Toothpaste Choices Complicated?

How Toothpaste is Specialized

Many years ago, the biggest benefits of using toothpaste were that it tasted good and provided some detergent action to help clean your teeth.  Not any more!  Nowadays, toothpastes are much more complicated as science has created additives to address specific dental needs.

Toothpaste Additives and their Abilities 

• whitening:  additions to toothpaste, such as peroxide, baking soda, or other solutions, to whiten teeth through brushing, maintain a white smile after tooth bleaching procedures, or removing stains.
• sensitivity:  formulas that are less abrasive in their cleaning power, or contain chemicals like potassium nitrate that can penetrate tooth structure to reduce tooth sensitivity.
• remineralizing:  as part of "minimally invasive" dentistry,  these re-harden tooth surfaces as a treatment for beginning decay.  These substances are fluoride (common to most toothpastes), xylitol as a stimulant for calcium phosphate, or casein phosphopeptides.
• fluoride:  added to prevent tooth decay and enhance remineralization, often with added calcium.
• children's:  lower fluoride levels so they may be swallowed, and less abrasive and free of artificial colors or dyes.

Sometimes toothpastes claim to help freshen breath, although the process of brushing in and of itself makes your mouth cleaner and breath more appealing.

Natural toothpastes, like Tom's of Maine, are chemical free and made of only "natural" ingredients.
There is a toothpaste available for your individual needs!


Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Dental Implants The Secure Solution

Too loose for use

Just yesterday, we had two new patients who were wearing upper removable partials replacing some missing front teeth.  Their stories were similar:  every few years their gums change and the partials had to be remade. The partials moved around and they were self-conscious that people could tell the teeth were loose.  The movement made them guarded with their smiles and speech, because they had to hold the partials in place as they talked.  There were some foods that were best avoided.

Implant the Quality in your Life

Fortunately, as long as you are healthy, it's never too late for dental implants.  Teeth on implants are secure and comfortable.  By allowing you to smile, speak and eat with confidence, they improve your quality of life.

If you are missing teeth and are interested in this solution, give us a call!


Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

How to Lower the Risk of Repeat Heart Attacks

The diet's role in heart disease

There was a terrific article by Jennifer Corbett Dooren in the Wall Street Journal about this subject. She correctly states that patients with heart disease frequently assume that medication is enough to reduce the risk of a repeat heart attack of stroke, but details a large new  five-year study of 32,000 people in 40 countries that shows the preventive power of a healthy diet.

How a healthy diet leads to a healthy heart

That study found that people with the healthiest diets--fruit, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and fish-- were 35% less likely to die from a repeat heart attack or stroke.  They were also 28% less likely to develop congestive heart failure, 14% less likely to have an additional heart attack and 19% less likely to have a stroke. Since heart disease is the top killer of Americans, according to the American Heart Association, the article details of the diet recommendations of the researchers.

The complete article is available at online.wsj.com/ health and wellness, Dec. 3, 2012.


Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

How Breath Tests Can Detect Cancer

Breath tests for lung cancer

The October issue of Journal of Thoracic Oncology, as reported in the JADA describes a pilot study of 72
patients who had pulmonary nodules. 

Researchers collected exhaled breath and analyzed the exhaled organic compounds, and patients also underwent a combination of other diagnostic procedures,as required, for a final diagnosis.
The breath analysis correctly identified the 53 pulmonary nodules that were malignant and the 19 that were benign.  In addition, they were able to discriminate between adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma and between early-stage and advanced disease.

In the future, the non-invasive test could be used to define lesions earlier and facilitate faster treatment.

Source:  JADA, Dec 2012


Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., 
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Do Patients with Prosthetic Joints Need Antibiotic Premedication?

According to the Science and Technology Updates of the American Dental Association,  the ADA and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) found that there is insufficient evidence to recommend the routine use of antibiotics for patients with orthopedic implants to prevent infections prior to having dental procedures because there is no direct evidence that routine dental procedures cause prosthetic joint infections.

The ADA's Web page about Antibiotic Prophylaxis has information regarding the new clinical practice guidelines.

As always, if you are a patient with an artificial joint, insist your dentist contact your physician to determine the necessity of antibiotic premedication before dental procedures.


Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., 
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer

How Important Screening really is

Last year I had another colonoscipy.  It was easy! Even though colorectal cancer (colon or rectum) is
the third most common cancer among men and women in the United States, it is highly treatable
if found early.

What is the Preferred Screening? 

A colonoscopy is the best screening test available for colorectal cancer, and it even prevents many
of these cancers.  It is an examination of the lining of the entire colon, using a flexible tube (colonoscope)
that has a tiny video camera and light at the end that sends images to a video monitor.  If polyps (precursors
to cancer) are found by your doctor, they can be removed immediately.  With a little propophol to sleep, the whole thing took 20 minutes.  No narcotics, no pain; just get up and walk out of there 30 to 45 minutes after it's finished. The disease is more common over the age of 50, and there are some specific risk factors that can be identified.  Google possible symptoms, if you have any concerns.


Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
 Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

How Implant-Based Solutions Lead to Improved Quality of Life!

How to Improve Quality of Life  

There is no need to be edentulous.  With conventional dentures severe bone resorption may occur.  Because they may fall out at any time, patients lose more than confidence, avoiding certain foods can lead to nutritional deficiencies, and an altered self-image causes an avoidance of social situations.  Dentures restore only 10% of chewing function.  Poorly fitting dentures can cause sore spots and painful blisters.  They often offer only limited lip and cheek support.

Dental implants provide the following functional benefits:

• greater chewing capability
• improved esthetics
• improved speech
• greater comfort
• less bone resorption

and the following emotional benefits:

• improved self image and self-confidence
• improved social life

The above before and after pictures illustrate this difference.

 Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
 Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309