Spring 2012

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Oral Health Updatewith Dr. Jeffery W. Smith

Your Beautiful smile says it all!

THank yOu fOr all yOur referralS. We appreCIaTe THem!

Produced for the Patients of Dr. Jeffery Smith

(See back for more info.)

I’m very excited about the new practice website that we’re developing. It’s going to have all kinds of great features and I’m learning a lot. One of my challenges has been to create a biography for posting and I thought it would be nice to share a little bit about my life story with you.

I grew up on a small farm outside of Fresno. I was the oldest of five children. My father was Hump Pilot during WW2, and later became a dentist. Unfortunately, he passed away when I was 14. After high school, I went on to the University of Pacific majoring in Biochemistry on a full football scholarship. I don’t play football anymore, though I was a “Ball Dude” for the SF Giants last year. Today, cycling is my passion and

I like to ski, hike, fish, and to work on my Triumph TR4 sports car as well.

After graduating from the University of Pacific School of Dentistry in San Francisco and gaining experience working for the Indian Health Service in Arizona, my wife Bobbie and I bought a practice in Dinuba, CA. We later relocated to Sonora in 1998. Since then many of you have met Bobbie, my wife of 41 years. What you may not know is that nearly all the artwork in the practice is hers. Bobbie is very busy doing demonstrations at various Art Clubs, most recently the Palate Club in Tulare, CA. Besides being an accomplished artist, Bobbie is a Public Health Nurse who graduated from Fresno State University.

Bobbie and I love our animals, we currently have three large dogs (total weight 475lbs!), a cat (the Boss), and five African tortoises.

Graduations are big in our family. Our daughter, Alyssa went to Princeton University where she pitched for the Tiger Softball Team and played in the College Softball World Series two years in a row. Alyssa, then went to Loyola of Chicago Law School. She practices law in Maryland (she also passed her insurance underwriter’s exam), and is raising our three grandchildren Jill, Colin, and Brett who are 6, 4, and 2 years old!!

Yours in good dental health,

Dr. Jeffery Smith

Let Me Introduce MyselfSo many milestones!

Many of you, our patients, have come to us with your concerns about fluoride. In

response to these concerns, I have spent several hours reading and analyzing information about fluoride. I chose to regard only clinical studies with peer-reviewed articles as having any merit, because this research is evidenced based, and not biased by anyone’s personal opinion. These studies were performed by educational institutions and by national and international health organizations. I did also find that much of the information widely available “online” lacks evidence to support its claims, and needs to be established scientifically before given any credence.

First of all, fluoride is a pure element

represented in the chemistry’s periodic table by the letter “F”. It is a naturally occurring mineral that can be found in the soil in varying amounts depending on where you live. Some populations have very high concentrations of fluoride, while others have hardly any at all.

In the dentist office, we primarily use sodium fluoride, which is also the type of fluoride present in most toothpastes, mouthwashes, gels and varnishes.

Fluoride: Good or Bad?

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A word to the wiseYou’d think that acidic food

would digest meals faster, but weirdly, the opposite is true. Citric acid in lemons, for example, slows down gastric emptying, holding food in your stomach longer so you feel full longer and avoid snacking.

That’s great if you’re watching your weight! Lemon juice tastes terrific on poultry, fish, or salads and when combined with oil and herbs for salad dressing. But just a note – you can get too much of a good thing. Lemons, like many foods that contain acids naturally, can cause enamel erosion if consumed excessively.

Still, go ahead and release your inner gourmand! Wise choices and a little moderation will let you enjoy great meals, your best weight, and a fabulous smile!

LEmonAid

The root is anchored permanently in your jawbone, preventing future bone loss.

The crown does not rely on other teeth for support & doesn’t affect surrounding healthy teeth.

An implant can replace one tooth or two, or the teeth in an entire jaw.

Implants can anchor dentures to prevent shifting & can replace partial dentures & bridgework.

Multiple implants & implant-supported dentures require no plates that cover the roof of your mouth.

What you can do… Consider safe reliable easy-care and natural-looking dental implants, and call us for a consultation.

Smile-Saving StrategiesDelightful dental implants

How it works…

5 You know that sunken look around the mouth and cheeks that you associate with ageing? That isn’t inevitable, and often, it isn’t

even necessary. When teeth are lost, there is also a loss of jawbone so that surrounding teeth shift, resulting in a lack of support to the cheeks

and lips. This can create lines around the mouth. Dental implants can save your bone structure which helps you to avoid premature facial changes.

What a dental implant is… A dental implant has two parts: a root made of biocompatible metal and a custom-made tooth crown which is attached to it.

Lose Weight...And keep your smile

Here’s a dental perspective that could help you reach your weight loss goals and add to your motivation. Don’t overlook the liquids you’re consuming! You may know that many beverages can stain your teeth, and that sodas and juices can erode teeth enamel and cause cavities, but here’s more...l A Harvard study found that drinking only one diet or regular

soft drink a day increased the risk of obesity by 31%. l Evidence suggests that diet drinks may actually promote

weight gain, although the mechanism is unclear. l Compared to real fruit and vegetables, the lack of fiber in soda

can leave you feeling hungry – and heading back to the fridge.Here’s another dental angle… Experts suggest you create cues to

signal it’s time to stop eating 2-3 hours before bed time. Brushing and flossing is highly recommended!

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Q: What are the benefits of veneers?A: An improved smile can increase your self-confidence which improves your work and social life. Veneers are an effective cosmetic technique used to cover flaws and strengthen your teeth with beautiful results.

Q: How do I know if I’m a good candidate?A. If your teeth are stained, chipped, or have other minor irregularities like small spaces, uneven lengths, or exposed roots, veneers can work for you. For slightly crooked teeth, veneers can give your teeth a straighter appearance without braces.

Q: Will my veneers stain?A. Porcelain veneers should never stain, although some other veneer materials are more porous and could. To keep your natural teeth bright, try to reduce or avoid foods and beverages like coffee, tea, red wine, and dark fruit juices, as well as tobacco products. Most patients whiten teeth surrounding their veneer(s) to ensure a good match.

Q: How long will they last?A. They can last up to 20 years when you take care of your oral health to avoid decay and gum recession.

Q: Is getting veneers a long process?A. No, it usually takes just two to three appointments for diagnosis, treatment planning, preparation, and placing your veneers.

Veneers Q&A Here’s what you want to know

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Common Sense Care

For veneers and crownsGreat news! Veneers can be

cared for just like your natural teeth. Brush them regularly with toothpaste, floss once a day, and keep your regular hygiene visits. Just as with your other teeth, it’s important to limit your sugar consumption and confine sweets to meal times to help prevent decay.

Although your veneers don’t require special care, give them the same respect that you’d give the rest of your smile. Anything that will break or

chip your natural teeth could do the same to a veneer, including ice, hard cookies, brittle candy, candy apples, hard nuts, pumpkin seeds, and popcorn.

Other culprits? Habits like nail biting, pencil chewing, using your teeth instead of scissors or bottle openers, and even for pulling on your gloves. Once you get

the picture, it’s easy to take care!

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office information

Information included is not dental or medical advice. For your specific information be sure to consult our office. If you do not wish to receive this newsletter, please contact us directly.

Contents may not be reproduced without permission from the publisher. © PATIENT NEWS (800) 667-0268

Printed with vegetable-based ink.

Communication is important to us – don’t be

afraid to ask questions!

Jeffery W. Smith DDS, Inc630 Woods Creek DriveSonora, CA 95370-4817

Office HoursMon & Tue 8:30 am – 4:00 pmWed & Thu 8:30 am – 5:00 pm ** Closed for lunch from 12:30–1:30 pm

Contact InformationOffice (209) 532-4376Fax (209) 533-4391Email jwsmithdds@yahoo.com

Office StaffBrenda ..................Office Manager/RDAAndrea .........................................RDAShelby .........................................RDAJerusha ........................................RDHKristen .........................................RDH

I think it is important to point out that sodium fluoride is different than the silicafluorides that are used to fluoridate water. Much of the negative views expressed online about fluoride are referring to the silicafluorides used in water fluoridation, which is not the same as the fluoride used topically.

Our mouth is a dynamic environment in which minerals are constantly being dissolved out of the teeth, and then the minerals

Fluoride: Good or Bad? Continued...from the saliva are reabsorbed back into the enamel. Fluoride plays an important role in this process of re-mineralization. The bacteria in the mouth create acid from the carbohydrates that we eat. This acid in turn dissolves the minerals in the surface of the enamel. When the acid

has repeatedly leeched the minerals from the tooth surface, the enamel becomes weak and eventually caves in, creating a cavity.

When fluoride is applied topically it adheres to the tooth surface, creating a buffer from the harmful acid. It also attracts calcium ions to adhere to the enamel, making them available to get reabsorbed back into the tooth, reversing the damage done by the acid. Fluoride available in the saliva gets absorbed by the bacteria as well, which inhibits

its enzymatic activity. Thus fluoride re-mineralizes and strengthens the tooth structure while at the same time it protects your teeth against decay. These positive effects of fluoride on the teeth have been well researched and documented.

Even with that being the case, there continues to be a lot of controversy sur-rounding the safe use of fluoride. Fluo-ride has been accused of causing many different systemic diseases including, cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis, and bone fractures among others. There have not been any scientifically valid stud-ies done to support these theories. The only documented and studied risk with fluoride is a condition called fluorosis, which manifests in white or brown

markings on the teeth. Fluorosis occurs with too much fluoride intake, and does not result from the normal amounts found in toothpastes, etc. In Tuolomne and Calaveras Counties, there is not any fluoride in the water supply, so there is no need to worry about getting excess amounts of fluoride.

In very large amounts, fluoride is toxic. Such is the case with most sub-stances. Many of the minerals essential to our body if ingested in large amounts would be toxic as well, but taken in small amounts, they provide an important role in our body function. The CDC and FDA have established guidelines for the safe concentration of fluoride in the water and topical sources available. However, precautions should be taken to keep any-thing containing fluoride out of the reach of children, so that they do not ingest excess amounts. Also, supervise your child when brushing their teeth so that they are not swallowing the toothpaste, or putting too much on the brush.

After reflecting on all that I read about fluoride, the one thing that I really came away with is that fluoride works! It has been extremely effective in treating one of the leading causes of disease in the United States; cavities. I feel confident in recommending the topical use of fluoride to you our patients, knowing that fluoride will benefit your oral health by preventing cavities, re-mineralizing the tooth surface and reducing sensitivity. If you want more information about fluoride, please ask!

Yours in good dental heath,

Jerusha, RDH

Boost Your Brain PowerWith … pine bark?

According to researchers, 100mg daily of a supplement called Pycnogenol made from pine bark extract…n improved university students’

attention, memory and moodn reduced their anxiety by 17%

It could be its antioxidant and vasodilation properties that make the difference.

to

SHElby for passing the

RDA Exam!

Congratulations