Facts About Cavities

Cavities are the holes that form in teeth as a result of a bacterial infection on your teeth called dental caries. This infection takes place when the normal healthy bacteria in the mouth are replaced by acid-producing bacteria. This shift in bacteria is primarily caused by two things:

1. Prolonged acidic (low pH) oral environment: contributing factors include a lack of saliva, and/or a sugary/acidic diet that favors acid-producing bacteria.
2. Transmission: this infection is contagious! You can be infected by someone through exchange of saliva.

EXPERT ADVICE

• Visit a dentist who is performing "caries risk assessment," where they evaluate what factors are contributing to you getting cavities, and offer treatment beyond drilling and filling.

• Limit not only sugary/carbohydrate containing items in your diet, but also even non-sugar containing acidic beverages (i.e. diet soda, coffee, tea, sparkling water, alcohol)

• Consider the acidity (pH) of the dental products you are using. Do they neutralize your mouth? Know your pH. Don't just brush and floss. . . neutralize!

• Understand that fluoride can help treat the symptoms (cavities), but fluoride's effectiveness at stopping the bacterial infection has limits.

• Xylitol is a very effective agent for limiting the acids produced by bacteria and comes in a variety of gums, mints, rinses, toothpastes, etc.

• Xylitol has been shown to make fluoride more effective.

It breaks down like this. . .
Prolonged low pH in the mouth -
overgrowth of cavity-causing bacteria -
death of healthy bacteria -
caries infection -

CAVITIES

5.5 is the magic number! Below that, your teeth are at risk!click on picture to enlarge

DRINKS THAT EAT TEETH:

http://carifree.com/patients/cavities_a_to_z/documents/DrinksThatEatTeeth_000.pdf

For more information on products to help change your pH, call us at VanLeeuwen Dental or visit: http://carifree.com/patients/products/index.html

Introducing the Nomad Pro

Van Leeuwen Dental is excited to introduce you to its newest member of the team. . .
the NOMAD PRO. The Nomad Pro is an award-winning handheld dental X-ray system that produces clearer images, improves radiography speed and decreases radiation exposure. This cordless, portable X-ray system is the most advanced dental system on the market today. It allows us to conveniently take an X-ray during a procedure without leaving the room and takes half the time to take radiograph as with the conventional X-ray systems.

The Nomad Pro has made it possible for doctors volunteering in distressed areas i.e., Haiti, New Orleans, Dominican Republic, provide a more accurate diagnosis and treatment the patients needed.

We are excited for you to come in and experience the NOMAD PRO!!

Meet our Staff

Welcome to Van Leeuwen Dental! We are excited to share the services we offer and what we have learned over the past 30 years of practicing dentistry. But first, a little introduction of our hard working Doctors.

{Dr. Michael Van Leeuwen, D.M.D.} grew up in Northern Utah, graduated from Weber State University and received his Doctor of Medical Dentistry at the University Louisville in 1976. He recieved further training and served in the U.S. Navy Regional Dental Center in San Diego, California. He is a member of the Utah Dental Association, the American Dental Association, the World Clinical Laser Institute and American Straight Wire Orthodontics.
He has served thousands of patients throughout Utah in addition to many patients that fly in from all over the country. His emphasis is on Cosmetic Dentistry, Laser Dentistry and Minimally Invasive Dentistry. He has received specialized training in dental implants, Invisalign, orthodontics, oral conscious sedation, and Dental Sleep Medicine. He has always been highly involved in Continuing Education and was one of the first dentists in Utah to implement Digital Radiography, CAD/Cam Dentistry using E4D Technology, Laser Dentistry and Dental Sleep Medicine treatment of Sleep Apnea. He has held many positions at the University of Utah General Practice Dental Residency program where he mentored and trained many new Dentists in Salt Lake City as well as Dental Students.

His son, {Dr. Adam Van Leeuwen, D.D.S.} joined his practice after receiving his Doctor of Dental Surgery from Creighton University in 2007. He has attended many courses throughout the country focusing on implant placement and restoration, treatment of Sleep Apnea with oral appliance therapy, full-mouth rehabilitation, Invisalign orthodontics, and CAD/Cam technology. He is a member of the Utah Dental Association, the American Dental Association, The American Association of Cosmetic Dentistry, the Association of Dental Sleep Medicine, and the Academy of Laser Dentistry.
He is committed to continuing the legacy of exceptional, cutting-edge dentistry that has been ingrained throughout his life making him the fabulous, out-going dentist he is today.