Bites and Smiles

According to a 2006 report by the Brown County Oral Health Partnership:

1. Dental cavities are the most common chronic childhood disease
   
   
2. Untreated cavities in children can be associated with growth, learning and speech problems and can result in costly emergency room visits
   
   
3. Twenty percent of the populations had 80 percent of the decay
   
   
4. Among 5- to 7-year-olds, tooth decay is five times as common as a reported history of asthma and seven times as common as hay fever
   
   
5. Despite progress in reducing tooth decay, individuals living below the poverty level experience more dental decay than who are economically better off
   
   
6. In addition to poverty level, the proportion of teeth affected by tooth decay varies by age and race/ethnicity

Source: Green Bay Press
 

Posted by bitesnsmiles at 11:33 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Bites & Smiles Dental Clinic utilizes the latest techniques in cosmetic dentistry to transform a person's smile.

We provide high quality dental care in a manner that is both easily understood and accepted by clients of all ages.

Bites & Smiles – Best Dental Care you can SMILE about

Everyone finds our place friendly, our accommodations comfortable, and our technical services and dental expertise exceptional.

Highly recommended by Filipino-American tourists and families.

Posted by bitesnsmiles at 08:58 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

There are two major stages of gum disease: Gingivitis and Periodontitis. Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease and can be treated and reversed if diagnosed early. Periodontitis is the serious and advanced stage of gum disease, which includes bone loss and is irreversible. Poor oral hygiene is the most common cause of periodontitis.

Common symptoms of gum disease are:

    * Frequent bad breath
    * Red and swollen gums that bleed easily
    * Gums separating from the teeth
    * Loose teeth
    * Change in your bite
    * Change in the way partials or dentures fit


While gum disease is a serious problem, it can be easily prevented. Brushing twice a day, flossing daily and regular check ups with your dentist are the best ways to prevent gum disease, thus protecting your overall health.

In the past, oral health has been associated only with the mouth. New research has found that the advanced stage of gum disease, periodontitis, is linked with health problems such as heart disease and stroke. Some researchers have even suggested that periodontitis can cause premature birth, low birth weight, pancreatic cancer, high blood sugar levels and even bacterial pneumonia.

Even though studies have linked gum disease to many health problems, the American Dental Association states that, "just because two conditions occur at the same time, doesn’t necessarily mean that one condition causes the other." Much more research is needed on this subject.

Bacterial endocarditis is a common risk associated with periodontal disease.
Bacterial endocarditis is an infection in the lining of the heart or heart valves, which could damage or destroy these valves.

Bacterial endocarditis can also occur in patients who have minor heart valve problems, especially if periodontal disease is present. The consensus is that bacteria can get into the bloodstream from infected gums, which can activate infection in the bloodstream within the heart.

According to the American Heart Association, bacterial endocarditis happens when bacteria in the bloodstream, called bacteremia, lodge on heart tissue that has been damaged or on abnormal heart valves.

Sources:

The Academy of General Dentistry; The American Heart Association. 05 August 2007.

Posted by bitesnsmiles at 08:53 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Santa Clarita Valley, Los Angeles - The Foundation for Children’s Dental Health will host a fiesta party at City Mayor Pro-Tem Bob Kellar’s home on Saturday, August 18, 2007 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. to raise funds for children needing dental care.

Live salsa dancing performances, salsa lessons, margaritas, great music, homemade Mexican food, and a give-a-way with mystery prizes will greet event participants.

For more information about the event or to RSVP, please contact Ericka Watson, Executive Director at (661) 296-8515 or Brendie Bandara at (661) 255-4923.

Posted by bitesnsmiles at 08:41 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Teeth-whitening is presently one of the most lucrative fads hitting the oral-care market. There are essentially three tiers of health-care assistance your money can buy if you are interested in bleaching your teeth.

The American Dental Association recommends against teeth-whitening without prior dental consultation. Having your teeth whitened in your dentist’s office can run anywhere from US$300 to US$1000, but the most dramatic results are obtained. This is because dentists have access to the strongest whiteners.

Take-home dentist-dispensed whiteners are $300—$500. They take longer to apply but don’t require an office visitation.

Over the counter whiteners can be purchased for as little as $20. These are the most cost effective options, but they achieve the least dramatic results because the intensity of the bleaching agents is significantly less than your dentist’s.

 

Posted by bitesnsmiles at 08:39 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Here's what the experts have to say about the different terms and claims you might see on toothpaste labels:

    * Fluoride. You should only buy toothpastes that contain fluoride. On the label, this may be called stannous fluoride, sodium fluoride or monofluoride phosphate (MFP). This is the ingredient all oral care professionals seem to agree upon as the basis for using commercial toothpastes. As long as the product has fluoride, it will help maintain oral health.

    * Tartar control. The active tartar-control ingredient, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, has been proven to prevent tartar, but it can't remove tartar already on the teeth. Only a professional cleaning can do that. Some dentists say tartar-control pastes can cause mouth irritation, and do not do enough extra to warrant the risk of this irritation.

    * Baking soda. Despite all the hype about baking soda toothpastes, there is no proof that they have any effect whatsoever. Some dentists warn that the baking soda is far too abrasive for continual use, and may actually lead to gum problems and irritation in the mouth. Some consumers, however, like the taste and feel of baking soda in the mouth.

    * Peroxide. While the ADA believes current levels of peroxide in toothpastes are safe, some dental experts say peroxide can irritate and damage gum tissue. The bubbling may make you feel like you're getting a better cleaning, but there is no scientific proof of this.

    * Desensitizing toothpastes. These work for mild cases of tooth hypersensitivity, but expect to wait four to six weeks before you feel any results. The ADA recognizes two effective ingredients in treating sensitive teeth and gums: strontium chloride and potassium nitrate. These "block the tube-like channels that pass through teeth and connect to nerves," thereby reducing "the ability of the nerves to transmit pain," says the ADA. Keep in mind that these won't work for tooth pain caused by cavities or tooth problems other than receding gums.

    * Abrasives. These are essential for removing plaque, and are usually in the form of silica. All ADA-approved toothpastes contain mild abrasives.

    * Whitening ability. As mentioned above, no toothpaste has been proven effective in actually changing the color of teeth. The whitening toothpastes merely clean surface stains, and cannot change the underlying tooth color.

Although toothpaste commercials often show actors squirting a huge, swirling amount of toothpaste on the brush, experts stress than you need no more than a pea-sized amount of toothpaste to do the job -- more than that is just product waste. Kids need even less; Dr. Kimberly A. Loos says children older than two only need a match-head-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.

Posted by bitesnsmiles at 08:08 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)