I enjoyed this post. My mom is a dentist and I can't wait to run this information by her. She is usually very receptive to the newest research and unlike most dentists, adaptive to changing practice.
I agree that regular preventive maintenance is much more preferable to a big dental bill. Don't think for a minute that dentists want you in their chair for major tooth work. There are some that may treat patients this way, but all the ones I know personally are committed and passionate about finding ways for their patients to live a healthier "tooth lifestyle."
I think many people under-estimate the importance of keeping their teeth in good shape. Almost every medical book I've read (mind you, they're the "for dummies" variety) agrees that dental health is key to overall health via a number of subtle links to the rest of the body. It's quite amazing if you get into it.
I'd love (and need!) this book. I'm one of those that just wants to be able to turn the computer on and go and have it work perfectly all the time. I'm not well-informed on the more technical aspects. :)
I would love this book. Our router keeps deciding to restart the internet randomly (channel conflict? overheating? who knows!?) I suspect the book might not help with that, but at least I'll set up a better network if I have it when I finally give up and just get a new router finally. Heh.
Great post. It is true that technology helps us out in our daily lives, but it can also give us a headache; GPS and garage door opener is something I did not think about before.
Thanks!!
I completely agree with #2 - until reading this, I would have replied in a heartbeat. What a scary thought.
On a similar tangent, one thing I never try to do is leave my keys and wallet in the car at the same time. If for some reason, I need to leave one there, it's usually my set of keys. A thief that will steal the car can look up my address on my license and open my door with my keys before I even realize what's happened. Without either the keys or the wallet being stolen, at least I have some time to react and protect myself.
My wife's aunt's family is passing along some furniture from their parents generation. It is very good quality wood, not plastic or veneer or particleboard. When they asked us to keep it in the family, please, I said of course we will. I wish I could get such old "hand-me-downs" from my family, but I cannot. My parents were immigrants from Europe, so we have practically nothing from my grandparents. I wish I could get some...
I did buy some refinished wood furniture from a consignment store about 15 years ago. It is solid furniture, with a very pretty stain, dating from the 1930's (roughly). I also bought new furniture that same year. The 'old stuff' has held up so much better than the new, that their ages now look reversed. That ex-new furniture is destined for the dump soon.
I began using a similar method of incorporating rinses, brushing, and chewing gum with Xylitol. In the morning after breakfast and at night before I go to bed: Listerine Advanced rinse then Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste. During the day after every snack, I chew two pieces of Orbit (ADA accepted with Xylitol) gum. Along with occasional (at least twice a week) flossing, plenty of calcium, and the avoidance of coffee and other serious teeth stainers (although I do drink green tea regularly, my teeth stay bright white between cleanings now. I get cleanings every six months and since I started this ritual (two years ago), I've not had any problems or painful cleanings (or bleeding gums) at the dentist.
I am BJs wholesale club member and they have coupons seemingly every three months for Listerine and Crest. Moreover, they sell Orbit in bulk, as well.
Try searching the web for the free online video named "The Story of Stuff". I feel that it fits in very well with this post. One of the points made in the video is that since shortly after WWII, manufacturers have greatly pushed both planned and perceived obsolescence with their products. That's to say that they have been increasingly building furniture, appliances, etc. to wear out quickly (yet slowly enough that most people see no fault in buying new ones) and, through advertising, pushing this "gotta have new" feeling in people to keep money rolling in through "growth economy" ideals.
"Old" and "ugly" are often as much figments of our imagination and of advertising as they are of actual age. Don't let yourself be fooled! There's a good reason that that "old" furniture has lasted this long. It was built to last!
Kate (and others in generally good dental health),
CWT is great preventive care, too, and if your hygienist is doing any scaling at all at your regular checkups, then you still have an "infection" to contend with, and could reasonably expect even better.
I too had problems with gingivitis. After being diagnosed, I finally began daily flossing. But despite regular professional cleanings every six months, it didn't clear up. After 18 months of flossing with gingivitis still present, my dentist suggested scheduling extra cleanings with the hygienist. It only took one extra cleaning, three months after my previous one, to clear up the gingivitis.
Since then I've gone with the usual 6 months between office visits and no gingivitis for two years. I brush and floss only once a day, most days, though I don't eat that many sweets either. My dentist said that this often happens with patients who practice good hygiene but can't clear up gingivitis on their own. Sometimes a short period of more frequent cleanings is all it takes to resolve the problem. It was definitely worth paying out of pocket for that third annual cleaning to beat the gingivitis. I'll keep the xylitol in mind though, in case it ever returns.
I agree that dental hygiene is really worth staying on top of, even if it costs a bit. There's nothing quite like ending up in excruciating, expensive, and entirely preventable pain to make you wish you'd done what you always knew you should have.
Thanks so much for this post. In spite of brushing, flossing and care with nutrition, I have been struggling with dental issues for a long time. I feel that the mainstream dental establishment has started to aggressively push expensive restorative procedures without helping us really improve our basic dental health. That has certainly been my experience. It may be too late for me, though I'm still going to try it, but I am most definitely going to try this with my children in the hope that they can maintain their dental health well into old age. Thanks again.
The book sounds so interesting. I'd love to win a copy!
I think that the Networking book would come in WAY handy! Please enter me in the contest. :)
The book sounds great. I'd love to win a copy.
I'm the one you want
I could make great use of this book both personally and professionally - what a great resource!
I have no clue on how to install a network. This would help.
These guys put out great books!!
I would love to read this book. I'd love to share with family and relatives who would truly benefit from the knowledge being shared.
I enjoyed this post. My mom is a dentist and I can't wait to run this information by her. She is usually very receptive to the newest research and unlike most dentists, adaptive to changing practice.
I agree that regular preventive maintenance is much more preferable to a big dental bill. Don't think for a minute that dentists want you in their chair for major tooth work. There are some that may treat patients this way, but all the ones I know personally are committed and passionate about finding ways for their patients to live a healthier "tooth lifestyle."
I think many people under-estimate the importance of keeping their teeth in good shape. Almost every medical book I've read (mind you, they're the "for dummies" variety) agrees that dental health is key to overall health via a number of subtle links to the rest of the body. It's quite amazing if you get into it.
I'd love (and need!) this book. I'm one of those that just wants to be able to turn the computer on and go and have it work perfectly all the time. I'm not well-informed on the more technical aspects. :)
I would love this book. Our router keeps deciding to restart the internet randomly (channel conflict? overheating? who knows!?) I suspect the book might not help with that, but at least I'll set up a better network if I have it when I finally give up and just get a new router finally. Heh.
Not just another good read; "Network Know-How" sounds positively empowering! (And I could sure use some power.)
Great post. It is true that technology helps us out in our daily lives, but it can also give us a headache; GPS and garage door opener is something I did not think about before.
Thanks!!
I completely agree with #2 - until reading this, I would have replied in a heartbeat. What a scary thought.
On a similar tangent, one thing I never try to do is leave my keys and wallet in the car at the same time. If for some reason, I need to leave one there, it's usually my set of keys. A thief that will steal the car can look up my address on my license and open my door with my keys before I even realize what's happened. Without either the keys or the wallet being stolen, at least I have some time to react and protect myself.
I would love to give it a read.
My wife's aunt's family is passing along some furniture from their parents generation. It is very good quality wood, not plastic or veneer or particleboard. When they asked us to keep it in the family, please, I said of course we will. I wish I could get such old "hand-me-downs" from my family, but I cannot. My parents were immigrants from Europe, so we have practically nothing from my grandparents. I wish I could get some...
I did buy some refinished wood furniture from a consignment store about 15 years ago. It is solid furniture, with a very pretty stain, dating from the 1930's (roughly). I also bought new furniture that same year. The 'old stuff' has held up so much better than the new, that their ages now look reversed. That ex-new furniture is destined for the dump soon.
I began using a similar method of incorporating rinses, brushing, and chewing gum with Xylitol. In the morning after breakfast and at night before I go to bed: Listerine Advanced rinse then Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste. During the day after every snack, I chew two pieces of Orbit (ADA accepted with Xylitol) gum. Along with occasional (at least twice a week) flossing, plenty of calcium, and the avoidance of coffee and other serious teeth stainers (although I do drink green tea regularly, my teeth stay bright white between cleanings now. I get cleanings every six months and since I started this ritual (two years ago), I've not had any problems or painful cleanings (or bleeding gums) at the dentist.
I am BJs wholesale club member and they have coupons seemingly every three months for Listerine and Crest. Moreover, they sell Orbit in bulk, as well.
Ooh, I want to Know How!
My husband would love this book!
Would love to win the book!
Try searching the web for the free online video named "The Story of Stuff". I feel that it fits in very well with this post. One of the points made in the video is that since shortly after WWII, manufacturers have greatly pushed both planned and perceived obsolescence with their products. That's to say that they have been increasingly building furniture, appliances, etc. to wear out quickly (yet slowly enough that most people see no fault in buying new ones) and, through advertising, pushing this "gotta have new" feeling in people to keep money rolling in through "growth economy" ideals.
"Old" and "ugly" are often as much figments of our imagination and of advertising as they are of actual age. Don't let yourself be fooled! There's a good reason that that "old" furniture has lasted this long. It was built to last!
Kate (and others in generally good dental health),
CWT is great preventive care, too, and if your hygienist is doing any scaling at all at your regular checkups, then you still have an "infection" to contend with, and could reasonably expect even better.
Catherine Shaffer
Wise Bread Contributor
I too had problems with gingivitis. After being diagnosed, I finally began daily flossing. But despite regular professional cleanings every six months, it didn't clear up. After 18 months of flossing with gingivitis still present, my dentist suggested scheduling extra cleanings with the hygienist. It only took one extra cleaning, three months after my previous one, to clear up the gingivitis.
Since then I've gone with the usual 6 months between office visits and no gingivitis for two years. I brush and floss only once a day, most days, though I don't eat that many sweets either. My dentist said that this often happens with patients who practice good hygiene but can't clear up gingivitis on their own. Sometimes a short period of more frequent cleanings is all it takes to resolve the problem. It was definitely worth paying out of pocket for that third annual cleaning to beat the gingivitis. I'll keep the xylitol in mind though, in case it ever returns.
I agree that dental hygiene is really worth staying on top of, even if it costs a bit. There's nothing quite like ending up in excruciating, expensive, and entirely preventable pain to make you wish you'd done what you always knew you should have.
Way to go, Phil!
Catherine Shaffer
Wise Bread Contributor
Thanks so much for this post. In spite of brushing, flossing and care with nutrition, I have been struggling with dental issues for a long time. I feel that the mainstream dental establishment has started to aggressively push expensive restorative procedures without helping us really improve our basic dental health. That has certainly been my experience. It may be too late for me, though I'm still going to try it, but I am most definitely going to try this with my children in the hope that they can maintain their dental health well into old age. Thanks again.