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8A Daily News – Friday, November 8, 2013 FEATURES Unchecked tooth decay leads to cavities eventually peneDEAR DOCtrates the enamel TOR K: What is and a cavity tooth decay? Is it forms. the same as a cavity? If decay is DEAR READcaught early ER: Tooth decay is enough — while not the same as a it's still an area of cavity — but tooth demineralization, decay can lead to Dr. K or a "white spot" the formation of a by Anthony L. — the tooth may cavity. Komaroff, M.D. be able to repair Tooth decay itself. Your den(also known as dental tist may be able to stop the caries) originates with decay to give your body a plaque, the sticky, bacte- chance to remineralize ria-laden film that collects and repair the tooth: on your teeth between — Fluoride applied to brushings. In recent years, the teeth in the form of a we've learned that many gel or varnish can boost types of bacteria produce remineralization. filmy substances that act — Applying a gel or like a protective foam. varnish containing a powMillions of bacteria live together inside the foam erful antiseptic can reduce bubble they collectively the level of cavity-causing have made. It's their bacteria in your mouth, house, and helps them slowing demineralization. — Your dentist may keep out threatening apply a liquid plastic things. Protected from destruc- sealant to create a physical tion by the film, the bacte- barrier against bacteria. ria in plaque produce acid Sealants can help even that gradually destroys the after there is evidence of surface of the teeth. When decay. Once a cavity has decay creates a hole in the enamel — the hard out- formed, the emphasis side layer of your tooth — shifts from prevention to restoration. The tooth canthis is a cavity. Here's a quick look at not at this point repair how tooth decay progress- itself; your dentist must es to cavity formation. correct the damage. (I've put an illustration of Repair usually means this process on my web- cleaning out the area and site, AskDoctorK.com.) filling the cavity. (1) Cavity-causing bacWe live in a world full teria accumulate on the of microbes. Sometimes teeth. they ignore us, and (2) These bacteria pro- sometimes they prey on duce acid that dissolves us. We have 13 trillion the enamel surface of the cells in our body, and we teeth in a process called have 10 times 13 trillion demineralization. Ordi- bacteria living inside and narily, the body has time on us all the time. Some to remineralize, or replen- of them actually help us ish the enamel. But when — such as gut bacteria enough bacteria accumu- that make vitamins that late, acid dissolves enamel we need. Sometimes they faster than the body can rebuild it. Tiny pits mar lie waiting for our defenses to falter and the surface of the tooth. (3) First-stage decay, then attack. It's like that the earliest stage of decay, with tooth decay and appears as a white or cavities: It's best for us brown area on a tooth. to keep a step or two This "white spot" is visi- ahead of them, through brushing and flossing ble only to your dentist. (4) Unchecked, the acid and regular checkups. Home run with Social Security By Jennifer Cooper Social Security Manager in Redding, CA Baseball fans across the nation (and around the world) have just enjoyed the 109th World Series. Many fans are already looking forward to spring training, followed by cheering crowds filling giant stadiums as the new season gets under way. Baseball is America's pastime. In the same way, Social Security is America's cornerstone. Virtually every American knows about baseball, and just about every person in America benefits from Social Security. These days, more baseball fans watch on their television sets than in person. Many fans have even taken to watching their favorite team play online. Did you know that more people apply for their Social Security retirement benefits online instead of going way out into left field to visit an office and apply in person? In fact, more than fifty percent of people apply for retirement benefits online. But just how many people is that? Imagine your favorite full-sized baseball stadium packed full of cheering fans. Now imagine your secondfavorite full-sized stadium, also packed full. That's a lot of people, but not even close. Try to picture over 140 fullsized stadiums brimming full of fans. That's how many people have applied online for Social Security retirement benefits. More than six million people. It's as easy to understand why people prefer our online application at www.socialsecurity.gov versus applying in an office as it is to understand why so many people love baseball. Applying online is convenient — you can do it from the comfort of your home or office with the baseball game on your radio or television set. And applying online is like watching a game on TV — there's no traffic, no lines, and you can wear whatever you want. Need to step away to refresh your snacks? You can stop and restart your application at any time. But you probably won't need to since it can be completed, from start to finish, in as little as 15 minutes. Once you electronically submit your application, that's it. You can sit back and enjoy the rest of the game. When you are up to bat for retirement, join the millions who have applied the easy way: online. You're sure to hit a home run at www.socialsecurity.gov/pgm/retirement.htm. Brother's temper makes visits painful agree.'' If you can create a Dear Annie: My older different dynamic by refusbrother and I are both in our ing to be your brother's mid-30s and have not gotten favorite target, your entire along for 20 years. He has relationship could evolve. been verbally, psychologiEnlist his wife's help to cally and at times physicalkeep visits pleasant. Whenly abusive toward me. He ever possible, see your has a ferocious temper, and nephew when your brother if I say anything he doesn't Annie's isn't around. And they may like, he lambastes me. both love it if you offer to I try to avoid him, but take the baby for an hour or since the birth of my nephew (the cutest baby by Kathy Mitchell so. Win-win. Dear Annie: I know you ever), that is not always pos- and Marcy Sugar have heard this before, but sible. I like his wife and adore my nephew. Before a visit, I please tell major retailers to stock have trouble sleeping at night. I feel good-looking clothes for women anxious and dread the hours passing size 3X and larger — not those horin anticipation. When I get there, I rid blouses with prints that look like try to stay silent and enjoy the baby, they came from my grandmother's not doing anything that might make closet. I would love to buy a top that has him lash out. I wish there was a way to heal sleeves that fit and a neckline that's my relationship with my brother. He not trying to be sexy and to have doesn't believe he's done anything choices in enough styles that I don't hurtful and thinks I should just ''get have to buy four of the same item in over it.'' I wish I could. Is there different colors. We have money to something I could do? — Little Sis- spend on nice clothes if they were offered. ter in Need Stores manage to sell affordable Dear Little Sister: Can you create a tougher skin? You need to stop clothes for skinny girls, so how taking your brother's anger person- about the rest of us? And please ally. His comments have nothing to don't tell us to go to specialty do with your intelligence, your per- stores. I would like to find clothes in sonality or your opinion on any sub- my size in any store. Wake up, corject. It's about his need to be in con- porate America! Americans are gettrol of every situation, and at the ting bigger. You can make lots of money if you offer decent clothes bottom of that need is fear. Empower yourself. Learn to for big women. — I Need Nice smile indulgently and ignore him or Clothes, Too Dear Need: Actually, there are say calmly, ''I guess we simply dis- Mailbox Years ago I had a frugality wakeup call -- something I admit to needing from time to time. It's so easy to get sloppy in a country where we are surrounded by abundance and a seemingly endless supply of everything. It was the morning of our annual holiday dinner party. I had limited time and many things to do to get ready for the big event. On my list was "clean patio chairs," because we would undoubtedly need them for additional seating. I wanted them sparkling clean and presentable. The chairs had been out during several recent rainstorms and they showed it. I grabbed my supplies, only to discover that I had just one roll of paper towels, and it was partly used. This would be a three-roll job at the very least. I was too busy to carefully count out one or two towels. My style was to spin off a big wad. Normally, this shortage would have sent me on a quick trip to the store to replenish my supply. But, as you may recall from previous columns, I do not have a car. I live in automobile-dependent Southern California and by choice I share a vehicle with my husband. On this MINERAL — To honor America's service men and women, Lassen Volcanic National Park will join other areas managed by the Department of the Interior in waiving entrance fees Saturday, Nov. 9 through Monday, Nov. 11. "We hope that visitors will come to Lassen Volcanic National Park this weekend to enjoy this wonderful park and remember our veterans and their role in keeping America safe," stated Park Superintendent Darlene Koontz. Visitors to Lassen Volcanic National Park and other public recreation lands managed by the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation are invited to take a day to honor and reflect on what our service men and women have done to maintain our freedom and keep peace around the world. Lassen Volcanic National Park visitors on this particular weekend will not be charged an entrance fee and Next Meeting SERVICES AT LOWER PRICES Monday, November 18th 7:00a - 8:00a Smog Check 331 Elm Street, Red Bluff RSVP 530-736-6775 may simply enter the park and enjoy their local national park. Opportunities to explore unique volcanic landscapes, enjoy scenic vistas, hike in pristine wilderness and discover a diversity of plants and wildlife that make the park their home are just some of the experiences that await visitors. Over 25 years of experience STOVE JUNCTION BBQ PELLETS The North State's premier supplier of stoves (RBBBS) FREE Coffee day he was at the office and I was- soap instead of "eyeballing" it? n't. I did not have time to walk to Would I be more careful with the nearest store, so I decided to go errands if gasoline were scarce? with the only choice I had at Would I be careful to wear an apron in the kitchen if I had only a the moment: Make do. I carefully tore off three limited amount of laundry detertowels. I scrubbed and gent? What if this was the cleaned. Then only tube of toothpaste for instead of tossing the foreseeable future? those wet towels in Could I make it last? the trash (my first Would I throw away inclination) I opened half a pot of cold coffee or them up, straightened freeze it in ice cube trays them out and cleaned for later if some rare beetle some more. destroyed the world's cofAt first I was irritated fee harvest? that I had to do this, but it Would I use the tea bag didn't take long to turn to make two or three cups this into a game to see of tea, as if tea were in how long I could make Mary short supply? the towels last. I worked How long could I my way through the make other things last, chairs and ended up with such as items that seem clean white chairs and so ordinary and availtowels to spare. I was able, they're easy to downright proud of waste? myself. How long could you My experience with the paper towels made me think: make things last -- not because you What if I approached everything have to, but because it's just the with the same sense of scarcity and right thing to do? It's good for the earth, for your the fear of running out? Would the attitude and good for your wallet, milk last longer? Would I measure the laundry too. $ starting at 95 $ 25 + 8 certificate 25 (MOST CARS & PICK-UPS) 527-9841 • 195 S. Main St. Hunt Everyday Cheapskate Free entrance to Lassen for Veteran's Day weekend The All makes and models. We perform dealer recommened Members Welcome 30K, 60K, 90K Annie's Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please email your questions to anniesmailboxcomcast.net, or write to: Annie's Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254. The power of scarcity Red Bluff Businessman's Bible Study Join us!! Network with other Christian Businessmen more stores carrying larger sizes than ever before. And the selections range from inexpensive to pricey. There also are multiple places online to find larger sizes. There may not yet be the same variety of styles and selections as there are for smaller sizes, but it's much more inclusive than it used to be. The market will go where the money is. It just takes time. Dear Annie: I sympathize with ''Regrets in Paradise,'' the 57-yearold woman who is in an unhappy marriage to a 61-year-old man. She discovered after they married that he isn't the same guy and simply wants her to take care of him. I am a 75-year-old widow of six years. I have observed that most men my age are interested in women 20 years younger. I think they are looking for a ''nurse with a purse,'' and I am better off as I am. For more than 50 years, I waited on my husband and took care of him through his last illness. He was the father of my two children, and I would have done anything for him, but I have no intention of going through that again. — Better Off Single Stromer Realty Specializing in Residential to Ranches Now in Stock! Popular customer request 590 Antelope Blvd Serving Butte, Glenn & Tehama Counties Tues-Sat 9am-5pm • Closed Sun & Mon Red Bluff 22825 Antelope Blvd., Red Bluff (530) 527-3100 530-528-2221 • Fax 530-528-2229 www.thestovejunction.com U.S. active duty military members and their dependents are eligible for a free annual pass that provides unlimited entrance to lands managed by the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation, and Bureau of Land Management for one full year. If RUNNINGS ROOFING Sheet Metal Roofing Residential Commercial • Composition • Shingle • Single Ply Membrane "No Job Too Steep" " No Job Too Flat" Serving Tehama County No Money 530-527-5789 530-209-5367 CA. LIC#829089 Down! FREE ESTIMATES Owner is on site on every job you qualify, please inquire about these passes at the Southwest Entrance Station during this free entrance weekend. Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday thru Sundays. For more information, please contact the park at (530) 595-4480 or visit www.nps.gov.