Hookah vs. Cigarettes – Myths Answered

Many American campus-towns have begun to take on a Middle Eastern flair. The exotic practice of smoking flavored tobacco holds great appeal for students too young for the bar scene, who see hookah lounges and their colorful, communal water pipes as a great place to gather with friends.

HOOKAH MYTHS:

The first myth is that the water in the pipe filters out harmful contaminants, making hookah smoking less risky than cigarettes.

FALSE. The smoke from hookahs has been found to contain high concentrations of aerosols, carbon monoxide, nicotine, tar and heavy metals, which are ingested at greater rates than when smoking a cigarette. The charcoals used to heat the tobacco for smoking add to the toxic mix. None of these harmful substances are water soluble, and they are not “filtered out” by the hookah pipe.

During a typical hour-long session, according to a 2005 World Health Organization study, hookah smokers inhale 100 to 200 times the volume of smoke typically inhaled when smoking a single cigarette. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control says the practice raises the risk of oral cancer, lung cancer, stomach cancer and esophageal cancer, along with reduced lung function and decreased fertility. Include the risk of spreading herpes, hepatitis and tuberculosis through shared mouthpieces and you have a recipe for a costly public-health problem.

Hookah smokers are also under the impression that their form of smoking is less addictive than cigarettes.

FALSE. Tobacco consumed in any form is addictive, and hookah tobacco is no exception. Though it may be sweetened, flavored and mixed with herbs and other substances, the tobacco remains nicotine-filled. The greater volumes of smoke involved translate into greater levels of nicotine exposure.

It is time for hookah smoking to be considered what it is: another form of
tobacco use, and one that is, if anything, more dangerous than cigarette
smoking. Public-education campaigns would help get the word out. Policy makers should take steps similar to those in 2009 when the Food and Drug Administration banned cigarettes flavored with clove, fruit or candy that might appeal to young people. Hookah smoking may look exotic, but its impact on public health is going to be all too familiar.

If you are a smoker, Contact Glasscock Dental with any of your oral health concerns.

8430 Univ. Exec. Park Drive Suite 610 Charlotte, NC 28262

READ MORE on the unhappy hookah http://online.wsj.com

Chocolate Toothpaste for The Ultimate Sweet Tooth

INTERESTING NEWS

A substance found in chocolate could actually improve the condition of your teeth, according to groundbreaking scientific research.

A toothpaste called Theodent has recently gone on the market which promises to strengthen the enamel on teeth using a natural extract from the cocoa bean, a key ingredient in chocolate.

The substance called theobromine, was found to strengthen teeth and regenerate enamel by Doctor Tetsu Nakamoto in the 1980s at his laboratory in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Following years of clinical trials, the research scientist was awarded a patent for his trademark ingredient Rennou.

The team behind Theodent say that their product is non-toxic compared to fluoride which is used in the majority of toothpaste brands.

Fluoride helps to prevent gum and tooth disease along with cavities and promotes dental enamel forming. However fluoride can be toxic if swallowed in large amounts.

Dr Arman Sadeghpour, Dr Nakamoto’s business partner, told Wbrz: ‘Theodent is a fluoride free toothpaste. Rennou, our active ingredient works better to re-mineralize the surface of human teeth.’

Theodent, which comes in mint flavor for adults and chocolate for children, is on sale at Whole Foods or at the company’s website for around $10 a tube.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk

Contact Glasscock Dental with any of your oral health concerns.

8430 Univ. Exec. Park Drive Suite 610 Charlotte, NC 28262

Single Men are Looking for Women with Nice Teeth

It’s always on Valentine’s Day when single men and women put the focus on their love life.  Why am I single? Will it just be me and my dog for the rest of my life?  How will I find the perfect mate? Match.com might have some answers for you!

The online dating site, conducted a three-year study of over 5,000 single men and women and came up with a list of the top 10 things men judge women on. The least surprising news? Over half of the list was appearance-based. It makes sense — women have seemed to adjust their getting-ready times accordingly, devoting 136 full days of their lives primping and preening for a night out, according to another 2008 survey.

OK, now are you ready for the surprising news? Match.com found that the most important thing for men is a woman’s teeth, which took the top slot with 58 percent of votes. And all those years you thought your dentist was just being naggy about the whole flossing thing…

Just after teeth, guys are concerned with a lady’s hair (51 percent) and clothes (45 percent).

Moral of the story: Forget pricey hair salons and uncomfortable high heels and focus on smiling. Most importantly, make an appointment with your dentist!

Contact Glasscock Dental with any of your oral health concerns.

8430 Univ. Exec. Park Drive Suite 610 Charlotte, NC 28262

 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/

National Pet Dental Health Month

Sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association, (AVMA) the month of February has been set aside as National Pet Dental Health Month. While the majority of humans don’t consider a trip to the dentist to be one of their top 10 most favorite things to do, it’s no secret that regular dental checkups are essential to maintain overall good health. It’s equally just as important for pet parents to provide regular dental care for their pets.

According to studies made by the American Animal Hospital Association, (AHHA) sadly, 85 percent of dogs and cats over the age of 3 years have already suffered dental or gum disease. Without regular dental care and cleaning, pets can develop gingivitis, (an often painful inflammation of the gums) from the bacterial laden plaque which, if not taken care of on a regular basis, develops into tarter or calculus.

Board president of the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry and certified veterinary dentist, Dr. Brook A. Niemiec said, “Unfortunately, only about one percent of pet owners brush their pet’s teeth. Not only do more pet owners need to brush their pet’s teeth, they should also use chew toys, treats and rawhides to help keep their pet’s teeth clean.”

Dr. Douglas Aspros, President of the AVMA said, “Dental problems are extremely common, and many are very painful and can lead to serious systemic conditions”. He reminds pet guardians that, “an untreated dental infection can spread to the heart, kidneys and other organs, and suddenly become life threatening.”

Although the AVMA is promoting Pet Dental Health Month in February, at the same time the organization is reminding dog and cat owners that in addition to making an appointment with their veterinarian for a complete dental checkup and cleaning, that learning how to brush their pet’s teeth and do so on a regular basis that their veterinarian recommends is equally essential.

Learn the symptoms of pet dental disease which many are hard to ignore. One of the first signs of gum disease is unrelenting bad breath. Additionally, pets may exhibit: difficulty in eating, pawing at their mouth, gums that are sore and red gums, and tooth discoloration caused by tarter.

Contact Glasscock Dental with any of your oral health concerns.

8430 Univ. Exec. Park Drive Suite 610 Charlotte, NC 28262