What’s on your reading list?

With the school year close to winding down for a lot of our patients at Southcenter Dental, we wanted to remind all our patients about the importance of reading. Sure it’s easy to keep putting off reading this time of year, but reading is a vital step in brain development and literacy. And if you needed any more reason to read, May marks “Get Caught Reading Month.”

Today, we thought we’d ask: What's on YOUR reading list? What are some of your all-time favorites? Out of ideas for great reads? Ask us for suggestions, and Dr. Jerome Baruffi and our team would be happy to provide a few. You may also ask a local librarian for some ideas on what to read next!

Happy reading! Be sure to share with us your book picks or your all-time favorite novels or literature on our Facebook page!

How to freshen bad breath, from Southcenter Dental

Dr. Baruffi, your Seattle & Tukwila dentist, recognizes that many of his patients are concerned about bad breath, or halitosis. While some cases of bad breath are persistent (chronic bad breath), generally bad breath is transient, and can be prevented.

We recently came across this helpful video about bad breath and thought it was worth sharing with our patients. The video explains what might cause bad breath and some ways that it can be avoided. In most instances, bad breath can be prevented by practicing common oral hygiene techniques that you have probably heard us emphasize during a visit to Southcenter Dental, such as brushing and flossing daily. We encourage you to watch this video for additional tips on how to keep bad breath at bay. Enjoy!

Ask Dr. Baruffi: What's the deal with dairy?

If dairy is not major part of your diet, it should be! A 2008 study from the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) has found that regular consumption of dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yogurt, can lower your chances of contracting periodontal disease (also known as gum disease).

Gum disease is caused by a bacterial infection in the mouth that affects the gums and jaw. Gum disease results in a loss of teeth and bone, and has been connected to certain cases of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease and osteoporosis.

Results of the study show that adults who consume at least 55 grams of lactic acid a day are less at risk for gum disease. Eating dairy is not just healthy for building strong bones, but is essential for maintaining a strong, healthy mouth. Next time you reach for a quick snack, choose some cheese, or a glass of milk, and remember with each bite, and every sip you are preserving your teeth for a lifetime of smiles and good oral health!

For more information about keeping your teeth healthy, call us at 206.973.8211 or visit our website!

Gum disease and your diet, from Southcenter Dental

Periodontal disease, known also as gum disease, is far more common than you may think. Each year, new studies begin to link the effect gum disease can have on the heart, and our staff at Southcenter Dental have been helping spread the word! One of the simplest steps to achieving healthier gums can be your diet. We recently found a great article outlining several options for healthier gums. Included among the suggestions were:

*Raisins
*Green Tea
*Whole Grains

In addition to these foods being gums-friendly, they are healthy foods in general, and a great option to begin integrating into your diet. Hope these tips help! Enjoy your week!

Southcenter Dental, supporting Oral Cancer Awareness Month

Visiting us at Southcenter Dental on a regular basis will not only help keep your teeth and mouth healthy, but will also help keep the rest of your body healthy as well. The fact is, every hour of every day in the U.S., someone dies of oral cancer, which is the sixth-most common diagnosed form of the disease. The five-year survival rate is only 50 percent, and oral cancer is one of the few cancers whose survival rate has not improved. Since April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, we would like to take this opportunity to remind all of our patients about the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene.

As your dentist, Dr. Baruffi is a specialist who works to diagnose, treat, and prevent oral health problems. Please let us now if you have any questions about your oral health during your next appointment. Take care of your teeth, and smile bright!

Love your smile? Tell the world about it!

Happy Thursday! Whether you've visited Southcenter Dental for a week, months or even years, we'd love to hear your feedback about your experience! There are lots of places on the Web where you may share your reviews, but we'd like to direct you to our Google Places Page to write a review of us - it only takes a moment!

Thank you in advance! See you soon!

- Dr. Baruffi and team

How important is your smile? From Southcenter Dental

At Southcenter Dental, we happily serve the Greater Seattle Area. Our caring dental team is here to assist with all your dental needs including dental checkups, preventative dentistry, sedation dentistry, CEREC® dental restoration, teeth whitening, and more. We look forward to meeting you. And remember, healthy teeth add to a beautiful smile!

And speaking of smiling, in a new poll conducted by Glamour Magazine, people were asked, “If you had to pick between having perfect teeth, eyesight or hair, which would you choose?

Well, 44 percent of folks out there are choosing teeth! In addition, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry conducted a study and found that 99.7 percent of those polled believed a smile is an important social asset. Respondents said straightness, whiteness, cleanliness, as well as the sincerity and sparkle of a person’s smile were all important factors not only socially, but career-wise as well.

Contact our office for an appointment today! We look forward to seeing you!