White Spots on Teeth: What Are They?

by Monica J. Lakatos, D.D.S., Northshore Dental Associates

Many patients come in concerned with white spots on the enamel of their teeth.

Minor white spots are not noticeable to most people, though sometimes these white spots can be extensive and unsightly. White spots can be caused by trauma, poor hygiene, and sometimes it is just intrinsic to the tooth. Determining the cause of these white spots is the clue to getting rid of them.

One way white spots are caused on the teeth is through trauma. Quite often children will fall and hit the primary (baby) teeth. These "bumps" can cause damage to the developing permanent tooth below (or above, as the case may be). The resulting white spots are often near the biting edge of the permanent front teeth and usually very small, like the size of a freckle. They do not cause any harm or weaken the tooth in any way. If they are unsightly, the teeth can be bleached when the child is old enough. The bleaching has the effect of blending the colors of the tooth, making the marks less noticeable.

High fevers in a child at a young age can also have an effect on the tooth enamel, especially if it occurs repeatedly. The marks from high fevers can look like bands across the tooth and are sometimes pitted. Usually every tooth developing during that time will be affected. The bands can be treated with bleaching. Lightening the whole tooth has the effect of making the tooth more uniform in color. The pitted areas can pick up stain and look like decay. If this is the case, bonding (tooth colored filling material) can be used to cover the pitting and prevent it from picking up stain.

The third way white spots are caused in teeth is through decalcification. Decalcification is the worst diagnosis because it means that some harm has already occurred to the tooth. Teeth decalcify due to poor hygiene, poor diet, or a combination of the two. These types of white spots are seen often in people who drink a lot of soda. The combination of sugar and acid in soda gives teeth a double whammy.

Decalcification is the first step in the decay process. It means that the enamel has already started to break down. Even though the process has started, it can be halted at this point if brushing and flossing are stepped up and the diet improved. With improved care, decalcification does not have to continue on to decay. The white spots will remain but it doesn't mean that the person will have to have fillings.

One of the most common ways to see decalcification is when a child has braces on and doesn't brush properly. The teeth will get white spots on the teeth that remain even after the braces are removed. These decalcified white spots usually fade with time. Just as in the cases above, the teeth can be bleached to lessen the appearance of the spots.

The important thing is to address the problem that caused the spots in the first place, whether it is poor home care or a poor diet. Sometimes patients who are at great risk for decay will be put on prescription fluoride toothpaste to help strengthen the teeth.

There are many reasons for white spots on teeth. Ask your dentist if you have questions about the origin of white spot lesions. He or she can also advise you on lessening the appearance of noticeable white spots. Keep in mind that most white spots are totally benign and do not require any treatment unless they are extensive and noticeable.

Monica J. Lakatos, D.D.S., at Northshore Dental Associates, 1179 Whitehall Road in North Muskegon, can be reached at (231) 744-6100.

Should You Consider CPAP?

from Airway Oxygen, Inc.

Statistics show that 45 percent of normal adults snore at least occasionally and 25 percent are habitual snorers. Problem snoring is more pronounced in men and in persons who may be considered to be overweight. As a person ages, snoring usually becomes more pronounced and more clinically significant.

Snoring occurs when there is an obstruction to the flow of air through the passages at the back of the nose and mouth. Severe snoring resulting in complete obstruction of airflow is often associated with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

OSA can result in a significant decrease in the amount of oxygen carried by the blood to the vital organs, resulting in poor sleep, lower energy levels, leg pain, daytime tiredness and increased work for the heart. You may suffer from OSA if you experience loud snoring, daytime sleepiness, waking up several times during the night, air hunger or gasping for air when you wake up, and morning headaches or tiredness. Alcohol and tobacco use can contribute to the severity of OSA symptoms.

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, you may want to talk to your physician about the possibility that you may have OSA. OSA can be diagnosed and confirmed during a "sleep study" which involves a one night stay at a sleep lab where your sleeping can be monitored by a sleep technologist. The diagnosis and treatment of OSA is frequently made by a physician trained in sleep medicine.

Treatment of OSA involves using a CPAP machine. CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure. Nasal CPAP delivers air into the lungs through a specially fitted nasal mask. The flow of air from the CPAP machine, through the nasal mask, creates enough pressure when you breathe to keep your airway open while you sleep. CPAP therapy is nearly 100 percent effective in correcting OSA, although it does not cure the problem. Quality of life can be greatly enhanced and the patient's overall feeling of health and wellness often improves noticeably.

Airway Oxygen, Inc. provides the area's widest selection of nasal CPAP masks and offers the latest cutting-edge technology in CPAP machines. Should you have OSA or have questions about OSA you will find clinical support from Airway Oxygen's staff of Certified and Registered Respiratory Therapists.

Airway Oxygen is now located in Northern Indiana and through Michigan. In Muskegon, visit 850 Harvey Street, call (231) 767-9825 or visit www.airwayoxygen.com.

Moisture Critical to Healthy Skin

from Glo Sun and Shades

The Moisture supplied by tanning lotion is critical to the health of your skin and the success of your tan, said Kelli Vallee, manager of Glo Sun and Tan at 1906 Holton Road, North Muskegon. But watch out - all tanning lotions are not the same.

Kelli said moisturizing with the correct lotion is important for deeper, faster tanning results. "If you have dry skin and it flakes off, so does your tan. Skin that is moisturized tans better and evenly. Moisture is critical to healthy skin."

Moisturized skin is healthier and healthy skin tans better and more evenly. Moisturizing keeps skin from peeling and flaking, while adding vitamins to your skin and system for a healthy glo.

Kelli said many tanners don't know there is a difference between indoor and outdoor lotion. "Outdoor tanners should be sure to use an SPF lotion. When tanning indoors be sure to use an indoor tanning lotion to reduce your chances of burning."

There are advantages to using the lotions carried by Glo Sun and Shades, said Kelli. "Every tanner tans differently and not one lotion will work for everybody, so we carry lotions that cater to every tanners specific needs. If you have problems tanning your face or your legs, not a problem! There are specific lotions for that.

"The lotions that our tanning salon provides are full of vitamins and skin moisturizing ingredients rather than the harsh alkalines and oils that are in the lotions stores carry."

There are many misconceptions about tanning. People who say they always burn before they tan are fooling themselves, said Kelli. "Burning is not tanning. Any burn is damaging to your skin."

Kelli Vallee and her crew of tanning experts are at Glo Sun and Shades, 1906 Holton Rd., N. Muskegon, near the N. Muskegon Meijer. Call (231) 719-0501 for special offers on tanning packages.

Electrolysis Only Time-Honored Method for Permanent Hair Removal

by Gary Scott Beatty, Editor, On the Shore Magazine

There was a time when electrolysis was a little-known hair removal treatment, an insider's beauty treatment for models and actresses.

Today, people of all ages and all walks of life are coming to Kathy Storrer, R.E., CPE, Licensed Electrologist, who recently opened a clinic specializing in electrolysis, the permanent hair removal treatment, at 4441 Grand Haven Rd., inside Pompa-Do's.

Throughout history, people have gone to drastic lengths to get rid of excess body hair. As early as 4000 B.C., women in ancient Egypt made hair removal creams from beeswax, arsenic and quicklime. Kathy said the marketplace is flooded with temporary hair removal methods, but the results are always the same: the hair grows back. Kathy said electrolysis boasts the longest track record for permanent hair removal.

In 1875, electrolysis was invented by Dr. Charles Michel, a St. Louis ophthalmologist, to remove his patients' ingrown eyelashes. Michel's method is still used today, though with significant technological improvements. Electrolysis effectively destroys the hair growth cells, preventing further growth.

Electrolysis is releasing an electrical current through a single needle into a single hair follicle. Treatments range from 15 minutes and up.

Kathy has patient-specific suggestions for those worried about pain. "The pain is different for everyone," she said. "They always say, oh, that's not as bad as I thought. I've even had people fall asleep during treatment."

Is the hair gone permanently? "Yes, but there are many factors that play into that," Kathy explained. "You really need to call or come in, because there are many factors involved, everyone has a hair growth cycle and each person is different." Each area of the body is also different, said Kathy, and for almost everyone there are three factors for facial hair growth: heredity, race and stress.

Kathy recommends those curious about electrolysis come in for a consultation. She can then set a plan to help those patients stay in budget. After a couple of times working on a patient, the treatment course can be adjusted to fit that patient's unique growth cycle.

Kathy herself is a good example of the effectiveness of electrolysis. She had tweezed and plucked hair from her lip for 25 years. "Since hair is a living part of your body, when it is plucked, it grows a better root system so that it can remain," she said. "The moral of the story is, don't tweeze or wax hair. Results are just the opposite of what you want."

Kathy Storrer, R.E., CPE, Licensed Electrologist has a clinic specializing in electrolysis at 4441 Grand Haven Rd., inside Pompa-Do's. She encourages women and men to call her office at (231) 799-0344 to schedule a confidential consultation.