Fluoride Varnish is not Just for Kids
Fluoride varnish is a topical fluoride used to prevent tooth decay. We apply it simply by using a small brush to “paint” all surfaces of the teeth. The varnish enters the tooth enamel and strengthens the tooth. It prevents new cavities and slows down or stops decay from occurring. The varnish can also help with dental sensitivity. Fluoride varnish is safe for everyone. We can use it on babies, children and adults. At your next visit ask us how!
Decay Prevention
By Aurelija Assennato
Plaque is one of the main causes of tooth decay and gum disease. Daily brushing and flossing are the building blocks of good oral care, but are not enough in order to prevent decay.
Daily fluoride rinses not only help to freshen breath but strengthen teeth and fight gum disease. Additionally, drinking fluoridated water and having annual fluoride at the dentist play a part in prevent cavities.
A balanced diet with the proper nutrients is of the utmost importance. Avoiding foods high in carbohydrates, starches and sugars will help reduce the risk of decay.
And finally, be sure to visit the dentist and hygienist regularly for check ups and professional cleanings at least two times a year. These visits are very important even if you are one of those few people who never gets a cavity.
Digital Impressions
by Heidi Wieland, Dental Assistant
At Center Street Dental we striv
e to stay up to date with the latest advances in dental technology. Our newest upgrade in the office is the 3M Lava Chairside Oral Scanner (COS). If you have ever had a crown or bridge you probably remember having a mouth full of messy, gooey impression material. The Lava COS replaces this unpleasant step. It allows us to take a highly accurate, digital impression of your teeth without a tray full of putty-like material. We simply apply a light dusting of tasteless powder over the area and pass a hand held scanning wand over your teeth. The sophisticated optics in the wand that contain tiny camera lenses capture detailed video images of your teeth creating an extraordinarily accurate impression. As a patient you will see a 3D image of the scan appear on a screen right in front of you. After completion, the scan is sent electronically to a lab that will pour up a model and fabricate your restoration. The process is quick and seamless and you’ll end up with a precise fitting crown or bridge with minimal to no adjustments needed. Overall, the Lava COS provides a more comfortable, interactive experience we are sure our patients will appreciate!
2012 Poster Contest Winners
Kindergarten – 3rd Grade Winners:
1st Place– Sophie Carson, Walton School
2nd Place — Lucy DeRoche, Fairview School
3rd Place– Laura Lim, Lisbon Community School
4th Grade – 6th Grade Winners:
1st Place– Ariel Davis, Fairview School
2nd Place– Taylor Newman, Fairview School
3rd Place– Rosa Doherty, East Auburn Community School
To see pictures of the winners and their posters: http://centerstreetdental.net/2012-poster-contest-winner/
Poster contest!
We’re having a poster contest! February is National Children’s Dental Health Month and we want to raise awareness with children and parents in Androscoggin County. The scholarship prizes for each category (K-3 and 4-6) are $500 for 1st, $250 for 2nd, and $150 for 3rd place. Click the link below to view our PDF flyer to learn more…
http://www.centerstreetdental.net/postercontest.pdf
We also want to thank our community judges! They are Suzanne Frigon from Central Maine Community College, Tammie Grieshaber from L/A Arts Gallery 5 and Rene Minnis from Rene Minnis Photography.
Why gum health is important to your overall health!
The link between oral health and systemic health is now well documented. Periodontal disease–distruction of the gums and bone surrounding the teeth–has been proven to have a direct relationship to heart disease, diabetes, premature pregnancy including lower birth weights and lowers the effectiveness of the immune system.
Everyone understands the importance of caring for our teeth to prevent cavities. However, it is important to understand that oral care is not just about preventing cavities, it is about protecting your overall health. Bad bacteria sticks to the teeth, causing cavities and periodontal gum disease. If left to accumulate, the bacteria grows causing a chronic inflammatory response in the blood vessels that permeate the mouth. The mouth then becomes a portal for bacteria into the bloodstream. As this occurs, the immune system is compromised, and the mouth and the rest of the body are more susceptible to disease or infection.
A healthy mouth promotes a healthy digestive system, a healthy body and a healthy immune system. It is important to realize that caring for the mouth is not just about fighting cavities, it is about establishing good oral health and in turn enhancing overall health.
A healthy smile will result in a healthier you!
When should your child first visit the dentist?
“Get It Done In Year One!” is the slogan of a new campaign by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) which aims to educate parents about the benefits of early dental care. The AAPD recommends that children be seen by a dentist by their first birthday.
When a child has his or her first tooth erupt it’s important to start healthy dental habits. Visiting the dentist from a young age helps the child and the parent learn preventative care that will carry into adulthood. The dentist can go over brushing habits: for example, children should use an age-appropriate toothbrush and children under two shouldn’t use toothpaste.
The dentist can help determine the amount of fluoride the child will need. Fluoride should be present in the child’s primary water source. Fluoride is important to help mineralization of the teeth, which helps protect against cavities. Baby teeth are vulnerable to tooth decay the moment the teeth are visible, which is usually six to twelve months old. The most common cause of decay in young children is constant exposure to milk, formula and fruit juices.
Early dental care can also be cost effective. The AADP says “the year one dental visit can actually save money. A study in the journal Pediatrics showed that children who had their first dental visit before age one had 40 percent lower dental costs in their first five years than children who did not, due to the cost of dental procedures that may be necessary as a result of poor oral health.”
Schedule a visit for your child today!
We love kids!
Check out our new children’s area! We have educational books, toys, a drawing table, and a floor to ceiling mural.
Center Street Dental is passionate about your child’s oral health and our dentists and hygienists see children of all ages!
We love kids!
We love kids!
We love kids!
Oral Cancer Screenings
Did you know that dentists do an oral cancer screening during check-up exams?
Let me tell you a story…
One of my patients who rarely came to his 6 month check-up visit called the office one day to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. He reported difficulty swallowing and pain when opening his mouth. He also had an intermittent low grade fever. Upon examination, I noticed a patch of redness and a lump on his soft palate close to the uvula.
I referred him to an EENT (Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat Specialist) to have him evaluated. After a couple of weeks I received a letter from the EENT stating the patient’s lump on the soft palate was removed, and lab results indicated the patient had Squamous-cell carcinoma, a type of oral cancer.
The patient’s case required chemotherapy after the operation. Radiation therapy tends to dry out your mouth (which isn’t good for your oral health), so the patient came back to the office to make sure his teeth were cavity free and gums were healthy.
After a few months, I made a follow-up call to find out how he was doing. The patient underwent several chemotherapy sessions and ultimately lost sensation on a portion of his palate, affecting his ability to swallow.
Oral cancer is real and early detection is best. Don’t forget your regular visits and cleanings because sometimes routine dental check-ups can be anything but ordinary.
(Below is an example of squamous cell carcinoma under the microscope…)
Squamous-cell carcinoma
National Children’s Dental Health Month!
In February, for National Children’s Dental Health Month, Dr. Rose, Jennifer, and Jessica visited two local schools to talk to the students about their oral health and why they should brush and floss their teeth.
Soon after we visited the schools, we were happy to receive posters from the students! We framed them and now they are hanging in our hallway.
Thank you to Mrs. Ouellette, Mrs. Dozois, Mrs. Fox, Mrs. Tardif and their students at St. Dominic Academy!
Thank you to Mrs. Carson and Mrs. O’Connell and their students at Washburn Elementary!
A cool poster given to us by students at Washburn Elementary!
Another cool poster given to us by students at St Dominic Academy!
