#glennsmithdds

[glennsmithdds]

Zoom Teeth Whitening

 Many of you have taken advantage of our tooth whitening specials.  While we strive to provide the best results by both procedure and products, plus the best value- the truth is not all products and procedures are alike and it is important to know the facts.  We have all been to the mall, drugstore, or seen ads regarding teeth whitening.  The most important fact is that there is no better way to whiten your teeth than seeing your dentist here in Torrance, CA.  Dr. Smith and his team are licensed to use higher percentage whitening products that produce the best results-NO EXCEPTIONS!  While all whiteners are neutral pH and cannot cause harm to the teeth, higher percentage peroxides can temporarily harm the gum tissues, so only licensed professionals should be placing these agents. Also, the product brand makes a difference.  We use Zoom the industry leader.  If you are interested in getting a noticeably whiter smile consider having the Zoom whitening treatment done by Dr. Smith and his team. Zoom has been known to whiten a person’s smile up to eight shades whiter in one 45-minute office visit. If you want a dramatically whiter smile, be sure to stop by our dental office in South Bay LA and ask about Zoom Teeth Whitening.

[glennsmithdds]

Dental X-rays:  How Safe Are They Really?

Image courtesy of Ambro at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 Dental x-rays are very important to dentists and hygienists.  When we do an exam we look at several factors to determine a diagnosis.  Without x-rays we are handicapped. They are important because they allow us to see small cavities we might otherwise not see because they are below your existing fillings or crowns, infections in the bone, gum disease, abscesses or cysts, developmental abnormalities, tumors, and alike.

Radiation from dental x-rays has never been a concern, even 50 years ago the exposure was very small, however, let’s put it into terms you can understand.  Per the ADA the amount of radiation that we are exposed to from dental x-rays is very small compared to our daily exposure from things like, cosmic radiation and naturally-occurring radioactive elements. A millisievert (mSv) is a unit of measure that allows for some comparison between radiation sources that expose the entire body (such as natural radiation) and those that only expose a portion of the body (such as x-rays).  It is estimated that the average American is exposed to 6.2 mSv per year. We receive about 3.0 mSv from living  on earth, more or less depending on whether you live at sea level or Denver. With regard to dentistry, one traditional, film x-ray equals about 0.005 mSv, while a full, film set of 18 equals about 0.15 mSv, some sources claim less. 

Based on those slight levels of radiation  you can see why dentists have never  been concerned; even with the old fashioned film dental x-rays.  That being said, our office uses digital x-rays, which has taken radiation exposure to an all time low, decreasing your exposure to anywhere from 60-90%! The average digital full set is about 0.0039 mSv-which is a negligible amount from anybody’s perspective.

Not only is the radiation insignificant,  digital x-rays are better because they are computerized, this means they can be zoomed in, made darker or lighter, or color enhanced without any distortion to help with interpretation, and they can be emailed!  They are more comfortable, because they are taken with a very fast sensor; and we’re in and out with no more uncomfortable cardboard in your mouth! Lastly, digital x-rays are green.  They require no chemicals, no lead sheeting with every film, and no more waste from the plastic wrappers!

We hope this information will give you a better prospective on why x-rays are necessary, as well as peace of mind when Veronica asks to take your next full set!

[glennsmithdds]

Colgate Total

 There have been claims in the news lately that triclosan, found in toothpaste is unsafe for humans. Numerous studies have revealed that is not the case. To date, Colgate Total, approved by the ADA, is the only brand of toothpaste that uses this anti-bacterial agent. It has undergone numerous studies that prove its effectiveness, providing up to 12 hours of protection from gingivitis causing bacteria. So, please don’t hesitate to use the product if Dr.Smith or our hygiene staff give you a sample!

[glennsmithdds]

21 Survival Uses For Dental Floss

Sewing- It is hard to beat the durability of dental floss, especially when it comes to making emergency repairs to clothing and equipment.  Unwaxed dental floss is typically the best option for sewing.

Whip A Rope-This is the best way to keep a rope that is not nylon from unraveling.

Replace A Shoelace-This is pretty straight forward but doubling or tripling the thickness of the floss will work best.

Clothesline- Fall in the lake? No big deal, just tie up some floss between two trees and hang your clothes up to dry.

Trip Wire- A nice tight lenght of dental floss is a great trip wire for an early warning device.  Just make sure to rub some dirt on to the floss to keep it from standing out like…well, a piece of white dental floss tied between two trees.

Suspend Food In The Air- If you find yourself in the woods without a good place to store your food, place it all in a bag and then suspend it in the air from a tree with some floss.

Fishing Line-It is estimated that dental floss is equivalent to about 20 lb test line which makes it great for almost all survival fishing.

Fix Glasses- While not pretty, a piece of floss can be tied through the frame of your glasses to replace a missing screw.

Start A Fire- Wax dental floss burns well!  Wrap dental floss around a match to significantly increase the burn time.

Make A Snare or Trap- Dental floss will not hold its form as well as wire but it can definitely be used to make a snare or trap in a survival scenario.

Lashing Together A Shelter- An improvised shelter will need to be lashed together in most cases but if you don’t have any cord, use dental floss!

Tie A Knife To A Pole- Dental Floss can be used to secure a knife to a stick or pole for use as a spear to hunt or fish with.

Securing Gear- Don’t have room in your bag for a piece of gear?  Tie it to the outside with some dental floss.  It can also be used to make a dummy cord for an important piece of equipment.

Make A Bow String- I don’t know that a single strand of dental floss would work well as a bow string but a braid of three strands would likely work as a backup or improvised solution.

Hand Cuffs- This one makes me cringe a little.  (I think it could be a bit painful!) If the emergent need arises to detain an attacker or invader, floss can be used for handcuffs in a similar manner to handcuffing someone with paracord.

Make A Fishing Net- This takes the knowledge of how to make your own fishing net but, dental floss will hold up well against the water and make a strong net.

Cutting Food- While not sharp, the small diameter of dental floss allows it to easily cut through some foods.  In this case, think soft foods like cheese or bread dough.

Make A Rope- Dental floss can be woven together to make a rope.

First Aid- Floss can be used as a substitute for sutures as well as for tying off a severed artery or the umbilical cord of a new baby.  (It is not a great substitute for a tourniquet because it can just cut into the skin instead of effectively stopping bleeding.)

Hide Items In A Wall- Use dental floss to suspend items in the hollow space inside interior walls.

Treasure Hunting- This was a surprise to me but there has been successful treasure hunts using dental floss as the key component of the treasure recovery system. 

Hopefully if you didn’t realize it already, you now know how valuable dental floss can be in a survival situation and some of the many reasons that it should be included in your kit.

What else do you use your dental floss for?

[glennsmithdds]

This is terrific news that hopefully catches on with other insurance carriers.  It is a move in the right direction that there is an increasing recognition that diabetes and pregnancy is associated with the occurrence and progression of periodontal gum disease.

If you are a member of one of these insurance programs and want to verify that you are eligible for additional services, call Dr. Glenn O. Smith’s office staff and they will help confirm your coverage

[glennsmithdds]

Food Fighters

Coffee.  A recent study from Boston University found that regular coffee consumption was linked with a small but significant reduction in tooth bone loss, suggesting that coffee may offer a protective benefit against periodontal disease.

Nuts, fruits, and legumes.  A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that diets high in fiber and antioxidants slowed the progression of periodontal disease in older adults.

Cranberries.  The polyphenols in tart red fruit slow the growth of bacteria that cause periodontal disease and may help reduce inflammation, according to a recent study in the Journal of the Canadian Dental Association.

Yogurt. A study published in the Journal of Periodontology found that people who regularly ate cheese, milk, and yogurt had a lower risk of gum disease.

[glennsmithdds]

Brush Up

According to the CDC, periodontal disease affects half of U.S. adults age 30 and older.  It's known as the "silent" disease because often no symptoms signal a problem until it progresses to an advanced stage, threatening tooth decay and loss, says David Fields, DMD.

But pain and tooth loss are sometimes the least of the consequences linked to gum disease.  Harvard researchers found that men with periodontal disease have a 63% higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

Other studies show links between gum disease and diabetes and heart disease. "Periodontal disease is a disease of chronic inflammation," says Fields, so a link to other chronic inflammatory diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, seem to make sense.

 Ask Dr. Smith these questions to make sure you're doing all you can to prevent gum disease. 

1. Do I floss correctly? Have Dr. Smith demonstrate step-by-step the proper way to floss.

2. What floss should I use? One type might be better suited to your teeth than another.

3. Do I brush too hard? This can cause some gum recession and eventually bone loss, so ask Dr. Smith or your hygienist to show you proper brushing technique.

 Also, check for red, swollen, or painful gums; bleeding when you brush, floss, or eat some foods; or gums that look like they have receded from your teeth.  If you have any of these changes, mention them to Dr. Smith.

[glennsmithdds]

A Couple Hundred Bucks a Year could Help Save Your Life-Not just your Teeth!

Most of us are aware of the risk to the cardiovascular system if we don't look after our mouths, however Alzheimer's is also an inflammatory disease too and also is linked to the health of our mouth.  Alzheimer's is the result of amyloid deposits that aggravate neuroinflammation and eventually cause cell death.  This new study suggest that chronic inflammation, such as involved with gum disease worsens the inflammatory processes in the brain.

If you have ever been told you have gum disease or ever heard Dr. Glenn O. Smith, Susan or Carol record a gum pocket over 4mm, then the studies are talking about you.

While some patients over 38 years of age can get away with a cleaning every 6 months, patients with gum issues can't afford that much time between cleanings.  A couple hundred dollars a year could not only save your smile, but literally save your brain and life as you know it.  Don't risk it, make sure you see Susan or Carol as regular as they suggest!