When my husband, James, and I returned from our Hawaiian wedding in 2017, we brought more than just memories and a tan back to New Jersey. We brought back the spirit of "ohana"—the Hawaiian concept of family—which would soon become the heart of our dental practice and our approach to life in Ridgewood.

Just months after our wedding, we were presented with an unexpected opportunity: taking over a retiring dentist's practice in nearby Midland Park. It had always been our dream to open a family dental practice together, and when this chance came up, we knew it was meant to be. We named our practice Ohana Dental, embodying our vision of treating our community like our own family.

As Ridgewood residents since 2017, James and I have truly embraced the ohana lifestyle with our two young children, ages 4.5 and almost 3. As a mother, I've discovered all the treasures our town has to offer through the eyes of my little ones.

We love taking walks and bike rides around our neighborhood, running around the open field and playground at Habernickel, and discovering new areas of the Duck Pond. The library is another favorite—they have so many wonderful events, an incredible international language section, and you can even rent items like metal detectors for hidden treasure hunts! A dinner downtown usually ends with a visit to Van Neste Square to unleash the kids' post-dinner "zoomies."

When it comes to Ridgewood's dining scene, we love the family-friendly atmosphere at Raymond's, Steel Wheel Tavern, and Puzo's. A tip for fellow parents: At Puzo's, you can order your dinner and reserve your outdoor table facing the train station ahead of time so your pizza is ready when you arrive—perfect if your kids are train lovers like mine! For sweets, we adore the cakes and decadent hot chocolates from Sook, and nothing beats the flaky croissants from Pierre and Michel. My kids and I are also obsessed with Hey Yogurt for their frozen yogurt drinks.

Speaking of sweets, Halloween is approaching, which means lots of candy! I know avoiding candy is inevitable, but here are some tips that might help prevent an unexpected trip to the dentist:

Opt for Chocolate: Chocolate dissolves quickly and washes off teeth more easily than other candies like caramels and sticky treats. Sour candies (these are actually my favorite!) are the worst offenders—they're not only acidic but also sticky, lingering on teeth for longer periods and creating continuous acid exposure that leads to cavities.

Enjoy with Meals: Eating candy with or immediately after a meal is best, as increased saliva flow helps wash away sugars and acids.

Limit Snacking: Instead of grazing on candy throughout the day, designate specific times for treats to reduce the continuous acid exposure that causes cavities.

Drink Water: Swish water in your mouth after eating candy to help rinse away sugar residue.

Wait to Brush: Hold off on brushing for about at least half an hour after eating candy to avoid brushing softened enamel—rinsing with water in the meantime is perfect.

I want to end with a more personal message to my fellow moms. For the first few years of parenting, I was obsessed with the idea of being a perfect mother. Much like my academic days, I was striving to be an A+ parent. Not only is this unrealistic—it's impossible. I sit here writing this as I stare at a pile of unfolded laundry, having just received a call from preschool that my son's medical forms were incomplete. Give yourself some grace, be kind to yourself, and surround yourself with positive people who will lift you up rather than judge you for your shortcomings.

Yours truly,
Misato Fukuda-Venuti
Proud to be a B+ parent

P.S. Photography is by local Ridgewood mom, Miho Grant Photography

Member Dr. Misato