Mar 8, 2011
Many people dread the feared “needle” when they come to the dentist. Sometimes this actually keeps people from coming to the dentist for years, resulting in even worse problems. Many injections can be given painlessly, especially when a topical anesthetic is rubbed on the gums to numb the effect of the needle puncture. But, even so, there can be some discomfort in the injection site.
Enter the Wand. This is a new computer controlled anesthetic injection system for dentists that pretty much eliminates the feeling of the needle. We, the doctors, practiced giving the injections on each other when we first got the system and were amazed that there literally was no sensation of a needle or pain!
We are always looking for new ways to make the dental experience as comfortable as possible. We and our staff are all big wussies when it comes to having our own dentistry done so we know what it is like to be scared or uncomfortable – because we had these experiences growing up. So the Wand really makes it a lot easier. Oral conscious sedation is also available for those wh really have fear or phobias.
Jan 27, 2011
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 government 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 1980s.
For most people these streaks or spots are totally harmless and barely visible to the naked eye, although in severe cases the tooth enamel can actually develop a pit-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 recommendations 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 Falmouth Dental Arts we applaud the government’s quick action! And we still want to help you avoid cavities as much as possible. So keep brushing, flossing and keep your fluoride intake to a minimum – it’s in everything! 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.
Jan 19, 2011
For anyone who might want whiter teeth we are having a half-off sale – our Winter Whitening Special. Just click on our Facebook icon to get the coupon. Oh, and while you’re there, please “Like” our page if you desire. We’d love to get feedback on the site, too! Thanks to all of you who support us! We have a great time with our patients and always are willing to accept good (and bad) feedback to make things better.
Jan 12, 2011
I just saw a fascinating video on TED.com – a very interesting website about the world. We use facebook, twitter, and a myriad of other ways to connect with each other. The very fact that you may be reading this blog shows one of those connections. We use it for education, friendship, communication and endless “tweets”, but how does it affect our health and the person to person (in real life) connections? Hopefully this will shed some light on what is happening all over the planet. Oh, and by the way, don’t forget to floss and brush! You can see this amazing video by clicking here http://bit.ly/eGeEj8
