Gary P. Hutnik, DDS, PC

With every breath, you and your family could be exposing themselves to a radioactive gas called Radon. You can't see, smell, or taste radon; but it may be a problem in your home. This is a health risk because radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. The longer your exposure to radon, the greater the health risk.

Radon comes from the natural (radioactive) breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water and gets into the air you breathe. The radioactive gas typically moves up through the ground to the air and into your home through cracks and holes in the foundation. Radon can be found in high levels all over the U.S. and can get into any type of building. Testing is the only way to know if you are at risk for radon. Luckily, testing is inexpensive and easy. Radon detection kits are available from your local health department or hardware store. Testing should be conducted in the lowest living area of your home and short term tests take only a few days. You should fix your home if your radon level is 4 (pCi/L), picocuries per liter, or higher with repeated tests.

My family and I recently tested our home for radon and found the levels of the radioactive gas to be too high. After repeated tests to verify the results, we decided to fix our home. In some cases, sealing cracks in floors and walls may help reduce radon. In other cases, such as ourselves, simple systems called mitigation systems can be installed to reduce radon levels. These mitigation systems seal off sump pump areas and use pipes and fans to remove radon gas from below the foundation before it can enter the home. A special trained, EPA certified, radon contractor must be obtained to install these systems.

Radon is estimated to cause thousands of cancer deaths in the U.S. each year. Get your home tested with the easy to use detection kits so that you can be assured that your family is not being exposed to a major health risk. Test your home for radon so that your family will breathe a lot easier.

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Our NiteWhite system is a take home kit that is reliant completely on the patient.  We would have him/her come to the office for a quick visit to take impressions of their teeth.  Once the trays are made, we call the patient to have them pick them up along with the bleaching kit.  While this system is cheaper ($195) it takes significantly more time and responsibility.

Our second option is Zoom! Chairside Whitening.  This system is done completely in office.  A patient is with us for about two hours but leaves with white teeth.  No more needs to be done at home!  For $349 you can have white teeth with the least amount of hassle.

Both systems are equally effective.  Patient's time and finances are the biggest limiting factors.  Call today with questions or to set up an appointment.

www.discusdental.com

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We greeted a new patient today who said when she was leaving that she had never before received such a thorough examination. We thanked her for her compliment and said that we take special care to really discover what is going on with our patients, dentally as well as with their overall health.

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The number one reason many people avoid the dentist is fear.  The thought of pain unnerves most individuals.  High anxiety afflicts most dental patients, even those who go for regular check-ups.  We in the dental profession know this.  Most of us go the extra mile to alleviate the fears and minimize pain.  We have many drugs at our disposal for pain and anxiety control.  Talk with your dentist at your initial visit to see what would work best for you.  Believe it or not, dental visits can be made comfortable with medications and some good old fashioned TLC.

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We are avid supporters of local schools and businesses!  Anything we can do to have fun for a great cause is right up our alley (see our pictures below).  Feel free to share any of your charity work with us.  We'll post it to our website in support of you too!

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My five-year-old daughter enjoys drawing and painting.  When she asked me who my favorite artist was, I quickly replied, "Picasso."  Suddenly, her expression saddend and she pleaded, "But I thought I was your favorite artist"  Picasso is now my second favorite artist.

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We are sponsoring a Brahma bull for the Portland Rodeo on June 12th.  We need to come up with a great name.  Here are some possibilities:

The Denture Maker

Bridgework Ahead

Toothbrush with Danger

The Decay Digger

The Extractor

 Please let us know what you think!

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20. Hang Christmas ornaments

19. Boobie trap for locker (have something rigged to swing/fall out at the opener)

18. Emergency hair tie

17. Reminder loop for finger

16. Science experiment- show how sinus and mouth are connected

15. Escape route from jail

14. Cake cutter

13. Belt

12. Fishing line

11. Tie to a magnet and lower in to a small space for metal object retrieval

10. Gift ribbon

9.  Pet rock leash

8. Shoe laces

7.  String popcorn for Christmas tree garland

6.  Tie to tooth and doorknob or remote control car for tooth removal

5.  Soap on a rope

4.  Homemade jewelry

3.  Car repairs when duct tape runs out

2.  Power cord organizer

1.  FLOSS YOUR TEETH EVERY DAY!

Call us to set up an appointment to get your complimentary mutlipurpose tool!

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