Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and you may be getting ready for some big fat kisses to come your way.

So even though at Retter Dental Care. we’re concerned about cavities, gum disease, bad breath and lots of saliva, we won’t use this month’s blog entry to gross you out about kissing. But we will tell you some interesting facts that you can tell your kissing partner right after they smack one on you!!

Anthropologists have argued for years about the origin of kissing. Many now believe that it has evolved from the time when mothers chewed food for their babies and then went mouth to mouth at feeding time. (Well, okay – we might gross you out a little bit!) This action became so comforting to babies that the habit continued even after they could chew for themselves, and then developed into a sign of affection.

As 2012 approaches, you have probably already started your list of New Year’s resolutions. If you are like most people, this list probably includes: go to the gym, lose weight, take tango lessons, call your mother more often, find the cure for cancer, etc… But let’s face it – EVERYONE has those resolutions, and they are all usually broken by January 10th.
 
So let’s shake it up a little this year and try ten “Dental Resolutions” which are not only easy to keep but can lead to a lifetime of excellent health. Here they are!
 

Nothing says football like a big tub of Gatorade being dumped on the winning coach at the end of a game. But for you and your kids it could be offsides and holding on your dental health.

Originally developed at The University of Florida in 1965 (and named after their sports teams – “The Gators”) Gatorade was intended for athletes such as football players who endured rigorous workouts in the hot sun. But somehow this potent drink has become a staple of our popular culture, and its combination of sugars, salt and electrolytes can be anything but healthy for all but the most strenuous exercisers. The fact is, for just about all of us, including children, water remains the healthiest drink either with meals or during and after exercise.

When you come in for your dental visit, you may notice that we do a lot more than examine your teeth and gums.

One of the most important parts of your visit is when we ask you questions about your general health. But many people have said to us:

“What does that have to do with my dental check up?”

In 1965 James Brown sang “It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World.” A few years earlier Harry Belafonte sang to us “That’s right – the women are smarter!” So who is right when it comes to dental health?

It turns out one group is more likely to have healthier gums, less plaque and tartar build-up, fewer areas of bleeding gums, and lower incidents of gum disease. This group also is twice as likely to schedule regular dental check-ups and is much better at following through with treatment recommended by their dentist.

To top it off, they have a better understanding of oral health and a more positive attitude about visiting the dentist! So just who are these dental superstars?

As the snow continues to fall and prolong our winter, it’s interesting to note that with all the snow that the northeast has gotten this year, experts are predicting that birth rates will be higher than normal for the fall of 2011. With all the excitement going on inside while the white stuff continues to come down outside, the question, “is it safe to have dental treatment during pregnancy” is being asked more than usual.

We all know what its like to plan our new years resolutions. Too often they are forgotten by the time February comes along.

That is why we are glad to present to you a list of a different kind – our top ten “2011 New Year’s Denta-Lutions!” They are fun, important, and will help you to have a happy and healthy year!

Legend has it that comedian Rodney Dangerfield once asked his dentist for advice. “Doc – my teeth are yellow. What should I do?” To which his dentist replied: “Wear a brown tie!” Fortunately, these days we can give much better advice than that. Most of us begin life with beautiful sparkly white teeth, but just as the years bring wrinkles, sags, bags and more – the age fairy can make our teeth much more yellow or brown than they used to be.

A common question we get in our dental office is – “What causes bad breath?” Many times the complaint is not from the offender but from a long suffering spouse or family member. There are many causes of bad breath (which we call “halitosis”) – some serious and some not. And while many people have decided to just hold their nose and live with it, the good news is diagnosing and treating bad breath is something that can easily be done. Here is a list, in no particular order, of the reasons people may be slowly backing up during conversations: · Foods Containing Pungent Oils Yes – garlic and onions are very healthy, but they also contain oils which may cause an unhealthy reaction to those around you.

Thank you all for the overwhelmingly positive comments that were provided. We are continuously striving to provide our patients with the highest quality of care in the field of dentistry. We were touched to see how many people value the services we provide and appreciate our hard work.

Of course we appreciate you as well! That’s why in addition to the Ipad, we decided to draw two free whitenings as an additional thank you. Congratulations to Wendy S., our Ipad winner and Simon W. and Ana R. for winning the whitenings. We are always looking for ways to improve our services so your comments and feedback are welcome at any time. This brings us to our pledge for 2011.