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Our Trip to San Francisco in 2012
for the American Dental Association Meeting!
In October, 2012, our entire office went to a big annual Dental Association meeting for the first time! This was held in San Francisco, California and we were excited to be able to go as an office! We went so that we could take the classes we needed for our continuing education and so that we could make sure that we were up to speed on all the newest and lastest dental information. We decided to go four days early so that we could also take the time to explore and do some office bonding! :)
There were six of us who went...Dr. Bottoms, Lisa (his wife & dental hygienist), Amy (his assistant), Jennifer (our other dental hygienist), Jenna (our office manager), and Jenna's husband, Kerry. Amy had never been on an airplane before so she started out a little nervous. We stopped in Las Vegas and when we got back on the next plane to take us to San Francisco, she hopped into the window seat! She loved it!
We knew we only had four days to see San Francisco because we had three days of classes. So, we had to fit a lot in! We went to Fisherman's Wharf to see the famous sea lions on Pier 39 (loud and smelly but pretty cool) and stopped in at the Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop we'd been hearing about from everyone! YUM! We were very excited to ride the cable cars and they were as fun as we thought they would be! Lots of hills in San Fran so we had some crazy rides! Because of those hills we didn't really enjoy doing a lot of walking so we got very good at the cable car, street car, and bus system! And if you ever get a chance to tour a city on a Go-Car....do it! SO much fun! These cars are like a motorcycle the way that you drive them but have three wheels. There is a GPS system on the radio that tells you where to turn and what you are seeing! Dr. Bottoms loved this tour most of all.... and we went on a food tour so that is saying something! Yes and speaking of our food tour.... we took one through Chinatown and North Beach( their version of Little Italy). We had tea at a tea shop, dim sum at the oldest chinese bakery and authentic pizza! We also got to go to the Fortune Cookie Factory! WE LOVE FOOD! What a great way to learn about a city!
You can't go to San Francisco and not cross the Golden Gate Bridge! In fact, you can't go to San Francisco and not go to Napa Valley! We crossed over the bridge and headed right on to Sonoma and Napa Valley like good tourists! The wine tasting was fun and we loved picking the grapes right off the vine! So good! That day the weather was beautiful and the vineyards were gorgeous! Definitely a great thing to experience!
We also made sure to do a tour of Alcatraz! We did the night tour! CREEPY!
We all had a really good time! Of course the main reason we went to San Francisco was to learn more about our profession! We are proud of our office and try to keep up with the best dentistry we can offer! We came home excited about what we had learned and have been doing regular office meetings since to discuss how we can incorporate these new ideas into our office. The convention had a huge floor show full of all the best and newest dental products and we came home with a few of them. We feel an office that plays together and learns together is an office that is on the same page! We want the best for our patients!
Soda or Pop? It’s Teeth Trouble by Any Name
Posted on May 11, 2011 by adawp
It’s called “pop” in the Midwest and most of Canada. It’s “soda” in the Northeast. And it goes by a well-known brand name in much of the South.
People across North America use different words to identify a sugary, carbonated soft drink. But however they say it, they’re talking about something that can cause serious oral health problems.
Soft drinks have emerged as one of the most significant dietary sources of tooth decay, affecting people of all ages. Acids and acidic sugar byproducts in soft drinks soften tooth enamel, contributing to the formation of cavities. In extreme cases, softer enamel combined with improper brushing, grinding of the teeth or other conditions can lead to tooth loss.
Sugar-free drinks, which account for only 14 percent of all soft drink consumption, are less harmful1. However, they are acidic and potentially can still cause problems.
We’re Drinking More and More
Soft drink consumption in the United States has increased dramatically across all demographic groups, especially among children and teenagers. The problem is so severe that health authorities such as the American Academy of Pediatrics have begun sounding the alarm about the dangers.
How many school age children drink soft drinks? Estimates range from one in two to more than four in five consuming at least one soft drink a day. At least one in five kids consumes a minimum of four servings a day.2
Some teenagers drink as many as 12 soft drinks a day3.
Larger serving sizes make the problem worse. From 6.5 ounces in the 1950s, the typical soft drink had grown to up to 20 ounces by the 1990s.
Children and adolescents aren’t the only people at risk. Long-term consumption of soft drinks has a cumulative effect on tooth enamel. As people live longer, more will be likely to experience problems.
What to Do
Children, adolescents and adults can all benefit from reducing the number of soft drinks they consume, as well as from available oral care therapies. Here are some steps you can take:
Substitute different drinks: Stock the refrigerator with beverages containing less sugar and acid such as water, milk and 100 percent fruit juice. Drink them yourself and encourage your kids to do the same.
Rinse with water: After consuming a soft drink, flush your mouth with water to remove vestiges of the drink that can prolong exposure of tooth enamel to acids.
Use fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinse: Fluoride reduces cavities and strengthens tooth enamel, so brush with a fluoride-containing toothpaste such as Colgate® Total®. Rinsing with a fluoride mouthwash also can help. Your dentist can recommend an over-the-counter mouthwash or prescribe a stronger one depending on the severity of the condition. He or she also can prescribe a higher fluoride toothpaste.
Get professionally applied fluoride treatment: Your dental hygienist can apply fluoride in the form of a foam, gel or rinse.
Soft drinks are hard on your teeth. By reducing the amount you drink, practicing good oral hygiene, and seeking help fromyour dentist and hygienist, you can counteract their effect and enjoy better oral health.
1Harnack L, Stang J, Story M. Soft drink consumption among US children and adolescents: Nutritional consequences. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 1999;99:436-444.
2Gleason P, Suitor C. Childrens diets in the mid 1990s: Dietary intake and its relationship with school meal participation. Alexandria, VA: US Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis, Nutrition and Evaluation;2001.
3Brimacombe C. The effect of extensive consumption of soda pop on the permanent dentition: A case report. Northwest Dentistry 2001;80:23-25.
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