When your plate is full

If you were dining in a restaurant and the waitperson kept putting more food on your plate, you would likely say you were full. Does it not make sense to do the same when your being—your emotions, intellect, and spirit—is on overload? Know when your plate is full and you will be much happier.

In today's fast pace, few encouraging words are given in the workplace for a balanced and thoughtful life, in which one has clear priorities of family, physical, spiritual, and mental health. A common attitude has become "the more stress you can handle the better." Compliments are given to those who look haggard while saying, "Boy, what a rough day! I had twelve hours of nonstop work."

Eight common signs of having too full a plate are:

1. People close to you suggest you slow down.
2. There are no more people close to you.
3. The mere thought of working less brings on anxiety.
4. Rather than relaxing on vacation you bring along "just a little" work or have a long list of things to do or sights to see. Or, you begin to feel anxious on returning from a holiday.
5. You spend less and less time doing activities that are important to you.
6. Little, insignificant things easily annoy you.
7. Your body reacts with frequent illness.
8. You die young.

It is possible that you live a life so constantly full of stress that you have become acclimated to it. Even when your plate is full you may continue to take on more. In fact, you may be so used to stress that when it is not there it feels like something is wrong.

You may believe that you have no choice other than to live with your current level of stress.

Think again. Your stress can be reduced. Begin by:

Knowing when your plate is full and responding accordingly!

Houston dentist
Minh Nguyen, D.D.S.
www.softdental.com

Be Oral Healthy with Herbs

Medicinal herbs have been used for thousands of years. However, herbal remedies can have an adverse effect on dental treatments and healing.

Herbal doesn't mean that it's safe.


For example, if you take ginger, ginko or garlic supplements, you could experience abnormal bleeding at the treatment site, such as major oral surgery or a tooth extraction. Prolonged bleeding also slows down the healing process.
When taken with traditional medicines, an herbal supplement can cancel out or heighten the effect of a traditional medicine. If you use astralagus, dong quai or sag along with a prescribed high blood pressure medication, you could experience an extreme dizzy spell (dangerously low blood pressure) when you stand up out of the exam chair.

Unfortunately, statistics show that about 70 percent of patients do not include herbal supplements in their medical histories because they are unaware of their potential dangers, or they don't think it's important.



It is crucial that we always have a current list of all prescribed and over-the-counter medications and herbal supplements you take because we may have to adjust our procedures to protect your health.






The table lists a few of the herbal supplements that can be problematic during dental treatments and procedures.

Astralagus Chamomile Dong quai Evening primrose Fenugreek Feverfew

Garlic Ginger Ginko Grape seed Horse chestnut Kava

Motherworth Red clover Sag Turmeric Valerian Willow

At your next visit, please bring a current list of all medications and supplements with you. Keeping you healthy and safe is our top priority.
Minh Nguyen, D.D.S.
Houston dentist
www.softdental.com

Where can people with special needs obtain dental care?

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The ADA Council on Access, Prevention and Interprofessional Relations suggests the following tips:

* Inform the dentist about your special health or financial conditions.

* Ask if the dentist has training and/or experience in treating patients with your specific condition.

* Ask if the dentist has an interest in treating patients with your specific condition.

* Find out if the dentist participates in your dental benefit plan (dental insurance program.)

* Ask if the dental facility is accessible to the disabled.

In addition, the Council suggests that patients with special needs

* Call or write the dental director at your state department of public health.

* Contact the nearest dental school clinic or hospital dental department, especially if it is affiliated with a major university.

* Contact the Special Care Dentistry (Formerly Federation of Special Care Organizations in Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistry and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry for a referral.

* Also, the National Oral Health Information Clearinghouse may have useful information.

* Contact the National Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped (NFDH), a charitable affiliate of the American Dental Association since 1988. The NFDH, via several programs, facilitates the provision of comprehensive dental care for needy disabled, elderly, and medically compromised individuals.

* Dentists and dental institutions organizing or participating in voluntary projects that care for uninsured and underserved patients will find information, and grant opportunities through Volunteers in Health Care (VIH). VIH Program staff are available to assist you at the toll-free number 1-877-844-8442.




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Single- or multiple-visit endodontics ?

Question: When individuals undergo root canal treatment, does a single-visit approach result in a higher frequency of post-treatment problems than a multiple-visit one?

Image via Wikipedia

Studies were included if subjects had a noncontributory medical history; underwent nonsurgical root canal treatment during the study; there was comparison between single- and multiple-visit root canal treatment; and if outcome was measured in terms of pain degree or prevalence of flare-up.

Data were extracted using a standard data extraction sheet. Because of variations in recorded outcomes and methodological and clinical heterogeneity, a meta-analysis was not carried out, although a qualitative synthesis was presented.

Sixteen studies fitted the inclusion criteria in the review, with sample size varying from 60–1012 cases. The prevalence of postoperative pain ranged from 3–58%. The heterogeneity of the included studies was far too great to yield meaningful results from a meta-analysis.

Compelling evidence is lacking to indicate any significantly different prevalence of postoperative pain or flare-up following either single- or multiple-visit root canal treatment.

(Source: Evidence-Based Dentistry (2009) 10, 16. doi:10.1038/sj.ebd.6400630)

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2. Root Canal No More?
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5. Alternatives to a Root Canal Treament
6. How Do I Know if I Need a Root Canal - Houston Root Canal
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Don't Let Your Teeth Flunk College!

College life is challenging. Baggy-eyed, you gulp down a soda on your way to that 7 A.M. class and a bag of chips when you cram late at night for a midterm. On-the-run nutrition choices, stress and hit-and-miss oral care can cause your teeth to weaken and decay.

Studies show that college students have a high incidence of tooth decay caused by acid erosion.

Sodas, sports and energy drinks, designer coffees laden with sugary delights, chips, candies, or any high carbohydrate or starchy food like pasta or bread provides the source for the acid that erodes and destroys teeth.

Acids and sugar pull minerals from tooth enamel. Enamel-buildingtakes place only when you were a child and your teeth were forming. Without those protective minerals, your teeth are targeted by decay-causing bacteria.

Give yourself an "A" for adopting these tips:

• Cut back on the amount of sodas and other acidic beverages you drink. Frequently substitute less acidic beverages, and include water in your beverage selection.
• Eat healthy snacks when you hit those cram sessions.
• Eat sweets along with healthy, nutritional foods.
• After eating sweets or other acid-producing foods, chew gum that contains xylitol, a natural sugar that prevents tooth decay.
• It takes only a short time to brush and floss—twice daily. Use toothpaste that contains a remineralization ingredient and fluoride.
• Lastly, even though you might be far from home, see a dentist regularly! Ask us; we may be able to refer you to a dentist, or ask at the campus health office for a recommendation.

Before you begin this new chapter of your life, please come int the office so we can do a thorough exam of your oral tissues.

Your teeth are counting on you to help them to smile beautifully during "Pomp and Ceremony"!

Minh Nguyen, D.S.S., P.A.

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Fresh breath and how to get it, how to keep it

No one wants bad breath, but everyone gets it—or at least worries about it—at one time or another. Here are some things you can do to keep bad breath to a minimum:

• Eliminate the bacteria and food particles that can cause bad breath. Floss, then brush your teeth, gums and tongue after each meal. Make this easier by keeping floss, toothpaste and a toothbrush in your desk, your purse and your car.
• If you can't brush and floss, rinse your mouth with water after eating to dislodge food and moisten your mouth.
• Have your teeth cleaned and examined by a dental professional twice a year.
• If you are certain you have bad breath, seek out a Houston dentist who offers specialized treatment in that area.
• Learn the proper way to brush and practice what you learn.
• Drink lots of liquids, preferably water, to keep your mouth moist.
• If your mouth feels dry, chew sugarless gum to stimulate production of saliva.
• You can also chew on raw parsley—it's a natural breath freshener.
• Baking soda is an effective odor eliminator; if you can handle the taste, try brushing with a mixture of baking soda and water. Or try a toothpaste that contains baking soda.
• Try rinsing your mouth for one minute with a 50-50 mixture of hydrogen peroxide and warm water to kill odor-causing bacteria.
• Avoid mouthwashes that contain alcohol; read the label! Instead, try a mouthwash that contains chlorine dioxide. This compound doesn't just mask odor, it actually eliminates it at the source by attacking the odor-causing volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs).
• Snack on raw vegetables such as carrots, celery and red peppers. This stimulates production of saliva, and some Houston dentists believe it can help to remove plaque from your teeth.
• To avoid stress-related dry mouth, practice "conscious relaxation" in stressful situations: breathe deeply, visualize peaceful settings, recognize parts of your body that feel tense and consciously relax them. If you can't get past the stress, chew sugarless gum or mints to keep the salivary glands going.
• Use an oral irrigation device such as a Waterpik to remove particles of food wedged between your teeth; portable models are available.
• If you wear dentures or a retainer, clean them frequently, and periodically soak them in an antiseptic solution.

Bad breath that's resistant to these remedies, or that continues for an extended period of time, should be evaluated by our Houston dentist.

You don't have to live with bad breath. Recognize it, treat it, then kiss it goodbye!

You may also be interested in:

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The Proper Flossing Technique
Importance of Regular Exams
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Dental superfloss
Preventive dental sealants
Nutrition and Your Health
Dental Ultrasonic Scaling