Beware Of Valentine’s Day!

 

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and you may be getting ready for some big fat kisses to come your way.

So even though at the Ocean Springs dental office of Edward Banas D.D.S. we’re concerned about cavities, gum disease, bad breath and lots of saliva, we won’t use this month’s blog entry to gross you out about kissing. But we will tell you some interesting facts that you can tell your kissing partner right after they smack one on you!!

Anthropologists have argued for years about the origin of kissing. Many now believe that it has evolved from the time when mothers chewed food for their babies and then went mouth to mouth at feeding time. (Well, okay – we might gross you out a little bit!) This action became so comforting to babies that the habit continued even after they could chew for themselves, and then developed into a sign of affection.

Nowadays kisses aren’t just about romantic love. Of course parents kiss their children. Worshipers often kiss religious artifacts. Some people kiss the ground when exiting an airplane. And who doesn’t want to have a “boo boo” kissed when they get a bruise?

But February 14^th is a day for the romantic kind of kiss, and if you are craving one, there may be a scientific reason. While this action can promote a psychological response of warmth and affection, it also causes your brain to secrete some important and productive chemicals, such as:

• Oxytocin, which helps people develop feelings of attachment, devotion and affection for one another
• Dopamine, which plays a role in the brain’s processing of emotions, pleasure and pain
• Serotonin, which affects a person’s mood and feelings
• Adrenaline, which increases heart rate and plays a role in your body’s fight-or-flight response

 

But along with that, when you kiss, hundreds or even millions of bacterial colonies are transported from one mouth to the other. And let’s face it – no one wants to kiss a person who has poor oral hygiene, bad breath, or just a generally yucky mouth. So let’s start with the basics:

• Make sure you brush at least twice a day with a soft toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste.
• Floss once per day – if you have trouble flossing or are not sure how, please ask! We’ll be glad to show you the ropes.
• Avoid sugary and acid-laden foods such as soft drinks, sports drinks, and candy. (Okay – we won’t tell anyone if you have a tiny bit of candy on Valentine’s Day!)
• Eat a well balanced diet including lean proteins, healthy fats, fruits and vegetables, nuts and fiber.
• If you need to slip in a piece of gum or breath mint, make sure it contains Xylitol, which has been proven to reduce tooth decay.
• Drink plenty of water! This helps to rinse away food particles, and staying hydrated is good for fresh clean breath.
• See your dentist on a regular basis and call immediately if you suspect there are any problems with your oral condition.

Here at the office of Dr. Edward Banas, we want you to have a kissable February 14^th and a lifetime of excellent dental health. If you have any questions or need to set up an appointment, please give us a call at (228)826-3811. We are here for you!  And remember that our office donates $5 to the “Lord is My Help” Food pantry from every initial exam fee.

 

You Say You Want a Resolution?

Ring out the old, ring in the new…..

As 2012 approaches, you have probably already started your list of New Year’s resolutions.  If you are like most people, this list includes going on a  diet, losing weight, going to the gym,quit drinking, etc…… but let’s face it– EVERYONE has those resolutions, and they are usually broken before the end of January!  So for 2012, let’s shake it up a little and try our 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.  But the fact is, you should replace your brush every 2 months or so.  If the bristles don’t look almost brand new, chances are the brush is not cleaning very well and your toothbrush is harboring LOTS of yucky and gross bacteria.

2) FLOSS EVERY DAY

Hey, we are dental professionals.  We know for a fact that MOST PEOPLE DO NOT FLOSS!  But if you knew what we knew about teeth and gums, you would realize that this is such a shame.  Flossing every day will dramatically help to prevent gum disease– so not only can you keep your teeth for a lifetime, your chances of heart disease and other 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 dental team will be glad to show you how.

3) WEAR YOUR SEATBELT

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

4) USE A MOUTHGUARD

Dental damage from sports is extremely common and just about always preventable.  There’s a reason everyone in the NFL wears a mouthguard– and it is not to scare the opponents.  Give us a call and we will fit you with a beautiful custom mouthguard.

5) NO SODA/NO SPORTS DRINKS

We all need to hydrate, but we certainly don’t need excess sugar, acid, and artificial chemicals.  These drinks are not only bad for your body but destroy and disfigure teeth.  Switching to water will not only be a big boost to your overall health, but will also save you tons of money!

6) TEETH ARE FOR CHEWING, BITING, AND SMILING

Please don’t use your teeth to open bottles, packages, or anything else.

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 addiction stains your teeth, increases the risk of gum disease, and makes your breath smell like the monkey cage at the zoo.  There are 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 also 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 white smile increases your confidence and makes you more attractive to to others.  If you’ve been putting this off, make 2012 the year that you will finally be showing your beautiful smile to the world.  There are so many easy and inexpensive ways to make your smile the best that it can be– give us a call or stop in and we will be glad to show you how.

10) DON’T PUT OFF YOUR DENTAL VISITS

We know that visiting  Edward Banas DDS/Ocean Springs Dental 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 even 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 (228)826-3811 and get 2012 off to a great start.

Ocean Springs Dental CHRISTMAS MYSTERY GIVE-AWAY

WIN FREE TICKETS TO BELLINGRATH

……….OR A ROTADENT ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH

Our dental office in Ocean Springs will be ending the year with a contest!  Our Christmas Mystery Give Away “Sweepstakes” begins on December 12, 2011 at 8 a.m. Central Standard Time (“CST”) and ends on December 21, 2011 at 12:00 p.m. CST. There will be eight (8) drawings to award eight (8) prizes. The Sweepstakes is open to legal Mississippi,U.S. residents , who are thirteen (13) years of age or older at the time of entry.

HOW TO ENTER:  You need to have a Facebook or Twitter account. You are allowed to enter on Facebook (1) time daily AND you are allowed to enter one (1) time daily on Twitter. Just visit Facebook or Twitter and log into your account. Go to our facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/OceanSpringsDental or Twitter Page at http://www.Twitter.com/DrBanas and click on the Sweepstakes tab. You can then enter the Sweepstakes through the application located in the Sweepstakes Tab.  As a part of your entry, you must complete the entry form with all required information which will include your full name, state, email and age on the entry submission page, and agree to the Official Rules. Entrants are encouraged to make posts or comments on Ocean Springs Dental Facebook page, or tweet on Twitter for every time they enter. The comment, post or tweet can be about the contest or it may be something about Christmas or dental….or whatever.  Make it fun!  The purpose of this give away contest is to engage the community in our Facebook and Twitter social media sites and introduce our dental practice to newcomers. We will draw 8 entries randomly, and of  those drawn entrants, those with the most posts and comments will win the prizes with the greatest value.  You are allowed to enter once a day on Twitter and once a day on Facebook. The more you enter, the more chances you have to win something. And you may win up to eight prizes if each of your entries is randomly selected for each of the eight drawings.  We will be giving away: One Rotadent Professional Rotary Toothbrush, a pair of tickets to Bellingrath Gardens for viewing the beautiful Christmas lights, and six other prizes which consist of gifts and gift certificates from area merchants and businesses.

Once you get on our Facebook or Twitter site, you can view the directions and rules for the contest.  If you have any questions, call our office at (228)826-3811.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Have a Joyful Kwanzaa, and Wonderful New Year to everyone!

Season’s greetings from Dr. Banas, Lea, Lorrie, and Charlotte!

Protect Your Child From this Dreadful Disease

The Dreaded Dental Disease

You’ve seen it before–an innocent child with a mouthful of rotten teeth!  Oftentimes  the child will develop extreme pain and/or swelling and may require  special dental  treatment or extraction.  Besides causing unnecessary pain and trauma for your child, this disease can be very debilitating in that it very often  has a harmful effect on the eruption of permanent teeth, causes oral infection, and can have a deleterious effect on speech. This dental disease is known by many names: Bottle rot, baby bottle tooth decay, nursing bottle syndrome, tooth rot—whatever you call it,  parents dread it and it is not pretty to look at for sure!

When your child’s teeth are exposed to any liquid containing sugars ( this includes breast milk, formula, juice, Kool-aid, soft drinks, etc) for extended periods of time, the teeth will eventually decay or “rot”.  Bacteria that are commonly found in a child’s mouth cause  cavities or rot by breaking down the sugars found in the liquids to acid by-products.  It is these acids that cause the damage to the teeth.  The teeth most at risk are the upper front teeth and the children most at risk are the babies who fall asleep with a bottle in the mouth.

As a parent, you can prevent this dreadful tooth rotting disease by NEVER putting your child to sleep with a bottle filled with anything except water.  Furthermore, never dip a pacifier in anything sweet like honey or syrup. Remember that sugars breakdown to acids in the mouth and it is the prolonged exposure to acid that causes cavities.  It is important for parents to use a damp gauze to wipe their sleeping baby’s teeth and gums.  This is a great way to introduce your baby to oral hygiene.  As the child gets older and more accustomed to hygiene, the parent can introduce a tooth brush.   Your favorite drug store has many styles of specially designed toothbrushes for kids.   See what works good for your family.  Nevertheless,  it is so important to brush teeth daily from the first time teeth erupt.  And by cleaning your child’s teeth and gums, parents have the perfect opportunity to look at their child’s teeth and gums on a regular basis:  Look for dark spots or pits that don’t rub off and  look for holes along the gum line of the front teeth– these may be cavities that are forming.

So how about it Mom and Dad?  Be vigilant with cleaning your baby’s teeth and NEVER put them to bed with anything except water.  Remember sugar>acid>tooth decay!   An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. If you have any questions or concerns about dental health for you or your kids, give Dr. Banas a call:  (228)826-3811.  And remember that our dental office is now in our new Ocean Springs location at 2113 Government Street, suite K-1.  Same phone number, but a new location.

 

 

Moving on UP….

It seems that nothing endures but change.  The year 2011 has certainly been filled with many changes for our dental home.  The year started on a sad note as  our dental assistant Lorrie Caillouette learned that her husband Rocky had liver cancer and only a short time to live.  By March, Rocky passed away, leaving behind his widow Lorrie with two young children, Amanda and Allison.   http://www.cfhsmg.com/sitemaker/sites/coasta0/obit.cgi?user=333960CaillouetteIII

As the year progressed, our long time neighbor Sav-Rex announced that they were moving to a new location down the street to where the former Movie Gallery was located.  We felt devastated by the news.  After all, they have been our neighbors forever and now they were leaving! It seems that the several armed robberies their store experienced took their toll and they really needed a safer location. And unfortunately, the armed robber is still on the loose!

In June, Charlotte in her doings stumbled upon a once in a lifetime opportunity.  There was a vacant dental office in Ocean Springs just sitting there in the upscale Government Place begging for a new dental tenant.  By this time, we were not at all happy in our Vancleave location after the multiple armed robberies; and losing Sav-Rex made us more the miserable.  Besides, we really needed a bigger and brighter location anyway so we made the decision to move.  Dental offices are traditionally very expensive to construct due to  unique and extensive plumbing and electric, but this vacant spot was basically ready to go from the previous dental tenant, thus saving us tons of money.  All we had to do was  some minor electric, plumbing, painting and carpentry….then we rented a UHaul… and four strong young men later, we were relocated to Ocean Springs in 3 weeks time!

We have been up and running in our new location for a month now.  Initially we were dealing with the learning curve of our new VOIP phone system and the transition to Windows7 from XP, but now that is all getting gradually behind us.  Vancleave’s own Colton McMillan from TechCurity has been very patient with us as we all revisit Computer Technology 101.

So if you happen to call our Ocean Springs dental office and Lea Weizer accidentally cuts you off, please understand that we are still learning a new system.  We have freed ourselves from Ma Bell but are still a little awkward with the new VOIP technology.  And speaking of phones, our telephone number is still the same:  228-826-3811 and we have been able to introduce a toll free number as well: 1-855-843-5235.  We have also introduced WiFi– you can use our “tablet” or bring your own device.

We have also implemented many of your suggestions into our new dental office location.  For instance, many dental patients used to complain that we needed to show “regular” TV vs. dental educational TV.  So we now have regular TV programs playing on new flat screen HDTV’s in each room.  But we can still access the dental program if we need to. Everyone loves it!

We want you to make us your permanent dental home.  And that goes for all of your friends and family, too.  Come in to chat or for treatment, we’re here for you!  

 

Denture breath? Nuke it!

Many of our patients wear removable dentures (also known as “false teeth” or “plates”) .  Dentures are considered “full” whenever they replace all teeth on one or both arches; they  are considered  “partial” whenever they replace one or several teeth and often have hooks, clasps, gaskets, etc.  Either full or partial dentures may contain metal, porcelain, silicone, or nylon components.  Oftentimes they are entirely acrylic based with plastic teeth.

Today I am going to discuss cleaning your denture because proper cleaning of your denture will keep it looking white, prevent bad breath and prevent denture stains from becoming permanent.  And dentistry is all about PREVENTION.

Most importantly, handle your dentures with great care.   Stand over a towel or a sink full of water because if you accidentally drop your dentures, this will cushion the dentures from breaking. And don’t bend or damage the attachments when handling.

Your dentures MUST be thoroughly brushed at least once a day to remove food debris and plaque.  They are not self- cleansing!  And in between brushings,  rinse your dentures after every meal. Many people like to use tablets or soaks to clean their dentures.  It is okay to soak your false teeth, but just be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendation regarding soak time and YOU MUST RINSE off the solution thoroughly afterwards with plenty of water.   A lot of these soaks and tablets contain bleaching agents, which will whiten the pink gum parts of your dentures overtime.  They can also weaken the gaskets and often tarnish or corrode metal components. If you choose to soak your plate with tablets or solutions, you must still use a brush to mechanically remove the plaque (if plaque is not removed, it will eventually harden into calculus or tartar that can only be chipped off safely by the dentist).  Plaque naturally forms on your denture every time you put it in your mouth.  Therefore soaks and tablets aren’t as wonderful and simple as manufacturers claim them to be since YOU MUST STILL USE A BRUSH to thoroughly clean your denture.  At Vancleave’s Dental Office, we instruct our patients to clean their dentures the cheap and safe way– use regular liquid hand soap with a specially designed denture brush (you can purchase these specially designed denture brushes at any drug store– a regular toothbrush is only designed for natural teeth).  Scrub your denture with a brush, soap and water–rinse it off and you’re ready to go.  Nothing is more simple and it is a lot cheaper than buying tablets or soaks that contain chlorine or peroxide agents that might damage your denture.  Never use toothpaste to clean your denture– toothpaste might scratch the denture and make it look dull overtime.

You might be enticed to purchase an expensive ultrasonic cleaner for your denture, but don’t waste your money.  Research shows this method as very ineffective– you still must use a brush!

When the denture is not in your mouth, brush your gums and remaining teeth with a soft toothbrush.  This will help to remove plaque and stimulate circulation in your mouth.

Are you prone to yeast infections in your mouth?  Many denture patients are!  For this problem, follow this easy microwave regimen:  Put dentures (must NOT have metal components) into a microwave container at least twice as tall as the dentures, with vents in the cover; fill the container with tap water and put a tablet of denture cleanser in the water; cover with a towel and microwave for 2 minutes.  Allow dentures to cool and rinse before using them.  According to the the Academy of General Dentistry, this two minute microwave treatment combined with soaking is much more effective at eliminating germs on dentures than just brushing.  Try nuking your dentures if you have a stubborn yeast problem or people complain about your “denture breath”.  Once a week in the microwave is all that it takes.

Visit Vancleave’s dental office to get your dentures professionally checked and cleaned.  Remember dentures need to be relined or replaced every 5 years.  Your mouth changes constantly and bone and gum tissue shrinks so that your dentures will begin to feel loose and unstable.  Call us (228)826-3811 for questions about your dentures or any other dental matters you may have.  Our dental office serves Vancleave, Ocean Springs, Jackson County and surrounding areas.

I Have a What?!

Nearly everyday, someone will exclaim after their dental exam, “I have a what?  No, I don’t have a cavity because my tooth doesn’t hurt.”  Or very often we will hear patients tell us how they were innocently “ripped off” by a previous dentist because the dentist filled teeth that did not hurt and therefore the teeth did not need to be filled– Oh ? Really?!

The real truth is cavities do NOT hurt– more specifically, cavities do not hurt  while they are small.  But inevitably if you do not get these  small (painless) cavities filled while they are small, they only keep growing and growing until one day the tooth breaks and POW– you end up with a huge cavity into the nerve of the tooth and YOU WILL DEFINITELY HAVE PAIN.  In fact,  you will not only have pain, you will have swelling from the infection that results from the cavity that gets into the nerve of the tooth.  This is called an abscess but then instead of a filling, you will have to have a root canal to try to save the tooth or we will have to pull (extract) the tooth.  Pulling an abscessed tooth is never a pleasant experience.  Never.  Ask anyone who has suffered from an abscessed tooth.  I have been a dentist for nearly 30 years (OMG -that is a VERY LONG time) and I have never had a patient with an abscessed tooth say that they had a wonderful dental experience.  How could it be pleasant?–  Anesthetic is neutralized by infection.  And the infection won’t go away until the tooth is removed.

So that is why we say catch ‘em while they’re small– we can fill them, quickly and painlessly…. and less expensive,too!  Otherwise, your cavities just keep getting bigger and bigger….. and bigger and bigger and bigger.  They do not heal on their own and they do not disappear.  Cavities don’t hurt while they’re in the  enamel(no nerves in enamel).  But once the  cavities eat their way into the softer portions of the tooth  (nerves), the situation can fester into something extremely painful and can often become extremely expensive to fix.   Fillings are a LOT CHEAPER than root canals or invasive surgery to remove an infected tooth.

Dentistry in the United States, unlike medicine, is preventive in nature.  Physicians treat diseases with pills. But dentists pride themselves with being able to offer their patients with proven ways to prevent dental diseases such as cavities– fluoride and sealants are two quick and easy ways.  And it goes without mention that proper brushing technique and flossing go a very long way in the prevention of cavities.  And everyone that has been through the doors of Vancleave’s Dental Office knows that we are always harping on the destructive cavity causing effects from soda and other acidic beverages!  Nothing is more disheartening than to see an otherwise healthy 19 year old kid with unhealthy cavity ridden teeth.  Our dental office in Vancleave could’ve prevented this from happening!

So the moral of the story: Prevention is worth a pound of cure.  Do whatever you can to prevent cavities, and come in for regular dental checkups– we can detect and fix cavities when they’re really small so you don’t get yourself into a painful and expensive situation later.   Are you past due for your preventive visit?   Call us:  (228)826-3811.  Schedule your dental check-up today at Vancleave’s Dental Office.

What does Turpentine have in common with Cork and Stone Chips.

 

The band Steely Dan once sang about “Gold Teeth” – but more of us probably have silver in our teeth than gold.

Recently many patients have been asking about the difference between traditional “silver” fillings and the more modern tooth colored or “white” fillings.  Here is a little history (we will try to make it fun!) and then some answers to the many questions people seem to be having.

Ancient dentists used materials as diverse as cork, turpentine, gum, lead and stone chips to restore decayed teeth.  Then in China in 659 AD, long before they were making iPods and Nike tennis shows, dentists began experimenting with using silver as a material to plug unwanted dental holes.

After experimenting with many formulations over the years, in the early 1800’s a French dentist named Louis Regnart added mercury to the mix, creating the first version of the modern day silver filling, known as dental amalgam.  The formula was so controversial that when it was first introduced in the United States by two other Frenchmen known as the Crawcour Brothers, they were run out of the country.

Eventually the formula was perfected and it became the material still in use today which we typically call “silver fillings.”  Most Americans who visit the dentist on a regular basis, especially those of us over thirty or so, have a few of these gems in our mouths.

Lately some groups have pointed out that mercury can be a very unhealthy thing to have in your body and have actually called for all of these fillings to be removed!  While it is true that in large quantities mercury is toxic, after extensive studies, the American Dental Association has concluded that there are no significant health risks to using this time-tested material.

However, we feel it is important to point out two major differences between these traditional silver amalgam fillings and the more modern tooth colored materials.

A silver filling does not actually bond to the healthy tooth material.  It is kept in place by placing the material using a wedge effect.  So while it may do a good job of replacing a decayed area in your tooth, it also weakens the tooth and makes it more susceptible to cracks and fractures, often leading to more extensive treatment such as a crown which covers the tooth completely.  For this reason, we are extra careful to check these fillings closely during your examination for any signs of breakdown.

On the other hand, a tooth colored filling known as a composite or resin actually bonds to the healthy tooth and creates one big, strong, healthy tooth unit.

The other major difference is obvious – a composite filling is a beautiful, almost invisible way to treat a decayed tooth, while an amalgam filling looks like metal.  Do you ever see a famous singer on TV open really wide to reveal a mouth full of silver?  We see it all the time!  Of course, we are dentally obsessed and may be looking much more closely than you!

So, keep brushing and flossing well, eating a healthy diet and get regular dental visits.  Maybe you will never have to worry about this!

But, should you have a “cavity,” we will be glad to discuss all of the options with you and work together to figure out the best way to treat your individual situation.  Our goal is to provide treatment which is strong and beautiful, too!  At Vancleave’s Dental Office, we always want to recommend the absolute BEST options to suit your needs and keep your mouth healthy for the rest of your life.

Should you have any questions or if you would like to schedule and appointment, please give us a call at (228)826-3811.  We are here to help you!

Reeeelax!

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 anxiety?  Infrequent dental visits or total avoidance can cause severe health problems, even heart disease.  This can be a serious problem.

Here at Vancleave’s Dental Office, we take this issue very 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 encourage you to unwind in our spa inspired reception area and enjoy a complimentary Starbuck’s coffee, tea, or one of our freshly baked cookies.  We have stereo headphones that let you choose your own music and drown out the background noise and 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 give us a call at (228) 826-3811 to schedule your next appointment.  With your comfort in mind, we will make sure that every visit is a great one!

TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING?

Most people know that for years dentists have been recommending fluoride as something which helps prevent cavities.  It’s in just about every toothpaste, many mouth rinses, over-the-counter and prescription gels – and close to 70% of Americans have it in their drinking water.  Practically every dental professional credits fluoride for drastically reducing levels of dental decay over the last few decades.

 

Fluoride is a mineral that exists naturally in water and soil.  About 70 years ago, scientists discovered that people who lived where water supplies naturally had more fluoride also had fewer cavities.  Today, most public drinking water supplies are fluoridated, especially in larger cities, and dental professionals applaud its usage.

 

But can there be too much of a good thing?

 

A recent fovernment study found that two in five adolescents had some sort of streaking or spotting in their teeth because of too much fluoride, a number that has grown considerably since the 1980′s.

 

For most people these streaks or spots are totally harmelss and barely visible to the naked eye, although in severe cases the tooth enamel can actually develop a put-like surface.  So even though fluoride still does a fantastic job in cavity prevention, as with most things in medicine, there are side effects.

 

The good news is – as a result of this study the federal government has acted very rapidly to change their recommendation for the amount of fluoride in drinking water, making it 0.7 milligrams per liter of water, down from the 50 year standard of up to 1.2 milligrams.

 

At Vancleave Dental Office we applaud the government’s quick action!  And we still want to help you avoid cavities as much as possible.

 

“One of water fluoridation’s biggest advantages is that it benefits all residents of a community – at home, work, school, or play.  And fluoridation’s effectiveness in preventing tooth decay is not limited to children, but extends thoughout life, resulting in improved oral health,” said Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary Dr. Howard Koh.

 

So, keep brushing, flossing, rinsing and drinking fluoridated water.  It’s also important to continue to see us for your regular dental visits.  We will be glad to check your teeth to see if we can find any negative effects from fluoride and look for cavities too!  As with any dental condition, the sooner we find it, the easier and less costly it is to treat.  If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment, please call us anytime at 1-228-826-3811.  At Vancleave Dental Office we want to keep you smiling!