Benefits of Flouride Treatment

Dental Health and Fluoride Treatment

Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in many foods and water. Every day, minerals are added to and lost from a tooth’s enamel layer through two processes, demineralization and remineralization. Minerals are lost (demineralization) from a tooth’s enamel layer when acids — formed from plaque bacteria and sugars in the mouth — attack the enamel. Minerals such as fluoride, calcium, and phosphate are redeposited (remineralization) to the enamel layer from the foods and waters consumed. Too much demineralization without enough remineralization to repair the enamel layer leads to tooth decay. Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by making the tooth more resistant to acid attacks from plaque bacteria and sugars in the mouth. It also reverses early decay. In children under six years of age, fluoride becomes incorporated into the development of permanent teeth, making it difficult for acids to demineralize the teeth. Fluoride also helps speed remineralization as well as disrupts acid production in already erupted teeth of both children and adults.

In What Forms Is Fluoride Available?

As mentioned, fluoride is found in foods and in water. It can also be directly applied to the teeth through fluoridated toothpastes and mouth rinses. Mouth rinses containing fluoride in lower strengths are available over-the-counter; stronger concentrations require a doctor’s prescription.

A dentist in his or her office can also apply fluoride to the teeth as a gel, foam, or varnish. These treatments contain a much higher level of fluoride than the amount found in toothpastes and mouth rinses. Varnishes are painted on the teeth; foams are put into a mouth guard, which is applied to the teeth for 1 to 4 minutes; gels can be painted on or applied via a mouth guard.
Fluoride supplements are also available as liquids and tablets and must be prescribed by your dentist, pediatrician, or family doctor.

When Is Fluoride Intake Most Critical?

It is certainly important for infants and children between the ages of 6 months and 16 years to be exposed to fluoride. This is the timeframe during which the primary and permanent teeth come in. However, adults benefit from fluoride too. New research indicates that topical fluoride — from toothpastes, mouth rinses, and fluoride treatments — are as important in fighting tooth decay as in strengthening developing teeth.

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3 Healthy Habits This Winter

December can be the hardest month of the year to maintain healthy habits. Holiday parties, the change in temperature, the constant presence of goodies, the busyness of holiday preparations and gift buying can all make it difficult to stick to healthy routines. Below we have listed a number of healthy habits. We encourage you to pick three of these habits or make up your own healthy habits to focus on in the month of December. You can share your three picks in the comment section here or on our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/#!/ Research has demonstrated that sharing your health goals can help to keep you accountable and focusing on small changes in health habits can make a great difference.

Healthy Habits
Floss once a day
Brush 2 -3 times a day
Get 7 – 8 hours of rest each night
Stay hydrated throughout your day
Drink green tea daily
Take a multivitamin daily
Eat 5 – 9 fruits and veggies each day
Keep a food journal of everything you eat each day
Exercise portion control at holiday events
Perform weight resistance exercises 2 – 3 times per week
Do a cardio workout 3 – 6 times per week
Try a new workout class, dvd, or game
Stretch or perform simple yoga exercises for 5 – 10 minutes per day
Make medical appointments that you have been putting off
Park further away from the entrance to work or stores
Commit to sharing chores with family members to lighten your load
Decrease holiday stress this year with a decision to buy less or shop online

Our three healthy commitments for this month are:1.To stay hydrated throughout the day 2. To exercise portion control at holiday events3. To get in 3 – 6 cardio workouts each week.
We found a great list of tools to help you meet your health goals. The list includes websites that can help track calories and health goals as well as fitness tools.

What are your three healthy commitments for the month of December? Do you have other ideas of healthy habits to share?

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Satisfy your sweet tooth this Thanksgiving!

Their candy corn plumage and shortbread wings guarantee that these irresistible Treat of the Month Turkeys will be gobbled up as soon as they land on the dessert table. Satisfy your sweet tooth this Thanksgiving!

Ingredients
-Cupcake
-Chocolate frosting
-3 oval shortbread cookies (such as Keebler Sandies Right Bites Shortbread)
-6 to 10 candy corn pieces
-White icing
-Black decorators’ gel
-Red fruit leather (such as strawberry Fruit by the Foot)
-

Instructions
1.Frost the cupcake, then press in a cookie head and 2 cookie wings.

2.Press in a row or two of candy corn tail feathers.

3.To make an eye, add a small dot of white icing to the head, then add a dot of black decorators’ gel for a pupil.

4.For a beak, cut the white tip from a piece of candy corn and press it in place.

5.To make the wattle, cut a 1-inch square of fruit leather. Roll it into a tube and stick it in place over the beak.

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Prevent Cavities for you and your family!

What causes cavities?

Cavities are the demineralized areas, or the holes, that form in teeth as a result of a bacterial infection called dental caries. The combination of bacteria and food causes tooth decay. A clear, sticky substance called plaque that contains bacteria is always forming on your teeth and gums. As the bacteria feed on the sugars in the food you eat, they make acids. The acids attack the teeth for 20 minutes or more after eating. Over a period of time, these acids destroy tooth enamel, resulting in tooth decay. This shift in bacteria is primarily cause by two things:
-Prolonged acidic oral environment: contributing factors include, a lack of saliva, and/or a sugary/acidic diet that favors acid-producing bacteria.
-Transmission: this infection is contagious! You can be infected by someone through the exchange of saliva.

Risk Factors

The most common risk factors for dental caries include:
-A family history of tooth and gum disease
-Build-up of dental plaque
-High-sugar foods
-Lack of daily brushing and flossing
-Lack of regular dental care
-Crooked teeth
-Dental bridges, braces or partial dentures
-Diabetes
-HIV infection
-Pregnancy
-Smoking

Expert Advice

-Visit a dentist who is performing “caries risk assessment”, where they evaluate whether you have factors present that can put you at risk for decay.
-Have regularly scheduled professional cleanings, exams, and perform daily brushing and flossing at home.
-Limit not only sugary/carbohydrate containing items in your diet, but also even non-sugar containing acidic beverages (diet soda, coffee, tea, sparkling water, alcohol).
-Consider the acidity (pH) of the dental products you are using. Do they neutralize your mouth? Know your pH. Don’t just brush and floss. . . neutralize!
-Xylitol is a very effective agent for limiting the acids produced by bacteria and comes in a variety of gums, wipes, sprays, rinses, toothpastes, etc.
-Using products with xylitol and an alkaline pH, in conjunction with fluoride, may be the most preventive method.
-Keep the pH in your mouth neutral especially after eating.

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Bad Breath Problems?

What causes bad breath?

85-90% of bad breath (halitosis) originates in the mouth from the growth of specific types of anaerobic bacteria. These bacteria release volatile sulfur compounds (VSC’s) during their life cycle, resulting in oral malodor. The primary cause of the growth of these bad bacteria is oral dryness. When the mouth is dry, bad breath bacteria begin to grow, primarily on the back of the tongue. Bad breath can also be caused by systemic diseases, but the incidence of such diseases being the primary cause of bad breath is infrequent.

What Health Problems Are Associated With Bad Breath?

Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth may be warning signs of gum (periodontal) disease. Gum disease is caused by the buildup of plaque on teeth. The bacteria cause toxins to form in the mouth, which irritate the gums. If gum disease continues untreated, it can damage the gums and jawbone.
Other dental causes of bad breath include poorly fitting dental appliances, yeast infections of the mouth, and dental caries.
The medical condition dry mouth (also called xerostomia) can also cause bad breath. Saliva is necessary to moisten and cleanse the mouth by neutralizing acids produced by plaque and washing away dead cells that accumulate on the tongue, gums, and cheeks. If not removed, these cells decompose and can cause bad breath. Dry mouth may be caused by the side effects of various medications, salivary gland problems, or continuous breathing through the mouth. Many other diseases and illnesses may cause bad breath. Here are some to be aware of: respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis, chronic sinus infections, postnasal drip, diabetes, and chronic acid reflux, and liver or kidney problems.

Expert Advice

-Many individuals do not know they have bad breath. Ask a trusted friend, family member, or confidant to help you identify if you have bad breath.
-Practice good oral hygiene. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to remove food debris and plaque. Brush your teeth after you eat (keep a toothbrush at work or school to brush after lunch). Don’t forget to brush your tongue, too. Replace your toothbrush every 2 to 3 months. Use floss or an interdental cleaner to remove food particles and plaque between your teeth once a day. Dentures should be removed at night and cleaned thoroughly before being placed in your mouth the next morning.
-Use an oxidizing mouth rinse to kill the bacteria.
-Keep your mouth moist by drinking lots of water, using breath sprays and gum (preferably sugar-free) to stimulate saliva flow.
-Avoid products that may cause oral dryness, such as oral rinses with alcohol.
-Stop smoking/chewing tobacco-based products. Ask your dentist for tips on kicking the habit
-If you have tried the above options and still have bad breath, talk to your dental professional about possible causes and other options for treatment.

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Meet our Team!

One of the fun features of our new blog is our “Meet the Team” posts that introduce you to the fun, friendly, and talented gals that work here at Essence of Dentistry. Today we’re talking with Dana, our full time dental hygienist who has been with our team for over 6 months now. You’ll most likely see her bright and friendly face when you come in for an appointment.

Meet Dana RDH

EofD:What compelled you to pursue a career in dentistry?
Dana: “I have always been interested with science, and I love interacting with people! Dental hygiene was the perfect fit for me!”

EofD: Where did you attend school and what did you study?
Dana: “I went to Eastern Washington University and studied to get my Bachelors of Science in Dental Hygiene.”

EofD: What are your career goals?
Dana: “To give the best quality care to each patient and keep current with new research as it becomes available.”

EofD: What role does the dental hygienist play in the dental office?
Dana: “A dental hygienist is most concerned with gum health and how it effects the rest of the body. A hygienist works closely with the dentist to give the best oral care and treatment for each individual patient.”

EofD: If you could go anywhere in the World, money not being an issue, where would you go and why?
Dana: “Fiji! I love tropical weather and have never been!”

EofD: Can you tell us something not many people know about you?
Dana: “I won a log rolling contest when I was 13!”

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It’s National Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

The American Cancer Society’s most recent estimate for breast cancer in the United States for 2011 was about 230,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer in women! If you, or someone you know is a survivor, this is the perfect time to remember how truely special life is!

Smiles for Survivors Foundation offers seven ways to reduce risk of breast cancer:
maintaining healthy teeth and gums can reduce the risk of breast cancer

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Smiles for Survivors Foundation™, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness of cancer treatment’s impact on oral health, urges women to maintain healthy teeth and gums in order to reduce the risk of breast cancer. According to a study[1], women are 11 times more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer if they have poor oral health. The American Academy of Periodontology reports that women who have oral complications such as missing teeth and gum disease are more likely to develop breast cancer than those with healthy gums and all their teeth.

Today, 40 percent of breast cancer patients suffer from oral size effects during chemotherapy and radiation treatments. “The mouth is made up of cells that normally renew themselves at a rapid pace, which can make them more vulnerable to damage by chemotherapy,” explains Dr. Olya Banchik, a Las Vegas based dentist and founder of Smiles for Survivors. She goes on to say that the following potential oral side effects may occur from cancer treatments:

- Inflammation of the membranes of the mouth
- Gum infections
- Dry mouth
- Change in sense of taste
- Oral pain
- Oral sores
- Tooth decay, such as cavities
- Gum disease

“If oral complications are left untreated, devastating oral problems can lead to slowing down or discontinuing cancer treatments,” says Banchik. “In addition, other significant complications may develop as a result, such as dehydration malnutrition, weight loss and loss of taste. Unfortunately, this is not something that’s discussed, which was a factor for establishing Smiles for Survivors.”

Through its relationships with dentists and dental specialists in Las Vegas, the non-profit also provides opportunities for breast cancer patients and survivors to receive vital dental care to restore the mouth to a healthy state. The foundation suggests that cancer patients follow these steps to avoid severe oral complications while undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatments.

- Daily oral hygiene: Incorporating dental check-ups every 6 months, using dental floss to remove plaque and brushing teeth rigorously twice a day can help to prevent oral complications, which may lead to breast cancer.

- Eating healthy. Eating certain vegetables such as, broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts, mustard greens, kale, and cauliflower, on a daily basis can keep a woman’s risk for breast cancer as low as possible.

- Adopting an active lifestyle: Integrating 4 to 5 hours of exercise per week, such as walking, swimming laps, cardio workouts or aerobics classes, is a great way to get a sustained workout.

- Maintaining a healthy weight: It is important to enter menopause at a healthy weight. Making changes to your diet and incorporating exercise on a daily basis can help to avoid weight gain.

- Limiting alcohol consumption: Women should limit their intake of alcohol to one drink per day.

- Taking high quality supplements: Incorporating 400 international units of vitamin D per day as a supplement can help fulfill one’s daily requirement. Direct sunlight exposure and eating foods rich in vitamin D, such as fatty fish and eggs, are also great options.

- Maintaining Breast Examinations: Talk to your doctor about the best cancer-screening schedule for you. Regular self-exams and mammograms, starting at age 40, are both important ways to find a breast cancer early, when it’s more likely to be treated successfully.

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women and the second most likely to take their lives. For more information on Smiles for Survivors Foundation, please visit www.smilesforsurvivors.org.

About Smiles for Survivors
Smiles for Survivors™ is a registered 501(c)3 foundation, whose mission is to support breast cancer patients and survivors. The organization works with dentists and dental specialists to provide preventative and restorative dental treatment, to educate cancer patients about potential oral side effects of chemotherapy, and to raise awareness in our community about the importance of nutrition and maintaining good oral health before, during, and after cancer treatments. Through a vetting process, Smiles for Survivors Foundation selects qualified breast cancer patients and survivors to participate in the Make Her Smile program, which provides necessary dental procedures to improve oral health. The Smiles for Survivors Foundation was established in 2010 by Dr. Olya Banchik, a Las Vegas based dentist whose own life was personally touched by the disease and whose mission it is to support the fight against this disease. More information on Smiles for Survivors Foundation can be found at www.smilesforsurvivors.org. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

[1] Study carried out by the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, British Dental Health Foundation

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Tooth sealants not only for kids!

Tooth sealants provide extra protection for your teeth if you’re susceptible to cavities or if you’re unlikely to have adequate exposure to fluoride.

While the tooth sealant covers teeth like a blanket and protects them from plaque, the purpose of sealants is not to replace a consistent oral care routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing. Brushing and flossing are still the best ways to remove plaque and help prevent tooth decay. Still, it can be difficult to remove all food particles from the depressions and grooves in the teeth—even for people who are diligent about dental care. Tooth sealants help protect these spots.

Tooth sealants are an option for all ages. Many dentists recommend sealants for children and teens because tooth decay in the pits and fissures of the teeth can begin early in life, but a dental sealant may prevent a tooth cavity in an adult’s mouth, too. If you have a reason to be especially concerned about tooth decay or if you have more than one tooth cavity, ask your dentist whether you can benefit from a sealant. Sealants usually last for several years before you need a reapplication, but you should still visit your dentist regularly for a professional cleaning and evaluation to ensure good oral health.

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Referral Bonus Program!

We want to thank everyone who has had the confidence and trust in us to refer their friends and family to our practice. So why not pay back the favor?! The team at Essence of Dentistry has come up with a fun new way to show our appreciation. For every person you refer to us, we will give you a $25 credit to use towards a dental treatment, and the person you refer will receive free bleaching trays! On top of that, for every person you refer, we will add your name into a monthly drawing for a surprise gift basket, and the GRAND PRIZE of an APPLE IPAD2 semi-yearly!!

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Volunteering in remote village of Nepal, Salleri

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