west linn community advantage guide

oPen

6 | For Advertising inFormAtion CAll 503.570.3404 © 2012

Dental Facts


Sports Drinks Linked To Tooth DamageBy rebecca smith

S ipping on sports drinks can damage your teeth because of the high levels of acid in them, dentists have warned.Dental experts placed teeth in sports drinks and in water to compare the effects and found the citric acid in the

sports drinks caused corrosion and could result in severe tooth damage if left untreated.

The results of the experiment were presented at the annual meeting of the International Association for Dental Research in Miami.Researchers at the New York University College of Dentistry cut calves’ teeth in half and immersed each half in either a sports drink or water and compared the results after 75 to 90 minutes.“This is the first time that the citric acid in sports drinks has been linked to erosive tooth wear,” said Dr Mark Wolff, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Cariology and Comprehensive Care at the college, who led the study.The erosion on the half placed in the sports drink was clearly vis-ible because dozens of tiny holes had appeared while there was no damage on the half which was immersed in water.Brushing teeth immediately after the drinks would compound the problem, Dr Wolff said, because the acid in the drink softens tooth enamel leaving it vulnerable to the the abrasive brushing with toothpaste.In another study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, scientists found cutting out one serving of sugared soft drink led to weight loss of just over one pound after six months and 1lb 4oz after 18 months. Cutting out other drinks did not have the same effect, the researchers said.A spokesman for the British Soft Drinks Association said: “This study does not replicate real life as the teeth were studied outside of the mouth. A real-life study conducted by Ohio State University, which is the most comprehensive study to date, found that there is no relationship between the consumption of sports drinks and dental erosion. Anyone concerned about this issue should consult their dentist for advice on how to minimise the effects of dietary acids from all sources in the diet.”As posted on www.dentist.net

Health Corner

oPen


Is Bankruptcy Right For You?By George Hoselton, Attorney

If you are like many Americans you may be living in a nightmare of calls from creditors and mailboxes overfl owing with collection notices. Everyone deserves a second chance. Fortunately, the laws of the United States give people the opportunity to start over by wiping away their debts.

If you fi nd yourself in an increasingly precarious fi nancial position, you may think of fi ling for bankruptcy protection. Give us a call and come meet with us, you don’t need anything when you fi rst come in, and we can answer your questions. How do you know if this is really the best way for you to get back on an even footing? What paperwork will you need for us to help you?

While DIY is fairly popular in many things, fi ling for bankruptcy protection is best left to those who know what they’re doing -- an attorney concentrating his practice on bankruptcy. We do not charge for an initial consultation. The reason is that we fi nd value in encouraging people to talk about their situations and feel comfortable before making any decisions about the best path to a fi nancial fresh start.

Again, you DON’T need to bring anything with you the fi rst visit. BUT, if you are sure that bankruptcy is the next step for you and you’d like to get started with your fi rst appointment there are a few things you’ll want to do.

1. Gather your bills and pay stubsPut all your personal fi nancial documents into two stacks. In one stack, compile all your income documents, whether paystubs or cancelled checks or other evidence of what you’ve earned over the last six months. If you have only one employer, that’s easy. However, ALL income is counted here, so be sure you have all the information you would have to declare on your tax return at the end of the year. Be sure to include any rental income.On the other side of the table, sort your bills by category for the same 6-month span: all taxes; mortgage/rent/utility bills; medical expenses; credit card, student loans or other unsecured bills; car loans or secured bills; and any miscellaneous debt. And don’t worry about the size of this stack. It’s almost impossible to present us with too much data. We prefer to have more than less.

2. Get a copy of your credit reportYou can get a copy of your credit report free once a year. Many of our clients go to annualcreditreport.com to download their reports. If you’ve used your free report for the year, we can obtain it for a nominal fee.

3. Make a list of your property, both real estate and personal effectsNow, sit back and take stock of your assets. Items to consider here are real estate, vehicles, household goods, stocks, jewelry, guns, artwork, retirement accounts, insurance and bank accounts.

Finally, give us a call to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your options. The hardest step in the process is the fi rst one, but together we can help you chart a new path to your fi nancial future.

Around Your Community > > >L O C A L F U N I D I N I N G I S H O P S I V A C A T I O N S P O T S

R11© 2012 For Advertising inFormAtion CAll 503.570.3404

Health Corner


C onsolidated Industries was one of the leading manu-facturers of furnaces. It constructed equipment for some of the most commonly known HVAC com-

panies in the world. According to the findings in two class action lawsuits, more than 49 brands of furnaces produced prior to 2001 by Consolidated Industries could potentially present a risk of fire and / or carbon monoxide exposure. Here are the important facts

Thousands of Furnaces Are Still Potential Risks

• More that 49 brands produced prior to 2001 may possess potentially defective parts• Many are common household brands you’ve known for years• These furnaces were found to have potentially defective burners, heat exchangers, and / or expansion joints. • Should these furnaces components fail, they present some serious risk of fire and / or carbon monoxide exposure to homeowners• In 2009, due to the defective burners, heat exchangers and / or expansion joints, Consolidated Industries bankruptcy estate settled a nationwide private class action lawsuit.

Have Your Home’s Furnace Evaluated

• Allow an HVAC professional to inspect your furnace.• They can identify Consolidated Industries furnaces and parts• Annual inspections are recommended• 72 Degrees uses state of the art technology in inspecting furnaces. An infrared camera can detect failure better than the old method of flashlight and mirror.• If you still own one or more furnaces covered by the Settlement, you may be entitled to a free inspection.• 72 Degrees can help submit a claim, if possible.

Protect Your Family & HomeCall Today to Schedule Your Furnace Safety Inspection - 503.655.0556Steven Green - Owner72 Degrees Heating and Air Conditioning • ccb: 154359

Is My Furnace

Safe Important News Regarding Furnaces

Manufactured Prior to 2001!

Heating & Cooling

west linn community advantage guide

Documents

consumption of sports

brushing teeth

comprehensive study

calves teeth

citric acid

dental erosion

reallife study

severe tooth damage