A Dentist's Effort to Save Sochi's Stray Dogs

I hope this year has been kind to you and your families thus far! My first entry in 2014 will be about one of my favorite topics...dogs! As the city got ready for the Olympics, thousands of stray dogs were killed in Sochi. Click on the image below to read the touching story of Dr. Vlada Provotorova's work to help save Sochi's stray dogs by building make-shift shelter to house, feed and sterilize the dogs. 

Here's to a few more weeks of winter,

Dr. Lynda Tran

Need a Natural Teeth Whitener? Check Your Kitchen

Hey folks!

Terribly sorry for the hiatus. I have been working with an amazing team of people on a new "project". Hopefully, I'll be able to share details soon! Until then...

I always get asked by patients about what they can do at home to get their teeth whiter. Of course, one of the most effective way to get teeth whiter is to prevent them from getting stained! Namely, anything that can stain your teeth should be consumed with caution. 

But if you're still seeking help at home, check out this article from Redbook describing 12 common household items that you can use to get your chompers looking whiter...naturally! As always, please consult with your dentist if you have any questions or concerns. 

Here's to baking soda,

Dr. Lynda Tran

Lasers: Not Just For Playing with Your Cats

 

Check out this great article in The Wall Street Journal on the advances of laser use in dentistry. While the traditional "drill" will still be needed in many cases, this is a great alternative for many patients with shallow cavities, allowing for a more conservative preparation and filling.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323335404578447334250171190.html

Happy Tuesday,
Dr. Lynda Tran

Teeth and Grammar Most Important to Singles

In a recent survey of 5,500 single males and females, the two traits that both sexes agree are the most important are teeth and grammar! We know having healthy teeth and gums are key to your overall health but it appears to be very crucial in the dating scene as well. For the full story, click here.

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, come visit your dentist to make sure your teeth and gums are in top shape!

An early Happy Valentine's Day,
Dr. Lynda Tran

Learn from Serena Williams - Wear a Mouthguard!

Atheletes are just like us. Even a pro like Serena Williams can make mistakes that we can learn from. During the second round at the Austrialian Open, Ms. Williams accidently hits her mouth with her racket, causing her lip to be injured and tooth to chip! According to the news, she'svery happy to not lose the tooth!

For video of the racket attack, click here.

So what can us regular folks learn from this? Beyond wearing a helmet and other protective gear when participating in high impact sports, remember to protect your choppers with a mouthguard. In particular, have a customized mouthguard that will fit perfectly to your upper teeth and will not dislodge as compared to generic mouthguards. These 'guards protect you from broken teeth and jaws, cutting your lips and bruising your cheeks, and even from concussions and neck injuries.

If you should experience an injury to your mouth/gums/lips/jaw, make sure you get medical attention ASAP. If you break or lose a tooth (often times teeth change color when they've been traumatized), contact your dentist immediately. Time is of the essence when it comes to teeth. The sooner that you seek dental care, the better your chances are to getting your tooth/teeth fixed.

So the next time you're in the dental chair, tell your dentist about your new activities and what you've been unto. Ask him/her for great tips on how you can protect your mouth, head, and neck while having fun.

Best,
Dr. Lynda Tran

Mussel Glue Helps Cure Sensitive Teeth

If you're one of the many people that experience teeth sensitivity, check out what scientists in University of Hong Kong are up to.

As you know tooth sensitivity to hot/cold/acids/sweets is often due to exposed dentin tooth structure (the layer of tooth under the enamel). Scientists have drawn inspiration from the glue used in mussels that allow them to adhere to surfaces. They propose creating a similar material which will be able to keep minerals in contact with exposed dentin; therefore allowing the teeth to rebuild. So hopefully, one day, we'll be able to restore our teeth with natural materials! For the full article, please click here.

Hope your New Year is starting off well,
Dr. Lynda Tran

Make Good Family Oral Health Your New Year's Resolution

 
As 2013 approaches, we're all busy making that infamous New Year resolutions list. As you make your list, think about adding "Good Family Oral Health". Not only is this resolution easily achievable, it'll be beneficial for the entire family and very important to the family's overall health. Below is a link to the information sheet that provides a consise answer to questions like:

• Why is brushing important?
  
• What is the best technique for brushing?
  
• How long should I brush?
  
• How can I get my children to brush?
  

 
With the younger children, using videos (like Elmo above) or games makes brushing more fun for the entire family! From Redwood Dental, we wish you and your family a wonderful Holiday season and an awesome New Year!

Here's to a *sparkly* 2013,
Dr. Lynda Tran