The particular material used to fill the tooth plays a role in the equation as well.  Though dental amalgam, or silver fillings, has been used for over 200 years and is still backed by the American Dental Association, I have not placed an amalgam filling in over a decade.  This material is currently banned in many European countries and the packaging in which it comes outlines various health risks that may be associated with the mercury it contains.  My concern about dental amalgam is more related to the cracks that it tends to place in teeth.  When mercury expands and contracts with thermal changes, similar to what happens with a thermometer, craze lines and cracks can develop in teeth.  The larger the filling and the more stress a patient puts on the teeth, the higher incidence of cracked tooth syndrome we see.  This syndrome necessitates a crown and at times root canal therapy, and is characterized by biting pain and cold sensitivity.

                Another factor contributing to a filling’s longevity is the dentist’s ability to meticulously apply the attention to detail necessary when placing the fillings.  Varying materials demand different protocol which must be followed precisely in order to extend the lifespan of a filling. The tooth-colored materials are particularly technique sensitive.

                An obvious contributor to early breakdown of any dental restoration is poor oral hygiene and heavy forces placed on these restorations, mainly in the form of clenching or grinding.  Though the majority of adults grind their teeth at night, most people are completely unaware of it.  It is very obvious to a dentist when a patient grinds, however.  A night guard made at the dentist can be a highly effective, inexpensive and conservative solution to this problem.  Ask the dentist if a night guard is right for you and help extend the life of your dental work.

Groupon.com

Provides a deal of the day that will be emailed to you.  You can sign up to receive deals in the St. Louis area or other major cities.  One deal of the day and one side deal will be delivered to your inbox in the same email each day.  The deals are usually good for 33% to 66% savings at restaurants and entertainment venues in the area.  You can receive Groupon Bucks for referring others as well.

GatewayCitySavers.com

This website compiles coupons and deals from St. Louis merchants with a blog highlighting new deals.  Grocery store and restaurant coupons are available for printing.

STLMommy.com  

Great website for the hard-core couponer or those just looking for a few good deals.  STLMommy compiles coupon and store discounts for places like Target, CVS, Walgreens and Schnucks.  Her blog contains information on  printable coupons and discount specials at local vendors.  There is also a link to similar websites in other major cities.

FamilyAttractionsCard.com

You can pick up a St. Louis Family Attractions Card at the customer service desk of most Schnucks, Dierbergs and Shop N Saves in St. Louis.  The card is also available in some St. Louis libraries.  Click on the “Coupon” link on the website and you can download the Family Attractions Card instead.  The card contains coupons for Grant’s Farm, St. Louis Science Center, The Magic House, Gateway Arch, Bounce U, Fitz’s and other St. Louis restaurants and attractions.

MerchantCircle.com

MerchantCircle contains coupons for local businesses, including businesses in the O’Fallon, MO area.  Currently, there are coupons for extermination, draperies and jewelry, as well as several other services in O’Fallon.  You can search MerchantCircle for coupons and discounts in your area.

Redbox.com

Redbox is nationwide, but we have just recently discovered the movie rental savings it provides.  New release movies can be rented for $1/night.  Redbox kiosks are creeping up everywhere making it convenient to rent and return movies.  Redbox often sends codes for free rentals as well.  There are Redboxes conveniently located in O’Fallon, Dardenne Prairie, Lake St. Louis, St. Charles and St. Peters.

Please post a comment if you know of other good websites for saving money in St. Louis.  Enjoy the savings!

O’Fallon Jammin – Concert series every Tuesday night from June 1 – August 24th.  Free concerts from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. at O’Fallon’s Civic Park Bandstand. 

Live Well Expo – Free event with health screenings, nutritional information, a kids’ zone and healthy lifestyle vendors.  Saturday, June 5th from 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Renaud Spirit Center in O’Fallon.

 Movie in the Park – Free event on June 24th from 8:00 – 11:00 p.m. at Renaud Spirit Center in O’Fallon.  Pre-registration is required.  Call 636-474-2732 for more information.

 O’Fallon Heritage and Freedom Fest – Free 4th of July celebration at Ozzie Smith Sports Complex, 900 TR Hughes Blvd, O’Fallon, MO.  Festivities begin with a family night on Friday, July 2nd from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m.  Events and entertainment continue on Saturday, July 3rd and Sunday, July 4th.  Parking and admission are free. 

Alligator’s Creek Triathlon - August 15th at Alligator’s Creek Aquatic Center, 305 Civic Park Drive in O’Fallon, MO.  Triathlon consists of 300 yard swim, 18 mile bike and 5K run.

During the bleaching process patients should abstain from activities that inhibit maximum teeth whitening from taking place.   While the opening of the dental tubules created by the whitening agent allows stain to be pulled from the teeth, it also permits stain to infiltrate the teeth.  Therefore, the less exposure a patient has to these staining elements during the bleaching process, the whiter the teeth may become.  Specifically, in the hours following exposure to the bleaching agent, patients should avoid food and drinks with heavily staining capabilities.  Included in this category are blueberries, tea, coffee and red wine.   Smoking during this process will naturally limit the effectiveness of the teeth whitening product as well.  Also, it is advisable to avoid alcohol based mouth rinses while whitening your teeth because they can cause the whitening agent to be less effective.

Recent technology has led to the creation of a laser cavity detection tool which is FDA approved for dental offices in the United States.  The DIAGNOdent laser cavity indicator provides a handheld wand which the dentist can use in a manner similar to the traditional explorer instrument.  Instead of “picking” into the tooth, the wand is waved over the tooth and an audible tone is emitted when decay is detected.  The tone increases in intensity in tandem with the depth of the cavity.  A digital numeric reading is also displayed, consistent with the degree of the decay.  Laser cavity detection through the use of a DIAGNOdent laser allows penetration through the superficial layer of the tooth and thus captures the true health of the tooth structure below. 

 The DIAGNOdent laser cavity detector allows us to identify small areas of decay so that problems can be resolved before the decay spreads.  This allows for more conservative and less expensive treatment. This invention enables dentists to treat cavities in their early stages, before a root canal or tooth extraction becomes necessary.   

Dr. Logan & Associates use DIAGNOdent laser cavity detection when performing exams.  This is included in the regular cost of the exam and does not cost the patient extra.  Laser cavity detection is quick, pain-free and safe.

Click on the link to see a news story demonstrating the use and benefits of laser cavity detection.

Here are some quick tips for dealing with a tooth that has been chipped or knocked out:

• Have your dentist’s number readily available. Add your dentist’s office as a contact in your cell phone.
• Try to find all parts of the tooth.
• Handle the tooth by the top, not the root.
• Gently rinse the tooth root if it is dirty.
• Apply sterile gauze to stop any bleeding.
• Reinsert the tooth if possible.  If not, store the tooth in a cup of water or milk
• See the dentist as soon as possible.  The sooner a dentist can return the tooth to its socket, the greater chance the tooth has of being saved.
• If braces or wires have broken, cover the sharp edges with gauze, cotton, or gum, but do not try to remove any wires that are stuck in the gums, cheek, or tongue.
• Apply a cold compress to the outside of the mouth to reduce swelling and discomfort.

WebMD outlines the following signs and symptoms of oral cancer which should be investigated further by your dentist or doctor: 

Unexplained bleeding in the mouth,

Persistent sores in the mouth that bleed easily and do not heal within two weeks,

Velvety white, red or speckled patches in the mouth,

Swelling, bumps and rough spots in the mouth or on the lips,

Unexplained numbness or discomfort in any part of the mouth,

Difficulty chewing, swallowing, talking or moving the jaw or tongue,

Soreness or feeling like something is caught in the back of your throat,

Dramatic weight loss,

Change in the way your teeth or dentures fit together.

Some of these symptoms have other more common causes like decay and gum disease.  Regular checkups with a dentist can help recognize unusual symptoms which may indicate oral cancer.  As with any cancer, early diagnosis and treatment is best.

The following sources contain more information on common signs and symptoms of oral cancer.

http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/oral-cancer

http://www.ohancaw.com/hanca-education/

http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/facts/

http://www.livestrong.com/article/10332-spot-signs-oral-cancer/

Personal habits like smoking, drinking wine, and eating certain foods can effect how long the whitening lasts.  Teeth whitening works on natural tooth enamel and will not whiten areas that may need new restorations like areas of decay, old fillings or crowns.  These areas can be treated with new restorations that will match the surrounding teeth that have been whitened.

Many patients have taken advantage of our Lifetime Whitening Program.  For an enrollment fee of half the usual cost of whitening your teeth once, we will make your custom-fit whitening trays and then give you new whitening gel at every recall appointment, as long as you remain a patient in good standing.  Ask about it the next time you are in the office or call today to make an appointment for whitening trays.

Ingredients

10 ounces fresh spinach torn into smaller pieces

1 quart sliced strawberries

1/4 cup slivered almonds

Dressing Ingredients

1/2 cup olive oil

1/2 cup white vinegar

1/2 cup white sugar

2 Tbl sesame seeds

1 Tbl minced onions

1 tsp minced garlic

Layer spinach and strawberries on individual plates.  Whisk the dressing ingredients together.  Drizzle dressing over spinach and strawberries.  Top with slivered almonds.