Football Season Can Be A Penalty for Your Teeth!

Nothing says football season like big tub of Gatorade being dumped on the winning coach at the end of a game. But for you and your kids it could be "offsides" and "holding" on your dental health!!

Originally developed at the University of Florida in 1965 (and named after their sports teams--"The Gators") Gatorade was intended for athletes such as football players who endured rigorous workouts in the hot sun. But somehow this potent drink has become a staple of our popular culture, and its combination of sugars, salt and electrolytes can be anything but healthy for all but the most strenuous exercisers. The fact is, for just about all of us, including children, water remains the healthiest drink either with meals or during and after exercise.

"For most children engaged in routine physical activity, plain water is best," said Holly J. Benjamin, MD, a member of the executive committee of the AAP Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness. "Sports drinks contain extra calories that children don't need, and could contributor to obesity and tooth decay. It's better for children to drink water during and after exercise, and to have the recommended intake of juice and low-far milk with meals. Sports drinks are not recommended as beverages to have with meals."

Even worse are "energy drinks"--which contain huge amounts of stimulants including caffeine, guarana and taurine. Some of these drinks contain more than 500 mg of caffeine--the equivalent of 14 cans of soda!! Combine that with huge amounts of tooth rotting and obesity causing sugar, and you've got a formula for health disaster. To make things worse, some schools actually have "pouring contracts" where they are paid to promote and serve unhealthy sodas and sports drinks.

Good old fashioned tap water, not only remains the healthiest drink but it's the least expensive as well.

So please enjoy football season, but remember not to let energy drinks and sports drinks blitz the dental and overall health of you and your children. To maintain maximum dental health, be sure to keep you regularly scheduled dental check ups and cleanings. Call us today at (250) 338-9085 and we will be more than happy to schedule appointments for you and your family.

This Could Save Your Life!

Oral Cancer is not affecting the population the way it used to.  Occurrence was once seen mostly in those over 50 who had been smoking for a decade or more.    Now, the population being more predominantly targeted is those 25 - 50 who present with none of the traditional risk factors.  Why is this?

Today, a common sexually transmitted virus, the same virus responsible for the majority of cervical cancers, has replaced tobacco as the number one cause of oral cancers.  These cancers occur mostly to the back of the mouth; in the oropharynx, tonsils, and at the base of the tongue.  

Please take a few minutes to watch the video below and be sure to pass along this information to your friends and loved ones. 

Frequently asked questions about oral cancer...

What is the incidence of oral cancer in Canada?  

• 3 people die every day from oral cancer in Canada
• The 5 year survival rate of oral cancer is lower (63%) than the survival rates of  cervical (75%), breast (88%), melanoma cancers (89%) and prostate cancer(95%)
 

What are the risk factors for oral cancer?  

• Most people diagnosed with oral cancer are over 50
• Excessive alcohol and/or tobacco use
• Chewing tobacco
• Infection of the oral cavity with the Human Papiloma Virus (HPV 16/18) may also be a risk factor
• Chewing betel nut
• Sun exposure to the lips
• As many as 25% of people develop oral cancer without any known risk factors

How is oral cancer best detected?

Oral cancer can be successfully treated if caught at an early stage. If not treated early, the cancer can spread to other parts of the body and it then becomes more difficult to treat.  To detect oral cancer in its early stage, have regular oral cancer screening performed by a dental and/or health professional.

• Visual examination of the intraoral tissues
• Palpation of introral and extraoral tissues
• Clinical studies have determined that use of tissue fluorescence to identify and evaluate suspicious areas that may be associated with the developement of oral cancer has been effective when perfomed in conjunction with the conventional head and neck examination.

Dr.Burry and Dr.Karamanis have now added the use of VELscope technology to our diagnostic protocol.  The VELscope is an invaluable tool in detecting oral disease earlier than by visual examinations with ordinary light alone.  This two minute exam could save your life!

Sources: Oral Cancer Foundation, Canadian Cancer Society, YouTube

Back to the Basics... Just for School?

The first day of school is here and what a great time for your child to make good dental habits part of a 'new' back-to-school routine.

According to the Canadian Health Measures Survey, an estimated 2.26 million school days are lost annually due to dental visits or dental sick-days.  September is a good time to reinforce good dental habits.

"Dental disease is largely preventable, yet many children still suffer unnecessarily from tooth decay and other oral health concerns," notes British Columbia Dental Association (BCDA) President Dr. Bruce Ward.  "Back-to-school is an ideal time for parents to reinforce some of the key preventative strategies to good dental health including daily brushing and flossing, making health food and drink choices and visiting the dentist for an examination."

The BCDA offers the following tips to help parents set their children up for good dental health for life:

Brush more, not harder.  A perfect way to start and finish the day, children should brush their teeth in the morning and at bedtime with a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste.  This is a simple preventative measure that should be reinforced early on as part of a daily health routine.

Pack tooth-friendly foods for lunch and snacks.  Cheese, nuts, carrot and celery sticks, fresh fruit or plain yogurt provide a healthy choice for a child's lunch box.  Packed with nutrients, these foods won't harm your teeth.  Avoid soft or sticky foods that can cling to teeth and limit snacking throughout the day.  Children are most prone to cavities when they nibble constantly on foods containing sugar throughout the day.

Think about what they drink.  Aside from sugar alone, pop and other carbonated beverages contain acids that can eat away tooth enamel.  Even "diet" drinks which don't contain sugar are acidic and can be harmful to teeth.  Milk and juice are better options during mealtimes; however, water is always the best option, especially for drinking throughout the day.

Lead by example.  Good dental health begins at home.  Parents can demonstrate the value of good dental health by practicing their own healthy habits.

Start early.  Good dental care starts early.  In fact, the best time for the first dental visit is recommended between six months and one year of age, or within six months of when you see the first tooth.  The BCDA has an educational vidio offering advice to parents of young children, "How to Take Care of Your Child's Teeth." 
To view video, follow this link - http://www.bcdental.org/ECC/index.html

Visit your dentist.  A regular visit to the dentist will help to create familiarity and comfort for children.  Dental disease is a progressive disease that cannot be reversed.  Early diagnosis through a regular dental check-up exam can minimize disease progression and work to rduce the impact and cost of treatment.

2010 Media Release by the BCDA @ http://www.bcdental.org/

Battle of the Sexes - Dental Style

In 1965 James Brown sang "It's A Man's World."  A few years earlier, Harry Belafonte sang to us "That's right - the women are smarter!"  So who is right when it comes to dental health?

It turns out one group is more likely to have healthier gums, less plaque and tartar build-up, fewer areas of bleeding gums, and lower incidents of gum disease.  This group is also twice as likely to schedule regular dental check-ups and is much better at following through with treatment recommended by their dentist.

To top it off, they have a better understanding of oral health and a more positive attitude about visiting the dentist!  So just who are these dental superstars?

According to the Journal of Periodontology, a professional journal which publishes articles on gum disease - it's the "fairer sex" who has the advantage when it comes to dental health.  Maybe it is true that "the women are smarter!"

So does that mean females are less likely to have cavities, gum disease, tooth loss, and stinky breath?  Sorry guys - the answer is yes.

The good news is - it seems to have nothing to do with genetics or the fact that women and men have a different chromosomal arrangement.  It is purely because women take better care of their teeth and gums and see their dentists more regularly.

So how about it guys?  It is time to "get on the stick" - or at least the toothbrush.  Start taking better care of your teeth and gums, and be sure to give us a call at 250-338-9085 to schedule your next appointment!  And women - keep up the good work!

At Acreview Dental Clinic, we care about ALL of our patients - men and women!  We are always here to answer any questions you may have about your dental health. 
Give us a call today to schedule your next visit!

The Sahara Desert And Your Mouth??

Do you ever feel like your mouth and The Sahara Desert have something in common?

If so, you are not alone. Over 25 million North Americans suffer from dry mouth. And it’s not just the discomfort of dry mouth (called “xerostomia” by dentists) that is the problem; it is often accompanied by trouble chewing and swallowing, difficulty in speaking, a rise in dental cavities and gum disease, and most noticeably to some, bad breath. If people act like there is a fire drill taking place every time you open your mouth, this could be the culprit!

So why do so many of us have what is often referred to as “cottonmouth?”

According to The Food and Drug Administration, over 400 medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, can lead to dry mouth. It’s also caused by mouth breathing, dehydration (drink your water!!), and lack of salivary flow due to aging. In rare instances, dry mouth may be caused by an underlying serious disease – so it is not something to take lightly.

Of course our good old friends (actually enemies) – excessive alcohol consumption and smoking are among the leading causes of this problem, so if you need another reason to put away the cigarettes for good and cut down on alcohol use, now is a great time!

There are several things you can do to help reduce the symptoms of dry mouth, including:

• Chewing a sugar-free gum containing Xylitol
• Drinking plenty of water
• Breathing through your nose instead of your mouth (easier said than done!)
• Frequent brushing and rinsing with a fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinse
• Using a room vaporizer to humidify the air in your home
• Using an over-the-counter saliva substitute

Since dry mouth can also be a sign of a serious illness AND cause and increase in cavities and gum disease, excellent oral hygiene and regular dental visits are a must. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please call us at 250-338-9085 for an appointment or visit our website at www.acreviewdental.com .  Your health is important to us and we are here assist and answer any questions you may have.

Do you smell when you talk?

Bad breath, or halitosis, can be a major problem, especially when you're about to snuggle with your sweetie or whisper a joke to your friend. The good news is that bad breath can often be prevented with some simple steps.

Bad breath is caused by odor-producing bacteria that grow in the mouth. When you don't brush and floss regularly, bacteria accumulate on the bits of food left in your mouth and between your teeth. The sulfur compounds released by these bacteria make your breath smell.
Certain foods, especially ones like garlic and onions that contain pungent oils, can contribute to bad breath because the oils are carried to your lungs and out through your mouth. Smoking is also a major cause of bad breath.

There are lots of myths about taking care of bad breath. Here are three things you may have heard about bad breath that are not true:

Myth #1: Mouthwash will make bad breath go away.

Mouthwash only gets rid of bad breath temporarily. If you do use mouthwash, look for an antiseptic (kills the germs that cause bad breath) and plaque-reducing one with a seal from the American Dental Association (ADA). When you're deciding which dental products to toss into your shopping cart, it's always a good idea to look for those that are accepted by the ADA. Also, ask your dentist for recommendations.


Myth #2: As long as you brush your teeth, you shouldn't have bad breath.

The truth is that most people only brush their teeth for 30 to 45 seconds, which just doesn't cut it. To sufficiently clean all the surfaces of your teeth, you should brush for at least 2 minutes at least twice a day. Remember to brush your tongue, too — bacteria love to hang out there. It's equally important to floss because brushing alone won't remove harmful plaque and food particles that become stuck between your teeth and gums.


Myth #3: If you breathe into your hand, you'll know when you have bad breath.

Wrong! When you breathe, you don't use your throat the same way you do when you talk. When you talk, you tend to bring out the odors from the back of your mouth (where bad breath originates), which simply breathing doesn't do. Also, because we tend to get used to our own smells, it's hard for a person to tell if he or she has bad breath.


If you're concerned about bad breath, make sure you're taking care of your teeth and mouth properly. Some sugar-free gums and mints can temporarily mask odors, too.

If you brush and floss properly and visit your dentist for regular cleanings, but your bad breath persists, you may have a medical problem like sinusitis or gum disease. Call your doctor or dentist if you suspect a problem. They can figure out if something else is behind your bad breath and help you take care of it.

For more information on dental and general health for the whole family visit the KidsHealth website http://kidshealth.org/kid/

Sweet Easter Tips

Tips for Healthy Smiles after Easter

The Easter Bunny has come and gone and we all know that for most children, Easter means candy and lots of it!

However, when your child consumes sugary food or drinks, the bacteria (germs) in the dental plaque on the teeth mix with the sugars in the candy to make a mild acid. This acid attacks the hard outer layer of the tooth, called the enamel. If the dental plaque isn’t removed every day by brushing and flossing, over time, the enamel gets soft and a cavity forms. The damage to the tooth depends on how much sugar goes in the mouth and how long it stays there. In other words, the longer and more often sugar touches the teeth, the more damage it can do.

Healthy Easter treat tips
To keep cavities away and protect your child’s smile this Easter, the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) recommends taking these simple steps:

• Limit the number of times a day your child eats sugary treats or snacks between meals. Serve snacks that will not harm your child’s teeth, such as vegetables, cheese, nuts or seeds.
• It is best to eat sugary treats at the end of mealtime while there is still plenty of saliva in the mouth. Saliva helps to wash away the sugars and acids.
• Drinking a glass of water after eating a sugary treat will also help wash away some of the sugars and acids.
• Avoid soft, sticky treats that get stuck between teeth.
• Always have your child brush and floss before going to bed.

Easter with braces can be sweet
Easter candy can be a challenge for someone who wears braces, but it doesn’t have to be.  Children who wear braces should avoid nuts, popcorn, tortilla chips, hard candy, caramel and other chewy candies to keep their braces safe and intact. However, there are plenty of other things that these Easter Bunny trackers who wear braces can enjoy, like nut free baked goods, sugar free gum, and chocolate!

By reducing the amount of candy your child eats and by teaching your child that moderation is important, you won’t have to worry about things like tooth decay and Easter treats can still be enjoyed.

You can find more information on caring for your child’s teeth and preventing cavities all year round on CDA’s website at www.cda-adc.ca.