Posted by Divij Bhatia on August 25, 2009 at 4:30pm
Something that we are all afraid of as people is having bad breath and leaving a poor first impression on anyone, whether its a hot date or your boss. Some of the common symptoms of bad breath include; smoking, not brushing properly, and eating the wrong foods. We all think its as easy as chewing a piece of gum to remedy the situation, but it can be a little more complicated than that.Some of the more common remedies to get rid of bad breath include:1. Drinking plenty of water: If your mouth is dry, drink plenty of water. Try swooshing it around in your mouth for at least twenty seconds to loosen any food particles the bacteria can feed upon.2. Increase Saliva: Chew sugarless gum or suck on sugarless lozenges to increase the flow of saliva3. Keep it Green:Chlorophyll is a natural breath freshener and is found in leafy green vegetables like parsley(more tips with the article)If you have any bad breath tips that you share with your patients or just tips to think about for daily use, please post them!You can read the rest of the article at Health & Fitness here
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Posted by Divij Bhatia on August 13, 2009 at 12:06pm
After years of scientific research on the safety of dental amalgam, on July 28th, 2009 the FDA has re-affirmed that dental amalgam is in fact a safe dental restorative material.The FDA has created a classification system for the mercury based material. There are two classes; class I (low risk) and class II (moderate risk). This classification system places dental amalgam in the same category as gold fillings.The AGD has taken a hard stance in support of the use of dental amalgam. According to AGD President David F. Halpern, "The AGD has long supported amalgam as a safe and effective dental restorative material. The choice for restorative material is between the dentist and the prudent patient based on the treatment, needs and wants"Read the rest of the article here byDental economicsRead more…
Posted by Divij Bhatia on August 5, 2009 at 10:33am
There has been a slow but steady rising trend of adult braces in the country.As reported by the San Bernardino sun, there are over 1 million adults in the U.S with braces now.Also according to the recent survey taken, there is a 37% increase in adult brace's from 1994 to 2004.Most doctors are finding that the average customer is getting braces primarily for cosmetic purposes and for no other reason. According to Dr. Ricardo Suarez, ""More people are interested in cosmetic procedures,sometimes to get a job, or to just get in the door."Advances in technology have created new options to straighten teeth in less time, with less discomfort and less visibility. Braces are simply not what they used to be."Most of the cases I see are mild," said Suarez. "Many adults have had (the idea of) getting braces on their minds for a long time, and it just takes that spark to go do it."As dentists, have you noticed a steady upward trend in the rise of adult braces? If so, on average how many do you see per year and are they primarily for cosmetic reasons?You can read the full article from theSan Bernardino Sun here
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The aloe vera plant has a long history of healing power. Its ability to heal burns and cuts and soothe pain has been documented as far back as the 10th century.A recent study has shown that aloe vera tooth gel is considered (by some) to be a replacement for toothpaste because it is as effective at cleaning the teeth and gums as well as fighting cavities. Aloe vera is also a great substitute for patients with sensitive teeth and gums. According to AGD spokesperson Eric Shapria, DDS, “Thankfully, consumers with sensitive teeth or gums have a number of choices when it comes to their oral health, and aloe vera is one of them”.What do you think? Do you think aloe vera is a suitable alternative to standard general practice in dentistry?Read the full story at the Huliq NewsRead more…
Talk about brushing your teeth on the go! The tooth taxi has landed in Dallas, TX and is helping local elementary school kids with educating them about proper hygiene as well as taking care of any of their dental needs. The tooth taxi program also spent over a year in Oregon, one of the nation’s highest populations with tooth decay.What about in your community? Do you think having a traveling tooth taxi would be a great way to have kids go to the dentist?Read the full story at The Dalles ChronicleRead more…
A Third of Sheffield Does Not See DentistThe UK Star recently reported that one third of the population of Sheffield, England does not go to a NHS dentist.These numbers are centered on the fact that more and more people have been going to hospitals for emergency dental surgery. According to Dr. Spencer Pitfield he states, “It's an alarming number of people. These figures underline once again the Labour Government's appalling failure on NHS dentistry”Do you think it is better to have government run programs or prefer private practices that can provide better care? Do you think it would be better to see a dentist or rather go to a hospital for emergency dental care?
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