Great articles on teeth and dental issues

Here are some links I've been posting on my Facebook page.

They'll provide you with good information and interesting articles on Teeth in the News, dental technology, getting your children to love brushing their teeth, and much more.

(1)

NASCAR female driver Danica Patrick is a driving force behind “Healthy Mouth Movement,” a campaign to promote dental health care with a special focus on veterans.

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2016/09/15/nascars-danica-patrick-gets-behind-wheel-dental-health-campaign.html


(2)

Colorado dentist explains the advantages of today's dental veneers.

https://newswire.net/newsroom/pr/00093553-why-todays-veneers-are-better.html


(3)

Brushing your teeth correctly, especially right before going to bed, will save you a lot of pain and expense.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/this-is-how-you-should-really-brush-your-teeth-a7337341.html


(4)


About 42,000 years ago, the Neanderthals — the stocky cousins of modern humans — fashioned tiny jewelry beads from animal teeth, shells and ivory, a new study finds.

The finding is momentous, as it suggests that Neanderthals could engage in symbolic expression — the ability to make art — before they went extinct about 30,000 years ago, the researchers said.

http://www.livescience.com/56268-neanderthals-made-jewelry-beads.html


(5)

Menopause affects your gums, teeth, and saliva, due to hormone changes. Check out these tips on how to ensure oral health during menopause.

http://home.bt.com/lifestyle/health/wellness/9-ways-to-keep-teeth-and-gums-healthy-during-the-menopause-11364101020779


(6)

"Mimi is one of 20 children who underwent baby tooth root canals, or pulpotomies, at Children’s Dental Group in recent months who have developed suspected mycobacterial infections. Initial testing has implicated the office’s water system, which has been shut down and must be replaced."

Personally, I'm not so sure the water system is to blame.

There is a medication that is applied to root canal areas to keep them disinfected. Either they weren't applying it or it was past the expiration date and was not potent enough. This might be the real reason for the infections.

http://www.mercurynews.com/2016/09/27/7-year-old-california-girl-loses-teeth-part-of-jaw-bone-after-dental-infection-outbreak/


(7)

A recent study revealed that the teeth of decades-old hippo skeletons hold information about Africa’s changing plant life and could model the further decline of elephant populations and savanna ecosystems.

http://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2016/09/hippo-teeth-savanna/501611/


(8)

As per the Pew Charitable Trusts, more than 2/3 of the American population face crucial challenges in getting access to dental care, lack of dental insurance policy, insufficient and limited dental care providers, prohibitive cost and transportation and mobility issues.

As the policymakers throughout the country look forward to understand the issues and act against them, the average person is still confused about what to do and what not to do.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sam-cohen/dental-health-issues-to-w_b_11885164.html


(9)

Teeth Whitening can be harmful if an untrained, or unprofessional person performs the treatment.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-37382940

(10)

“I always encourage people to get electric toothbrushes,” says Valerie Martins, DMD, a board-certified periodontist with a private practice in Beverly, MA.

“They are the best.” Why? Martins compares the two to cleaning the floor with either a Hoover vacuum or a broom. Electric brushes oscillate faster, moving water and toothpaste at greater speeds—which makes them more effective at removing plaque, she says.

These brushes also keep you from over-brushing. Plus, they time you (so that you’re really brushing for a full two minutes), buzzing every 30 seconds or so to alert you to switch sections in your mouth.

Try brushes from Oral-B or Sonicare, suggests Martins.

(11)

Are you really brushing your teeth correctly?

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2016/09/23/6-mistakes-youre-making-every-time-brush-your-teeth.html

(12)

Is it logical to remove a wisdom tooth that doesn't exhibit any symptoms?

http://www.hudsonstarobserver.com/news/4122005-still-little-evidence-removal-symptom-free-wisdom-teeth

(13)

You may decide not to use this list as your sole criteria for selecting dental health products, but here are the non-prescription, consumer items that have the ADA American Dental Association seal of approval.

http://www.ada.org/en/science-research/ada-seal-of-acceptance/ada-seal-shopping-list

(14) 

Do you make any of these 8 Bathroom Mistakes?

#2 = You store your toothbrush in the medicine cabinet.

http://www.housebeautiful.co.uk/lifestyle/cleaning/a836/dirty-bathroom-mistakes/

(15)

More than half of opioids prescribed to patients following surgical tooth extraction – such as the removal of impacted wisdom teeth – were left unused by patients, research shows. 

The authors say the surplus is troubling given the ongoing opioid epidemic and evidence showing that individuals who abuse prescription opioids often use leftover pills that were prescribed for friends or family members.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160922161235.htm

(16)

Fans of the show regularly comment on the appearance of the people that appear and seem to always make the same connection: "Why does every guest on Jeremy Kyle have bad teeth?"

But today's guest Vicky, sent the Twittersphere into meltdown as she appeared on the show with an unhealthy looking set of gnashers.

One begged the show to bring on a dentist: "Dentist badly needed on Jeremy Kyle show # feelinsick"

http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/jeremy-kyle-viewers-beg-show-8896002

ADA Annual Dental Meeting 2015

Looking back over our accomplishments during the past year, I'm grateful for many things.

I have deep appreciation for my patients, staff, schools, and colleagues that have made our success as a dental practice possible.

 One highlight occurred toward the end of the year.

Our staff attended the American Dental Association (ADA) Annual Dental Meeting in Washington D.C. November 11-15, 2015. 

ADA 2015 is the premier event for dentists and dental professionals who are looking for the highest quality, most innovative and effective continuing education to improve patient care.

Thousands of dentists and dental workers attend these annual meetings, which impart the most advanced information and showcase the latest dental technology.

Founded in 1859, the not-for-profit American Dental Association is the nation's largest dental association, representing more than 157,000 dentist members.

Since then, the ADA has grown to become the leading source of oral health related information for dentists and their patients. The ADA is committed to its members and to the improvement of oral health for the public.

It's amazing to see the rapid progress of high tech dentistry and James Lynn Davis Dentistry aims to stay at the forefront of ADA approved innovations.

Each staff member attended continuing education courses designed to learn the latest information to help our patients. Topics of interest included nutrition, aiding patients with decreasing saliva causing dry mouth, and preventing cavities in high risk patients.

There were nationally known experts speaking and over 550 exhibitors from all over the world presenting the latest advances in technology.

Our office purchased several items including an advanced light curing unit to speed the placement of white fillings and a new intra-oral scanner to take digital impressions of teeth.

I'm delighted to say that our entire staff was highly motivated to learn. We all had fun as we learned. This new, state of the art knowledge will result in better ways of helping serve you and your family as patients.

P.S. Big Thanks to our local Peoria, IL federal judge, Honorable James Shadid, who amazed us by arranging for dental assistant Cathy, my wife Susan, and I to visit the Supreme Court for a guided tour. It was impressive and I learned that they hear only about 80 cases out of 10,000 per year.

Now, the Supreme Court is no longer an abstraction, but a real and living reality that we were fortunate enough to experience personally. It makes you feel more connected to the nation's inner workings.

Cupcake Toothpaste, Teeth Grinding, Mouth Guards & 15 Other Dental News Items - Dec. 2015

(1) Will cupcake flavored toothpaste get your child to brush for the  recommended 2 minutes, twice a day?



(2) If you suspect that you may be grinding your teeth as you sleep, I can do a quick check-up to determine if it's true.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/well-good/teach-me/74789044/how-teethgrinding-can-harm-your-health



(3) For the most pressing medical issue facing the NFL today—head injuries—a mouthguard acts as an early warning system.

http://www.wired.com/2015/12/how-the-humble-mouthguard-will-help-football-get-safer/


(4) Candy Canes. Hot Cocoa. Gingerbread Cookies. Sweets overload this holiday season? Hermey the Elf, Dental Do Gooder, can help with that!

"Have You Been Naughty or Nice With Your Teeth?"

http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/babies-and-kids/holiday-healthy-teeth-tips



(5) Hermey the Elf shows kids how important it is to care for their teeth in these fun, holiday coloring pages.

http://www.mouthhealthykids.org/en/activity-sheets/color-with-hermey



(6) WHAT IF YOU HAD ANIMAL TEETH? takes children on a fun, informative, and imaginative journey as they explore what it would be like if their own front teeth were replaced by those of a different animal.

Featuring a dozen animals (beaver, great white shark, narwhal, elephant, rattlesnake, naked mole rat, hippopotamus, crocodile, and more), this book explores how different teeth are especially adapted for an animal's survival.

At the end of the book, children will discover why their own teeth are just right for them. And they'll also get a friendly reminder to take good care of their teeth, because they're the only teeth they'll ever have.

Each spread features a photograph of the animal using its specialized teeth on the left and a humorous illustrated image of a child using that animal's teeth on the right.

http://www.amazon.com/What-You-Had-Animal-Teeth/dp/0545484383/



(7) Using sugary mints to mask bad breath is a bad idea. I recall when you could buy little bottles of peppermint oil at any grocery store, to squirt into your mouth. I don't know why they vanished.

But here are some herbal alternatives for fresh breath, plus foods that improve your overall body pleasantness.

https://sg.style.yahoo.com/post/134710912833/25-foods-that-make-you-instantly-sexier



(8) Prevention and early detection can help avoid pain, trouble eating, difficulty speaking and school absences.

“When people are beginning to do their pediatrician checks to make sure their kids are school-ready, make sure teeth are part of it,” says pediatric dentist and American Dental Association spokesperson Dr. Mary Hayes.

http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/babies-and-kids/back-to-school



(9) Teeth from a cave in south China show that Homo sapiens reached China around 100,000 years ago — a time at which most researchers had assumed that our species had not trekked far beyond Africa.

“This is stunning, it’s major league,” says Michael Petraglia, an archaeologist at the University of Oxford, UK who was not involved in the research. “It’s one of the most important finds coming out of Asia in the last decade.”

http://www.nature.com/news/teeth-from-china-reveal-early-human-trek-out-of-africa-1.18566



(10) "Foods that are high in cellulose--a strong starchlike compound found in celery, carrots, and apples--act as natural abrasives, cleansing teeth and removing surface stains naturally," says Jeff Golub-Evans, D.D.S., a cosmetic dentist in New York City.

And greens such as spinach, broccoli, and lettuce contain mineral compounds that form a film over the teeth, so pigments from other foods can't stain.

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty/whiten-teeth



(11) Are you making any of these mistakes with your teeth, the jewels of your mouth?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/healthcom/20-mistakes-youre-making_b_8247584.html



(12) You may be ruining your precious teeth and not even realize it.


http://www.medicinenet.com/habits_that_wreck_your_teeth_pictures_slideshow/article.htm



(13) Why do wisdom teeth get "impacted"? What are the symptoms of an impacted wisdom tooth?

http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/conditions/wisdom-teeth/article/impacted-tooth



(14) Your teeth connect you to life via eating and society via talking and smiling. Ever wonder why your teeth come in different shapes?

http://healthyteeth.org/different-kinds-of-teeth/



(15) People are starting to realize that neglecting dental health can bring about a disaster to their overall health.

http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/09/why-dont-we-treat-teeth-like-the-rest-of-our-bodies/380703/



(16) Healthy teeth are vital to overall health. They can also be a glamour status symbol to some people.

http://nymag.com/scienceofus/2015/06/why-is-america-obsessed-perfect-teeth.html



(17) I hate to have to say it, but soda is incredibly bad news for teeth. More and more research is showing this to be true.

http://www.cosmopolitan.com/health-fitness/news/a50116/diet-coke-harms-teeth/



(18) Illinois House approves greater role for dental assistants.

http://www.rebootillinois.com/2015/12/03/editors-picks/mark-fitton/illinois-house-expands-dental-care-bids-farewell-to-frank-mautino/49732/



(19) They had to chase Burge. When they caught up with him, he had hid items he stole from the store in his pants.

They found he had steaks, a bottle of Advil PM -- and a Crest Teeth Whitening Kit.

http://wnct.com/2015/12/03/kinston-police-say-repeat-criminal-stole-teeth-whitening-kit-steaks/



(20) Diabetics have special issues with dental care. They are twice as likely to lose teeth.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/tooth-loss-is-higher-among-people-with-diabetes/

Teeth Care for Kids VIDEO

Sit down with your kids and watch this instructional cartoon video together. It teaches children about baby teeth and the importance of teeth.

Adventures of Wiggly Tooth VIDEO about baby teeth

This cartoon video entertains as it educates your children about baby teeth falling out.

Tips on Adjusting to Your New Partial Dentures

Partials are a type of denture that do not replace all your teeth, but act as a way to preserve remaining teeth, support your jaw integrity, and make smiling and chewing a lot better.

Pulling teeth is an extreme measure that should not be taken lightly. Whenever possible, a good dentist will try to save your remaining teeth, even if you have lost quite a few.

If any dentist tells you he or she has to pull all your bottom teeth, or any other extreme and expensive procedure, warning bells should go off in your head. ALWAYS get a 2nd or 3rd opinion. I can't stress this enough.

Your new partials will feel a bit strange at first. You may even think, "What have I done? This is kind of awkward getting used to." That's normal.

You've got some new hardware in your mouth. Chewing and talking will seem slightly odd at first.

But within a very short time, you'll get used to your partial dentures, popping them in and out of your mouth, and chewing up your favorite foods like before. Plus, you'll have a lot more confidence in smiling and talking.

Here is some advice on getting used to your partials.

(1) You will have more saliva production in your mouth for a brief amount of time. This will end soon.

(2) You will probably notice that food seems to stick to the partials, making you think you've got big gobs of cuisine jammed in them. It feels that way, but there will be far less food stuck in them that it feels like. Just pop them out, rinse out your mouth and rinse the partials, then pop them back in.

When convenient, brush and floss your remaining teeth and brush the partials, too, before popping them back in.

(3) Avoid dining in restaurants for a few days or weeks. You need to get adjusted to chewing with your partials before you'll want to eat in a public place.

Also -- avoid sticky foods and foods that require a lot of strenuous chewing at first. Go with softer cuisine. Cut up small sections and take your time getting used to eating your food.

(4) Keep telling yourself, "I have modern technology in my mouth now. I will be patient. Soon it will be no big deal and everything will be back to normal."

(5) Follow all instructions from your dentist.

(6) If your partials seem to not fit right after a few days, or there's a pinching when you pop them out, tell your dentist. He or she can probably get you in quickly to make some minor adjustments to increase your comfort and perfect the fit.

(7) NEVER use toothpaste or any abrasive cleansing agent to clean your partials. A mild liquid soap or dishwashing detergent, like Dawn, will be fine.

(8) Keep your partials away from pets like dogs or cats, because they may try to chew and eat them.

(9) Rinse off and gently brush your partials in cool water, NEVER hot water.

(10) Have a rubber mat or cloth towel in the sink, under your partials, as you clean them, to cushion their fall  in case you drop them.

(11) Take your partial dentures out every night before you go to bed. This will allow your gums to get air.

(12) NEVER force your partials into place by biting down or clenching your jaws. They should slip in and out with relative ease.

(13) Wear your partials a lot, especially at first, so possible problems can be more quickly identified.

(14) Avoid bending or breaking your partials.

(15) Store them in a glass of cool water overnight.

(16) If you have a bit of difficulty speaking clearly, practice reading a book or making a speech out loud to adjust your mouth to the new hardware in it.

(17) NEVER try to adjust or repair your partials by yourself. You could end up ruining them. Have only the dentist who fitted you for them do the adjusting or repairing.

(18) Never loan your partials to another person. [Okay, this is just a joke. I hope!]

Keep these tips in mind and you'll be on your way to full satisfaction with your new partial dentures!

How the Kavo DIAGNOdent Cavity Detector Works

I'm using a new technology that finds hidden cavities before they become major problems. It's the Kavo DIAGNOdent pen. It's a good example of high tech dentistry.

Kavo explains how the cavity detector pen works:

QUOTE

"The DIAGNOdent hand-held caries detection operates at a wavelength of 655 nm. At this specific wavelength, clean healthy tooth structure exhibits little or no fluorescence, resulting in very low scale readings on the display.

However, carious tooth structure will exhibit fluorescence, proportionate to the degree of caries, resulting in elevated scale readings on the display of the DIAGNOdent, enabling the practitioner to provide a more accurate dental caries treatment plan.

An audio signal allows the operator to hear changes in the scale values. This enables the focus to be on the patient, not solely on the device."

http://www.kavousa.com/US/DIAGNOdent/Classic/Benefits.aspx

END QUOTE

You see, fluoridation of water and toothpaste has many benefits, but one downside is that tooth enamel is harder. Thus, cavity-causing bacteria is now sneaking deep down below the tooth surface, where it's much more difficult to detect.

We end up with fewer cavities, but the cavities that do occur are more secretive. They can do a lot more damage in their clandestine condition. By the time we can detect them with old fashioned methods, a lot of trouble has already been created.

Not anymore. With the Kavo DIAGNOdent cavity detector, we can find these hidden cavities and make better decisions about stained grooves in teeth. You get dental diagnostics that are far more accurate.

Kavo states: "Dentists often experience anxiety when attempting to diagnose the phenomenon known as hidden caries. A suspicious-looking tooth presents a treatment dilemma for dentists. Should the tooth be opened up? What if no caries is found? Should the tooth just be watched, or does that give caries more time to destroy the tooth's surface?"

With the high tech DIAGNOdent tool, we don't have to probe and scratch at your teeth to look for cavities, which for many patients was uncomfortable. All we do is insert the DIAGNOdent pen gently into your mouth, scan the teeth, and we're done.

No x-rays are needed in this process.

It's fast. It's safe. And it's extremely effective. The precision and reliability of cavity detection has reached a whole new level of sophistication.

Kavo states: "In a study conducted by Dr. Lussi of Berne University, Switzerland, general practitioners correctly diagnosed hidden fissure areas by visual inspection in only 57% of all cases. The same group achieved an impressive success rate of 90% with the DIAGNOdent. In fact, DIAGNOdent was far more accurate than any other method in the study including bitewing X-rays."

Early detection of cavities is an enormous benefit for patients, reducing future costs and helping to preserve teeth. The absolute last thing we want to do is pull a tooth out. Any dentist who is eager to extract a tooth is a dentist you may need to worry about. Only in extreme cases should a tooth be removed.

Kavo DIAGNOdent cavity detection can mean you keep more of your teeth. Think about how great that is.

To the best of my knowledge, and I have searched on Google for "kavo diagnodent dentists peoria il" (you can do this, too), I am one of the only dentists in the Peoria area who is using this new technology. As best I can determine, there are only a few of us using it currently.

Visiting a dentist can be somewhat uncomfortable for some people. I try my best to use patient-centered, high tech, and affordable procedures that result in the best smile you've ever had.

Children's Dental Health Week on Jack Paar Show VIDEO

Watch the President of the American Dental Association explain Children's Dental Health Week in this public service announcement. You can't stress enough the importance of teaching your kids good dental hygiene.

Hobbit Teeth, Brushing in the Dark, and other teeth news

(1)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/denisovans-molars-1.3318432

Scientists have uncovered new information about the Denisovans, a mysterious group of human relatives that interbred with ancient humans in Asia.

The Denisovans had very large and unusual teeth, unlike those of humans or Neanderthals, reports an international team from Germany, Canada and Russia.

While individuals have different tooth sizes, finding two teeth this large from two different, unrelated individuals suggests "the whole group probably had very large and weird teeth."

They also likely had a very large and robust jaw to support such long tooth roots. But aside from that, we know nothing about what they looked like.



(2)

Check out this Hobbit Human Teeth slideshow.

http://news.discovery.com/human/evolution/hobbit-human-teeth-reveal-surprising-history-photos-151118.htm



(3)

Teeth in the news again, and once again, it's sports related.

Sports, technology, and archaeology seem to be among the highest volume generators of newsworthy teeth topics.

http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2015/11/18/9755016/alex-poythress-kentucky-alley-oop-duke-teeth-stuck-in-net-video



(4)

Watch what occurs to your teeth when you consume soft drinks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJlDx2Nf1zc



(5)

Is "Light Accelerated Teeth Whitening" actually more effective?

http://www.instyle.com/news/teeth-whitening-kits-instagram



(6)

 Teeth whitening can have hidden dangers, if the one doing it is not properly informed and qualified.

http://masterherald.com/teeth-whitening-is-perfectly-safe-if-carried-out-by-a-qualified-professional-but-can-cause-damage-to-the-teeth-and-gums-if-done-by-unqualified-people/30796/



(7)

Why do some people get more cavities than others?

https://www.yahoo.com/health/some-people-get-cavities-more-than-others-heres-119282531022.html



(8)

Tips for How To Quit Cigarettes

http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/quit-smoking-slideshow



(9)

Wolfing down your meal prevents you from really tasting it. When a dog does that, we like to say, "Did you taste any of it?"

http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/11/10/455475805/mechanics-of-eating-why-youll-miss-flavor-if-you-scarf-your-food



(10)

The germs that cause cavities in baby teeth can lead to cavities in permanent teeth, affecting your child's smile and overall health for a lifetime. Baby teeth need to be babied.

http://www.spokesman.com/sponsored/2015/nov/04/12-reasons-why-you-need-baby-your-baby-teeth/



(11)

As a high tech dentist, I use only what has been proven safe and effective in clinical trials. But the dental technology realm is exploding just like many other fields, as science advances inexorably.

http://news.usc.edu/88721/how-to-eliminate-pain-associated-with-tooth-decay/

From the article:

Dual discoveries at USC propose a promising method to regrow nonliving hard tissue, lessening or even eliminating pain associated with tooth decay, which the National Institutes of Health calls the most prevalent chronic disease.

Janet Moradian-Oldak, a professor at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, has investigated methods to regrow tooth enamel for the past two decades. The process is especially tricky because unlike bone, mature enamel cannot rejuvenate. Tooth enamel is a nonliving tissue.

The a-ha moment came Oct. 22 when, in collaboration with lead author Sauma Prajapati of USC and other colleagues, she published a study in the Biomaterials journal saying matrix metalloproteinase-20, an enzyme found only in teeth, chops up amelogenin proteins, which facilitate organized enamel crystal formation. MMP-20 clears the way for hard material to usurp vacated space.

Her team is the first to define the function of an enzyme for preventing protein occlusion inside a crystal, she said.



(12)

Sometimes a new dental technology arises, but a practicing dentist must wait to see if something is scientifically proven by unbiased clinical studies, and not rush into every new trend.

http://www.engadget.com/2015/11/09/dental-cavity-regrow-procedure/

Scientists in Britain have developed a new procedure dubbed EAER, or "Electrically Assisted Enhanced Remineralisation," that can repair a slightly decayed tooth before a deep cavity forms.

The supposedly painless procedure involves cleaning (not drilling) the tooth of any signs of mild decay, then flushing it with minerals and stimulating it with an electric pulse.

This pushes the minerals into the deepest part of the lesion and speeds up a naturally occurring process called "remineralization".

This is where minerals in your saliva and some foods enter the tooth enamel and make it stronger.



(13)

Does smoking in your home cause your children to get more cavities?

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2015/10/30/kids-get-more-cavities-when-live-with-smokers.html



(14)

Get better sleep by brushing your teeth in the dark at night.

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/wellness/a35450/brush-teeth-in-the-dark/



(15)

Vermont’s deer hunting rifle season begins on Saturday morning.

This year, the Department of Fish and Wildlife is asking hunters to send them the middle incisor teeth of deer that are killed.

Middle incisor tooth is the standard for aging deer, says Deer Project Leader Nick Fortin. The teeth are sent to a lab, which cross section them and determine the age. It’s similar to counting the rings on a tree, Fortin explained.

http://digital.vpr.net/post/hunters-asked-collect-teeth-department-studies-deer-population#stream/0

Installing Your Partial Dentures VIDEO

Here's a good video on how partial dentures are prepared.

Don't Wolf Down Your Food

As a dentist, I keep in touch with the whole realm of teeth, jaws, eating, speaking and related issues. Scarfing down a meal too quickly is a topic that caught my eye recently.

Wolfing down your food, like a dog who barely chews anything, "inhaling" it without tasting much, is actually harmful from several perspectives.

From a dental point of view, you need to give your teeth and jaws the exercise of chewing.

To just bite off a chunk, chomp on it a few times, then gulp it down with a swig of milk, is not a good way to dine. You need to properly masticate, chew thoroughly, your food so it's easy for your digestive system to process what you consume.

Slamming through a plate of cuisine is also preventing you from fully experiencing the aroma and other qualities of your food. Plus, fast eaters tend to eat more than slow eaters, and tend to gain too much weight.

There's an interesting research study on this subject.

http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/11/10/455475805/mechanics-of-eating-why-youll-miss-flavor-if-you-scarf-your-food

Teeth Whitening Does Not Replace Brushing

Today's tooth whitening products are capable of giving you a beautiful white smile. However, tooth whitening is not equal to tooth brushing. Learn how brushing your teeth twice a day helps remove food particles and plaque that can cause tooth decay. Be sure to schedule regular visits with your dentist to keep a healthy smile for a lifetime.

Teeth in the News for Early November 2015

Here are some interesting news item links related to teeth and dental health that were posted in early November 2015.

(1)

25% of working age adults are unemployed in Greece.

Even with their entitlement mentality, their dental needs were underserved. Now Greece is one of the most unhealthy nations on earth.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/childrens-dental-problems-are-the-latest-sign-of-greeces-decay_563b7532e4b0307f2cac4280


(2)

What's the difference between plaque and tartar? 

How many teeth am I supposed to have? 

What does the inside of a tooth look like?

http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/picture-of-the-teeth

(3) 

Your body gives you hints that something's not right. 

Do you have any of these low-key indicators of potential dental problems? 

Catch tooth and gum issues them early -- and treatment will tend to be more comfortable and less costly.

http://www.local10.com/news/health/subtle-signs-of-dental-problems/35582304

(4)

Compassionate, competent dentists do exist. I enjoy seeing news articles about my colleagues who are helping to improve the world.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/downers-grove/news/ct-dgr-dentist-artist-tl-0924-20150916-story.html

(5)

Victoria's Secret model turns wisdom tooth into gold pendant.

http://www.etonline.com/news/175597_behati_prinsloo_dips_wisdom_tooth_gold_wears_it/

(6)

Health insurance often treats dental coverage as not very important.

http://www.bradenton.com/news/local/health-care/article43722282.html

(7)

Rotting teeth of babies is a big concern all over the world. 

Here's the problem being faced in Australia.

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/kids-as-young-as-18-months-needing-rotten-teeth-pulled-because-of-bad-decay-20151013-gk817r.html

(8)

Baby's have very thin enamel on their teeth, so they can get cavities quite easily. Many parents are not aware of how vulnerable their infant's teeth are.

http://www.chieftain.com/life/health/3964357-120/teeth-health-tips-baby?

(9)

Current day rats are cute compared to ancient rats with teeth 10 times larger!

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/technology-science/science/terrifying-ancient-super-rats-huge-6783071

(10)

Some points to keep in mind regarding teeth bleaching.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/2015/10/09/things/yI7bkwDzIRUJQSDAxCb0WJ/story.html

(11)

Glistening on the pebble-strewn bottom, in shades ranging from deep blue to black, the teeth are everywhere you look. 

The largest are nearly two inches long, and the smallest so tiny you can barely pick them up.

This particular spot, perhaps 20 feet long, sits below a small Sepulga River waterfall near Evergreen, Alabama. It ranks among the most fossil-rich places in the United States.

http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2015/11/scuba_diving_scientists_find_s.html

(12)

Oral health can ward off Alzheimer's dementia.

More reasons to keep your mouth clean and healthy all during your life, and especially as you age.

http://davisdentaldiary.blogspot.com/2015/10/oral-bacteria-linked-to-alzheimers.html

(13)

Here's a bird being a dental hygienist, giving a fellow creature a teeth cleaning.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/11976883/Just-a-check-up-Bird-acts-as-dentist-to-clean-giraffes-teeth.html

(14)

10 myths about brushing and flossing.

http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/616343/How-do-you-floss-teeth-brushing

(15)

What's the big deal about gum disease? 

How do I know if I have it? 

What happens if I don't get it treated?

http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/g/gum-disease

Challenging Smile Fix for a Bride To Be VIDEO

A wonderful story about a woman, about to get married, who had bad teeth, but will be corrected by a compassionate dentist on The Doctors TV show. Very nice.

2 Minutes Twice A Day VIDEO

This video helps you motivate your children to practice good oral health habits.

It's nice to have tools like this for educating our kids. Good dental hygiene will be their protector as they age into mature adults. They'll thank you for taking the time to show them videos like this and explaining why a good smile gives self esteem, more romantic options, and popularity.

Dental Make Over Surprise VIDEO

A heart warming video on how a woman got her teeth fixed, so that they look beautiful and natural. Her face had been sunken in, making her look a lot older than she really was. A procedure that costs $60,000 to $80,000 normally, "the biggest make over ever!" -- done for no charge.

Tooth Fairy Teaches Kids Dental Hygiene VIDEO

Here's a cute little video Public Service Announcement for kids, to help teach them the importance of brushing and flossing. In the "2 minutes, twice a day" themed video series. Your children will look back and thank you for instilling good dental hygiene habits in them. That is a precious gift that you as a parent have given. It will accompany them throughout their lives, making them more self-confident, happier, and healthier overall.

Times Are Tough, But Keep Your Teeth Healthy Anyway

I recently read that the national unemployment rate for September was 5.1%. But the percentage of working age people (25-65) that are actually employed is only at 62.5%.

That means that more than one out of three adults is not working.

And many people are:

• underemployed, working part-time
• underpaid for their education and/or experience 
• working in a lower paid occupation, not in keeping with what their education or experience warrants. 
• not counted as being unemployed because they've given up looking for work. 

In Peoria it was listed that the unemployment rate for September 2015 was 5.7% vs. 7% for September 2014.

It also stated that there were 2,600 less people employed since September of 2014. That means that many have either given up or moved away.

With the recent news of Caterpillar cutting thousands of jobs and Mitsubishi closing in Bloomington there well be less people employed locally. Obviously, there will be less disposable income or money for restaurants, movies, entertainment, etc.

Some people will skip going to the dentist to save money.

Our office tries to help our patients in our practice that have lost their jobs.

(1) Patients can ask our hygienists if it is possible for them to have their teeth cleaned every nine months instead of the usual six month interval.

(2) Sometimes, we can patch a broken tooth with a large filling, instead of restoring the tooth with a full crown. The tooth can be preserved and hopefully in the future the economy will improve and the patient saves the tooth. 

(3) For some families our office has done dentistry at reduced usual and customary fees and sometimes we have done dentistry for family members at no charge. We can usually work a plan to help our patients keep their teeth and have good oral health.

(4) We also have local service agencies that can help especially for children and emergency dental care. I have volunteered my time at various agencies in Peoria and continue to assist the needy.

(5) You may qualify for monthly payments via our CareCredit program.

Most people want to keep a healthy smile and people who have a good looking smile feel better and look better.

They also will be more apt to be hired versus someone who shows missing teeth when smiling or talking.

Your oral health is important to us.

Eventually, the economy will improve and people’s income and lives will improve.

I look forward to helping you keep a good healthy smile, regardless of your current financial situation.

All About Baby Teeth and more dental health news

Here's a roundup of interesting recent news items related to dental issues.



(1) "Everything You Need to Know About Baby Teeth"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrew-swiatowicz/everything-you-need-to-know-about-baby-teeth_b_8277752.html




(2) "Dentist Asks Kids to Give Back Halloween Candy To Help a Good Cause"

http://wtkr.com/2015/10/13/dentists-office-asks-kids-to-give-back-their-candy-for-a-good-cause/




(3) Did the people of doomed Pompeii have better dental health than we do?

http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/04/health/roman-sugar-healthy-teeth/




(4) "Water Pick or Floss?"

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/dental-floss/faq-20058112




(5) "Dentistry not covered in Obamacare, but needs to be included"

http://www.buffalonews.com/opinion/another-voice/another-voice-aging-nation-needs-to-focus-more-on-dental-care-20151013




(6) "Best and Worst Foods for Healthy Teeth"

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/living/health-family/article40649997.html




(7) "Debunking 10 Popular Myths About Children's Teeth"

http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/609471/Children-dental-care-truths-myths





(8) "Good Oral Health Gets Harder As We Get Older"

http://www.northernstar.com.au/news/oral-health-for-seniors/2789050/





(9) Newborns who breathe tobacco smoke are 50% more likely to suffer poor dental health.

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/oct/21/passive-smoking-babies-doubles-risk-later-tooth-decay




(10)  Discovery of 47 teeth in Chinese cave changes picture of human migration out of Africa.

http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-human-teeth-china-cave-20151014-story.html

Oral bacteria linked to Alzheimer's

We all dread becoming senile when we get old. It's a very sad and tragic health problem.

But by keeping your teeth and mouth healthy, you may be able to prevent or at least greatly delay the onset of cognitive impairments like Alzheimer's.

An article in the Journal of Oral Microbiology states that oral infections can be a potential contributing factor to the onset of dementia or Alzheimer's disease.

http://www.journaloforalmicrobiology.net/index.php/jom/article/view/29143

QUOTE

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a scourge of longevity that will drain enormous resources from public health budgets in the future. 

Currently, there is no diagnostic biomarker and/or treatment for this most common form of dementia in humans. 

AD can be of early familial-onset or sporadic with a late-onset. Apart from the two main hallmarks, amyloid-beta and neurofibrillary tangles, inflammation is a characteristic feature of AD neuropathology. Inflammation may be caused by a local central nervous system insult and/or by peripheral infections. 

Numerous microorganisms are suspected in AD brains ranging from bacteria (mainly oral and non-oral Treponema species), viruses (herpes simplex type I), and yeasts (Candida species). 

A causal relationship between periodontal pathogens and non-oral Treponema species of bacteria has been proposed via the amyloid-beta and inflammatory links. Periodontitis constitutes a peripheral oral infection that can provide the brain with intact bacteria and virulence factors and inflammatory mediators due to daily, transient bacteremias. 

If and when genetic risk factors meet environmental risk factors in the brain, disease is expressed, in which neurocognition may be impacted, leading to the development of dementia. 

To achieve the goal of finding a diagnostic biomarker and possible prophylactic treatment for AD, there is an initial need to solve the etiological puzzle contributing to its pathogenesis. 

This review therefore addresses oral infection as the plausible etiology of late-onset AD (LOAD).

.......

As for diagnostic biomarkers, increased antibody levels to specific oral pathogens in particular to P. gingivalis may be used as a monitoring tool years before clinical manifestation of AD. This is important because treatment will probably have to start early.

END QUOTE

The importance of good dental hygiene and oral health hits home when we consider how keep our mouths clean and free of infections can have an impact on our mental health and cognitive functioning as we age.

Dentistry Today provides this information about oral infections and their link to dementia issues.

QUOTE

Severe systemic fungal infections have dramatically increased among the elderly during the past 30 years, the researchers noted. 

Oral yeasts can be found in periodontal pockets and root canals, as well as on the mucosae and underneath dentures. 

Also, fungal molecules including proteins and polysaccharides were detected in peripheral blood serum. Fungal proteins and DNA were demonstrated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the brain tissue of AD patients as well.

END QUOTE