Why our bodies need water…

Many people do not get the amount of water they need in a day. Drinking water is good for you in a lot of ways. There are health benefits such as water flushes toxins out of vital organs, carries nutrients to your cells and provides a moist environment for ear, nose and throat tissues. Factors that determine an individuals water needs are exercise, the environment, illnesses and when pregnant or breast-feeding. Here is a link to an article from the Mayo Clinic on how water is essential to good health and how much you should really be drinking a day.

A good laugh...

How clean is a dog’s mouth?

We have all had a dog lick us at one point in time. Some think it is gross while others take it as a sign of affection and your dog is just kissing you. We all know dogs will pretty much lick ‘anything’ so I find it hard to believe their mouth could be sanitary.
I tried to google about it but I get mixed theories on the subject. Some say they are clean and can even heal a wound you have, while others say their mouths are not 'sanitary' due to the diseases or illnesses you can get from a dog bite. I would like to know what you think and any web-sites you might have that back up the theory dog’s mouth are indeed clean and we won't think ‘eeww’ when they lick all over our faces. :)

Chewing Tobacco is NOT better than Smoking!

For any of you smokers out there who are thinking of switching to chewing tobacco because it might be better for you, think again! Apparently it's a common misconception. Many people think that smoking tobacco is more dangerous, but the fact is, chewing tobacco could be equally as bad. I came across an article when I was looking for research on the effects of smoking......it sends a very clear message. If I were a tobacco user, it would be enough to make me quit altogether!

Chewing Tobacco Causes:

* Stained Teeth
* Higher risk for tooth decay
* Receding gums
* Mouth sores
* Bad breath
* CANCER!!

Click here to see images. Beware, these are GRAPHIC!

Lumineers VS Veneers: What's the difference?

In a forum I visit frequently, this question was brought up. No one seemed to be able to give a solid answer, so, I decided to research it myself and then thought it would be a good blog for others who may not know...

Veneers/lumineers are a type of cosmetic dentistry. They are both made out of thin porcelain, and both:

-Cover only the visible portions of the teeth
-Repair minor tooth imperfections
-straighten and lengthen teeth
-conceal stained or discolored fillings
-are stain proof

The difference?

Veneers: are thin shells that bond to teeth. They are permanent, custom made, and require removal of a portion of the tooth to fit the veneer. Pro- they feel more natural. Con- they can't be removed.

Lumineers: are thinner than the veneers (about the thickness of a contact lense). Your natural tooth does not need to be altered in any way to fit a lumineer. Pro- they can be removed. Con- may feel bulkier than the regular veneers.

I got my information HERE.

Do you have a thumb sucker?

I use to think it was so cute when my son would hold his bear and suck on his thumb. I never really thought how it might effect his teeth until he got a little older and was still doing it. I was reading this article and it said there should be no harm done to their teeth or jaw as long as the permanent teeth have not started to erupt. If you have ever had a thumb sucker you know how hard it is to try and break the habit. In this article it also gives some tips on how to help them stop. :)

Dental Procedures and Antibiotics-Good News!

I am one of those people who is required to pre-medicate with antibiotics prior to dental procedures, and I recently disovered that it may no longer be necessary! I was told this by my dentist, so I went online to research it and found an article on the topic that confirmed what he had told me. There is a listing of conditions that were previously thought to increase the risk of infective endocarditis in certain people. The list has now been revised. The article was published by the ADA about a year ago. This may apply to you, so please, read this ARTICLE and talk to your dentist, because it might mean that you can avoid taking unnecessary antibiotics!

The ADA and their thoughts on "dental tourism"

If you look back to the June 2nd archives you will find a blog pertaining to "Medical Tourism." I found this blog very interesting and decided to research it a little further (if you haven't read it, click HERE).

I found THIS ARTICLE related to dental tourism and decided to elaborate on the subject. Hope you find it as interesting as I did and feel free to comment! :)

X-rays while pregnant?

At some point you have heard that you should not get x-rays done while you are pregnant because it can be harmful to your unborn child. I thought I would see what information I could find out about it and I came across this web-site that has six different articles all on x-rays and pregnancy. They all seem to be a little different but have some great information in them. I learned some things I didn’t know before.

Dental Expenses and the Elderly-A Travesty

With our volatile economy, things are bad enough, but it is so much worse for those on limited and fixed incomes, and the real travesty is that there is very little help available for those in need of serious dental care. Medical care is much easier to obtain. Dental treatment is quickly becoming one of the most costly of all areas in the medical industry. Basic restorative treatment is becoming a thing of the past, with dentists and dental specialists opting for the higher end products and procedures. Root canals, crowns and implants are exorbitantly high priced, as are dentures and prosthetic devices. The elderly are literally forced to spend money they don't have and are finding that there are limited resources to help with the funding of these treatments and procedures, as government based organizations (on both federal and state levels) generally will not cover anything other than extractions for adults. Does anyone out there have an elderly family member or friend that has had this problem, and were any of you able to find resources for financial aid for the elderly? I searched this morning and came up empty handed. I welcome your suggestions.......

Good ol' silver fillings- Are they safe?

The ongoing controversy continues.... Are silver fillings safe? If you're not familiar with the subject, let me fill you in.

Amalgam (silver) fillings contain Mercury, a substance that can be harmful or even fatal to the human body in large quantities. Some say it's safe, some say it isn't. It hasn't been proven, either way.

Take a look at the following articles discussing the pro's and con's of Amalgam fillings, breif description included:

PRO'S- The ADA supports the idea that amalgam fillings are completely safe!

CON'S- Amalgam fillings contain 50% Mercury!

So, what do you think? ARE amalgam fillings safe?

Bone spurs after oral surgery: Is this normal?

I was recently in a forum online and someone asked this question. Everyone else who responded said to get another dentist because this isn't normal. However, after I had my wisdom teeth pulled, I had quite a few in all 4 sockets (or my gums where the teeth used to be, not sure what to call that). Some of them were pushed out as my gums healed, some of them I worked out on my own, and some of them I had to have taken out. I've always thought this was normal, but when I googled it, I couldn't really find any information as to whether or not this is common. Anyone have any ideas?