NOT ALL WATER IS CREATED EQUAL!!!

In general, we think drinking water is a “good thing” – no sugar – nothing to harmful to our teeth. That, unfortunately, is not necessarily the case.

Some bottled waters have been enhanced to improve their flavor…and we’re not talking about those usual fruit flavorings.  Some manufacturers add chemical enhancements, which may or may not change the flavor.  What it does change, however, is the pH level (pH is a measure used to determine the acidity of things).  Water, which is naturally neutral or pH 7, can be altered to a pH of 6 or less and the lower the number the more acidic.

Studies show the shift in pH to 4.5 – 5.0 can lead to destruction of dental enamel and even a smaller shift to just 6.0 can cause damage to exposed root surfaces.  Everyone has heard that soft drinks can be hazardous to our teeth with a combination of sugar and acid, but we need aware of the other things we consume as well, including water.

Don’t despair.  You can still drink water, just check the label to make sure there are no additives in your bottled water or try drinking filtered tap water.  Also in-office flouride treaatments can make teeth more resistant to acid.

If you like more information about this, call Shwedel Family, Cosmetic & Laser Dentistry today at 313-292-5590. We would be happy to answer your questions and even provide you with a printout of the waters on the “Naughty List.”

Because Hunger Doesn't Break on Weekends!

Dr. Steven Shwedel and staff from Shwedel Dental on Goddard Rd. in Taylor are proud to announce that they are partnering with “Blessings in a Backpack.” Because Hunger…Doesn’t Take a Break on Weekends!

On April 18, 2012, Dr. Steven Shwedel presented Cindy Meszaros, Asst. Principal at Randall Elementary School in Taylor, with a check for $1000.00.  This donation will help in starting the Blessings in a Backpack program this fall at Randall.

Blessings in a Backpack’s goal is to help meet the nutritional needs of children in need by providing weekend meals and thus help remove barriers to academic success.  Each week, volunteers in cooperation with Taylor school officials, distribute backpacks filled with enough non-perishable food for six meals to at-risk students.  The students return the backpacks on Monday, to be used the following weekend.

“We’re honored to be able to help this wonderful program and the children in Taylor,” said Dr. Shwedel.  For more information about Blessings in a Backpack and our future fundraising activities, contact the office at 313-292-5590.

The Most Confusing Aisle In The Store??

If you have been shopping for toothpaste lately, you know that it can be very confusing.  Unlike the old days when the choices were few, these days it seems that there are way too many options! Whitening toothpastes, tartar control, paste or gel, gum health, desensitizing, – which is best? This is a question we get asked all the time.

Sometimes it seems like the best thing to do would be to forget the labels and buy whatever is on sale!!  The fact is – buying a particular type or brand of toothpaste is usually not as important as the way you brush and how often you do so. But in any case, here is a quick run-down.

Tartar control toothpaste:  Tartar is calcified plaque which naturally forms and can wreak havoc on your teeth and gums. While tartar control toothpaste has been shown to reduce the formation of new deposits, it can’t remove current ones and does nothing to prevent these formations where they are the most dangerous – underneath the gum line.

Paste vs. gel: No significant difference here; it’s more of a personal preference.

Desensitizing toothpaste:  These pastes have ingredients in them which block the small tube-like channels that connect to the nerve tissue inside of your teeth. If you have exposed roots due to gum recession or teeth that are generally sensitive to hot and cold, this may be a good solution for you. But please be patient – it takes 4 to 6 weeks for the magic to kick in.

Whitening pastes:  The abrasiveness of these products may reduce surface stains, but they do little to treat the actual yellowing of teeth from the inside. The good news is that most teeth can be whitened with the right treatment. Be sure to ask us about our “Smile Brite for Life” program. Just one low fee and never have to pay for touch-ups (some restrictions apply).

“Gum Care” toothpaste: Studies have shown these to be questionable at best, and they may not be as valuable as standard toothpastes in preventing cavities.

Expensive or bargain brand? The good news here is that price doesn’t seem to be related to effectiveness when choosing a toothpaste. As a matter of fact, recently Consumer Reports magazine rated an expensive paste near the bottom of their list with bargain basement Ultra-Brite near the top in several categories!

So which brand should I use?

Most studies are fairly inconclusive on this one. Your best bet is always a brand that contains fluoride and has the American Dental Association Seal of Approval. And if that brand happens to be on sale – all the better!!

In the end, the most important thing is to brush often (morning, night-time, and after every meal), use a soft brush, try to reach every surface of every tooth, and spend two minutes doing so. The proper technique is important as well, and we will be glad to demonstrate this to you at your next visit to Shwedel Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in Taylor, MI.

If you have any more questions or would like to set up a visit, please give us a call at 313-292-5590. We are here to help you!

Did you know that we are on Facebook?  Please “LIKE” our page at www.facebook.com/shwedeldental for great dental health tips, contests, giveaways, and great special announcements!

Even Your Best Friend Won’t Tell You!

It’s a situation that has happened to us all.  A friend or relative comes close to talk to you, and when they open their mouth an odor comes pouring out that could knock out a racehorse from a mile away! But besides backing up a few feet and ending the conversation as soon as possible, what do you do?

Of course you could just do nothing. But that is doing your friend a huge social disservice - and possibly not telling them of a negative health issue as well.

So how do you say something so uncomfortable to someone you care about? Here are two great answers we found while researching this question.

"As your friend, it's important to me that we're always able to say the things that are hard to say, because that's what real friends do for each other. I'm not comfortable mentioning this, though if it were me, I'd certainly want someone to say something. I don't know if you're aware - but sometimes your breath is quite noticeable. I read somewhere that this can be the result of a dental or medical problem, so I felt it was important to tell you.”

Or how about this one:

"I just wanted to let you know that you're just like me -- we occasionally have bad breath! Here's what I've found that helps." Then give them mints, gum, or mouthwash. Then add, "The only reason I'm telling you this is that someone once told me the same thing and I realized how much it helped me. Fortunately I was able to find a great dentist who helped me take care of the problem!"

Of course so many things can cause bad breath – all the way from pungent foods like onions and garlic all the way to serious illnesses such as pneumonia, diabetes, and liver or kidney ailments.

Some of the most common causes of bad breath, also known as halitosis, are seen every day in our dental office. Here are some examples:

·         Dry mouth (which can be caused by many common medications, mouth breathing, or lack of saliva flow

·         Gum disease – this normally does not hurt or have obvious symptoms, but is extremely common and can cause unnecessary tooth loss

·         Cavities or ill-fitting dental restorations such as fillings and crowns

·         Poorly fitting dentures

·         Improper cleaning of the tongue, teeth and gums

Whether it’s you or someone else you are concerned about, even periodic bad breath warrants a visit to the dentist. Usually the solution is a simple one, and it is just about always one that brings about better health as well.

So feel free to carry gum, breath mints, or small bottles of mouthwash with you wherever you go, either for you or to help (and drop a hint) to a breath-challenged friend. But please remember, a dental evaluation is always the best move when bad breath is around!

At Shwedel Dental, our goal is to keep you as healthy as possible at all times. Whether it is an issue with bad breath, beautifying your smile, or anything else, we are here to help you! Please give us a call at 313-292-5590 for an appointment or visit us on the web at www.ShwedelDental.com. Let’s make sure that every conversation you or your friends have is a breath of fresh air!

Ten Fun and Crazy Dental Facts!

At Shwedel Dental, the office of Dr. Steven Shwedel and Dr. Caroline Okonkowski, we take dentistry very seriously. But believe it or not, teeth can be fun!  Here are ten wild and crazy dental facts that will make you smile and improve your health as well.

1)      The average human produces 25,000 quarts of saliva in a lifetime. That is enough spit to fill 2 swimming pools!

2)      You are should not keep your toothbrush near a toilet. The airborne particles from the flush can travel up to a distance of 6 feet. Yuck!

3)      People who drink 3 or more glasses of soda each day have 62% more tooth decay, fillings and tooth loss than others. Put down the pop and sports drinks and pick up some nice fresh water instead.

4)      In 1994, a prison inmate in West Virginia braided dental floss into a rope, scaled the wall and escaped. (We suggest that you use floss to clean between your teeth instead of climbing prison walls! If you don’t you are missing around 35% of your teeth’s surfaces.)

5)      You should replace your toothbrush at least every three months, and always after you have an episode of flu, cold or other viral infections. Notorious bacteria can implant themselves on the toothbrush bristles leading to re-infection.

6)      Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body. However, we do not recommend that you use your pearly whites to open bottle caps!

7)      The standard advice to “see your dentist twice a year” was actually invented by an ad agency for Pepsodent toothpaste! Your dental professional should recommend the correct schedule for your regular dental visits.

8)      A recent poll has shown that health professionals (physicians, dentists and nurses) were among the most trusted people in The United States. The least trusted? Lobbyists and congressmen of course!

9)      According to a recent survey done by Time Magazine, 59% of Americans would rather have a dental appointment than be sitting next to someone talking on a cell phone. Maybe some of us should take a hint!

10)  Over three out of four people in the United States suffer from some form of gum disease. It is the leading cause of tooth loss in people over age 35. The good news is, in most cases gum disease can be prevented or controlled!

At Shwedel Dental, we are here for you, and want to help you achieve the best smile possible. If you have any questions about your dental health or need to schedule an appointment, please give us a call today at 1-313-292-5590. We can help you!

Also – did you know that we are now on Facebook? Please go to www.facebook.com/shwedeldental and “like” us for more dental health tips, community news, contests, special offers and all kinds of other fun stuff!!

Beware Of Valentine’s Day!

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and you may be getting ready for some special kisses to come your way.

So even though at Shwedel Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we’re concerned about cavities, gum disease, and bad breath, we won’t use this month’s blog entry to turn you off about kissing. But we will tell you some interesting facts that you can tell your kissing partner right after they smack one on you!!

Anthropologists have argued for years about the origin of kissing. Many now believe that it has evolved from the time when mothers chewed food for their babies and then went mouth to mouth at feeding time. This action became so comforting to babies that the habit continued even after they could chew for themselves, and then developed into a sign of affection.

Nowadays kisses aren’t just about romantic love. Of course parents kiss their children. Worshippers often kiss religious artifacts. Some people kiss the ground when exiting an airplane. And who doesn’t want to have a “boo boo” kissed?

But February 14^th is a day for the romantic kind of kiss, and if you are craving one, there may be a scientific reason. While this action can promote a psychological response of warmth and affection, it also causes your brain to secrete some important and productive chemicals, such as:

• ·          Oxytocin, which helps people develop feelings of attachment, devotion and affection for one another
• ·           Dopamine, which plays a role in the brain's processing of emotions, pleasure and pain
• ·           Serotonin, which affects a person's mood and feelings
• ·           Adrenaline, which increases heart rate and plays a role in your body's fight-or-flight response

But along with that, when you kiss, hundreds or even millions of bacterial colonies are transported from one mouth to the other. And let’s face it – no one wants to kiss a person who has poor oral hygiene, bad breath, or just a generally yucky mouth. So let’s start with the basics:

·         Make sure you brush at least twice a day with a soft toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste.

·         Floss once per day – if you have trouble flossing or are not sure how, please ask! We’ll be glad to show you the ropes.

·         Avoid sugary and acid-laden foods such as soft drinks, sports drinks, and candy. (Okay - we won’t tell anyone if you have a tiny bit of candy on Valentine’s Day!)

·         Eat a well balanced diet including lean proteins, healthy fats, fruits and vegetables, nuts and fiber.

·         If you need to slip in a piece of gum or breath mint, make sure it contains Xylitol, which has been proven to reduce tooth decay.

·         Drink plenty of water! This helps to rinse away food particles, and staying hydrated is good for fresh clean breath.

·         See you dentist on a regular basis and call immediately if you suspect there are any problems with your oral condition.

Here at Shwedel Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we want you to have a kissable February 14^th and a lifetime of excellent dental health. If you have any questions or need to set up an appointment, please give us a call at 313-292-5590 or visit our website www.shwedeldental.com. We are looking forward to seeing you soon!