Smile, you might just live longer !!

Folks with big smiles may actually live longer than those who don’t, according to a March 2010 study at Michigan’s Wayne State University. Our office has known for quite some time that positive emotion has been linked to both physical and mental health, but researchers at the university did something quite interesting: they looked at photos of 230 ball-players who began their careers in baseball prior to 1950 and studied their smile intensity (ranging from big smile, no smile or partial smile). The players' smile ratings were compared with data from deaths that occurred from 2006 through 2009. The researchers then took into account other factors that impact life longevity, including body mass index, career length and even college attendance.

The results? Researchers found that players who weren't smiling in the photos died at the average age of 72.9 years. Players with partial smiles lived to be 75. Those with big smiles, however, lived on average to be 79.9 years old.

The take-away from the new study? Smile now, smile often and you might just live longer! Have you been perfecting your smile by visiting Metrodental.com on a regular basis? If not, give us a call!

Your Teething Baby

If your five month old is starting to get fussy then they may be beginning their teething phase. Here are some signs to help you know:

• Fussiness or crankiness
• Drooling
• Sleep patterns- your baby will be waking up more at night
• Biting- your baby is going to try to counter react the pressure they feel from the tooth poking through the gum.
• Bulging gums- will most likely start at the bottom

You are going to want to be prepared for remedies. Anything cold works best such as the following:

• Frozen teething rings
• Ice
• Frozen washcloth
• Frozen bagels

About one in 2,000 babies are born with teeth. They usually develop in the same order, with the bottom middle two peaking out first. Then the top middle two develop, and after that the rest along the side start to develop.

Call us at 847-680-7171 or visit us our website at www.metrodental.com for more information about dental care.

Are you Satisfied with your Overall Breath?

Are you Satisfied with your Overall Breath?

If you are one of those people who performs the palm exercise many times a day this dental article from Metro Dental is for you!

Dr. Jeff agrees that this is a very personal and careful subject. Many people are embarrassed to accept they have this problem and the need of an oral treatment. There are many ways to treat this type of problem (which we call Halitosis), and have been proven to have excellent long term results. Dr. Jeff at Metro Dental shares some vital information in order to explain to his patients some of the causes and prevention tips for this truly unwanted condition.

How do I know if I have bad Breath?

If you can’t smell it right away you can try these techniques:

• Lick your wrist, wait a few seconds while the saliva dries, and then smell it. That can give you an idea of how your breath smells.
• Exhale into your palm and analyze how it smells.

Bad Breath Causes

Bad breath or Halitosis stems from different sources, from which the most common are:

• Foods, such as: garlic, onions, fish, meat, cheese, etc.
• Poor oral hygiene
• Smoking
• Obesity
• Fasting
• Nasal and sinus infections
• Throat infections
• Defective dental restorations
• Gum disease
• Dry mouth
• Other underlying health conditions

Once you are aware of the causes of bad breath it will be easier to determine, which are the most appropriate measures to prevent and fight it.

Preventive Measures

• Brush your teeth at least twice daily, better after each meal
• Floss once a day
• Brush your tongue
• Drink water regularly
• Change your toothbrush every 3 months
• Do not smoke

Sweets and your Teeth!!

Having a clean and healthy smile is always important. That is why it’s best to brush after every meal and avoid food and drinks that are bad for your teeth.

We all know that sweets are not always the best choice for your mouth but this is only true for certain sweets. According to Richard D. Price, D.M.D and spokesman for the American Dental Association, chocolate is okay because sweets that are coated in fat slip out of your mouth.

The sweets you must be aware of are the ones that stick to your mouth such as lollipops, caramels, and raisins. Dr. Price states that chocolate actually causes fewer cavities than raisins and gummy bears because they wash out much easier and does not stick to the tooth enamel.

This is also true of starchy foods such as potato chips because tiny bits get caught in between your teeth. Carbonated drinks are also bad for your teeth not only because of high sugar content but because of the citric acid most of them contain that start to erode the tooth enamel.

All On Four Denture Implants a New Alternative

Often when considering restoring function when missing some or all teeth, dental implants are the best choice.
Traditionally the treatment plan for implants required the implants to be placed at specific angles, usually perpendicular (straight up and down relative to a person’s bite).

It is not unusual for a person to have anatomical problems with ideal locations for the implants. Sinuses in the upper jaw may be large or nerves in the lower jaw are in the precise location that a dentist would want to place an implant. Usually this means extra surgeries are needed to create room or move the obstruction out of the way.

With the All-on-four method, the issues are eliminated. By angling the implants, the problems can be avoided and the dentures or bridges can be placed predictably.

Am I A Candidate for a Smile Makeover

Did you know smiling and laughing are actually healthy for you? It’s true! As well as being attractive; smiling and laughing are beneficial to your entire well-being!

The psychological value of smiling and laughing is just as impressive. These activities release inner tension and repressed tendencies. When a person is tired or unhappy, it is better to relax through smiling and / or laughing than any other non-active means.

If you answer “yes” to any of the following questions, a Smile Makeover may be beneficial to you.

∙ Do you dislike the appearance of your smile?
∙ Are you embarrassed to smile?
∙ Do you cover your mouth when your smile or laugh?
∙ Do you feel that you show too many or too few teeth when you smile or laugh?
∙ Do you show too much gum when you smile or laugh?
∙ Do you feel that your teeth are too long or too short?
∙ Do you feel that your teeth are too wide or too narrow?
∙ Do you feel that your teeth are too square or too round?
∙ Do you feel that your smile holds you back in your personal or professional life?
∙ When you look in the mirror are you conscious of any defects to your teeth or gums?
∙ Do you wish your teeth were whiter?
∙ Are your teeth crooked or uneven, chipped or broken? Are you missing teeth or have unsightly gaps between your teeth?
∙ Do you require extensive dental restorations or treatment?

A Smile Makeover can transform the way you look and feel – heightening your confidence, self-esteem and facial appearance. A Smile Makeover can change your life. Contact us today for your Smile Consultation.