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Many dentists and hygienists recommend fluoride treatments for their adult patients. You might ask yourself, “Do I really need a fluoride treatment? I thought those were just for my kids.” After all, most insurance plans cover fluoride treatments only up to the age of 18.

What you need to know as a dental consumer is that studies have shown topical fluoride applications performed by a dental professional create a significant benefit for adults who have moderate to high risk for cavities.

There are several circumstances that warrant extra fluoride protection among adults. Many prescription medications reduce saliva flow or otherwise create dry mouth. A reduction in saliva increases cavity risk.

Adults often experience gum recession, which exposes part of the root surface of teeth. These areas are softer than the hard enamel at the top of the tooth, which makes them more susceptible to decay.

In addition, adults often get restorative work such as crowns or bridges. Fluoride can help protect the margins of these restorations, ultimately protecting your investment.

Today many people opt for orthodontic treatment (braces) as adults. Braces make it more challenging for patients to maintain good oral hygiene. Just ask your kids! Fluoride can keep the teeth strong and cavity-free even with the obstacle of orthodontic appliances.

Have you had a restoration done within the last year due to new decay? If you have, that puts you at a higher risk for cavities. Fluoride treatments are a great way to prevent more cavities in patients who are already prone to them.

How is that flossing coming along? You know you should floss daily, but do you? If your oral hygiene is not ideal, fluoride could be just the thing to keep your neglect from leading to cavities between your teeth.

Fluoride can also help with the growing problem of sensitive teeth. Diets high in acidic foods and beverages, general gum recession, and increased use of whitening products all tend to produce sensitive teeth. Fluoride treatments re-mineralize tooth enamel and reduce that sensitivity.

Patients who undergo radiation treatment for cancer also benefit from topical fluoride applications. Radiation damages saliva glands, thus greatly reducing the flow of saliva. Saliva acts as a buffer against the foods we eat and beverages we drink. Once again, less saliva greatly increases the risk of cavities.

If one or more of these conditions applies to you, consider requesting a topical fluoride treatment. Be sure to ask Dr. Vincent Cardinale and Dr. Chris Moody at your next appointment whether you might benefit from a topical fluoride application.

Earth Day began in 1970 as an event to raise awareness of our environment. What began as a single day in April is now recognized around the world to bring attention and education to global environmental issues. Conserving our natural resources, reducing water and air pollution, and developing green technologies are all ways in which we can improve the environment around us.

Reduce, Recycle, and Reuse

One of the easiest ways to participate in Earth Day is by simply reducing the amount of refuse that ends up in landfills. Many communities have recycling programs for paper, plastic, and metal refuse. By keeping recyclable items out of landfills, we reduce the need for new disposal space and the amount of energy needed for burning refuse. Recycling products also helps conserve the resources that are used in making new products.

You can save money by reducing your consumption of many everyday products. Single disposable water bottles can be recycled but they are costly. By using filtered faucet water, you can conserve your financial resources. Disposable paper towels can also be wasteful. Consider reusable cleaning rags for the majority of your chores.

Reusing items saves both the environment and your finances. A large number of products can be re-purposed to create a new item. Old furniture can be remade into a new piece. Old clothing can be used for craft items. If you are not able to find ways to reuse your old items, donate them to a charity. Remember to continue your positive environmental steps on a daily basis.

Other things you can do to improve the environment

Everyone, young or old, can find ways to participate in improving the environment. Some ideas include:

• Planting trees
• Picking up litter
• Reducing energy consumption
• Walking, bicycling, or carpooling to work or school
• Disposing of hazardous waste properly
• Using rain barrels to conserve water for plants

Earth Day is designed to appreciate and celebrate the health of the earth. Keeping the earth healthy is important, but keeping your mouth healthy is important, too. Healthy teeth and gums contribute to your overall health and well-being, so remember to call our team at Cardinale Dentistry to schedule an appointment. Have a happy and healthy Earth Day, from Dr. Vincent Cardinale and Dr. Chris Moody!

We know our Cardinale Dentistry patients have busy lives and we always appreciate when they take the time and effort to write something kind about us online!

Here's some of our most recent feedback... we have the most amazing patients!

- I've been going to the dentist regularly my entire life and Dr. Cardinale and staff is without a doubt, the best I've ever been to!  Thanks for providing such a friendly and great experience!

- I was vacationing in Florida.  I had a dental emergency and found Dr. Cardinale on the internet.  The receptionist was very nice and Dr. Cardinale saw me within 2 hours of my call.  The doctor and his staff were wonderful, friendly and competent.

- Excellent experience

- Thank you for caring

- Technician was EXCELLENT as usual

- Very respectful staff.  They seem to be up on all the current dental practices.  Everyone seems technically sound.

- FAST AND CLEARLY EXPLAINED

- Kenny is awesome!

- Martha was excellent

- Ken is a fabulous hygienist

- Excellent!

- Thank you all, you are wonderful.  I already recommended your facility to a friend and her husband.

- Very  pleased with my experience.  Love the office decor.  Dr. Moody was excellent and when I was having a few problems, listened to me.

- Kenny does an outstanding job, always friendly and professional, and is a great asset to your office.

- Dr. Cardinale and his staff are always friendly, professional, and caring.  I appreciate the honesty and thoroughness of their treatment.

- The staff are always very courteous and go above and beyond to get an appointment or answer any questions.  This office definitely cares about its patients.  Every visit is always a welcoming atmosphere.  Dr. C and Ken do the best job on taking care of my teeth!

- Jody did an excellent, professional procedure.

- This was my first visit with Dr. Cardinale.  I found the service and professionalism to be a 5 star experience.

- I love the office colors and decor.  The amount was seamless.  Dr. Moody fixed my problems (without a root canal) Love him!

- Dr. Cardinale is a very warm and caring doctor.  This shows in his staff.  You can feel the specialness of his practice when you are there, it is in the air.  Dr. Cardinale does beautiful work.  Other dentists have commented on his work that he has done.

- A great dental experience.  Emergency services taken care of within one hour of calling.  Superb caring dentists and assistants.

- Jody is one of the best hygienists I have worked with--very thorough and educational visits.

At Cardinale Dentistry, we know many people have experienced some form of mouth sores or irritation. Some mouth sores are harmless and go away on their own after a few days, while others are more serious and should not be ignored. Mouth sores occur for many different reasons, but bacterial infections, viruses, or funguses often trigger them. The best way to tell the difference between a canker sore and a cold sore is that canker sores occur inside the mouth while cold sores occur on the outside the mouth.

The most common mouth sores are:

Canker sores: A non-contagious, small, grayish ulcer with a red border, canker sores appear inside the mouth. While outside factors such as stress, fatigue, or allergies may increase the chances of developing a canker sore, most health experts believe they stem from bacteria or a virus that attacks the immune system. Canker sores typically heal within a week or two.

Cold sores: Also called fever blisters, cold sores are contagious groups of fluid-filled blisters that often erupt around the lips and sometimes under the nose or around the chin. Cold sores are the result of the herpes simplex virus, and once infected, the virus remains in the person’s blood stream.

Leukoplakia: A potential warning sign of oral cancer, leukoplakia is a premalignant lesion that appears as a white patch on the inside of the mouth, tongue, or gums. The lesions, which are caused by excessive cell growth, usually afflict those who smoke tobacco. Dr. Vincent Cardinale and Dr. Chris Moody may choose to have the lesion biopsied if the outbreak appears severe.

Oral candidiasis: Also called oral thrush or moniliasis, this condition is caused by the overgrowth of a type of yeast called candida. Common symptoms of oral candidiasis include white spots inside the mouth and on the tongue, redness or discomfort in the mouth area, sore throat,difficulty swallowing, and cracking at the corners of the mouth. It is important to visit Dr. Vincent Cardinale and Dr. Chris Moody if you have oral candidiasis. If left untreated, it may infect your bloodstream, which can be very dangerous. Healthy adults do not usually get thrush, and the condition is most often seen in infants, the elderly, patients undergoing chemotherapy, or people with AIDS or other diseases that are known to weaken the immune system.

Should you have a mouth sore that lasts a week or longer, we encourage you to give us a call and schedule an examination at our Naples, FL office.