Juicy fruits and fruit juices are not the same thing

A recent article on the Fit Day website posed the question about fruit and vegetable juice drinks and whether they were healthy and nutritious. The marketing claims aside, these products are touted as counting towards your 5-9 daily requirement of fruits and vegetables with added benefits of green tea and antioxidants, but does this mean you can drink your veggies and be done with it? Not really.

According to the article, "The juice you're drinking may be just a glassful of sugar, cleverly disguised as something healthy. Some juices contain added vitamins, including vitamins C, E, B2, B3, B6, B12, and beta-carotene (which don't have to be added to whole fruits and vegetables because many are naturally rich in these nutrients). Other juices add caffeine or even oil to their products."

Clever marketing makes consumers think they are getting a lot of value drinking these juices, but nothing compares to actually eating the fruits and vegetables. Reading juice labels is very important to make sure there is no high fructose corn syrup.  I follow the guideline of not drinking my calories.

While there is still debate as to whether or not some caffeine in drinks is hepful or not, there is nothing more refreshing than a bite of fresh fruit or fresh steamed vegetables from the local farmer's market.

Don't forget to visit Dr. Tav's website for more information on keeping your teeth healthy. 

Mouth to Body Link - Periodontal Disease

Did you know that healthier gums can lead to a healthier body? People with Periodontal Disease are twice as likely to have heart disease and stroke than those without. Pregnant women with periodontal disease are  seven times more likely to have premature and underweight babies. For a long time, risk factors such as smoking, alcohol and drug use were known to contribute to risky pregnancies. Now periodontal disease can be added to the list.


According to an American Academy of Periodontology Study, "Infections in the mouth can play havoc elsewhere in the body. For a long time it was thought that bacteria was the factor that linked periodontal disease to other infections in the body, however, research now demonstrates that inflammation may link periodontal disease to other chronic conditions.

If you have Heart disease, Osteoporosis, Osteopenia, High stress or Diabetes, talk to your dentist today!

Visit the Tavormina Dentistry website for more information on keeping your teeth healthy.

Turn that frown upside down

Tooth loss doesn't have to stop you from smiling - an implant or bridge can restore your smile back to its youthful appearance.  Dental implants and bridges are two of the most common tooth-replacement solutions in cosmetic dentistry.  In addition to improving aesthetics, both solutions also help to prevent additional tooth loss.

Implants provide a fixed strutcture for crowns to replace missing teeth.  They look, feel, and function like natural teeth, and they preserve the surrounding teeth.

If your gum tissue and bone are healthy, you may be a good candidate for implants.  Implants are metal posts that are placed under your gums into the dental bone.  Eventually, an implant fuses with the jaw bone and serves as an artificial tooth root.  A replacement tooth is then attached to the implant.

Bridges are either fixed or removable.  They fit your bite and match the color of surrounding teeth and they prevent the remaining teeth from shifting.

If you have a single missing tooth surrounded by teeth with large silver fillings, a bridge may work best for you.  To create a bridge, crowns are placed on the teeth surrounding the missing tooth, and then a third crown is placed in the gap.

In either case, Bridges or Implants can put that smile back on your face and self confidence back in your stride.

For more information on Bridges and Implants, visit http://DrTav.com.

Look into my eyes, you're getting sleepy...okay wake up, it's over!

Many people put off caring for their teeth for years because they are afraid to go to the dentist. Conscious Sedation enables patients with such a fear to have their dental procedures done without any anxiety or memory of the treatment.

Oral medication is given to the patient before their dental treatment and they are given time to relax fully before any work is started. Most patients fall asleep and those who don't are totally relaxed. The dentist trained in conscious sedation interviews the patient before any medication is given so that they can provide the anxious patient the medication or combination of medications that will work best.

Dental phobic patients find it difficult to believe they can't remember a thing. They can't believe it when they wake up and are told the dentistry is all done. They can't believe it, but they are very happy indeed!

For more information on Conscious Sedation, visit http://DrTav.com.

Tongue Piercings - Nothing to Smile About

"Playing" with a pierced tongue stud could lead to a gap between the front teeth, according to a new study conducted at the University at Buffalo in New York.  The study suggests that tongue piercings could be a major cause of unnecessary orthodontic issues.

The report claims that those with tongue piercings were likely to push the metal stud up against their teeth and consequently cause gaps and other problems. Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr. Nigel Carter, said the study highlighted the risks that tongue piercings have on oral health. In addition to causing an apparent gap, oral piercings can also lead to chipped teeth. Over time, constant pressure can move teeth, resulting from people playing with their studs, crops up in a very high percent of the cases studied. Tooth damage was common in both past and present case studies.

The study concluded that tongue piercings could result in serious injuries, not just to teeth, but to other parts of the body, as well. It has been known to be associated with hemorrhages (bleeding), infections, trauma to the gums, and, in worst cases, brain abscesses.  The results of the study were published in the Journal of Clinical Orthodontics.

For more information on steps you can take to keep a healthy and happy smile on your face, visit http://DrTav.com.