Summer 2011

from

the

de

nti

st Summer

UpdatesI’d like to wish you a safe

and happy summer and tell you about some changes at the practice.

Tessey, who has been with the practice since before I came here, retired last month to spend more time with her family and grandchildren. No worries, though, we’re sure to hear many updates from Brenda who is Tessey’s daughter as well as our Office Manager. Mother and daughter RDA’s made a great team and although we’ll miss Tessey as the Mom of the practice, we’re happy that Shelby, who is loved by all, has become our Dental Assistant.

We all hope you’ll join us in making Shelby feel welcome and I know that Brenda will be happy to pass along your good wishes to her mom.

Yours in good dental health,

Dr. Jeffery Smith

turn the pageHow long should your teeth last?

Get your most eye-catching smile!

6 ways to de-stress!

Oral Health Updatewith Dr. Jeffery W. Smith

Your Beautiful smile says it all!

Thank you for all your referrals. We appreciate them!

Our Dietary Roots: Paleo DietGetting back to healthier eating habits

There are so many fad diets out there that boast the success story of some celebrity that was underweight to begin with. Or others that propose a meal plan that tells you to eat excessive amounts of anything, which seems counterproductive to a healthy weight – and probably is. Or the ones that put you on such a strict portion control that you longingly eye whatever anyone

else is eating. What is lacking however, is a diet that has concrete proof about not only helping you

maintain a healthy weight, but also a healthy body. Enter the Paleo, aka primal, eating

plan. Based on our ancestors, the

Paleolithic people, the Paleo eating plan strives to get us

back to eating food supplied from nature. Our ancestors

didn’t run to the grocery store to buy cereal, meat in a can, or anything ‘from concentrate’. No, they hunted animals, including fish, wild game, and shellfish. Or they gathered eggs, nuts, vegetables, seeds, berries, mushrooms, roots, and anything else they could find. And it’s not like many of these folks were overweight. They had to be ready to outrun enemies or predators. Plus, various studies have revealed that our

Paleo ancestors didn’t suffer from the chronic

diseases that are prevalent

Produced for the Patients of Dr. Jeffery Smith

Our Dietary Roots continued on page 4

Make A StatementSmile starters that really connect!

From our earliest ancestors onward, facial expressions that started with the lips and mouth emerged naturally to form a part of our emotional vocabulary. Could that be why

your smile is still the focus of so much attention today? A great smile really does transmit the most positive

signals, so don’t settle for less than your best. We have many terrifi c options to help you

achieve your most eye-catching smile…

Veneers made of either porcelain or bonding materials can instantly whiten and straighten the appearance of teeth and re-proportion uneven gumlines.

Crowns look just like your natural teeth and are extremely versatile. They can cover

and strengthen a single damaged tooth, be fastened onto an artifi cial root implanted into the

jawbone, or be attached to a bridge.

Bridges fill the gap if you have one or more missing teeth and are secured to adjacent teeth.

Implants are permanent artificial teeth and roots that look, feel, and function

like the teeth they replace.

White porcelain or composite fillings are popular options to replace tell-

tale silver-colored ones.

Teeth whitening will dramatically brighten and improve your smile, especially when combined with other cosmetic procedures.

Focus on your new smile – and more memorable future!

Make The ConnectionHeartburn can jeopardize oral health

People who suffer from heartburn – or acid refl ux – usually suffer a double whammy: a threat to good oral health often accompanies uncomfortable symptoms such as throat irritation, gagging, and a bitter taste.

Stomach acids are meant to fl ow through the digestive system, but for people with refl ux, acid will actually fl ow up into the esophagus and sometimes even into the throat and mouth which may have an impact on your smile. Teeth have a neutral pH of 5.5, but stomach acid, as you would expect, is much more acidic at a pH level of 2.0. Because of this, refl ux will erode tooth enamel, inviting sensitivity, pain, and discoloration. Bad breath may also become chronic.

If you suffer from acid refl ux, please seek treatment from your doctor and see us to ensure your teeth are protected.

Mouthguard selectionYour adult teeth should last a

lifetime with daily flossing, twice-daily brushing, regular dental care, and a good diet. No problem ... almost. It takes more than maintenance to keep a cool smile – it takes protection.

It’s easy to forget to protect your teeth from injury when you’re pumped about hitting the ice, the bike trails, or making those spectacular slam-dunks. But your teeth are as vulnerable as other parts of your body and mouthguards are an essential aspect of your sports equipment. While there are many off-the-shelf styles from which to choose, please don’t compromise! We will custom-fit a comfortable mouthguard especially for you, and we will take into consideration your budget and requirements.

You play the sports. We’ll protect your teeth!

BEFORE

PROTECTING

Your Smile

ML1

1-2

How to improve your health & your smileTwins in the same household tend to eat the same things and

share routines, making them excellent research subjects. In one twin study for example, when researchers added fl ossing to only one of each set of twins’ homecare routines, the fl ossing twin’s cavity-causing bacteria, gum disease, and gum bleeding were signifi cantly reduced. This confi rms the importance of fl ossing in addition to daily brushing of the teeth and tongue, but it’s the more serious complications that can arise from gum disease that make prevention and treatment so important.Your mouth can affect your body… When gum disease progresses, it can destroy the ligaments and the bones which support your teeth. This could lead to painful and misaligned jaw joints, limited ability to chew and get adequate nutrition, digestive problems, oral sores, and bad breath. Gum disease is an infl ammatory disease, and while it does not cause other infl ammatory illnesses like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and arthritis, research strongly suggests that it does have a negative impact on them. Studies have linked gum disease to low birth weight, toxemia, and premature delivery, and though rare, to stillbirth. Nearly half of women with gestational diabetes also have periodontal disease.

Gum disease is present in about 90% of the population. So like the study says, twin up your daily fl ossing with brushing twice a day. And please – never miss your regular professional cleaning.

DOUBLE The

DAZZLEYou’re a busy person with a full

life and a ton of responsibilities. Sometimes it’s overwhelming. People react to stress by fi ghting it, fl eeing from it, freezing, or just shutting down. The World Health Organization cites depression, anxiety, and related mood disorders as the most prevalent causes of chronic illness in young to middle-aged adults.

This is very worrisome to us because stress also directly affects oral health. Teeth-grinding, jaw-clenching, and even the lack of attention to preventive homecare routines all stem from stress.

There are great ways to ditch stress-triggers in your life… Simplify. Learn to say no. Meditate. Schedule alone-time. Unplug and go for a long walk. And ensure your recall appointment with us so you can chill in our chair while we care for your dental needs, helping to ensure your prime oral health.

It Shouldn’t Hurt To Smile

De-stress for health

35350-67502 ML11-2

office information

Information included is not dental or medical advice. For your specific information be sure to consult our office. If you do not wish to receive this newsletter, please contact us directly.

Contents may not be reproduced without permission from the publisher. © PATIENT NEWS (800) 667-0268

Printed with vegetable-based ink.

Communication is important to us – don’t be

afraid to ask questions!

Jeffery W. Smith DDS, Inc630 Woods Creek DriveSonora, CA 95370-4817

Office HoursMon & Tue 8:30 am – 4:00 pmWed & Thu 8:30 am – 5:00 pm ** Closed for lunch from 12:30–1:30 pm

Contact InformationOffice (209) 532-4376Fax (209) 533-4391Email jwsmithdds@yahoo.com

Office StaffBrenda ..................Office Manager/RDAAndrea .........................................RDAShelby ........................................... DAJerusha ........................................RDHKristen .........................................RDH

The Not-So-Sweet TruthAbout Corn Syrup

Okay, so we’ve told you how bad sugar is for your teeth. But, there is a sweet suspect out there that is wreaking havoc on your entire wellbeing!

High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS), which is made from genetically-modified corn, has replaced sugar in many foods you probably eat everyday. Sure, it may taste good, but it could lead to:n weight gain & obesity, n increased risk of Type-2 Diabetes,n high blood pressure and increased bad cholesterol,n liver damage,n and mercury exposure.

We know it’s hard to avoid the temptation of all things sweet. So, please read the labels and try to find a replacement for foods with High Fructose Corn Syrup.

For more information about the health risks associated with HFCS, please ask us!

Vitamin E For The MindReducing the risk of Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s disease doesn’t just have an effect on the person diagnosed with the condition, it affects their friends and family too. Unfortunately, there is no known cure. But, a new study has revealed a potential way to prevent the development of Alzheimer’s with Vitamin E!

Vitamin E is broken down into a total of eight forms. There are four types of tocopherols and four types of tocotrienols, which are both further narrowed into groups of alpha, beta, gamma, and delta. A combination of these types seems to provide a neuroprotective effect, helping to ward of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s.

Reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Ensure that you are getting enough Vitamin E … in all types!

today, including obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol, and Type-2 Diabetes.

So, why is this Paleo diet better than eating what we’re more accustomed to? To start out with, this eating plan cuts out processed foods, sugars, and grains – most of which we already know isn’t good for us anyways. Our bodies, which don’t differ much from the genetic makeup of our Paleo ancestors, aren’t meant to digest foods like that. So, over the years our bodies haven’t changed much, but what we put into them has been becoming worse for us. For the most part, what we eat today lacks vital nutrients and fiber, but gives us way more carbs than we actually need. It is this imbalance that has led to poor insulin regulation, obesity, inflammation, and many chronic diseases.

Now that you know how good it is for you, how can you get on the Paleo eating plan? You can start by cutting down on sugars, processed foods, and grains. Then as you increase the amount of proteins and healthy fats, you will feel full longer (helping avoid those snack cravings), burn fat more efficiently, and your blood sugars will stabilize.

Starting a new way of eating can be difficult. So, begin slowly. Eliminate bad foods one at a time, replacing them with healthier choices. Set challenges for yourself, and celebrate when you achieve them. And most important of all, when you have a slip-up … forgive yourself. Feeling guilty can lead to more unhealthy eating habits.

If you’re ready to go Paleo, ask us for more information or look it up online. You can also look for The Paleo Diet and The Paleo Diet Cookbook by Loren Cordain, PhD. There is a wealth of knowledge out there.

Our Dietary Roots: Paleo DietContinued from page 1