What's New...
Hi everyone!! Hope you all had happy holidays and will have a great 2001! . Please consider one of your New Year's resolutions to be fixing up your smile cosmetically or completing any unfinished dental treatment. We have a variety of amazing procedures to brighten up your smile and give you a more youthful appearance. Anything from bleaching to porcelain veneers to bonding to cosmetic contouring to all porcelain crowns to implants and metal-free bridges and invisible partial dentures. We pride ourselves in our cosmetic dental makeovers.. Congratulations to Dr. Mac's son Eric who is now a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity at Ohio University. Eric is an Electrical Engineering major with a minor in Math and he is loving his college experience.. Our staff had a late Christmas party at the Heritage restaurant in January. Our original one had to be cancelled due to a snow and ice storm in December. We all had a wonderful time! Dr. Mac attended the annual American Dental Association meeting in Chicago, Amy vacationed in California. She went snorkeling AND snowmobiling! And Tammy vacationed in Florida. Our third dental hygienist, Gina is getting married in February!!.Anyone wanting to get in for their dental treatment sooner than their appointment date, please take advantage of our "call list". Let our receptionist know you wish to be on our list and we will get you in at our first cancellation due to sickness, snow, or other reason.

Here's the Lowdown on Toothbrushes.

There are so many different types and styles of toothbrushes on the market, it's hard to know which one to pick. Well, here are some pointers to be aware of before you buy your next brush. The toothbrush was invented by the Chinese over one thousand years ago. The first known brushes were made of horse hair and had ivory handles. Fortunately, we have made some improvements since then. What should you look for when you buy a toothbrush? First of all, choose a brush that has an easy to hold handle and feels comfortable for you with the brushing technique YOU use. Don't just choose one because it has a catchy, multi-colored, padded handle with finger grooves like a Harley Davidson handlebar! The manufacturers have tried every gimmick they can to get you to buy their product. Just as long as the handle is wide and sturdy and comfortable, that is all you need. Secondly. it should have a small head for easy access. The average toothbrush is 5-6 tufts long and 2-3 tufts wide. That is very adequate unless you really bare down when you brush. If so, get the maximum tufts available so you avoid hitting your gums with the plastic brush head.

Always pick a SOFT brush. Hard or medium brushes may feel like they clean better but years of research shows they don't. But hard or medium brushes do cause damage to the teeth and gums and lead to receding gums over an extended period of time. The complimentary toothbrushes we give you in our office meet all of the above criteria for most patients. Replace your toothbrush every 2-3 months and after having the flu or a cold. Brushes wear out and can harbor viruses and bacteria for extended periods, Never share a toothbrush with anyone else. Should you choose a manual brush or electric or sonic? This is an individual preference. You can get the same results with either. However, manual brushes take longer to clean your teeth properly. We prefer either a manual toothbrush approved by the American Dental Association (look for the seal) or the Braun Oral B electric or Sonicare sonic toothbrushes. Water piks do an OK job but not as good as brushing and flossing. Think of it as if you are washing your car. Which technique gets it cleaner: Scrubbing in between all the crevices with a brush and sponge or scouring pad (floss) or squirting the dirt off with a water hose? Choose you brush carefully. It is your weapon against tooth decay and gum disease!

We're Not Blowing Smoke

According to the Academy of General Dentistry, if you started smoking at age 18 and continue to smoke a pack of cigarettes every day, you could end up losing 4 to 5 teeth before you turn 35 years old! The researchers found the rate of tooth loss to be 2.9 teeth lost every 10 years. And according to research at Tufts University, smokers are twice as likely to lose teeth as non-smokers. There is now a definite proven link between smoking and gum disease. It has long been proven that smoking causes or worsens heart disease, low birth weight in unborn children, and oral and lung cancer. On top of that, it causes ugly yellow stains on teeth and bad breath. Kick the habit---it's not only disgusting, it is definitely affecting you health!!

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• The Silent Disease...
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• Sippy Cups - Hidden Danger!
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• Women's Oral Health

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