2014 Halloween Candy Buy Back

Our dental office is holding our Fourth annual Halloween Candy buy back and the tooth fairy can't wait to see you!

The Tooth Fairy will be giving $ 1 coin for every pound of candy that is turned in for Operation Gratitude. 

2014 John Ball Zoo - Zoo goes Boo event. 

 
Monday, November 3rd from 4:00 - 6:00 pm is the day.

Every child turning in their Halloween candy will receive a new toothbrush and other fun treats as well as those shiny $ 1 coins.
 
 The candy collected will be sent to the troops in the Middle East as a very special treat through the Operation Gratitude program.
     

Our office has collected 300 pounds of candy annually. More than 1000 pounds of candy has been collected by our dental office since we began working with Operation Gratitude. 

Operation Gratitude  puts together care packages for the troops to put smiles on their faces and UPS has generously helped ship the candy to Operation Gratitude free of charge!

So please, help us show our Veterans that we haven't forgotten about them! 

Healthy Teeth, Healthy Body

Good dental health does more than keep your teeth healthy — it can protect your body from larger health issues.

A toothy smile can offer a glimpse into what's going on inside your body. Of course, healthy teeth and gums look nice, but your dental health is also an indicator of your overall health, including your risk of heart disease and stroke.

Healthy Teeth: The Link Between Dental Health and Overall Health

"There are several possible overall health problems that may be affected by your oral health," says Sally J. Cram, DDS, a practicing periodontist in Washington, DC, and a consumer adviser for the American Dental Association.

According to Dr. Cram, several studies have suggested a correlation between periodontal disease, which is an infection of the gums and bone surrounding the teeth, and an increased risk of having or developing the following health issues:

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Diabetes
• Respiratory infection
• Pregnancy complications

In fact, periodontal disease is a major risk factor for preterm and low-birth-weight babies — pregnant women with periodontal disease are at a seven fold greater risk for these complications.

Healthy Teeth: Maintaining Dental Health

If you neglect your teeth, infection and inflammation can result. These problems may start around your teeth but can quickly spread beyond your mouth.

Periodontal disease results from a buildup of bacteria beneath your gums, the tissue that wraps around your teeth. If you neglect to brush and floss your teeth carefully and regularly, the bacteria causes inflammation within 24 to 48 hours. Then, over time, the gums begin to pull away from the teeth, creating a "pocket" between them.

"This starts a vicious cycle — the deeper the pocket gets, the less effective you are at removing the bacteria, which causes more inflammation and infection, resulting in the pocket getting deeper and more difficult to clean," Cram says.

If the bacteria aren't cleaned away promptly, within months or even weeks, they release toxins that destroy the jawbone, eventually leading to teeth that become loose and need to be removed by your dentist.

Eventually, those bacteria can reach other areas of the body, like the heart, and may lead to the formation of blood clots. Inflammation of the gums from periodontal disease can also encourage the buildup of thick plaque that can clog arteries and lead to heart disease.

Healthy Teeth: Red Flags of Periodontal Disease

Watch for these warning signs of periodontal disease:

• Swollen gums
• Redness of the gums
• Gums that bleed
• Receding gums
• Bad taste in the mouth
• Bad breath

Healthy Teeth: Where to Start

Regular brushing and flossing may not be all you need to protect yourself against heart disease and stroke, but they’re certainly a great start. And if you're pregnant, practicing good dental hygiene protects you and your baby.

"Most dental problems are totally preventable with good daily hygiene," says Cram, which means brushing twice daily with toothpaste that carries the ADA seal of acceptance for safety and effectiveness, and flossing once per day.

Regular dental cleanings and checkups every six months — or more often if your dentist says so — will help spot signs of disease early. And early treatment will in turn help you lower your risk for serious, related health problems like heart disease or stroke.

Brian S. Nylaan, D.D.S.

Reference: Everyday health By Diana Rodriguez

6 Horrible Things That Happen To Your Body When You Don’t Drink Enough Water

Experts largely discuss over the amount of water you should drink per day, but no one actually knows the reason for such debates.

Many studies suggest that you should drink 8-9 glasses of water per day. But, what happens to your body if you do not drink enough water?

1. There is a great possibility that you will have to deal with a certain health condition. Drinking plenty of water will help you reduce the chances of getting kidney stones, gastrointestinal and urinary tract cancer, and heart attack.

2. The lack of water slows your metabolism. The function of the metabolism depends on the amount of water you drink, so your metabolism will work faster as you increase the water intake, which is one of the basic rules.

3. You will have to put more effort when doing your regular activities. Dehydration pressures and shrinks your brain, and it will need twice as much time to accomplish the tasks.

4. Increased appetite. People who drink 2 glasses of water before their meals eat 75-90 calories less. This routine will help you lose 5 pounds in three months.

5. You look older and your skin is wrinkled. Water hydrates the skin, fills in the fine lines and wrinkles, giving you a nice and bright skin tone.

6. Lack of water causes mood swings. Dehydrated people often feel weak and helpless, confused, angry and depressive, unlike people who drink plenty of water.

reference: Healthy Food House 

Brought to you by Nylaan Dental Team - Your Total Health is our goal. 

The Biggest Dental Problems For People Over 50

Smile! There’s good news from the world of dentistry: Older American are keeping their teeth longer than ever before and the average number of teeth people retain into old age is increasing, says Judith Ann Jones, DDS, a spokesman on elder care for the American Dental Association and director of The Center for Clinical Research at the Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine.
But Jones is not all smiles. As people keep their teeth longer, there are more problems that are likely to arise, which is why keeping up with regular dental visits is so important. Here are the most common problems, and what you can do about them:

Tooth decay 

You can keep your smile for a lifetime.

Yes, people over 50 can get cavities. You can get them on the surfaces of teeth that have never been a problem before, but you can also get them around old fillings or at the root of your tooth. “As you age, the root of your tooth becomes softer and sometimes more exposed,” Jones explains.

The Fix: Fluoride is not just for kids, Jones says. “Fluoride is one of the 10 most important health measures developed in the 20th century.” Almost 80 percent of people in the United States have fluorinated water, but if you don’t, you should probably add a daily fluoride rinse to your brushing habit. Or ask your doctor about a stronger fluoride prescription gel. If you are starting to get cavities, even if your water has fluoride, consider a fluoride rinse. Ask your dentist if that’s right for you.

Water is the best cure for dry mouth.

Dry mouth


Saliva protects us against tooth decay. But if you’re not producing it, your teeth may be at risk. The calcium and phosphate present in saliva prevent demineralization of your teeth, Jones says. How do you know if you have dry mouth? You’ll have a sticky feeling in your mouth, trouble swallowing, dry throat, and dry, cracked lips. You may notice a metallic taste in your mouth or persistent bad breath. You may or may not feel thirsty. Dry mouth is often caused by medications, and as people age, they take more medications. It can also result from smoking or from a blow to the head that somehow damages the salivary glands.

The Fix: If you have dry mouth, you should try to stimulate saliva production. Jones says some people just sip water all day while others find that chewing sugar-free xylitol candies or gum helps. Your dentist may prescribe a prescription saliva substitute or recommend over-the-counter formulations for you to try.

Gum disease 

A healthy mouth leads to
a healthy body.

If your gums are swollen, red, or bleed easily, you've got gingivitis, an early form of gum disease that can progress and be dangerous. Untreated gingivitis often becomes periodontitis, which is when the gum pulls away from the tooth and creates pockets which can become infected. If this condition develops and continues unchecked, it could cause the loss of bones in your jaw and eventually, the loss of the teeth themselves.

The Fix: The best fix for this condition is regular dentist visits, Jones says. You may need to visit your dentist more frequently so that your teeth can be cleaned and your gums treated for the condition. People who don’t have good access to dental care are more likely to have gum disease, Jones says.

Oral cancer 

More than 43,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancers this year, and more than 8,000 will die from it, according to The Oral Cancer Foundation. Oral cancer incidence definitely increases as you get older, Jones says, and is very often linked to smoking and heavy alcohol use. Recently, the number of cases has risen because doctors have discovered that the Human Papilloma Virus also can cause oral cancer.

The Fix: Only about half of people who develop oral cancer survive the disease, Jones says. The best hope for survival is to discover it at its earliest stages—in which case there is an 80 percent chance of surviving for five years. Your dental exam should include a check for oral cancer. Your dentist will hold your tongue and check the soft tissue in your mouth as well as your throat and jaw. If he or she does not, find another dentist, Jones says.

Tooth crowding 

Aligners used to straighten teeth 

Are you noticing that food is getting stuck in new places in your mouth? Or that the overlapping tooth that was cute in your teens now seems to be overlapping even more? You’re not imagining it. As you age, your teeth shift, according to Lee W. Graber, D.D.S., M.S., M.S., Ph.D., Past President of the American Association of Orthodontists. And that can be problematic, not because you’ll look different, but because it can make your teeth more difficult to clean, leading to more decay. It’s also of concern because misaligned teeth can lead to teeth erosion and damage to the supporting tissue and bone, Graber says. Add to that the tendency of older adults to have periodontal disease, and you could end up losing your teeth even faster.

The Fix: If your teeth have really shifted, you could see an orthodontist, who may fit you with a retainer, spacer, or even braces. This may not be necessary, but you should discuss with your dentist whether your teeth are shifting at your regular check up. If they are, it may mean only that you need to go to the dentist more regularly for more frequent cleanings.

Reference: Grandparents.com

6 Nighttime Tips for Healthy Teeth

Practicing dental health isn't just a daytime job — your teeth and gums need protection at night too.

When you wake up in the morning, you may want to immediately reach for a toothbrush to get rid of any bad taste in your mouth and freshen your breath. But while daytime dental hygiene is important for good oral health, it isn't enough to guarantee it: Establishing a bedtime dental health routine to thoroughly clean your teeth will prevent cavities and gum disease from developing while you sleep.

Dental Health: Before Bed Counts

Why does your dental hygiene matter so much when you're sleeping? Because if bacteria are present in your mouth all night, they will heighten your chances of developing cavities.

"A good nighttime routine is important because as you sleep, your metabolism slows down, reducing the salivary flow and making the mouth dry out," says Sally J. Cram, DDS, a periodontist in Washington, DC, and a consumer adviser for the American Dental Association. "When your oral tissues dry out, they become inflamed and bacteria proliferate, causing gingivitis and possible periodontal disease."

Gum disease means big trouble for your dental health: It can result in tooth loss and even bone loss.

Dental Health: Best Bedtime Routine

As part of your before-bed ritual, take the time to dote on your dental health. There’s more to brushing teeth than a quick swipe of a brush: Follow this routine each night to prevent cavities and gum disease:

1. Brush your teeth right before bed. Use a soft toothbrush, suggests Dr. Cram, because it's gentler on your teeth and gums. To prevent cavities and gum disease, spend a good two minutes brushing your teeth — every nook, cranny, and surface of each tooth.
2. Brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth. Your teeth aren't the only parts of your mouth that need a good cleaning at night. Don't neglect your tongue and the roof of your mouth, which can also harbor bacteria.
3. Use toothpaste that contains fluoride. You're not just brushing your teeth to make your breath fresh — you're trying to get rid of bacteria and food particles and strengthen your teeth. Using a toothpaste that contains fluoride offers the best protection against cavities and weakened teeth.
4. Floss nightly. When flossing, make sure you do a thorough job, says Cram, getting in between teeth to remove bacteria that can pull an all-nighter destroying the enamel on your teeth. Wrap the floss into a C-shape and gently rub it up and down the side of each tooth all the way to the gum and back. Don't neglect your very back teeth, even though there are no teeth behind them.
5. Don't sneak sugar before bed. All that brushing and flossing won’t do any good if you follow it up with a cookie, glass of milk, or other food or drink that contains sugars, even naturally occurring ones, right before bed. If you do want a snack, make sure you enjoy it before you brush and floss so that the residue doesn't stick to your teeth all night.
6. Keep a glass of water near your bed. If you sleep with your mouth open and wake up with a dry mouth, take a sip to keep the tissues in your mouth moist.

Making these six simple steps part of your nightly routine can go a long way toward protecting your dental health by preventing cavities and gum disease. You’ll sleep peacefully knowing that your smile is safe.

Reference: Everyday Health By Diana Rodriguez