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Watch Your Citrus Intake! (how citrus affects oral health)

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How Citric Acid Affects Oral Health  Citric acid is found in many different things most people probably use or eat or drink daily! Some of these common culprits might surprise you. Cosmetics, gels and liquids, cleaning products, pharmaceuticals, and even dietary supplements commonly contain citric acid. It's even frequently added to various food products to boost flavors or help with preservation.  Citric Acid found naturally in :  Limes Oranges Lemons Pineapple Cherries Tomatoes Added Citric Acid:   Cheese,  Milk,  Soft-drinks,  Powdered drinks,  Frozen treats, and even s ome candy There are a few things to be aware of if you are eating or drinking a lot of these acidic items on a regular basis. Over time foods and drinks with high citric acid content can lead to the erosion of the enamel on your teeth.  When erosion has progressed into the softer, inner layer of your tooth (called the dentin) you will start to experience sensitivity and pain. If
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Are You Valentine’s Day Ready?

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Don't Let Bad Breath Ruin Date Night There are many different things that can contribute to having bad breath!  Some causes might be obvious like which foods you may be eating or having poor oral hygiene, but some might not be so evident. If you have date night or an important event coming up, here are some tricks to help you keep your breath fresh. Common Foods to Avoid: Garlic or Onions - The distinctive smell is caused by sulfur-containing chemicals in the garlic and onion. The smell can linger on a person's breath for hours and even overnight. Dairy - Naturally occurring bacteria from your tongue feeds on the amino acids in milk and cheese, which can result in an odor that is foul. Coffee - The caffeine in coffee can actually dry out your mouth by slowing saliva production which can be a trigger for bad breath This should be a little more obvious for most, but staying on top of your oral hygiene is the easiest way to keep your breath fresh. Ma
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A Caregiver’s Guide to Oral Health

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There are many aspects of being a caregiver, and some are certainly more challenging than others. This post is to help you with an often forgotten aspect of care: oral health. Taking care of a person's teeth is important. It will greatly increase their quality of life. For example, being able to eat has been linked to heart health.  Remember that maintaining healthy teeth through preventative measures is always easier and more cost effective than waiting for a problem to arise and then addressing it. By staying regular with dental check-ups and cleanings, many big problems can be avoided through early intervention. These check-ups and cleanings should be scheduled twice per year, unless the hygienist has specifically said to come in three or four times per year. Make sure  to bring a list of all current medications to update in your chart each time. Home dental hygiene care is also important. Brushing twice per day (for two minutes) and flossing once per day will help to
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6 Tips For Coping With Dental Anxiety

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New Year's Resolution: Go to the dentist If you are like most people, you read that statement and your anxiety level starts to rise. If this is you, there are things that can help. Here are a few suggestions and tips that I give my patients to help calm their nerves before and during an appointment. Breathe. This may seem obvious, but it isn't when you are in a state of panic. Take slow, deep breaths and focus on your breathing. When your mind is on breathing, it isn't on your appointment. Sometimes it helps to visualize yourself in a "happy place." That happy place may be sipping margaritas on a beach somewhere, or surrounded by family and friends in front of your grandma's fireplace. Wherever and whatever it is for you, we encourage the daydream while you are in your appointment. Know what sets you off. It may be the sound of the drill or just the feeling of dental instruments on your teeth. Talk about it with your dentist whatever it might be. The
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Healthier Holiday Treats

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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year This time of year is full of sweet treats and baked goods, something we all love. Our teeth, however, may need a little bit of a break from them. If that's the case, here are a few recipes and ideas for healthier  holiday snacks and treats to bring to your next holiday party. Just click on the links to see the recipes on the respective sites. 1.  Christmas Tree Vegetable Trays 2.  Ham & Cheese Christmas Cracker Snack   3.  Black Olive Penguins   4.  Reindeer Snack   5.  Guacamole Christmas Wreath   Enjoy the holidays! ~Cyrus M. Larson, DMD
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Is Fluoride Good or Bad?

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Fluoride.  One of the heavily debated topics of dentistry.  I have read a lot of information on both sides of the story. I'll start out by saying from the research I've done and the evidence I've seen as a dentist I am pro-fluoride.  As with most things fluoride is useful in moderation. (For studies and more information on fluoride click here .) Even water can be “toxic” in high enough doses. High levels of fluoride can cause dental or skeletal fluorosis. Dental fluorosis occurs from very high levels of fluoride as a child and results in mottling (spotting) of the teeth (and no cavities). (Click  here for more information on fluorosis.)  My patients that grow up in areas with high fluoride exposure often have NO cavities into their 20's, 30's and 40's. Fluoride is  found naturally in most water sources. The amount and concentration of naturally occurring fluoride in water is due to different types of soils and rocks found around a water source. Fluoride
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3 Ways to Care for Your Toothbrush

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The holiday season starts with Halloween and sugar and candy galore. Then comes Thanksgiving with baked confectioneries and other good foods. This continues through the end of the year and into the New Year. We all love it, but by the end of it, our toothbrushes may be getting a little tired. (Remember to brush AT LEAST twice per day for two minutes and after snacks or meals especially ones containing all those yummy sugars!) Here are a few ways to take care of your toothbrush during it's busiest season: If your toothbrush looks like this it may be time to replace it! Store your toothbrush in the open air. Toothbrushes like to be thoroughly rinsed with water after being in your mouth and they don't like to be encased where they can't dry out after use. They also like their space - stand them upright and don't let them touch other toothbrushes. By storing your toothbrush this way you are minimizing the amount of bacteria on your toothbrush for your next clean
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