Park West Dental Care is Here for You! TM

Dentistry From The Heart

2011-08-24T09:57:00.000-07:00

Free Dental Day at Park West Dental Care

885 Pancheri Drive

Idaho Falls, ID 83404

(located near Snake River Landing and Zion's Bank).

First come, first served.

Choose between a cleaning, filling, or an extraction.

Call 208-524-0870 if you have any questions.

http://www.parkwestdentalcare.com/

Family Photo Fair

2011-07-13T13:38:00.000-07:00

Family Photo Fair
Hosted by Park West Dental Care

Featuring Alyce Clegg Photography

http://www.alyceclegg.com/

Want some fresh ideas for your family portraits? Come meet Alyce Clegg Jeppesen and check out a beautiful exhibit featuring her talents. It is FREE for the whole family!

July 20th and 21st 12 - 7 PM

Park West Dental's new location

885 Pancheri Drive
(Located across the street from Taylor's Crossing and the new Buffalo Wild Wings. Call

208-524-0870 if you have any questions).

Benefitting...

Help Inc.

Alyce will be scheduling photo sessions for only $25! All proceeds benefit Help INc., a foundation that helps fight child abuse in the community. For more information, visit http://www.helpincidaho.org/

In addition to Alyce Clegg Photography, the Family Photo Fair will be FEATURING....

FREE lunch from Catered Your Way (12 -2 each day)

Idaho Falls Symphony Performances

Jump House

Face Painting

Sumo Wrestling with Throw Down

Frozen Yogurt with Kiwi Loco

Dance performance by Extreme Ballroom

AND MORE!

At the fair, you will be able to enter into a FREE drawing for prizes such as....

1 night stay at the Black Swan Inn

Goodie Basket from Love at First Bite

FREE Teeth Whitening from Park West Dental Care

Restaurant Gift Cards

Voucher tickets to Idaho Falls Symphony Concerts

FREE 16x20 from Alyce Clegg Photography

AND MORE!

visit http://www.parkwestdental.com/ for the Family Photo Fair schedule. Any questions, call 208-524-0870

Who wouldn't want to come here??

2011-06-02T13:06:00.000-07:00

An update on the building! This is the lobby and front entrance.

Moving in June and the Family Photo Fair with Alyce Clegg will be on July 20th and 21st! Free food and activities for the whole family! Call 208-524-0870 if you have any questions!

Love Soda? Check this out...

2011-04-06T14:32:00.000-07:00

Here’s what occurs to Your Body within 1 hour of drinking soda!

I have to admit, as a former coach, I used to cringe when I saw the amounts of soda my athletes could put away in a day. We may as well have installed a soda-pop fountain instead of the water fountain in the locker room.

One day I almost choked on my lunch when I witnessed a baby’s bottle filled with Cola. Since that memorable day, I have met others who regularly purchase soda for their tots and think nothing of it when they stock the fridge with a variety of softer drinks (aka – soda).

One thing I know for sure: soda is in no way beneficial to your baby, child or YOU! According to the Nutrition Research Center, this is what happens to your body within 1 hour of drinking a can of soda:

· 10 minutes: 10 teaspoons of sugar hit your system, which is 100 percent of your recommended daily intake. You’d normally vomit from such an intake, but the phosphoric acid cuts the flavor.

· 20 minutes: Your blood sugar skyrockets. Your liver attempts to maximize insulin production in order to turn high levels of sugar into fat.

· 40 minutes: As your body finishes absorbing the caffeine, your pupils dilate, your blood pressure rises, and your liver pumps more sugar into the bloodstream. Adenosine receptors in your brain are blocked preventing your from feeling how tired you may actually be.

· 45 minutes: Your body increases dopamine production, tricking you into feeling pleasure and adding to the addictiveness of the beverage. This physical neuron-response works the same way as it would if we were consuming heroin.

· 60 minutes: The phosphoric acid binds calcium, magnesium and zinc in your lower intestine, which boosts your metabolism a bit further. High doses of sugar and artificial sweeteners compound this effect, increasing the urinary excretion of calcium. The caffeine’s diuretic properties come into play. (You have to GO!) Your body will eliminate the bonded calcium, magnesium and zinc that was otherwise heading to your bones. And you will also flush out the sodium, electrolytes and water. Your body has eliminated the water that was in the soda. And in the process it was infused with nutrients and minerals your body would have otherwise used to hydrate your system or build body cells, bones and teeth.

After 60 minutes the sugar crash begins. You may become irritable and/or sluggish. You start feeling awful. Guess what – time to grab another?

Think of this the next time you’re grabbing a soda.

-The wellness team

Our new commercial!

2011-03-25T10:18:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQiQeyxWSkA

Thank you to our patients who participated and made this commercial a success!!

Enjoy!

Check this out!

2011-02-07T10:33:00.000-08:00

A glimpse of the inside of the new building! Beautiful colors and trim work that will make you feel like you are in a luxury home!

Grand opening on July 20th, 21st, and 22nd!!

It is coming along!

2010-12-28T15:11:00.001-08:00

Your Idaho Falls, Dentist Park West Dental Care is making quite the progress on their new building. Here is an updated picture!! Keep in mind this new office will be state of the art, modern, high quality and family friendly! We truly are mom's #1 choice dentist!

WHITE WEDNESDAY

2010-12-08T09:04:00.000-08:00

Every Wednesday in December, your Idaho Falls Dentists are holding a White Wednesday event!

White Wednesday is where you can get Professional Teeth Whitening, Exam, and X-rays for $99!! This saves you over $100!!

Now, every Wednesday in December of 2010!

Call today to reserve your appointment! 208-524-0870

http://www.parkwestdental.com/

Progress...

2010-11-17T08:34:00.000-08:00

Check out the progress on the new building on Pancheri in Idaho Falls! It is really coming along! It is going to be high quality, modern, and convenient! Y'all are going to love it!!

Projected to be finished Summer of 2011!!

call 208-524-0870 if you have any questions!

www.parkwestdental.com

A beautiful sunrise view from the new office!

2010-10-20T07:29:00.001-07:00

Our FIRST staff photo in the new Park West Dental, your Idaho Falls Dentists, building!!

Building Progress...

2010-10-01T14:55:00.000-07:00

The walls of our new building are going up!!

FREE DENTAL DAY

2010-09-29T10:26:00.000-07:00

Another successful year of Dentistry From The Heart.

On Saturday, September 25th, 2010 Park West Dental Care, Idaho Falls Dentists - Dr. Drake and Dr. Jacobson- Dr. Elison, Dr. Higham, and 35 other volunteers donated their time, money, and efforts to provide free dental care for those who needed it.

Patients donated money to Help Inc. (An organization that fights against child abuse). http://www.helpincidaho.org/

These caring Idaho Falls Dentists served over 125 patients.

Thank you to all of the volunteers that participated. The community really stepped it up.

Thank you to:

Pizza Hut on Broadway, Prographics, Alphagraphics, Henry Schien, KLCE, Channel 3 News, Cable One, Jakers, Dr. Brett Jacobson, Dr. James Drake, Dr. Elison, Dr. Higham, Assist to Succeed dental assisting students, Park West Dental staff, Jennifer Baker, Dayna Brown, Jeri Briggs, Ron Briggs, Angie Christoffersen, Linda Hansen, Alicia Holguin, Alicia Jones, Mauri Kendrick, Ali Lindsey, Candice Lord, Katie Roberts, Heather Vollmer, Georgia Modroo, Bridget Whitmill, Melissa Ball, Marcia Roberts, and Tammy from Channel 3.

July 2011

2010-09-10T09:18:00.000-07:00

Your Idaho Falls Dentists, Dr. Drake and Dr. Jacobson, are building a new building that is expected to be finished next summer!

We are very excited!

Here is what the building will look like!! It will be located on Pancheri, across the street from Taylor's Crossing and Zion's Bank!

Call 208-524-0870 if you have any questions!

This building will be more convenient for patients and will help the patients have the best experience possible.

Some features of the building:

Private treatment rooms
Private check out
TV over the chairs in every room
A large conference room - renting out to the community and patients
Modern design
Digital x-rays
Paperles
More parking
Environmentally friendly construction
Centrally located
Close to downtown
Overlooks the river

Back to School Special

2010-08-06T14:15:00.000-07:00

We know you are busy and have a lot of back to school expenses...

Park West Dental Care is here for YOU!!

Your Idaho Falls Dentists have a back to school special for you!!

Come in for a cleaning and exam and

receive a $25 gift card to Wal-Mart!!

Limit 4 per family. Expires September 10th, 2010.

visit http://www.parkwestdental.com/ for more information!

Call us today!

New Building!

2010-08-04T13:53:00.001-07:00

We would like to announce the groundbreaking for our new building in Idaho Falls, ID!

Why in the world would someone build a new building in this economy? Park West Dental, your Idaho Falls, dentists are building a new building for their patients for many reasons. It is expected to be finished by July 2011.

Park West Dental Care has been a quality dental provider in Idaho Falls for over 30 years.

Because of an expiring lease on their current building, Dr. Jacobson and Dr. Drake, owners of one of the longest standing practices providing dental care in Idaho Falls, have decided to build a new building for their patients.

The new building will be convenient for everyone because of its close proximity to popular shopping and schools. The new location is on Pancheri Drive, kitty corner to Zion’s Bank. The state-of-the-art facility is close to Skyline High School, Wal-Mart, Taylor’s Crossing, Snake River Landing and Downtown, making it central to many residential areas providing easy access for busy moms, senior citizens, shoppers , and people on the go.

Dr. Drake, one of the caring dentists at Park West Dental, stated, “We work hard to provide quality care for the people in Idaho Falls. They expect that from us and they deserve the best dental care in the world. We are now working on a quality building where we will provide more convenience and comfort for our patients. This is not a building for us as much as it is a building for our patients.”

They will be holding a groundbreaking at the corner of Pancheri Drive and Crane, (across from Zion’s Bank) on August 9th at 1:00 PM. They invite all to come and celebrate with them. For an interview with one of the Doctors or for more information, please contact Katie at Park West Dental: 208-524-0870.

Dentistry From The Heart

2010-07-16T12:04:00.000-07:00

We need some dental assistant volunteers for our Dentistry From The Heart day, Saturday, September 25th, 2010. It is a day where we provide free dentistry for those who need it.

It is a great opportunity for you to serve, to get some hands on experience, and to let us see what you can do!

You never know when we might be needing another dental assistant! If we know of your talent you will be more likely to be called in for an interview!

Last year a dental assistant came to volunteer and she was so wonderful we had to keep her! So we hired her!

To find out more about what Dentistry From The Heart is visit: www.dentistryfromtheheart.org
or call us at 208-524-0870.

Community Event Tonight

2010-07-14T08:50:00.000-07:00

The community and our patients are the reason for our success of being in business in Idaho Falls for over 30 years. Every year we like to show our appreciation by doing something fun for them.

The year, we are iniviting the entire community, even people who are not patients yet are Park West Dental, to come to an evening of family fun and entertainment. It is completely free of charge.

Come tonight, Wednesday July 14th, at 7:00 PM.

There will be:
A dunking booth
Food
Music by the talented Shawn Good
An improv performance by Improv Underground
Face Painting
And a drawing for 46 inch TV!

We would like to extend a thank you to the community and our patients for your loyalty and support. We hope to see you tonight and will do our very best to help you have a great time!

Park West Dental Care
1088 N. Skyline Dr.
Idaho Falls, ID 83402

(Heading towards the airport).

Call 208-524-0870 if you have any questions!

See you tonight!!

The Bride's Guide to Perfect Wedding Pictures!!

2010-06-23T10:01:00.000-07:00

There are a couple of ways to have perfect pictures for your wedding day. The first way is “Photoshop”. The second way is visit your dentist. While the first way may be simpler and somewhat cheaper, the effect is not good in the long run because all your anniversary, birthday party, and family reunion photos will all have to be Photoshopped as well! You could just make up a cardboard smile on your home computer and hold it up in front of your face for each picture, but what do you do at your next job interview? Ok, all joking aside, we all know you want to look your best for one of the most important days of your life and there are some simple things you can do to have that picture perfect smile on the big day and for the rest of your life.

Step 1) Look in the mirror. You expected me to say “Visit your dentist” didn’t you? Well that IS an important step but first you need to be very clear on what exactly it is you want to have your smile look like. The main things you want to look for in an attractive smile are color, shape and position.
I list these in the order that are easiest to correct.

Color: Almost everyone, from age 12-120, wants white teeth. White teeth are a sign of health and vitality! As we age, our teeth pick up stains and the white part of the teeth get worn down so that the softer, yellow part of our teeth shows through more. Teeth whitening (bleaching) is a simple way to correct this problem. Remember fillings and crowns you already have will not whiten and may need replacement. Whitening can cost from $30 to $350 or more depending on the method used. Cheap ways include department store products like the Crest Whitening Strips® which do work, but not as well or as long term as dentist whitening. The most expensive is often the Zoom® (or similar) whitening that starts in the dentist’s office for a couple of hours, and ends after two weeks of at home whitening with special trays. The results are fast (partly because teeth appear whiter when dehydrated by the light and would go back to almost normal after several hours) but the result fades fast and must be followed up with additional treatment. In my opinion, the most cost effective, time efficient, and therefore the hands down favorite is the dentist supervised, at home bleaching systems. The dentist makes special trays that will fit ONLY your mouth and fit snugly against your teeth. Each day you put the gel that you get from the dentist into the trays and place them in your mouth (after brushing and flossing). The trays and gel remain in your mouth for about 2 hours or longer (some wear the trays while sleeping). This process is repeated once per day for 14 days. The majority of people who are able to wear the trays and gel reach the desired result in 14 days although some require more time. The cool thing is that there is no evidence that I have seen, that indicates that bleaching weakens the tooth or damages it in any way. The only side effect is the short term, and usually mild, sensitivity to temperatures (and there are solutions to that). A short visit with a dentist (most will give you a free consultation) will give you the best method for your teeth.

Shape: Sometimes teeth have minor chips or problems that can be corrected with a simple re-shaping of the teeth. Sometimes the corners need a bit of rounding or one tooth needs a tiny shortening to help it match it’s partner next to it. These minor corrections rarely need the dreaded shot and often cost next-to-nothing to do. If a tooth is too badly broken to just re-shape, perhaps a filling or veneer will be required.

Position: I leave this one to last because it is usually the most expensive thing to fix and takes the longest. Most brides don’t want the metal of braces showing in their wedding pictures and will do almost anything to avoid it. So if the position of many teeth is the concern the problem needs to be addressed several years before pictures (lets hope the future hubby is understanding). If time is extremely important and money is no object, then extreme measures like veneers and crowns can be considered. Temporary bonding of fillings can sometimes be used also with a similar result but for less cost. A lot of advertising has popularized veneers like “Lumineers®” and TV shows like “Extreme Makeover” have created somewhat unrealistic expectations in suggesting that it only takes minutes to deliver a dramatic result. They leave out talking about how long the results are likely to last. Don’t get me wrong, veneers are marvelous but they must be done carefully and correctly and will probably need replaced in your lifetime. One-visit crowns and veneers have some significant disadvantages and the only advantage is speed so be very careful when the fast-fix is suggested to you.

For most young women, bleaching and some minor re-shaping will work wonders for your smile. But what about the other half of the picture – the Groom? Don’t forget to listen to his concerns. I recently completed several fillings on front teeth for a groom-to-be who wanted to look good for his wedding. Fortunately, we were able to complete his smile-makeover in just a couple of visits because he had planned ahead and we were able to get it all taken care of before the big day.

Step 2) Visit a Dentist (and then another one) weeks (not days) before the big day.
I highly recommend second opinions. Very often a dentist will invest in a machine that can make veneers and crowns very quickly, or buy a special light that is supposed to help speed up bleaching and once invested he or she must use those machines a lot to earn back the money. There are many tried and true methods that work just as well (or better) than fancy gadgets and don’t have the associated costs and disadvantages of going too fast. Just like choosing your new spouse, speed may not be your friend :). So visit with a couple of dentists to find out about the different options. Starting early will save you a lot of money (then your Dad will have more money to spend on the dress ;). Park West Dental Care gives you free second opinions (208-524-0870).

Step 3) Get a good photographer- I am no expert, but I certainly like pictures taken by professionals rather than cousin Louie and his Polaroid.

So there you have it. The dentist’s guide to a picture perfect wedding day! Of course you may have questions and the dentist’s at Park West Dental Care are here to answer your questions. You may call us @ 524-0870 or send us an email @ info@parkwestdental.com. You can also find us on Facebook! Mention this article on our Facebook page and you will receive your choice of $20 off Teeth Whitening or FREE Teeth Whitening with a purchase of a cleaning and exam! This offer will be for a limited time only. http://www.parkwestdentalcare.com/

Start your summer right!

2010-06-02T13:49:00.000-07:00

Your Idaho Falls Dentist at Park West Dental Care is offering:
FREE Teeth Whitening with purchase of a cleaning and exam! (A $99 value).

Call today to reserve your appointment!!

208-524-0870

http://www.parkwestdentalcare.com/

1088 N. Skyline Dr.
Idaho Falls, ID 83404

Expires June 30th, 2010. Limited Appointments!

Patient Referral Program

2010-05-26T14:52:00.000-07:00

What is a VIP?

A VIP (Very Important Patient) is someone who wants all of their family and friends to get thes ame quality full-service dental care that they receive. They tell their family and friends to schedule their next dental appointment to Park West Dental Care.

How Do I Become a VIP?

It is easy! Just refer a family member or friend who is not currently a patient at Park West Dental Care and VOILA! You are a VIP!

Why Refer?

We value you as a patient and would like the opportunity to serve your family and friends as well. Shouldn't they receive the same quality care you do?

VIP Benefits

Lunch on us!

Preferred Parking Spaces

Chance to become Patient of the Month (Dinner and tickets to a movie)

Call 208-524-0870 or ask one of Park West's staff to find out more about our VIP Program.

Thank you for your referrals!!

Welcome Alicia!

2010-02-25T10:31:00.000-08:00

We would like to welcome Alicia, our new dental hygienist, to Park West Dental Care.

A little bit about Alicia, she grew up in Pocatello, Idaho and graduated with her Bachelors of Science in Dental Hygiene from Idaho State University. She loves being around friends and family and anything to do with the outdoors. She looks forward to getting to know all of the wonderful patients at Park West Dental.

Alicia is talented and has a warm personality. We are very excited to have Alicia join the

Park West family!

Dr. Drake's Adventure

2010-02-16T14:56:00.001-08:00

The founder of Dentistry From The Heart practices in Florida and Dr. Drake decided that he would participate in their Dentistry From The Heart day on February 5th, 2010. As the need for dental care grows, Dr. Drake joined a Florida dental team to provide free dental care to help fill this need. He had a wonderful and enlightening experience.

The below post has a link to a news story that the news, in Florida, did on Dr. Drake. They LOVED that he flew all the way from Idaho. (Not very many dentists are willing to do that!) Dr. Drake is one of a kind dentist!

Economy brings hundreds to Pasco office for free dental work

2010-02-16T14:56:00.000-08:00

Economy brings hundreds to Pasco office for free dental work

Out with the New, In with the Old

2010-01-26T14:34:00.000-08:00

We have switched back to our old website. We have been trying out a new website and with the request of patients we are switching back to the old!!

Visit us at: http://www.parkwestdentalcare.com/

Happy New Years!!

2009-12-29T14:44:00.000-08:00

New Years is a great time to make resolutions to become better in some way. Whether that be with your health, family, friends, money, etc. It is a fresh start! We hear often... can this wait until next year? Here, next year approaches!

Tell us your New Year's Resolution and we will enter you into a drawing for a beautiful Chenille blanket!! Super soft!! Email us, message us on twitter or facebook, or leave a comment on our blog your resolution and you will be automatically entered into the drawing!

parkwestdentalcare@gmail.com

We wish you a prosperous and happy New Year!

Gift Certificates

2009-12-10T11:41:00.000-08:00

In a survey, 52.8% want gift certificates or gift cards. Park West Dental Care has decided to give patients and the community an opportunity to buy gift certificates to give to their family and friends.

Why would you give someone a gift certificate to the dentist? Here are the top 5 reasons:

1. Christmas gifts are gifts that you wouldn't normally buy yourself. A lot of people want and need dental care but don't want to spend the money on themselves, they would rather spend it on their kids or others.

- We had one mom spend hundreds of dollars on her children to get their teeth cleaned and worked on. When the person that REALLY needed the work done was herself. She put her dental care off for many years. Finally, she spent the time and money on her own smile. BUT if someone had given her a gift certificate, she could have had some of the work done much earlier. And getting it done earlier could have prevented a lot of decay!

Before & After

2. A lot of people want and need dental care but it isn't even an option for them because they don't have any money.

- Park West Dental Care did a day of free dentistry on October 17th, 2009 for the community. It was incredible to see how many needed fillings, extractions, and even cleanings!! We know that there are many more out there that need the help. What a great way to help them by creating a gift for them with a gift certificate for a healthier and brighter smile!

3. Great way to give Teeth Whitening!

4. Convenient for you and them!

5. Last but certaintly NOT least... you can buy gift certificates for 10% less than what they are worth!!

-So, you can buy a $100 gift certificate for $90! $200 gift certificate for $180!!! Your family and friends can use their gift certificate any way they would like! You don't have to be specific on the gift certificate... unless you want to!

- In addition!! We will give you a special gift from us with every purchase!! Happy Holidays to you too!!

Come in today to get a gift certificate for a family and friend this Holiday Season!

1088 N. Skyline Dr.
Idaho Falls, ID 83402
(On Skyline heading towards the Airport).

Give us a call if you need more directions!! 208-524-0870

KLCE Cookbooks!

2009-12-07T09:05:00.000-08:00

Come to Park West Dental Care tomorrow,

December 8th, between 1 PM and 2 PM

to pick up your KLCE cookbook!

Everyone loves these cookbooks! We are excited to have KLCE come to our office to pass them out!

Exclusive offers for people that come pick up their cookbooks here!

If you have questions of where we are located, please feel free to give us a call at

208-524-0870.

O Christmas Tree...

2009-12-02T12:59:00.000-08:00

We now have our Christmas tree up and decorated, our office is filled with red Poinsettias, our annual Secret Santa gift exchange is in full throttle, and our Christmas music that we all look forward to is playing throughout. To say the least, Christmas is happening at Park West Dental Care. Happy Holidays!!

Give Thanks!

2009-11-25T10:14:00.000-08:00

5 Things We are Grateful For...

1. Our Patients!

2. To Serve Idaho Falls!

3. Our Families!

4. The Latest Technology We Have These Days to Make Dentist Visits More Enjoyable!

5. Holidays!

Tell us what you are thankful for and for every item you are thankful for we will put a ticket into a drawing for you to win an Oral B Electric Toothbrush... no strings attached!!

3 ways you can tell us what you are thankful for:

1. Write it on our blog.

2. Write it on our facebook page or message.

3. Twitter us.

4. Email us. parkwestdentalcare@gmail.com

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Saturday was a Success!!

2009-10-19T10:45:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everyone who participated and volunteered at Park West Dental's Dentistry From The Heart. It was a great success! We were able to see over 120 people!

Thank you to Dr. Munk's office for coming and helping as well!!

Channel 8 did a news story on the event, check it out:
http://www.localnews8.com/Global/story.asp?S=11331965

News Report

2009-10-16T12:01:00.000-07:00

Check out this link! Channel 3 did a story on Park West's event, Dentistry From The Heart, and it provides some great information!

http://www.kidk.com/news/local/64516307.html

Help stop the hunger!

2009-10-07T15:36:00.000-07:00

Park West Dental Care is now a drop-off point for the food bank for Idaho.

For every 3 cans of food you donate we will give you a brand new Colgate toothbrush!

"33 million Americans live in households that did not have an adequate supply of food, "says U.s. Dept. of Agriculture, 2002"

Join us in the fight to stop hunger and come donate cans of food! See you here! We will have the toothbrushes ready! :)

1088 N. Skyline Dr.

Idaho Falls, ID 83402

208-524-0870

It is Coming!!

2009-10-05T13:30:00.000-07:00

FREE day of dentistry is right around the corner!

Saturday, October 17th, 2009.

Registration begins at 6 AM and we will begin to see patients at 7 AM.

Remember it is a first come, first serve basis. (Some start lining up the night before!!)

We will serve hot chocolate to help keep you warm! Remember to bring your warm clothes and coats!

Call 208-524-0870 if you have any questions!

Top 6 Things Students Can Do To Keep Their Teeth Healthy While at College

2009-09-15T10:19:00.000-07:00

College students across the nation are known to put their mouths through a lot of stress. Between diet and stress, college students are at a high risk for cavities.

College is a crucial time as students study and learn skills they will use for the rest of their lives. In the midst of the cramming for tests, staying up late studying or for entertainment, oral hygiene may get neglected. “It is sad to see students leave with beautiful teeth and come home with cavities all over! I can offer simple strategies for students to prevent problems” states Dr. James Drake, a caring and experienced dentist in Idaho Falls.

The top six things students can do to help keep their smile bright are:
1. Be sure they know how stress affects teeth and prevent damage.
2. Know the most important thing to be able to keep fresh breathe.
3. Know how to prevent problems by using Holiday breaks wisely.
4. Use the correct toothpaste that packs the “one-two punch” and prevents cavities and bad breath.
5. Know why study snacks can be a student’s best friend or worst enemy.
6. Know how college can cause jaw joint pain and the simple solution.

An interview with Dr. Drake will help your audience find out the exact details on these top six requirements. To book an informative and compelling interview with Dr. Drake, please contact Katie at 208-524-0870.

Thank you to our sponsors!!

2009-09-08T14:59:00.001-07:00

Thank you to our Dentistry From The Heart Sponsors!!

2009-09-03T13:02:00.001-07:00

TEETH WHITENING TIPS

2009-09-03T10:48:00.000-07:00

Teeth whitening tips you can use to make your teeth whiter, cleaner and healthier.
Here are some helpful teeth whitening tips that anyone can use to get beautiful, whiter teeth:

Brush And Floss Your Teeth Regularly
Maintaining good oral hygiene is always a good start to getting whiter teeth. By brushing and flossing your teeth often, it helps prevent cavities and fight plaque and tartar, and it also reduces staining on the teeth.

Maintain And Keep Your Teeth White With Whitening Toothpastes
While they can't really bleach or whiten your teeth, they do help remove mild surface stains and help retain the whiteness of the teeth. Use brands that are accredited and don't contain SLS (detergent) or alcohol like The Natural Dentist Healthy Teeth Whitening Plus Toothpaste.

Regular Dental Visits
To make sure that your teeth stays healthy and in good shape, visit your dentist twice a year.
For more information on how to save up to 60% your routine dental services, click here...

Use Professional Teeth Whitening Kits For Fast, Effective Results
There are now many home teeth whitening kits, gels and strips you can use to start making your teeth look whiter again. Many of them are convenient and inexpensive. However, it is very important you follow the instrusctions on the kits so that you do not irritate your gums, tongue, lips or other soft tissues in your mouth.

Reduce Coffee, Tea And Red Wine Intake
To prevent tooth staining and discoloration, limit your consumption of coffee, tea and red wine. These drinks contains pigments that stain the porous surface of the tooth enamel, thus dulling the teeth. Drink more water instead! It's common sense and it is also good for your body.

Quit Smoking
Chewing tobacco or smoking causes the carbon and nicotine to build up and stain the teeth.

Eat More Vegetables And Fruits
Chewing on crunchy fruits such as apples celery, pears and vegetables like broccoli, cucumbers and carrots help remove stains and keeps your teeth clean. Rubbing fresh sage leaves on your teeth is also another proven way to remove teeth stains.

Brushing The Teeth With Baking Soda
Baking soda is an abrasive that can help eliminate stains and make your teeth whiter again. However, it is important not to use baking soda every day or as a long term solution to whitening your teeth since it is quite abrasive and can damage the enamel.

Brushing Your Teeth With Hydrogen Peroxide
The same chemical used in professional teeth whitening procedures, hydrogen peroxide works very well to whiten your teeth. Some dental experts recommend a solution of no more than 5% hydrogen peroxide and diluting it with water before applying it directly onto the toothbrush to brush your teeth with. However you will need to be aware that you may experience some tooth sensitivity and gum irritation when using hydrogen peroxide and you should avoid using it if you have any sores inside your mouth.

Why don't your teeth hurt when you have cavities?

2009-08-26T17:49:00.001-07:00

Rusty Cars and Cavities: What Do They Have In Common?

Many people will ask, “Why doesn’t my tooth hurt if I have a cavity?” Dr. Drake, a local dental expert, explains exactly why. Surprisingly, his answer makes it completely clear, it makes you want to take better care of your teeth and your car!

Dr. Drake explains, “Once you understand why and how your tooth doesn’t hurt right away with a cavity, the less expensive and less painful the outcome will be.” Cavities and rusty cars are commonly related in many ways.

Five ways they are related are:
1. Everybody faces similar problems with their cars as they do with their teeth.
2. The way the problem proceeds with a car is the same way the problem proceeds with a tooth.
3. If those problems are not taken care of, both structure’s integrity can be affected.
4. The problems don’t hurt right away, but when they do, it is expensive to take care of.
5. There are ways to prevent the problems with both the car and the teeth.

To book an enlightening and enjoyable interview with Dr. Drake, please contact Katie at 208-524-0870.

Summary? The rust on a car isn't bad right away. May not even notice it right away. But the longer you let it rust the worse that it will get and it will rot through the metal and effect the structure's intregrity.

Same way with a cavity.

Your cavity may not be bad right away. May not even notice it right away. BUT the longer you let the cavity sit the worse it will get and it will rot through your tooth, effect the tooth's structure. To fix both problems are VERY expensive. Just as there are ways to prevent the rust on your car, you can prevent and catch early cavities in your mouth.

We have a special for you.... FREE exam and x-rays (to look for those sneaky cavities) with a cleaning! That is over a $200 value for $76!!! Call today to save money now and for later!!

208-524-0870

Dentistry From The Heart

2009-08-05T14:43:00.001-07:00

Park West Dental Care is offering free dental services for anyone who needs it on

Saturday, October 17th, 2009.

Call 208-524-0870 if you have any questions!

See you there!

www.parkwestdentalcare.com

www.dentistryfromtheheart.org

Tracy Jenkins, DDS

2009-07-23T14:16:00.001-07:00

Dr. Jenkins grew up in Idaho Falls, ID. After graduating from Brigham Young University Idaho, he attended Indiana University School of Dentistry. We're delighted that Dr. Jenkins has joined us - his values and philosphy are a perfect fit with our team's. He values his patients, listens to their concerns, and provides quality dental care to meet their needs. We think you'll enjoy his warm and caring manner and great sense of humor! Outside of the practice he enjoys spending time with his wife Ellen and their two-year-old son Benjamin, playing cars, singing around the piano and reading stories. Dr. Jenkins is really happy to return to his hometown and serve the community he loves!

(Pictures are compliments of Alyce Clegg. www.alyceclegg.com ).

Alyce Clegg

2009-06-18T11:06:00.000-07:00

Alyce Clegg did some more staff photos for us. She did a wonderful wonderful job! You can check them out when you come into the office!

She was fun, exciting and we had a great time! We didn't want to leave her studio! She has a warm touch and is great with families!

She is running a special which is 50% off any second prints!! That is amazing! Everyone in our office is buying photos from her! She is extremely talented! Don't miss out! Call her today to schedule an appointment! 208-528-7654!! http://www.alyceclegg.com/

Channel 3 News....Brush Up On Reading

2009-06-17T08:47:00.000-07:00

Here is a photo of the boy that won the new bike by participating in our program "Brush Up On Reading"! He was so excited!

We implemented a program at a local elementary school called "Brush Up On Reading." The news did an article on us and below is the link to be able to read the article and see the video. The dentists at Park West Dental Care are caring and gentle with people of all ages. They love kids and the kids love them! So this was a great way for us to encourage children read and to do well in school.

http://www.kidk.com/news/local/48196952.html

Staff Photos

2009-05-26T14:54:00.001-07:00

Meet our Staff!

The Park West Dental Care staff!!!

Dr. Jacobson and Dr. Drake. Experienced and Gentle Idaho Falls, dentists!

Dental Hygenists at Park West Dental Care! Nicole and Linda!

Alicia and Angie. Dental Assistants and teachers at the Idaho Falls Assist to Succeed school.

These photos were taken by Megan Blethen. http://meganblethenphotography.com/

Tired of Loose Dentures??

2009-04-29T13:09:00.000-07:00

Change your life!!

Come to a FREE mini dental implant seminar with

Dr. Brett Jacobson and

Dr. James Drake!!

Thursday, June 4th, 2009

at 7:00 PM at Mountain View Hospital (enter front entrance and follow the signs to the conference room)

Leave your check book at home, there is nothing to buy!!

In fact, we will be giving away a mini dental implant case!!

(a $2,000 value)!!

Also, you will be hearing from 3 of our patients that have had mini dental implants done!

We look forward to seeing you there!! Call 208-524-0870 if you have any questions!!

2009-04-15T13:33:00.000-07:00

Your Idaho Falls, dentists, Dr. Drake and Dr. Jacobson, at Park West Dental Care want you to have the smile that you have always wanted at an affordable price! Take advantage of any of these offers, today!!

"Park West Dental was the best dental experience that I have ever had. They were gentle, caring, and have the experience to create beautiful smiles... they have transformed my smile!!" Rebecca, H.

NEW PATIENT SPECIALS!!!

Option 1
$99 cleaning, exam, x-rays, and teeth whitening
(a $400 value)
Cleaning (reg. $76)
Exam (reg. $76)X-rays (reg. $153)Whitening (reg. $99)

Or try this one on for size....
$75 towards any treatment after coming in for cleaning and exam. If you don't need the treatment right away... we will hold on to it until you do!!

Choose which Option works best for you, If you have questions about which is better for your situation, feel free to call their office!

Come in for a NO CHARGE consultation and receive $50 towards any cosmetic treatment or whitening. No charge, no obligation. Just come in for your free consultation and get $50 credit!!

Limit of one offer per person. Hurry! The offer ends April 30, 2009!!!

Call today to reserve your appointment!! 208-524-0870

We look forward to serving you!

Park West Dental Care1088 N. Skyline Dr.Idaho Falls, ID 83402

Patient Gift

2009-04-15T08:15:00.000-07:00

Refer a family member or friend to Park West Dental and receive an umbrella!! Thank you for your referrals!!

NEW PATIENT SPECIAL!!

2009-03-18T14:06:00.001-07:00

Need a cleaning? Perfect! Come in for your cleaning and exam and receive Free Teeth whitening!!

Don't wait to have the beautiful white smile you have always wanted!!

Call today! 208-524-0870

New Signs!!

2009-02-04T09:06:00.000-08:00

The entrance to our building can be a little awkward. To eliminate this issue we got new signs!! We love them! We have a banner for everyone to know that we are open on Fridays and directional signs. Another sign that we got was the V.I.P sign. That's right! We will have a V.I.P (Very Important Patient) parking spot... we will reserve it for that patient. All of our patients are V.I.P's BUT we are going to single out patients every so often and award them with the V.I.P parking spot-which is right up front- convenient huh?

In house laboratory!!

2009-01-28T13:44:00.000-08:00

There is an in house laboratory to make our own corwns, bridges, and dentures. We don't send out our lab work. We do it all right here. So there is no doubt you receive the HIGHEST quality!!

2009-01-28T13:41:00.000-08:00

We use panoramic x-rays... all x-rays are completely digital!! This is great because then you can see your x-ray while sitting in the chair! There are computers in each 13 treatment rooms for your convenience! Another wonderful thing about this x-ray is there is more than half of less radiation from the old x-rays!!

Dr. Drake and Dr. Jacobson

2009-01-28T13:36:00.000-08:00

Dr. Drake and Dr. Jacobson are the dentists at Park West Dental Care. They are both highly qualified and always receive FANTASTIC reviews from new and current patients!! They care about the patients, staff, the community, and their own families. Patients have reported that they are highly comfortable with both dentists along with all of the staff. The number one thing patients love about Park West Dental Care is the CARE that they receive!! We help them feel comfortable and happy about the service they are receiving. There is also a wonderful orthodontist, Dr. Lowder, at Park West that will do FREE consultations... call today to see if you are a candidate for braces!! 208-524-0870

Some of the staff at Park West Dental Care!!

2009-01-28T13:31:00.000-08:00

Dr. Jacobson

2009-01-28T12:45:00.000-08:00

We love Dr. Jacobson... he is a fun dentist that is caring and an expert in dentistry!!

We LOVE new patients!

2009-01-28T12:42:00.001-08:00

Having patients referred to us is the greatest compliment!! We have gifts for those that refer and for the new patients! We love to serve great patients!!

14 Questions About Kids Dental Health

2009-01-28T12:21:00.000-08:00

QUESTION # 14. When should I start cleaning my baby's teeth? ANSWER: You should start cleaning your baby's teeth as soon as the teeth come in, because harmful plaque begins to form as soon as teeth erupt.

QUESTION # 13. What toothpaste is best for my child? ANSWER: A fluoridated toothpaste that is recognized by the American Dental Association, as being effective in reducing tooth decay should be used. Equally as important as the toothpaste is the thoroughness with which the plaque is removed by brushing and flossing. Children aged three years and younger should not use a fluoridated toothpaste; please select a non-fluoridated infant toothpaste.

QUESTION # 12. Why is it necessary to take my child to the pediatric dentist every six months? ANSWER: The pediatric dentist will want to see your child at regular and frequent intervals for several reasons. Regular visits keep the child familiar with the pediatric dentist and his or her staff and encourage a pleasant, confident attitude in the child regarding this necessary, life long health practice. Also, as the child develops and grows, the pediatric dentist will want to be certain that tooth eruption and proper jaw development are progressing normally or, if not, that corrective measured are undertaken in time. Appropriate preventive measures such as regular applications of fluoride on the tooth surfaces, placement of pit and fissure sealants on newly erupted teeth, and reinforcement of good daily health practices (brushing, flossing, and dietary advice) can be continually encouraged by the pediatric dentist and his or her staff when the child is a regular and frequent visitor to the dental office. If decay or other dental defect has occurred, it will be detected in the early stages when it is easier and less costly to treat.

QUESTION # 11.Should I worry about thumb or finger sucking? ANSWER: Thumbsucking is perfectly normal for infants; most children stop by age two. If your child does not stop thumbsucking, discourage it by age four. Prolonged thumbsucking can create crowded, crooked teeth and bite problems. Your pediatric dentist will be glad to suggest ways to address a prolonged thumbsucking habit.

QUESTION # 10. Why should the baby teeth be filled, since they will be lost anyway? ANSWER: Even though these primary teeth are called "baby teeth", some of them must serve until the child is at least twelve years old, sometimes longer. Neglect of the baby teeth can result in pain, infection of the gums and jaws, impairment of general health, and premature loss of teeth, which is a major cause of orthodontic problems. Also, cavities tend to form in teeth that are next to other teeth with unfilled cavities, because decay is really an infection and will spread if left untreated. It is unwise to leave active decay in the mouth. Decay on baby teeth can cause decay on permanent teeth. Unfortunately, most children with untreated decay on baby teeth will develop decay on permanent teeth.

QUESTION # 9. What causes nursing caries and baby bottle tooth decay? ANSWER: Though dairy products are considered one of the four basic food groups and an important part of the diet, in one specific situation milk can be responsible for causing a type of rampant decay. This decay process happens when a child goes to sleep while breast-feeding and bottle-feeding. The milk is collected on the roof of the mouth and tongue, and the upper front teeth are bathed in it. During sleep, the flow of saliva is reduced and the natural self-cleansing action of the mouth is diminished. The sugar content of the stagnant collected milk is changed to acids which cause decalcification (softening) of the enamel, resulting in extensive decay called "nursing caries".

QUESTION # 8. My child's baby teeth had a lot of decay. Does this mean that the permanent will be just as bad? ANSWER: Very probably, unless the cause can be determined and proper preventive and corrective steps are taken.

QUESTION # 7. What about the big space between my eight-year-old's two upper front teeth? ANSWER: Usually there is no need for concern. The space can be expected to close in the next few years as the other front teeth erupt. If there is a problem, your pediatric dentist will recognize it.

QUESTION # 6. My child has a double row of front teeth. Why is this and what should be done about it? ANSWER: This is not an uncommon occurrence. Sometimes the permanent teeth begin to come in before the baby teeth are lost. When this happens, unless the child can work the baby teeth out by himself within a few weeks, the pediatric dentist may have to remove them. Once the baby tooth is out, the tongue usually moves the permanent tooth forward into its proper position, if space permits. If this crowded condition should occur in the upper jaw, the baby teeth should be removed immediately. Sometimes it is necessary for the pediatric dentist to move the permanent tooth forward with an orthodontic appliance.

QUESTION # 5. Why do the permanent teeth look so much yellower than the baby teeth? ANSWER: Permanent teeth are normally yellower than primary teeth, but they appear even more so because you are comparing them with the lighter baby teeth still in the mouth.

QUESTION # 4. Is there anything I can do to comfort my baby while he is teething? ANSWER: Some children appear to be comforted during the normal eruption process by chewing on a teething biscuit, a piece of toast, or a frozen teething ring. Teething medications that can be rubbed on the gums to reduce the discomfort are available at your pharmacy.

QUESTION # 3. When will my baby start getting teeth? ANSWER: Usually the two lower front teeth (central incisors) erupt at about six months of age, followed shortly by the two upper central incisors. During the next 18 to 24 months, the rest of the baby teeth appear, although not in orderly sequence from front to back. All of these 20 primary teeth should be present at two to three years of age.

QUESTION # 2. My two-year-old child has a cavity in a tooth. Should the tooth be filled?ANSWER: Yes, it should be treated as soon as possible to avoid pain and infection.

QUESTION # 1. At what age should I bring my child to the pediatric dentist?ANSWER: Children should have the first dental visit within six months of the eruption of the first baby tooth and no later than their first birthday. This is so that an assessment and record can be made of your child's dental development and risk of getting cavities. This also gives us the opportunity to discuss good oral hygiene practices at home, diet, injury prevention and possible need for fluoride supplements. If we find cavities or other problems, these things can be taken care of early before they become a bigger problem.

Visit us at www.cavityfreekids.com to learn more about how to help your kids be cavity free!