Have you caught the summer bug?

Yes indeed, there seems to be a summer cold going around Austin.  Hopefully, you've avoided the bug, but if not here's a friendly tip for how to keep the germs at bay once you're feeling better.  If you're like me, you probably make sure to wipe down the doorknobs and surfaces in your home and put out fresh towels after being sick, but one thing that sometimes gets overlooked is switching out your toothbrush.  Though you should replace your toothbrush at least every three months, it is especially important after you have an episode of flu, cold or other viral infection.  If you've got an electric toothbrush, just change out the head!

Wishing everyone a healthy start to the summer!

Happy Earth Day!!!

Here's a fun Earth Day quiz!

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month!

Right now in the United States, a person dies every hour from oral cancer.  That is someone's mother or son, husband or friend for every 60 minutes of every day... of every week... of every month, every year, and the numbers are growing. In over 40 years, the survival rate has not improved. 

This month, we take the time to help raise awareness of this devastating illness.

Most Americans have not been taught where to look, how to look, or what to look for when it comes to oral cancer. Two-thirds of of all oral cancers are not caught until the late stages, greatly decreasing the diagnosed individual's chance of survival.  This is why at Circle C Dental, we do regular oral cancer checks for our patients' health.  In its early stages, oral cancer may appear as a white or red patch of tissue in the mouth, or a small ulcer which looks like a common canker sore.  It is important to have have any sore or discolored area of your mouth, which does not heal within 14 days, looked at by a professional.  If you notice something out of the ordinary, let us know!  If after an examination the area is determined to be suspicious, the only way to know for sure if it is something dangerous, is to do a biopsy of the area. This is not painful, is inexpensive, and takes little time. It is important to have a firm diagnosis as early as possible. The sooner the cancer is caught, the greater the chance of survival. 

To lower your risk of oral cancer, avoid tobacco products and heavy alcohol consumption.  People who both smoke and drink, have a 15 times greater risk of developing oral cancer than others. 

For an inspirational account, check out this story on one of America's most well-renowned chefs: Grant Achatz.  He was diagnosed with late-stage cancer of the tongue, survived it, and is still kicking culinary butt at his Chicago restaurant, Alinea.

Mmmmm bacon!

A little post-April 1st fun:

Check out Scope's newest mouthwash flavor!


I have to admit, I was a little disappointed that the new flavor addition was a prank. The delicious taste of bacon plus the lingering minty freshness I want from a mouthwash?  Together?  In one product?!  And no bacon grease to clean-up afterward.  Yes please.  :)

Now if they'd just come out with chocolate-mint toothpaste...

Are we actually wiser without our wisdom teeth?

New research suggests that missing 3rd molars may have given some of our ancestors an evolutionary advantage.  Check out the article here!

Even if natural selection is not the first thing on your mind, today there are good reasons for getting your wisdom teeth out.  Impacted wisdom teeth can cause tooth crowding and pain.  Erupted wisdom teeth are difficult to reach when brushing and harbor nasty periodontal bacteria.  The recommended age for removing wisdom teeth is high school to the early college years, but it can be done at any time.  For your convenience, Circle C Dental is happy to work with Dr. David Burden to offer wisdom teeth extraction services right here in our office.  With IV sedation available, you can have a comfortable (and forgettable) experience.

Did you know?

The first toothbrush with bristles was manufactured in China in 1498.  Bristles from hogs, badgers and horses were used.  The first commercial nylon bristle toothbrush was made in 1938.

Today, the average American will spend 38.5 total days brushing their teeth over their lifetime.  That's over a month of straight brushin'!

There are some pretty interesting (and bizarre) dental facts out there.  Unfortunately not all of these factoids are fun. 

Take for instance this statistic - 3 out of 4 Americans suffer from some form of gum disease.  Which makes sense when one considers that 73% of Americans would rather go grocery shopping than floss.  The sad fact is, according to the American Academy of Periodontology, 80% of people are not happy with their smile.

Fortunately, modern dentistry has come a long way in being able to address these problems.  From laser gum treatment that specifically targets and destroys periodontal bacteria to adult braces with tooth colored brackets designed to disappear into your smile while straightening your teeth in less than a year, there are now great solutions available so you can achieve a happy, healthy mouth.  And that's something to smile about.

Now how about one more (really weird) fact:

The average human produces 25,000 quarts of saliva in a lifetime.  That’s enough to fill 2 swimming pools! Yikes!

Hello Circle C Friends!

We're entering into March, which means Spring is almost here - a great opportunity for fresh starts.

This past year has been quite busy.  We have been working hard to offer the latest dental treatments including LANAP laser gum treatment and the ultimate in teeth whitening, the  KöR Whitening Deep Bleaching™ System.  In the summer, we welcomed periodontist Dr. Chad Orlich to our practice.  With Dr. Orlich joining the team, we can do many typical specialist procedures (including implants) without the hassle of you needing to be referred to and visit another office!  And at the end of the year, we switched to our new office hours Mon-Thurs 8:00am-5:00pm.

It has been a wonderfully full year, but I'm afraid with that our blog has been neglected.  I think it's time to revamp!  For the upcoming year, I plan to bring you the latest dental news, interesting fun facts, and tips & ideas for how to achieve your healthiest smile.  

Have you got a fun find you'd like me to share?  E-mail me!  And remember, our friendly staff is always ready to help you with any of your dental needs.  Give us a call at 512-301-BITE (2483).  

In the meantime, let's start with something cool!  Check this out.  Sumatran tigers visit the dentist.  Even big cats need some dental help now and then. :)