With three generations now in Cochrane, Dr. Ziegenhagel & Associates feels that community is of paramount importance. Not only are they serving patients with first class dental care, they are also serving their neighbours, friends and family.
“We have generations of patients and families that come here, which we just love,” said Leslie Frias, practice manager for Dr. Ziegenhagel & Associates. “We've been planted here firmly in the community for a very long time … It's really not even a day at the office– it's like a day seeing family.”
And like family, Dr. Ziegenhagel & Associates wants to be there for all community members to ensure they have the best oral health and dental care possible from their earliest years, all the way up until their golden years.
It is important to start your children's oral health journey young in order to create lifelong good habits, says Frias, and that includes regular trips to the dentist.
“Getting those checkups in at one-year-old is really important,” she said. “We bring them in and take them for a ride in the chair and we count teeth and we get them used to things and feeling comfortable. I think the younger they are that we can get them started, and learning that brushing your teeth at least twice a day is especially important … Flossing those gums and getting things out from between your teeth is what's going to help you not only have beautiful teeth and gums, but it's going to keep your whole body healthy.”
As we get older, we get busier, says Frias, and oral care can sometimes suffer as a result. The important thing, says Frias, is not to beat yourself up over it, and take it one day at a time.
“As far as our older adult patient base, we see some people for three month visits, four months, six months, one year, and we just make sure that we're doing the right program for each patient and of course addressing any concerns maybe before they even arise. That's very important to us.”
One easy tip to improve oral health is to consider buying an electric toothbrush, says Frias.
“Electric toothbrushes are definitely where it's at if you have one tool in your toolbox these days, I think that would definitely be it,” she confirmed. “It makes home care so much easier. It does a better job than a manual toothbrush. And you're going to see those results when you come in for your visit, and it's going to be much easier on you.”
As we enter our later years, tooth decay can set in, acknowledges Frias, and sometimes it becomes necessary to extract teeth as a last possible resort.
“There was a time where extracting teeth was the answer to things, and, of course, as you know now, we don't like to see people lose their teeth,” she said. “But if that has happened for whatever reason, you know there's important things that you can do. There's bridges, there's implants today. You know, having your teeth in place in whether it's a denture, a bridge, an implant. I mean, that's really important for your ability and enjoyment to chew properly.”
Whatever the age, and whatever the condition, Dr. Ziegenhagel & Associates is going to be there for Cochrane, says Frias. Their dentists and hygienists will always have your back and be there for you– because that’s what family does.
“I know we are so privileged here in Cochrane that we have such a great community,” she said. “We have the pleasure of having some of the best patients. I know every office probably feels that way, but we really do, and we really appreciate being able to work and live in this community.”
