Thursday, December 29, 2011

If Your Teeth Could Talk ...

The Mouth Offers Clues to Disorders and Disease; Dentists Could Play Larger Role in Patient Care


The eyes may be the window to the soul, but the mouth provides an even better view of the body as a whole.

Some of the earliest signs of diabetes, cancer, pregnancy, immune disorders, hormone imbalances and drug issues show up in the gums, teeth and tongue—sometimes long before a patient knows anything is wrong.

WSJ 'Personal Journal' Senior Editor Melinda Beck explains that one's teeth and gums hold a lot of details about the body's overall health.
There's also growing evidence that oral health problems, particularly gum disease, can harm a patient's general health as well, raising the risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, pneumonia and pregnancy complications.

"We have lots of data showing a direct correlation between inflammation in the mouth and inflammation in the body," says Anthony Iacopino, director of the International Centre for Oral-Systemic Health, which opened at the University of Manitoba Faculty of Dentistry in Canada in 2008. Recent studies also show that treating gum disease improves circulation, reduces inflammation and can even reduce the need for insulin in people with diabetes.

Such findings are fueling a push for dentists to play a greater role in patients' overall health. Some 20 million Americans—including 6% of children and 9% of adults—saw a dentist but not a doctor in 2008, according to a study in the American Journal of Public Health this month.

"It's an opportunity to tell a patient, 'You know, I'm concerned. I think you really need to see a primary care provider,' so you are moving in the direction of better health," says the study's lead researcher Shiela Strauss, co-director of statistics and data management for New York University's Colleges of Nursing and Dentistry.

George Kivowitz, a restorative dentist with offices in Manhattan and Newtown, Pa., says he has spotted seven cases of cancer in 32 years of practice, as well as cases of bulimia, due to the telltale erosion of enamel on the back of the upper front teeth, and methamphetamine addiction. "We call it 'meth mouth,' " he says. "The outer surface of teeth just rot in a way that's like nothing else."

Some of the most distinctive problems come from uncontrolled diabetes, Dr. Kivowitz adds. "The gum tissue has a glistening, shiny look where it meets the teeth. It bleeds easily and pulls away from the bone—and it's all throughout the mouth."

An estimated six million Americans have diabetes but don't know it—and several studies suggest that dentists could help alert them. A 2009 study from New York University found that 93% of people who have periodontal disease are at risk for diabetes, according to the criteria established by American Diabetes Association.

It's not just that the same lifestyle habits contribute to both gum disease and high blood sugar; the two conditions exacerbate each other, experts say. Inflammation from infected gums makes it more difficult for people with diabetes to control their blood-sugar level, and high blood sugar accelerates tooth decay and gum disease, creating more inflammation.

Diabetes also complicates dental-implant surgery, because it interferes with blood vessel formation and bone growth. "When you put a dental implant in, you rely on the healing process to cement it to the jaw, so you get a higher failure rate with diabetes," says Ed Marcus, a periodontist in Yardley, Pa., who teaches at the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University dental schools.

Dr. Marcus notes that about 50% of periodontal disease is genetic—and even young patients can have significant bone loss if they have an unusually high immune response to a small number of bacteria. Giving such patients a low dose of doxycycline daily can help modify the immune response. "It doesn't really control the bacteria, but it helps reduce the body's reaction," he says.

There's also growing evidence that the link between periodontal disease and cardiovascular problems isn't a coincidence either. Inflammation in the gums raises C-reactive protein, thought to be a culprit in heart disease.

"They've found oral bacteria in the plaques that block arteries. It's moved from a casual relationship to a risk factor," says Mark Wolff, chairman of the Department of Cariology and Comprehensive Care at NYU College of Dentistry.

Bacteria from the mouth can travel through the bloodstream and cause problems elsewhere, which is why people contemplating elective surgery are advised to have any needed dental work performed first.

The American Heart Association no longer recommends that people with mitral valve prolapse (in which heart values close abnormally between beats) routinely take antibiotics before dental procedures, since it's now believed that oral bacteria enter the bloodstream all the time, from routine washing, brushing and chewing food.

But the American Heart Association, the American Medical Association and the American Orthopedic Association all urge people who have had a full joint replacement to take an antibiotic one hour before any dental visit for the rest of their lives to reduce the risk of post-surgical infections. "I have my guidelines taped to the door in my hygienists' room," Dr. Kivowitz says.

Dentists say they also need to stay up to date with all medications, supplements and over-the-counter drugs their patients are taking. Blood thinners can create excess bleeding in the mouth. Bisphosphonates, often prescribed for osteoporosis, can severely weaken jaw bones. Both should be stopped temporarily before oral surgery.

Antihypertensive drugs, calcium-channel blockers and some anti-inflammatory drugs can cause painful ulcerations of the gums. Many medications, from antidepressants to chemotherapy drugs, cause dry mouth, which can cause cavities to skyrocket, since saliva typically acts as a protective coating for teeth. Additional fluoride treatments can help.

Some proactive dentists have glucose monitors for another check on blood-sugar levels if they suspect diabetes. Some also take patients' blood pressure and hold off on invasive procedures if it's extremely high.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that dentists offer HIV testing, because some of the first symptoms appear in the mouth, including fungal infections and lesions. Dentists can do the HIV test with a simple mouth swab and get results in 20 minutes.

Breaking the bad news is often more difficult. "I went into oral surgery because I didn't think I would have to deliver that kind of news to patients," says Clifford Salm, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon in Manhattan who has found leukemia, lymphoma, AIDS and metastatic breast cancer after performing biopsies on suspicious spots. "It can be a difficult conversation," he says, "but most patients are very grateful."

Reference: HealthJournal@wsj.com


Thursday, December 22, 2011

Do you have unused Insurance or Flex benefits remaining for 2011?

If these funds are not used they are lost !

If you have not had a professional dental cleaning lately, what are you waiting for? The mouth is the gateway to your entire body. Any bacteria in your mouth travels into the body with every bite of food, drink of water and each time you inhale a breathe of fresh air. This bacteria builds up in your arteries affecting your health.



You have earned your benefits, use them before they are lost.

You will not only gain a healthier smile, but a healthier you!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Operation Gratitude Hand-Delivers 750,000th Package to Wounded Warrior

Thank you to everyone that donated their Halloween candy this year. Over 300 pounds of candy, 150 toothbrushes and 5 cases of toothpaste were donated to Operation Gratitude by our dental office through our Halloween Candy Buy Back program. YOU helped to make this soldier and many more have a brighter day! ~ Kris

Operation Gratitude Hand-Delivers 750,000th Package to Wounded Warrior

Van Nuys, CA - December 20, 2011 -- As more than 2,000 volunteers, corporate sponsors and other special guests looked on in surprise this past Saturday, founder Carolyn Blashek hand-delivered Operation Gratitude's milestone 750,000th Care Package to its special recipient, a decorated combat veteran and wounded warrior, Sgt. Eric Rodriguez.

No one was more surprised than true American Hero Rodriguez.

As fate would have it, his was the 750,000th name on Operation Gratitude's Master List started in March, 2003.

Rodriguez, 29, who grew up in Los Angeles and joined the U.S. Marine Corps at 17-years-old, straight out of high school, believed he was invited to the armory to speak about the morale-boosting impact care packages have on deployed troops. While that was true, there was an additional reason Operation Gratitude invited him -- to honor this brave young man in person.

Before the surprise was revealed, Blashek introduced Rodriguez by briefly providing details about his life-changing injuries. While in Afghanistan on his eighth deployment in January 2011, he stepped on an improvised explosive device ("IED") and was severely injured, ultimately losing his right leg and undergoing numerous surgeries to save his left leg.

"Today, less than a year later," explained Blashek, "Sgt. Rodriguez is not just walking upright with a prosthetic, he skis, surfs, and competes in Wheelchair Basketball, football and rugby, and after one more surgery, plans to stay in the Marine Corps, return to Afghanistan with his Scout Sniper platoon and 'finish up business.'"

Joining the "Milestone" celebration were friends and sponsors of Operation Gratitude who presented their 750,000th Celebration Gifts to Rodriguez, his wife, Tania, and their daughter Camila.

Among the gifts included in the Care Package were:
1. Two separate, all-expense paid trips to New York -- one to the Buffalo Bills training camp and another to a taping of the Rachel Ray show;
2. Tickets to, and special hospitality at, Los Angeles Lakers, Kings and Dodgers games
3. Tickets to the 2012 Rose Bowl game, courtesy of UCLA;
4. Tickets to Universal Studios;
5. Four 3-Day Park Hopper Passes to Disneyland Resort, including a 3-night stay at the Disneyland Hotel;
6. A one-year supply of Emergen-C;
7. A painting of golf Masters: Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Tiger Woods; and an autographed poster of Wayne Gretzky courtesy of Upper Deck;
8. A handmade quilt and scarf;
9. A giant stuffed animal "Chum" Battalion Buddy courtesy of Kelly Toys for Camila; and
10. From actress, model and entrepreneur Kathy Ireland: A Hawaiian Dream Vacation, plus a selection of jewelry and home furnishings from Kathy Ireland Worldwide partners.

Last but not least, Blashek announced a gift from Target made in honor of Rodriguez and wounded comrades -- a $15,000 donation to Operation Gratitude, a $100 gift card to Sgt. Rodriguez plus 349 additional $100 gift cards for other Wounded Warriors.

For full details on all the 750,000th Care Package Gifts and donors, please visit the Operation Gratitude blog: Celebration!
The Celebration Ceremony began with the National Anthem performed by music duo Rogers & Bos -- Matt Rogers and Bryon Bos -- who also closed the event with a performance of "Coming Home," the theme song to Lifetime Television's popular show of the same name. Rogers, an American Idol finalist, is the host of "Coming Home," and Bos composed the song, which brought tears to the eyes of many a volunteer in the crowd.

Operation Gratitude volunteers were honored to work and celebrate alongside Sgt. Rodriguez, as well as many other special guests: Commander Jerry King, the 89-year-old leader of the local Jewish War Veterans post who presented Rodriguez with a 50th Anniversary World War II medal, Actors Sean Astin, Kevin Dobson and Erik Estrada, Actor/Comedian Tom Connolly, plus Los Angeles-area politicians (Assemblyman Blumenfield, Controller Greuel, Councilman Zine), members of the Motorcycle community, and dozens of school, church, scout and civic organizations.

Significant check presentations were made by Merrell Down & Dirty Mud Run ($61,000); Cinnabon, Inc. ($50,000); Los Angeles Association of Health Underwriters ($12,000); Ride to the Flags/White Heart Foundation ($8,000), and Alacer Corp., the makers of Emergen-C ($5,000).

Blashek, who started the organization in 2003, provided staggering statistics about what the 750,000th package represented:
~ 6 Million pounds of product
~ $7.5 Million of postage
~ 37.5 Million individual items
~ $75 Million worth of product
sent to the troops through Operation Gratitude since its inception.
The Salvation Army of Southern California kept volunteers supplied with morning coffee and bottled water. During the lunch hour, volunteers were treated to a delicious meal generously provided by Al's Chicken and the Rotary Clubs of Lancaster, Granada Hills and Northridge/Chatsworth. Corporate Sponsor Alacer distributed samples of its Emergen-C products, more than two million packets of which have been included in Operation Gratitude packages since 2004.

With the delivery of its 750,000th package, Operation Gratitude formally ended its 2011 Holiday Drive, having assembled 150,000 care packages for U.S. Service Members, Wounded Warriors and Military Children this year. Blashek reminds supporters, however, that with 200,000 service members away from home and in harm's way, their work continues, as does the need to raise funds to pay assembly and shipping costs -- approximately $15 per care package. "Between requests from units deployed to Afghanistan and ships at sea, the need to fulfill those requests continues," she says. "Plus, the Battalion Buddy and Wounded Warrior programs are on-going, year round, with new requests coming in every week."


reference - Operation Gratitude

Monday, December 19, 2011

JUST A CLEANING

No, not really. Seeing your hygienist at least every 6 months gives that health professional the opportunity to catch something happening in your mouth before it gets real serious. Case in point, I have a cousin who didn't value a dental appointment and pretty much avoided seeing me throughout my entire career.

Well, one day he noticed something in his mouth region that was serious enough that he visited his physician. Diagnosis - Stage 4 jaw cancer which required the surgical removal of his jaw. Who knows what might have happened if we had the opportunity to examine him years earlier.

Moral of the story is that is not "just a cleaning"



Thursday, December 15, 2011

Flossing vs Waterpik

There is a debate about whether flossing or using a Waterpik Waterflosser is a better way to remove plaque and bacteria from inbetween your teeth.

The Waterpik Waterflosser is able to get down deep into the grooves and flush the 'bugs' out! The Waterpik Waterflosser can be a little messy, but with a little practice you will have a healthier mouth without a lot of water overspray. OR you can try out the cordless Waterpik Waterflosser that can be used while you are in the shower.

~ Dana, Registered Dental Hygienist

Monday, December 12, 2011

String theory - how gingival (gum) inflammation is linked to Alzheimer's disease

A recent study from New York University (www.nyuedu/dental/news/index.html?news=236) shows signs that gingival inflammation and brain inflammation that leads to Alzheimer’s disease are linked to one another. If you could prevent Alzheimer’s wouldn't you want to try? It's as easy as flossing your teeth. Flossing or using a Waterpik waterflosser disturbs the bacteria that cause gingival inflammation also known as gingivitis. Almost 40% of your tooth cannot be reached if you are only brushing. Floss or a Waterpik will disturb the bacteria that cause the gingival inflammation helping you to be healthier!

Your mouth is the gateway to your body, a healthy mouth leads to a healthy body.

"Your body is your most priceless possession & you've got to take care of it." ~ Jack LaLanne

~ Val, Registered Dental Hygienist

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Tis the season for holiday treats!


Tis the season for holiday cookies, candy canes, hot chocolate and other holiday sweets and treats! Sounds great, right?

Of course it does! However, may we suggest some stocking stuffers to combat the holiday sweets and treats to keep you and your mouth as healthy as possible during this holiday season?

Toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, waterpik waterflossers and Sonicare sonic toothbrushes make great stocking stuffers. They can scare away cavity causing sugarbugs and bacteria that will have a negative affect on your entire body.

SPF Lip balm is another great stocking stuffer that will help to keep your lips soft, healthy and protected from the sun's harmful rays.
Happy Holidays! 

~ Olivia, Dental Assistant