So Jessica Simpson, wow. Really?
I'll give her one thing, it certainly does take guts to go on national television and tell everyone you don't brush your teeth. Read the article here if you haven't. However, not only is it gross, it's hazardous to your overall health. Jessica says she uses Listerine and flosses, umm... great.
Flossing is essential to dental health. Good on ya there Jessica.
However, there is a reason that we dentists recommend brushing three times a day. Everything you eat and drink during the day touches your teeth, trapped food particles and sugar leads to decay. Invisible bacteria (plaque) also accumulates on your teeth. Brushing frequently removes the plaque, so that it doesn't harden into tartar. Tartar is more damaging to teeth, and much harder to remove. That "slippery" feeling that Jessica doesn't like actually indicates clean teeth, with an absence of tartar.
Brushing your teeth also helps to stimulate your gums, which can help prevent periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is a very dangerous on going health condition which has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, low birth weight and still born babies, aspirated pneumonia and in extreme cases, death.
Moral of the story; brush your teeth. You're cooler than Jessica Simpson.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Is Bottled Water Bad for Your Teeth?
It sounds silly, doesn't it?
Bottled water is the second highest selling non-alcoholic drink in America. It's right behind soda, but that's a different blog post all together. In fact, we hand out bottled water to patients as they leave our office. It's just something nice we do to help alleviate the dental aftertaste.
However, an excess of bottled water is not necessarily healthy for your teeth. Most drinking water from the tap contains fluoride, which helps prevent cavities. In fact, having a filter on your tap may also filter out the fluoride. Charcoal based filters such as Brita and Pur will not filter out fluoride, while reverse osmosis filters will remove the fluoride.
For a list of which bottled waters do contain fluoride, please visit bottledwater.org.
Additionally, fluoride treatments are not just for children. The next time you visit your hygienist, ask for a fluoride treatment. It helps prevent decay, and your insurance company shouldn't dictate your health.
Bottled water is the second highest selling non-alcoholic drink in America. It's right behind soda, but that's a different blog post all together. In fact, we hand out bottled water to patients as they leave our office. It's just something nice we do to help alleviate the dental aftertaste.
However, an excess of bottled water is not necessarily healthy for your teeth. Most drinking water from the tap contains fluoride, which helps prevent cavities. In fact, having a filter on your tap may also filter out the fluoride. Charcoal based filters such as Brita and Pur will not filter out fluoride, while reverse osmosis filters will remove the fluoride.
For a list of which bottled waters do contain fluoride, please visit bottledwater.org.
Additionally, fluoride treatments are not just for children. The next time you visit your hygienist, ask for a fluoride treatment. It helps prevent decay, and your insurance company shouldn't dictate your health.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
25 Reasons Batman Keeps Dental Floss on His Utility Belt.
Our staff had some fun coming up all these reasons that Dental Floss is the preferred weapon of Superheroes. Given that Batman has a utility belt, he was our ideal choice.
1.Cutting Cheese Cake (unwaxed only)
2. Tie up Christmas ornaments in Wayne Manor.
3. Macrame
4. Tie string around finger to remember to change to alter ego.
5. Sew a button on the Bat Suit in a pinch
6. Tie plants to stakes
7. Replace broken shoe lace
8. Quick jewelry repair
9. Fishing line
10. Tie button hole closed in a pinch
11. Tie hair back
12. Use as an approximate measuring tape
13. Book mark
14. Tie it to a door knob for loose tooth removal
15. Use to draw straws with Robin over who drives the Batmobile.
16. Prison Break! Over time, dental floss can cut through steel. It can also be used to repel down a wall.
17. Weave together to make a small net to trap villains in.
18. For use in medical emergencies. It can be used to tie off arteries when all those “POWS” and “BAMS” get too much. It can also be used to tie off umbilical cords for unexpected civilian deliveries.
19. Repair umbrella (or Bat Cape). Use floss to tie fabric to the frame.
20. DIY clothes line.
21. Foil frays! Wrap dental floss around the ends of ropes and shoe laces to stop them from unraveling.
22. Floss other “utilities”. Making a braid out of floss allows you to clean crevices in tools.
23. Construct a crafty wind chime for Vicki Vale
24. Tie down broken bat mobile trunk. Ten loops through should do it.
25. Floss teeth and prevent gum disease!!!
1.Cutting Cheese Cake (unwaxed only)
2. Tie up Christmas ornaments in Wayne Manor.
3. Macrame
4. Tie string around finger to remember to change to alter ego.
5. Sew a button on the Bat Suit in a pinch
6. Tie plants to stakes
7. Replace broken shoe lace
8. Quick jewelry repair
9. Fishing line
10. Tie button hole closed in a pinch
11. Tie hair back
12. Use as an approximate measuring tape
13. Book mark
14. Tie it to a door knob for loose tooth removal
15. Use to draw straws with Robin over who drives the Batmobile.
16. Prison Break! Over time, dental floss can cut through steel. It can also be used to repel down a wall.
17. Weave together to make a small net to trap villains in.
18. For use in medical emergencies. It can be used to tie off arteries when all those “POWS” and “BAMS” get too much. It can also be used to tie off umbilical cords for unexpected civilian deliveries.
19. Repair umbrella (or Bat Cape). Use floss to tie fabric to the frame.
20. DIY clothes line.
21. Foil frays! Wrap dental floss around the ends of ropes and shoe laces to stop them from unraveling.
22. Floss other “utilities”. Making a braid out of floss allows you to clean crevices in tools.
23. Construct a crafty wind chime for Vicki Vale
24. Tie down broken bat mobile trunk. Ten loops through should do it.
25. Floss teeth and prevent gum disease!!!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Would You Like Some Botox With That?
"Would you like Botox with that? How about we make it a super size?"
Sadly, this mentality is permeating the facial rejuvenation community. Botox spas are opening up in local shopping malls and other commercial places. The atmosphere is similar to a nail or hair salon, appointments can be made, but you can also be seen on a walk in basis. This is giving consumers the impression that Botox isn't a medical procedure, and can be done on a whim.
This simply isn't true. Botox is a purified protein form of the Botulism toxin. It has been approved by the FDA, and can only be prescribed by physicians. It works by relaxing the muscles it is injected into, typically in the forehead or around the eyes. Medical training in head and neck anatomy is crucial to correctly administering Botox. Knowing just where to inject is not only a science, but also an art form. Injecting the wrong area could have unwanted results. Does that sound like something that should be ordered off of a drive through menu?
Though many of these clinics and storefronts are "overseen" by licensed physicians, they are not always on site, and often are not the individuals giving injections. When Botox is ordered off the drive through menu, it's hard to know who is actually administering your treatment, and what their actual training and qualifications are.
Another attractive feature of these mall clinics is the low cost. Beware of Botox sold below $10/unit, or at a fixed price for an area. Allergan, the US producer and distributor of Botox Cosmetic, sells their product to only licensed physicians at roughly the same rate. Any purchase below $10/unit is most likely not Botox Cosmetic, expired or, it is not being administered in the proper amounts.
Additionally, when Botox is performed in a medical office with a trained support staff, you can be sure that the environment is appropriately sterile and maintained.
"Your face is your outward representation of who you are. Don't trust it to just anyone." says Dr. Mike Hopkins. "Spend the time, do the homework so you acheive the best results for a beautiful you. If you eat McDonald's three times a day, its going to show up on your body. If you do drive through Botox, the results will be about the same."
Sadly, this mentality is permeating the facial rejuvenation community. Botox spas are opening up in local shopping malls and other commercial places. The atmosphere is similar to a nail or hair salon, appointments can be made, but you can also be seen on a walk in basis. This is giving consumers the impression that Botox isn't a medical procedure, and can be done on a whim.
This simply isn't true. Botox is a purified protein form of the Botulism toxin. It has been approved by the FDA, and can only be prescribed by physicians. It works by relaxing the muscles it is injected into, typically in the forehead or around the eyes. Medical training in head and neck anatomy is crucial to correctly administering Botox. Knowing just where to inject is not only a science, but also an art form. Injecting the wrong area could have unwanted results. Does that sound like something that should be ordered off of a drive through menu?
Though many of these clinics and storefronts are "overseen" by licensed physicians, they are not always on site, and often are not the individuals giving injections. When Botox is ordered off the drive through menu, it's hard to know who is actually administering your treatment, and what their actual training and qualifications are.
Another attractive feature of these mall clinics is the low cost. Beware of Botox sold below $10/unit, or at a fixed price for an area. Allergan, the US producer and distributor of Botox Cosmetic, sells their product to only licensed physicians at roughly the same rate. Any purchase below $10/unit is most likely not Botox Cosmetic, expired or, it is not being administered in the proper amounts.
Additionally, when Botox is performed in a medical office with a trained support staff, you can be sure that the environment is appropriately sterile and maintained.
"Your face is your outward representation of who you are. Don't trust it to just anyone." says Dr. Mike Hopkins. "Spend the time, do the homework so you acheive the best results for a beautiful you. If you eat McDonald's three times a day, its going to show up on your body. If you do drive through Botox, the results will be about the same."
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Quick and Easy Skin Care Tips That Anyone Can Do!
Did you know that skin is the largest body organ? Here are some quick and easy skin care tips to get you started:
1. Use sunscreen daily! Sun damage is the number one cause of premature aging and skin cancer. Whether or not you intend to be outside, its a good idea to have that protection all the time. Some moisturizers also incorporate it, we recommend TNS Ultimate Daily Moisturizer +20 spf.
2. Take a multi-vitamin. Vitamins C, E, A and B7 are beneficial not only to your general health, but to your skin as well! They can help minimize free radical damage, help produce new cell growth, promote healing and help with acne.
3. Drink water! Water helps the skin rid itself of impurities. Between 8 and 10 glasses a day should do it. It will also aid your overall body function.
4. Don't touch your face!! Your hands are germy, transferring those germs onto your face promotes oil build up and break outs. Tie your hair back at night to keep product build up off of your skin, and keep make up brushes clean. Throw out any make up that is more than a few months old.
5. Wash your face every evening to remove make up and other environmental build up from the day. This will prevent acne breakouts and infections from developing. Wash carefully after applying hair products as they can cause build up and residue on your skin. Your skin heals best around 10 pm, so try and scrub up way before bed time!
6. Avoid excess sugar. (This one is dear to our dental hearts!) Excess sugar leads to the formation of toxins called AGEs, (advanced glycations end products) which lead to the breakdown of collagen, connective tissue and promote wrinkles. Since this is kind of a toughy, try reducing your sugar a little at a time, like only putting half the amount of sugar in your coffee each day until you're down to none.
7. Exfoliate! Exfoliating several times a week helps slough off dead cells and brightens skin. For men, this can also help with in grown hairs associated with shaving.
8. Use products and services designed for your skin type. If you're not sure what your skin type is, consult an aesthetician, who will not only be able to tell you your skin type, but will recommend which products you should and should not use.
9. Don't pick! Squeezing, picking, popping and all other sorts other mean things you do to your skin can cause scarring and infection! It also works bacteria deeper into the skin.
10. Change your pillow cases often. They will hold onto the oils, residue and bacteria that you leave on them every night.
1. Use sunscreen daily! Sun damage is the number one cause of premature aging and skin cancer. Whether or not you intend to be outside, its a good idea to have that protection all the time. Some moisturizers also incorporate it, we recommend TNS Ultimate Daily Moisturizer +20 spf.
2. Take a multi-vitamin. Vitamins C, E, A and B7 are beneficial not only to your general health, but to your skin as well! They can help minimize free radical damage, help produce new cell growth, promote healing and help with acne.
3. Drink water! Water helps the skin rid itself of impurities. Between 8 and 10 glasses a day should do it. It will also aid your overall body function.
4. Don't touch your face!! Your hands are germy, transferring those germs onto your face promotes oil build up and break outs. Tie your hair back at night to keep product build up off of your skin, and keep make up brushes clean. Throw out any make up that is more than a few months old.
5. Wash your face every evening to remove make up and other environmental build up from the day. This will prevent acne breakouts and infections from developing. Wash carefully after applying hair products as they can cause build up and residue on your skin. Your skin heals best around 10 pm, so try and scrub up way before bed time!
6. Avoid excess sugar. (This one is dear to our dental hearts!) Excess sugar leads to the formation of toxins called AGEs, (advanced glycations end products) which lead to the breakdown of collagen, connective tissue and promote wrinkles. Since this is kind of a toughy, try reducing your sugar a little at a time, like only putting half the amount of sugar in your coffee each day until you're down to none.
7. Exfoliate! Exfoliating several times a week helps slough off dead cells and brightens skin. For men, this can also help with in grown hairs associated with shaving.
8. Use products and services designed for your skin type. If you're not sure what your skin type is, consult an aesthetician, who will not only be able to tell you your skin type, but will recommend which products you should and should not use.
9. Don't pick! Squeezing, picking, popping and all other sorts other mean things you do to your skin can cause scarring and infection! It also works bacteria deeper into the skin.
10. Change your pillow cases often. They will hold onto the oils, residue and bacteria that you leave on them every night.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Peru Mission 2010
Dr. Hopkins has just recently returned from his mission to Peru, as part of a team of Rotarians. This is his 3rd consecutive mission to Peru. He has previously donated dentistry to citizens of the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Bosnia.
Dr. Mike treated 125 patients and performed 254 extractions over a three day clinic time. This year's Rotary Team was able to extend cleft palate correction as this is a common ailment in Peru. There were 21 cleft palate corrections performed, for which Dr. Hopkins assisted the surgeons by performing the pre-surgery extractions.
... and no, this year he didn't enjoy the local delicacy of roasted guinea pig.
Dr. Mike treated 125 patients and performed 254 extractions over a three day clinic time. This year's Rotary Team was able to extend cleft palate correction as this is a common ailment in Peru. There were 21 cleft palate corrections performed, for which Dr. Hopkins assisted the surgeons by performing the pre-surgery extractions.
... and no, this year he didn't enjoy the local delicacy of roasted guinea pig.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Dr. Mike's Thoughts Before Leaving for Peru
Today I am leaving for my dental mission trip to Chincha, Peru. Chincha is about an hour and a half south of Lima on the coastline of Peru. The trip is composed of two teams ...one teams of clef palate surgeons and the second team of four dentists, of which I am one. We will be getting children ready for the surgery by extracting teeth that need to come out prior to the surgery, as well as caring for several hundred other children and adults in the surrounding community that are in dire need of care. Unfortunately, almost all of the treatment is dental extractiions, due to the extreme levels of decay. However, when someone has had a toothache and infection for several months, it is a real service to them to be able to have that tooth taken out! Right now as I get ready to leave, I am doing the mental checklist of everything that I need to take with me....gloves, masks, headlamps, passport, clothes...etc. Going to a site that we have never been to always poses certain challenges, such as working conditions, eqipment, even if there is any, patient shelter, and so on. It is the cause for a few of those butterflies in the stomach....but somehow, miraculously, everything always seems to work out. Looking forward to several very long, hard days ahead, but every minute is worth it. This is why I became a dentist....to give back!
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