Could Vitamin D Protect Teeth?

As a dentist, Sherwin Kevy, DDS, often counsels his patients about proper nutrition in order to promote oral health Dr. Sherwin Kevy, who practices in Montgomery Village, Maryland, and other dentists may need to increase their emphasis on the importance of Vitamin D for strong and healthy teeth. According to a study published in the December 2012 issue of Nutrition Reviews, Vitamin D may help protect teeth against cavities.

The meta-study analyzed data from 24 previous studies, which included 3,000 children over a 60 year period. Some of the children in the studies received Vitamin D supplements through UV radiation, cod liver oil, or other methods. The studies showed that receiving adequate amounts of Vitamin D could cut the incidence of tooth decay in half. The study may shed light on why America is seeing rising rates of tooth decay in youth. Many children are not receiving adequate supplies of Vitamin D, especially since children no longer receive much exposure to sunlight and outdoor play. The researchers warned that pregnant and nursing mothers, as well as young children, need to receive healthy amounts of Vitamin D.

Sherwin Kevy, DDS on Renewed Funding for the Special Diabetes Program

In early 2013, lawmakers passed an extension of $150 million in support for the Special Diabetes Program. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund (JDRF), an organization that has focused its fundraising efforts on the prevention and treatment of Type 1 diabetes, reported that the extension would provide continued funding through September 2014.

The JDRF led the legislative push to bring members of both parties together to support the extension that provides the National Institute of Health (NIH) with over 35 percent of its annual funding for diabetes research. However, with funding only guaranteed through 2014, the JDRF’s work to maintain financial commitments of this kind continues despite the recent victory.

About the Author: Dr. Sherwin Kevy is a dentist possessing over 30 years of experience. He is particularly interested in supporting the youth in his community and supports the efforts of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund.

Capturing a Moment on the Ocean By Dr. Sherwin Kevy

One of my favorite pastimes is seascape photography. While the spot where the edge of the earth meets the edge of the ocean can be the scene of some amazingly dramatic moments, sometimes waiting for that moment takes patience, or perhaps simply a commitment to waking up very early. The variety of ways in which natural light affects the ocean creates dramatic differences in the same scene at two different times of day. The color, intensity, and directionality of the light all lead to some amazing shots that simply do not exist at any other time than that one perfect moment.

Of course, thanks to digital photography and programs like Photoshop, photographers can now artificially create many of the effects that used to be impossible without nature’s cooperation, but it does not have the same impact for the photographer. There is something immensely satisfying about capturing that one perfect shot that no one else has ever seen before or will ever see again.

Getting the perfect shot takes a lot of patience, and perhaps that is why seascape photography can be so relaxing. With nothing to do but wait, the photographer is forced to simply slow down and take in the sights and the experience.

About the Author: Sherwin Kevy, DDS, has more than 30 years of experience as a family dentist. He currently practices in Montgomery Village, Maryland.

Dental Cavity Prevention in Adolescents By Dr. Sherwin Kevy

In a family dental practice like mine, I often help adolescents navigate the frustration of finding yet another cavity. Unfortunately, the adolescent years are the time in which an individual is most at risk for tooth decay. While the common belief that too much sugar causes cavities is only partially true, altering your sugar intake can decrease your risk of cavities. In reality, tooth decay occurs when our saliva, which actually works to restore sensitive adolescent tooth enamel, cannot compete with the amount of enamel-eating acids that are produced by naturally occurring bacteria in our mouths. These bacteria only produce acid in the presence of fermentable carbohydrates, like many sugars.

In order to reduce tooth decay, adolescents need to reduce the amount of sugars they put in their mouths and work to remove sugars from the surface of teeth through regular brushing and flossing. Often, a simple regimen of oral hygiene and diet modification can prevent cavities. Of course, this “simple” solution may only be as simple as an adolescent’s ability to fight the lure of the nearest soda machine.

About the Author: Sherwin Kevy, DDS, has more than 30 years of experience practicing dentistry. The small, family dental practice he runs allows him to enjoy a unique personal connection with his patients. Dr. Kevy especially appreciates the opportunity to help guide younger patients through the many challenges of adolescence.

Oral Hygiene Tips from Dr. Sherwin Kevy

Throughout his career as a dentist, Sherwin Kevy, DDS, has established himself as a dedicated and compassionate professional. In addition to providing top-quality clinical care at his practice, Dr. Kevy encourages his patients to practice good oral hygiene at home, thereby reducing the need for serious dental procedures. Here follows a brief list of his dental hygiene tips.

Brush and floss after every meal: After you eat a meal, food particles will inevitably become stuck between your teeth. Left unchecked, these particles can give rise to a biofilm of colonizing bacteria known as plaque. To prevent the formation of plaque, use a toothpaste with fluoride and brush your tongue to eliminate mouth-borne bacteria. In the same vein, flossing helps remove the hard-to-reach particles between your teeth.

Maintain a healthy diet: Candies, sodas, juices, and other foods high in sugar can wear away the enamel of the teeth and leave them prone to cavities. Make a point to eat foods such as meats, nuts, and dairy products, which provide the calcium and vitamins necessary to strengthen enamel.

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