Teeth that make you wise?

    
Your wisdom teeth are your third set of molars, the ones all the way in the back. Usually you have 2 on top and 2 on bottom, but there are many variations ( +1 or -1). Unfortunately most people don’t have the space in their mouths for these extra wise teeth, so they become impacted or stuck. If you do have the space they are usually so far back that it is difficult to keep them clean. This greatly increases the probability of cavities and periodontal disease around your wisdom teeth and their neighboring teeth.

Did you have braces? Well watch out! Because your wisdom teeth can put you back into the metal by shifting your teeth again (make sure you are wearing your retainers!). When the time is right your dentist can refer you to a specialist to evaluate the best course of action for you and your wisdom teeth. In many cases that will mean extraction. Also note these teeth can cause pain or they can be symptomless, so make sure to keep your regular dental appointments and stay up to date on all x-rays.

Whitening Challange!

Hey Everyone,

It's Tori here! Just did my first In-House Whitening yesterday, and WOW! I could see the difference already. My teeth were pretty white to begin with buy I wanted have the color even and give it that extra pow. Check out my before my 1st In House and After! I'll post another one in a week, and then in two!

Check out this awesome deal I just put up on Amazonlocal too! I was feeling inspired :) Enjoy

Before the In house Bleaching

After 1 In House Bleaching 

Berry Brush

Strawberries don't only belong on your plate -- they make great toothpaste, too, especially for whitening teeth and removing stains. The seeds in strawberries act as a mild abrasive, and malic acid that removes stains. Want to try? Just mash a strawberry with a little baking soad and then brush the mixture on. Let the berry goo sit on your teeth for five minutes or so, and then brush normally. "Berry Brush" once a week for bright and shiny teeth! Tastes good too!

Cat's Tip of the Week - I Have Never Used Tobacco, Why Do I Need To Be Screened For Oral Cancer?

I Have Never Used Tobacco, Why Do I Need To Be Screened For Oral Cancer?

        An oral cancer screening is performed usually when you come in for your cleaning appointments. Now you might be saying "What is that?", "Why do they do that?", "I don't smoke so I don't need one?". Tobacco chewers are #1 at the top of the list of those who need to be monitored for oral cancer and smokers follow as a close second (this is a great website that shows the correlation between oral cancer and cigarettes,cigars,and smokeless tobacco ). But because of the rise in patients being diagnosed with oral cancer who have never used any type of tobacco product there is a need for everyone to be screened. Oral cancer, like any other,needs to be diagnosed early. If not, the results can be disfiguring or even fatal. Have you heard of the Human Pappiloma Virus or HPV? There's al ot going on right now with vaccines for it,but why?  "One of the most common virus groups in the world today affecting the skin and mucosal areas of the body, is the human papilloma virus. Over 120 different types/versions of HPV have been identified, and different types are known to infect different parts of the body. Two types of genital tract HPV in particular, HPV 16 and HPV 18, are known to cause the vast majority of cervical cancers, and new studies show that one of them, HPV16, is also linked to oral cancer as well. In the oral environment HPV16 manifests itself primarily in the back (posterior) regions such as the base of the tongue, the oropharynx (the back of the throat in the mouth), the tonsils and the tonsillar pillars." (found @  http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/hpv/) "The number of head and neck cancers linked to the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV) has increased sharply over the past two decades, and the virus now accounts for more cancers than tobacco or alcohol, a new study finds.The rate of HPV-related oral cancer rose from 0.8 cases per 100,000 people in the 1980s to 2.6 cases per 100,000 people in the 2000s — an increase of 225%." (from http://healthland.time.com/2011/10/05/hpv-linked-to-more-oral-cancers-than-smoking/)

             One of the methods used for Oral Cancer Screenings is when your hygienist or dentist palpate or feel with our fingers the tissues of your lips,cheeks,gums,floor of the mouth,and neck; we look with our eyes in your throat and at the sides of your tongue. This is a very good method for finding suspicious lesions comparable to looking for skin lesions with skin cancer. However, this is a limited way for searching due to once the lesion is visible to the eye, it can be pretty far along, making early detection key. We are offering a specialized screening that goes beyond the surface tissue, to the underlying tissues. This screening is called Vizilite and its a quick, easy, and pain free way to do the screening. You rinse with a vinegar-tasting solution, spit, then your hygienist or dentist will use an illuminating stick to shine light on the tissues, exposing any areas that could be cancerous.This is a great tool we have in our office that we can use to screen you, our patients. Our goal is to help you be the healthiest you, you can be. Come in and have an oral cancer screening at least once a year.

 

 

Victoria's Birthday and Mary's Graduation!

So much excitment going on in the office today!

Today is Victoria's 21st Birthday (for the third time :) ) and Mary's Graduation!

Jeannine created a home made lemonade cake to share with the office and our patients!

And Victoria also got some beautiful sunflowers for her birthday!

Hey Everyone!! It's Jeannine and I'm at work here at Dr. Zarrella's office having a blast, as usual :)  If you'd like to join the fun, give me a call at 508-881-1280. I'd LOVE to hear from you! :)))

Cat's Tip of the Week

Can't find the time to fit in that minimum of one flossing per day? Think it needs to be at the same time as brushing in the bathroom? It doesn't. Pick up some dental flossers from your local pharmacy or grocery store (you know the ones with the bit of floss and a handle). These are portable and great for use on the go. Keep them in your pocket, glove compartment, purse, wallet, at your desk. "Out of site, out of mind' Keep them where you will see them and you will remember to use them. Do this tip and your check ups will be happy and easy :)