Don't let your oral health ruin your body health in 2015!!!

Happy New Year everyone! In 2015 let's all get healthier! Here's something to consider- did you know you can get healthier, not just by diet and exercise, but by taking excellent care of your mouth and keeping it in good shape? With thorough, twice daily brushing and flossing, you can improve you overall body health! Studies are proving that there is a link between having chronic inflammation in the mouth, which is caused by plaque and tartar buildup, and heart disease and diabetes. There also seems to be a connection to Alzheimer's disease as well. Thinking about getting pregnant? Gum disease is related to low birth weight babies, and babies with spina bifida. There is even a condition called ‘pregnancy gingivitis.’ Using a quality electric toothbrush, (we recommend Sonicare) and using it every day, two times a day, for a full two minutes is a good start. If you have a difficult time flossing, there are other ways to clean in between your teeth that I would be happy to show you at your next preventive care appointment with me. You never know what tricks I will have up my sleeve! And don't forget to come and see me for those regular preventive care visits. Coming to see me to remove the tartar from your teeth is also an important part of getting a healthier mouth and that means a healthier you! Call us today to schedule your visit! (813) 645-8300. I hope that 2015 will be your best and healthiest year ever! -Beth, your Dental Hygenist (aka The Queen of Clean)

Dr. Oz? Dr, Please!

Dr. Oz is a very highly regarded cardio-thoracic surgeon, and has made quite a name for himself on his popular daytime TV show. Apparently, he offers some useful health information. Oprah loves him. The public loves him. I don’t.

On a recent episode, he had a 10 minute segment on a condition known as dry mouth. As a dentist, I see and treat dry mouth frequently. In fact, dentists are the first line of defense for dry mouth. The technical term is “xerostomia” and it affects a large portion of the population. Believe it or not, the main cause of dry mouth is prescription medications!

Yes, the very medications that keep you alive often have a side effect that can ruin your teeth. It is so common that there isn’t just one type of medication that causes it--it can be from almost any kind of medication. Also, the more medications you take, the greater the chance of you developing xerostomia. For each medication you add, your risk rises exponentially!

So who cares? Drink a glass of water and be done with it, right? Wrong! You need saliva. Specifically, your teeth need saliva! By far, the #1 detrimental affect of low salivary flow is tooth decay, and lots of it. I have seen dry mouth ruin a mouth that has been healthy for 70 years prior. If you think you might have xerostomia, make sure you see your dentist regularly. The cavities in these patients move quickly and need to be found in the early stages. Treatment may be as simple as switching your medication.

So why don’t I love Dr. Oz?

Not once during his entire segment, did he address the number one cause of dry mouth (medication), the number one consequence of dry mouth (rampant cavities), or explain the proper thing to do (see a dentist). Instead, he had a visually appealing demonstration where an audience member dripped some water on cotton candy to simulate how saliva aids in digestion. His suggestions for treating dry mouth were to eat less salty food, drink more water, and chew sugar free gum. SERIOUSLY?!?!? Dr. Oz is supposed to be the foremost authority on anything medical, and this is the best he can do? Not one mention of cavities? Not one mention of medications? Not one mention that dry mouth may be a symptom of diabetes? Not one mention of visiting with your dentist? The public needs to know that this can be an orally debilitating condition. Just drinking a glass of water before bed isn’t going to do anything other than raise your midnight plumbing bill.

I am sure you are a great surgeon, but please stop talking about the mouth, Dr. Oz, and leave that to the doctors who actually treat it. For more information, check out the ADA’s website at http://www.ada.org/sections/publicResources/pdfs/patient_19.pdf

New Uses for Old Toothbrushes

First of all, come in to our office for your cleaning to receive your complimentary new toothbrush. Then, place your old toothbrush in your dishwasher to wash away the germs. Now, you can use your recycled toothbrush to... *Dip into jewelry cleaner or even good old tooth paste to clean and lightly polish jewelry *Clean nooks and crannies in your car *Scrub filters *Scrub dirty potatoes, or other vegetables *Clean around faucets *Dust the nooks and crannies of keyboards and other computer things *Use a bit of detergent and remove stains or spots off clothing or carpets *Unplug your toaster and use the toothbrush to remove the crusted on crumbs *Use to clean the airtight liners of the refrigerator *Use to comb unruly eyebrows or to thin clumpy mascara on your eye lashes *Clean your dirty finger nails after gardening, or scratching the frosting off of a really yummy cake *Also great for cleaning dingy tennis shoes This useful information brought to you by your friendly dental hygienist, Amy Gane =D

We've Come a Long Way

I began my dental assisting career at the ripe old age of 18. Back then, dentistry mainly consisted of amalgam fillings, extractions, crowns and dentures. I didn't hear the terms: implants, veneers, CEREC, or digital. Today, these terms are used almost daily. There are so many new and innovative ways of saving teeth, replacing older dentistry or remaking a whole new smile.

Exams are easier and quicker by using digital xrays. No more waiting for the traditional type of xrays to develop, fix and dry for 10-12 minutes. (Hopefully, one didn't have to be retaken!) These images are instant and can also be emailed to other offices including specialists. No more waiting for snail mail to deliver them. Plus the radiation time has dramatically been reduced with digital.

As for the materials, they are stronger and much more natural looking. Tooth colored fillings used to be applied by first mixing part "A" with part "B". Now these composites come in small capsules, in an array of shades, and ready to be used. The ceramic used to make crowns is four times stronger than porcelain. When possible these crowns can be made in one visit in the office. There are no impressions, no temporaries and no waiting for 3 weeks. Also, they are more conservative to prepare. More natural tooth structure is left, lessening the chance of sensitivity. I'm proud to work at South Bay Dentistry and offer those one visit crowns.

Whitening teeth has never been easier. A bright smile can really change one's outlook on life. It can bring about a new confidence. Take-home whitening gel and custom trays are worn for about 15 minutes a day for a couple of weeks. After that, they are worn only to maintain the brighter shade.

Even straightening teeth has evolved. And they're not just for kids anymore. With procedures like 6 Month Smiles and Invisalign, a beautiful smile can be achieved without traditional metal brackets and wires. Furthermore, it can be done in a shorter amount of time; months rather than years.

Technology has made being a dental assistant rewarding and very fun. It's exciting to be a part of a profession that helps people not only look better but feel better about themselves!!

Anita, Dental Assistant Extraordinaire

Run, Anita, Run!!

You have heard her voice and you've met her during your appointments. Who is she? Anita, our lovely assistant!

We have been blessed at South Bay Dentistry to have had Anita since December 1 and have been so busy we have not been able to announce it until now. We have to say, our office is even more fun because of her.

Anita has lived most of her life in Parrish. She has a great family: her husband, Blair, and their two grown sons, Brett and Blake, whom are the loves of her life.

She is a runner and enjoys participating in races. In fact, she has just been a part of the Gasparilla 5k and during Christmas joined many at the Jingle Bell run in Bradenton. See the ultra cool photo above.

Anita loves Italian food and uses cooking as her outlet. She has road tripped all over the country with her family. She is most unique in that she has found her calling early in life. During her senior year in high school, a counselor recommended she pursue nursing or dental assisting. We're super psyched she chose the latter.

Because, really, does anything beat dentistry?! Nope.

Anita is pretty cool. You can stop by the office and meet her, if you haven't already, and chat about just anything: Team Jacob, the novel she is writing, the movie she's been in, or even the muffins she baked for her son and his roommates.

Gee, this lady sounds perfect!!

Remember the Alamo! or, at least, the Riverwalk!!

At South Bay Dentistry, we pride ourselves on how different your dental experience will be. Here, the patient is our friend.

From the moment you walk in and are greeted, to your tour, with all the highlights of the office pointed out, to the actual time you have with Dr Belof, where he is focused just on you and will customize your treatment to exactly what you need and want, you are pampered.

This is no ordinary place.

Recently, South Bay Dentistry took a trip to San Antonio, Texas, for a class that teaches dental offices to be more efficient, productive, and just plain nice. We had a lovely time learning how to make our facility even better. Our website will be undergoing some changes too. Look for those changes soon at apollobeachdentistry.com

We now offer convenient payment options that include different payment plans, and, we offer a 5% discount for those who are able to pay before their appointment--because, really, who wouldn't like to save money?!

We have also bought a new iPad for the patients to see exactly what gum disease is and looks like on a tooth--and that's not all!! This ultracool app has tons of interactive video and photos that help the patient better understand what you need and how exactly it would be done. A picture is worth a thousand words, right? It is just as Dr Belof tells his patients, "There is nothing that you need that I can't prove to you". And now this trusty new member of our team can do just that!

We are so blessed that we each have a job that we love.

We feel that if there is anything that we can do to help a patient--whether it be: calming any anxiety, exceeding their expectations with better communications and interactions, or simply making them a good cup of coffee and putting on their favorite channel, then, why not do so?

We are different.

We want to keep getting better and better so we can pass that blessing on to you.

Keurig, flavored coffees and you!

Keurig is an amazing gadget. I can truly say that since I have purchased it for my husband, our days are now filled with cup after delicious cup of caffeinated brew. You know the kind--where as soon as it's poured into your mug you lovingly hug it with your hands and slowly breathe in the intoxicating aroma. Yeah, that's good stuff, you say. Sometimes, I switch it up and and throw in a tea K-cup. Life is good.
I first purchased the coffee wonder for my Sweetheart for Valentine's. I packed up our daughter and secretly snuck away to Costco. After belting some classic Jackson 5 tunes with my baby in the car, we finally got to the warehouse and casually roamed the mega store. Once we enjoyed all the samples we could find, and picked up way more snacks than any mother and child could possibly enjoy, we headed to the special display. My daughter chattered on and on about how much her "Daddy Husband" was going to love his surprise. We got home, unpacked the thing and set it up on the kitchen counter. My daughter exclaimed, "MOMMY, its glory-us". My reply, "It sure is, baby!"
Later that afternoon my husband came home from the store, dropped his parcels at the sight of the new brewer, and hollered "NO WAY"
From then on, when Dr. Belof would come home, he would yell, "Girls!!", then turn to the kitchen once we ran and kissed and hugged him, and he would cheer, "COFFEE"
Keurig has a great website. They have lists of hundreds of choices. Amazing things like: Donut House's Chocolate Glazed Donut, Tully's Kona Blend, or Gloria Jean's Mudslide. Is coffee not your favorite? No problem. There are amazing flavors for hot chocolate, chai, and other teas.
When the Doctor and I began researching different amenities to have in the office we knew we weren't the only ones to relish a mug of well brewed java.
We thought it would be a little bit of luxury to pamper each patient, as the treasure that they are, with an opportunity to warm themselves up--before or after an appointment. And, it has worked.
Many patients love the option to sip a beverage and chat unhurriedly. Some even come just to visit--no appointment!--but to hang out and catch up.
And, that is exactly the kind of office that South Bay Dentistry is. A neighborhood dentist that believes that taking care of our patients, and their teeth, can have a profound impact on their lives--one hot cup at a time.

Elizabeth