Don’t Believe Everything You Hear!

Here’s an interesting quiz for you.

Who originally dispensed the famous recommendation to “see your dentist twice a year?”

We all know it’s true (or do we???) – so when and where do you think that bit of advice originated?

a)      The American Dental Association in 1933

b)      The world’s first dental college – The University of Maryland School of Dentistry in 1845

c)       An article in The Journal of Oral Surgery by Dr. Henry Horseacre in 1909 entitled “Proper Protocol for Dental Cleanings.”

d)      A radio ad for Pepsodent Toothpaste in 1929

Believe it or not, if you guessed “d” you are correct!

Most of us know the famous order to  “see your dentist twice a year.”  Some insurance companies even use that interval to define their standards for payment.  But the fact is that phrase was developed with no scientific basis at all – and to sell toothpaste!

Another example of this logic was the ad campaign for Pear’s Soap in the late 1800s.  The slogan “Have you used Pear’s soap today” usher in the habit of daily bathing!  And while that was certainly a good thing, the fact is that we are all different and to expect that everyone requires the same schedule for their health needs just doesn’t make sense.

When you wash your hair, do you “rinse and repeat?”  Do you associate diamonds with engagement rings?  Are you convinced that Volvo builds that safest cars?  If so, you’ve been influenced by advertising, not necessarily facts.  Don’t worry – we are all guilty of it!

At Henderson Valley Dental Care, we don’t believe in a cookie cutter approach when your health is involved.  In order to determine the correct dental treatment for you (including how often you should have your teeth cleaned) we perform a thorough examination, checking your teeth, gums, medical history, bite, jaw muscles and more.  We even do an oral cancer screening at every check-up.

Everyone is different, so despite what the ad men from Pepsodent once said, let’s scientifically determine the correct schedule for your dental visits by looking at the facts, not an ad slogan.  Then you can look forward to a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums – and keep smiling forever.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule a visit, please call 319-362-7334 right away.  We are here to help you!

You Say You Want A Resolution?

With 2012 here, you have probably already started your list of New Year’s resolutions. If you are like most people, this list probably includes: go to the gym, lose weight, take tango lessons, call your mother more often, find the cure for cancer, etc… But let’s face it – EVERYONE has those resolutions, and they are all usually broken by January 10th.

So let’s shake it up a little this year and try ten “Dental Resolutions” which are not only easy to keep but can lead to a lifetime of excellent health. Here they are!

1.) CHANGE YOUR TOOTHBRUSH

Most people hang on to their toothbrushes as if they have long-standing sentimental value. The fact is – you should replace your brush every two months or so. If the bristles don’t look almost brand new, chances are your teeth aren’t being cleaned well and your toothbrush is harboring lots of yucky bacteria.

2.) FLOSS EVERY DAY

Look- we’re dental professionals. We know that most people don’t floss. But that really is a shame. Flossing every day helps to prevent gum disease – so no only can you keep your teeth for a lifetime, your chances of heart disease and others illnesses which are linked to unhealthy gums will significantly decrease. If you have trouble flossing or are not sure how to do it, don’t be embarrassed! Our fantastic team will be glad to show you how.

3.) WEAR YOUR SEATBELT

We all know that seatbelts save lives, but even in a minor accident teeth can be shattered or damaged if your body is flung forward. So buckle up and save your smile!

4.) USE A MOUTHGAURD

Dental damage from sports is extremely common and just about always preventable. There’s a reason everyone in the NFL wears a mouthgaurd – and it’s not to scare their opponents. Give us a call and we will fit you (and the entire tiddly winks team) with beautiful custom mouthguards.

5.) GET RID OF SODAS AND SPORTS DRINKS

We all need to hydrate, but we don’t need excess sugar and artificial chemicals. These drinks are bad for your body and pull an all our assault on your pearly-whites. Switching to water will not only be a big boost to your overall health, it will save you money as well!

6.) TEETH ARE FOR CHEWINIG, BITING, AND SMILING

Please don’t use your teeth to open bottles, packages, or anything else. Nibbling on your friends is optional (with their permission, of course).

7.) SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYE TEETH

As if cancer, heart disease, emphysema, pregnancy issues and a host of chronic illnesses aren’t reason enough to stop smoking, please be aware that this nasty habit stains your teeth, increases the risk of gum disease, and makes your breath smell like the monkey cage at the zoo. There are so many reasons to quit smoking – so please make this the year.

8.) BUT THEY’RE GOOD FOR YOU!

The battle cry of mothers all over the world is true for your oral health as well. Yes – eating your veggies, fruits, legumes and nuts not only increases your overall health, it boosts your immunity which is great for your teeth and gums. Added benefit: crisp fruits and raw vegetables like apples, carrots and celery help clean plaque from teeth and freshen breath.

9.) WHITEN YOUR SMILE

There is no question that a nice smile increases your confidence and makes your more attractive to others. If you’ve been putting this off – make 2012 the year you finally will be showing your beautiful smile to the world. There are so many easy and inexpensive was to make your smile the best that it can be – give us a call or stop on in and we will be glad to show you how.

10.) DON’T PUT OFF YOUR DENTAL VISITS

We know that visiting the Cedar Rapids Smile Center may not be at the top of your “things to do” list for the New Year, but by seeing us on a regular basis you can prevent huge (and expensive) dental problems from ever occurring. It’s a small investment with a big payoff - a better smile, increased overall health, beautiful teeth and gums for life, fresh clean breath, and so much more. Please give us a call at 319-362-7334 today and get 2012 off to a great start!

The Battle Of The Sexes – Dental Style

In 1965 James Brown sang “It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World.”  A few years earlier Harry Belafonte sang to us “That’s right – the women are smarter!” So who is right when it comes to dental health?

It turns out one group is more likely to have healthier gums, less plaque and tartar build-up, fewer areas of bleeding gums, and lower incidents of gum disease.  This group also is twice as likely to schedule regular dental check-ups and is much better at following through with treatment recommended by their dentist.

To top if off, they have a better understanding of oral health and a more positive attitude about visiting the dentist!  So just who are these dental superstars?

According to the Journal of Periodontology, a professional journal which publishes articles on gum disease – it’s the “fairer sex” who has the advantage when it comes to dental health.  Maybe it’s true that “the women are smarter!”

So does that mean females are less likely to have cavities, gum disease, tooth loss, and stinky breath?  Sorry guys – the answer is yes.

The good news is – it seems to have nothing to do with genetics or the fact that women and men have a different chromosomal arrangement.  It is purely because women take better care of their teeth and gums and see their dentists more regularly.

So how about it guys?  It’s time to “get on the stick” – or at least the toothbrush.  Start taking better care of your teeth and gums, and be sure to give us a call at 877-217-8590 to schedule your next appointment!  And women – keep up the good work!

At the Cedar Rapids Smile Center we care about ALL of our patients – men and women!  We are always here for you to answer any questions you should have about your dental health.  Give us a call today!

Why The Heck Do You Need To Know That?

When you come in for your dental visit, you may notice that we do a lot more than examine your teeth and gums. One of the most important parts of your visit is when we ask you questions about your general health. But many people have said to us: “What does that have to do with my dental check up?”

The answer – a lot!

More and more research is being published linking dental health to overall health, and at Cedar Rapids Smile Center we are concerned about both! Did you know that diabetes, especially when it is undiagnosed, can be a huge factor in gum disease, eventually causing tooth loss? A recent study by Columbia University concluded:

“Gum disease is an early complication of diabetes.” It continues: “Since 70% of adults see a dentist at least once per year” this is a perfect opportunity to screen for diabetes or other diseases.

According to a recent article in the British Dental Journal, it works the other way around too, as gum disease can be a contributing factor in heart disease, oral cancer, and other illnesses. Are you taking any medications, either prescription or over-the-counter? Many of these can lead to dry mouth, gum inflammation, and other dental problems. And it’s even more complicated for women, as hormonal changes, pregnancy, and oral contraceptives can cause many changes in dental health. (Isn’t everything more complicated for women?)

So the good news is, unlike a visit to your physician – you get to keep your clothes on and won’t be poked and prodded anywhere other than your mouth! But as you can see, it is extremely important that we know about your total physical health and any medications you are taking. not only can we save your teeth – we may actually save your life!

If you want to know more about your dental health and how it relates to your overall health, please let us know!  If you have any questions or want to schedule your next appointment, just give us a call at 877-217-8590.  We are here for you!!

Football Season Can Be A Penalty For Your Teeth!

Nothing says football season like a big tub of Gatorade being dumped on the winning coach at the end of a game.  But for you and your kids it could be offsides and holding on your dental health.

Originally developed at the University of Florida in 1965 (and named after their sports teams – “The Gators”) Gatorade was intended for athletes such as football players who endured rigorous workouts in the hot sun.  But somehow this potent drink has become a staple of our popular culture, and its combination of sugars, salt and electrolytes can be anything but healthy for all but the most strenuous exercisers.  The fact is, for just about all of us, including children, water remains the healthiest drink either with meals or during and after exercise.

“For most children engaging in routine physical activity, plain water is best.” said Holly J. Benjamin, M.D., a member of the executive committee of the AAP Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness.  “Sports drinks contain extra calories that children don’t need, and could contribute to obesity and tooth decay.  It’s juice and low-fat milk with meals.  Sports drinks are not recommended as beverages to have with meals.”

Even worse are “energy drinks” – which contain huge amounts of stimulatns including caffeine, guarana and taurine.  Some of these drinks contain more than 500 mg of caffeine – the equivalent of 14 cans of soda!!  Combine that with huge amounts of tooth rotting and obesity causing sugar, and you’ve got a formula for health disaster.  To make things worse, some schools actually have “pouring contracts” where they are paid to promote and serve unhealthy sodas and sports drinks.

Good old fashioned tap water, fortified with fluoride, not only remains the healthiest drink but it’s the least expensive as well.

So please enjoy football season, but remember not to let energy drinks and sports drinks blitz the dental and overall health of you and your children.

Your Teeth Deserve A Vacation!

The suitcases are packed, the car is loaded, the dog is at the kennel – and it’s time for summer vacation!!  There is no better time for relaxing at the beach, exploring a fascinating city, or enjoying the outdoors.  Being miles away from home always makes it less stressful and more fun too!

But being miles away from hom means that you are also far from us – your favorite dental office!  And while there is no way to prevent a dental emergency from happening while you are away from home, there are a few items you can bring on vacation to make things more pleasant should an emergency situation arise.  You can even throw them together into a cosmetics bag and make your own “Dental Emergency Kit!”

Here are some items to include:

• Pain relief: Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil or generic) is usually safe and effective to use for minor dental discomfort.
• Lost filling or crown: “Dentemp One Step Filling Material” is a good temporary solution for replacing a crown (cap) or protecting an area exposed by a lost filling.  This is available at most drug stores and on the internet.
• Broken denture: “The D. O.C. Denture Repair Kit” works as a short-term measure to adhere to a lost denture tooth or repair a cracked denture.  Also available at drugs stores and online.
• Lost tooth: Carry a prescription medicine vial.  Should an accident occur and an adult tooth is lost with the root intact – DO NOT clean or handle the root.  Place it in the medicine vial along with some liquid (preferably milk) and seek dental attention immediately.
• Food or other items stuck between teeth: This can be a very uncomfortable situation, so be sure to have dental floss on hand to remove any item stuck between the teeth.  Hey – you should be carrying dental floss anyway!!
• Cuts on gums, lips or tongue: Clean gauze or cloth.  As with bleeding anywhere on the body, pressure with a clean gauze or cloth is the first line of treatment.  If bleeding does not stop, seek medical attention immediately.
• For many minor dental irritations of the teeth, gums and mouth, a good old-fashioned warm salt water rinse can give temporary relief.  We are not big fans of medications like Anbesol Gel as there are many side effects and over usage can harm the mouth tissues.

So there you have it – your very own travel dental emergency kit!  The most important thing to remember is that all of the solutions presented here are temporary in nature.  Should any emergency arise, it is important to see a dentist as soon as possible.

As the Cedar Rapids Smile Center, we are always here for you, even if you are far away from home.  If you have any questions about a dental emergency or anything else dental related, please give us a call at 877-217-8590.  Have a safe, healthy summer vacation, and don’t forget to brush and floss!

 

Your Teeth Aren’t in Kansas Anymore!!

Recently a famous celebrity doctor (whose last name sounds like a land where Dorothy from Kansas found a great and powerful Wizard) recommended a simple at-home whitening formula. The recipe?  Coat your teeth with a mixture of baking soda and lemon juice before brushing.

Does this really work?  Well, it certainly may remove stains.  But unfortunately it can also be a recipe for disaster.

Lemon juice is an acid, so even though fruits are generally healthy, large concentrations of the juice can actually wear away enamel, the hard outer layer of your teeth.  Once that erodes, not only are teeth quite unattractive – they are incredibly prone to cavities and difficult to repair.

Baking soda is an abrasive material, kind of like sandpaper.  So even though in very small amounts it can polish your teeth nicely, use the wrong amount and you may as well be sanding your teeth away!

Our suggestion? Put the lemon in your tea and use the baking soda in the kitchen!  When it comes to whitening your teeth, your best bet is to ask a dental professional.

Over-the-counter whitening toothpastes and whitening products from the drug store can do a decent job on lightly stained teeth, especially for those in their late teens and early twenties.  But we find that most people who express the desire for whiter teeth need what only a dental office can offer.

There are many different treatments available, from take home systems with custom molded trays to much stronger products that must be supervised by a dentist.  As Cedar Rapids Smile Center, we will be glad to tell you which one is right for you.  Or we may even recommend that you keep your teeth as they are!

As far as that TV doctor – we wish him the best and hope he doesn’t grind his teeth away.  When it comes to dental advice, please ask a member of the dental profession!

Please remember that at Cedar Rapids Smile Center, we are here for you!  If you have any questiosn about this or anything else concerning your dental health, please give us a call at 877-217-8590, or visit our website at www.cedarrapidssmilecenter.com.

Relax!

We’ve all seen Steve Martin’s crazy sadistic dental performance in the movie Little Shop of Horrors or heard a friend’s over-inflated version of a bad office visit (usually involving a root canal), but going to the dentist these days really isn’t scary!  With all the modern technology and advanced techniques available, a dental visit can be not just painless but actually relaxing!  Right? Right!

Like it or not, most of us go to the dentist routinely to keep our teeth and gums healthy because it’s what we’re supposed to do, not because it’s a favorite activity.  But did you know that seventy-five percent of the population experience some sort of dental fear and fifteen percent actually avoid going to the dentist altogether due to severe anxiety?  Infrequent dental visits or total avoidance canc ause severe health problems, even heart disease.  This can be a serious problem.

Here at Cedar Rapids Smile Center, we take this issue seriously.  We want to make each visit to the dentist as comfortable and stress free as possible.  That’s why we do everything we can to soothe and relax you from the minute you walk in the door.  We have massage chairs in every treatment room! We have televisions that allow you to watch your favorite show and drown out the background noise.  Our up-to-date anesthesia techniques make dental treatment incredibly comfortable.

We feel your dental health is so important that we take these extra steps to help you stay as healthy as possible and to make each visit a stress free one.  When you leave our office, we are committed to making you smile in every way.

Please call us at  877-217-8590 to schedule your next appointment.  With your comfort in mind, we will make sure that every visit is a great one!

Tired of New Year’s Resolutions? Read This!!

As 2011 approaches, everyone is busy making their New Year’s resolutions that will be forgotten by the time February comes along.

That is why we are glad to present to you a lsit of a different kind – our top ten “2011 New Year’s Denta-Lutions!”  They are fun, important, and will help you to have a happy and healthy year!

• Get Rid of That Ugly Thing!  No, not your spouse – they are beautiful!  We are talking about your toothbrush.  Most people keep toothbrushes around way too long.  Not only do they become loaded with bacteria and other junk, the bristles simply wear out and do not do an effective job of cleaning your teeth.  The American Dental Association recommends a new toothbrush at least every three months, and we agree!  If the bristles begin to fray or splay before that…well, more on that later!
• Get Wet!!!  One of the best things you can do for your mouth and body is to drink more water – lots of it!  Drinking helps to flush away particles from between your teeth and remove sticky plaque.  Most Americans do not drink nearly enough water and are constantly dehydrated.  Plus – this is a great time to get sodas, sports drinks, fancy coffee drinks and all that other junk our of your life.  Switching to water will help not just your dental health but your overall health as well!
• There’s Blood Coming Out of My WHAT?  If your eyes were bleeding or blood was coming out of your backside, you would certainly see a doctor immediately.  Well, the same is true with your gums.  Brushing or flossing should not cause your gums to bleed at all.  If your gums do bleed or if you see pink or red when you rinse, your gums are infected.  Don’t put it off – call us right away!
• Quiet.  Quiet!  QUIET!!!  Many of us suffer with spouses or other bedmates that snore.  Promise that you just won’t get frustrated and throw another shoe at them.  Snoring can be a sign of sleep apnea, a potentially fatal condition where the brain does not receive enough oxygen at night.  Let us know – we may be able to either fabricate a dental appliance to curtail snoring or make a referral to a specialist who can help.
• Don’t Stand So Close To Me!  Maybe you have bad breath and are too embarrassed to do anything about it.  Or maybe you find yourself constantly reaching for mints and gum because people seem to be always backing off when you speak.  don’t be ashamed – we are here to help!  Bad breath frequently has dental causes – many of them long term conditions that are very dangerous to your health (as well as your friendships).  Please don’t be embarrassed - talk to us!  Were here to help!
• What Is That Stuff?  It comes in a small plastic box, it’s very thin, and sometimes it’s used to hang pictures.  Yes – it’s called dental floss, and we know that chances are you don’t use it on a regular basis.  but flossing is the best way to remove plaque, bacteria and particles from between your teeth as well as cleaning areas of your gums that can’t otherwise be reached.  The fact is, if you aren’t flossing every day, there is gross stuff growing in your mouth.  If you would like some instruction on proper flossing technique (it’s easy once you know how!) and some encouragement, just let us know.
• Brush correctly.  Most people stick a little toothpaste on a brush and smear it around their teeth, but don’t do an effective job of combating gum disease and tooth decay.  One of the most important things you can do while brushing is to angle the bristles of the brush so that they clean the space where your teeth and gums meet.  Be thorough yet gentle, and take your time.  We will be glad to show you how to brush correctly!  And if your toothbrush has bristles which are splayed, frayed or deformed, you are probably brushing way too hard!!
• Get Off Your Butt.  As if you didn’t need antoher reason to quit smoking – tobacco products are a leading cause of oral cancer, a deadly disease which kills roughly one person per hour, twenty four hours per day.  Make 2011 the year you finally kick this smelly, dirty, disgusting and deadly habit.  Your loved ones will thank you to no end!!
• Stop By To Say Hello.  Okay – stop by to do even more than say hello!  Keeping up with your regular three, four or six month visit is key to keeping your teeth and gums healthy, getting screened for oral cancer, and preventing problems before they get too big (and costly)!!  If your busy lifestyle has caused you to get off schedule, please give us a call right away sot aht we can get you back on track!
• Tell Your Friends!  At Cedar Rapids Smile Center, we are fortunate to have a busy practice and enjoy providing our patients with the best quality dental care possible.  But we will always make room for your family, friends, co-workers or anyone else who would like to experience the great things we have to offer.  Even though we are busy we will always make room for more people like you!  Please have them give us a call at 877-217-8590.  you’ll be giving them the best gift of all – the gift of health!

We hope that this list of New Year’s “Denta-Lutions” was helpful to you.  If you have any questions or comments, please drop us a line at info@cedarrapidssmilecenter.com or call us at 877-217-8590.  May 2011 be your best year yet!!

Are You A Metal Mouth?

Despite our best efforts, most patients in our practice have had at least one cavity and filling in their lives, and if you are in your thirties or older, chances are your fillings were made of metal.  Recently these fillings have become a controversial topic in the health press.

This material, known as “amalgam,” if actually a combination of silver, tin, copper, zinc, and – at the tope of all the controversy – mercury.

Many of us remember being introduced to mercury in an elementary school science class.  As the only metal that is liquid at room temperature, it was always fun when the teacher showed us how an actual metal can flow inside a tube.  but drop the tube or break a mercury filled thermometer and look out!  As a toxic poison it had to be cleaned up with extreme precaution.

So if mercury is so dangerous, what the heck is it doing in your mouth?  While metal amalgam fillings do give off small amounts of mercury vapor, most researches, including the American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs, have concluded that unless there is a specific allergy these types of fillings pose no personal health risk.

But visit our office today and you will find that we recommend doing “fillings” (also known as “dental restorations”) with other materials.  Why?  There are many reasons.  Here are just a few.

1. Beauty.  there is no doubt about it – silver fillings are not very attractive.  The modern materials we use these days are tooth colored ones, so only your dental team needs to know that your beautiful smile once contained a few cavities.
2. Bonding.  While a traditional filling is simply wedged into your tooth, making it more prone to breakage, most of the more modern materials actually adhere to the tooth itself.  In many cased this means that less healthy tooth needs to be removed in order to perform a proper restoration, and these materials are less prone to “leaks” where decay and bacteria can easily form at the junction of the tooth and restoration.
3. Expansion and extraction.  Ever have trouble removing the lid on a jar?  Run the lid under some hot water and it pops right off.  Why?  The heat caused the metal lid to expand slightly.  Well, the same thing happens with an amalgam (metal) filling.  And years of expansion and contraction from eating hot and cold foods can damage the tooth and the restoration.  Choose a more modern material and go have that ice cream and coffee.  Yum!!

At Cedar Rapids Smile Center, it is our goal to help you prevent cavities and have a healthy mouth and beautiful smile.  But should you need treatment, please be sure to discuss your options with Drs. Yossi, Witt or Parker.  They only use the best, most modern materials so that you can experience a lifetime of dental health.  If you have any questions, please give us a call at 877-217-8590.