Please take your time to read through the articles listed to the left of the page. Here you will find many industry specific articles and publications. This is a great place to learn about an upcoming procedure and get answers to commonly asked questions.
Dr. Horanic, a lifelong resident of Central Florida, attained his Bachelor of Science degree in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Central Florida in 1989. Upon receiving this degree, he was accepted into the College of Dentistry at the University of Florida. In 1993, after completing his training at Shand's Hospital, Dr. Horanic received a Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) degree from the University of Florida.
After graduating, Dr. Horanic began practicing as an associate dentist at a family dental practice in East Orlando. During this time, he was selected to be one of the athletic team dentists for the University of Central Florida. Dr. Horanic continued practicing at this family practice for almost six years after which he decided to open his own family practice. On January 25, 1999, Lake Forest Family Dentistry opened its doors to the community.
Dr. Horanic is a member of the American Dental Association, Florida Dental Association, Central District Association, Greater Orlando Dental Society, and the Study Club of Mid Florida. He regularly attends continuing education seminars and workshops, striving to provide the latest in technological advances and techniques to his patients.
How do I help my children care for their teeth and prevent cavities? Teaching your child proper oral care at a young age is an investment in his or her health that will pay lifelong dividends. You can start by setting an example; taking good care of your own teeth sends a message that oral health is something to be valued. And anything that puts fun into taking care of teeth, like brushing along with your child, or letting them choose their own toothbrush, encourages proper oral care.
You may want to supervise your children until they get the hang of these simple steps: Use a pea-sized dab of an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste. Take care that your child does not swallow the toothpaste.
When should my child begin flossing? Because flossing removes food particles and plaque between teeth that brushing misses, you should floss for your children beginning at age four. By the time they reach age eight, most kids can begin flossing for themselves. What are dental sealants and how do I know if my child needs them? A dental sealant creates a highly effective barrier against decay. Sealants are thin plastic coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of a child's permanent back teeth, where most cavities form. Applying a sealant is not painful and can be performed in one dental visit. Your dentist can tell you whether your child might benefit from a dental sealant.
What is fluoride and how do I know if my child is getting the right amount? Fluoride is one of the best ways to help prevent against tooth decay. A naturally occurring mineral, fluoride combines with the tooth's enamel to strengthen it. In many municipal water supplies, the right amount of fluoride is added for proper tooth development. To find out whether your water contains fluoride, and how much, call your local water district. If your water supply does not contain any (or enough) fluoride, your child's pediatrician or dentist may suggest using fluoride drops or a mouth rinse in addition to a fluoride toothpaste.
How important is diet to my child's oral health? A balanced diet is necessary for your child to develop strong, decay-resistant teeth. In addition to a full range of vitamins and minerals, a child's diet should include plenty of calcium, phosphorous, and proper levels of fluoride.
If fluoride is your child's greatest protection against tooth decay, then frequent snacking may be the biggest enemy. The sugars and starches found in many foods and snacks like cookies, candies, dried fruit, soft drinks, pretzels, and potato chips combine with plaque on teeth to create acids. These acids attack the tooth enamel and may lead to cavities.
What should I do if my child chips, breaks or knocks out a tooth? With any injury to your child's mouth, you should contact your dentist immediately. The dentist will want to examine the affected area and determine appropriate treatment.
If a tooth is completely knocked out of the mouth by an injury, take the tooth to your dentist as soon as possible. Handle the tooth as little as possible. Do not wipe or otherwise clean the tooth. Store the tooth in milk until you get to a dentist. It may be possible for the tooth to be placed back into your child's mouth, a procedure called reimplantation.