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Show 24 ST. GEORGE — For the week of September 19, 2008 poe neansecns The Spectrum — www.thespectrum.com The joys of dentistry: Local practice thrives on work BY BOB HUDSON bhudson@thespectrum.com ST. GEORGE — When Dr. Heath Colledge and his associates handed out candy at the What Kids Want Expo, they got some strange looks. “They said, ‘you guys are handing out suckers?” Colledge said. -Many believe dentists are supposed to promote healthy snacks like carrots and broccoli, not candy. Actually, Colledge said, the suckers they were handing out are healthy snacks. The suckers have as their primary ingredient an extract of licorice root, long known in Chinese medicine — eV 4 Fe rs as something good for one’s mouth. UCLA researchers learned that licorice root actually disables the major organisms that cause tooth ecay. The California Dental Association provided its members with information about caries (cavities) management through articles in its monthly journal. Colledge, who said he enjoys the science behind dentistry, is trying to educate his patients — and the public — about the future. Although statistics show a slight. decrease in caries among adults, they.show an increase among children. “One of our big concerns right now is managing den- (866) 674-0320 (435) 674-0320 TECHNO DE MAILCIPIIGEL . Above the rest ! Mike Mangum / St. George Neighborhoods Dr. Heath Colledge and his partner, Dr. Larry Staples, offer a variety of things to of medications that people take for high blood pressure and diabetes. The gum and mints, which are available at Dixie Nutrition, help to lower the acidity and increase saliva flow. Colledge said the goal of the treatments is to lower the acidity in a person's 0000002513_C50 High Speed tal decay in children so we won't be fighting a losing battle when they are adults, Colledge said. “There are many types of bacteria found in the mouth and two main ones that cause tooth decay.’ Colledge said. “We're trying to eliminate the bad ones’ That’s where the licorice root products come in. That use, according to product information, is a sucker twice a day for 10 days for those at low or mod-— erate risk of getting cavities. Since the suckers, which are available at Dr. Colledge’s office and online, only cost about 50 cents each, they are relatively inexpensive. After that initial treatment, people treat themselves about every six months. “Another thing we like to encourage is the use of gum and mints with Xylitol sweetener, Collegde said. One of the primary concerns with older individuals is dry mouth because FCC Licensed for Reliability<< We're No www.skyviewtech.com| Red Hilis Pkwy., George, Ut 84770 mouth and kill the bacteria that cause decay. “Nothing will ever replace brushing and flossing, but anything we can do to supplement that is our goal? he said. While it may seem like dentists like Colledge are trying to put themselves out of business, he said he’s not worried. “People are always going to have problems with their teeth," he said. Colledge, who practices with Dr. Larry Staples, has been in St. George about one and a half years. Originally from Lehi, he got his undergraduate degree from Utah Valley University and his dental training at Temple University. Sky Wire Act! 845 help battle mouth licorice suckers. St. f | Building Quality Homes forOver Years! te one of our happy customers. “You can see anything youre going to see; Colledge said of his dental experiences in Philadelphia. “Nothing here surprises me now: Ageneraldentist,Colledge said, “there’s no limit on what we do. Basically we see everybody. The best part of his job, bacteria — including he said, “is working with people. I really enjoy getting to know the individual patients and learning about their families. “Dentistry is a field where you have to get to know somebody and they have to trust you almost instantly; he said. Colledge said he’s always wanted to be a dentist. “I have wanted to be a dentist since I was a little kid although there's nobody in my family who is” He and his wife Amanda and their daughter Anabell moved to St. George in part because her family has had a place here. “She's loved St. George ever since I've known her, he said. When he’s not working, Colledge is preparing for the St. George Marathon. He'll join Dr. Staples for that race on Oct. 4. “T like bike riding, too; he said. “I want to do this marathon and then do a couple of 100-mile bike rides” |