Five delicious snacks for your kids!

At Whole Earth Dental, we know getting kids and teens to eat healthy isn’t always an easy task, especially when they’re busy with school and other school- and social-related activities. At the school cafeteria, it's just too easy for kids to nosh on french fries, chicken nuggets and other fried foods and unhealthy snacks, so Dr. Gutkin and our team thought we’d pass along five delicious and nutritious snacks we know your child will love.

1. Cheese – Cheese is one of the healthiest snacks for your child's teeth. In addition to providing large amounts of much-needed calcium, cheese also does its part to fight cavities. Cheese stimulates the body's salivary glands to clear the mouth of debris and protect them from acids that weaken them, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. This means cheese disrupts the development of cavities, especially when eaten as a snack or at the end of a meal. Calcium and phosphorous found in cheese reduce or prevent decreases in the plaque's ph level and work to re-mineralize the enamel of your child's teeth.

2. Blueberries These tiny nutritional powerhouses are loaded with Vitamin C, as well as folic acid, minerals, fiber and disease-fighting phytochemicals, which have shown to help prevent cancer and diabetes. Kids love them sprinkled with a bit of sugar, topped with whipped cream, added to muffins and pancakes.

3. Whole wheat bread or cereal With bread, kids get their iron, vitamins, magnesium, and zinc. With vitamins, calcium, and fiber, a bowl of enriched whole grain cereal with milk—and even fruit—is a power-packed snack or healthy start to the day.

4. Almonds They’re rich in disease-fighting phytochemicals and Vitamin E, and also have good amounts of fiber, iron, and calcium. Let your kids eat them raw. (Note: Whole nuts are a choking hazard for children under 3 years old.)

5. Yogurt Eating dairy is not just healthy for building strong bones, but is essential for maintaining a strong, healthy mouth. Low-fat yogurt is an excellent source of calcium, especially when whipped up in a parfait with berries and granola. Homemade fruity yogurt pop sure beats sugary store-bought frozen treats!

We encourage you to check out the other 15 healthy snacks your child can enjoy at any time of the day! For more information about which foods are best for keeping your teeth healthy, please post your question here on our blog, give us a call or ask us on Facebook!

Smile wider, live longer, from Whole Earth Dental

Folks with big smiles may actually live longer than those who don’t, according to a March 2010 study at Michigan’s Wayne State University. Dr. Gutkin has known for quite some time that positive emotion has been linked to both physical and mental health, but researchers at the university did something quite interesting: they looked at photos of 230 ball-players who began their careers in baseball prior to 1950 and studied their smile intensity (ranging from big smile, no smile or partial smile). The players' smile ratings were compared with data from deaths that occurred from 2006 through 2009. The researchers then took into account other factors that impact life longevity, including body mass index, career length and even college attendance.

The results? Researchers found that players who weren't smiling in the photos died at the average age of 72.9 years. Players with partial smiles lived to be 75. Those with big smiles, however, lived on average to be 79.9 years old.

The take-away from the new study? Smile now, smile often and you might just live longer! Have you been perfecting your smile by visiting Whole Earth Dental on a regular basis? If not, give us a call!

Flossing 101

Here is a very concise video explaining the proper way to floss your teeth. Many people think that flossing is only to get the food out from in between your teeth, when actually flossing should be done every day on every tooth to help protect your teeth and gums.



If you have any additional questions about flossing don't hesitate to ask during your next appointment at Whole Earth Dental or call our office.

Cold and Flu Season is Here - Replace Your Toothbrush!

Fall is upon us, and with it comes the dreaded cold and flu season. After recovering from your cold, Dr. Gutkin will tell you one of the most important steps you can take to avoid becoming reinfected is replacing your toothbrush!

Germs are known to linger on the bristles, and you risk prolonging your sickness by continuing to use the same toothbrush. Be smart - keep a spare, just in case! To protect your toothbrush from bacteria all year long, consider the following tips:

• Wash your hands before and after brushing

• Allow the brush to air dry after each use, harmful bacteria dies after being exposed to oxygen

• Store the toothbrush in an upright position to allow water to drain and dry faster

• Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months. Worn bristles are less effective in properly cleaning your teeth, and can actually be damaging to teeth if used too long!

We hope these tips help! Feel free to call us at Whole Earth Dental if you have any questions or ask us on Facebook.

Meet Our Dentist

Being a dentist is my dream job. I feel blessed to have such a fulfilling career. Every day I look forward to being at work, and the challenges and rewards of the day ahead. I truly believe in my practice and my team. Together our goal is to become established within the community as a practice that is not only dedicated to improving and maintaining the oral health of our patients, but that is also dedicated to the environment. We are proud to be one of Seattle's first sustainable dental practices, providing complete care for family and the environment.

I was born in Israel, but my family and I moved to California when I was very young. I lived in San Jose until high school, when my family moved once again, this time to Colville, Washington. Living in so many different places has given me a unique perspective on the world, and while I am thankful that I've had such a diverse upbringing, I feel like Seattle is my true "hometown;" it's where I was always meant to settle down, and I am so happy to be home doing what I love.

When I'm not at the practice, I enjoy spending time at home with my wonderful girlfriend, Emily, who is a social worker helping homeless adults in the city. I am very proud of her achievements, and I support her in her career. We just welcomed a new addition to our family - our new puppy! He is an English Mastiff/Great Pyrenees mix, and once he's full-grown we think he'll probably weigh more than 150 pounds. To relax, I enjoy woodworking and carpentry, gardening, learning about space and astronomy, tinkering with tech gadgets, camping, and of course training and playing with our new dog!