Hello everyone!
It’s hard to believe June is almost upon us. Just over eight weeks ago, I had an unfortunate accident and broke my left arm falling off a bike. Your kind words and well-wishes have meant so much to me as I have slowly gotten better. I’m happy to report that my arm is feeling much better, and I’m back to work again.
This year seems to be flying by, and so much has been happening both in the office and at home. Dr. Bryant Wooten has just returned from a week-long continuing education program at the Kois Institute in Seattle, bringing back some of the newest dental research and techniques.. Dr. Eric Davis is celebrating a special milestone as his son approaches his first birthday, and Dr. Kristin Madden has exciting news of her own—she’s recently engaged!
On the home front, my daughter diligently prepares for her college application process as she heads into her senior year. My son is almost 14, and Maria and I are already feeling a bit anxious about having an empty nest in a few years. This summer, I’m particularly looking forward to having my daughter work in the office, helping to manage our 3D scanning and printing programs.
Thank you all for your continued support and for being part of our Cary Family Dental community. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Sincerely,
Dr. Allan Acton
In this newsletter:
- Article: Why do I keep getting cavities
- Dr. Bryant Wooten to Seattle for Continuing Education
- Three generations of Acton at CFD
- What is a Nightguard?
- Fun facts and scheduling your next appointment
💡 Why do I keep getting cavities?
As a dentist, I often hear the question, “Why do I keep getting cavities?” The answer is simpler than you might think. While it can seem like some people are just destined to get cavities, there are specific reasons behind tooth decay, and actions you can take today to reduce your risk.
Understanding Cavities
First, let’s understand what a cavity is. Cavities are caused by the breakdown of the two layers of your teeth by acid and bacteria. These layers are called enamel and dentin. Enamel is the hard outer layer you see, while dentin is the softer layer beneath it. Think of an apple with its different layers.
The Role of Acidity
Cavities form when your mouth becomes more acidic. This increased acidity can result from consuming sugary drinks like soda, sweet tea, energy drinks, and even seemingly healthy options like orange juice. Here’s how it works: when sugar sits on your teeth, the bacteria in your mouth consume it and produce acid as a byproduct. This acid then erodes your tooth enamel and dentin, leading to cavities. These types of cavities often appear on x-rays between your teeth.
How Acidity Affects Your Mouth
Normally, your body neutralizes acid in your mouth after about 15 minutes, thanks to saliva, which acts as a buffer. However, if you’re constantly sipping on sugary drinks throughout the day, your mouth’s acidity remains high, restarting the acid production cycle over and over. This constant exposure can quickly lead to a significant number of new cavities.
The Impact of Dry Mouth
Another factor that increases your risk of cavities is dry mouth, which also elevates acidity. Various medications, such as certain heart medications and anti-anxiety drugs, can cause dry mouth. While dry mouth itself isn’t directly harmful, it reduces your mouth’s ability to wash away sugars, allowing the acid cycle to begin anew.
Practical Tips for Preventing Cavities
Here are some practical steps to help you reduce your risk of cavities:
- Drink More Water: Staying hydrated helps maintain saliva production, which is crucial for neutralizing acids in your mouth.
- Limit Sugary Drinks: Avoid or reduce your intake of sugary beverages. If you do consume them, try to drink them in one sitting rather than sipping throughout the day.
- Brush Your Teeth Regularly: If you consume sugary drinks, brush your teeth more frequently to remove sugar and prevent acid buildup.
- Chew Sugar-Free Gum: This can help stimulate saliva production and reduce dry mouth.
Bottom Line
Cavities aren’t just a matter of bad luck or genetics. By understanding the role of acidity and sugar in cavity formation, and by taking simple steps like drinking more water, limiting sugary drinks, and brushing regularly, you can significantly reduce your risk of tooth decay. Remember, maintaining good oral hygiene and making mindful choices can go a long way in keeping your teeth healthy and cavity-free.
🗞 Office News
Dr. Bryant Wooten Attends Kois Institute Training in Seattle
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Bryant Wooten has just returned from his first week-long course at the Kois Institute in Seattle. This initial phase of his training has been incredibly educational. All of our Doctors are completing this intensive training program. Dr. Acton is a 2012 graduate and Dr. Davis and Madden will complete their training in the next 1-2 years. A special thank you to our spouses who manage the household while we are away for a week at a time!
Why the Kois Institute?
Here are five reasons why attending the Kois Institute is invaluable for dentists and how it benefits our patients:
- Advanced Training and Education: The Kois Institute offers a comprehensive curriculum that covers the latest advancements in dental science, ensuring that our dentists stay at the forefront of the field.
- Evidence-Based Approach: The training focuses on evidence-based dentistry, which means that the techniques and treatments we adopt are backed by scientific research, leading to more predictable and successful outcomes for our patients.
- Comprehensive Care: Dentists trained at Kois learn to view oral health in the context of overall health, allowing us to provide more holistic and comprehensive care to our patients.
- Enhanced Diagnostic Skills: The rigorous training sharpens our diagnostic abilities, enabling us to identify issues earlier and develop more effective treatment plans.
- Commitment to Excellence: The Kois Institute instills a culture of excellence and lifelong learning, which translates to a continuous improvement in the quality of care we provide.
Dr. Wooten at Kois Training Center
Three Generations of Actons at the Office
This summer Molly Acton, 17 years old, will be working at the office and helping to manage our 3-D digital scanning and printing department. Last week, she received some training and her first patient was her grandmother, Anita Acton.
First photo: Molly Acton receiving her training at CFD Second photo: Molly with her Grandmother, Anita Acton and Dad, Dr. Allan Acton
What is a Nightguard?
Nightguards are acrylic dental appliances designed to safeguard your teeth from the damaging effects of clenching and grinding during sleep. These devices help prevent abnormal tooth wear, muscle pain, and temporomandibular joint disorders by balancing your jaw joints and bite forces. Custom-made based on teeth impressions, Nightguards should be worn every night unless advised otherwise by a dentist. Neglecting to wear your Nightguard may result in continued tooth wear, increased tooth sensitivity, sore jaw muscles, and exacerbated jaw joint issues over time. Proper care involves regular cleaning with toothpaste, rinsing with warm water, and storing the Nightguard in a retainer box when not in use. Embracing the use of a Nightguard can lead to improved dental health and better sleep quality.
To read more about this, visit this link.
Fun facts
One of my best friends from growing up, Cade Metz, was in town this past week to speak at NC State. Cade is an expert in the field of artificial intelligence. He has written a book and extensively covers the topic for the New York Times. It was fascinating to get some inside information from him. I believe that every field, including dentistry, will be impacted by artificial intelligence in the next few years. You can find his articles here.
📅 Scheduling your next appointment
A friendly reminder to check if your next dental check-up is due. Keeping up with regular visits helps us catch issues early and keeps your smile shining bright.
Also….Saturday Alert: You asked, we delivered! We added additional Saturdays to our schedule for the year:
- July 20, 2024
- August 17, 2024
- October 12, 2024
- December 7, 2024
Call us at 919-371-4428
Email us at hello@carydental.com
or schedule online by clicking here
😊 We’re Here for You
Questions? Concerns? Let us know how we can help. Your oral health and comfort are our top priorities. Our doctors and the team at Cary Family Dental are always here to provide you with the best dental care.
Thank you for being a part of the Cary Family Dental family. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Sincerely,
Dr. Allan Acton and The Team at Cary Family Dental
📍 915 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary, NC 27511
☎ 919-371-4428 | ✉ hello@carydental.com
Visit us online at www.carydental.com
To read more about previous newsletters, click here.
