The Message Board

What is Fluoride ?
Fluoride is a natural mineral found throughout the earth's crust and widely distributed in nature.  Some foods and water supplies contain fluoride.

Fluoride is often added to drinking water to help reduce tooth decay. In the 1930s, researchers found that people who grew up drinking naturally fluoridated water had up to two-thirds fewer cavities than people living in areas without fluoridated water. Studies since then have repeatedly shown that when fluoride is added to a community's water supply, tooth decay decreases. The American Dental Association, the World Health Organization and the American Medical Association, among many other organizations, have endorsed the use of fluoride in water supplies because of its effect on tooth decay.

How Does Fluoride Work?
Fluoride helps prevent cavities in two different ways:

• Fluoride concentrates in the growing bones and developing teeth of children, helping to harden the enamel on baby and adult teeth before they emerge
• Fluoride helps to harden the enamel on adult teeth that have already emerged

Fluoride works during the demineralization and remineralization processes that naturally occur in your mouth.

• After you eat, your saliva contains acids that cause demineralization a dissolving of the calcium and phosphorous under the tooth's surface
• At other times when your saliva is less acidic it does just the opposite, replenishing the calcium and phosphorous that keep your teeth hard. This process is caused remineralization. When fluoride is present during remineralization, the minerals deposited are harder than they would otherwise be, helping to strengthen your teeth and prevent dissolution during the next demineralization phase

How do I Know if I'm Getting Enough Fluoride?
If your drinking water is fluoridated, then brushing regularly with a fluoride toothpaste is considered sufficient for adults and children with healthy teeth at low risk of decay.

If your community's water is not fluoridated and does not have enough natural fluoride in it (1 part per million is considered optimal), then your dentist or pediatrician may prescribe fluoride tablets or drops for your children to take daily. Your dentist or pediatrician can tell you how much fluoride is right for your family, so be sure to ask for his or her advice.

If your water comes from a public water supply, you can find out if it's fluoridated by calling your local water district. If your water comes from a private well, you can have it analyzed by an independent environmental testing company that provides water-testing services.

Click here for the 'Phos-flur' rinse from Colgate

You can buy it in most drugstores and supermarkets.  I recommend for my patients  the 'Phos-flur' rinse, because clinical studies have shown excellent results in prevention of caries on natural teeth. The best preventive results are seen with children and the use of fluoride. The product 'Phos-flur' from Colgate is one of the most recommendable ones on the market.  I hope that helps you.

Sincerely,

Ursula Klostermyer, DDS PhD - UMDNJ

A Message from Salma Hayek:

I have long been a supporter of every child’s right to health and happiness. As a new mother, I’m thrilled to help Pampers and UNICEF raise awareness of their initiative to provide tetanus vaccines to those at risk. How can you help? It’s easy! Just by making your normal Pampers purchases, you could help give babies a brighter tomorrow. For every specially marked pack of Pampers that you purchase, Pampers will help UNICEF provide one tetanus vaccine to a woman in the developing world. Won’t you join me in supporting this important effort?

We joined Salma at Donate Diapers for Twice the Good in 2008 ~ Great Job! You’ve made a big impact and there will be a ripple effect of your good deeds.

The S&G Diaper Drive ~ June 14, 2008 was sponsored by Dillin’s Tire Shop.

What can we say, we have great directors. Not only did Bruce Dillin provide S&G with a location, a tent, tables and a DJ, Bruce also provided t-shirts for S&G supporters. Gary Miksza invited the The Marine Corp. League, and they showed up in support of the drive, as they posted the colors. Local children received free balloons, cupcakes, face paintings, and we were able to give away prizes donated by local businesses. Much thanks to:

• Dillin Tire Co. ~ 492 Kennedy Bvld.
• The Cell Shop ~ 520-A Broadway
• Chez Marie ~ 10 E. 22^nd Street
• Judicke’s bakery ~ 763 Broadway
• Pompei Pizza ~ 480 Broadway
• Benanti’s Italian Deli ~ 16 West 22^nd Street
• Harry’s Wine Cellar ~ 295 Broadway
• Latin American Hair Salon ~ 490 Broadway
• Wm. B. Willensky’s Paints ~ 435-437 Broadway

a special note of thanks to the Petridis Hot Dog Shop for all of their support throughout the years.

Each June Sow & Grow will have a diaper drive.

~ 2009 S&G wants to make cloth diapers available to families that will go green.