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!

Doc Walk Has a BDAY

Now GIT BACK TO WORK !

Women...Hormones...What else ?

As published in MEDICAL NEWS TODAY May 2012:

Women, keep those toothbrushes and dental floss handy. A comprehensive review of women's health studies by Charlene Krejci, associate clinical professor at the Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine, has shown a link between women's health issues and gum disease.

Across the ages, hormonal changes take place during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. Krejci found female hormones that fluctuate throughout women's lives can change conditions in the mouth that allow bacteria to grow, enter the blood, and exacerbate certain health issues like bone loss, fetal death and pre-term births.

Her overview of the literature was reported in the article, "Women's Health: Periodontitis and its Relation to Hormonal Changes, Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes and Osteoporosis" in the May issue of Oral Health and Preventive Dentistry.

The Case Western Reserve University periodontist reviewed 61 journal articles with nearly 100 studies for a collective answer on whether hormones have a relationship to gum disease and specific women's health issues like preterm labor, bone loss, and the side effect of hormonal replacement therapy.

"There's definitely a gender-specific connection between women's hormones, gum disease, and specific health issues impacting women," Krejci said.

"Although women tend to take better care of their oral health than men, the main message is women need to be even more vigilant about maintaining healthy teeth and gums to prevent or lessen the severity of some of women-specific health issues," Krejci said.

In addition to the brushing and flossing daily regimen, Krejci recommends visiting the dentist at least every six months, and more if there are any gum problems found or women suffer from bone loss or are pregnant.

She added that it is widely known that hormones cause some women gum problems during pregnancy. Women already susceptible to gum disease before being pregnant, she advises, need to make sure that these oral problems are treated.

Although women were once discouraged from seeing the dentist while pregnant, she said that scaling and planing of the roots of teeth to eliminate some gum disease is now recommended during pregnancy for women. Severe gum disease requiring surgery is still generally postponed until after the baby's birth.

Gum disease begins with the build up of bacterial plaque on the teeth and under the gums. Untreated it can cause irritation and inflammation during which harmful and toxic byproducts are released. These toxins erode the bone that anchors teeth and cause breaks and bleeding in the gums.