With two convenient locations to serve you, Fulmer Dentistry can help you take care of your smile during holidays.  Located in Kenosha and in Paddock Lake, we are close enough to serve you quickly and get you on your way to finish up that all-important holiday shopping.

For over 30 years, Dr. Fulmer has been helping Kenoshans with all of their dental care needs. “It is especially important during the holiday season for people to remember the essentials of good oral health,” he said. “Whether you are looking to get your teeth whitened or just want to schedule a routine checkup, so that your holiday celebrations will not be interrupted by dental issues, we are anxious to help you concentrate on smiling and laughing with your family.”

Dr. Fulmer’s staff will be happy to make your appointment for a routine cleaning.  In that visit, we will double-check to be sure you don’t have any cavities that might take the enjoyment out of your holidays.  We will remove built-up plaque and partially remove surface stains. We will apply a fluoride treatment and perform x-rays that Dr. Fulmer feels are necessary to ensure that you will not be bothered by unanticipated toothaches or other issues.

During your routine dental appointment, as a part of your regular dental hygiene plan, we will also check for cracked or damaged teeth and bleeding gums. This will prevent bad breath from becoming an issue and will help you avoid more serious oral health issues down the road.

It is easy during the holidays to break some rules as they relate to diet. This is true for food items relating to oral health as well. “Having a Christmas cookie with your kids once in awhile is not going to hurt you too much (from a dental perspective),” Dr. Fulmer said. “As long as you are committed to a program of daily tooth care and maintenance, you can go ahead and enjoy the holidays.” He did suggest trying to substitute sugarless treats and to avoid soda or coffee when possible. “You would be surprised how many great holiday treats there are that are not detrimental to your oral health.”

If you are looking to have a teeth whitening service performed before the holidays, it is important to call today to make an appointment. Kenosha residents know the value of a bright smile when meeting people over the holidays. That smile makes a lasting impression and gives you confidence during this season of parties and family gatherings.

Fulmer Dentistry offers an in-office bleaching service that usually requires just one appointment. Unlike treatments you might be tempted to perform at home, Fulmer Dentistry’s in-office whitening procedure uses a stronger agent to color the teeth. We are experts at using this more effective method which, if not applied professionally, runs the risk of damaging the teeth, gums or other areas of the mouth.

“It’s vitally important that the procedure not harm existing tooth enamel,” Dr. Fulmer stated. “I’ve been doing this for over 30 years. You can be confident that my experience will give you the professional care you expect and protect you from more expensive and potentially painful problems later on.”

In-office whitening also allows Fulmer Dentistry to isolate and treat, where necessary, areas of greater tooth sensitivity. “Our goal is to give you the whitest teeth possible,” Dr. Fulmer said. “The procedure should be virtually painless. It’s remarkable what a difference whiter teeth can make to a person’s outlook.”

During this holiday season, don’t overlook the important role healthy teeth play in making your holidays bright. At Fulmer Dentistry, our great staff is eager to help you celebrate. Contact us today for your pre-holiday appointment.

October has been proclaimed “National Dental Hygiene Month” by the American Dental Hygienists Association.

Here in Kenosha and in Paddock Lake, Fulmer Dentistry is promoting good dental hygiene as the most effective way for their patients to keep their teeth healthy and their smiles bright.

“A routine that is built around regular brushing and flossing is key to good dental health,” said Dr. Jim Fulmer. “Brushing for two minutes, twice a day, is a great way to reduce the potential for tooth decay, gingivitis and other dental-related diseases.”

Fulmer suggested that proper brushing technique can make a world of difference in keeping teeth healthy and clean. He said a proper toothbrush is one that has soft, nylon, rounded bristles that will not damage gums, scratch or irritate teeth.

The American Dental Hygienist’s Association recommends that you concentrate on brushing two or three teeth simultaneously while holding the brush at a 45 degree angle so the bristles gently touch both the gum line and the tooth.

Fulmer stressed that it is important to replace your toothbrush regularly.  “You should not keep a toothbrush longer than three or four months,” he said. “Even if it appears to be in good shape, unwanted, invisible microbes can grow on toothbrush bristles and handles. Many of these are harmless, but some can cause flu or other viruses.”

Flossing, in addition to brushing, is essential for people who are serious about proper dental hygiene. Flossing removes microbes and other food particles that are out of reach of normal brushing. “My patients understand that regular flossing helps reduce the risk, not only of tooth decay, but also other periodontal diseases,” Dr. Fulmer stated.

Proper flossing results in plaque removal at the gumline, where periodontal disease begins. “Some patients find flossing awkward or difficult,” Dr. Fulmer stated. “We discuss the many floss holders and other interdental cleaning devices that are available. We can always find something that suits the unique circumstances our patients bring to the office.”

Dr. Fulmer added that patients also need to appreciate the necessity of a thorough rinse following brushing and flossing. “A good antimicrobial mouth rinse helps eliminate bacteria that brushing and flossing cannot reach,” he said. “There are a lot of different rinses on the market. We can advise you on the rinse that will work best for you.”

There are other “tricks of the trade” that dental patients can use to keep their teeth clean and healthy. Chewing sugar-free gum after meals and snacks can help eliminate germs and reduce the potential for cavities. “Saliva helps eliminate food particles and neutralizes acids on teeth,” Dr. Fulmer said. “Sugar-free gum chewing helps stimulate the production of additional saliva.”

As Fulmer Dentistry joins dental hygienists, nationwide, in celebrating National Dental Hygiene Month, Dr. Fulmer encourages his patients to ask questions. “We love to discuss good dental hygiene practices,” he stated. “October is a great month to start a conversation that will help our patients keep bright smiles throughout the year.”

Dr. Jim Fulmer urges parents with little ones, who are at that age where they begin losing their baby teeth, to save them after they retrieve them from under their child’s pillow. According to Dr. Fulmer, baby teeth are worth saving.

“Those baby teeth could have great value later in life,” he stated. “They are a rich source of stem cells which can be used to grow replacement tissue if your child needs it for any reason.” These stem cells have been to shown to regenerate neurons, cartilage, bones and even some cardiac cells, which can be valuable in repairing damaged heart tissue. They have also been shown to be effective in treating Type I diabetes. This is effective because the stem cells recovered from baby teeth can be turned into pancreatic cells which can produce insulin.

“There is a time element in preserving the value of the tooth,” Dr. Fulmer said. “You need to get it to a company like Store-A-Tooth, within 48 hours if possible, to properly preserve it.” Store-A-Tooth provides a “Tooth Fairy Certificate” with every tooth, documenting receipt for your child.

Stem cells derived from baby teeth are easily accessible and can provide a minimally invasive, non-controversial way to obtain and store these calls for future use. Having one’s own stem cells available helps patients avoid immune reactions or transplant rejections. It also minimizes the potential for contracting disease from the cells of other donors.

Because the teeth are stored in a cryopreservation vault containing liquid nitrogen, the cells usually remain intact and usable for many years. Properly banked cells can be stored indefinitely. Human cells have been safely stored and used for 50 years.

“There is evidence that the younger the patient or the tooth, the more potent it is for stem cell harvesting,” Dr. Fulmer said. So it is important that you work with your dentist to move quickly to get the tooth into storage.

“Your child losing their baby teeth is just one of those special things that show your child is growing up,” Dr. Fulmer said. “You can take this opportunity to preserve the tooth and make the loss of the tooth a promising tool for the future. We’ll be happy to help.”

Make an appointment today with Fulmer Dentistry to have your child’s teeth checked.

Every child wants to look their best when they head back-to-school this fall. You picked up all their school supplies, bought new outfits, scheduled haircuts, but don’t overlook maintaining one of their most visible features, their smile. One of the first things that people notice about someone is their smile, and a good smile creates a positive self-image. Back-to-school time is the perfect time to incorporate good oral health habits into a child’s daily routine. Your child’s back-to-school checklist should include these dental tips:

Schedule regular dental visits

Seeing Dr. Fulmer twice a year during the school-age years is vital because this is the time where there is great change in the mouth, with kids losing baby teeth and permanent teeth coming in. One of the most common childhood diseases is tooth decay, and left untreated, it can impair a child’s ability to eat, speak, sleep and learn.

Establish daily brushing habits

Children should brush their teeth at least twice a day, in the morning and before bed. There is little time to spare for most families on school mornings, and sometimes kids eat their breakfast on the way to school. If that is the case, it’s not necessary to wait until after breakfast to brush their teeth. Brushing before breakfast will help ensure kids brush their teeth before heading off to school.

Eating healthy lunches and snacks

Pack a healthy lunch and snack for your child. Healthy lunch items and snacks include grains, raw vegetables, yogurt or fruit. If your child eats from the school cafeteria, review healthy, balanced food choices wit them before the first day of school. Cut back on sugary foods, soft drinks and juice, as the sugar can coat the teeth, promoting tooth decay. Instead of juice and soft drinks, teach your child to drink water.

Be safe in after-school activities

Athletics are fun and most parents go to great lengths to see that their children have all the best equipment in the various youth sports programs in Kenosha County. They want their children to not only enjoy the competition and recreation, but to be as safe as possible in doing so. Wearing a properly fitted mouthguard while participating in organized sports, is essential to protecting your children’s teeth. Fulmer Dentistry offers custom mouthguards in school and team colors.

Make an appointment today with Fulmer Dentistry to kick-off the school year with a great smile!

Have you or a member of your family skipped a visit to the dentist because of cost? Maybe you decided against your employers dental insurance or they didn’t offer one? Fulmer Dentistry accepts the CareCredit healthcare credit card to pay for your dental procedures. CareCredit is a credit card for your healthcare needs. You can use it as your own dedicated health and wellness credit line and you can make monthly payments or pay your balance off at any time. Dr. Fulmer understands that unexpected financial expenses happen in life and he wants to make sure that your oral health is affordable to you.

What is CareCredit and how does it work?

CareCredit is a healthcare credit card that is accepted at over 175,000 providers nationwide. It is designed to help you finance your health, beauty and wellness needs. With CareCredit, you can pay for treatments and procedures for you and your family at the time of service. Then, you can make convenient monthly payments that work for you and your family.

What dental procedures are covered by CareCredit?

Being proactive about your oral health will have you smiling for years to come. Here are some of the many dental care procedures and treatments you can use your CareCredit healthcare credit card for you and your family.

• 6-month check-ups
• Fluoride treatment
• Gingivitis prevention
• Teeth Cleaning
• Mouth guards for sports
• Veneers
• Dental Implants
• Root Canals
• Dentures

How Can You Get a CareCredit Healthcare Credit Card?

Healthcare financing with CareCredit is easy! Apply on their website, www.carecredit.com and start using it like a credit card for your dental healthcare needs.

Before moving forward with any procedure, discuss the costs with Dr. Fulmer and if it is covered by Care Credit. Dr. Fulmer and his staff prides themselves in being responsive to your needs and are able to answer all of your family dental services related questions. Fulmer Dentistry plans to be around for many years to come. They understand that your continued comfort and impression are contingent upon a positive experience each and every time you visit. Call Fulmer Dentistry to schedule your next appointment.

Most everybody has made New Year’s Resolutions at one time or another. Even though our intentions are good and the resolutions are usually well thought out, all too often we do not stick to them. But here is one that is both easy and can make a huge difference in your life.

In 2016 you can make your life more enjoyable and pain-free by making (and sticking to) some easy dental care resolutions. Taking care of your teeth is vital to a happy smile and pain-free, comfortable teeth and gums make it possible for you to devote all of your attention on other important things in your life.

According to Dr. Fulmer, there are four basic resolutions you should make regarding the care of your teeth:

1. Commit to a regular schedule of brushing AND FLOSSING! Too many people think brushing alone will result in clean, healthy teeth and gums. Unfortunately, flossing is just as important to avoiding tooth decay, gum-related problems and many other painful yet avoidable dental issues.

Be sure to learn how to brush correctly. Get the proper brush based on your dentist’s recommendation of what is best for your teeth. If you have sensitive teeth, be sure to purchase toothpaste that is designed specifically not to wear off additional enamel.

You should brush at least twice a day – preferably in the morning and just before going to bed. Each time you brush, follow it up with a thorough flossing. If you have a meal where you know your teeth have captured a great deal of food, don’t hesitate to pause for a break to floss midday as well. Get that food out of your mouth before it starts to deteriorate and take your teeth with it!

2. Adjust your diet. Cut back on sugar as much as possible. Sugar is one of the major causes of tooth decay.

A diet rich in fruits and vegetables will help you build strong teeth and will help you with other diet-related resolutions you may have made as well. Bad nutrition is a major contributing factor to periodontal disease.

Excessive use of alcohol can also result in issues related to tooth decay. Studies have found that heavy drinkers, many of whom also smoke, are more likely to neglect basic dental care.

3. Speaking of smoking, just quit. Many people have already overcome this habit but there are still those who are struggling with it. In addition to the other many well-documented health issues that smoking causes, add periodontal disease to the list. Smokers have worse “pocketing” and more cavities than their non-smoking counterparts. Just another reason to finally give it up.

4. Visit your dentist regularly. Cleanings should be scheduled every six months. Issues that arise in the interim should be scheduled and addressed as soon as you are aware of them. You can begin the process by contacting Fulmer Dentistry!

Dr. Fulmer is eager to help you get off to the right start in 2016. He takes great pride in seeing all those happy smiles in Kenosha and Paddock Lake. He knows that you always want the best, pain-free dental care you can possibly get. Make a “happy smile resolution” this year and contact us today.