Hello again! A lot of news since our last newsletter…We are now sending monthly newsletters via e-mail. Many of you have received these. We are also continuing a mailed printed newsletter like this one, periodically for those patients who aren’t on our e-mail list. If you are not receiving our e-newsletters, please call us or e-mail your current e-mail address to us at info@EastgateSmiles.com . If you prefer to not receive newsletters, use the same contact address….

Your teeth and bones are calcified, containing a large amount of calcium that contributes to their strength and hardness. Enamel, the hard protective outer covering of the teeth, and dentin, the inner layer, require calcium to maintain their structure. Teeth form in the first few months of fetal development and continue to develop through late teen years as the wisdom teeth mature. The calcium requirement for proper tooth and bone development is 700-900 mg per day for children up to age 11, while teenagers require 1,000 to 1,200 mg of calcium daily. Calcium is available in many foods, including milk, cheese, yogurt, some breakfast cereals, orange juice and certain green leafy vegetables. If you don’t get enough dietary calcium, check with your physician or nutritionist for the best calcium supplement. If your body does not receive enough calcium to meet the requirements of tooth development, it “borrows” calcium out of the bones. This can lead to osteoporous. A recent research article in the Journal of Periodotology reported that patients who eat adequate calcium in their diet had lower rates of periodontal “gum” disease. Fluoride actually combines with calcium to make a harder, more decay-resistant enamel. That is why fluoride can reduce decay rates and harden weakened enamel that has been exposed to dietary acids in foods and soda drinks.

If you ever wondered if electric toothbrushes do a good job cleaning your teeth, the answer is clear- yes! The research has shown over the years, powered brushes do a superior job of eliminating plaque over manual brushes, as long as you spend adequate time brushing. The best and most popular powered brush brand is Sonicare. Most of our employees prefer this one. However, Braun/ Oral-B is also an excellent brush. Make sure you change brush heads at least every 3 months and after you have had a cold or viral flu infection. Spin brushes are an inexpensive option that do a pretty good job also and can be thrown away when the brushes are too frayed. Remember, even the best brushes cannot replace dental floss to clean in between your teeth.

Our door is always open. The ultimate compliment a patient can give us is to refer their family, friends, and co-workers. Word of mouth referrals are our number one source of new patients. When you send us a new patient or family, we won’t let you down. So if you wonder if we accept new patients, the answer is always-YES!