Chicago Dentist

Researchers have tested gummy bears made with a sugar substitute that wards off cavity-causing bacteria. A study in Washington State gathered 154 first to fifth graders from two elementary schools. The students were given four gummy bears made with either xylitol or maltitol (types of sugars used in many types of sugarless chewing gum) three times a day during school hours. All were checked for plaque and bacteria in their mouths at the start of the study and six weeks later. After six weeks, there was a “significant” reduction in the main bacteria buildup associated with cavities for the children who snacked on the xylitol and maltitol candy. Study lead author Kiet A. Ly with the University of Washington says in a news release that gummy bears may have the edge over gum. “For xylitol to be successfully used in oral health promotion programs among primary school children, an effective means of delivering xylitol must be identified,” Ly says. “Gummy bears would seem to be more ideal than chewing gum.”

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Cosmetic dentistry is a specialty within the field of General dentistry, the number one focus of cosmetic dentistry is to improve the overall cosmetic condition of a person’s teeth structure, in order to accomplish this goal a cosmetic dentist next to resort to several treatments which may involve the use of sister specialties within the field of dentistry, that is orthodontics, endodontics and such. Dentist in charge to cosmetically enhance the looks of your smile will never jeopardize your oral health in order to make your teeth look good for instance, dental veneers are special shells which are custom-made in order to create a more visually appealing shape of the teeth which can be seen when your smile. Some people may interpret the purpose of Veneers as a way to cover up an existing problem, to a certain extent this statement might be true because Veneers will indeed cover a discolored tooth. However, a dentist will never place a veneer over a tooth which is about to fall off or that is to seriously damaged, in those cases the cosmetic dentist will refer you to a specialist who will be able to take care of the most basic problems and prepare the foundation for a successful cosmetic procedure.

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Bad breath is breath that has an unpleasant odor. It’s also known as halitosis. This odor can strike from time to time, or it can be long-lasting, depending on the cause. Millions of bacteria live in the mouth, particularly on the back of the tongue. In many people, they are the primary causes of bad breath. The mouth’s warm, moist conditions are ideal for the growth of these bacteria. Most bad breath is caused by something in the mouth. Some types of bad breath are considered to be fairly normal. They usually are not health concerns. One example is “morning mouth.” This occurs because of changes in your mouth while you sleep. During the day, saliva washes away decaying food and odors. The body makes less saliva at night. Your mouth becomes dry, and dead cells stick to your tongue and to the inside of your cheeks. When bacteria use these cells for food, they produce a foul odor.

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I just returned from the dentist. Sad to say, I neglected a tooth that should have been taken care of a long time ago, but procrastination was not in my favor today. Not only am I seeing a $2,000 bill for root canal and a crown, but I have an infection on top of that. Antibiotics and pain meds are on the calendar for the next two weeks. I also learned having an infection that I have can lead to a serious problem and heart attack. This tooth, which went from getting a crown to a major infection and root canal, even though it is costing me some serious money, my heart depends on having healthy teeth. By the way, I am like many who do not have dental insurance, but I do have my health insurance. Dental hygiene goes past the flossing and brushing of your teeth. It also has to do with an annual or bi-annual dental check ups. So another issue our legislators need to bring up on top of health insurance. Affordable dental insurance. Dental care is just as important to our health as our yearly physical.

Cumberland Times-News - Good dental care and insurance also needed

Everyone knows it is important to take good care of our teeth, but what about the family pet? According to News Now 10, poor dental hygiene can cause the same problems in cats and dogs as those that occur in humans, including gum disease, tooth loss, infections and bad breath. It recommends a number of measures people can take to keep their pet’s teeth healthy, starting with checking them regularly. The news provider also suggests giving cats and dogs hard food every day, as this can help prevent tartar build up. In addition, toys such as nubbie bones, dental rope and greenies can promote healthy gums and cut down on tartar. Most vets say pets’ teeth should be brushed at least twice a week, using special animal toothpaste, News Now 10 reported. Vets can clean a cat or dog’s teeth as dental hygienist would with humans during the pet’s annual checkup. There are a number of ways to tell if a cat or dog is suffering from poor dental health, according to i-pets.com, including red or sore gums, yellow teeth or excessively bad breath.
Dental care for all the family

This spring, the makers of ARM & HAMMER® oral care products will launch two new offerings that address two of today’s hottest topics in dental care: one, the ongoing trend of teeth whitening and two, the strengthening of tooth enamel. ARM & HAMMER® Whitening Booster is a great new affordable and safe way to brighten your smile quickly and easily. The product – which uses hydrogen peroxide, the common active ingredient in many whitening kits – is designed to boost the whitening power of your favorite toothpaste. Just add the Whitening Booster to any toothpaste you use and brush your teeth as normal. Used as directed, it provides twice the whitening agent of the leading whitening strip and doesn’t leave a sticky mess. Baby boomers and people who care about keeping their teeth in tip top shape will want to try new ARM & HAMMER® Age Defying Toothpaste for stronger, healthier and whiter teeth. It’s the only fluoride toothpaste with patented Liquid Calcium® (a.k.a ACP – amorphous calcium phosphate) that strengthens tooth enamel while cleaning. It protects and rebuilds (or “re-mineralizes”) enamel and dentin.

HealthNewsDigest.com

“Changing the size and shape of your teeth can significantly improve your smile as well as rejuvenate your overall appearance. Some of my patients say that a smile make-over is better than botox in restoring a youthful appearance.” Referring to a well-known study published by Frush and Fisher, which correlates the size and shape of teeth to sex, age and personality, Dr. Fundora explains, “There are several subtle cosmetic improvements that will change the shape and size of the teeth that result in a more youthful and feminine appearance.” “Teeth look much more feminine when they are rounded with more pronounced embrasures, the tiny inverted ‘v’ between the two front teeth,” explains Dr. Fundora. “When the canine teeth are pointy, it softens the appearance to take the point off.” Dr. Fundora achieves these changes with porcelain veneers and/or bonding, depending on the needs of each patient.

‘Size Does Matter … and So Does Shape … When It Comes to Teeth,’ Says Cosmetic Dentist, Dr. Denise Fundora

When I was a child, growing up in Burns, I was afraid to go to the dentist. He was a big man, a bit heavy handed and stern. I remember reluctantly heading to his office after school, my steps becoming increasingly slower and more reluctant as I got closer. Looking at his collection of various bird eggs, in a display case in his office, helped to distract me from the coming ordeal. When my children were growing up we made the three-hour trip to Boise, Idaho, where our new dentist did excellent work - with a gentler touch, a great sense of humor and lower fees. He was a hunter, who teased the children about the bear in his closet that he’d brought back from a trip to Alaska. Once in a while they’d tiptoe cautiously to the closet, but never quite worked up enough courage to open the door. He teased me about the weight of my numerous fillings, suggesting that I would be unwise to dive into a swimming pool. Appreciating his sense of humor lightened the apprehension that could build on the trip to his office.
Are you still afraid of seeing the dentist?- OregonLive.com

The last time Barbara Stepp of Homewood visited her dentist, she told him about her ongoing kidney infection. “He immediately plopped me down in the chair and started doing acupuncture,” said Stepp, 70. Stepp’s dentist, John Rothchild in Hoffman Estates, is a longtime member of the American Dental Association. He uses the latest high-tech equipment to take X-rays, remove teeth and whiten smiles. But Rothchild’s practice is based on a holistic philosophy that says the health of your mouth can affect your entire body.
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In addition to acupuncture, his integrative treatment portfolio incorporates the use of mercury-free fillings, cranial therapy and homeopathic remedies. The ADA maintains that “silver” amalgam fillings, which contain mercury that can leach into the environment, are not a human health threat. And it considers muscle testing (or applied kinesiology) techniques, dental homeopathy and craniosacral therapy to be “unconventional” and not yet supported by science. Dental acupuncture, meanwhile, needs to be supported by a major research effort, the ADA says. But mounting research supports what holistic dentists have long believed: Although the mouth may not be the window to your soul, it can reveal potential medical problems in other parts of the body, including the heart, lungs and brain. And as the connection grows stronger, dentists who focus on treating the whole body as well as the teeth and gums—with prevention, education and nutrition playing a central role—may one day assume the role of a “primary care doctor.” “The ADA teaches brushing and flossing to control ever-present disease,” Holistic Dental Association President Tim Gallagher recently wrote in the group’s journal. “Instead, we teach brushing and flossing to check effectiveness of cellular immunity.” More than 75 percent of Americans over age 35 have gum or periodontal disease, an infection that can trigger an inflammatory response not just in the gums but throughout the body.

Your mouth speaks volumes about overall well-being — chicagotribune.com

Although there have been advances in health care access and public insurance, for some children, health care is still a privilege - and dental visits are more of a luxury. A study released this month by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality said 31 percent of low income children have cavities that go untreated, compared to six percent of other children. Medill Reports talked with leading dentist Indru Punwani, head of pediatrics at the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Dental College, about the dangers and prevention of tooth decay in young children.
You’re never too young to see the dentist

How can I “snack smart” to protect myself from tooth decay?

Before you start munching on a snack, ask yourself what’s in the food you’ve chosen. Is it loaded with sugar? If it is, think again. Another choicewould be better for your teeth. And keep in mind that certain kinds of sweets can do more damage than others. Gooey or chewy sweets spend more time sticking to the surface of your teeth. Because sticky snacks stay in your mouth longer than foods that you quickly chew and swallow, they give your teeth a longer sugar bath.

You should also think about when and how often you eat snacks. Do you nibble on sugary snacks many times throughout the day, or do you usually just havedessert after dinner? Damaging acids form in your mouth every time you eat a sugary snack. The acids continue to affect your teeth for at least 20 minutes before they are neutralized and can’t do any more harm. So, the more times you eat sugary snacks during the day, the more often you feed bacteria the fuel they need to cause tooth decay.

If you eat sweets, it’s best to eat them as dessert after a main meal instead of several times a day between meals. Whenever you eat sweets — in anymeal or snack — brush your teeth well with a fluoride toothpaste afterward.

When you’re deciding about snacks, think about:

• the number of times a day you eat sugary snacks
• how long the sugary food stays in your mouth
• the texture of the sugary food (chewy? sticky?)

If you snack after school, before bedtime, or other times during the day, choose something without a lot of sugar or fat. There are lots of tasty, filling snacks that are less harmful to your teeth — and the rest of your body — than foods loaded with sugars and low in nutritional value. Snack smart!

Low-fat choices like raw vegetables, fresh fruits, or whole-grain crackers or bread are smart choices. Eating the right foods can help protect you from tooth decay and other diseases. Next time you reach for a snack, pick a food from the list inside or make up your own menu of non-sugary, low-fat snack foods from the basic food groups.

Snack Smart for Healthy Teeth

Have you heard the saying, “Ignore your teeth and they’ll go away”? It’s not a pretty thought, but it is a very true one. Our teeth and gums require daily attention, and letting your home care or dental visit routines slip can have a dramatic effect on the longevity of your teeth and the overall health of your mouth. Here, we take a look at the reasons people end up with major dental work and/or missing teeth, and help you prevent tooth decay, damage and loss through effective cleaning.
Press Release - Teeth Cleaning

Contrary to popular belief, flossing isn’t just a way to dislodge food wedged between your teeth. Regular flossing reduces cavities, gum disease and bad breath by helping to remove the bacterial film called plaque that forms along the gum line.

How To Floss Your Teeth | eHow.com

What Is the Right Way to Brush?
Proper brushing takes at least two minutes — that’s right, 120 seconds! Most adults do not come close to brushing that long. To get a feel for the time involved, try using a stopwatch. To properly brush your teeth, use short, gentle strokes, paying extra attention to the gumline, hard-to-reach back teeth and areas around fillings, crowns or other restoration. Concentrate on thoroughly cleaning each section as follows:Clean the outer surfaces of your upper teeth, then your lower teeth

Clean the inner surfaces of your upper teeth, then your lower teeth
Clean the chewing surfaces
For fresher breath, be sure to brush your tongue, too

Brushing Teeth - Proper Techniques for Brushing Your Teeth

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