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The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, October 15, 2002-13 Be careful not to wear i teeth away Are you wearing your teeth away? These days, most of us are concemed about our dental health and we try bard to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. However, tooth erosion or wearing of the enamel is bccomning a more common prob- lem today as people are keeping their teeth longer. Smnce dental erosion is irreversible and difficuls so treat, prevention is tbe best policy. Alshough a certain amount of tooth wear is so, be cxpected with age, it's important to recognize when teeth are wearing abnor- mally and to understand why this is hap- pening. Usually, dental erosion is related to a number of factors, but one of the most common causes is too much acidic sub- stance in the diet, both in food and drinks. Consuming large quantities of sofi drinks can be very harmful. Acidic foods, includ- ing some citrus fruits and vinegar-based substances, if caten excessively can destroy the enamel. Conditions where persistent vomising can occur, such as pregnancy and bulimia (an eating disorder), also contribute to den- tal erosion. Acid reflux froru chronic indi- gestion, hiatus bemia and alcoholism are other factors ihat contrihute to loss of enamel. Certain medical conditions and drug treatments, especially if tbey cause your mouth to be dry, cao lead to tooth wear as well. Some types of work increase the risk of tooth crosion because thcy expose workcrs to higber levels of acidic or abrasive sub- stances. A cbef or wine taster may experi- ence this as could industrial workers cxposed to acidic or abrasive chemicals. People who often grind their teeth or brush improperly cao also experience tooth wear. I-ard toothbrushes and abrasive toothpaste cao also be harrnful and they should be avoîded. Tooth erosion cao effeet the qualîîy of your smile because the enamel wears pre- masurely. Your teeth miay become sensitive as enamnel is Iost and in severe cases, the dentin becomes cxposed. Dentin is the sen- sitive layer found under the enamel layer of your teeth. This cao be painful, especially when eating or drinking cold items. As the teeth wear, they cao become brittle and may be more likcly to break; your abilisy so speak properly could also be affected. Prevention is the best approach, but if you suspect that your teeth are wearing more than normal it's important to identify the problem and correct it. The cause can be controlled to prevens any more damage. Make sure you have a healthy, balanced diet and avoid sugary and acidic foods and drinks. See your dentist or hygieniss regularly for check-ups, as they are ofien the first so recognize signs of dental erosion. For more information about prevensing abnormal tooth wear, caîl the Halton Region Health Dcpartmens as (905) 825- 6060, ext 7697, toil free I -866-4HALTON (1-866-442-5866), 1TY (905) 827-9833 or visis our Web site as www.region.halton.on.ca/heath/. Health Notes is prepared by staff of the HaIo &iQontqti prL"Legt Psychiatrist wilIgive overview of depression from dia gnosis to treatment; wl/i be available for question -and-answer period The publie is invited Io attend a free seminar, 'Underssanding Depression: Causes, Sympsoms. Treasmenîs' Thursday as 707 Galaxy Banquet Hall in Oakvîllc. The seminar, orgaoized by Halton Healthcare Services, will begin as 7 p.m. Refreshments and displays will be available prior to the seminar as 6:30 p.m. Dr. KarI OSullivan, psychiasriss, will provide a comprehensive overview of depression from diagnosis to treasmens and will be available for a question and answer period. Experiences of failure commonly resuls in semporaiy feelings of worthlessness and self-blame, while personal losses cause feelings of sadness, disappoinsmens and emptiness. These feelings are nor- mal, and shey usually pass after a short time, however this isnt the case with depressive illness. Depression becomes an illness, or clinical depression, when the feelings are severe, last for scvcral wccks and begin su interfere with ones work and social life. Depressive illness cao change the way a person thinks and behaves and how the persons body funeions. Depression is the most treatable mental illness. 13REA5T HEALTH WORK5HOP'" Truceday. 0ctoLer 22. 2002 7:00 Vo :30pm r îtor U4,rrict HosrîitŽi1Cli55roomr YOU WILL LEARN: t5 j ' ots it Prc- ,st , ircer r revrst_ t vt i ci - r rr -,7ct it v -therr mmorare mctlion of freast self-esamrirratiori Uoîre siicOsrie Os1 To reserve a seat for the seminar or for more information, cal (905) 338-4379 or e-mail to elittle@haltonhealthcare.on.ca. If youre unable 50, attend ibis event and would like more infor- mation on this topie, caîl your physician or the Canadian Mental Health Association ai 1-888-468-8236. M& 4ý el b . 6 TVy~.,fft Cy- CCF, M, RM R,,gisteredDcrml Therapist 876-1711 550 OnUrb St'S. Unit 16ý MU« PERSO g-(ed $1 Over fori weight losenurif ask for the impossîl NALIZED NATU L rEICHT LOSS 1Iper Pound Based on Full Program( expires Excudes Products. ( Oct. 2/02J 15 Martin St. CARRIAGE SQUARE ible. if sur specialty. 9 5 6 3 9 9 Lb!c"ffofà Hea j1h Seminar on understanding depression No tes ~J to be held Thursdayv at banquet hall Our Healthy Living Section is a monthly feature in The Champion. Wed mw WS wJ> 4l.ecùz/inena biw' For more information or ts reserse your seat cail or emaîl 905-338-4379 cpopp@halionheallhcare.on.ca 13EA5T HEALTH r MONTH s s sdbyHJlnH I h f -/ Hcilton His Speech Centre Communication is Vital * Language e Stuttering " Articulation e Swallowing " Voice a Reading " Stroke Rehabilitation a Tutoring e Accent Improvement Providing therapy to children and aduits in Halton, Peel and Wellington Counties Evening and Saturdciy appointments avoulable Ph: 90-873-8400 Fax: 905-873-7291 www.haltonspeech.com Only, Northview Centre 15 minutes to 211 Guelph St., Suite 5 Georgetown Georgetown ý.,- j 1