U.S. News & World Report: Your way to a health smile: Everything you need to know to keep your pearly whites in tip-top shape.
- From: Mike <yared22311@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2008 17:31:30 -0800 (PST)
http://health.usnews.com/features/health/your-way-to-a-healthy-smile.html
Your way to a health smile: Everything you need to know to keep your
pearly whites in tip-top shape.
articles:
21st-Century Dentistry: A new world of dental treatments requires a
bit less bravery
Your Way to a Healthy Smile: Good oral hygiene may help the whole
body, experts believe
The Value of Guarding Kids' Teeth
An early push against decay can prevent costly fixes later
Tooth Whitening Leads in Cosmetic Dentistry
Fears Over Fluoride: Kids can get too much, but too little is more
likely.
Taking the Cost Out of the Bite: Flexible spending, private plans,
dedicated credit, and more.
Photo Gallery: A History of Dentistry
http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/2008/02/14/your-way-to-a-healthy-smile.html
Your Way to a Healthy Smile
Good oral hygiene may help the whole body, experts believe
Posted February 14, 2008
Derita Malcom had a recent revelation--one profound enough that her two
adolescent kids hear about it every night. "I preach: 'Take care of
your teeth,'" she explains. Removing her upper denture before bed,
Malcom, 49, tells her kids, "Look at mama's teeth" and the damage
caused by gum disease. "I had such a fear of the dentist that I really
neglected my mouth," says the elementary school secretary from
Chesterfield, Va. The consequences are not limited to her mouth.
Malcom's diabetes may have been harder to manage because of her long
neglect of oral health. Before she underwent a series of dental
procedures last year, Malcom's A1c level, which reflects blood sugar
control, was far above the safe range. Now, since she has a new
dedication to home care and is nearing the end of her dental work,
Malcom's sugars are closer to normal. "I didn't make the connection
that it could improve my diabetes," she says. She's not alone. Three
in four American adults have at least mild periodontal (gum) disease,
or gingivitis. More severe disease, or chronic periodontitis, may
affect as many as 30 percent. Regardless of severity, gum problems can
be quite stealthy; pain is minimal and bleeding or reddened gums may
be the only sign. Yet disregarding oral health could have serious
overall repercussions. Recent research suggests that uncorrected gum
issues make blood sugar more difficult for diabetics to control.
Diabetes, in turn, can cause or worsen gum disease. "It's a two-way
street," says Susan Karabin, president of the American Academy of
Periodontology. The underlying mechanisms are not fully understood,
but gum disease involves chronic inflammation--which can trigger
insulin resistance, a hallmark of diabetes--and also bacterial
infection. "Periodontal disease creates the wound that allows [oral
bacteria] to gain access to the rest of the body," explains Steven
Offenbacher, director of the Center for Oral & Systemic Diseases at
the University of North Carolina. People with gum disease may also be
more likely to have a heart attack, stroke, or thickening of the
arteries. Again, the culprits may be inflammation, a major factor in
cardiovascular disease, and chronic low-level infection. Oral bacteria
have been found in arterial plaque and can induce a process that leads
to blood clots. The flip side, says Karabin, is that "a healthy mouth
means a healthy body." Research published last year in the New England
Journal of Medicine found that blood vessel function improved
significantly in patients given intensive treatment for severe
periodontitis, compared with those who had only basic plaque removal
and polishing. Cliff Sloan is quite literally taking such findings to
heart. After the Chevy Chase, Md., resident had a heart attack eight
years ago, his internist prescribed medication, maintenance of healthy
habits--Sloan, now 50, was already a runner with a healthy diet--and an
aggressive approach to oral health, including treatment for receding
gums. Since then, Sloan, the publisher of the Web magazine Slate, has
alternated every three months between visits to his regular dentist
and intensive cleanings by a periodontist, or gum disease specialist.
"The stakes are just too high" to ignore the apparent connection, says
Sloan. Chronic disease is not the only state that warrants extra
attention to oral health. Infection control is critical to surgical
patients, for example, and a dentist's or periodontist's sign-off is
not infrequently required before patients proceed to the or,
especially for heart or orthopedic procedures. Hormonal and
developmental changes, too, can boost a person's risk of oral
problems. Adolescents often have gingivitis due to a combination of
raging hormones, orthodontia, and lax oral hygiene. Add an unhealthful
habit--a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association this
month found an increase in gum disease in young adults who were heavy
users of marijuana--and the odds of oral health problems worsen still.
Those at risk. Getting on in years also ups the ante. A shift in
hormones puts post-menopausal women at risk of osteoporosis, which may
raise the chances of developing periodontal disease. Entering
menopause with pre-existing gum disease may speed the destruction of
jawbone, making implants and other repairs more challenging. Old age
may bring arthritis and lessened dexterity with floss and toothbrush.
But losing teeth is no longer a foregone conclusion, says Richard
Price, spokesman for the American Dental Association, though visits to
the dentist most likely need to increase. Transportation an issue?
"Some dentists make house calls," he adds. Contact the local dental
society. Pregnancy may introduce pitfalls, too. "If you're thinking of
becoming pregnant or if you are pregnant, be sure you have no oral
infection," says Offenbacher. About half of expectant mothers develop
gingivitis, due in part to hormones, making frequent dental visits
important. Research suggests that having gum disease makes a pregnant
woman several times more likely to deliver a preterm, low-birth-weight
baby. High levels of prostaglandins, a labor-inducing chemical
associated with severe gum disease, may be to blame. Insurance
companies like Aetna and Cigna have begun covering extra cleanings for
pregnant women and additional deep cleanings, known as scaling and
root planing, for those with more severe gum disease. Pilot trials
suggested deep cleanings in such women reduce premature birth and low
birth weight. A larger 2006 trial found they're safe but have no clear
benefit. Aetna, Cigna, and others are also now offering stepped-up
care for members who carry their dental coverage and have certain
chronic diseases--and the insurers are reaping savings when they do so.
In research conducted with the Columbia University College of Dental
Medicine, Aetna saw a reduction in total medical costs of 9 percent
for members with diabetes, 16 percent for those with coronary artery
disease, and 11 percent for those with stroke or other cerebrovascular
disease. Certain dentists routinely test blood pressure and refer
patients to a physician if they find clues of systemic disease, and
there's growing interest in expanding that aspect of dentistry. "We
want to see the dentist become much more active in the role of
diagnosis and screening," says Daniel Meyer, senior vice president of
science and professional affairs for the American Dental Association.
And some dentists are already forging ahead. Three years ago, Ron
Schefdore, a dentist in Westmont, Ill., began testing adult patients'
blood glucose, cholesterol, and C-reactive protein (a marker of
inflammation) before and after eight-week treatment regimens for
periodontal disease. Monitoring those numbers helps him refer patients
to a physician if something's out of the normal range. Another tool
that inspires Schefdore's patients to commit to better oral care: a
closed-circuit television. He zooms the camera in so "they can see all
the blood and the yuck," he explains. "It really motivates them!"
http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/2008/02/14/21st-century-dentistry.html
21st-Century Dentistry
A new world of dental treatments requires a bit less bravery
Posted February 14, 2008
Kevin Ireland had his gums fixed twice a few years ago. His first
treatment involved peeling back his lower gums with a scalpel to
excise bacteria and stitching him up, an uncomfortable and painful
experience for the 50-year-old manager of a Utah dinosaur park. While
his gums were healing, his periodontist received training in a new
laser technology that targets diseased gum tissues without harming
healthy ones. So the treatment of his upper gums a few weeks later was
virtually pain free. Such high-tech advances are transforming how
patients experience oral care, in some cases shortening their time in
the chair and in recovery. Less-invasive implants, digital imaging,
and new uses of lasers are also removing some of the anxiety and
discomfort often associated with dentistry. It can be easy to get
caught up in the "gee whiz" factor of dazzling new technology, though,
and dentists sometimes offer procedures that are neither essential nor
cost effective. So each patient should develop a solid, trusting
relationship with a dentist, says Gene Antenucci, a spokesman for the
Academy of General Dentistry, especially before shelling out for
unfamiliar treatments. "It's also important for the patient to ask
questions and to do some outside research," he adds, when a dentist
recommends a costly service. Ireland's periodontist was one of a
number who have begun laying aside scalpels in favor of the laser-
assisted new attachment procedure, or LANAP, a novel treatment for
infected gums that the Food and Drug Administration approved in 2004.
The pulsing laser can distinguish by color between healthy and
diseased gums and zaps away only bacteria and infected tissue, which
has a darker pigment than the surrounding healthy gums. LANAP helps
connective tissue and bone form between the gums and teeth, according
to a study in the December issue of the International Journal of
Periodontics and Restora-tive Dentistry. "There were also signs of a
regeneration of diseased root surfaces in all lanap-treated teeth,"
says Raymond Yukna, the study's lead author and director of advanced
periodontal therapies at the University of Colo-rado School of Dental
Medicine. In theory, that means there is less chance of the infection
returning. The laser's heat also seals the gums with a "thermal blood
clot, creating a physical barrier to any bacteria or tissue that could
re-create gum pockets," says Sam Low, an associate dean of the
University of Florida College of Dentistry and vice president of the
American Academy of Periodontology.
Still, LANAP is unlikely to fully replace traditional gum surgery
anytime soon. The laser therapy isn't demonstrably superior to
surgery, reseachers recently reported in the Journal of
Periodontology. Insurance will typically cover either procedure, so
patients won't necessarily pay more for lanap. Lasers are also taking
part in cosmetic treatments. Laser gum revision, for example, can
reshape the gum lines in much the same way periodontists have
traditionally done with a scalpel. So, patients with a gummy smile or
long- or short-looking teeth can achieve a more proportioned look,
says Joseph Zelig, a New York City-based cosmetic periodontist. "Think
of the gums as a frame around a painting," he says. "If the frame is
broken, the painting won't look good no matter how expensive it is."
The laser cauterizes the gum tissue, minimizing pain and bleeding and
shortening recovery. Mini-implants. Lasers aren't the only game in
town. Advances in miniature dental implants are making the replacement
of decayed or missing teeth with dentures more palatable. "Mini-
implants are designed for patients with limited bone in their jaws who
have trouble holding in their dentures," says Antenucci. In contrast
to conventional implants, which must be anchored in the jaw and take
several months to fuse with bone, titanium mini-implants can be
inserted in a single visit and don't require cutting the gums. And
while conventional implants cost $1,250 to $3,000 per tooth, mini-
implants can be just half that. Neither is typically covered by
insurance. Digital impression technology, another recent advance, is
taking the goo out of dentistry. Crowns, bridges, and other
restorative prosthetics require an impression of a patient's teeth in
order to fit correctly. This usually involves a paste or putty that
takes several minutes to set. But a "virtual" impression removes the
discomfort from that wait. In the new process, a digital camera scans
a portion of the mouth and creates a 3-D image that precisely reflects
the size and position of each tooth. Dentists with certain equipment
can then produce a custom-tailored prosthetic on the spot. Others send
the image to an off-site manufacturing facility, an approach that may
take a couple of weeks but offers patients a wider selection of
materials, like gold and porcelain. Some dentists may build the cost
of the equipment and processing into the price of the restoration,
making the work more expensive than conventional restoration work,
which remains most dentists' only offering. When Martha Zeeman, 40, of
Lake Forest, Ill., got fitted for a crown four years ago, she could
barely tolerate the impression paste because of her strong gag reflex.
So when she needed three crowns last fall, she became one of the first
patients to receive a virtual impression using the recently approved
iTero system. "There was no more unpleasant taste and definitely no
more gagging," she says.
http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/2008/02/06/tooth-whitening-leads-in-cosmetic-dentistry.html
Tooth Whitening Leads in Cosmetic Dentistry
Posted February 6, 2008
After years of grinding, chomping, and chewing, your once-pearly
whites may have seen better days. The gloss of lustrous white enamel
has faded, exposing the natural yellow layer beneath. Add to that a
lifetime's worth of pigments from coffee, tea, red wine, and soda that
have gotten lodged in tiny cracks in your teeth. The result: that
unattractive yellowish-brown tint that's made tooth whitening one of
the most popular cosmetic dental procedures in the United States.
Nearly all cosmetic dentists offer whitening treatments and the number
of procedures they perform has jumped about 50 percent each year since
2005, according to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. More
people are also turning to cosmetic enhancements beyond whitening,
such as bonding and veneers, which can improve both the function and
appearance of crooked, chipped, or worn-down teeth.
Cosmetic options abound. To decide which may be right for you, experts
say, see a dentist for an evaluation. "Any tooth decay, cavities,
periodontal disease, and root or gum recession will have to be
resolved before going ahead with whitening," says Matthew Messina, a
consumer adviser to the American Dental Association. Sometimes, he
adds, just correcting those issues can improve the color and
appearance of teeth. When that's not enough, dentists can make
additional improvements using well-tested whiteners or prosthetics.
But an informed do-it-yourself approach may be cheaper and,
ultimately, just as effective.
Whether applied at home or in a professional's office, reputable
whitening products use peroxides, chemicals that release oxygen
bubbles to lift out staining pigments and debris. Where whiteners
differ is in their peroxide concentrations, the time they take to
work, and, of course, cost.
Whitening toothpastes. Supermarkets and pharmacies offer a dizzying
array of whitening pastes for less than $10 a tube. Crest alone boasts
seven varieties of toothpaste whiteners. Colgate has eight. And that's
not even counting the number of different flavors (Caribbean cool,
anyone?), gels, baking sodas, and 2-in-1 paste/mouthwashes that
promise to brighten your smile. But do they really work? "It depends
on the active ingredient," says Laura Kelly, president of the American
Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Only some brands contain a peroxide,
and those that do have very low concentrations--usually 1 to 2 percent.
That's enough to remove surface stains and give teeth a good outer
cleaning but not enough to make tooth shades whiter. "They're more
effective at maintaining your shine after you've undergone stronger in-
office or at-home whitening treatments," says Kenton Ross, a
spokesperson for the Academy of General Dentistry.
Over-the-counter (OTC) whitening products. The best-known OTC
whiteners are strips--thin, cellophane-like tape that adheres directly
to the teeth--and gel-filled trays, both falling in the $15-to-$50
range. The bleaching agent in these products can cause irritation or
blotching if it comes in contact with the lips or gums, says Ross. To
minimize that problem, manufacturers keep peroxide concentrations low,
which means you should expect relatively slow, modest results. "The
OTC products are ideal for someone going to prom in a week or needing
a little touch up here and there," says Messina.
In-office whitening. You'll fetch the most dramatic improvement in the
shortest time with bleaching procedures done at a dentist's office.
But convenience and results come at a price--often between $500 and
$1,000 and even more in major metropolitan areas. Some products,
including Zoom and BriteSmile, make use of a high-intensity blue light
or laser that purportedly activates the highly concentrated hydrogen
peroxide solution and speeds up the process, but it's debatable
whether such flashy extras make a difference. In studies, researchers
such as Bruce Matis, the director of clinical research at Indiana
University School of Dentistry, have found that they don't.
With minimal home follow-up care, in-office bleaching can last for up
to five years. However, teeth are vulnerable to restaining shortly
after the procedure, so Messina recommends a "white diet" for the
first few days: fish, chicken, rice, and water.
At-home whitening. Those looking for in-office results at a lower
price can use a dentist-supervised "at-home" treatment. Patients get a
custom-fit tray and a whitening gel that's about a third as strong as
the solutions used in offices. "Most at-home kits need to be worn once
or twice a day, about an hour each time, and up to two weeks," says
Ross. Costing $200 to $400, the kits work as well as or better than in-
office treatments, according to Matis. In studies, he has found that
at-home treatments outperform all tested in-office products. To
prevent restaining, which is most likely to occur during and just
after the treatment period, users of the kits need to avoid pigment-
laden substances like cola, coffee, and tobacco smoke.
The most common side effect of all whitening treatments--tooth
sensitivity--will usually resolve within a day or two, says Ross. In
rare instances, the discomfort can cause a dentist to cut short a
treatment.
Bonding. Made of a pliable composite resin that hardens in place,
bonding is a good option for small repairs like fixing chipped teeth,
whitening a single tooth, closing gaps, or creating a straighter
appearance. The bonding material, says Kelly, will "match the exact
color shade of your tooth, blending into the natural structure."
Because it's typically meant for touch-up jobs, it tends to cost less--
between $300 and $600 per tooth--than other cosmetic options, like
crowns, bridges, and veneers. And unlike veneers, bonding is often
covered by insurance, especially if it corrects a structural, rather
than merely cosmetic, problem. But just as teeth can stain, so can
bonding material.
Veneers. Extreme cases of discoloration, or misaligned or worn-down
teeth, may warrant veneers instead of whitening, crowns, or bonding.
Usually made of porcelain, veneers are designed to mimic the bright
white enamel and shape of healthy teeth and are cemented directly onto
the surface of the teeth. They're more expensive than most other
cosmetic options, costing $700 to more than $2,000 a tooth, but they
last for decades with very little upkeep. And because they come with a
stain-resistant coating, veneers, at least, will stay white forever.
http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/2008/02/14/fears-over-fluoride.html
Fears Over Fluoride
Kids can get too much, but too little is more likely
Posted February 14, 2008
When government scientists reported last spring that rates of
childhood tooth decay had risen slightly over the past two decades,
some dental professionals proposed a possible explanation: Those
children might not be getting enough fluoride, a chemical that binds
to tooth enamel and makes it resistant to decay. While the theory
remains to be proved, the finding underscores the need for kids to get
some fluoride--but not too much. Tap water in most of the country has
been fluoridated for decades, but bottled water often isn't. So
parents who rely on brands like Dasani and Aquafina could be putting
their own and their children's oral health at risk, say experts like
Steven Levy, a professor of dental public health at the University of
Iowa in Iowa City. Water isn't the only source of fluoride. The
chemical is also added to many toothpastes, and it's in foods like
raisins and shellfish, as well as teas. But people worried about
overexposure may avoid those sources as well. In excess, fluoride can
cause white spots on teeth--an unattractive but harmless condition
called dental fluorosis. Federal standards require cities to notify
residents if fluoride levels in tap water exceed 2 parts per million,
and the highest level allowable is 4 ppm. Nearly a quarter of
Americans under age 40 have some fluorosis, according to a 2005
report, but under 1 percent have severe fluorosis, marked by yellow,
malformed teeth. Unsupervised kids can swallow toothpaste, so children
under 2 shouldn't use fluoridated pastes unless it's advised by a
dentist or pediatrician, says Howard Pollick, a spokesperson for the
American Dental Association and professor of dentistry at the
University of California-San Francisco. (The ADA recommends
fluoridated pastes for others, though, as fluoride's benefits last
only an hour or two after each exposure.) Pollick emphasizes that 2-
to-6-year-olds need only a "pea size" amount of toothpaste and should
be supervised while brushing. Moreover, parents who feed their infants
only formula should prepare it with unfluoridated water. "We're trying
to reduce tooth decay, but we're also trying to reduce dental
fluorosis," says Pollick. "It's a fine line."
http://www.usnews.com/articles/health/2008/02/14/taking-the-cost-out-of-the-bite.html
Taking the Bite Out of the Cost of Dental Work
Flexible spending, private plans, dedicated credit, and more can make
dentistry cheaper
Posted February 14, 2008
Elizabeth Risberg knows something about the cost of dental care, and
not just because she works for a dental insurance provider. "I do a
lot of public speaking," says the media relations manager. "I want my
teeth to be perfect." Next month, she will get transparent Invisalign
braces at a cost of nearly $6,000. Her dental insurance will cover
$1,800, but no more--that's the plan's lifetime coverage cap on
orthodontia. Having planned ahead, she is using her flexible spending
account--a special account set up through her employer that allows her
to pay pretax dollars toward medical and dental costs--to help cover
her portion. Caring for your teeth can get pricey if a problem
develops. The portion insurance companies will pay for orthodontic
treatments like Risberg's, not to mention crowns and root canals, is
often lower than the total cost. Moreover, the number of people who
have dental insurance pales in comparison with the number with health
insurance. According to a surgeon general's report in 2000, about 108
million Americans lacked dental insurance. At the time, all but 44
million or so Americans had health insurance. Still, experts say,
dental care is generally a good bargain, even for those who pay out of
pocket, since good oral health fosters overall health and wellness.
"My big pitch for decreasing dental costs is to use preventive
measures," says Anne Murray, a California dentist and a spokesperson
for the Academy of General Dentistry. "Keep up on the recommended
cleaning schedule (some people need more than two a year--just like
some people need to work out more to stay in shape), and fix problems
when they are small rather than put them off until they get to be
bigger and more expensive." If your employer doesn't offer dental
benefits, consider purchasing an individual dental insurance policy.
Like health insurance plans, typical dental plan options include
traditional indemnity plans, preferred provider organizations, and
health maintenance organizations. For those who need frequent dental
care, says Jeff Album, director of public affairs for insurer Delta
Dental, an HMO might be the best option because that type of plan
offers "minimal out-of-pocket costs [and usually] no annual maximum"
for preventive care. But HMO networks tend to be small, meaning
members have to choose among a limited number of providers. Make sure
any anticipated services--a certain type of filling, say, or cleanings
by a favorite dentist--are covered before settling on any plan, says
Diane Paletta, a spokesperson for the Academy of General Dentistry.
Those who can't obtain private insurance face a trickier battle. Some
providers belong to discount programs and have agreed to charge those
plans' members reduced fees. The website DentalPlans.com--which calls
this approach an "attractive alternative to costly dental insurance "
without the "hassle" of deductibles or claim forms--lists more than 30
such programs charging annual fees of $80 to $190 for individuals and
families. Members get 10 to 60 percent off the cost of care at
thousands of participating dental providers. Medicare, Medicaid, or
the State Children's Health Insurance Program may be an option, but
coverage varies by state for the low-income programs Medicaid and
SCHIP, and Medicare covers only dental services that are crucial to
another covered treatment, such as jaw reconstruction following an
accident. One alternative can be to go to a local dental school for
reduced-cost treatment delivered by supervised dental students. Some
so-called federally qualified health centers, which serve people
regardless of insurance status, offer dental care and price it based
on a patient's ability to pay. And some state and local health
departments and the United Way offer information on free and low-cost
dental care. With or without insurance, paying for dental care can
demand careful budgeting and resourceful payment strategies. Jocylen
Ashton, 38, faced a large bill when she got braces to fix a gap and
relieve crowding in her teeth. For previous dental work, "most of
whatever I had done was covered by my dental insurance," says the San
Jose, Calif., resident. To pay her portion of the $3,000 bill for her
braces, she turned to CareCredit, which offers a credit card accepted
by more than 75,000 health providers. The company allows no-interest
repayment for three to 18 months on balances of $300 or more, as long
as minimum monthly payments are met; otherwise, interest charges
accrue at a variable rate that's currently about 23 percent. Ashton
will still have to pay the bill off, but she says it's well worth it
for nicer teeth. "I saw it as a healthcare issue versus a cosmetic
thing," she says. "It was something I could do for myself."
http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/2008/02/14/guarding-kids-first-choppers.html
The Value of Guarding Kids' Teeth
An early push against decay can prevent costly fixes later
Posted February 14, 2008
Just because kids eventually shed their baby teeth doesn't mean
they're not important. Taking pains to keep first teeth healthy might
save parents money and grief down the line. Once established, tooth
decay can progress rapidly, especially in youngsters, until the only
recourse is removal. "If children lose [baby teeth] prematurely, big
teeth can come in crowded," says Keith Morley, president of the
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. "This may lead to braces that
might not have otherwise been necessary." Last spring, the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention reported a recent rise in childhood
tooth decay, which now affects 28 percent of preschoolers. "It's the
most prevalent chronic disease in children," says Bruce Dye, the
report's lead author. Here's how to protect your tyke. Find a "dental
home" early. Dental visits should begin no later than a child's first
birthday, Morley says, so tooth decay can be spotted early or avoided
through prevention. Some dentists may later recommend protective
sealants for permanent teeth. Brush, brush, brush. When that first
tooth pokes through the gum, it's time for parents to start brushing,
says Paul Casamassimo, chief of dentistry at Nationwide Children's
Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Beginning early helps instill good
lifelong dental habits and ensures sufficient exposure to fluoride. Of
course, when kids are old enough, they should take over. Shake off
sugars. Decay-causing bacteria gobble sugar for fuel. That's why
parents need to control how much--and when--their kids consume the
stuff, Morley says. Sweetened beverages are prime culprits, but even
milk contains sugar, so bedbound youngsters shouldn't be given
bottles. Dentists recommend that "sippy" cups, too, contain only
water, except at mealtime. Also at fault are certain foods. Obvious:
candy. Less so: sticky, starchy snacks like chips and fries (their
carbohydrates quickly break down into sugar), raisins, granola bars,
and other gooey treats. Opt for cheese, Morley says, which cavity-
causing bacteria hate, or carrots, sliced apples, or celery.
Photo Gallery: A History of Dentistry
Braces, toothpaste, and other tools for good hygiene didn't appear
overnight.
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/photography/dental
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