Stick Out That Tongue!

Your tongue can tell you a lot about your overall health.

You may not give your tongue much thought, but chances are your doctor does. “Telling a patient to stick out their tongue is a valid way to start examining someone,” says Dr. Jordan S. Josephson, attending physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City and author of Sinus Relief Now (Perigee, 2006). “In fact, in Chinese medicine they believe that the tongue actually reflects all the diseases of the body.” If you have a mystery tongue problem, Josephson recommends going to see a board certified otolaryngologist (more commonly known as an ear, nose, and throat specialist).

For the Nitty Gritty details, check this out!
http://healthyliving.msn.com/health-wellness/what-your-tongue-is-telling-you-about-your-health-1

CERTAIN ORAL PAIN RELIEVER SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR INFANTS

I thought this was worth posting!   (dailyRx News) 

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning that a certain oral pain reliever should not be used to treat infants and children with teething pain.

According to the FDA, doctors should not prescribe oral viscous lidocaine 2 percent solution to these young patients because it can cause serious harm and even death.

This topical pain reliever is not approved for treating teething pain.

"Topical pain relievers and medications that are rubbed on the gums are not necessary or even useful because they wash out of the baby's mouth within minutes. When too much viscous lidocaine is given to infants and young children or they accidentally swallow too much, it can result in seizures, severe brain injury, and problems with the heart," the FDA reported in a press statement.

The FDA is requiring that a Boxed Warning outlining these potential harms be placed on the drug label of oral viscous lidocaine 2 percent solution. A Boxed Warning is the FDA's strongest warning.

This warning stems from a recent FDA review of 22 case reports of serious reactions to oral viscous lidocaine 2 percent solution in infants and children aged 5 months to 3.5 years.

The FDA says that parents and caregivers should follow the American Academy of Pediatrics' guidelines for treating teething pain. To relieve symptoms, these guidelines recommend using a teething ring chilled, but not frozen, in the refrigerator and gently rubbing or massaging the child's gums with a finger.

WHO KNEW?

Just a plug for our Facebook page! Here are a few of the random tooth posts that are posted from time to time...

ANTIQUE TOOTHBRUSH

When did brushing one's teeth everyday become a regular habit in the United States? Not until after World War II. While mass-produced toothbrushes were available before that time, everyday tooth brushing was not the norm until soldiers in World War II were instructed on daily brushing habits.

It's possible to find toothpaste in virtually every flavor, from spearmint and peppermint to strawberry and orange. In the days of ancient Rome, eggshells, oyster shells and honey were combined to rub against the teeth.

Did you know that people tend to chew their food on the same side of their mouth as the hand they write with? So, left handers tend to chew their food on the left side and right handers tend to chew their food on the right side. Perhaps ambidextrous handers chew their food on both sides?

Did you know that the most valuable tooth in the world belonged to Sir Issac Newton? It was purchased for $4,560 and used as a ring.

According to historians, the earliest dentist known by name was Hesi-Re, who lived in Egypt more than 5,000 years ago.

The Holidays Are Over....Now What?

Well it was a busy holiday season.

We enjoyed the festivities as much as everyone!

 

A few things Doc Walk has coming up:

American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Conference in Seattle
More Training on the latest Sleep Apnea advancements
New equipment and office update
Continuing Education including:


And on a personal note...
One daughter graduates from College in April
One daughter gets married In June
and he will be
exploring the wilderness
every chance he gets!



Sour Candy Lovers Beware..

Just a little FYI...

There is an increase in dental erosion from dietary acids found in many sour acid candies described on packages as “sour,”“tart,” “tangy,” “mouth-puckering,” and “extreme”. The concentrated citric acid is the most erosive component.

The increased consumption of these popular  sour candies is linked to increased irreversible erosion. It has been found that combining them with sodas, sports drinks, and other low ph beverages is even more destructive.

As it applies to all "treats" it is recommended to eat in moderation, and keep the following in mind:

• Do not suck, chew, sour candies for long periods of time.

• Rinse mouth immediately with water after eating sour candies.

• Milk or hard cheese after eating sour candies will help to neutralize the acid.

• Wait 30 minutes to brush teeth to avoid scratching the acid softened teeth.

• Use a fluoride or an enamel enhancing toothpaste

Never Too Young To Start !

 See Levi.

 See Levi Brush.

(wrong end Levi..)

Brush Levi brush.

A note on babies and brushing...

"Bacteria in the mouth usually can't harm the gums before the teeth emerge but it can be hard to tell when the teeth are starting to push through, so you'll want to start early. Getting your baby used to having his mouth cleaned as part of his daily routine should make it easier to transition into toothbrushing later on, too."

Babycenter.com

Doc Walk has a special interest in this little guy.

It is his grandson.

and who knows? Maybe a dentist someday..!

Doc Walk The MOUNTAIN MAN

HE LOVES DENTISTRY.

but he left the decay behind and backpacked into Garnet Lake

near Mammoth to do some Mountain Man activities in August.

 And this was his big fish..

Don't worry, he hiked right back out to

get back to his first patient that

Monday morning!