What's New...
STAFF NEWS: Greetings to all! Hope everyone is enjoying the great weather this summer….We have been gradually re-decorating the office and eventually should have it completely redone by years end….Welcome new staff member Natalie. We are having great results with the new Lumineer porcelain veneers and with the in office "Zoom!" Teeth Whitening system, as seem in many of the glamour magazines and on TV. They are as great as they advertise!... Diane and Marilyn vacationed this summer in Florida, while Tammy and her family went to Nags head, North Carolina. Karen vacationed in the Outer Banks as well. And Bonnie had a nice vacation in Florida.

NEW FINDINGS:

GUM DISEASE / ORAL CANCER RISK LINK!

The American Dental Association recently reported that scientists at the University of Buffalo conducting a recent study concluded there is a direct link between gum (periodontal) disease and the likelihood of developing cancer of the tongue. They studied 100 male patients with and without tongue cancer. After eliminating potential effects of age, smoking, number of existing teeth, and other factors, patients were 5.2 TIMES MORE LIKELY to have tongue cancer with EVERY MILIMETER OF BONE LOSS compared to those without gum disease and no bone loss. These means if a patient has 5 millimeters of bone loss from gum disease they run a risk of being 26 times more likely to develop cancer of the tongue than someone with healthy gums1 THAT IS SIGNIFICANT.

Dr. Mine Tezal, a researcher involved in the study, concluded that periodontal disease bacteria could be toxic to oral cells surrounding the gum tissue (i.e., tongue tissue) and could produce cellular changes that lead to oral cancer through inflammatory toxins. Previous research has linked alcohol and tobacco use to oral cancer but this finding is the first association of gum disease causing tongue cancer. Oral cancer, if not detected early can be very deadly. More than 7,300 Americans died from oral cancer last year. Dr. Tezal said "We expected to see an association , given earlier studies linking chronic infection and inflammation to cancer risk in other organs, but we didn't expect to see such a clear association with a relatively small sample size". Previous studies have linked periodontal disease to increased risk of developing or aggravating heart disease, diabetes, stoke, premature low birth weight and other medical conditions. This new finding emphasizes the importance of regular dental cleanings and checkups (which include oral cancer screenings) and treatment of gum disease before it progresses. It could save your life!

TAINTED TOOTHPASTE

The FDA recently found contaminated toothpaste imported from China was being sold in U.S. retail stores and they have since implemented a nationwide recall of the products. Samples of the tainted toothpaste showed evidence of diethylene glycol, a sweet thickening agent found in antifreeze. This toxic ingredient was found in Excel and Mr.Cool brand toothpastes, as well as a counterfeit Colgate brand imported from China. The counterfeit toothpaste can be identified from the label "Manufactured in South Africa". Colgate is only made in the U.S. If you purchased any of these throw them out immediately.

• New! Laser Scan Cavity Detector
• Diabetes and Dental Health

• Protect Your Children with "Toothprints"!
• The Dental Benefits of Green Tea

• Three New Teeth Whitening Systems
• Too Much Water Can Be Bad!

• Searching for a new job? ...First look at your teeth!
• THE SMILE STARTER!

• The Silent Disease...
• The First Dental Implant Was Done In Ancient Times!

• Sippy Cups - Hidden Danger!
• Asthma-tooth Decay Link Suspected
• Tooth Worms in Brazil

• Women's Oral Health

• Men's Oral Health

• Watch Your Tongue!
• How To Take Care of Your Baby's Teeth
• Your Best Friend's Teeth

• What's New...
• Here's the Lowdown on Toothbrushes...
• We're Not Blowing Smoke

• What's New...
• The Importance Of An Oral Cancer Exam
• What To Do If Your Tooth Is Knocked Out

• What's New...
• Is it a Cold Sore or a Canker Sore? ... What Are They?
• Ask Your Dentist

• What's New...
• Stop Grinding Your Teeth Away!
• Tips For Tots

• What's New...
• New Non-Surgical Gum Disease Treatment is Now Available
• The Real Risk of Dental X-Rays

• What's New...
• Tongue Piercing Can Be Dangerous!
• Gum Disease Not Always Caused By Poor Oral Hygiene
• Did You Know?...