The Smile You’ve Always Wanted with Invisalign!!

Getting your teeth straightened isn’t something just for teenagers anymore. Many adults just like you who have felt uncomfortable with their smiles now have straight, healthy teeth. You can, too! If you weren’t able to get your teeth straightened when you were younger, now is the time to find out more about Invisalign–the clear alternative to metal braces and wires.

Treatment with Invisalign is quick and easy. With Invisalign, you don’t wear metal braces. Instead, your teeth are straightened by wearing a series of clear plastic aligners, or clear braces. The aligners are so inconspicuous that most people won’t be able to tell you’re wearing them. You’ll wear each set of clear aligners for about two weeks at a time, while your teeth move little by little toward the smile you’ve always wanted. The aligners are worn all the time, except when you’re eating, drinking anything but water, brushing, and flossing. Because the clear aligners are removable, you can still eat all your favorite foods.

We can’t tell you exactly how long your treatment will take. But, on average, Invisalign treatment takes about one year. The cost of treatment is similar in cost to traditional braces. In addition, if you have orthodontic coverage, Invisalign is often covered to the same extent as traditional braces. Dr. Duke also offers a variety of affordable payment plans. Our office will be happy to work with you on all of the insurance and financial details.

Be one of the many patients Dr. David Duke has treated who are enjoying their new smiles. Call our Salt Lake City Dental office today at 801-355-2202 for a free consultation or check out our website for more information.  Don’t hold back–straight teeth are now within your reach!

Five Foods That Fight Bad Breath!

Bad breath results from two key issues: oral hygiene and gastrointestinal health. Basically this means that breath odors originate not just inside the mouth but also from your digestive tract. The culprit in both cases is largely bacteria. Doctors will tell you that if you have bad breath, you should first make sure you are eating right (getting a balanced diet of protein, carbs, lots of fruits and veggies and plenty of fluids to keep the GI tract healthy) and brushing and flossing after every meal. But that still doesn’t mean you might not be offending your friends and co-workers after lunch at the new Italian place. Here are some things you can ingest (or chew) that can help.

1. Chew on this. Move over parsley, there are some new halitosis-fighting herbs in town. “Coriander, spearmint, tarragon, eucalyptus, rosemary and cardamom are all good for fighting bad breath,” says Dr. Christine Gerbstadt, who has lectured on oral health. You can chew on fresh herbs or make tonics by steeping them in hot water (as a tea). These herbs make an excellent digestive as well-doubling the benefits of ending a meal this way.

2. Get some active culture. No, not Cirque du Soleil, but yogurt. A recent study found that a serving of yogurt each day reduces the level of odor-causing hydrogen sulfide in the mouth. Apparently it also cuts back on bacteria in the mouth-plaque and gum disease were reduced in the study’s yogurt eaters as well. Plus, the American Dietetic Association (ADA) recommends getting enough vitamin D from yogurt, cheese and milk if you’re worried about halitosis because this vitamin creates an inhospitable environment for bacteria growth. Be sure to get the kind of yogurt with active cultures-not overly processed or sugar-added varieties.

3. Crunchy types. Apples, carrots, celery-basically any fiber-rich fruit or vegetable is your friend when it comes to fighting halitosis. “Inside your mouth, plaque build-up causes odors,” explains Cynthia Sass, ADA spokeswoman and registered dietician. “Eating foods that increase saliva production keep the mouth moist-and rinsed out. Also, many carbs and proteins can get stuck in your teeth-even healthy foods like whole grain cereal or chicken breast.” So follow a meal with a Granny Smith (feel the saliva kick in at the mention of it?) to cleanse the mouth.

4. Masking techniques. Sugarless gum shouldn’t replace brushing your teeth after a meal, but in a pinch it can freshen breath (masking odors) and is another way to increase saliva production to rinse away plaque and bacteria. Mints can mask as well, but only briefly-and go for sugarless. Sugar creates plaque, and no one wants a mint that makes breath worse.

5. High C’s. Eating berries, citrus fruits, melons and other vitamin C-rich foods create an inhospitable environment for bacteria growth. A diet rich in vitamin C is also is important for preventing gum disease and gingivitis-both major causes of halitosis. Get your C in foods, not supplements, which can cause gastrointestinal upset in some, according to Sass, and exacerbate bad breath.

SOURCE: Marin Gazzaniga for MSN Health & Fitness

History was made in the NFL as the New Orleans Saints capture the Super Bowl Title.

History was made in the NFL as the New Orleans Saints capture the Super Bowl title. The Saints achieved a milestone two weeks ago when they captured the NFC title, a first in their franchise’s history, only to journey to the greatest showdown of their careers and end it with the most spectacular triumph! Tracy Porter, a PPM devotee, intercepted a pass thrown by Colt’s quarterback Peyton Manning, a defining moment leading to the Saints stunning victory. Not too long ago, Jon Gruden, color analyst and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Oakland Raiders Head Coach talked about a new sports product created by Dr. Anil Makkar called the Makkar PPMTM. Gruden cited the recent success of the Saints and claimed that the mouth guard has unleashed game-changing performance benefits in balance, strength, flexibility, range of motion and endurance. That product was in the mouths of a number of team members as they experienced their best season and clinched the greatest victory that created a new chapter in the franchise’s history!

How does it work?

“When the jaw is down and forward, the back of your neck starts aligning with the back of your spine. When you have total alignment you have increased strength, balance, range of motion, and an increase in flexibility and endurance,” said Dr. Anil Makkar. Doctor Makkar also points out that a vast majority of the population is not in proper alignment.

The custom fitting process uses the latest in neuromuscular dental technology. The precise proper alignment of the lower jaw is the goal of this process. Two key technologies are used. The first is known as a “TENS” machine and it relaxes and deprograms the jaw muscles. The second is a K-7 and it tracks jaw movement and position to within a tenth of a millimeter. These devices, along with the principles of neuromuscular dentistry are key to relaxing the jaw and de-programming suboptimal nerve patterns to determine the perfect jaw position – “the sweet spot”, unique to every individual similar to a fingerprint – no two people can have the same. The process takes about 1.5 hours. This machine relaxes the major muscle groups of the face, and thereby putting the jaw in a relaxed state. Once the right position of the jaw is found, it is captured in a dental impression. This bite is then sent to a PPM certified lab where the mouthpiece is custom fabricated. This special bite is the foundation to the athlete’s ability in unleashing their true potential. Once the athlete bites into the Makkar PPMTM, the muscles in their face become completely relaxed, which allows them to use more of their upper and lower body strength.

In addition, it also makes sense that proper positioning relieves the pressure against the cranial nerves, thus relaxing the muscles attached to those nerves giving you added strength, flexibility and balance. Those same pinched nerves affect the brain on the flip side and can alleviate migraine headaches. The articular disc is free from pressure. This makes sense for your increased head range in the “over the shoulder look” (great for wide receivers looking for the ball… or quarterbacks looking for 3 extra inches on the blind side). Relieving pressure on the articular disc also promotes spinal alignment… Once again adding to muscle relaxation and increased strength, flexibility and balance.

In addition, proper jaw alignment naturally opens your windpipe increasing oxygen supply. It’s no wonder Pro Boxers like World Champion Andre Berto, a Makkar PPMTM devotee, have high levels of endurance in the 12th round. Jon Gruden was asked in testing to hold his breath for as long as he could. This was done without the PPM. He hit 40 seconds. With the PPM and 15 seconds recovery he held his breath for 57 seconds. Jon couldn’t believe it! With the PPM, clearly he was able to increase his oxygen intake. According to John Gruden “An NFL player would not put a $2,000 mouthpiece in his mouth if it didn’t work. That I do know.” Other well-known athletes in hockey, baseball, basketball, PGA & LPGA, as well as thousands of amateur athletes share his enthusiasm. Regardless of your sport, whether you’re a pro athlete, an amateur or a fitness enthusiast, the Makkar PPMTM has a proven track record of success.