Information about Fluorosis and Prevident 5000 Booster

To help our patients protect their teeth while in treatment, Dr. Monacell prescribes Prevident 5000 Booster toothpaste to each patient. This toothpaste is higher in fluoride and helps fight plaque buildup which can occur easier when a person has braces. The extra fluoride also strengthens the enamel, making it more resistant to decay and decalcification. Research has also shown that it can help to re-mineralize enamel which has become decalcified. This toothpaste is to be used one time daily. Use your regular toothpaste the other times you brush. There has been a spike in children with a condition called Fluorosis and we want to eliminate any confusion there may be about what causes it, We ask that you please read the following information on Fluorosis and contact our office or your Dentist with any questions or concerns.

Dental Fluorosis is a health condition caused by a child receiving too much fluoride during tooth development. Having the proper amount of fluoride in your drinking water is very important to protect your teeth from decay. A common mistake that some parents make is only giving their young children bottled water, which contains no fluoride. The critical period of exposure to fluoride is between the ages of 1 and 4 years, when the enamel of the permanent teeth is forming. Children over age 8 are not at risk for Fluorosis. In its mild form, which is the most common, Fluorosis appears as tiny whit streaks or specks that are often unnoticeable in the enamel of the teeth. In its severest form, which is also called mottling of dental enamel, it is characterized by black and brown stains, as well as cracking and pitting of the teeth.

Fluorosis occurs when a child has ingested too much fluoride. The most likely source of too much fluoride is your well water. If you are concerned that your child may be at risk for Fluorosis, we recommend that you take the following steps to eliminate or prevent your child's risk:

• We recommend you visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/dental_fluorosis to find out more information about Fluorosis, risk factors, and safe fluoride consumption levels.



• Check with your city/county water provider to see what the fluoride levels are in your water.



• If you use well water at your home, have the county test it to determine the amount of naturally occurring fluoride in the water.



• If your child is between the ages of 1-4 years, be sure that they are using a non-fluoride or low fluoride toothpaste when brushing because of the risk they may swallow it.



• Hold off on having your child use fluoride mouth rinses until you are sure that they will not swallow it and are able to spit it out after rinsing.



• Be sure to keep regular appointments for your child to see his/her dentist for cleanings and discuss any concerns you may have at each appointment.

Share-A-Smile iPad Winner Announced!

Announcing our 1st iPad winner! Please join us in congratulating Ellie Hamp and her family. She was the winner of the iPad contest that we had at the beginning of the summer.



We are so excited to announce this because this contest and the iPad prize were so popular, we have decided to give away another one!

We are currently giving away a 32" Vizio flat screen and Wii Package, which will end on September 30, 2010. The new iPad contest will start October 1st, 2010 and run until the end of the year.

Remember there are 5 ways to enter and win!

1. Refer a friend for a free exam (1 entry)

2. Write a testimonial on our Facebook Wall (1 entry)

3. Record a 15 sec+ video testimonial and upload it to YouTube and share the link on our Facebook wall. (2 entries)

4. Write a review on Google Maps. (1 entry each for each location)

5. Tag us in your Facebook Status when you have an appointment at Monacell Orthodontics

If you have posted a review on Google Maps, please email us at DrMonacell@msn.com and let us know so you can be entered to Win the iPad!

DRY MOUTH

Great New Article on Dry Mouth, courtesy of Colgate Dry Mouth What do I Need to Know About Dry Mouth? Everyone has a dry mouth once in a while — if they are nervous, upset or under stress. But if you have a dry mouth all or most of the time, it can be uncomfortable and can lead to serious health problems. Dry mouth ... Can cause difficulties in tasting, chewing, swallowing, and speaking Can increase your chance of developing dental decay and other infections in the mouth Can be a sign of certain diseases and conditions Can be caused by certain medications or medical treatments Dry mouth is not a normal part of aging. So if you think you have dry mouth, see your dentist or physician — there are things you can do to get relief. What is Dry Mouth? Dry mouth is the condition of not having enough saliva, or spit, to keep your mouth wet. Symptoms Include: A sticky, dry feeling in the mouth Trouble chewing, swallowing, tasting or speaking A burning feeling in the mouth A dry feeling in the throat Cracked lips A dry, tough tongue Mouth sores An infection in the mouth Why is Saliva so Important? Saliva does more than keep the mouth wet. It helps digest food It protects teeth from decay It prevents infection by controlling bacteria and fungi in the mouth It makes it possible for you to chew and swallow Without enough saliva you can develop tooth decay or other infections in the mouth. You also might not get the nutrients you need if you cannot chew and swallow certain foods. What causes Dry Mouth? People get dry mouth when the glands in the mouth that make saliva are not working properly. Because of this, there might not be enough saliva to keep your mouth wet. There are several reasons why these glands (called salivary glands) might not work right. Side effects of some medicines — more than 400 medicines can cause the salivary glands to make less saliva. Medicines for high blood pressure and depression often cause dry mouth Disease — some diseases affect the salivary glands. Sjögren's Syndrome, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, and Parkinson's disease can all cause dry mouth Radiation therapy — the salivary glands can be damaged if they are exposed to radiation during cancer treatment Chemotherapy — drugs used to treat cancer can make saliva thicker, causing the mouth to feel dry. Nerve damage — injury to the head or neck can damage the nerves that tell salivary glands to make saliva. What Can be Done About Dry Mouth? Dry mouth treatment will depend on what is causing the problem. If you think you have dry mouth, see your dentist or physician. He or she can try to determine what is causing your dry mouth. If your dry mouth is caused by medicine, your physician might change your medicine or adjust the dosage If your salivary glands are not working right but can still produce some saliva, your physician or dentist might give you a medicine that helps the glands work better Your physician or dentist might suggest that you use artificial saliva to keep your mouth wet What can I do? Sip water or sugarless drinks often Avoid drinks with caffeine, such as coffee, tea, and some sodas. Caffeine can dry out the mouth Sip water or a sugarless drink during meals. This will make chewing and swallowing easier. It may also improve the taste of food Chew sugarless gum or suck on sugarless hard candy to stimulate saliva flow; citrus, cinnamon or mint-flavored candies are good choices Don't use tobacco or alcohol. They dry out the mouth Be aware that spicy or salty foods may cause pain in a dry mouth Use a humidifier at night Tips for Keeping Your Teeth Healthy Remember, if you have dry mouth, you need to be extra careful to keep your teeth healthy. Make sure you: Gently brush your teeth at least twice a day Floss your teeth every day Use toothpaste with fluoride in it. Most toothpastes sold at grocery and drug stores have fluoride in them Avoid sticky, sugary foods. If you do eat them, brush immediately afterwards Visit your dentist for a check-up at least twice a year. Your dentist might give you a special fluoride solution that you can rinse with to help keep your teeth healthy.

Early Treatment FAQ

Q. Why is "early treatment" or Phase I recommended for some children?

A. In some cases, preventive or interceptive care can guide the jaws and erupting teeth into more favorable positions, improve the growth and alignment of the jaws, preserve space for the permanent teeth, and/or reduce the likelihood of fracturing protruding front teeth. Early treatment is not about straightening the teeth, but more about influencing the growth of the jaws to make room for the erupting permanent teeth. This treatment, in many cases, alleviates the need for extractions and jaw surgery later.

Q. What is the psychological impact of orthodontic therapy?

A. Treatment may reduce appearance consciousness during the critical developmental years. Appearance can have an effect on popularity, social behaviors, self-expectation, personality style, and self-image. Also, orthodontic therapy may lessen the likelihood that a child will be picked on by other children.

Q. Why is the adolescent growth spurt so important in orthodontics?

A. This is a time when much of the growth of the face occurs. Treatment during this period provides an opportunity to favorably influence the facial profile in a growing child. Once growth of the facial bones is complete, correction of jaw discrepancies usually requires surgery. For this reason, early treatment may save considerable time and money.

Q. What can we expect from your practice?

A. You can expect a unique combination of art, science, and experience. Our goal is to provide the highest level of orthodontic therapy possible in a caring, friendly environment. We intend to treat you so well personally and technically that you will feel comfortable in recommending us to your friends and family.