Friday, January 27, 2012

Pleasanton Dentist - Dental Exam Went Well? Thank Floride - Smiles by Design in Livermore

Dental Exam Went Well? Thank Fluoride

Yvetta Fedorova
I admit to being jealous of my sons for growing up in a time when vaccines spared them miseries like the measles, mumps and polio scares that marred my childhood. But I’m most envious of their freedom from the dental decay that forced me to spend countless miserable hours with my mouth propped open while the dentist did his best to stay on top of rapidly rotting teeth.
By my mid-20s, I had already lost one molar and all four wisdom teeth, and every remaining molar had been restored with fillings.
It’s not that I failed to brush my teeth or that I noshed constantly on sweets. It’s that my teeth lacked the protection of fluoride, which was introduced to New York City’s water supply in 1964, five years before my twin sons were born but 23 years too late for me.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls fluoridation one of the 10 most valuable public health measures of the 20th century. In the early years, rates of tooth decay among the young dropped by 60 percent in communities that adopted fluoridation. My sons, who consumed fluoridated water in reconstituted milk and orange juice as well as in tap water, completed childhood with not one cavity.
Eventually, 70 percent of the country’s towns and cities adopted this measure, at an annual cost that today ranges from 95 cents to as much as $10 per person, depending on the size of the community. And even though it may have diminished the fortunes of the dental community, the American Dental Association, as well as most national and international health agencies, endorsed fluoridation without reservation.
In the years since, fluorides have been proved to reduce the rate of tooth decay in adults as well as in children. Older adults whose exposed tooth roots are highly susceptible to decay have particularly benefited.
The Diffusion Effect
It didn’t take long for commercial interests to hop on the fluoride bandwagon, introducing toothpastes and mouthwashes with fluoride, along with professionally prescribed fluoride tablets and drops, gels and varnishes. In addition, through the so-called diffusion effect, people living in communities without fluoridated water wind up consuming it in drinks and foods prepared elsewhere.
Together, these secondary effects have diminished the benefit that can be attributed directly to fluoridated water supplies to a reduction in tooth decay of about 25 to 40 percent. Still, the cost-to-benefit ratio remains strongly in favor of fluoridation.
Every $1 invested in fluoridation saves approximately $38 in dental treatment costs, according to the C.D.C. The cost of a single filling averages $140, and that’s only the beginning. Through the years, a filled tooth is likely to require further repairs and maybe even extraction and replacement with a bridge or implant costing thousands of dollars.
None of this, however, has quelled the controversy over the safety of fluoridation, which dates back to the first studies in the 1940s. In addition to being labeled a Communist plot and an unconstitutional form of mass medication, fluoridation has been accused of causing a host of medical horrors: heart disease, cancer, Down syndrome, AIDS, allergies, Alzheimer’s disease, mental retardation, osteoporosis and fractures, among others.
None of these supposed risks has ever been established in scientifically valid studies. The only proven risk, a condition called fluorosis, which results in white and sometimes brownish markings on the teeth from too much fluoride, rarely results from a normal intake of fluoridated water.
Still, given our increased exposure from other sources, in January 2011 the Food and Drug Administration proposed reducing the amount of fluoride put into water supplies to 0.7 milligrams per liter; a range of 0.7 to 1.2 milligrams had long been the standard.
As with most substances, the dose makes the poison: In very high amounts, fluoride is toxic, and products containing it should be kept out of reach of children. The government recommends that fluoride not be given to babies younger than 6 months — infant formula should be prepared with water that is not fluoridated — and children younger than 2 should not use fluoridated toothpaste. Those younger than 6 should use it only with supervision, to be sure they spit it out.
In the last four years, about 200 communities, looking to save money and rallied by opponents of fluoridation, have opted to stop adding fluoride to public water supplies.
Fluoridation confers the greatest benefit to those who need it most: the poor and poorly educated and those with limited access to regular dental care. In the years ahead, removal of fluoride from drinking water will almost certainly cost taxpayers millions of dollars in increased Medicaid expenditures.
Out-of-pocket costs will grow for other consumers, too — if not directly from increased treatment of tooth decay, then from having to use alternate treatments to glean fluoride protection.
Initially it was thought that fluoride had to become incorporated into tooth structures as they form in order to be protective. It was later shown that fluoride’s primary benefit is topical, working on teeth already in the mouth.
Tooth enamel is “fluid” — every day minerals are lost from it and added to it in processes known, respectively, as demineralization and remineralization. Tooth decay is an infectious disease. Decay occurs when bacteria in the mouth break down carbohydrates to produce acid that dissolves the minerals in tooth enamel and dentin.
Compromising Bacteria
Fluoride, which is present in saliva and concentrates in dental plaque, inhibits the action of acid on tooth minerals. It also promotes remineralization by sticking to tooth surfaces, where it attracts calcium ions present in saliva.
In addition, fluoride in drinking water is taken up by decay-producing bacteria, which inhibits their ability to produce acid.
Unchecked, dental decay can cause debilitating pain, tooth loss and the need for dentures. In severe cases, the infection can become blood-borne and deadly.
Some people are especially susceptible to tooth decay, including those with a history of frequent cavities, people with gum disease, and those who already have crowns or bridges or who wear braces. Others at high risk include people with dry mouth problems, like those with Sjogren’s syndrome; people taking medications that reduce saliva, like antihistamines and hypertensive drugs; and people being treated with radiation to the head and neck.
Filtered tap water may or may not contain fluoride. Reverse-osmosis filters and carbon filters with activated alumina remove most of the fluoride, but water softeners and charcoal or carbon filters do not.
Some water supplies are naturally fluoridated. If you use well water, it must be tested to learn the fluoride content. If you drink bottled water, check the label or contact the company. Distilled water contains no fluoride.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Tracy Dentist - Bad Teeth Ranked #1 in Turnoff - Smiles by Design in Livermore

Think body type or hair color is the most important feature in attracting a partner? Think again! A recent survey conducted by CosmaLite(TM) and founder, cosmetic dentist Dr. Steven Roth, suggests that a less-than-stellar smile is perhaps the greatest hindrance to finding romance.
The "Biggest Turn-off" dating survey revealed attributes that people find most appealing and least appealing in a romantic partner. When asked what they noticed first about potential partners, 62% of respondents said a person's smile. Body type and eyes were tied at 12.5%, with fashion sense and complexion coming in at 6.3%

Respondents ranked facial attributes in order of importance as follows: teeth, number one by a landslide at 87.5%. Complexion, second at 66.7%, followed by eyes at 40%, nose at 33.3%, and hair color/style at 26.7%.

When asked what the biggest turn-off in a potential romantic partner is, bad breath topped the list at 31.3%, followed closely by yellow, crooked or missing teeth at 25%. Unattractive teeth are considered an even bigger turnoff than body odor (12.5%), lack of personality (18%), and unkempt appearance (12.5%).

The importance of a healthy, attractive smile on a scale of 1-10, was 9.33 on average. On the same scale, respondents rated their own smiles 7.5 on average.

Nearly 69% of respondents have chosen not to date someone because of bad teeth, with nearly 79% saying they have considered teeth whitening.

About Dr. Steven E. Roth, DMD and CosmaLite(TM)

A consultant for WebMD and frequent media commentator (including appearances on Inside Edition, NY1 and others) celebrity cosmetic dentist Steven E. Roth, DMD, is on the cutting edge of modern dentistry. Specializing in cosmetic and implant dentistry, Dr. Roth has been practicing dentistry for 25 years. His practice, SmilesNY, is based in Manhattan.

A member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the American Equilibration Society and the American Dental Association, Dr. Roth is on staff at the Beth Israel Medical Center and the founder of CosmaLite(TM), a new cosmetic dental procedure which offers a temporarily enhanced smile in just 48 hours. Without the use of braces, bleaching or genetic modification, CosmaLite(TM) offers patients a quick, affordable and virtually pain-free way to test-drive a new smile and determine whether a more permanent solution is right for them.

For more information visit www.CosmaLite.com .

SOURCE: CosmaLite

 

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Livermore Dentist - 3 Anti-Aging Cosmetic Dental Procedures Your Dentist Can Perform - Smiles by Design in Livermore


Physical aging is not all about sunspots and wrinkles on your face and neck.
If your teeth have a yellowish or brownish hue, you might actually look ten years older.
However, if you have a healthy, bright and white smile, you will look much younger and vibrant. The following are a few anti-aging cosmetic dentistry procedures that can be performed by your dentist:

1. Anti-Aging Cosmetic Dental Procedures: Dental Veneers
You look several years older than you actually are, if your teeth are crooked and misshaped.
If the tooth structure is lost, the shape of your lips will be transformed, and so will the entire lower structure of your face. With dental veneers, you can look even up to 10 years younger! The veneers are made of porcelain and they are meant to transform the shape and color of your teeth.
Moreover, if your cosmetic dentist is truly an expert in what he does, by re-building the shape of your teeth with the dental veneers, he will also make those fine wrinkles around your mouth disappear.
This is how without actual surgical intervention, you will immediately look several years younger and fresher.

2. Anti-Aging Cosmetic Dental Procedures: Professional teeth whitening
Even if your teeth are healthy in essence, they might loose their bright and white structure if you are used to drinking coffee and tea every day.
There are several teeth whitening kits that you can use at home, but nothing compares to a professional teeth whitening procedure at the dentist. Your teeth can become even 5 to 6 shades lighter after one hour of professional treatment.
The advice of the best cosmetic dentists out there is that you should use toothpaste for sensitive teeth about one week before the treatment. This way, your teeth will not feel extremely sensitive after the treatment is done.
Also, make sure to purchaser a good teeth whitening toothpaste that you will use at home, in order to maintain your pearly white smile for long months to come.

3. Anti-Aging Cosmetic Dental Procedures: The dermal fillers
Cosmetic dentists are experts who can make those naso-labial folds disappear with the help of dermal fillers.
After the application of the veneers is done, the dentist will use the dermal filer in order to smooth out the appearance of your skin between your lips and nose.
This way, your skin will look smooth and healthy, and this will being forward even more your beautiful teeth and smile.

source: Dental Health Magazine

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Tracy Dentist - Happy New Year, Happy New Smile! - Smiles by Design in Livermore



Does work or personal stress make you look older than your real age? A new study says smiling can help you appear younger, but cosmetic dentists say damaged or yellow teeth could have the opposite effect.

The study, conducted at the Max Planck Institute in Berlin, showed that people are most likely to underestimate the age of a person if he or she is smiling. We tend to find smiling faces more attractive, youthful, and upbeat. A smile or laugh's age-defying power may lay in the fact that smile lines make it challenging for an observer to correctly predict a person's true age, according to Dr. Ed Lowe, editor-in-chief of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry's (AACD) Journal of Cosmetic Dentistry.

Many start to see their smile deteriorate during their 30's and early 40's due to lifestyle and health habits that wear teeth and damage skin over time. The AACD shares the following tips on how to reverse the effects of aging on your smile.

Reference:

1. Voelkle, Manuel C., Ebner, Natalie C., Lindenberger, Ulman., Riediger, Michaela. Let me guess how old you are: Effects of age, gender, and facial expression on perceptions of age. Psychology and Aging, Sep 5, 2011: No Pagination Specified.


Friday, January 20, 2012

Pleasanton Dentist - Fighting Tooth Decay with Chocalate - Smiles by Design in Livermore



When it comes to new ways to fight tooth decay, New Orleans is on the forefront as a local biotech company launches an alternative to fluoride toothpaste today.

The new toothpaste launching at health food stores today is based on a discovery at local universities.

The toothpaste is called Theodent, which features a chocolate derivative called Rennou.

Theodent CEO Arman Sadeghpour says, Rennou "Is a proprietary extract from chocolate, combined with other minerals, used to help strengthen the enamel surface of human teeth."

The fluoride free chocolate-based toothpaste tastes minty right now, but Sadeghpour hopes to have a chocolate flavor toothpaste for kids soon.

It's some of the latest science in fighting tooth decay, and the discovery for the new compound comes from research conducted at Tulane, LSU and UNO.

The maker of Theodent was one of the first tenants of the new Bio Innovation Technology Center on Canal Street. They made national headlines about two years ago with the discovery that an extract of chocolate can strengthen teeth and be used in place of fluoride.

The company was one of the first tenants of the new Bio Innovation Technology Center on Canal Street

by Shana Rose

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Livermore Dentist - Can Drinking Wine help Prevent Cavities? - Smiles by Design in Livermore



A toothbrush may not be handy at the dinner table, but new research suggests moderate consumption of red wine helps to rinse teeth clean of bacteria during and after meals.

The findings, accepted for publication in the journal Food Chemistry, add to the growing list of health benefits associated with drinking wine. Prior research has linked moderate red wine intake with everything from improved longevity to diminished risk of cardiovascular and neurological diseases.

Teetotalers can also enjoy dental benefits, since the new study was conducted with nonalcoholic red wine.
Co-author Gabriella Gazzani explained to Discovery News that alcohol's cavity-preventing benefits are already well known. She and her colleagues therefore investigated "dealcoholized red wine to verify if substances different from ethanol with anti-Strep properties occur in this beverage."

To do so, Gazzani, a professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at Pavia University, and her team purchased a high quality Italian red wine from the Veneto region. They removed the beverage's alcohol using a technique called vacuum concentration.

The researchers then cultured Streptococcus mutans, common bacteria that feed on sugars in food and contribute to tooth enamel demineralization, which often results in cavities.

In the lab, the bacteria easily mixed with saliva and saliva-coated pulled teeth, along with saliva-coated calcium ceramic beads. When the nonalcoholic red wine was added to each one, however, the wine prevented S. mutans from clinging to teeth and saliva.

The researchers next determined that the active components in red wine that protect teeth are proanthocyanidins, naturally occurring flavonoid compounds previously found to have antioxidant properties. The compounds are in many plant edibles, such as apples, cinnamon, cocoa and teas.

Although proanthocyanidins are in grape seeds and skin, it remains unclear if grape juice also has tooth-cleansing properties.

"We have no data on grape juice, and we think that it is not possible to draw conclusions on grape juice on the basis of the results obtained for red wine due to the fact that grape juice and wine have very different chemical compositions," Gazzani said.

She does, however, think that proanthocyanidins could be separated from wine and studied for their potential oral health benefits. Acids and sugars in some wines may actually contribute to tooth decay, so isolating wine's tooth-supporting components could lead to an even more beneficial product, at least from a dentistry standpoint.
In separate research, scientists from Laval University in Quebec found that polyphenols in red wine also help to control immune cell response in gums to bacterial infection.

The Canadian study, presented at the 35th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Dental Research, found that red wine polyphenols may both prevent and treat inflammatory gum diseases, including periodontitis, which affects 15 percent of adults between the ages of 21 and 50 and 65 percent of adults over the age of 50.

In the future, Gazzani and her colleagues hope to conduct their studies in vivo on consumers of red wine.

By Jennifer Viegas

Friday, January 13, 2012

Tracy Dentist - Tips for Daily Oral Care - Smiles by Design in Livermore



How do I brush Teeth

  • Proper tooth brushing technique.Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums.

  • Move the brush back and forth gently in short (tooth-wide) strokes.

  • Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.

  • Use the "toe" of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down stroke.

  • Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.




  • Flossing Your Teeth

  • Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.

  • Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums.

  • When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.

  • Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up and down motions.

  • Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth.


  • People who have difficulty handling dental floss may prefer to use another kind of interdental cleaner. These aids include special brushes, picks or sticks. If you use interdental cleaners, ask your dentist about how to use them properly, to avoid injuring your gums.
  • Don't forget the back side of your last tooth.


  • source: ada.org

     

    Thursday, January 12, 2012

    Pleasanton Dentist - What is Plaque - Smiles by Design in Livermore



    Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth and gums. Following a meal or snack, the bacteria in plaque release acids that attack tooth enamel. Repeated attacks can cause the enamel to weaken, eventually causing tooth decay. Many of the foods we eat cause plaque bacteria to produce acids. If you snack often, you could be having acid attacks all day long. Plaque that is not removed with thorough daily brushing and cleaning between teeth can eventually harden into calculus or tartar.
    Plaque also produces substances that irritate the gums, making them red, tender or bleed easily. After a while, gums may pull away from the teeth. Pockets form and fill with more bacteria and pus. If the gums are not treated, the bone around the teeth can be destroyed. The teeth may become loose or have to be removed. In fact, periodontal (gum) disease is a main cause of tooth loss in adults.

    One way to prevent tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease is by eating a balanced diet and limiting the number of between-meal snacks. If you need a snack, choose nutritious foods such as raw vegetables, plain yogurt, cheese or a piece of fruit.

    source. ada.org

     

    Wednesday, January 11, 2012

    Livermore Dentist - Infection Control - Smiles by Design in Livermore

    Infection control procedures are precautions taken in healthcare settings to prevent the spread of disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), working with the ADA, has developed special recommendations for use in dental offices.

    Before you enter the examining room, all surfaces, such as the dental chair, dental light, drawer handles and countertops have been cleaned and decontaminated. Some offices may cover this equipment with protective covers, which are replaced after each patient.

    Non-disposable items like the dental tools or handpieces are cleaned and sterilized between patients. You may not be aware that sterilization and other infection control precautions take place before your dental visit because many of these procedures occur in another area of the dental office. Disposable items like needles or gauze are placed in special bags or containers.

    Infection control precautions also require all dental staff involved in patient care to use appropriate protective garb such as gloves, and sometimes masks, gowns and eyewear. After each patient, disposable wear like the gloves and masks are discarded. Before seeing the next patient, the treatment team washes their hands and put on a new pair of gloves.

    What are the things to look for?

    • Is the dental office clean and orderly?
    • Is the dental staff helpful and willing to answer your questions?
    • Do the dentist and staff wear gloves and other appropriate protective gear during all actual patient treatment?
    • Do the dentist and staff wash their hands before donning a clean pair of gloves?
    • Do all surfaces and equipment in the treatment room appear clean?
    • Are needles and other sharp items disposed of in special puncture-resistant containers?
    • Is everything that is used in the patient's mouth either heat sterilized or disposable?

    Source: ada.org

     

    Thursday, January 5, 2012

    Tracy Dentist - Smoking Causes More Than Bad Breath - Smiles by Design in Livermore

     

    Refrain From Smoking


    Quitting smoking isn’t easy, but here’s another reason you should make the effort: Smoking is more than just a cause of bad breath — it significantly raises your risk of developing oral cancer, which includes cancer of the mouth, throat, salivary glands, tongue or lip.

    In the early stages, oral and throat cancers can have symptoms similar to a toothache or they are painless. Many cases of oral cancer are seriously advanced by the time they are detected. That’s why it is important to examine your mouth periodically—if oral cancer is identified early, it is almost always treatable.

    Bad breath is an early sign of oral cancer, whether or not you are a smoker. Other early signs of oral cancer include lumps or white, red or dark patches inside the mouth, difficulty chewing, swallowing or moving the jaw, feeling that something is stuck in the throat, numbness in the mouth, thickening of the cheeks, or voice changes.

    Tobacco use is the top risk factor for oral cancer, so the best way to reduce risk is to quit smoking or using other tobacco products. But other keys to oral cancer prevention and the promotion of oral health include seeing a dentist regularly and following a complete oral care routine that includes twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing.

    by oral-b

     

    Wednesday, January 4, 2012

    Pleasanton Dentist - Use your Dental Benefits before Year End - Smiles by Design in Livermore

    The year 2012 is just starting and with it may be the opportunity to save some of your hard earned money. For those of you with dental insurance, there are benefits to getting dental work done before the end of the year. Most dental insurances run on a calendar year, meaning the benefits apply from January 1 – December 31. I encourage you to read on and if any of these situations apply to you, make that appointment and save some money!
    • Annual deductibles will be reset: With the new year comes new plan obligations. Most insurances that have deductibles require that they be met once per year. If you have already had dental work done in 2011, this means you have met your deductible already. Getting more work done this year will save you having to shell out money to meet your deductible next year.
    • Annual maximums do not roll over: Most insurance companies have a limit on the amount of money they will pay per person per year. This money is there for you to use and unfortunately, does not roll over into the next year. If you don’t use it, you can say goodbye to that allowance! Take advantage of the money your insurance has allotted for you to use.
    • Use up your FSA contributions for 2011: The same “use it or lose it” policy applies to FSA or flex spending accounts. You elect each year how much you would like withheld for medical/dental expenses. If you do not use these funds in full, you will not see them again. By coming in before the end of the year, you can make the most out of those FSA benefits still available to you.
    • Coverages are subject to change: Will you have the same dental benefits in 2012 as you do now? You may want to contact your insurance and verify what plan benefits, in any, will change with the new year. If coverage becomes more limited, you will definitely want to schedule before the end of the year while you still can!
    Plan for 2012.

    by young family dental

     

    Tuesday, January 3, 2012

    Dentist Livermore - What are Patients Say

    Think dentist office meets spa....The candles smell inviting, the coffee and tea cart is a nice touch but the best part is getting a parafin hand wax and a warm blanket when sitting in the chair. Then when the appointment is over, the 10 minute chair massage is AWESOME...I don't want to leave.

    I started seeing Dr. Howes over a year ago and have had several appointments ranging from basic teeth cleaning, zoom whitening and filling replacements. Dr. Howes and his staff are experts in their industry and keep up on the latest in technology. It made my previous dentist procedures seem prehistoric. As an example, they use some sort of light to determine exactly where the tooth is decayed so that when they are removing tooth, they don't remove more than they have to. Compare that with my previous dentist saying "Well, this looks like it MIGHT be decayed too so let's just keep removing it!".

    I do recommend Dr. Howes to all my friends and family!

    Anna