family, friends, life and living

today, rather than press on with the work that really needed to be done, I thought I would simply visit people within our workplace and listen to what they had to say, ask a question and then listen some more.

I continue to so very impressed with the quality of folks we have working with us. More so, I found that family, friends, life and living are 1st and foremost in their lives. It makes them feel good to give, and give, and give without any expectations in return.

Some are making gains and advances in their personal lives and mental health, and it shows up BIG time. Still others made the lives of others in underdeveloped counties better, and brought back a renewed appreciation for life and purpose here in the US.

I am so honored to be invited to be part of their lives through their stories. Their stories help me lead more effectively.

Medical Use Oral Side Affects

Some medications have been known to contribute to dry mouth syndrome (xerostomia), a relatively common medical condition that may lead to tooth decay, oral fungal infections, or speaking/swallowing difficulties. This is especially true for denture wearers. Other oral health side effects associated with certain medications include oral thrush, the shifting of teeth or tooth decay caused by excessive gum growth, according to articles in the Consumer Guide for Dentistry.

People use medications everyday for the treatment, maintenance, or relief of a variety of conditions and ailments. Medications are used to treat conditions such as PMS, sleeplessness, an overzealous appetite, tobacco addiction, allergic reactions, unwanted facial hair and hair loss. “Maintenance medications” may be used for the management of pain, arthritis, diabetes, erectile dysfunction, water retention, depression and anxiety. Medications for illnesses such as heart conditions, high blood pressure, cancer, kidney disease, seizure, stroke or HIV may contribute to oral side effects.

It is important to let your internal medicine doctor and dentist know about the medications you are taking or plan to take. This includes, prescription medication, over the counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements. Your internal medicine doctor and dentist can help you understand any potential oral health side effects that may occur as a result of medication use. This level of preparedness may help you avoid the development of any oral health issues, including dry mouth syndrome, tooth decay or discoloration.

Greg Johnstone,
Consumer Guide for Dentistry

Yes Teeth Whiteners Do Work

Yes Teeth whiteners do work, Read the instructions carefully. Understand what you are looking to achieve and over what period of time. Don't expect immediate results from home whiteners.

Tiger in the news AGAIN?!? - Brush-on or Foam-tip Applicators

Pens with brush-on or foam-tip applicators provide what has been billed as fuss-free instant whitening. Used directly after meals or in daily regimens, as alternatives to whitening trays and strips, these whiteners are often considered instant "antidotes" to new stains from food, especially just-consumed red wine.

But dental professionals are divided as to the effectiveness of paint-on whiteners. Some consider them useful adjuncts to in-office or tray bleaching. Others have yet to see any meaningful results with these whiteners. Consumer Guide to Dentistry

Cosmetic Dentistry, Trends, and Treatments - Heisman Trophy Awards

Cosmetic Dentistry, Trends, and Treatments
At-Home Teeth Whitening, by Linda Dyett *

Professionals agree that the only way to maintain your whitened teeth is with at-home bleaching products, repeated regularly – preferably every four to six months.

Teeth are often stained from smoking, food, drink (coffee, tea or red wine) or poor oral hygiene. Bleaching the teeth can enhance the appearance of your smile. Teeth whitening is perhaps the most commonly recommended cosmetic dentistry procedure.

Peroxide-based teeth whitening gained popularity in the early 1990s. It was limited to custom-made bleaching tray treatments that were available only at dental offices. The consensus is that dentist-dispensed whitening trays and whitening strips, when used as directed, can be even more successful than in-office bleaching over the long haul.

Small amounts of bleach remain within the tooth structure for up to 36 hours. When a new dose of bleach is applied to a tooth retaining the previous day's peroxide, its effect is greater.

*Linda Dyett
Consulting Writer
Ms. Dyett is a New York-based writer/editor with specialties in oral health, general health, and dermatology, as well as in a variety of consumer issues. She developed and was editor-in-chief of Oh, What Beautiful Teeth, an innovative consumer dental magazine published in 2004–2005. She also developed and edited the award-winning Conde Nast Skin (2000). Her consumer-oriented articles have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Allure, In Style, Glamour (where she was beauty editor), Lears (where she was a senior editor), Prevention, and other publications. A book she co-authored on skin care and DNA will be published in 2008.

Does Fluoride Harm Children??

The Fluoride Action Network reported:

"On November 9th, 2006, the American Dental Association (ADA) issued an alert advising parents to avoid fluoridated water when reconstituting infant formula. ADA's advice, however, has been mostly ignored by the media.

Nursery Water, the nation's leading fluoridated water for babies, still markets its product nationwide at Wal-Mart and other major retailers."

They want Wal-Mart to stop selling Fluoride "Nursery Water" to Infants

Remove Surface Stains

Teeth whitening system that removes surface stains and those below the enamel.

One reason for discoloration and stained teeth is deposition of staining agents below the tooth surface over time. The obvious factors also apply; smokers and people with poor oral hygiene or lifestyle habits are very likely end up with stained teeth.

One-sentence capsule: Many factors, including diet and smoking, contribute to stained teeth.

Maintain your smile after whitened, by occasionally repeating the process.

The American Dental Association Says...

Get compliments about your teeth everywhere you go. A smile can be the most eye-catching feature of a face. You now have choices that can help you smile with confidence. Tooth whitening brightens teeth that are discolored or stained. Bleaching may be done completely in the dental office or the dentist may dispense a system for you to use at home.

The ADA list only one tooth whitener product (10/2009), and that is "dentist dispensed for home Use." Opalescense Whitening Gel 10%, by Ultradent Products, Inc.

Res. 80H-2009 directs the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs, in conjunction with the ADA Council on Government Affairs, to actively advocate to federal agencies that fund, promote or perform research that they pursue research on the safe levels of agents used for tooth whitening as a priority matter. It also calls for the CSA to develop guidance based on the scientific evidence on the safety of agents used in tooth whitening products and publish and distribute it to constituent societies in order to assist them in their efforts to effectively advocate for the protection of the public.

Res. 45 was referred to the CSA for study and report to the 2010 HOD. It would direct that the ADA encourage the FDA to require warning labels for medications that cause dry mouth and a resultant increased risk of tooth decay.

Extrinsic stains are those that appear on the surface of the teeth as a result of exposure to dark-colored beverages, foods and tobacco, and routine wear and tear.

Intrinsic stains are those that form on the interior of teeth. Intrinsic stains result from trauma, aging, exposure to minerals (like tetracycline) during tooth formation and/or excessive ingestion of fluoride.

I Tried It and Liked It

After reading so many reviews, one reader decided to but. He said, "I'm glad I did! I used it to clean my bathroom the same day I bought it. The only thing it didn't clean was the bathtub, but I expected that, (I've been trying everything since August to get it clean). I love that I don't have to use chemicals and can still get a good clean. It's worth buying if you remember that it's not a robot, it's not gonna clean for you, it's an aid, it helps. Hope this helps!

Did you ever notice how white and perfect some stars teeth are? Recently though, I saw an aging actor from back when I had to watch Sesame Street with the kids. His teeth were crooked, jagged and yellowed. Wonder what he was thinking? Why not take a few moments for a few days before the shoot and treat his teeth? Hummm?