ways than patient comfort.

“I think the environment helps attract quality personnel,” he tells Coffee Talk. “When they see you have created an office space that is comfortable, that is up to date technologically and is a pleasant space to work in, it gives them a sense that this is a real practice.”

Caring for teeth with braces

Braces are often placed in patients between 10 and 14 years of age to correct crooked or overcrowded teeth. “The benefits of braces are many,” says Ken Sutherland, DDS, Delta Dental senior dental consultant. “Straight teeth, an attractive smile, improved dental function and, often, improved overall health are all results of wearing braces.”

Below are some answers to questions about staying comfortable and healthy while wearing braces.

Why is good oral hygiene with braces so important? Food and plaque can get trapped in the tiny spaces between braces and wires, causing decay and enamel stains. Food can also react with the bacteria in your mouth and the metal in the braces to produce a bleaching effect, which can cause small, permanent light spots on the teeth.

How should teeth and braces be cleaned? It is best to brush after every meal and use a floss threader or special orthodontic floss (available at drug stores) at least once a day to clean between braces and under wires. Check your teeth in a mirror to make sure all food particles are gone. If you don’t have your toothbrush with you, rinse your mouth vigorously with water.

How do braces feel? The wires that are used to move teeth into position are usually tightened at each visit to the dentist or orthodontist. This causes pressure on the teeth and some discomfort. Eating soft foods and taking a pain reliever, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®, for instance), can help. Also, braces can rub against the inside of the lips. If this is a problem, a special wax can be placed on the wires to keep them from chafing (available from your dentist or orthodontist and at drug stores).

How long do braces have to be worn? It depends on how complicated the spacing or occlusion (bite) problem is. Most braces are worn for 18 to 30 months. After the braces are removed, the patient wears a retainer, which is used to maintain the position of the teeth while setting and aligning the tissues that surround the newly-straightened teeth.

Should any foods be avoided? Yes. Sweets, soda and other sugary and starchy foods can promote tooth decay and gum disease. Sticky and chewy foods (caramel, taffy, chewing gum, dried fruits) can stick to braces and be difficult to remove. Biting and chewing hard foods, such as some candies and nuts, ice, beef jerky and popcorn, can break wires and loosen brackets. Avoid damaging wires on the front teeth by cutting carrots, apples and other crunchy, healthy foods into bite-sized chunks before eating them.

Baby pacifiers: Pros and cons

Should parents let their infant use a pacifier? According to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), there are benefits as well as a downside to baby pacifiers.

On the positive side, pacifiers provide a source of comfort to infants. Pacifiers can also assist in reducing the incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS, according to the AGD. Because babies with pacifiers sleep less deeply than those who sleep without pacifiers, they can be aroused from a deep sleep that could result in the stopping of breathing.

The downside of pacifiers is the effect they can have on the growth and development of the teeth and mouth. Prolonged pacifier use can cause changes in the shape of the roof of the mouth, prevent proper growth of the mouth and create problems with tooth alignment. Parents who give their baby a pacifier should consider these points:

  • Restrict pacifier use to when the infant needs to fall asleep.
  • Look for a pacifier with ventilation holes in the shield, as they permit air passage. This is important if the pacifier accidentally becomes lodged in the child’s throat.
  • Always clean the pacifier before giving it to a child.

Breaking the pacifier habit

The AGD recommends that children stop using pacifiers by age two. (Up until that age, any alignment problem with the teeth or the developing bone is usually corrected within six months after pacifier use is stopped.)

Breaking the habit is not always easy. Here are a few suggestions for helping a child wean from the pacifier:

  • Dip the pacifier in white vinegar.
  • Pierce the top of the pacifier or cut it shorter to reduce sucking satisfaction.
  • Leave it behind on a trip.

Always throw away a used pacifier; it is not sanitary for another child to use or to save.

5 tips to keep teeth healthy over the holidays

No matter how much you love your dentist, he or she probably doesn’t top the list of people you want to spend quality time with over the holidays. Follow these five tips to steer clear of emergency trips to the dentist’s office this season.

1. Don’t crack nuts with your teeth.

Although protein found in nuts helps keep muscles and bones strong, you shouldn’t test the strength of your teeth by shelling nuts with them. The hard surface of most nutshells can cause serious tooth and gum damage, and may even crack teeth. Your safest bet? Shell nuts before snacking on them.

2. Pass on chewy treats.

Holiday candy platters are often loaded with treats that can harm your teeth. Sticky substances cling to tooth enamel and encourage tooth decay, and thick candies like caramel and taffy can even yank out fillings. Eat these sweets sparingly and along with other foods to help keep the treats from sticking to your teeth.

3. Use proper tools to open packages and bottles.

We know you’re excited to rip into that gift from your great aunt, but your teeth are not the right tools for the task. Gripping a package or stubborn bottle cap with your teeth can crack them, possibly requiring a root canal procedure and a crown for repair. Give your mouth a great gift – reach for scissors or a bottle opener instead.

4. Avoid chewing on hard candy or ice cubes.

Crunching on ice or hard candy can lead to cracked or chipped teeth, which are painful and pricey to treat. Whether you’re enjoying a sweet or finishing the ice in your holiday cocktail, let it dissolve naturally in your mouth. Better yet, skip these items altogether. Ice can cause discomfort for sensitive teeth, and hard candies promote tooth decay.

5. Say “no” to nail biting.

The holidays can be stressful, but biting your nails won’t bring relief. Anxious nibbling is bad for both fingernails and teeth. Experts have linked the habit to teeth grinding, clenching, jaw problems, facial pain and sensitive teeth. If you get the urge to chew, distract yourself for a minute or two and see if the feeling goes away. If that doesn’t work, consider buying bitter-tasting polish that’s designed to dissuade you from putting your nails anywhere near your mouth.

Be sure to check these tips twice to stay off your dentist’s naughty list this season!

Dentists’ candy buyback nets over 400 pounds of sweets

Pediatric Dentistry of Ft. Myers, Dr. Tim Verwest, DMD collected over 400 pounds of candy during their Halloween cash for my candy buyback program. The candy collected will be donated to the U.S. troops, veterans, new recruits, and Wounded Warriors as part of operation gratitude care packages.

“More than 100 kids become true cavity busters by turning in all their candy for cash and a good cause,” said Dr. Verwest. “Seeing the smiling faces walk out of the office without their candy and a few bucks in their pockets is like music to my ears”.

Pediatric Dentistry of Ft Myers, Dr. Tim Verwest, DMD, continues to provide pediatric dental care to children for over 25 years. Areas of service include comprehensive dental exams, cleanings, composite fillings, dental hygiene education, extractions, fluoride treatments, sealants, sedation dentistry, space maintainers, x-rays and tooth nerve treatment. For more information, visit www.DrVerwest.com or (239) 482-2722.

 

Dr. Tim M. Verwest, DMD voted 2015’s best dentist in Ft. Myers

Pediatric Dentistry of Ft. Myers, Dr. Tim M. Verwest, DMD has been voted 2015’s best dentist in Ft. Myers for dentistry treatment and services as reviewed by patients verified by Opencare.  Opencare’s annual review evaluates over 130 dentistry offices in Ft. Myers, based on patient reviews from Yelp, Google, RateMD’s, Yellow Pages, Opencare and many other review sites.

drtim-portrait

Earlier this year Dr. Verwest was selected as the 2015 top dentist by the Consumer Research Council of America and was voted best pediatric dentist of Southwest Florida by the Ft. Myers News-Press readers. He is known for his commitment to the community through dental education presentations and gave away over 20,000 toothbrushes in 2014.  His professional affiliations include The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American and Florida Dental Associations and West Coast Dental Association, the Florida Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and the Lee County Dental Association.  He is often a guest lecturer for various organizations and has taught classes at Florida Southwestern State College.

Dr. Verwest is a board certified Diplomat of the National Board of Pediatric Dentistry with professional interests in the areas of pediatric pharmacology, biomaterials, and pediatric anesthesia.  He believes in lifelong learning and continues his education by taking courses in pediatric sedation, pediatric oncology, sealants, prosthetics, pediatric cosmetic dentistry, pediatric materials, childhood growth and development, and more.

Pediatric Dentistry of Ft Myers, Dr. Tim Verwest & Associates continues to provide pediatric dental care to children for the last 25 years. Areas of service include comprehensive dental exams, cleanings, composite fillings, dental hygiene education, extractions, fluoride treatments, sealants, sedation dentistry, space maintainers, x-rays and tooth nerve treatment. For more information, visit www.DrVerwest.com or (239) 482-2722.

Top dentistry clinics in Fort Myers 2015

Voted 2015’s best Dentist in Fort Myers for Dentistry treatment and services as reviewed by patients.
Verified by
Opencare.com

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