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Happy Fourth of July

July 1st, 2014

Every year, Americans all over the world celebrate the birth of the country and its independence on the Fourth of July. There are countless ways that people celebrate and they range from community parades and large scale gatherings to concerts, fireworks displays, and smaller scale celebrations among family and friends. For some people, July 4th is synonymous with baseball, while for others it is all about the beach of barbecues. However you celebrate, you can be sure that red, white, and blue is visible everywhere throughout the area.

The Beginnings of Fourth of July Celebrations

Although it wasn't officially designated as a federal holiday until 1941, the actual tradition of celebrating Independence Day goes back to the time of the American Revolution (1775 – 1783). At the time of the American Revolution, representatives from the 13 colonies penned the resolution that ultimately declared their independence from Great Britain. The continental congress voted to adopt the Declaration of Independence on July 2nd of 1776. Two days later, Thomas Jefferson's famous document that is now known as the Declaration of Independence, was adopted by delegates representing the 13 colonies.

First States to Recognize the Fourth of July

In 1781, Massachusetts became the first state (or commonwealth) whose legislature resolved to designate July 4th as the date on which to celebrate the country's independence. Two years later, Boston became the first city to make an official designation to honor the country's birth with a holiday on July 4th. In that same year, North Carolina's governor, Alexander Martin, became the first governor to issue an official state order stipulating that July 4th was the day on which North Carolinians would celebrate the country's independence.

Fun Facts About the Fourth of July

  • The reason the stars on the original flag were arranged in a circle is because it was believed that would indicate that all of the colonies were equal.
  • Americans eat over 150 million hot dogs on July 4th.
  • Imports of fireworks each year totals over $211 million.
  • The first “official” Fourth of July party took place at the White House in 1801.
  • Benjamin Franklin didn't want the national bird to be the bald eagle. He believed that the turkey was better suited to the coveted distinction. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson disagreed with him, and he was outvoted, so the bald eagle became the official bird of the United States.

For many, the tradition is something entirely different. Along the coastal areas of the United States, people may haul out huge pots to have lobster or other types of seafood boils. Others may spend the day in the bleachers at a baseball game, or at a park, cooking a great traditional meal over an open fire. No matter how or where you celebrate, one thing is certain: all Americans celebrate July 4th as the birth and independence of our country.

Dr. Vincent Cardinale and Dr. Chris Moody and our team at Cardinale Dentistry wish you a safe and happy Fourth of July!

Dreaming of a stunning smile without using braces?

June 24th, 2014

Most of us aren’t born with a red carpet smile. And if you’ve thought about straightening your teeth but are apprehensive about doing so with traditional orthodontic treatment, Dr. Vincent Cardinale and Dr. Chris Moody and our team at Cardinale Dentistry want you to know there is another option – Invisalign®!

Invisalign is an ideal solution for most adults looking for a less noticeable way to achieve a better smile. In fact, Invisalign has increasingly become a very popular choice for adults looking for a more comfortable, convenient and cosmetically-appealing treatment for straightening their teeth.

Our team at Cardinale Dentistry is proud to offer Invisalign, which uses a series of invisible, removable and comfortable aligners that no one can tell you’re wearing, which allows you to smile more during treatment, as well as after. Not only are the aligners invisible, they are also removable, so you can eat and drink what you want; brushing and flossing is easier with Invisalign than with traditional braces.

Invisalign’s aligners are also comfortable, with no metal to cause mouth abrasions during your treatment. And no metal and wires usually means you spend less time at our office getting adjustments. Invisalign also allows you to view your own virtual treatment plan when you start, so you can see how your straight teeth will look when your treatment is complete!

A consultation with Dr. Vincent Cardinale and Dr. Chris Moody can determine if Invisalign is right for you. We encourage you to give us a call at our friendly Naples, FL office if you’re interested in learning more about Invisalign or if you are ready to visit us for an initial consultation! We look forward to seeing you!

The Clear Benefits of Invisalign®

June 17th, 2014

Straighter teeth is something many people desire. A nice smile is one of the most attractive things about a person. However, wearing a mouth full of braces for two, three, or more years can be a major pain, both literally and figuratively.

Luckily, there is another option. Invisalign is an alternative to traditional braces. Learn more about the benefits Invisalign offers and why you should consider this exciting method of straightening teeth.

  • When you have straight teeth, your mouth is healthier in general and there is less chance of tooth decay and gum disease. Invisalign makes it possible for more people to straighten their teeth.
  • Invisalign is essentially invisible. You can straighten your teeth without unsightly metal in your mouth.
  • The average cost is similar to that of traditional braces, which makes it affordable for many families.
  • With Invisalign, the aligner trays are smooth and comfortable to wear. Traditional metal braces can be uncomfortable and cause irritation to the mouth.
  • Invisalign is removable, so you do not have to wear the system during special occasions, or when you’re eating. With normal metal braces, you are stuck with them for the entire straightening process.
  • Brushing and flossing are simple. Since the system is removable, you can brush and floss just like normal.

As you can see, Invisalign is an exciting option we provide at Cardinale Dentistry for those who want straighter teeth. If this is something that sounds interesting to you, talk to Dr. Vincent Cardinale and Dr. Chris Moody and find out if it would work for your particular situation. Get started today, and before you know it you will be enjoying your straighter teeth.

For more information about Invisalign, or to schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Vincent Cardinale and Dr. Chris Moody, please give us a call at our convenient Naples, FL office today!

How the Hydro-Floss Works!

June 11th, 2014

We have all heard how important it is to remove plaque and food debris from our teeth and gums. In addition to brushing and flossing, many patients will benefit  from using an oral irrigator.  The concept of oral irrigation is to shoot a stream  of pulsating water out of a nozzle or tip toward the teeth and the gumline. This is effective in removing food debris, germs and bacteria  which remain in areas that  cannot be properly cleaned by brushing and flossing alone.

How the Hydro Floss Works:

The Hydro  Floss is very similar  in function to other irrigators on the market, but  very unique in patient response due to the patented scientific technology at work in the  Hydro  Floss; the science of  Hydro-Magnetics.

The   primary   cause   of   problems   in  our   mouths   is  an  over   abundance  of bacteria.   Bacteria adhere to  the  surfaces in our  mouths  using a  magnetic bond.   You see, the  surfaces in our  mouths  are made  up of  materials that carry a  natural  positive   (+) charge,  bacteria  have  a  natural negative (-) charge. Passing common tap  water  (and it must be tap or  mineral water, pure water is non-polar)  through a very  specific type  of  magnetic  field  reverses the   polarity   of   the minerals  and  ions  conta i ned  in  the  water.   Then   by bombarding   the  inside   of   the   mouth   around   the  teeth  and   gums,  the negatively  charged water reverses the  polarity  of  the materials to which the bacteria adhere.   When  this   reversal  in polarity  occurs, the bacteria are forced to  separate from   the   tooth's surface and  are swept out  with  the other debris from  under  the gums and between the teeth.

By pointing the jet  tip at the  top surface of  the gum at a 90  degree angle to the  tooth's surface and  working your  way around  the margin  of  each  tooth, you allow each  pulse of  the jet  stream to  cause  a compression of  the gum. When   the  gum  rebounds  from   each   compression,  it   creates  a   vacuum (Venturi   effect) that sucks  the  negatively  charged water down  under  the gum into the sulcus.   The negatively  charged water then  causes a reversal  of polarity  in the materials that the  bacteria cling to,  forcing the bacteria to be  repelled   from   the tooth's surface allowing the next   pulse  of  water  to blast  the loosened  bacteria and  other debris out  from   under  the gum and into the  sink.  This irrigation will not remove all bacteria, but  what  it does  do is  keep  bacteria from   reaching   critical  mass  where   they   cause   the  most harm.   Additionally,  this  process creates rifts or  tears in the bio-film  that protects bacterial colonies.   Opening up this  bio-film  will allow medicaments like chlorhex idine  or  other  anti-microbial solutions to  do  a  better job  of eradicating bacteria.

The Hydro Floss is available for purchase in the Cardinale Dentistry office.  Our hygienists can make recommendations on the use of the Hydro Floss and answer any questions you may have!