I want candy!

From Wikipedia:

Salt water taffy is a variety of soft taffy originally produced and marketed in the Atlantic City, New Jersey, area beginning in the late 19th century. Despite the name, it does not contain sea water.
The legend of how salt water taffy got its name is disputed. The most popular story, although unconfirmed, concerns a candy-store owner, David Bradley, whose shop was flooded during a major storm in 1883. His entire stock of taffy was soaked with salty Atlantic Ocean water. When a young girl came into his shop and asked if he had any taffy for sale, he is said to have offered some "salt water taffy." At the time it was a joke, because all his taffy had been soaked with salt water, but the girl was delighted, she bought the candy and proudly walked down to the beach to show her friends. Bradley's mother was in the back and heard the exchange. She loved the name and so Salt Water Taffy was born.^[1]

A Blog from America

I am currently in Savannah, Georgia, United States. Although the salt water taffy you see in the picture is not from Atlantic City, this kind of candy can be found up and down the east coast of the US. Each region has its' own take on the taffy taste, with historic Savannah serving up a fine example.

Although this is dental blog, you're not going to read of the evils of candy and how it may be the dentists' best friend. I will only say to enjoy the sweet stuff in its' many forms and origins. Anything that can put such a smile on our faces that be all that bad, right? Always share the taste and happiness that candy can bring, so that you may enjoy in moderation.

Happy eating!

Teeth Whitening Dentistry Baulkham Hills NSW

How is Professional In-Office Teeth Whitening Done?

Professional teeth whitening delivers optimum whitening results in a short amount of time. Available under the supervision of a dentist, this method of tooth whitening is gaining popularity, despite the fact that it is considered the most expensive method of chemically whitening your teeth.

You may expect the following during your professional in-office teeth whitening appointment, but not limited to:

• Teeth are polished with pumice, a grainy material used to remove any plaque on the surface of the tooth.
• Your mouth will be isolated with gauze to keep your teeth dry during the procedure. Retractors may also be used to keep your cheeks, lips and tongue away from the whitening solution.
• A barrier is placed along your gumline to protect it from the whitening solution.
• The teeth are then coated with the whitening solution on the front surface of the tooth. Your office may choose to use either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide as the bleaching agent. Many whitening products require a curing light or laser to be used to add heat to the solution to activate the peroxide. It will then be left on the teeth for 30 to 60 minutes, or reapplied in specific increments of time for up to one hour, depending on the brand.
• Once the optimum shade has been reached, or the maximum application time has passed, the teeth are rinsed with water and a fluoride application may be used to help ease the sensitivity some people experience with tooth whitening.
• You will be instructed to avoid foods and beverages that have a high level of pigment, such as coffee, tomato sauce or juice, yellow mustard, or red wine, and tobacco use for 24 hours after the procedure to allow the enamel pores to close to prevent re-staining.

Above article from: Dentistry.About.com

DJ LEE - Dentist
38 Merindah Road Baulkham Hills,
NSW 2153
Tel:(02) 9686 7375
Email: hillsdentist@gmail.com 

Website: www.myhillsdentist.com  

This MAY SICKEN YOU!

Whoa....scary stuff!!!


That TIME magazine cover was dated 23 Feb, 2004; so the information has been out in the mainstream for the last 7 years, that:


GUM DISEASE CAN KILL YOU!!!


All right, let's settle it down with some facts. Starting with the signs of gum disease:

But what actually happens? We will call it by it's correct term - periodontal disease. Which means "around" (perio), the tooth (dontal).


If you don't keep bacteria under control, the body must try and defend itself with an immune system response, beginning with inflammation. Your gums begin looking at your bacteria covered tooth as a foreign object.


Think of a splinter - the skin goes red around it (inflammatory response); then pus develops until the foreign object is expelled from the body. The same thing happens around dirty teeth.


If the gums bleed, bacteria is entering the blood stream. But this ain't the full story.....it's about the inflammation. See if you can make anything out of this diagram:

Meaning: The chronic inflammation in periodontal disease is quite often the first stage towards heart disease. Which can kill you.


Periodontal disease is also linked to:

• Osteoporosis
• Arthritis
• Gastric ulcers
• Diabetes
• Kidney disease
• Pregnancy complications
• Alzheimers

Scared?

Don't care?

Just think about it - for your sake. If what you read motivates you to do anything positive for your mouth - from flossing, to more regular visits to us - this blog has worked.

Treat or even prevent periodontal disease, and you can reduce the risk of all of the above conditions.

For us, here @ DJ Lee - Dentist, if our knowledge of the oral-systemic connection, motivates us to look after your overall health, rather than be just tooth mechanics - we're doing the right thing.

Dental Care Baulkham Hills NSW

What is Tooth Erosion?
Tooth erosion is the wearing away of tooth enamel by acid. The enamel is the hard calcified tissue that covers and protects the outside of the tooth. It is the hardest substance in our bodies.

The saliva in our mouth contains calcium which helps to strengthen and remineralize the teeth, however, remineralization can not occur when a great deal of acid is present.

The high amount of acids in the food and drink that you consume can cause tooth erosion. Soft drinks and pure fruit juices contain a high amount of acid.

Tooth erosion can also be caused by medical factors such as a decrease in saliva, acid reflux disease, certain gastrointestinal conditions and the eating disorder bulimia.

Above article from: Dentistry.About.com

DJ LEE - Dentist
38 Merindah Road Baulkham Hills,
NSW 2153
Tel:(02) 9686 7375
Email: hillsdentist@gmail.com 

Website: www.myhillsdentist.com  

Gum Disease Treatment Baulkham Hills NSW

Gum Disease and Your Overall Health
Facts About Gum Disease That May Surprise You

Often taken for granted, the monotonous task of brushing and flossing our teeth daily has never been more important in order to avoid gum disease and the risks gum disease place on our overall health. It has been estimated that 75% of Americans have some form of gum disease, which has been linked to serious health complications and causes various dental problems that are often avoidable.

What is Gum Disease?
Periodontal disease, also called gum disease, is mainly caused by bacteria from plaque and tartar build up. Other factors that have the potential to cause gum disease may include:

• Tobacco use
• Clenching or grinding your teeth
• Certain medications
• Genetics

Types of Gum Disease Include:

Gingivitis - The beginning stage of gum disease and is often undetected. This stage of the disease is reversible.

Periodontitis - Untreated gingivitis may lead to this next stage of gum disease. With many levels of periodontitis, the common outcome is chronic inflammatory response, a condition when the body breaks down the bone and tissue in the infected area of the mouth, ultimately resulting in tooth and bone loss.

Signs of Gum Disease Include:

• Red, bleeding, and/or swollen gums
• Bad breath
• Mobility of the teeth
• Tooth sensitivity caused by receding gums
• Abscessed teeth
• Tooth loss

Recent studies suggest gum disease may contribute to or be warning signs of potentially life threatening conditions such as:

Heart Disease and Stroke - Studies suggest gingivitis may increase the risk of heart disease and stroke because of the high levels of bacteria found in infected areas of the mouth. As the level of periodontal disease increases, the risk of cardiovascular disease may increase with it. Other studies have suggested that the inflammation in the gums may create a chronic inflammation response in other parts of the body which has also been implicated in increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Diabetes - People with diabetes often have some form of gum disease, likely caused by high blood glucose, according to the CDC. People with diabetes need to take extra care to ensure proper brushing and flossing techniques are used to prevent the advancement of the gum disease. Regular check-ups and cleanings with your dental hygienist should be followed.

Chronic Kidney Disease - A study, conducted by Case Western Reserve University, suggests that people without any natural teeth, known as edentulous, are more likely to have chronic kidney disease (CDK), than people with natural teeth. CDK affects blood pressure potentially causing heart disease, contributed to kidney failure, and affects bone health.

Preterm Birth - Babies that are born premature -- before 37 weeks of gestation -- may face numerous health complications. Research indicates that women with periodontal disease are three to five times more likely to have a baby born preterm compared to women without any form of gum disease. Women are more susceptible to gingivitis when pregnant and should follow their regular brushing habits, and continue with dental cleanings and examinations.

Treatments for Gum Disease
Depending on the type of gum disease, some of the available treatment options are:

• Removal of plaque and calculus by way of scaling done by your dental hygienist or dentist.
• 
  
• Medications such as chlorhexidine gluconate, a mouth rinse prescribed by your dentist or hygienist to help kill the bacteria in your mouth, along with frequent cleanings.
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• Surgery may be necessary in certain cases to stop, halt, or minimize the progression of periodontal disease. Surgery is also used to replace bone that was lost in advanced stages of the disease.

What Can I Do to Prevent Gum Disease?
Proper brushing and flossing is the easiest way to reduce and prevent gum disease, but regular cleanings with your dental hygienist or dentist are necessary to remove calculus and treat advanced gum disease. If you are concerned that you may have gum disease, contact your dentist.

Above article from: Dentistry.About.com

DJ LEE - Dentist
38 Merindah Road Baulkham Hills,
NSW 2153
Tel:(02) 9686 7375
Email: hillsdentist@gmail.com 

Website: www.myhillsdentist.com