Want to look like a "Breaking Bad" extra? Probably not.

Excessive diet-soda drinking could leave you looking like a "Breaking Bad" extra! Research compared the mouths of a cocaine user, a methamphetamine user, and a habitual diet-soda drinker, and found the same level of tooth erosion in each of them. The culprit here is citric acid, which weakens and destroys tooth enamel over time.

March is National Nutrition Month!

March has arrived, and that can only mean one thing--it’s National Nutrition Month! Every March, Dr. Dale, Dr. Platt and thousands of dentists and hygienists celebrate this occasion, and this year is no different. This March, we want you to think diabetes, obesity and periodontal disease, and how healthful eating and physical activity may improve periodontal health.

February is American Heart Month!

If you're worried about heart disease, you can easily spend thousands of dollars each year trying to prevent it, paying hand over fist for prescription medicines, shelves of healthy cookbooks,fitness machines for your home, and a gym membership. Or maybe not. A number of recent studies suggest that you may already have a cheap and powerful weapon against heart disease, strokes, and other heart disease conditions. It costs less than $2 and is sitting on your bathroom counter. It is none other than the humble toothbrush. To learn more about this cheap and powerful weapon click here: http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/features/periodontal-disease-heart-health

Too many candy canes? Combat the effects of sugar with these tips!

Has your child eaten too many candy canes in the past month? It’s hard to find a child that doesn’t love holidays—especially one’s that are accompanied with heaps of candy and treats, like Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Easter.

Here are some simple ways to combat the effects of sugar on your kid’s oral care!

• Save treats like candy, cookies and pies for after mealtime since this is when the amount of saliva produced in the mouth is greater and will therefore better help protect your child’s teeth.
• Dairy acts as a buffer to the acids produced by oral bacteria, decreasing the possibility of tooth decay. So consider serving your children milk or cheese with holiday candies and treats.
• Hard candy can get stuck between kids’ teeth, which can cause cavities. Flossing can help remove the candy particles. Try flossers adorned with your child’s favorite character to help make flossing fun.
• Encourage children to drink more water to help prevent tooth decay. If you choose bottled water, check the label for fluoride content. According to the American Dental Association, fluoridated water can reduce the number of cavities children get in their baby teeth.

Invisalign® – the way to straighten your teeth without braces

Ever wanted to have your teeth straightened but were afraid it might hurt or cost too much?

Our office offers Invisalign® – the way to straighten your teeth without braces.

• The Invisalign system is a ground-breaking technology that straightens your teeth with a series

   of clear, customized, removable aligners. The aligner is a thin piece of medical-grade plastic that

   fits over the teeth like a glove fits on a hand. Hardly anyone can tell you’re going through

   treatment. And, because the aligners are removable, you can eat whatever you want

   during treatment.

·       Straight teeth function better and reduce the risks of tooth wear and fracture which can result in expensive restorative procedures

·       Straight teeth reduce the risk of developing periodontal disease

·       Straight teeth reduce the risk of uncomfortable TMJ pain

• Learn about Invisalign treatment at www.invisalign.com or on our website at

   www.gladstonefamilydental.com. Feel free to share it with your family, friends, and co-workers.

• We also want you to know that our office can work with you to find a financing option that will

   work with your budget.

• To see if Invisalign or Invisalign Teen is right for you or your teenager, please call us at

   (816) 452-3420 to schedule a consultation.

We also offer iTero scanning so that you never need impressions!

Thank you for your commitment to our practice. We hope you, a family member, or one of your friends can benefit from this exciting news.

Sincerely,

The team at Gladstone Family Dental

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) is a collaboration of national public service organizations, professional medical associations, and government agencies working together to promote breast cancer awareness, share information on the disease, and provide greater access to services. Since its inception more than 25 years ago, NBCAM has been at the forefront of promoting awareness of breast cancer issues and has evolved along with the national dialogue on breast cancer. NBCAM recognizes that, although many great strides have been made in breast cancer awareness and treatment, there remains much to be accomplished. Today, we remain dedicated to educating and empowering women to take charge of their own breast health.

Although October is designated as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, NBCAM is dedicated to raising awareness and educating individuals about breast cancer throughout the year.

Dry Mouth

A dry mouth isn't just unpleasant, it's bad for your teeth. Saliva washes away cavity-causing bacteria and neutralizes harmful acids. 

Drink lots of water, chew sugarless gum, use a fluoride toothpaste or rinse, and consider over-the-counter artificial saliva substitutes. See your doctor if it's a frequent problem.