WHO DOESN’T LOVE A LITTLE SUNSHINE? Not only does it feel fantastic, but it also has numerous health benefits. Sunshine improves our mood, our immune functions, and catalyzes vitamin D production in our bodies.

Vitamin D Is Important To Our Healthy Smiles

Vitamin D supports oral health in two ways:

It Helps Our Bodies Absorb And Utilize Calcium

One of vitamin D’s major functions is moderating other vitamins and minerals—including calcium. Calcium fortifies our teeth and supports jaw and bone strength. That’s why we fortify milk (a great source of calcium) with vitamin D.

This is referenced in numerous studies that have shown greater cavity risk for people living in regions with little sunlight… Sometimes as much as double the risk.

It May Help Fight Periodontal Disease

Vitamin D also functions as an anti-inflammatory. Periodontal disease is the #1 cause of tooth loss in adults, and it’s a result of inflammation of the gums due to harmful bacteria.

Several studies have found that people who have high levels of vitamin D are less likely to experience bleeding gums and gum detachment.

Getting Our Daily Dose Of Vitamin D

It doesn’t take long to get the vitamin D your body needs from the sun. But for those times when you can’t get daily sunlight, you can also obtain vitamin D from these foods:

• egg yolks or fatty fish
• fortified milk, soy milk, orange juice and cereals
• vitamin D supplements

Grab A Little Sunshine Today!

Of course, we need to be careful about how much sun exposure we’re getting. You don’t need to sunbathe all day to get the vitamin D your body needs! Take this blog post as an excuse to go outside today and drink up a few rays.

Thanks for being a part of our practice family. We appreciate you!

DID YOU KNOW THAT A DENTIST discovered anesthetic? It’s true. Life-saving surgeries were made possible in part by a dentist’s attempts to make his patients more comfortable!

Before the days of “preventative” dental care, painful tooth extractions were a way of life. Here are a few people who helped change that…

Horace Wells Discovered Nitrous Oxide At A Street Performance

Horace Wells was a Connecticut dentist. In 1844 he watched a traveling street show using nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to entertain passersby. Noticing that it dulled pain, he began experimenting with it in his dental practice!

The Power To Cure, From A Surgical Perspective

W.T.G. Morton and Dr. Wells were colleagues who experimented together to discover better pain-relief methods for their patients. Looking for something more consistent and powerful than nitrous oxide, W.T.G. Morton started using ether in his practice. The end result of that idea revolutionized medicine, as explained in this short video:

The Early 1900’s Brought Localized Anesthetic

Novocaine, administered to numb specific areas of the mouth, was discovered by German chemist Alfred Einhorn, and was brought into medical use by surgeon Heinrich Braun. Although novocaine is perhaps the most well-known local anesthetic, most dentists today use lidocaine, which is commonly considered less likely to prompt allergic reactions and is more consistent and efficient.

We’re On Dentistry’s Leading Edge For YOU!

Since Wells’ and Morton’s time, methods in patient comfort have been refined and perfected. We keep up-to-date with the latest technologies and techniques to provide the best oral health solutions for YOU, our valued patients and friends. If you ever have any questions about your dental comfort, please ask! We love to hear from you.

Thanks for your trust in our practice!