It's National Children's Dental Health Month. Follow the link to the MetLife website's kid's page...
http://c9.go2dental.com/ml_content/kids-dental-health.php?cat=60&catname=Kids-Dental-Health-Corner

Xylitol Helps Fight Tooth Decay

Xylitol is a natural sweetener that has been shown to help fight tooth decay. Many non sugar sweeteners like sorbitol will not contribute to tooth decay, but xylitol is unique in that it actually helps fight tooth decay. A cavity in a tooth is an infection by very specific types of acid producing bacteria. These bacteria need sugars for energy to produce the acids that leech the calcium from your teeth forming a cavity. The presence of xylitol actually inhibits these nasty bacteria when they try to digest it thereby reducing their presence in your mouth. Xylitol is found in many mints, candies, and gums. A certain dosage is needed each day to get this effect(5 or more grams). A great website I ran across on xylitol and how to use can be found here.... Xylitol.org.

Amorphous Calcium Phosphate

ACP or Amorphous Calcium Phosphate is a substance which can actually heal damaged enamel. When teeth decay they lose calcium when bacteria produce acid. This is a crucial part of the infection that is tooth decay process. The softer, decalcified tooth substance is a perfect home for these nasty bacteria. Eventually the weakened enamle collapses and becomes the whole in a tooth we think of as a cavity.
Fortunately, early dacay is reversible. By increasing fluoride and bioavailable calcium and reducing carbohydrate intake frequency teeth will absorb more calcium and heal themselves. ACP is such a breakthrough because it contains a form of calcium that can actually be absorbed by enamel.
ACP is available in over the counter and dentist dispensed products, even chewing gums. Look for and use this product..when paired wit fluoride i can make your teeth stronger and even improve their appearance.

Good article on Implants

I ran across this NY Times article on dental implants and it is mostly "spot on". Give it a read.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/17/health/17brod.html?_r=3

Smile Reminder..exciting new addition to the practice

We are now participating in the Smile Reminder service. This innovative program integrates with our office software and sends automated email and text confirmations for your dental appointments. Participation is optional and one can opt out whenever they want. Patients who participate will be able to confirm appointments with a simple click of the mouse. Part of the service is also the SmileDash system which allows patients to check their account and even pay their bills online. The service also will allow us to send out office newsletters via email and we will be sending out special offers on services as well.

Dental Appliance for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is a common disorder where people have episodes where they stop breathing during the night. This is the most severe form of snoring. It is caused when the airway in the throat collapses and air can not pass into the lungs. Long term damage can occur leading to hypertension, heart diseaese, stroke, and the like. Apnea sufferers often feel groggy all day even when they get a solid nights sleep. A common treatment is the CPAP machine which is a mask worn by the patient to basically pump air past the obstruction during the night. CPAP is quite effective but many people have trouble tolerating the device.

There is an effective alternative to the CPAP. Dental devices have been proven to be a comfortable alternative to CPAP machines for the treatment of sleep apnea. Current recommendations by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine are that oral appliances are indicated for treatment of .....

	Mild to moderate sleep apnea
	Severe sleep apnea where CPAP has been tried and failed
	Primary snoring without sleep apnea

We provide the TAP 3 (Thornton Adjustable Appliance) in our office. It represents the latest in design, comfort, and effectiveness for the treatment of snoring and sleep apnea.

Dominican Dental Project 2009

This year's Dominican Dental Project went very well. Three Dentists, six University of Maryland dental students, and three Domincan dentists saw over 400 patients in a week providing extractions, fillings, and partials. We worked in the towns of El Cercado and Honde Valle in the San Juan province near the Haitan border.
Here are some pictures.....
http://picasaweb.google.com/bolt99/DRProject2009?feat=directlink