Proud Supporters of Toys for Tots

Our office is proud to be supporting the Bowling Green, KY chapter of Toys for Tots this holiday season. Chandler Park Dental Care has consistently been about giving back to the community in many ways. This year we are committed to helping Toys for Tots collect toys for local underprivileged children.

Toys for Tots began in 1941 when Major Bill Hendricks collected toys in Los Angeles to distribute to needy children. Since then the organization has grown exponentially and has become a staple of goodwill during the holiday season.

One of the many ways Toys for Tots collects toys is by placing containers at business that support the organization. Throughout the months November, and December, the hope is that customers of the business, as well as local residents in the surrounding area, will drop off their new, unwrapped toys in the bins for distribution.

To show support for Toys for Tots and help less fortunate children enjoy this holiday season, please bring a new, unwrapped toy to drop off at our office during regular business hours. Alternatively, those wishing to help financially can visit www.toysfortots.org to make a cash donation.

Cosmetic, Sedation & Family Dentistry
Chandler Park Dental Care
Tel: 270-282-4777
1857 Tucker Way
Bowling Green , KY 42104
USA

Tooth Decay – Also called Cavities, Dental Caries

You call it a cavity. Your dentist calls it tooth decay or dental caries. They're all names for a hole in your tooth. The cause of tooth decay is plaque, a sticky substance in your mouth made up mostly of germs. Tooth decay starts in the outer layer, called the enamel. Without a filling, the decay can get deep into the tooth and its nerves and cause a toothache or abscess.

To help prevent cavities

• Brush your teeth every day with a fluoride toothpaste
• Clean between your teeth every day with floss or another type of between-the-teeth cleaner
• Snack smart - limit sugary snacks
• See your dentist or oral health professional regularly

Above article from: www.nim.nih.gov

Cosmetic, Sedation & Family Dentistry
Chandler Park Dental Care
Tel: 270-282-4777
1857 Tucker Way
Bowling Green , KY 42104
USA

Cosmetic Dentistry

Who doesn't want a perfect smile? While few people have one naturally, almost anyone can get one with the help of their dentist. In addition to orthodontic treatment, which can straighten your teeth, recent advances in dental materials and techniques offer near-perfect teeth that are almost as strong as the originals.

Things your dentist can do to improve your smile include

• Bleaching to make teeth whiter
• Repairing chips or rough spots with fillings that match your teeth
• Filling cavities with tooth-colored materials
• Reshaping teeth that don't match the others
• Closing gaps between teeth
• Covering broken teeth with porcelain crowns

Above article from: www.nim.nih.gov

Cosmetic, Sedation & Family Dentistry
Chandler Park Dental Care
Tel: 270-282-4777
1857 Tucker Way
Bowling Green , KY 42104
USA

Bleeding gums

Bleeding gums can be a sign that you are at risk for, or already have, gum disease. However, persistent gum bleeding may be due to serious medical conditions such as leukemia and bleeding and platelet disorders.

Considerations

It is important to follow the instructions from your dentist in order to maintain healthy gums. Improper brushing and flossing technique may actually irritate or traumatize the gum tissue.

Causes

Bleeding gums are mainly due to inadequate plaque removal from the teeth at the gum line. This will lead to a condition called gingivitis, or inflamed gums.

If plaque is not removed through regular brushing and dental appointments, it will harden into what is known as tartar. Ultimately, this will lead to increased bleeding and a more advanced form of gum and jawbone disease known as periodontitis.

Other causes of bleeding gums include:

• Any bleeding disorder
• Brushing too hard
• Hormonal changes during pregnancy
• Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
• Ill-fitting dentures
• Improper flossing
• Infection, which can be either tooth- or gum-related
• Leukemia
• Scurvy
• Use of blood thinners
• Vitamin K deficiency

Home Care

Visit the dentist at least once every 6 months for plaque removal. Follow your dentist's home care instructions.

You should brush your teeth gently with a soft-bristle toothbrush after every meal. The dentist may recommend rinsing with salt water or hydrogen peroxide and water. Avoid using commercial, alcohol-containing mouthwashes, which aggravate the problem.

Flossing teeth twice a day can prevent plaque from building up. Avoiding snacking between meals and reducing carbohydrates can also help. Follow a balanced, healthy diet.

Other tips:

• Avoid the use of tobacco, which aggravates bleeding gums.
• Control gum bleeding by applying pressure directly on the gums with a gauze pad soaked in ice water.
• If you have been diagnosed with a vitamin deficiency, take recommended vitamin supplements.
• Avoid aspirin unless your health care provider has recommended that you take it.
• If side effects of medication are irritating, ask your doctor to recommend another medication. Never change your medication without consulting your doctor.
• Use an oral irrigation device on the low setting to massage the gums.
• See your dentist if your dentures do not fit correctly or if they are causing sore spots in your gums.

Above article from: www.nim.nih.gov

Cosmetic, Sedation & Family Dentistry
Chandler Park Dental Care
Tel: 270-282-4777
1857 Tucker Way
Bowling Green , KY 42104
USA

Diet and Oral Health

Cut the sugar, grab the milk!

Each time you eat a snack containing sugar or starch (carbohydrates), the resulting acid attack on your teeth can last up to 20 minutes, and a lot of snacks and drinks contain sugar. How much sugar? A single can of pop contains up to 10 teaspoons of sugar, and if you think that natural sugar (like the sugar in raisins or other fruit) is better for your teeth it’s not. Sugar is sugar, and the average Canadian consumes over 40 kilograms of sugar each year! Click here for a list of how much sugar your favorite snack might contain.

How can you defeat the sugar bug?


Beat the Clock - foods that are eaten during a meal usually pose less of a threat to teeth because of the additional saliva produced during mealtime eating. Saliva helps to wash food particles from your mouth and lessen the damage from acid.

Brush & floss those teeth - toothbrushing is important, and you should brush twice a day. Did you know that if you don’t floss, you miss cleaning up to 35% of each tooth? If you’re not sure how to floss, just ask your dentist.

Stock up on Dairy Products - yogurt and cheese, milk and milk products contain things that are good for your teeth. Everything that’s made from milk is a good source of calcium - an essential nutrient for the development of bones and teeth. Some scientific studies have shown that eating cheese might actually help to protect your teeth from cavities by preventing something called demineralization (the loss of important calcium in your teeth).


Above article from HealthTeeth.org


Cosmetic, Sedation & Family Dentistry
Chandler Park Dental Care
Tel: 270-282-4777
1857 Tucker Way
Bowling Green , KY 42104
USA