With good reason, there is a great deal of concern about radiation and x-rays. Excessive exposure over a lifetime can result in serious health problems. We've come a long way since shoe stores had x-ray machines in their stores for sizing shoes in the '50s and '60s.

At the Bangor Center for Dental Medicine we take radiation exposure seriously. Whenever possible we will use other diagnostic aids such as the laser Diagnodent probe for diagnosing tooth decay or the computerized Florida Probe for assistance in diagnosing periodontal disease. Newer diagnostic aids are continuously being developed and we continually monitor their effectiveness.

Nevertheless, x-rays or radiography remains as one of the best ways to view and document dental disease. Our philosophy is carefully aligned with the American Dental Association's recommendations for radiographic exposures. We assure you that we will recommend only essential exposures.

Dentists have been concerned about gum disease or "periodontal disease" for decades. The emphasis was based on the important task of saving teeth from being lost. Recent research has proven that there is an "oral-systemic" link between gum disease and significant health problems. We now understand that heart disease, strokes, diabetes and pre-term low birth weight babies aren't resulting from the tooth loss of periodontal disease, but these problems can be directly related to the elevation of inflammatory processes brought on by the bacterial infection of gum disease.

Centers for Dental Medicine is a group of dental practices across the United States that are dedicated to using the latest, most advanced techniques for the effective treatment of gum disease. Here at the Bangor Center for Dental Medicine we are trained and equipped to assess your risk from periodontal disease, discuss your treatment options, and provide the most up-to-date in-office and homecare available.

Oral cancer is an increasing menace. We do not know what directly causes oral cancer, but we have learned that many things seem to contribute to its occurrence. Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are particularly caustic to oral tissues; and we believe these may be major contributors to the occurrence of oral cancer. Having a yearly oral cancer screening can play a major role in detection and treatment. Oral cancers that are caught early can be treated with a high rate of success. Late stage oral cancers can be most deadly. Here at Bangor Center for Dental Medicine we perform an oral cancer screening by visually inspection of all intraoral structures and palpating (feeling) soft tissues for the presence of masses. These screenings are part of every periodic examination. Again, early detection is most successful if done at least annually.

Good oral hygiene and avoidance of excessive sugar consumption is the foundation for healthy teeth. When we begin this practice at an early age, we see excellent results. The scientific literature is filled with studies that have been done that tout the importance of fluoride in the fight against cavities.

We like to see children as soon as teeth begin to develop. It is then that we have the opportunity to evaluate a child's development and to assess whether certain actions may be helpful in preventing oral health problems. We strongly advocate a program of regular periodic maintenance that includes optimal oral hygiene, applications of topical fluorides and sealants and adoption of a diet that is low in sugar consumption.

A new ally in the fight against tooth decay for people of all ages may well be the alternative sugar called xylitol. This natural sugar is derived from birch trees and other plants. Xylitol has a number of positive health benefits; however in dentistry, it has the ability to selectively destroy the bacteria in our mouths that cause tooth decay. It has been shown that regular consumption of xylitol (4 – 12 grams per day) can change the balance of bacteria in the mouth to actually allow teeth to remineralize in some cases – reverse tooth decay.