What's New...
Hi everyone! Bonnie has a new baby in her family! Her step daughter, Kim and husband Dave had a whopping baby boy at 10lb. 3 oz!! Mom and baby (and Bonnie) are doing great..On a sadder note, with all of the hero stories after 9/11, we have one to tell you. Bonnie's brother , Steve, and her nephew were deer hunting last month and were injured when their tree stand collapsed and fell on them. Her brother suffered a broken back and couldn't move. His 12 year old son started the jeep and drove it (a stick shift!!) several miles through the woods to get help, despite having a painful crushed ankle. He brought help back and they were taken to the hospital. Bonnie's brother and nephew are doing much better but with a lot of physical therapy ahead. Now that is what I call a very courageous kid and a real hero! .Congatulations to one of our former sterilization assistants, Megan, who will graduate the June with a R.N. degree in Nursing!. Our two hygienists' babies, (Gina's and Amy's), are growing up quickly and getting cuter every day!

Women's Dental Health

Last issue I talked about men's oral health, so this time we'll discuss women's dental care. Good oral health is important for both men and women, but there are several additional factors women have to deal with:
Do you want to improve your appearance and have a healthy, sexy smile? A woman's appearance is obviously important in our society. Just look at how much is spent on the cosmetic industry. In addition to great hair and makeup and clothes, clean white teeth and a flashy smile go a long way in making a good first impression. The nicest looking, well-dressed woman can leave a negative impression with yellowed, stained, crooked, "dirty-looking" teeth and bad breath. When you look in the mirror always remember to smile AND speak, to check out what other people see. Most people show their bottom teeth when they talk, and their upper teeth when they smile. So both smile and speak when checking your appearance. Also check your side profile when you smile. If you look straight ahead in the mirror, you can't always see missing side teeth, dark spaces, or old black discolored fillings that may be readily visible to others when you speak or smile! For healthy fresh breath that will get their attention instead off knocking them out, use a tongue scraper to clean your tongue every time you brush. Floss thoroughly every night, and finish up with an ADA approved mouthwash. Listerine is the one of best on the market according to many published studies, although Scope and many others are good as well. Mouthwashes are only temporary in effect, so make sure your brushing and flossing and dental checkups are done on a regular basis. We have Oxyfresh, a professional bad breath mouth rinse available for purchase in the office, which breaks down the bad smelling sulfur compounds in your mouth. Breath mints and gum are just masking agents like perfume. But make sure they are sugar free or the sugar will start tooth decay and breakdown into more foul smelling odors as time goes by, defeating the purpose of the mint. If you want to transform your smile into a dazzling one, call us for a cosmetic consult. We can help!

Osteoporosis and Dental Health Most people don't associate osteoporosis with dental problems. However, recent studies show that women suffering from this disorder have less jaw bone density and are more likely to develop periodontal disease and tooth loss. A study of 200 women between ages 60 and 69 found that women suffering from osteoporosis were three times more likely to need dentures than those who had no bone loss problems. Low estrogen levels which occur in post-menopausal women have been linked to the development of periodontal disease. Some risk factors for osteoporosis include slender build, sedentary habits (couch potato), smoking, heavy alcohol use, and not getting enough calcium in the diet. Practicing good oral hygiene and getting regular checkups can help prevent periodontal disease and tooth loss. Consult with your medical doctor about calcium supplements and a bone density scan.

Dieting and Dental Side Effects Crash diets and diet supplements can be harsh on your teeth and gums. Diet pills can decrease saliva flow resulting in a condition of dry mouth. This leads to increased decay rate, periodontal disease, and sometimes burning tongue. Dieting can deplete calcium and vitamin D, especially dairy and fat restricted diets. Purging and bingeing can result in tooth erosion, decay, bleeding gums, and vitamin and mineral loss. Always consult your doctor before dieting , use medically recommended supplements, and drink plenty of water to offset dieting side effects.

Pregnancy and Your Mouth Pregnancy can have very damaging effects on your dental health. Approximately 60 -70 % of pregnant women experience redness, swelling, and bleeding gums. Studies have shown that pregnant women who have gum disease are 6-7 times more likely to have a premature underweight baby. Hormones plus inadequate oral home care can result in pregnancy gingivitis, periodontal disease, and even benign gum tumors. Although it is not true that a baby "takes calcium out of your teeth" causing cavities, it IS true that sloppy hygiene habits, increased snacking, and morning sickness can cause a massive increase in tooth decay. Taking tetracycline while pregnant can cause discolored teeth in the baby. Pregnancy tips: Always take excellent care of your teeth and gums, avoid tetracycline antibiotic, take your obstetrician's recommended supplements, and brush , floss, and rinse your mouth out with plenty of water after morning sickness.

• 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?...