HELPFUL FACTS

• An oral evaluation is recommended no later than the age of 1. In most cases this assessment is done by the Pediatrician, if there is any area of concern contact the family dentist.
• By the age of six, most children will have their first set of permanent molars, as well as start losing their baby teeth. Routine checkups are recommended twice a year starting from the age of three. These appointments will help maintain optimal overall health, by assessing any risk factors that can lead to cavities, gingival diseases and malocclusion. At these appointments, an exam, cleaning, fluoride treatment and possibly x-rays will be performed. Fluoride is a mineral that strengthens teeth and helps fight tooth decay. X-rays allow for areas that are not visible clinically to be assessed, it is recommended that periodically unseen areas are evaluated. Other preventative measures such as sealing molars that have deep grooves on the chewing surfaces may be recommended. Sealants are a plastic white material that adheres directly onto the teeth preventing plaque and acids from embedding itself in the grooves of the teeth.
• Frequent snacking increases the risk for developing decay. Limit sugary snacks and drinks to meal time. In between meals healthier snacks such as fresh fruit, vegetables, dry cereals and other non-sticky foods are recommended. Consuming plenty of water and chewing sugar-free gum are natural and easy ways to help the oral cavity self cleanse throughout the day.
• Teeth should be brushed with a soft bristle brush and water as soon as they erupt in the mouth.
• Children 2 years of age and older, should brush twice a day with a pea size amount of fluoridated tooth paste. An adult should monitor this practice to make sure that the toothpaste is not being consumed and assist with the technique for children 2-7 years of age. Flossing once a day is recommended once the child's teeth start making contact. Children should always use the proper size children's toothbrush with soft bristles, and replace it every 3-4 months, or after a cold or infectious virus.

This article was written by Mariely Nicasio RDH.

Many individuals avoid the dentist because of fear of pain or fear of embarrassment. Let me tell you, we have seen it all. We are not in the dental business to judge people nor to inflict pain. We are here to help all people to achieve ever lasting healthy smile. All we need is for the patient to tell us in the first visit about their fears so we can customize the treatment. Also, dentistry has advanced so much to help different needs.

there are many other reasons why these individuals should not avoid the dentist:

• They will miss on their oral cancer exam
• They will miss on their dental, gum, and TMJ exam
• They will miss on the PH balance of the mouth exam.
• They will miss on any opportunity to save the teeth, or prevent bone loss
• They will miss on the opportunity of learning about regular home and office care.
• They will miss on a possibility of cosmetic enhancement.
• They will miss on the education we provide for a long time maintenance.
• Finally I would like to say let us help you when things show up in the mouth not when they blow up.

Post operative soreness and discomfort after a dental cleaning is directly related to the amount of plaque present around your teeth and gum. Plaque is very sticky and hides every where especially between the teeth and below gum line where flossing is our best defense. The bacteria in the plaque cause swelling and inflammation. The longer the plaque stays in our mouth the more calcified it becomes which will in turn trap more bacteria and the inflammation becomes even worse.

The Hygienist role is to remove all hard and soft plaque above and below the gum line, so the tissue can reattach to the teeth. The post operative pain is related to the amount of the inflammation present in the tissue which will last up to one week. During the healing period it is absolutely necessary to keep the teeth clean by brushing, flossing, rubber tipping, rinsing with warm water and salt,and taking Advil or Tylenol. you may need to double your efforts in your home care at the beginning until we bring the gum to the optimum health.

home care instructions are tailored to each patient's needs. we do not give the same instructions to all patients.

Most importantly, we need to hear your feedback after your cleaning. we take your feedback seriously, and it helps us to adjust our work to your comfort level.

Have a happy brushing and flossing.

this article was written by Jackie Forbes. RDH.

When kids get into accidents and break their teeth or might come out of their mouth, that is when you need to be calm, collective, and do the following:

1. If tooth is a baby tooth don't worry about replanting it back into the socket, if it is an adult tooth hold it by the crow and DO NOT touch the root.
2. Rinse the tooth with water, saline, or milk for 10 seconds, DO NOT scrub the root. Try to replant the tooth back to the socket and hold it in place until you see the dentist.
3. If you can not replant the tooth, then soak the tooth in cold milk or saline, milk is even better. DO NOT soak the tooth in water this will hurt the vital cell of the tissue surrounding the root.
4. Patient should see the dentist immediately or within the hour, the longer the tooth stays outside the mouth the less success we have to save the vitality of the tooth
5. Remember see the dentist immediately, or with in the hour at the most.Happy New Year everyone, may it a blessed year to you all and your families.

Recently on the Dr. Oz show, he reported that an increase in thyroid cancer especially in women could be caused by dental x-rays. I want to share some important points with you about dental x-rays:

1. The amount of radiation we get from dental X-rays is so small. In the past we used to expose patients for 40 seconds per x-ray, now with digital x-rays the exposure is just 7 seconds. For example, assume you are exposed for 40 seconds for each X-ray times 20 films which is a full mouth series we do once every 5 years, you will still not be exposed as much as if you are when you walk or sit in the sun for just a half hour. You will also get the more exposure by being in front of the TV for half hour not protected with lead shield. We get more harm from the sun than we get from x- rays.

2. The way x-rays are directed and contained: In the past we had the cone shaped x-ray machines which scattered the rays to all directions. This has been changed to a cylindrical shaped cone x-ray machines which is more site specific and does not scatter x-rays to all directions at all.

3. The sensitivity of cells towards X-rays: X-rays affect the growing cells more than the mature cells. For example, in the case of a pregnant woman, the second trimester is the safest to do dental work with x-rays. Having said that, there is more danger to the fetus by not doing anything when a dental problem occurs at any point during the pregnancy. Given the knowledge of the sensitivity of the growing cell to the x-rays, let's see how the cancer cells behave. We all have cancer cells in our bodies, for whatever reason, and there are so many, we don't even know what triggers this behavior. These cells start to multiply and grow in a strange and radical way. Traditionally, to kill these cells we do radiation therapy in addition to Chemo therapy.

4. Doing an exam or operating in dentistry without x-rays is like driving with your eyes blind folded, would you do that? Try it let me know what you think. It is the same thing with dentistry. We can't see what is going on in the bone, sinuses, or teeth decay without taking x-rays. We also cannot do root canals, surgeries, extractions, crowns, implants etc.......... and the list goes on without taking x-rays. Dentists only take 4 films per year every year to check for cavities, shape and amount of bone loss, and many other things that outweigh the minute exposure to dental x-rays. The bottom line, you cannot expect to keep your teeth and gums healthy for life without the benefit of x-rays.

5. Let's look at our environment: the water, the air, the laser games, TVs, radio waves we can't see. All these are one way or another harmful to us, but we live and the span of our lives in today's society is longer than in the past when people lived much more simply. Has anyone walked in the cemetery in Plymouth where pilgrims first settled; the oldest survivor was 50 years of age.

6. For something to be really harmful it needs to be repeated everyday with intensity.

So, relax everyone don't panic. Make sure you brush and floss every day, and get your dental check-up regularly. Enjoy healthy, teeth and gums for life.

Happy New Year!