Fluoride: Good or Bad?

Dr. Sargissian Speaks On the Topic of Fluoride

          Recently, the topic of Fluoride has become a main talking point in the dental industry. On one hand, traditional dentistry maintains that Fluoride treatment, whether applied topically or taken as a supplement, is essential for our oral health. On the other side of things, alternative medicine strongly warns us against the use of such chemicals. The Internet is saturated with arguments both for and against Fluoride. Understandably, people searching for answers may find themselves even more confused after doing online research. In this short article I will explain my practice philosophies regarding Fluoride in attempt to provide a bit of clarity for my readers.

          Sodium Fluoride is the active ingredient in typical dental office treatment. Laboratory studies have shown that Fluoride treatment can reduce enamel solubility and in some cases reduce the amount of bacteria attached to the teeth. While the material used in Fluoride treatment has passed necessary health approvals, I have not been able to find studies involving pregnant women and/or children. Generally, Fluoride is delivered as foam in a shaped tray that the patient (in most cases a child) wears for a period of time. Patients are advised for their safety not to swallow, however try telling that to a four year old. The negative effects of ingestion have not been widely studied. It is my personal belief that fluoride is rarely needed. Eating healthy, non-processed foods as well as maintaining good oral hygiene habits will theoretically protect you from cavities. In some infrequent cases, this is not enough and you may require a few fillings throughout life. In my opinion, this approach to preventing cavities is still less abrasive than filling porous teeth with a chemical barrier. It should be noted that once in a great while, I do see patients who, due to specific health complications, will require some sort of Fluoride treatment. These cases are extremely rare however.

          In my opinion, routine treatment of Fluoride is not necessary so long as proper diet and hygiene habits are followed. The dental profession will continue to discuss the pros and cons to Fluoride but I consider my approach to eliminate the worry surrounding negative effects all together. So are you taking a risk when declining routine Fluoride? Perhaps, in the form of a potential increase for tooth decay. Are we one hundred percent confidant that Fluoride treatment is not negatively affecting our health? I’m afraid we don’t have an answer for that. 

What Healthy Foods Are Eroding Your Teeth? 
(A Note from Dr. Sargissian)

     Children learn at an early age that “candy will rot your teeth”. We are led to believe that if we brush and floss and avoid sugars we wont get cavities. Also, new trends claim to prevent cavities and draw out toxins from the body. As a holistic dentist, I see many patients who are exceptionally health conscious, diligent on brushing and flossing, and overall take extremely good care of their bodies. I must not fill very many cavities then right? Wrong!

     Patients with diets high in fruits and greens often come to me with cavities and state that previous diagnosis has said that they must have cavities because they don’t receive enough calcium. Although I believe diet is a culprit of cavities, I don’t believe the cavities are due to lack of calcium. I will always be one to promote a balanced and healthy diet, but it should be understood that a diet rich in fruits and veggies does not guarantee a healthy mouth. Most people know that lemons and limes contain high levels of citric acid, but did you know that most fruits, veggies, wine, and even sourdough bread have citric acid in them? Over time citric acid can cause erosion to the enamel that protects the surface of our teeth. Once this enamel begins to wear down, the tooth is exposed to whatever sugars and acids are put into the mouth and decay occurs more readily. In order to help prevent decay, drink lots of water, look into high alkaline fruit and veggies, and maintain a daily brushing and flossing routine.

          Before taking the word of one opinion, or following new health fads, please remember to do your own research and use your best judgment. Finally, remember that oral care at home should be a supplement to regular visits to your dentist and hygienist. 
Best, 
Dr. Sargissian

Welcome Letter

 

Greetings Patients,

Welcome to our practice, and thank you for selecting us as your dental and over all health team! Rest assured that our team offers exceptional dental care, superior patient service and amazing results!

Dr. Victor Sargissian provides state-of-the-art techniques using the most advanced technologies holistic dentistry has to offer. This includes the safest mercury and heavy metal restoration removal protocols. He utilizes digital radiography, Invisalign, CEREC same-day crowns technology, as well as ozone and laser treatments to ensure your best care . Visit our website at www.ashwooddental.com for more information on the doctor, our team, and our office.

It is our desire to provide for your dental needs both thoroughly and efficiently. The initial appointment includes a comprehensive examination, a discussion on treatment plan and the procedures involved, and, when indicated, we will go ahead and get started with taking care of your overall dental health needs. We will also discuss treatment length and costs.

We understand that dental care is a personal as well as a financial investment. Therefore, many of our patients have questions regarding dental fees and financial arrangements. For your convenience we offer several payment options: a pre-payment courtesy, in-office financing at no interest, and third party financing.

Again, we welcome you to our office and look forward to seeing you! We can’t wait to make your visit special and your smile beautiful!

Sincerely,

Dr. Sargissian and Staff

We love to see you smile!

A note from Dr. Sargissian

“Can I just get a regular cleaning”?

One of the questions that my staff and I occasionally encounter regards the frequency of dental cleanings. Advertisements would like us to believe that using certain products will give that “professional cleaning” feeling. The majority of dental insurances compensate for cleanings based on a six-month or twice a year interval. But, does this mean we all need two cleanings a year? This would be true if all mouths were the same. We know that’s not the case.

While most of us strive to have perfect at-home oral care, the truth is many patients fail to have flawless oral hygiene report from the dentist. It’s not uncommon for patients who insist that they brush twice a day and floss every day to be told they have a cavity or two. What is also interesting is that we see patients with very poor hygiene habits who are seemingly immune to cavities and inflamed gums. Why is that? While the exact reason for this is still being isolated, recent research shows that individual differences such as genetics, saliva PH, diet, and stress are contributing factors. There also seems to be a correlation between the systemic inflammatory reaction and gum inflammation as well as between oral bacteria and systemic bacterial infections. Most notably, bodily bacterial infections and inflammation of the heart have been linked to poor oral hygiene. This means that if your mouth is not healthy, chances are, you’re not healthy.

The health care world no longer sees the mouth as a separate entity from the rest of our body. More and more medical professionals understand how a cleaner mouth can lead to a healthier body. Therefore, just as no two people have the same medical history, no two people will have the same needs for the frequency of their teeth cleanings. My hygienists and I perform a careful evaluation and recommend a frequency that is most suitable for you. We believe that maintaining your periodontal health has a direct result in maintaining overall health. Regardless of what advertisements would like us to believe, a professional cleaning can only be done in the office and that’s the only proven way to maintain a healthy mouth and body. Here at Ashwood, my staff and I are always happy to discuss your individual oral health and create a personalized hygiene plan for you.

Ashwood Dental is Going Green!

    Ashwood Dental has big news! We have just become members of the Eco Dentistry Association! This is an educational association for both dentists and patients that provides information on being a green business and leading a green lifestyle. Ashwood Dental has always believed that conservation of our world is extremely important and that both businesses and individuals should do their part to protect this planet. As the only member of the Eco Dentistry Association in Ventura, our office will be going a step further to fully "green" our practice. Ashwood has decided to partake in the Eco Dentistry Association's GreenDoc Program. This program provides a comprehensive eco-friendly model to implement in the office. Dental practices are given points based on their initiatives in categories such as waste reduction, innovation, and community contribution. Through a series of action plans and checks, Ashwood hopes to progress through the bronze, silver, and gold levels of the GreenDoc program. You can  learn more about environmentally safe products and practices at        Eco Dentistry Inform Yourself

We hope you will follow our journey towards becoming GreenDoc certified on our Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter!