“Parents are Encouraged to ‘Think Teeth’ to Protect Children from Tooth Decay”

Because tooth decay is currently one of the most common chronic diseases among U.S. kids, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) encourages parents to "think teeth." With regular dental check-ups and daily brushing and flossing, tooth decay can be easily prevented. Parents should begin advocating for their child’s dental health as soon as the child turns six months of age. For the full article, click here.

How the Paleo Diet Impacts Your Teeth

After examining the remains of 52 teeth from an ancient population of hunter-gatherers, human origins researcher, Louise Humphrey, and her colleagues found cavities in over half of the teeth they studied. Because the diets of hunter-gatherers were not high in carbohydrate-rich foods, Humphrey believes the decay is most likely due to the large quantities of acorns, pine nuts and land snails they consumed. These starchy nuts and gritty snails could have increased bacterial growth in their mouths. For the full article click here. 

Wisdom Teeth: When It's Time to Say Goodbye

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/06/02/wisdom-teeth-surgery/2369593/

Removing one’s wisdom teeth has long been deemed a rite of passage, however recent reports suggest a different approach to the emergence of wisdom teeth.  Due to the possible risks of anesthesia and surgery, critics believe keeping healthy wisdom teeth is the safest option for patients.  But the oral surgeon’s group warns that seemingly harmless wisdom teeth may ultimately cause disease or infection down the road.  Because it is impossible to predict which teeth will remain healthy and which teeth will cause problems, some believe it’s better “safe than sorry”.  If you are experiencing pain, bleeding or swelling of the gums, call Sonoma Smiles today to discuss your options.  Call Sonoma Smiles at (707) 200-1191.