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Are You Not Enter tained? by Dr. John F. Miller DDS
Of course, as a reader, you are aware that 406 Woman Magazine hits the newsstands six times a year.
As we approach the end of another year, I would like to review some of the best advice that I’ve given in this column over the past three years.
That means every two months I, along with the other contributors, need to figure out how to entertain our readers for two pages or so. I have been contributing to this great publication for over three years now and I’m going to say I have written north of 20 articles. Articles about dentistry to be specific.
This is the time of year that we are preparing for New Year’s goals and resolutions. I want some of those goals to involve your teeth and oral health. I want this review to educate and motivate you in your endeavors.
While I am passionate about the Art & Science of Dentistry, it can be difficult to write original content every two months &...wait for it...be entertaining. I sit down and I first think of my audience: · The smart and savvy women of Northwest Montana · I think of my wife Juli · I think of the amazing women I work with on a daily basis
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What do they want to read? What questions do they have? 108 406
oman.com
Being Informed
Having a well-informed approach to your oral health care is a major focus of my writing. We have been told our whole lives to brush, floss, see the dentist regularly, etc. I want to tell you why you do these things.
Acid is Not Cool
While sugar is often touted as the enemy, acid is the direct cause of traditional dental cavities. Understand that any source of carbohydrates will give acid-producing bacteria found in dental plaque the ability to well, produce acid. So, not only will candy and soft-drinks cause cavities, but so will milk and bread if inadequate oral hygiene is present. Under normal conditions, every time we eat fermentable carbohydrates the acid levels
rise in our mouths for approximately 25 minutes before our saliva can neutralize things back to healthy levels. Understand that if you snack frequently, or sip Big Gulps all day you are drastically increasing the exposure-time of your teeth to destructive acid levels.
Dental X-Rays are Safe
Dental X-rays, or radiographs, give your dentist a significant amount of information concerning not only your dental health, but also the health status of the supporting structures of your teeth, mainly your bone. To keep things brief, the average background radiation that humans are exposed to on an average day equates to about two Dental X-rays. In a five year period we take 40 dental radiographs give or take.
Baby Teeth are Important
As I mentioned in my April 2013 article titled “Raising Healthy Smiles!” Baby teeth are the dress-rehearsal for their permanent successors. Also, they hold space in the developing jaw for the permanent teeth to reside. Premature loss of baby teeth will likely cause orthodontic complications later. Go to 406Woman.com and read that article...it’s really good if I say so myself.