" I'll Smoke You In This Race!"

Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, accounting for approximately 443,000 deaths, or 1 of every 5 deaths, in the United States each year.

It's summer time and many of us take to the open road for excersise.. a longing to feel the wind in our  hair, sunshine on our face, and urge to breathe in a deep breath of TAR and NICOTENE....Ahhhhhh! ..wait! WHAT? that makes no sense, you might say...

Yet, so many still continue to puff on the cancer sticks, or fill up their lip with insta-oral cancer dips, some even chew their way to multiple malignacies through smokeless gum.

Let me simply get off my soapbox and let a few REAL statistics do the talking:

~ Chewing tobacco and snuff contain 28 cancer-causing agents.

~Here's a list of the Head and Neck Cancer's ALONE that smoking causes:

• Hypopharyngeal Cancer
• Laryngeal Cancer
• Lip and Oral Cavity Cancer
• Metastatic Squamous Neck Cancer with Occult Primary
• Nasopharyngeal Cancer
• Oropharyngeal Cancer
• Paranasal Sinus and Nasal Cavity Cancer
• Salivary Gland Cancer

~Cigarette smoking and exposure to tobacco smoke cause more than 440,000 premature deaths each year in the United States.
Of these premature deaths, about 40 percent are from cancer, 35 percent are from heart disease and stroke, and 25 percent are from lung disease.
~Smoking is the leading cause of premature, preventable death in this country.
~Approximately 3,000 lung cancer deaths occur each year among adult nonsmokers in the United States as a result of exposure to secondhand smoke.
~Smokers pay twice as much for life insurance and will die an average of over 12 years sooner than non-smokers. Not too mention the HUGE waste in dollars a tobacco user spends yearly!

And the list goes on, and on and on....but I think you are getting the message...

Thank You Tobacco companies for the years of mutilation, killing, home wreaking that you have so generously infected millions with over the years....
... and you, at home, considering quitting- hats off to you! Do it for ALL our sake's!

In this life we only get one go-round..fill yourself up with healthy choices!

Until next time, Keep smiling!;)

The Benefits of Digital Dental X-Rays

Digital radiography is becoming a popular method for dental x-rays across the country. With digital x-rays, the dental hygienist inserts a sensor, similar to the bitwewings used in traditional x-rays, into your mouth to capture the digital images of your teeth. There are several benefits to using digital radiography over traditional x-rays.

Less Radiation

• The main benefit of using digital x-rays over traditional ones is less radiation. Although bitewing x-rays are extremely safe, the digital option is convenient for patients who have other x-rays on a regular basis or for those who are concerned and would like the lowest radiation option available.

Higher-Quality Images

• With a standard x-ray, a dentist prints the film, holds it up to the light and attempts to read it. With digital x-rays, your hygiest can take the image, bring it up on a computer monitor and manipulate it. For example, the image can  be enlarged for a better look or change the brightness and contrast, which allows your dentist to identify cavities that may not have been seen on a traditional x-ray.
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• Transferring Dental Records

• Whether you need to see a specialist or surgeon or you decide to change your dental provider, transferring your dental records can be a pain. To transfer traditional x-rays, copies must be made and mailed to the new provider. With digital x-rays, the digital files can be sent by email, allowing your new provider to review the information immediately.

Shorter Dental Appointments

• No one likes to spend her day at any appointment, let alone at a dental office. With traditional x-rays, you have to sit through the lengthy x-rays and then sit around waiting for the film to develop. With digital radiography, your x-rays are available almost instantly; you will be in and out of your appointment in no time.

The topic of xrays can be controversial, but the concensus is that many problems can, in fact be detected early with xrays - helping to keep you out of pain!

Until next time, Keep smiling!

Read more: The Benefits of Digital Dental X-Rays | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/list_6027310_benefits-digital-dental-x_rays.html#ixzz1r52aGjbe

Manual VS Electric Debate

Manual vs. Electric Toothbrushes

If you’ve ever wondered what it might be like to use that super, high-tech toothbrush you’ve seen in the stores, but are unsure of the costs and benefits of switching, then you should definitely take the time to do some comparisons. The first thing to know is that there are three different types of toothbrushes: traditional manual, battery-powered and electric rechargeable. Each one has its benefits and pitfalls, so it really is a matter of deciding what features are important to you and what your brushing style is.

 

Manual

The first obvious benefit of using a manual toothbrush is the cost. You can get a new, advanced manual toothbrush for just a couple of dollars and it will last you a while. They also don’t require a power source, so you don’t have to worry if you forgot to charge it. While they’re not as powerful as electric brushes, they do come with a lot of advanced features that help you get a really good clean. You can find manual brushes that have criss-crossed bristles, gum simulators, tongue-cleaning pads, angled brush heads and more.

 

Battery

Battery-operated toothbrushes, also called “power toothbrushes,” have all the same features of a manual toothbrush plus some additional vibrations and pulsations to give you an even deeper clean. Other features include built-in, replaceable AA batteries, an on/off button on the handle and bristles that are designed specifically to pulsate along with the vibrations. This is a good brush for people who want some additional help when cleaning their teeth, but are wary of getting a full-electric brush.

 

Electric

Electric rechargeable toothbrushes are by far the most advanced types of brushes and have been proven to remove more plaque than standard manual brushes. They also come with many great features such as different brush modes, timers, pressure sensors, digital reminders to replace the head, multiple brush head compatibility and more. The benefits of these toothbrushes are great! You simply glide the toothbrush over the surface area and it does all the work for you, very easy! Although it is a bit more pricey than a manual toothbrush, you might find that having all these features and getting a better clean is well worth the extra cost!

I highly recommend ORAL B Vitality- Floss Action Electric Toothbrush for ALL!!!!! Especially, kids, adults with many restorations, anyone whom may have a hard time with dexterity, even teens with orthodontics. 

I think you get the drift! I'm a big fan!!! 

Until Next time! Keep Smiling! ;)

When Did Your Child Last Have a Dental Checkup?

                        February is National Childrens Oral Health Month!
As many of us all know, time flies! Before you know it an entire year has gone by!

As a dental provider I recommend everyone see a dentist for a yearly check ..and most people need to see their hygienist once, twice or sometimes even 4 times per year in order to keep them healthy!

I often get asked "how old should children start being seen by a dental provider?"

A: As soon as teeth begin showing themselves in the mouth!
This visit will typically include an assesment of the head, neck, gums, and teeth, to be sure eveything looks "normal". The assesment should also include an dietary assesment, and recomendations for cleaning your childs teeth properly.

If you ever spot any "abnormal" sores or "brown spots" in you or your childs mouth, please contact your trusted dental provider as soon as possible, as it might mean a serious illness like oral cancer.
(Stay tuned for an upcoming discussion on oral cancer).

Until next time~Keep Smiling!;)

Welcome All You Smart, Oral Health Concious Individuals!

It is a wonderfully, sunny winter day here in Maine! Teeth as white as Snow!
As I begin this journey of blogging, I will tell you I'm so excited to have a venue- a "public Service Announcement area", if you will, to spread information, squash dental fears and to be a constant resource for YOU when it comes to topics and "goings-on" that just may help you live a long healthy life!

I will keep you posted on a variety of topics ranging from what brand of toothpaste is most recommeded,  where you can find free health/dental screening clinics to up-and coming 5K road races for various causes!

SO join ME (as in Maine)..in becoming a healthier, well informed, community minded state!

As my Great Gram Harmon once said, "The one thing that goes the farthest, toward making life worthwhile, that costs the least and does the most, is just a pleasant smile"!