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.

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 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!

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!

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

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!

Thanks to everybody at the Chamber for all of their help!

Dr. Rose, Jennifer RDH, Jessica EFDA

You can use your toothbrush to brush your tongue, but I have found the most effective way to clean your tongue is with a tongue cleaner. The height of the toothbrush may restrict reaching all the way to the back of the tongue and may cause gagging. A tongue cleaner has a low profile head with ridges allowing you to scrape the length of your tongue in three or four overlapping strokes to clear the debris and plaque.

Cleaning your tongue is especially important if you drink a lot of coffee or tea. The coating left behind on your tongue by coffee and tea can cause further staining of your teeth if not promptly cleaned. Whatever your favorite beverage, adding a tongue cleaner to your daily oral hygiene routine of brushing, flossing and fluoride rinse will help you maintain your dental health.

Don’t have a tongue cleaner? Stop by our office on 26 Cross St. in Auburn for a free tongue cleaner! (While supplies last…)