Getting your teethStraightenedDr.Shaw, one of the first den-tists in the Washington. DCarea to offer the innovativesix-month braces treatmentoption

Page 3

“Do you have badbreath”Bad breath (halitosis) is acommon embarrassment thatin the worst cases can derailcareers and spoil love lives. Itcan also be a sign of under-lying dental problems

Page 7

DENTALCARE

DECEMBER 2007

DR. LEE DISCUSSES ADVANCES IN ORAL SURGERY ON PAGE 5

AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE WASHINGTON TIMES

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2

DENTAL CARE

Advances in dental care are com-ing fast, from implants to digi-tal x-rays, yet perhaps the most

significant advances during the pastdecade have been in our understandingof the close links between oral healthand our over-all well-being.Research has established, for exam-

ple, that bacteria that cause gum dis-ease may also increase the risk of heartdisease, strokes, diabetes and pre-termbirths. There is also new evidence ofthe importance of sound nutrition fororal health.Despite new technologies, we still

have far to go in achieving healthymouths. In 2000, the first-ever SurgeonGeneral’s report on oral health identi-fied a “silent epidemic” of dental andoral diseases that burdens some popu-lation groups.The American Academy of Pediatric

Dentistry noted this year that toothdecay is the most common chronicchildhood disease, yet 90 percent of alltooth decay is preventable. Our fastfood diet makes children and adultsmore vulnerable to dental diseases.Older Americans also face dental

challenges: as life expectancy increases

so do difficulties in keeping our mouthshealthy. Even with national dentalhealth gains, more than 25 percent ofAmericans 65 and older have lost alltheir teeth.The American Dental Association

(ADA), the ADA Foundation, and Glax-oSmithKline Consumer Healthcarelaunched OralLongevity in September,an initiative focusing on improving andmaintaining good oral health through-out life.This supplement surveys key dental

health issues and spotlights new treat-ments and technologies. We cover teethstraightening, whitening, gum disease,and treating the embarrassment of badbreath. Other articles examine techno-logical innovations, oral surgery, andsedation dentistry.Dental care is keeping up with new

trends, so we also look at dental serv-ices at spas and natural dental products.As exciting as dental care advances

are, the ADA emphasizes that oralhealth still depends on the traditionalfoundation of regular brushing, floss-ing and check-ups. We hope this sup-plement encourages our readers to doall they can to keep a bright smile anda healthy mouth.

Brighter smiles,better oral health

CONTENTS

Meet Dr. Shaw Page 3Spa Dentistry Page 4Meet Dr. Lee Page 5Oral Care goes Natural Page 6Bad Breath Page 7Exclusive Holiday Offer fromHydraBrush Page 8

DENTAL CAREA TITLE FROM MEDIAPLANET

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Editors: Richard Leonard, Marlene Pitturro

Design: Corinne Meier

Print: Washington Times

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Getting your teethStraightenedDr.Shaw, one of the first den-tists in the Washington. DCarea to offer the innovativesix-month braces treatmentoption

Page 3

Do you have badbreathBad breath (halitosis) is acommon embarrassment thatin the worst cases can derailcareers and spoil love lives. Itcan also be a sign of under-lying dental problems

Page 7

DENTALCARE

DECEMBER 2007

DR. LEE DISCUSSES ADVANCES IN ORAL SURGERY ON PAGE 5

AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE WASHINGTON TIMES

Improved Gum Health1

Dental Water Jet

MORE EFFECTIVETHAN FLOSS

UP TO

www.waterpik.com

1Clinical study comparing Waterpik®

dental water jets to flossing.

UltraWP-100

UltraCordless

WP-450

Waterpik® dental water jets are clinically proven to be up to 93% more effective than dental floss at improving gum health.1

Hate to Floss?Ultra

WP-100

UltraUltraCordless

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Our fast food dietmakes children andadults more vulnerableto dental diseases””

Mediaplanet thanks the following companies for their support in the creation of the dental care supplement:

Consumers now have choices for teethstraightening in six to twelve months,versus conventional metal braces that

can be in place double or triple that time.Using tooth colored braces that are madefrom translucent ceramic, the new technolo-gies do not need metal brackets and they areminimally noticeable. This reduces frictionand resistances and can help the braces workmore efficiently. Newer tooth straighteningsystems also require fewer time-consumingadjustments than conventional metal bracesThe new tooth straightening systems are

growing in popularity because of their com-fort, aesthetic appearance, fewer adjustments,and shorter duration in the mouth. The Amer-

ican Association of Orthodontists recent sur-vey found that the demand for newer toothstraightening systems jumped 40 percentfrom 2005 to 2006 and is expected to keepgrowing at that pace.Dr. Marlene Saint-Phard Shaw, a Washing-

ton, DC-based general dentist, provide her pa-tients with a system that gives straight teethin about six months. “My adult patients rangein age from 18 to about 60 years old. Morewomen than men, perhaps sixty percent, askabout our six month braces,” says Dr. Shaw.“Most of my patients who ask about teethstraightening go ahead with the procedure.They’ve thought about improving their ap-pearance for a long time and are eager to getgoing,” she adds. She’s able to meet the six-month time frame because most patients don’thave major bite issues on the back teeth.“We’re fixing misalignment of the front teeth.Our system moves teeth less aggressively thanconventional braces, and you barely noticethe braces when they’re on,” she concludes.No matter which type of braces someone

chooses, post-straightening care such as a re-tainer used at night is a commitment to keep-ing teeth on the straight and narrow.

By Marlene Piturro, PhD

TeethStraightening

If you want a clear picture of your mouth,traditional dental lights and mirrors don’tdo the trick, but intra-oral cameras pro-

vide a full view. Your dentist inserts a pen-sized camera-tipped wand with a disposableplastic sheath into your mouth. The wandtakes a video of your mouth, transmitting theimages via cable to a computer, which en-larges the color images and sends them to aTV screen. Accurate images help you andyour dentist make treatment decisions.Panoramic dental x-rays (versus older bite

wing x-rays) not only provide wide-anglefrontal images that authenticate the baselinecondition of teeth and surrounding bone, theygive clear pictures of the neck’s carotid arter-ies. By revealing calcium deposits in thoselarge vessels carrying blood from the heart tothe neck and brain, dentists can alert patients

who are at risk for a lethal heart attack orstroke.Dental lasers are another emerging oral

care technology. Even a conscientious dentistcan fail to accurately diagnose cavities 20 to30 percent of the time, according to Dr.Howard Strassler, professor of restorativedentistry at the University of Maryland Den-tal School. Cavities have become harder to de-tect because of the widespread use of fluoride,which hardens tooth enamel and makes theexplorer, the metal tool used to diagnose cav-ities, fail to detect small hidden cavities.Through a hand-held red laser that penetratesthe outer layer of teeth, dentists can now de-tect tiny cavities.Dental lasers’ cleanliness and precision led

dentists to incorporate this state-of-the-arttechnology into various treatment modalities.Dental lasers are used to excise benign tumorswithout sutures, reshape gum tissue and boneto expose healthier tooth structure, assist intooth restoration by killing bacteria, and fa-cilitate muscle attachment in children (frenec-tomy).

By Marlene Piturro, PhD

Innovations inOral Care

If the smile looking back at youfrom the mirror isn’t asdazzlingly straight as you’d likeit to be, there’s a new road toupright pearly whites. Unlikethe cumbersome metal braces ofyour teenage years, though,these new braces are surpris-ingly comfortable, and aestheti-cally pleasing.

Twenty-first century dental visits are faster, less painful, and morediagnostically powerful, thanks to an array of new technologies.Innovations in oral care, from intra-oral cameras, to lasers andhigh-tech x-rays improve dental health.

For a variety of reasons, thosepatients did not or could notavail themselves of orthodon-

tic correction (tooth straightening)as teenagers. With a visit to Dr.Shaw, they are ready for an innova-tive, cost-effective and relativelyshort (six-month) use of state-of-the-art braces that give them thesmile they always wanted.Dr. Shaw, one of the first dentists

in the Washington, DC area to offerthe innovative six-month bracestreatment option, begins the processwith candidates for six-monthbraces by discussing what they wanttooth straightening treatment to ac-complish. “My patients with sixmonth braces range in age from 14to 57 years old and their issues aremostly cosmetic. However, my mainfocus of treatment is the adult pop-ulation. Generally, they have spacesbetween their front teeth, crookedteeth or teeth that are bucked. We

also have some who have had a re-lapse after comprehensive ortho-donture because they didn’t use aretainer” she says. “While 90 percentof these patients come for treatmentbecause they are dissatisfied aes-thetically with how their teeth look,these braces also tend to fix otherbite issues,” she adds. Correctingmalocclusions in the front teeth helprealign the back teeth and may cor-rect issues such as cheek or lip bit-ing, and improperly aligned teeththat can’t be cleaned or flossedproperly,

Six-month braces differ fromcomprehensive orthodonture in sev-eral major ways, explains Dr. Shaw.They are less expensive (under$5,000), require four week ratherthan six to eight week adjustements,and give a natural bite rather than aperfect class 1 bite, which is com-prehensive orthodonture’s treatmentgoal. Most importantly, treatmenttime drops from 18-24 months to sixmonths. “Using six-month braces isanalogous to doing veneers on thefront four to six teeth and leavingthe back teeth unchanged.. The vast

majority of my patients don’t wantveneers on the back teeth becausethose teeth do not impact their ap-pearance” notes Dr. Shaw.

Key to successThe heart of six-month brace ortho-donture is the latest technology andtechnqieus that move teeth quicklyand safely. Dr. Shaw attaches small,lightweight space-age nickel and ti-tanium wires to tooth-colored brack-ets on the teeth that move teethgently and with low force. The lowforce technology, in addition tobeing more comfortable for the pa-tient, has important impact on thepatient’s future dental health. Usinglow force to move teeth avoids dam-aging or shortening the teeth’s roots(resorption), which may happen with

comprehensive orthodontic treat-ment.Once Dr. Shaw has achieved cos-

metic closure with the six-monthbraces, treatment is complete. Withthe six-month tooth straighteningaccomplished, Dr. Shaw’s treatmentprotocol then focuses on mainte-nance. She recommends a perma-nent wire retainer that is securedbehind the teeth, although a remov-able night retainer is another option.Dr. Shaw notes that six-month

braces aren’t for everybody. Sherefers patients with serious bite is-sues for comprehensive orthodonticcorrection. But for patients withmilder bite issues, the speed, comfort,and cost-effectiveness of high-techsix-month braces is a smart way to abeautiful smile.

When adult patients with gap-toothed grins or crooked teeth talk treatment optionswith Dr. Marlene Shaw, a third generation dentist and graduate of the HowardUniversity College of Dentistry, they come away with renewed hope.

Straight Teeth in OnlySix months

Dr.Marlene Saint-Phard Shaw, in addition tograduating from Howard University College ofDentistry has completed continuing educationcourses in oral sedation, soft tissue management,dental implants, invisalign, veneers and braces. Sheis a member of the American Dental Association,the District of Columbia Dental Society, theAmerican Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, theMaryland State Dental Association, the Academyof General Dentistry and the Dental Organizationfor Conscious Sedation.

7826 EASTERN AVE NW - SUITE 301 - WASHINGTON DC 20012 - TEL (202) 726-5106 - FAX (202) 882-0976 - WWW.AGREATSMILEDC.COM

before after

before after

before after

ADVERTORIAL

4

DENTAL CARE

The American Dental Association(ADA) recommends treatment ofexisting dental problems before

whitening, and a consultation with adentist on causes of teeth discolorationand appropriate options before pro-ceeding.Discoloration may be the result of in-

fection or decay that could lead to seri-ous complications if untreated. Amongother causes is smoking, coffee and

other beverages, naturally occurringyellow or dark teeth, and darkening dueto aging.A number of home-use and profes-

sionally-applied whiteners carry theADA seal of approval. Options includewhitening by a dentist in the office; at-home dentist-supervised whitening;and over-the-counter brands applied athome. The ADA has also approved sev-eral whitening toothpastes.Whitening often opens naturally oc-

curring pores within teeth, which can

cause temporary sensitivity to air, andhot and cold food and drinks. Salivacontains minerals that close these pores,but the process is slow.Two years ago, scientists at the ADA’s

Paffenbarger Research Center created a“white with might” whitening formulathat also contains tooth re-mineraliza-tion agents.According to Frederick Eichmiller,

DDS, then director of the center, toothwhiteners with the formula, whichcould enhance teeth's natural healing

ability, may soon be available in over-the-counter whitening gels and strips.Simple natural options can help

whiten teeth as well. AACD PresidentDr. Marty Zase says, “Foods such as ap-

ples, pears, celery, and carrots producesaliva which combines with the foods’natural fibers to clean teeth and removebacteria.”Strawberries will naturally whiten

teeth, the AACD notes, as will lemons.

Brushing with baking soda twice amonth will help remove stains, andsugarless gum can stimulate saliva andclean teeth.

Teeth whitening puts your best smile forwardWhitening treatments are the most popular cosmetic dental procedure and have in-creased more than 300 percent in the past decade, according to the American Academyof Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). Not surprisingly, a recent AACD poll found that peoplethink that discolored teeth spoil a smile the most.

“Defusing an oral time-bomb” is how theAmerican Association of Oral and Maxillo-facial Surgeons (AAOMS) describes the latest

findings in a nine-year study on links betweenwisdom teeth and health problems, includingchronic oral infections, gum disease and toothdecay.Lead researcher Raymond R. White, Jr., DDS,

PhD, professor at the University of North CarolinaSchool of Dentistry, and his colleagues concludethat even wisdom teeth with no signs of diseasepose risks, even for young adults, and should beconsidered for removal.Dental implants are increasingly popular for

replacing missing or badly damaged teeth. Oralsurgeons now perform more than half a millionimplants each year, AAOMS reports.Every day oral and maxillofacial surgeons are

treating injuries from auto accidents, gunshotwounds, sports and other causes. They are alsotreating our armed forces in areas of conflictoverseas.

Sports are a vital part of healthy lifestyles, butprotection with helmets and face and mouthguards should not be ignored. Children and teensget 5 million teeth knocked out each year whileplaying sports, according to AAOMS, and mouthguards annually prevent over 200,000 oral in-juries.Severe over- or under-bite and oral and facial

deformities pose health risks and are devastatingto self-esteem. Oral and maxillofacial surgeonsrepair deformities, as well as diagnose and treatcancer and other diseases of the mouth, jaws andface.“Whether the procedures are as simple as the

removal of an abscessed tooth or the replacementof a missing tooth with a dental implant, or asinvolved as facial reconstruction of a patient whohas suffered a disfiguring traumatic injury, a de-velopmental deformity, or a residual defect fromthe resection of a tumor, we have the ability toenrich the lives of those who seek our services,”AAOMS President Dr. Lee D. Pollan told col-leagues at the organization’s annual meeting inHonolulu in October.

Oral surgeons savefaces every day

Frank Lamar, DDS and president of theAmerican Academy of Implant Den-tistry (AAID) says that two out of three

Americans have one or more missing teeth.“As Boomers age they are replacing teethweakened by gum disease with implantsrather than bridgework or removable den-tures.” Although gum disease is the leadingcause of tooth loss, tooth decay, root canalfailure, and accident/trauma to the mouthalso contribute.Dental implants are permanent artificial

tooth replacements that are virtually indistin-guishable from the patient’s natural teeth.Strong and durable, implants can also serveas anchors for a dental bridge or as a re-placement for missing back teeth needed fora bridge to other teeth.Getting dental implants involves a sub-

stantial time commitment, usually about sixmonths to allow for ossintegration—theprocess of the implant integrating with un-derlying bone. The process begins with theperiodontist or oral surgeon using sophisti-cated three-dimensional imaging technologyto assess the bone structure and nerves duringpre-surgical planning.

During oral surgery the dental professionalinserts a titanium metal screw implant andprotective cover in the jawbone, allowingthree months for it to heal and anchor. Oncethe metal screw has integrated with the bonethe periodontist removes the protective cover,and puts on a temporary crown. The tempo-rary crown serves as a template around whichthe gum grows and shapes itself naturally.The dentist completes the process by replacingthe temporary with a permanent crown. Ad-vances in imaging, surgical techniques, andimplant materials has boosted implants’ long-range success rate of implants to 97 percent.

Dental implantsWhether brightening smiles with implants, treating dental and facialinjuries, or removing wisdom teeth, oral surgeons safeguard oral healthand improve looks.

Nothing ruins a smile more than a gap where one or more teethshould be. The options for filling that gap are bridges, dentures,and dental implants. Adults 55 years and older, especiallyBoomers, are fueling interest in implants. In a 2005 survey 43 per-cent of periodontists polled said the majority of their implantpatients were ages 55-79, while 31 percent were ages 35 to 54.

Asmiling concierge accompaniesyou to your complimentary 10-minute neck and shoulder mas-

sage and deep-moisturizing paraffinhand treatment. Perhaps you’ll add aBaby Boomer Facial at $125 for 75minutes, a manicure and pedicure, oreven a Botox or cellulite treatment. Butwait! If you’re seeing yourself at an up-scale day spa, look again. You’re not ata spa at all; you are at the dentist.Spa dentistry is still relatively new;

the American Dental Association esti-

mates that only five percent of its148,000 members offer spa services, butthat number is growing. Shirley Brown,a practicing dentist and clinical psy-chologist, teaches dentists throughoutthe U.S. to enhance their practices bycreating a ‘comfort zone’ built on guesthospitality and spa amenities. Dr.Brown says that spa services that helppatients relax—from foot massage tomeditation or fresh-baked cookies—andhelp patients overcome their anxietyabout dental visits.That is encouraging a growing num-

ber of dentists to combine clinical ex-

cellence with pampering. In-office spatreatments appeal to both dentists andpatients because they help soothe thefears of the 21 percent of Americanswho have dental phobia, and offertime-starved patients opportunities toimprove their health-oral, physical, andemotional.The roughly 200 specialists in cos-

metic dentistry comprise the bulk ofdental spa practices. Dr. Thomas Adams’Spa32 Chicago-area practice has li-censed therapists, estheticians, a chiro-practor, an oral surgeon and twodentists to do everything from dentalimplants to Botox. SPADENT in Her-mitage, PA offers consumers a mind-boggling array of menu choices, from

eyebrow waxing to hair coloring,porcelain tooth veneers and cosmeticbonding to close gaps between teeth,and day spa treatments including hotstone or sports massage and herbal eyemasks.

Spa amenities that help consumersstay relaxed during dental visits pro-mote oral health, soothe fears, and giverespite from busy lives. Expect to seemore of them in the near future.

Spa dentistry

TEXT: MARLENE PITURRO

The smell of freshly baked bread, homemade cookies orlavender greets you as you pass a cascading waterfall, lis-tening to the bird songs and animal sounds of the forest.

TEXT: MARLENE PITURRO

TEXT: MARLENE PITURRO

TEXT: MARLENE PITURRO

Brushing with bakingsoda twice a monthwill help remove stains,and sugarless gum canstimulate saliva andclean teeth.”

”

In-office spa treat-ments appeal to bothdentists and patientsbecause they helpsoothe the fears””

Capital Aesthetic Center - 1145 19th Street, NW - Suite 333 - Washington, DC 20036 - 202-296-6600 - www.capitalaesthetic.com

Oral surgeons are required tocomplete four or more years ofsurgical residency training in

addition to dental school. Dr. Leeearned her D.M.D. from Temple Uni-versity’s School of Dentistry. She thencompleted her oral and maxillofacialsurgery residency at the University ofMaryland Medical Systems and AdamCrowley Shock Trauma Center.Dr. Lee, who has been featured in

the “A New You” series on NBC4.comand in DC Luxury magazine, primarilyfocuses on the surgical aspects of den-tal health and handles complicatedcases that general dentists pass on toher. Frequently, her patients need tohave their impacted or infected wis-dom teeth removed. Other patientsshe commonly treats often need teethremoved because of abscesses, frac-tures, or failed root canals.Dr. Lee also specializes in replacing

missing teeth with dental implants.Dr. Lee explained that missing teeth donot just cause dental problems. Theycan result in nutritional and medicalproblems as well. Missing teeth maycause gingival and boney defects,making the existing teeth more diffi-cult to keep clean. In more advancedcases, when the patient is missingmore than just one tooth, the person’snutrition, speech, and TMJ joints canbe drastically affected. Overall, miss-

ing teeth can affect the patient’s ap-pearance and self esteem.Dental implants are an improve-

ment on other tooth replacement pro-cedures, such as dentures or bridges.Dentures frequently do not fit well, ordo not allow the patient to chew prop-erly. Bridges require cutting downperfectly healthy adjacent teeth inorder to fill in the missing tooth.Using implants, Dr. Lee can replace asingle tooth without disturbing otherteeth. If the patient is missing multi-ple teeth, implants can stabilize thedenture so it fits better. “Replacingmissing teeth with dental implants can

make a dramatic difference for a pa-tient,” explains Dr. Lee. “Implants willrestore the person’s confidence; theycan change your whole life.”Advanced technology helps Dr. Lee

treat her patients with the best carepossible. A digital x-ray system in heroffice helps diagnose and treat prob-lems more accurately. “It gives me theopportunity to fully explain a case toa patient. I can sit down with the pa-tient; show them a radiograph with alarge screen, high definition monitor.I can show them exactly what theproblem is and how to treat it,” notesDr. Lee.

Dr. Lee also uses ViziLite™ technol-ogy, which is a simple and painlessway to screen for oral cancer. After anoral rinse, shining the ViziLite™ in themouth enables identification of tissuethat is abnormal and in need of fur-ther assessment. Oral cancer has be-come more prevalent in recent yearsand the ViziLite™ technique aids inearlier detection. “Screening for oralcancer is very important and shouldbe part of regular check-ups, espe-cially for older patients, smokers andothers at higher risk,” Dr. Lee empha-sizes.“Many people are not aware of how

important the condition of theirmouth is for the health of their entirebody. Infections of the teeth and gumshave been proven to affect your blood,

heart and your overall health,” saysDr. Lee. For example, bacteria from anabscessed tooth can result in a generalinfection, and the bacteria that causegum disease increase the risk of heartdisease and stroke, as well as diabetesand pre-term births.Good nutrition and regular check

ups are vital, since early detection of

problems can make a tremendous dif-ference. According to Dr. Lee, “If wecan treat a condition in its earlystages, it is much easier, less costlyand the patient can avoid having totake considerable time off from work.”Dr. Lee uses a personal touch in

combination with advance technologyto give her patients the best possiblecare. She says oral surgery should notbe scary, and prides herself on listen-ing to each patient’s concerns andhelping them make the best choices intheir surgical dental care. Dr. Lee says,“I really enjoy helping people. Thesuccess of Capital Aesthetic Center is adirect result of listening to each pa-tient and truly caring about them.”

What’s New in Oral SurgeryA recent interview with Dr. Virginia Lee, a prominent oral surgeon practicing inWashington, DC, shed light on several new advancements in oral health and technol-ogy. Dr. Lee’s practice, Capital Aesthetic Center, opened a decade ago near DupontCircle and is in the forefront of dental technology.

ADVERTORIAL

Reprinted with permission from AmericanAssociation of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

Oral surgeons arerequired to completefour or more years ofsurgical residencytraining in addition todental school”

”

6

DENTAL CARE

Demand for natural oral careproducts is booming. Accordingto the National Marketing Insti-

tute, the U.S. natural/organic personalcare market grew 27% to $4.9 billion in2006, and is projected to grow by eightpercent annually through 2010. A Free-donia Group study noted that naturalingredients have become key to mar-keting cosmetics, toiletries and oralcare; impressing consumers with theirperformance, quality, safety, anduniqueness.Natural oral care products appeal to

health-conscious consumers. For them,New Jersey-based the Natural Dentistoffers a full product range. For exam-ple, its Healthy Gums Oral Rinse is al-cohol-free, has no artificial dyes,sweeteners or preservatives. Herbal for-mulas kill germs that cause gum dis-ease.Tom’s of Maine, a natural toothpaste

favorite, comes in wintermint, pepper-mint baking soda and spearmint ant-cavity fluoride varieties. It includes theactive ingredient sodium monofluo-

rophosphate, sourced from calcium flu-oride, to safely clean and help preventcavities. For consumers wanting toavoid fluoride Tom’s offers natural anti-plaque plus whitening gel toothpaste inpeppermint and spearmint. DentieToothpowder is another natural oral

care favorite. A traditional Japanesetooth and gum powder made of finelyground charred eggplant and sea salt, itcombats mouth bacteria, keeping gumsclean and firm.Natural products extend beyond

toothpaste and mouthwash. The FuchsRecord-V Natural Toothbrush, for in-stance, has bristles harvested from a

special breed of boar using a processsimilar to sheering sheep. Then there’snatural silk and cranberry floss spun inbeeswax, designed to glide smoothlybetween teeth.Dr. Cliff Whall, director of the

AD.A.’s Seal of Acceptance Program,advises caution before jumping on the‘natural’ bandwagon. “Even in tooth-pastes that call themselves natural thereare ingredients—fluorides, abrasives andhumectants—that go through a lot ofprocessing.” He adds: “When the A.D.A.says a product is natural, we mean thatit has no artificial color, flavors orpreservatives.”

Oral care goes naturalSmiling is natural. Your oral care products can be, too.For consumers who are mindful of oral hygiene productingredients, natural products omit alcohol, chemicals,preservatives, artificial dyes, flavors and sweeteners.

Unlike health insurance, dental coverageis relatively inexpensive, costing an av-erage of $650 per year per covered em-

ployee, and less for dental plans offered through

HMOs. Dental costs have remained manageablebecause of competition among dental plans andimproved dental health. According to the U.S.Department of Health and Human Services’Healthy People 2010 project, levels of toothdecay and gum disease in children and adultshave declined. Advances in oral health gener-

ally, fluoridation, fewer cavities in children,heightened awareness and public education, andmore and better oral hygiene products have im-proved dental hygiene and lowered treatmentcosts.

Dental insurance:A light bite

Clinical psychologist Philip Weinstein, co-founder of the Dental Fears ResearchClinic at the University of Washington

says the more someone doesn’t go to the dentist,the worse it gets. A painful and expensive den-tal emergency then reinforces the fear and addsto the problem of dental avoidance. An Ameri-can Dental Association (A.D.A.) 2006 survey ofadults who believe they are in bad oral healthshowed that two-thirds of them avoid going tothe dentist. For many of them, dental phobiarather than cost is the problem. Of those whohave dental insurance, fully one-third avoidsdental visits out of fear.

For the dental phobic, though, there is hope.Sedation, or “sleep” dentistry is a safe and ef-fective method of avoiding pain during a dentalvisit. Although conscious, most patients whohave been sedated won’t remember the treat-ment. Sedation is highly recommended for pa-tients who can’t get numb, tend to gag, andneed extensive dental work.The three major forms of dental sedation ad-

ministration are through inhalation (nitrousoxide or ‘laughing gas’), oral, and intravenousinjection. To enhance sedation’s benefits by re-

laxing patients further, most dentists have a spe-cially padded chair, cover the patient with awarm blanket, and provide headphones pipingin soothing music.A huge advantage of sedation dentistry is that

is allows for longer but fewer sessions. For ex-ample, a sedation dentist might whiten stainedteeth, replace crowns or dentures, fix chipped

teeth, and scale sore gums in the same visit.That’s ideal for the dental phobic, who therebyminimizes trips to the dentist. Jeff Gray, DDS ofSan Diego, for example, uses sedation dentistrybecause decades of dental problems can be elim-inated in just a few visits.Unlike general anesthesia, dental sedation is

considered local anesthesia, allowing the patientto walk out of the office relaxed and refreshed.

While general healthcare costs have skyrocketed recently, dental carecosts have remained stable and manageable.

Fearing dentists, some people avoid them for years, even decades,until a dental emergency such drives them to the dentist’s chair.

Speedy tooth replacementThe average Americans loses 12 teeth by age 50, usually from gum disease orbacterial decay. By age 65, there’s a 30% chance he’ll have no teeth at all, ac-cording to the U.S. Surgeon General. As scary as those numbers are, standardtooth replacement by grinding down the abutting two teeth and attaching abridge, is equally frightening. Now there’s a quick, minimally invasive proce-dure for replacing one or all of a patient’s teeth. Using a CT scan of the patient’smouth, dentists analyze the jawbone, then make a stencil-like pre-drilledmouthpiece to guide the dentist through the surgery. With titanium implants,the dentist affixes them to a permanent denture of perfect acrylic teeth in lessthan an hour.

by Marlene Piturro

New scope promises improved detection of oral cancerResearchers supported by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Re-search report initial success with a device that allows dentists to visualize in anew way whether a patient might have a developing oral cancer. The VisuallyEnhanced Lesion Scope (VELScope) allows dentists to check suspicious sores inthe mouth with a special light. “The natural fluorescence of the mouth is in-visible to the naked eye,” said Dr. Miriam Rosin, a senior author of a Journalof Biomedical Optics paper on the device, and cancer biologist at the British Co-lumbia Cancer Research Center in Vancouver, Canada. “The VELScope bringsthis natural fluorescence to light, helping dentists to answer in a more informedway a common question in daily practices: To biopsy or not to biopsy.”

by Richard Leonard

The only toothbrush with the Arthritis Foundation Ease-of-Use Commendation.At last, a power toothbrush that cleans like “an automatic car wash for yourmouth”! Lightweight and simple to use, HydraBrush express utilizes 8 microbrushes that make brushing your teeth easy. No more painful twisting and turn-ing for your fingers, wrist, arm and shoulder. No more tedious back and forth,up and down motions that tire your forearm. You know you need to protectyour teeth, but sometimes it is literally a pain! That is why, after extensive re-search, the Arthritis Foundation found that using HydraBrush is easier for peo-ple suffering from this conditions. In the study that led to HydraBrush expressbeing granted the Arthritis Foundation Ease-of-Use Commendation, Dr. W. BradFain, PhD, Director, Department of Human Factors' Georgia Tech Research In-stitute wrote, "The powered handle provides a gentle back and forth motioneliminating the needfor the user to per-form a "brushing"action. The user sim-ply guides the brushheads along theteeth. The uniquedesign eliminatesmany opportunitiesfor user error andcleans the teeth moreefficiently since allsides of both theupper and the lowerteeth are brushed si-multaneously."

TEXT: MARLENE PITURRO

TEXT: MARLENE PITURRO TEXT: MARLENE PITURRO

Sedationdentistry

A huge advantage ofsedation dentistry is thatis allows for longer but

fewer sessions””

Dental coverage isrelatively inexpensive,costing an average of $

650 per year””

A traditionalJapanese tooth andgum powder made offinely ground charredeggplant and sea salt,it combats mouth bac-teria, keeping gumsclean and firm”

”

7

Those with bad breath may be un-aware of the problem, while para-doxically others may erroneously

believe that they are afflicted.Essential for preventing or reducing

bad breath, notes the American DentalAssociation (ADA), is maintaining goodoral health, including daily brushing andflossing. Brushing or scraping the tonguealso helps, and regular professional

cleaning and checkups are essential. Yourdentist can help locate sources of badbreath.Tobacco products can cause bad

breath, another reason to kick the habit.Foods such as onions and garlic lead tobad breath after digestion, not in themouth, so cutting back on those foodscan reduce problems. Some medicationsprescribed for unrelated ailments can alsobe a cause of mouth odor.Ordinary mouthwashes are general

cosmetic, the ADA says, without a long-lasting affect on bad breath.Places in the mouth where food parti-

cles can collect and provide an environ-ment where bacteria can thrive are amain source of mouth malodors. Pocketsin the gums around the teeth caused byperiodontal disease are vulnerable, andother types of oral inflammation can alsocause bad breath.Treating underlying causes helps clear

the breath, and various anti-bacterialprescription mouth washes can help theprocess.Jon L. Richter, DMD, Ph.D., a dentist in

Philadelphia specializing in periodonticsand founder of the Center for Breath Dis-orders, has developed the ProFresh treat-ment. The therapy uses chlorine dioxide,a safe and powerful antibacterial and de-

odorizing agent used in municipal waterpurification systems worldwide.Dr. Richter confirmed research indicat-

ing that most bacteria causing bad breathare located on the back of the tongue.ProFresh penetrates tissue and mucus inthe mouth to kill these germs, and it alsoeliminates bad breath odors.

Bad breath – your best friend may not tell you

TEXT: RICHARD LEONARD

Bad breath (halitosis) is a common embarrassment that inthe worst cases can derail careers and spoil love lives. Itcan also be a sign of underlying dental problems, such asgum disease and dry mouth, or medical disorders such assinus infection or diabetes.

DENTAL CARE

It is one of the country’s most preva-lent chronic diseases, yet millions ofAmericans who have are afflicted

may be unaware of the infection in theirmouths, according to the National Peri-odontal Disease Coalition. The ailment isthe chief cause of tooth loss in adults,

and can have a devastating impact onoral health.Problems begin when bacteria collect

on and between teeth as plaque, and thenreact with sugars in foods to damagetooth enamel and cause gum inflamma-tion, the first stage of gum disease, calledgingivitis.A number of factors can increase vul-

nerability, including smoking and to-bacco use, diabetes, pregnancy, and poornutrition. Some medications can haveside affects that affect oral health.Stress may also lead to gum disease,

according a recent review of research inthe Journal of Periodontology. While fur-ther research is needed, author DaianePeruzzo, PhD, says that “patients whominimize stress may be at less risk for pe-riodontal disease.”Research has also found that up to 30

percent of the population may be genet-ically susceptible to gum disease, notesthe American Academy of Periodontol-ogy.Gums affected by gingivitis redden,

swell and bleed easily. The condition isreversible with professional treatmentand good oral home care.Untreated gingivitis can advance to

periodontitis, when plaque spreads belowthe gum line, leading to chronic inflam-mation that can destroy tissues and bonethat support the teeth. Gums separatefrom the teeth, forming pockets (spacesbetween the teeth and gums) that becomeinfected.Often, this destructive process has very

mild symptoms, but eventually teeth canbecome loose and may have to be re-moved unless the disease is treated. Goodoral health at home and regular check-ups are the first line of defense.

Healthy gums are a key to good health

TEXT: RICHARD LEONARD

Not only are healthy gums essential for preserving teethand oral health, research now shows that they are vitalfor whole body health. Gum (periodontal) disease can in-crease the risks of heart disease, diabetes, strokes and pre-term births.

A.D.A seal of acceptanceaward to WRrigley chewinggumThe American Dental Association(A.D.A.) awarded its Seal of Accept-ance to Wrigley sugar-free chewinggums Orbit, Extra and Eclipse be-cause they were clinically effectiveat preventing cavities, reducingplaque acid and strengthening teeth.Scientific studies submitted byWrigley’s to the A.D.A. showed thatchewing these gum products for 20minutes three times a day aftermeals increased saliva production.Saliva acts by neutralizing plaque,bathing the teeth in calcium, phos-phate, and fluorides; strengtheningtooth enamel and helping to preventcavities. A.D.A. Executive DirectorJames Bramsom, DDS, says: “TheA.D.A Seal on the package of a den-tal product means that independentexperts have evaluated scientific ev-idence submitted to them and con-cluded that the product meets ourcriteria for safety, effectiveness, andoral health benefits.”

Sweet magnolia fights badbreath and tooth decayBark of the sweet magnolia tree cangive breath mints and chewing gumwith a big boost , according to re-searchers at the Wrigley Company inIllinois. Testing with volunteersfound that breath mints with extractfrom magnolia bark killed more than60 percent of bacteria that cause badbreath within 30 minutes, while themints alone killed less that 4 percent.Magnolia also showed strong resultsagainst germs causing tooth decay.Researchers Minmin Tian andMichael Greenberg, writing in theJournal of Agricultural and FoodChemistry, say that chewing gumand breath mints with magnoliacould provide an oral care supple-ment when brushing is not possible.

ProFresh® BreathCare SystemFresh Breath – 24 Hours a Day™ Guaranteed!ProFresh: Your Bad Breath CureWelcome! Bad breath can cause difficulties in both your personal and professional lives.If you suffer from bad breath, you should know that you are not alone. Bad breath(halitosis) affects at least 50 million people in the United States. We will help youunderstand what causes bad breath and why ProFresh, with its unique patentedformula, is the most effective bad breath cure available.

NOT A COVER UP - A Bad Breath CureProFresh attacks bad breath at it’s source – your tongue! That’s right, scientific studieshave shown that bad breath is caused by bacteria that accumulate on the back ofyour tongue. ProFresh has been scientifically developed by Dr. Jon L. Richter, D.M.D.,PhD. and proven clinically effective to remove bad breath bacteria, eliminating thenoxious odors they produce and leaving you with fresh clean breath.

WHY IS PROFRESH DIFFERENT?How does it get rid of bad breath?ProFresh Oral Rinse is different because it is the only bad breath cure that contains active chlorine dioxide which eliminates the odor-causing bacteria on your tongue. The U.S. Patent awarded to Dr. Richter for ProFresh excludes any other oral rinse from containing a sig-nificant amount of chlorine dioxide. ProFresh has helped thousands of people get rid of their bad breath problems with a simple daily reg-imen.

Order Your Bad Breath Cure Today!

U.S. Patents: 5,738,840 6,284,152

The ProFresh Starter Kit$39.95 + S&Hfor a 50 day supply.

“You have given me a new lease on life! I hadfamily and friends verify that my bad breath hadbeen eliminated! I have my confidence back.Thanks.” – A.E.

www.profresh.com1-800-210-2110

HydraBrush express offers anew way of brushing yourteeth. Operating at 810 strokes

per minute, providing a stimulatingcleansing with short, quick, back-and-forth strokes which eliminate the pos-sibility of gum abrasion, and enablethe bristles to penetrate interproxi-mally (between teeth). It is a better,more efficient clean!

Whether its for a pre-teen, teenager,young adult, baby boomer or someonein their golden years, HydraBrush ex-press provides simple, fast, effectiveoral care every time!

All the user does is flip the switch,open their mouth, insert, HydraBrushexpress, then bite-n-guide. Hy-draBrush express does all the rest, op-erating like, “an automatic car wash

for your mouth”, brushing all six sur-faces of the teeth simultaneously andproviding a comfortable, stimulatingmassage of the gums.And, HydraBrush express offers dif-

ferent sizes and styles of brush headsmaking it ideal for every member ofthe family.

The result: In 40 seconds or less [onethird the time of all other power tooth-brushes] the user will experience:whiter teeth, fresher breath, healthiergums and better checkups.

Recommended by dental profession-als, HydraBrush express is a clinicallyproven, superior product.

In a double blind study conducted atthe University of Tennessee, HealthScience Center, HydraBrush Expresswas found significantly superior to thetwo leading power toothbrushes instain removal, plaque removal, gingi-val restoration and was found totallysafe. The esteemed publication PopularMechanics when referring to Hy-draBrush Express wrote, “Brush WithGreatness.”

HydraBrush Express was also a re-cipient of the prestigious Frost & Sul-livan, “Oral & Dental Care Product ofthe Year” Award. In January of 2007

HydraBrush Express was one of 62products, out of more than 3,600 re-viewed, to receive the Cherry Picksaward bestowed on new, innovativeproducts at the Consumer ElectronicsShow (CES) annually.The product is endorsed and used by

dental professionals at every level ofthe industry. It has received positivereviews from US World & News Re-port, seen on Good Morning America,USA Today,ABC World News Now, PCWorld, Wired Magazine, and NewsTarget.com

U.S. Government statistics show that 4 of every 5 adults suffer from some degreeof gum disease, and most are unaware of this situation. This can lead to seriousdental problems and could even affect other parts of your body. Infections in thegums can spread through the blood stream and reach other sensitive areas of yourbody. That is why proper oral care daily is essential to both your oral health andyour overall health.

IntroducingHydraBrush expressThe Fully AutomaticToothbrush!

The first multi-headed powertoothbrush which efficiently andthoroughly cleanses upper &lower teeth on the inside, outsideand biting surfaces all at once!

The way it works is simple, twinheads comprised of 8 microbrushes encompass the teeth,scrubbing plaque off tooth sur-faces while cleaning the gumline. A top row of bristles mas-sages gum tissue for vital bloodflow.

HydraBrush provedto be a bridge betweenhome dental care andprofessional dentalcare delivering

superior results overother oral cleaning

systems.”

”

www.hydrabrush.com

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