Muscles in Dentistry:
Many individuals do not realize that muscles play an important role in dentistry.
The science of Neuromuscular Dentistry (NMD) evaluates and treats your
overall oral health by considering how your muscles, teeth and joints all
work together. Your muscles affect your occlusion. Your jaw posturing muscles
may be overworked in attempting to maintain your present 'programmed' position,
even when you think they are relaxed. This condition can lead to a variety
of problems including a less than ideal bite, muscle pain or dysfunction,
or joint problems. The Neuromuscular Dentist determines the jaw position
that is associated with relaxed posturing muscles and adjusts or alters your
occlusion (bite) to that position. To find out more about Neuromuscular Dentistry,
you can contact our office. Dr Ross has been practicing NMD for more than
20 years. Dr Leclercq has recently completed NMD courses at the Las Vegas
Institute for Advanced Dental Studies.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. Should I be concerned with spaces between baby teeth?
A. Faster than you can say Happy Birthday three times, your child will
have a full set of baby teeth. Don't be concerned if your child's smile
doesn't look just like yours. The small spaces between baby teeth are normal.
These gaps are nothing to worry about since primary spacing is a natural
part of child development. The spaces are there to make room for bigger
permanent teeth that are on the way. In fact, children with spaces are less
likely to need braces later on.
There are some problems you should watch out for like
common habits that can make permanent teeth come out in the wrong place.
Thumb sucking can splay the upper front teeth and so can towel or blanket
sucking. If your child develops any of these habits, give us a call. It's
a lot easier to correct a habit than to fix a bad bite!
O.H. Tip:
Sugar: Not the Number-One Enemy
You are probably aware that some foods, especially the sweet and sticky
ones, are bad for your teeth. But research has revealed new culprits! Foods
like potato chips, crackers, breads, cakes and even a healthy rice dish can
be as damaging to the teeth as candy.
Starches found in these foods are broken down by saliva
into maltose, a sugar as harmful to your teeth as table sugar. When any
sugar comes into contact with plaque, it turns into an acid powerful enough
to dissolve the hard enamel protecting your teeth, and that's how cavities
start.
Fortunately, there are foods that don't promote tooth
decay and can actually boost your dental health. Snacking on cheese, crunchy
fruits and vegetables, lean meat and fish, and low-fat dairy products can
help keep your mouth healthy. You can also reduce the acidity of the saliva
on your teeth by rinsing your mouth with water after eating. Avoid sticky
or chewy foods that cling to tooth surfaces, and definitely keep away from
hard candies and cough drops that stay in your mouth for a long time. If
you must have sweets, have them with a meal rather than on their own. And
finally, ask your pharmacist if the medication your family is taking has
sugar in it! If it does, rinse well with water afterwards. We can provide
you with further nutritional information on which foods will ensure better
oral health and less dental disease. Especially with Halloween coming soon.
Feel free to contact us at 733-5190 or ask us at your next appointment.
We welcome new patients!
If you know someone who is new to the area or is looking for gentle dental
care, please call or visit our office. Regular dental care including thorough
exams is the only way to spot serious problems before they become costly
and painful. Have them call us at 733-5190 or email to doctorr@ca.inter.net
today for the important first appointment.
Communication is very important
to us - please don't be afraid to ask questions!
Message from Gail:
We are currently booking in December for our Thursday evening appointments.
If this is your preferred appointment time, you should contact us well ahead
of your due date to ensure you get your preferred time.
Some of our staff have new email addresses.
Dr Leclercq can be reached at drleclercq@drdavidross.net
Dr Tarta can be reached at drtarta@drdavidross.net
Gail can be reached at gail@drdavidross.net
Dr Ross can still be reached at doctorr@ca.inter.net
General office inquiries can still be directed to
drdavidross@rogers.net
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