Luz Lopez Driscoll, DDS

Great article!

Why Oral Hygiene Is Crucial to Your Overall Health (Published 2023) Gum disease has been associated with a range of health conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, dementia and more. Here’s what experts say you can do to manage the risk.

" To improve is to change;
to be perfect is to change often"
-Winston Churchill-

Happy Mother's day from Dr. Lopez, Maritza, Adela, Tania, Miriam & Mimi!🎉❤🎉
(By Hallmark Shoebox Cards)

6 Tips on How to Remineralize Teeth
With the right oral hygiene and a remineralizing toothpaste, you can strengthen your enamel and fight acid erosion.

1. Increase Saliva Production
One of the most effective ways to repair tooth enamel is to maximize the amount of saliva you produce. This is because essential components in your saliva – such as calcium and phosphate – can neutralize harmful acids in your diet and help remineralize your teeth. Saliva is also your body’s natural defense against cavities.

2. Drink More Water
Tap water containing protective fluoride plays a crucial role in supporting tooth remineralization by helping to replace some of the calcium present in the enamel. Rinsing your mouth with fluoridated tap water after eating or drinking acidic foods and drinks can also help to reduce the effects of acids on your teeth.

3. Use a Remineralizing Toothpaste
Opt for a toothpaste clinically proven to help rebuild enamel strength, like Pronamel. Pronamel is a specially designed remineralizing toothpaste that penetrates deep into the enamel surface and strengthens acid-weakened enamel to help protect your teeth every time you brush.

4. Chew Sugar-Free Gum
Chewing sugar-free gum helps to keep that all-important saliva flow up, protecting your enamel from acid wear and demineralization. Always look for gums with the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance.

5. Eat a Remineralization Diet
Certain foods can help remineralize softened areas in your teeth that acidic foods and drinks have weakened. For example, foods rich in calcium (dairy products like milk, cheese and yogurt) help put back minerals into the enamel, and fiber-rich fruits and vegetables encourage saliva flow.

6. Dodge Acidic Drinks
Drinks that contribute to tooth demineralization include sodas, sports drinks and fruit juices. In addition to their sugar content, these are all highly acidic and can wear down enamel – a combination that puts you at greater risk of demineralization and tooth decay.

(Taken from: https://www.pronamel.us/tooth-enamel/enamel-remineralization/)"

What Is Remineralization? How to Remineralize Your Teeth Learn how to remineralize your teeth with this article from Pronamel. Get the facts on remineralization and protecting your teeth with the proper toothpaste.

What Is Remineralization? Enamel protects the inner layers of your teeth from dietary acids, helping to keep them healthy and white. Once enamel wears away, it can’t repair itself. However, it is possible to repair and strengthen weakened enamel – a process known as ‘remineralization’ – and protect your teeth from future erosion. Remineralization occurs when vital minerals—like calcium—bond to the teeth to fill in the weakened areas of enamel. Enamel can wear away for a variety of reasons, but one of the most common is erosion caused by acids in your diet. These acids attack your tooth enamel, wearing away the minerals that keep it strong – a process called ‘demineralization’. Over time, this weakens your enamel, and the loss of minerals can result in the softening of your teeth, as well as changes in their shape.
(Taken from: https://www.pronamel.us/tooth-enamel/enamel-remineralization/)

What Is Remineralization? How to Remineralize Your Teeth Learn how to remineralize your teeth with this article from Pronamel. Get the facts on remineralization and protecting your teeth with the proper toothpaste.

Happy Friday!! 🎉
(Cartoon by Randy Glasbergen)

"During the month of May, National Dental Care Month takes time to remind us of the importance of caring for our pearly whites. Thaddeus P.Hyatt promoted preventative dental care in the early 1900s.

Today, oral hygiene is learned at an early age. Brush twice a day, floss, keep the sugary snacks to a minimum and see your dentist twice a year"
(Taken from https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/may/national-dental-care-month-may)"

NATIONAL DENTAL CARE MONTH - May Founded in 2018 by National Day Calendar® and Dr. Tim Stirneman and Jim Wojdyla from Compassionate Dentalcare.

"Good morning - This is not just a greeting. It signifies a hope that the beautiful morning will bring a smile on your face and happiness in your life"
Lisa Lieberman-Wang

"Cold Sore Triggers: Do certain foods cause Outbreaks?"

Cold Sore Triggers: Do Certain Foods Cause Outbreaks? While some people believe that food can trigger cold sore outbreaks, environmental factors such as exposure to sun, wind, a cold, or other illness are usually the cause. That said, certain foods may help boost your body's ability to fight off the virus. Learn what the research says.

"4 Reasons to get an Oral cancer screening"

4 reasons to get an oral cancer screening Oral cancer is a devastating disease, but detecting it early can save your life. Here are four reasons to make an appointment for a screening.

Happy Friday!🎉🥳🎉
(Cartoon by Randy Glasbergen)

Tip: Limit your exposure to UV light! Sunlight can also increase your risk for oral cancer, especially lip cancer. Lip cancer is more common in people who spend a lot of time in the sun or have outdoor jobs.

To protect your lips and skin from UV radiation, consider the following:

Limit exposure to sunlight, especially at times of peak UV radiation.
Avoid tanning beds.
Use a lip balm with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher

(Taken from https://www.healthline.com/health/oral-cancer/how-to-prevent-oral-cancer)"

"The world always looks brighter from behind a smile"
-Unknown-

Did you know Most mouth cancer is due to smoking or drinking too much alcohol. Both habits together increase your chances even more.

While alcohol doesn’t contain carcinogens that can directly cause oral cancer, it can affect the lining of your mouth, making you more prone to the effects of carcinogens.

According to the National Cancer Institute, alcohol has the following effects on oral cancer risk:

Moderate drinkers have nearly double the chance of mouth and throat cancers.
Heavy drinkers have five times the chance of mouth and throat cancer.
Heavy drinkers have 2.6 times the chance of laryngeal (voice box) cancers.
(Taken from https://www.healthline.com/health/oral-cancer/how-to-prevent-oral-cancer)"

Early signs of oral cancer
Knowing the early signs of oral cancer can help you spot and treat it sooner, leading to better outcomes. Early symptoms include:

Pain or bleeding in your mouth
white or red patches in your mouth
patches, sores, or lumps in your throat
pain in your ear
a sore throat that won’t go away
a lump in your neck
jaw swelling
numbness in your mouth or tongue
problems chewing, speaking, or moving your jaw or tongue (Taken from https://www.healthline.com/health/oral-cancer/how-to-prevent-oral-cancer -checkups)"

6 Steps to Preventing Oral Cancer Dietary and lifestyle changes, as well as the HPV vaccine, can help reduce your risk of oral (mouth) cancer.

April is Oral Cancer Awareness month! an annual observation that underscores the fact that early detection of oral cancer can decrease morbidity and increase long-term survival.

The observance also emphasizes the importance of making oral cancer screenings part of the dental exam routine.

This is especially true given that due to human papillomavirus infection, head and neck cancers are occurring in those in whom the typical risk factors of cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption may not be present.
(Taken from https://adanews.ada.org/ada-news/2023/march/april-marks-oral-cancer-awareness-month)

April marks Oral Cancer Awareness Month, with HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer on the increase April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, an annual observation that underscores the fact that early detection of oral cancer can decrease morbidity and increase long-term survival.

Have a great weekend everyone!😁

Dental insurance isn’t a scam — but it’s also not insurance
(By Emily [email protected] Oct 16, 2023)

The thing about dental insurance is that it isn’t really insurance — it’s more like a half-helpful discount plan with a maximum. And once you reach the maximum, you’re on your own, often to the tune of hundreds and thousands of dollars. As though going to the dentist needed to be less fun.
In the realm of all things health care, dental exists as a sort of overlooked stepchild. The American medical system doesn’t really consider dental care an essential service, despite mounds of evidence linking a healthy mouth to the well-being of the rest of the body, from better pregnancy outcomes to a healthier heart. Dentistry has always been siloed off.
Dental coverage has been off in its little — largely unregulated — corner, too. According to the American Dental Association, one-third of adults aged 19 to 64 don’t have any benefits at all. (For comparison, just 8.4 percent of Americans lack health insurance.) Many patients put off dental care and cite cost as the main reason they don’t go to the dentist — including those who are insured.Even if you do have dental benefits, they’re often less than beneficial. Insurers may cover 100 percent of a cleaning or a checkup, but once you get into other more complicated services, they start to cover less, so patients have to pick up some or much of the cost. Plans have annual maximums ranging between, say, $1,000 to $2,000, after which the insurance covers nothing.

“When you look at the dental insurance model, it doesn’t protect the patient from financial risk. It’s the opposite,” said Marko Vujicic, chief economist and vice president of the Health Policy Institute at the American Dental Association. “Once the benefit runs out, the $1,400 or whatever it is, all of that financial burden is on the patient. So it protects the insurer, they’re limited on their exposure.” Imagine being told your health insurer will only pay for 50 percent of your heart bypass surgery, and that it only covers $10,000 of all your health services each year. That would be considered unacceptable in this day and age. But that’s what would happen if I needed a crown — my insurance covers half, and it only pays out $1,500 total all year. My dentist screwed up on a filling last year. It didn’t take long before I hit my limit. None of this is to say you should nix dental insurance and just go it alone. Insurers are often able to get patients better prices for services than patients would get on their own, and a $1,500 help on dental costs isn’t nothing. It’s just hard not to look at the landscape and wonder whether it can’t be better. (Taken from https://www.vox.com/23901293/dentist-delta-dental-insurance-cigna-aspen-metlife-aetna)"

Dental insurance isn’t a scam — but it’s also not insurance How we pay for going to the dentist is supremely screwed up.

"The world is changed by your example not by your opinion"
-Paulo Coelho-

Dry skin is especially a concern during cold weather. And although dry skin is much more likely to be weather-related, you should still always keep an eye on hot spots: According to Janet Prystowsky, MD, those itchy flaky spots could be a clue that your low-fat diet is behind a fatty-acid deficiency. In addition to adding a daily moisturizer that’s compatible with your skin type, she recommends adding more good-for-your-fats to your daily menu. These could be avocados, walnuts, olives, and more healthy fats.(Taken from https://www.thehealthy.com/mental-health/self-care/signs-youre-not-taking-care-of-yourself/)

Brain fog can be linked to things like poor sleep and stress but Dr. Martin G. Bloom, MD ( cardiologist and functional medicine expert) says brain fog can also be indicative of something more serious, like a hormone imbalance that impacts cognitive issues, for example. For women especially, mind lapses may indicate a dysfunctional thyroid. “Consider a comprehensive blood test that measures all of your hormones and biomarkers, and a complete thyroid test that not only measures your thyroid hormones but also possible thyroid antibodies, to determine the root causes of your brain fog,” he says. (Taken from https://www.thehealthy.com/mental-health/self-care/signs-youre-not-taking-care-of-yourself/)

Happy Friday!😄
(Cartoon by Randy Glasbergen)

Does Seltzer Damage Your Teeth? Adding a little fizz to your day with seltzer water is a great way to stay hydrated, but what effect does it have on your teeth? Some people use bubbly water as a sugar-free and calorie-free alternative to unhealthy carbonated beverages like soda. If you're a fan of seltzer drinks, these tips may help you understand how you can still enjoy them while keeping your mouth healthy.

What Are the Effects of Seltzer Drinks on Teeth?
Seltzer water gets its bubbles by being infused with carbon dioxide under high pressure. Carbonating water makes the water acidic, creating an acidic environment in your mouth which weakens enamel. Not to mention, some additives, such as citrus flavors, are more acidic than others.

Is It Better to Drink Water or Seltzer?
When it comes to hydration, a study from The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests there's no difference between still water or carbonated water without additives. Though seltzer water is more acidic, it shouldn't do much damage to your teeth if enjoyed in moderation. Even flavored seltzer water can be significantly better than sugary drinks like sodas and juice.

According to the American Dental Association, water with fluoride naturally helps fight cavities by strengthening enamel against acids. Water washes away the leftover food cavity-causing bacteria feast on and keeps your mouth from becoming dry (which can put you at a higher risk of cavities).

If you want to keep your mouth healthy while you sip, try some of these helpful tips:

Stay hydrated: Be sure to drink water regularly to stay hydrated to prevent dry mouth.
Swish water around: Prevent sugars from sticking to your enamel by swishing some water in your mouth.
Drink through a straw: This can limit the amount of contact your mouth has with something that's highly acidic or sugary.
Fluoride mouthwash: Give your enamel some added protection by rinsing with fluoride mouthwash at least 30 minutes after drinking acidic or sugary beverages.
If you'd like something with all the carbonation of a soda, but nowhere near the sugar content, seltzers are a fantastic option—even if infused with sweet additives for flavor. Though seltzer drinks are more acidic than still water, they don't present a risk to your enamel or oral health if consumed in moderation. (Taken from https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/threats-to-dental-health/does-seltzer-damage-your-teeth #)

"You don't have to be great to Start, BUT you have to start to be Great"
-Zig Ziglar-

Tongue bumps can appear for all kinds of reasons. Accidentally biting your tongue can result in bumps, or they could be due to something more serious. If you're concerned about a bump on your tongue that isn't going away, book an appointment with your dentist or GP.

Did you know? Tongue bumps can appear for all kinds of reasons. Accidentally biting your tongue can result in bumps, or they could be due to something more serious. If you're concerned about a bump on your tongue that isn't going away, book an appointment with your dentist or GP. Natural Bumps on the Tongue
Papillae are the small, natural bumps that cover the surface of the tongue. The four types of papillae are:
Filiform, Fungiform, Circumvallate, Foliate
All of the types except filiform contain taste buds. Filiform papillae mostly appear at the back and center of the tongue, fungiform papillae are located on the sides and tip, circumvallate papillae appear at the back of the tongue and foliate papillae sit just in front of them and on the sides of the tongue.

Causes of Enlarged Tongue Bumps
Circumvallate and foliate papillae are normally large enough to be seen with the naked eye, but sometimes a papilla grows unusually large due to irritation or inflammation. This condition is called transient lingual papillitis. An accidental bite to the tongue or irritation from foods or chemicals can cause enlarged papillae. Transient lingual papillitis may also be caused by nutritional deficiencies, smoking, alcohol consumption, plaque build-up or dental appliances. The condition is temporary and often resolves on its own.

Tongue bumps can appear as blisters, ulcers and lumps. According to the Merck Manual, other causes of bumps on the tongue include canker sores, bacterial infections, oral herpes, allergies, immune system disorders and oral cancer. A bump can also develop on the side of the tongue in the space created by a missing tooth. Although most cases of bumps on the tongue are harmless, unexplained white or red areas, sores or hard lumps on the tongue should be examined by a medical professional as soon as possible.

Prevention
You can prevent tongue bumps by avoiding the triggers that cause them. Take care when chewing your food and wear a mouth guard while playing sport to avoid accidentally biting your tongue. Avoid eating foods that cause mouth irritation to lower your chances of developing enlarged papillae. Maintain a good oral care routine, including brushing your tongue when you brush your teeth.

Healing Time
Treatment is rarely necessary for most cases of tongue bumps, including mouth ulcers and enlarged papillae due to tongue injury. Drinking plenty of water and rinsing with warm salt water can assist the healing process. Topical over-the-counter treatments like oral numbing gels and mouth ulcer medication may help numb any discomfort. However, if the condition persists for longer than a week or becomes more severe, visit a dental professional for an evaluation.

Bumps on the tongue can be annoying and tedious, but most bumps are harmless and disappear without any treatment. See a medical professional if you have a bump on your tongue that doesn't go away or that gives you another cause for concern. (Taken from https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/threats-to-dental-health/what-causes-tongue-bumps)

What Causes Tongue Bumps? | Colgate® Most tongue bumps are harmless and disappear without any treatment. See a medical professional if you have a bump on your tongue that doesn't go away.

Walnuts can protect against cardiovascular disease: A study led by Iranian medical researchers and published January 28, 2024 in the journal Food Science and Nutrition compiled multiple studies on the benefits of walnuts. In the meta-analysis, walnuts were associated with improved blood profiles, including a reduction in triglycerides, lower overall cholesterol, a decrease in “bad” HDL cholesterol levels and even improved blood flow. (Taken from https://www.thehealthy.com/food/news-walnuts-metabolic-syndrome-diabetes-january-2024-iran-study/)

New Research: This Powerhouse Nut Can Lower Cholesterol, Blood Pressure and Diabetes Risk An international review finds it wields powerful effect against "metabolic syndrome"—reducing risk of one disease by almost 70%.

Hello March!🥳😁🎉
(Cartoon by Brian Crane)

How to Focus: 9 Science-Backed Ways to Block Out the Noise and Improve Your Concentration

How to Focus: 9 Science-Backed Ways to Block Out the Noise and Improve Your Concentration Feeling distracted? Learn how to focus and maintain concentration with these science-backed tips and tricks.

"Life is the most difficult exam. Many people fail because they try to copy others, not realizing everyone has a different question paper"
(Taken from 57 Inspirational quotes about Life and Happiness)

Happy Thursday .... have a little laugh! 😁😁😁
After cleaning my five-year-old patient’s teeth, I accompanied him to the reception area, only to see him struggle with the oak door. “It’s heavy, isn’t it?” I asked. “Yes,” he said. “Is that so children can’t escape?” Jennifer Sloetjes, Fort McMurray, Canada

One of my wife’s third graders was wearing a Fitbit watch, which prompted my wife to ask, “Are you tracking your steps?” “No,” said the little girl. “I wear this for Mommy so she can show Daddy when he gets home.” —James Avery

(https://www.rd.com/jokes/funny-stories/page/7/)

The Best Funny Stories: Funny Short Stories to Tell Your Friends Want a good laugh? Read up on these true funny stories.