Dental Blog for Charlotte NC Dentist

Food Myths Abound – Ignore Them & Just Enjoy Eating

Before diving in, please understand that this is a very incomplete review of a truly superb book about the realities of health and nutrition. I could write so much more but ultimately stopped so as to not write a book of my own. However, I HIGHLY recommend this book! Dr. Payet MSG. Salt. Fat. Adkins. Sugar. Paleo. Organic. Gluten. Juicing. Cleanses. Detoxes. GMOs. Meat. Vegetarian. Vegan. Superfoods. High fat/low carb. Low fat/high carb. How many of these food fads have you lived through? Since my own birth in 1971 (where the heck did those years go???), I’ve seen all of them to varying degrees. And the common theme behind all of them is that there is some ingredient, or combination of ingredients, that possess either demonic or miraculous powers that either are the cause of every known illness or will cure every known modern illness, make you lose weight without effort, prolong your life, and more. […]

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By Charles Payet| 2017-06-09T20:29:27-04:00 June 20th, 2015|Health & Food, Skeptical Thinking, Taking Care of Your Teeth|0 Comments

Juicing, Fruit Juices, & Energy Drinks: Worse than Soda?

Back on December 1st 2014, Forbes.com published an article on a study with the headline: Pure Juice Won’t Rot Your Kids’ Teeth. It didn’t get a lot of attention, thank goodness, because while the article was factual, it significantly overstated the conclusion, much like the 2015 Newsweek article claiming a non-existent link between fluoride and ADHD, which I recently debunked. Since I’ve been reading a lot of claims on social media that fruit juices, juicing, and energy drinks are healthier for you and your teeth than sodas, this seemed a good time to continue my series on science in medicine and dentistry. It also follows nicely on my recent article Why I Don’t Buy Organic because it emphasizes why I’m skeptical about all kinds of fads. To be clear – I have nothing against juicing, 100% juice, organic juice, whatever kind of juice if you like it. You just need to be aware of potential risks associated with juicing, 100% juice, or energy drinks. As reassurance, at the end of this article, I provide recommendations on how to best avoid cavities and acid erosion of your teeth if you like juicing. […]

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By Charles Payet| 2017-06-09T20:29:30-04:00 May 8th, 2015|Cavities, Health & Food, Skeptical Thinking, Taking Care of Your Teeth|0 Comments

Why I Don’t Buy Organic Food

You might be wondering why I'm writing about where I go grocery shopping, right? Good question! The reason is simple: as part of my blogging, I see myself as an educator about science and medicine. As they become increasingly complex, it's harder for the public to understand what's important, what's real, what's junk, etc. Also, as a passionate believer in the value of science and the scientific method, I am saddened and worried by the misinformation and myths that abound, especially on social media. That's why I write occasional articles current topics in science, medicine, and how they apply in our daily lives, just like I do about dentistry. Science vs. Pseudoscience I've already written several times about the difference between "real" medicine and "alternative" medicine, if you'd like to catch up a bit: Fluoride is Safe & Effective Water Fluoridation Does NOT Increase ADHD Holistic, Alternative Medicine is Usually Wrong Can Cavities be Cured? Do Silver Fillings Poison You? Heck No, Dr. Oz! The most important point that I try to make in all of these articles is that real science has to follow strict rules, whereas pseudoscience and alternative medicine can pretty much make up anything they like. Sadly, we're seeing a lot of the latter in current discussions about organic and GMO foods. Food Choice is Great Let's get some important points out of the way up front: I have nothing against organic foods, and if that's what you choose for you, that's great; As a dentist, I can obviously afford the higher prices of organic food - I choose not to do so. I have no tolerance for conspiracy theories. If your primary argument against GMO foods is "Monsanto is evil," you've already [...]

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By Charles Payet| 2017-06-09T20:29:32-04:00 April 12th, 2015|ANNOUNCEMENTS, Health & Food, Taking Care of Your Teeth|0 Comments

Water Fluoridation Does NOT Increase ADHD

Alternately, this post could be titled: There is Good Science, Bad Science, and Plain Ole JUNK Science As a follow-up to my recent study on the incredible safety of fluoride in water and dental products, this is a perfect opportunity to talk about why science journalism, and even some research, can do far more harm than good by inaccurate reporting, or by reporting single studies without putting them in context of the total body of research on a subject, etc. The article which I am rebutting here was published in Newsweek Magazine on March 10th, 2015 and titled: Water Fluoridation Linked to Higher ADHD Rates. As someone who was diagnosed with ADD (without hyperactivity) in 2005 ago at age 33, as well as being a dentist, this naturally caught my attention. However, as I read through it, so many glaring errors jumped out at me, it became clear that the study is essentially meaningless, and the article DRASTICALLY overstated the conclusion. There is one statement mid-way through the article that basically tells you how meaningless this study is on its own: But scientists were quick to point out that this is just one study, and doesn’t prove that there is necessarily a causal link between fluoridation and ADHD. They also noted a number of important limitations: Individual fluoride exposures weren’t measured, ADHD diagnoses weren’t independently verified and there may be other unknown confounding factors that explain the link. […]

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By Charles Payet| 2017-06-09T20:29:36-04:00 March 23rd, 2015|ANNOUNCEMENTS, Taking Care of Your Teeth|0 Comments

Another Snow Day in Charlotte

You know, I really do feel sorry for the weather forecasters. They're the brunt of so many unkind jokes on social media and around the office water cooler whenever the predictions for a big storm don't come true, and yet, weather itself is so inherently unpredictable. So while I am personally quite disappointed to have woken up this morning to find 0.7" of snow on the ground instead of 7", let's give them a break. After all, it's not like the rest of us have to make sense out of weather than can change so quickly, nor do our jobs have those kinds of demands. That said.....Smiles by Payet Family Dentistry is closed today, February 26th. While road conditions are not that bad, the slush can be dangerous in which to drive, and several of our employees have long commutes. It's simply not worth risking them or our patients' safety. If you must go out this morning, please do be careful. We will be in touch as soon as possible to reschedule those people who hadn't already called yesterday about moving.

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By Charles Payet| 2017-06-09T20:29:39-04:00 February 26th, 2015|ANNOUNCEMENTS|0 Comments

Fluoride is Safe & Effective

If you spend any time on the Internet, it's easy to find a lot of scary information about fluoride and why you shouldn't let your kids get any. Speaking as a professional, however, I'd like to reassure you that NONE of that scary information is actually correct, and that fluoride in appropriate doses is one of the safest and most effective means of preventing tooth decay available. It saddens me to see both children and adults who've been denied these benefits because of myths and misinformation, because those patients almost universally have many more cavities than patients who follow long-proven recommendations. And since the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists recently released new guidelines, this is a good time to review, as there have been some changes. Current Recommendations for Dental Fluoride for Children Please ensure your infant and child receive no more than the recommended amount of toothpaste. This is for the same reasons that children should NOT be allowed any fluoride-containing mouth rinses before the age of 6: infants and toddlers can't control their swallowing reflex so as to not swallow the toothpaste or rinse. Eating or drinking too much fluoride can result in a couple problems (see further down the page for details). How Does Fluoride Work on Your Teeth? While it has long been thought that fluoride that is drunk or eaten helps to harden teeth, more recent research shows that the main effect is by coating the teeth and being absorbed. This is why the AAP now recommends starting fluoride toothpaste when the first tooth shows through; it's also one reason that fluoride supplements are now rarely recommended. Basically, enamel is a mineral matrix, mostly made up of hydroxyapatite, which [...]

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By Charles Payet| 2017-06-09T20:29:42-04:00 February 19th, 2015|Family dentistry, Taking Care of Your Teeth|0 Comments

Smiles by Payet Family Dentistry Turns 15

December 27th, 2014 Was a Big Day! It's actually been 16.5 years since I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry (that's a mouthful for you, eh?) as a brand-spankin' new dentist, but Dec. 27th, 2014 was indeed the 15-Year Anniversary of opening the doors of my own dental practice in the Southpark Mall area of Charlotte, NC. After 10 years there, we relocated a couple miles away to our current office; it will be officially 5 years in this office in late March 2015. And what a ride it has been! The First 5 Years (1999-2004) When I started my practice, I dreamed of becoming a big cosmetic dentistry guru. I wanted to help change people's lives. I was 27 years old, naive, idealistic, and a dreamer. Not that those are bad things, but some practicality and good sense go a long way in business, too. It took a long time before I gained those, so it's a good thing I can look back on the past with a sense of humor, knowing we eventually overcame those early struggles. We started out with a fully computerized practice, digital x-rays, and even the CEREC 2 (early version of the CEREC Bluecam we currently have), and a mountain of debt. Ah well......youth. After opening our doors on Dec. 27th, 1999, the practice grew fairly well for 18 months. I took a lot of advanced Continuing Education in cosmetic dentistry, and we did OK. But then the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 hit. Business plummeted out of fear that Charlotte might be attacked next, and in early 2002, I wasn't sure if we'd stay in business. Fortunately, a big radio [...]

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By Charles Payet| 2017-06-09T20:29:47-04:00 January 4th, 2015|ANNOUNCEMENTS, Family dentistry|0 Comments

A Sad Farewell Indeed

It is with great sadness that we must announce that Rosie, our long-term Dental Assistant, will be leaving us at the end of December. She will be returning home to Arizona and her family, where she will be helping to care for her mother and spend a lot more time with her grandchildren. While we understand, we will miss her more than words can express. Rosie first came to work for us back in 2007 and continued until early 2011, when she had to take an extended leave due to a badly broken ankle. However, when an opening came up again in early 2013, we were just as excited as our patients to welcome her back, and it's been a fabulous 2 years. Rosie's work ethic is simply unparalleled, and countless patients have experienced her warm, welcoming smile; the way she always looked for something sweet and kind to say to every patient who came in; the way she comforted the many nervous patients; how comfortably and easily she answered questions and explained the options each patient had available. It will be difficult for anyone to fill her shoes; not just her technical abilities as a chairside dental assistant, but as someone who knew how every aspect of our office works. She knows our patients and their stories and has watched so many of them grow up. She's been there since shortly after Dr. Payet got married and had a baby; through the tough times of the recession into the boom times of recent years. She's stayed late when needed, come in early when needed, worked through lunch without complaint - all to make sure that our patients were cared for. Rose..........we will miss you. [...]

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By Charles Payet| 2017-06-09T20:29:50-04:00 December 23rd, 2014|ANNOUNCEMENTS|0 Comments

Ever Feel Just a Little Overwhelmed?

As a husband, father, dentist and dental geek, photographer, blogger, passionate learner, etc. it often seems that there is never enough time in the day, week, month, or year to get even remotely close to getting everything done. Add in my ADD that pulls me in a dozen directions at once, and it seems that I never stop. Oh yeah.....and we're in the middle of the holidays from Thanksgiving to Christmas to New Years (and any other holidays in there you may celebrate :-) ). Can you relate? Ever feel like you can never catch up, catch your breath, or take a break despite mental and physical exhaustion? I mean, as much as I like to imagine that my life is like the picture on the left, far more often the squirrel pulls me in a gazillion directions at once, and I end up like the image on the right. Who's with me? Give Yourself Permission to Do Nothing and Enjoy It! At least, that's what I did this past weekend, and man, did it feel good. After working incredibly hard this year on many different projects, I hit the proverbial wall the week after Thanksgiving. Worn out mentally, emotionally, and physically. You know you've felt the same way, right? And the worst part is - if you try to take some time to yourself, you start feeling guilty for not doing all of the things you "know" you just have to be doing! The idea of just dropping everything and saying "NO MORE!" is so difficult these days, don't you think? If you're not prepping the house for holidays because everyone on your street is doing it, or planning the family travels and meals, [...]

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By Charles Payet| 2017-06-09T20:31:40-04:00 December 9th, 2014|ANNOUNCEMENTS|0 Comments