Happy Thanksgiving To You

All in a Word
By Aileen Fisher
T for time to be together, turkey, talk, and tangy weather.

H for harvest stored away, home, and hearth, and holiday.

A for autumn's frosty art, and abundance in the heart.

N for neighbors, and November, nice things, new things to remember.

K for kitchen, kettles' croon, kith and kin expected soon.

S for sizzles, sights, and sounds, and something special that abounds.

That spells ~~~THANKS---
for joy in living and a jolly good Thanksgiving.

Food Saks 4 Kids

One of Dr. Ronald M. Cox, DDS favorite ways to help the community is with a program called "FOOD SAKS 4 KIDS."   Every month, Dr. Ronald M. Cox gathers items for (5) food saks for the locals Kiser Elementary School in Stanley NC. 

"We (Ronald M. Cox, DDS : Family Dentistry of Stanley, NC) are hoping to set an example within the community to reach out to others in need.  We are giving a small amount, but hope that others will come forward to make their own food saks to give.  Kiser Elementary is helping out close to 50 children a week. Soon, we hope to do more personally.  It's hard to think of children not having enough to eat, especially on the weekends.  That's where these food saks are so important to help the children."

FOOD SAKS 4 KIDS, a local community program helps to feed children on the weekends.  This program only operates on food distributed and gathered from the local community.  The program started with a mere 8 - 10 kids and now is reaching close to 50 children every week.   Each food sak contains 3 dinners, 2 lunches, 2 breakfast, drinks and snacks.  Healthy items are choosen with a few sweets, given that kids are picky eaters.   Food Saks 4 Kids helps children have adequate meals during the weekends.

Please do your part in helping children eat properly.    Thank you Food Saks 4 Kids.  See a list of our charities that help the community on the EVENTS page of our website.

Fluoride Treatment

Fluoride is the most effective agent available to help prevent tooth decay.  It is a mineral that is naturally present in varying amounts in almost all foods and water supplies.  The benefits of fluoride have been well known for over 50 years and are supported by many health and professional organizations.

Fluoride works in two ways:

Topical fluoride strengthens the teeth once they have erupted by seeping into the outer surface of the tooth enamel, making the teeth more resistant to decay.  We gain topical fluoride by using fluoride containing dental products such as toothpaste, mouth rinses, and gels.  Dentists and dental hygienists generally recommend that children have a professional application of fluoride twice a year during dental check-ups.

Systemic fluoride strengthens the teeth that have erupted as well as those that are developing under the gums.  We gain systemic fluoride from most foods and our community water supplies.  It is also available as a supplement in drop or gel form and can be prescribed by your dentist or physician.  Generally, fluoride drops are recommended for infants, and tablets are best suited for children up through the teen years.  It is very important to monitor the amounts of fluoride a child ingests.  If too much fluoride is consumed while the teeth are developing, a condition called fluorosis (white spots on the teeth) may result.

Although most people receive fluoride from food and water, sometimes it is not enough to help prevent decay.  Your dentist or dental hygienist may recommend the use of home and/or professional fluoride treatments for the following reasons:

• Deep pits and fissures on the chewing surfaces of teeth.
• Exposed and sensitive root surfaces.
• Fair to poor oral hygiene habits.
• Frequent sugar and carbohydrate intake.
• Inadequate exposure to fluorides.
• Inadequate saliva flow due to medical conditions, medical treatments or medications.
• Recent history of dental decay.

Remember, fluoride alone will not prevent tooth decay!  It is important to brush at least twice a day, floss regularly, eat balanced meals, reduce sugary snacks, and visit your dentist on a regular basis. 

Remember, your smile speaks before you even say a word! Visit our Stanley, NC Dental Office

Periodontal Disease Information

Diagnosis | Treatment | Maintenance

The word periodontal means “around the tooth”.  Periodontal disease attacks the gums and the bone that support the teeth.  Plaque is a sticky film of food debris, bacteria, and saliva.  If plaque is not removed, it turns into calculus (tartar).  When plaque and calculus are not removed, they begin to destroy the gums and bone.  Periodontal disease is characterized by red, swollen, and bleeding gums.

Four out of five people have periodontal disease and don’t know it!  Most people are not aware of it because the disease is usually painless in the early stages.

Not only is it the number one reason for tooth loss, research suggests that there may be a link between periodontal disease and other diseases such as, stroke, bacterial pneumonia, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and increased risk during pregnancy.  Researchers are determining if inflammation and bacteria associated with periodontal disease affects these systemic diseases and conditions.  Smoking also increases the risk of periodontal disease.

Good oral hygiene, a balanced diet, and regular dental visits can help reduce your risk of developing periodontal disease.

Signs and symptoms of periodontal disease:

• Bleeding gums – Gums should never bleed, even when you brush vigorously or use dental floss.

• Loose teeth – Also caused by bone loss or weakened periodontal fibers (fibers that support the tooth to the bone).

• New spacing between teeth – Caused by bone loss.

• Persistent bad breath – Caused by bacteria in the mouth.

• Pus around the teeth and gums – Sign that there is an infection present.

• Receding gums – Loss of gum around a tooth.

• Red and puffy gums – Gums should never be red or swollen.

• Tenderness or Discomfort – Plaque, calculus, and bacteria irritate the gums and teeth.

See our website for more information on periodontal disease.

Contact our office  1-704-263-8864 & make your dental appointment today.

Future Dentist

Local East Gaston High School student, Valerie Park from Medical Science class of 2011.   Valerie is observing dental office techniques and procedures with Dr. Ronald M. Cox, DDS.
Best wishes to you!!

Jessica, Valerie and Dr. Cox

Cosmetic Dentistry

Tooth Whitening | Composite Fillings | Porcelain Veneers | Porcelain Crowns (Caps) | Porcelain Inlays | Porcelain Onlays | Porcelain Fixed Bridges | Dental Implants

In the past decade there has been a dramatic interest in cosmetic dentistry.  We all realize that having a healthy, bright, beautiful smile enhances our appearance and allows us to smile with confidence.  Thanks to the advances in modern cosmetic dentistry, we are able to improve our teeth and smiles with quick, painless and surprisingly affordable treatments.

Cosmetic dental treatments can:

• Change the size, shape, and alignment of certain teeth.
• Fill in unattractive spaces between teeth.
• Improve or correct bites.
• Lighten or brighten the color of teeth.
• Repair decayed, broken, cracked, or chipped teeth.
• Replace missing teeth.
• Replace old, unattractive dental treatments.

Remember, your smile speaks before you even say a word! Visit our Stanley, NC Dental Office

Cleanings & Prevention

Dental Exams & Cleanings | Digital X-Rays | Dental X-Rays | Fluoride Treatment | Sealants | Home Care

A preventive program is a cooperative effort by the patient, dentist, and dental staff to preserve the natural dentition and supporting structures by preventing the onset, progress, and recurrence of dental diseases and conditions.

Preventing dental disease starts at home with good oral hygiene and a balanced diet.  It is continued in the dental office by the efforts of your dentist and dental hygienist to promote, restore, and maintain your oral health.

Prevention also includes regular dental exams, cleanings, and x-rays. Sealants and fluoride are also great preventive treatments that help protect the teeth.

Prevention helps avoid serious and costly dental problems and is the key to having a healthy, confident, beautiful smile.  See Our Website:  http://www.coxdds.com/ .  Visit our Stanley, NC Dental Office