Kicking the Habit: Bravo Smile Wants Everyone To Get A Healthy Start to the New Year!

Keeping your smile healthy

You have lots of reasons to be healthy ....

If you use tobacco, you are probably familiar with the reasons why you should stop. Here are a few more to help you quit once and for all.

Although the damage you may be doing to your lungs cannot readily be seen, the damage to your smile is much more evident. Tobacco often causes unsightly stains on tooth enamel, but it's also responsible for diseases of the mouth. Smoking may be responsible for more than half of periodontal (gum) diseases among adults. Smokers have a much greater risk of developing oral cancer than do nonsmokers. And heavy smoking and drinking together puts you at even greater risk of developing oral cancer.

Tobacco threats

Consider these tobacco threats to your oral health and overall health:

• oral cancer;
• periodontal (gum) disease-a leading cause of tooth loss and of sensitivity to hot and cold;
• bad breath;
• stained teeth and tongue;
• diminished sense of taste and smell;
• delayed healing after a tooth extraction or other oral surgery;
• difficulties in correcting cosmetic dental
• problems;
• buildup of tartar on the teeth;
• fewer options for some kinds of dental care (smokers can be poor candidates for particular treatments, such as implants).

Why take chances? Join the millions of Americans who have successfully quit once and for all. It's not easy, but it is important. You can quit too.

A Dozen Ways to Kick the Habit

1. Develop a list of your own personal reasons for quitting.
2. Set a date to quit in the near future and stick to it.
3. Join a tobacco-use cessation program for support.
4. Enlist the support of your dentist, physician, family, friends and co-workers.
5. Exercise. It may make you feel better about yourself and your decision to quit smoking.
6. Keep your mouth occupied. Sugarless gum may fend off an urge to smoke.
7. Choose a low-stress time to quit, perhaps during a vacation.
8. Don't carry matches or tobacco.
9. Quit the smoking habit all at once-cold turkey.
10. Try all available resources, including audiotapes and videotapes, books, pamphlets, tip sheets and other self-help materials to successfully quit smoking.
11. Ask your dentist or physician about prescribing a pharmaceutical aid-approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration-for use in smoking cessation programs.
12. Don't let setbacks discourage you. Keep trying. And don't be lured back. Tobacco industry advertising and promotions encourage former users to relapse. Don't buy a pack of cigarettes because you slipped up and smoked one or two.

Remind yourself of the great benefits of quitting:

• You'll reduce the risk of oral, lung and other cancers.
• You'll taste and enjoy food again.
• You'll feel more relaxed without nicotine.
• You won't be plagued by "smoker's breath."
• Your family and friends will thank you. You can do it.

For more information, talk to your dentist for advice on preventing oral cancer. Also, call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit the Web site at "www.cancer.org".

American Dental Association

Happy New Year from Bravo Smile! We think any day is a good day to take a step towards your new healthy life why not today! We hope this information is something you may find helpful. We are glad to help you in your journey for a healthy new year. Please contact our dental office here in Portland for Green & Healthy dentistry options!

Bravo Smile
503.222.3591
2075 SW First Ave. Suite 2K
Portland, OR 97201

www.BravoSmile.com

7 Tips For a Healthy Smile In the New Year!

It's no surprise that a bright, white smile makes you appear younger and more attractive. But your mouth is also the gateway to the body, which means the state of your teeth and gums affects your overall health. Follow these seven steps to a better smile.

1. Brush regularly. Brushing is the cornerstone of dental hygiene. It removes food particles that bacteria feed on, cleans teeth, and freshens breath.

2. Floss daily. Flossing removes the bacteria from in between your teeth that your toothbrush does not reach, which helps prevent gum disease. If you are prone to gum disease and cavities, consider visiting your dentist every four months.

4. Eat a healthy diet. Include plenty of dairy and other calcium-rich foods, like kale, in your diet. Calcium helps maintain strong bones and teeth, and the vitamin C in citrus fruits boosts gum health. Also as important as what you eat is what you don't eat ... avoid sugary and sticky foods that stick to the crevices of your teeth.

5. Don't smoke or use smokeless tobacco. People who smoke are four times more likely than nonsmokers to have gum disease, according to a study by the Journal of Periodontology. Using smokeless tobacco increases a person's risk for oral cancers, including lip, tongue, cheeks, and gums. On a smaller scale, tobacco products contribute to bad breath, or halitosis.

6. Whiten teeth. While the benefits are solely cosmetic, with today's products, whitening is a very safe procedure that will not harm your teeth as long as the products are used as directed and you are under the care of a dentist.

7. Contact Bravo Smile in Portland, Oregon and make an appointment!

Bravo Smile
503.222.3591
2075 SW First Ave. Suite 2K
Portland, OR 97201

Help your kids learn healthy habits for life

ARA) - Teaching kids healthy habits can be tough. From learning how to apply sunscreen to knowing how often to bathe, kids need help from mom and dad on caring for their bodies - including their skin, hair and nails.

Some of the American Academy of Dermatology's tips for parents and their children to care for skin, hair and nails include:

* Use peanut butter to get gum out of hair.

* Avoid using hair styling products near the face to prevent acne.

* Wear sunscreen every day to prevent skin cancer and premature aging. Even on a cloudy day, up to 80 percent of the sun's ultraviolet rays can pass through the clouds.

* Don't use tanning beds. There is no such thing as a safe tan.

* Put an ice pack on a bruise to reduce swelling. If it's a bad bruise, elevate the area above your child's heart for about 15 minutes to keep the bruising and swelling to a minimum.

The American Academy of Dermatology provides information about caring for skin, hair and nails for kids ages 8 to 12 and their parents on its Web site, www.KidsSkinHealth.org.

The children's section of the Web site features interactive games with Sammy the Skin Cell where kids can catch bugs, explore mazes and zap ultraviolet rays. The site also explains how skin, hair and nails work and how to take care of them, as well as fun facts including:

* An inch of skin has 650 sweat glands, 20 blood vessels and at least 1,000 nerve endings.

* You lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day.

* Hairstyles that pull the hair, like ponytails and braids, can cause hair loss.

* Fingernails grow faster than toenails, and nails grow faster in the summer than in the winter.

For parents, the Web site provides additional information on how to help their children properly care for their skin, hair and nails, as well as information about adult conditions like rosacea and psoriasis.

The adult tips are more in-depth and range from how to help your child prevent acne to how to know if your child's insect bite is dangerous and should be brought to your doctor's attention.

Courtesy of ARAcontent