Issue 38 of Dear Doctor Magazine

In this Issue of Dear Doctor - Dentistry & Oral Health magazine:

		Issue 3, Volume 11 Letter from Dear Doctor Read this Letter

Cover Story
		Alfonso Ribeiro Alfonso Ribeiro, a professional entertainer since the age of 8, became a primetime staple in the 1990s as Will Smith's cousin Carlton on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. These days, his favorite roles are hosting America's Funniest Home Videos on ABC TV and being a very involved dad. Dear Doctor recently spoke with Alfonso about the ups and downs of show business, the trials of getting toddlers to brush their teeth—and why root canals make him happy! Read this Cover Story

Feature Articles
		Extending the Life of Your Dental Work Dental materials have come a long way in the new millennium...yet no tooth restoration can be guaranteed to last forever. Various factors affect how long dental work holds up, some of which we can control and some we can't. Our expert gives advice for making the most common dental restorations last as long as possible... Read this Feature Article
		Gum Disease and Systemic Health Gum disease (also called periodontal disease) is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. But that isn't the only consequence of this often-silent malady: It is also linked to heart disease, diabetes and other systemic diseases—conditions that affect the entire body rather than just one part. We offer an update on the latest research... Read this Feature Article
		Referred Pain What if you saw your dentist for a toothache and were told there was nothing obviously wrong with your teeth? The frustration of dental pain that won't go away prompts some people to visit the dentist repeatedly, and even ask for procedures that aren't necessary. That's because pain felt in one area sometimes stems from an entirely different source—a condition known as "referred pain"... Read this Feature Article
		10 Tips for Dealing With Dry Mouth Keeping your mouth moist is important for oral health and comfort. Normally, saliva makes your mouth feel comfortable, neutralizes acids that could harm tooth enamel, and brings cavity-fighting minerals to teeth. But some people suffer from chronic mouth dryness. If you're one of them, here's what you can do... Read this Feature Article
		What Our Teeth Say About Us It's truly remarkable what a dentist can learn just by looking in a person's mouth! Teeth can yield a wealth of information—including age, ethnicity, occupation and overall health—that may be used by anthropologists, forensic scientists, historians and practicing dentists. In fact, there is a whole sub-discipline called dental anthropology that reveals the secrets behind our smiles... Read this Feature Article

Consultations
		Tongue Ties, Lip Ties and Breastfeeding How common oral abnormalities can interfere with nursing Read this Consultation
		The Herbst Appliance Correcting orthodontic problems caused by uneven jaw development Read this Consultation
		Sinusitis and Tooth Infections Chronic sinus problems may have a dental cause Read this Consultation
		Black Hairy Tongue An occasional side effect of antibiotics Read this Consultation