Who is the President’s Dentist?

It’s a mystery. According to one web site, an Army Dental Corp Chief stated that there is a highly secure clinic at the National Military Medical Center, where Presidents go for dental care, and are seen by a Navy dentist. Another web site reports that the National Naval Military Center in Bethesda, MD has an entire floor of a wing dedicated to the President’s health care, including dental. Just as mysterious as President Obama’s Dentist, is the maze of dental insurance. Only 50% of Americans have dental insurance, but 100% of Americans need dental care. Unfortunately, not everyone knows there are a variety of ways to pay for a dentist and dental care. There are more choices than just traditional dental insurance and those choices can save you money on your dental care. If you are exploring alternative ways to pay for your dental care, here are some things to investigate: Dentist Choice: Just like health insurance, some dental insurance plans will restrict you to only certain dentists while others will give you your choice. Choice of Treatment: Some dental insurance plans will restrict payment to the cheapest treatment for a condition, although there may be other treatment choices available. What is Covered: A good dental insurance plan should cover two cleanings a year with no fee or office visit. X-rays and fluoride treatments are also usually covered at no additional cost. Appointment Scheduling: Some dentists limit scheduling times for certain dental insurance participants. (Wiemeyer Dentistry does not.) Price: Dental plans are usually worth the premium cost. An employer sponsored dental insurance plan is usually the best deal and typically will cost a family much less than if they paid for the dental procedures without dental insurance. If you have any other questions about Dental Insurance - or celebrity Dentists - ask your Dentist at Wiemeyer Dentistry.

Teeth Stains, The Unusual Suspects

Everybody knows coffee and smoking will stain your teeth, but there are some less obvious culprits that can do just as much damage. Here's a list of unusual suspects.
Tea
People think of tea as healthy, but it definitely doesn't keep your teeth white -- especially not black tea. Even herbal and white teas may erode tooth enamel priming your teeth for stains.
Sauces
Dark sauces like soy sauce, tomato sauce, and curry sauce may potentially stain your teeth.
Sports Drinks
Acidic drinks -- like sports or energy drinks -- lead to tooth discoloration by eroding tooth enamel, allowing other foods and drinks to stain your teeth.
Wine
If you're concerned about a drink staining your shirt or table cloth, it can probably stain your teeth. Red wine is well known to cause tooth discoloration. White wine doesn't stain, but its acids prime your teeth for staining.
Berries
Blueberries, blackberries, cherries, pomegranates, and other richly colored fruits stain teeth due to their deep pigments.
Soda
Soda and other carbonated drinks are infamous for tooth discoloration. Many contain additives and acids that actually approach levels found in batteries!
Sweets
Blue lollipops don't just make your tongue blue. Hard candies stay in your mouth for prolonged periods, amplifying their staining affect. Sugarless mints and gum are always a better choice.
Beat the Stains!
Many tooth-staining foods and drinks like berries, sauces and red wine are rich in antioxidants, which are beneficial to your health. Like everything, these are best consumed in moderation. Swallow drinks swiftly, or use a straw when possible. Be sure to be vigilant about flossing and brushing and keep up-to-date with your visits to Wiemeyer Dentistry.
KÖR Whitening
If you've indulged in these treats a bit too much over the Winter, Wiemeyer is running a super sale on KÖR Whitening all February. Just visit our site or give us a call to schedule an appointment.

The Magic of Fluoride On January 25, 1945 Grand Rapids, Michigan became the world’s first city to adjust the level of fluoride in its water supply. Since that time, fluoridation has dramatically improved the oral health of tens of millions of Americans. Today, approximately 72% of the U.S. population served by public water systems receive the benefit of optimally fluoridated water. Fluoridation of community water supplies is simply the adjustment of the existing, naturally occurring fluoride levels in drinking water to an optimal fluoride level recommended by the U.S. Public Health Service (0.7 - 1.2 parts per million) for the prevention of tooth decay. Wiemeyer Dentistry Founder, Dr. Peter Wiemeyer has worked as a dentist in Duxbury for over 40 years.  He can attest that water fluoridation has definitely reduced the incidence of cavities among children. In the 1970’s, it was normal for a child to need a few fillings each time he or she came in. Today, we have a large population of patients that have never had a cavity. Too much ingested fluoride can be a bad thing. Overexposure to fluoride can cause a condition called dental fluorosis. The highest risk of fluoride overexposure occurs between the ages of one to four years old, and the child is no longer at risk after 8 years of age. In its mild forms (which are its most common), fluorosis often appears as unnoticeable, tiny white streaks or specks in the enamel of the tooth. In its most severe form, tooth appearance is marred by discoloration or brown markings. What we have found is that the vast majority of fluorosis cases are in children who live in non-fluoridated communities and take fluoride supplements. Therefore, we do not recommend fluoride tablets to our patients in fluoridated communities. We feel that water fluoridation is the best way to receive the optimal concentration of fluoride for reduction of cavities. We’d love to answer any questions that you may have regarding fluoride, so please ask when you come in for your next visit.

Senior Dental Care With proper care and regular dental visits, there's no reason Seniors can't keep their teeth for life. Tooth loss is simply the result of oral disease - not the aging process. Here's what Seniors should be aware of to have super oral health:   Periodontal (gum) disease This starts as gingivitis, caused by the bacteria present in plaque. Gums may be red, swollen and bleed with brushing. If left untreated, this can progress to receding gums and periodontal pocketing (gaps between the teeth and gums), which weaken the teeth and bone and could eventually result in tooth loss.  Dry mouth, or Xerostomia Dry mouth occurs when the salivary glands do not produce enough saliva. Many cases of dry mouth are side effects of many over the counter and prescription drugs. Saliva is nature's way of helping us clean our teeth. The lack of normal salivary flow can lead to an increase in cavities, gingivitis and other mouth infections. Dry mouth can be helped by staying well hydrated. Biotene offers a full line of products that can help alleviate dry mouth symptoms triggered by medications, diabetes, Sjögren’s Syndrome or a variety of other causes.  Difficulty brushingIf you have arthritis, you may find it difficult to brush and floss for good oral health care and prevention of disease. Electric toothbrushes can help by doing some of the work for you.  Oral Cancer If you notice any red or white patches on your gums or tounge, or sores that do not heal within a few weeks, see your dentist for an oral cancer screening.  Travel and Mobility If you're not currently driving, ask family members for a ride to your dental visits. Seniors planning to enter a nursing home should inquire about on-site dental care.  Overall HealthStudies have shown that maintaing a healthy mouth may keep your body healthier and help you avoid diabetes, heart disease and strokes. We'd be happy to put together an individualized dental wellness plan for you at your next visit.

Top Ten List: Cavity Causes We have some good news and some bad news for you this month. The bad news is everyone has hundreds of types of germs in their mouths. Yuck. The good news is that only one type causes cavities, and your risk for cavities can be minimized by avoiding some bad cavity-causing habits. Here's a top ten list of some of the things you may be doing that put you at a high risk for cavities.10. Snacking after brushing before bed Unless you're only eating celery, if you eat before you go to bed, your teeth are being exposed to the debris in your teeth all night long. It's the length of time your teeth are exposed to sugars that really causes the problem!9. Coffee with sugar It's not the coffee, it's the sugar. Lots of people drink coffee all day long, making for long periods of exposure to the sugar in their coffee. Coffee with no sugar or artificial sweeteners are just fine and dandy.8. Sports drinks Both kids and adults love to drink sports drinks while being active. They're marketed as being good for you, but they are not good for your teeth. Beyond the sugar, they have acids that make your teeth susceptible to the cavity germ. It's a double whammy!7. Hard candies Altoids and lemon drops stay in your mouth for a long time. Breath Savers are fine because they don't contain any sugar.6. Sweet cocktails Now that the Summer has wound down you may not be sipping on a margarita as you read this, but next time you order a sweet cocktail remember to brush as soon as you get home - but don't drive!5. Prescription medications They're probably hundreds of prescriptions like anti-depressants, anti-anxiety pills and blood pressure medications that share the side effect of "dry mouth". Dry mouth is caused by low salivary flow. Saliva helps protect teeth from cavities by neutralizing acids, so the less saliva, the more prone you can be to cavities.4. Over the counter medications Many medications like allergy medications have the same effect as prescription medications. After all, medications like Allegra and Claritin, are meant to dry you out! Remember, the medications don't give you cavities - they make you susceptible to cavities when you eat sugar.3. Old dental work trapping food If you have old dental work, it could have aged enough to break down and allow gaps for food to hide in your teeth and expose them to sugar for long periods of time. A quick check-up with your dentist can save you a long trip to the dentist in the future.2. Braces It's a part of life for many of us. The good ol' metal mouth traps food like little magnets. It's important to follow your Doctor's advice on how best to keep your teeth clean during this time in your dental life.1. Avoiding your dentist! If you don't see your dentist for your regularly schedules appointments you're just begging to get cavities. Flouride treatments, regular cleanings and check ups are the best thing you can do to keep yourself cavity-free.

What Causes Cavities? Dr. Andy on WATD-FM


Recently I returned to the air waves on WATD-FM. I talked about what exactly a Prosthodontist does, and talked about what causes cavities - so you can avoid getting them! Please have a  listen...

Dr. Andy on WATD-FM!

This week I had the pleasure of giving a fun and informative interview on WATD-FM. Please have a  listen...