::Free Books Available
 "Nothing Personal Doc, but I Hate Dentists"
A dental consumer book that is making a difference in dentistry.
Healthy care tips for the whole family.
www.ihatedentists.com
"From
Womb to Wisdom"
A definitive "field guide" to your child's dental
care.
www.ihatedentists.com
::Tooth Decay
Some of your most frequently asked dental questions are now answered online! Feel free to peruse the following topics. Contact me if you require further information or if you would like to come in for an office consultation.
::Sealants
What is a sealant?
A sealant is a clear or shaded plastic material that is applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (premolars and molars), where decay occurs most often. This sealant acts as a barrier, protecting the decay-prone areas of the back teeth from plaque and acid.
A Why are sealants necessary?
When the back teeth are developing, depressions and grooves form in the chewing surfaces of the enamel. These irregularities are called pits and fissures. They are impossible to keep clean, because the bristles of a toothbrush cannot reach into them. Therefore, pits and fissures are snug places for plaque and bits of food to hide. By forming a thin covering over the pits and fissures, sealants keep out plaque and food, and thus decrease the risk of tooth decay.
Who should have sealants applied?
Children receive the greatest benefit from having sealants applied to their teeth, especially to newly erupted permanent teeth. Sealants are recommended for all children, even those who receive topical applications of fluoride or who live in communities with fluoridated water. Fluoride helps fight decay on the smooth surfaces of the teeth, but it is least effective in pits and fissures.
How is it different in Our practice?
We use Air Abrasion to make sure the grooves of the teeth
are clean. We then use a disclosing agent that dyes the tooth
or stains it if there is decay present. If there is decay
we remove it with further use of the Air Abrasion. If it's
decay free then we proceed with applying various chemicals
to the tooth. Instead of using true "Sealant" material Dr.
Mason uses a flowable filling material that is stronger and
lasts longer as a final restoration to seal the tooth.
::The Truth About Tongue Piercing
 The American Dental Association certainly isn't tongue-tied
when it comes to tongue piercing. It recently issued a formal
policy statement opposing the trend. Why? Because it may
turn you into a drooling, mumbling person for life. If the
12-gauge piercing needle (several times the diameter of the
needle dentists typically use for Novocain) hits a nerve,
says ADA spokesperson Jann Ingmire, it could deaden it. In
other words, you'll have trouble chewing your food for the
rest of your life -- and your ability to taste could be gone
along with your ability to speak clearly.
Other potential dangers: chipped and fractured teeth (from knocking the jewelry against your pearly whites), infection, scar tissue, allergic reaction, and prolonged bleeding after the procedure. Are you still thinking about piercing? Bite your tongue!
::Think Before You Chew Tobacco
Is chewing tobacco safer than cigarettes?
No, it is not a safe alternative to cigarettes. This product may cause gum disease and tooth loss. It may also cause cancer. Read the warning labels on the package of chewing tobacco.
Will chewing tobacco hurt my teeth?
Yes! Smokeless tobacco gives most users irritated gums and painful mouth sores. Your gums may recede from your teeth, leaving teeth and their roots sensitive and hard to clean. The exposure to tobacco, combined with the sugar added to tobacco for flavor, wears down tooth surfaces and can result in tooth decay. When you keep a pinch or a plug of tobacco in your mouth, a white, leathery patch may form. This rippled area may be a sign of a developing pre-cancerous area.
Additional chewing facts of interest:
- Receding gum lines and stained teeth are the calling cards of chewing tobacco.
- Long-term snuff users have a 50% greater risk of developing
oral cancer than nonusers because the nicotine in tobacco
contains cancer-causing agents such as nitrosamines
- One can of snuff per day delivers as much nicotine as 60 cigarettes.
- Smokeless tobacco users become dependent on continued use because nicotine, an addictive drug, gives them a "buzz."
- When the supply runs out or the users try to quit, they may become moody, have headaches, and experience trouble sleeping and concentrating.
- Some users become so addicted that they keep a pinch of snuff in place all day and during the night when they sleep!
- Many users find that when they want to quit, they can't. Smokeless tobacco is harder to give up than cigarettes.
Can chewing tobacco kill me like cigarettes can?
Yes! That chewing tobacco cannot cause harm or possibly kill is a popular but sadly mistaken notion. Take Sean Marsee, for instance. Young Sean began using snuff at the age of 12. By age 18, he developed a sore on his tongue. Doctors removed a part of Sean's tongue, but the cancer spread to his neck. Despite more disfiguring surgery, Sean died a few months short of his 19th birthday. His mother later said that she tried to talk him out of using snuff, but Sean always reasoned that athletes wouldn't advertise it if it wasn't safe.
::Smoking Cessation
 Visit the Quit Assist website for tips and tools on how to quit smoking.
Dental Referral Network -
As a member of the Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics (ACE), we work with dentists from across the globe who share our philosophies of quality and dedication to the art of excellent dentistry. If you need dental care when you're away from home, visit this referral list to find a competent professional who will treat you with the same personalized care you receive in our office. The dentists listed here have offices across the USA, parts of Canada, and even Australia!
Click here for a list of our ACE colleagues.
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