Healthy Smile Series: Water Flosser ~ Helping you achieve bacterial reduction

  It reduces the periodontal infection

One of the primary benefits of the Water Flosser is that the pulsating action creates a compression / decompression phase that expels subgingival bacteria from the pocket.

    It reduces the inflammation

Study after study, many of six months duration has shown that people who add the Water Flosser to daily self-care do better at reducing bleeding and gingivitis than people who do not use the Water Flosser.

   It helps people with diabetes

People with diabetes tend to be at greater risk for periodontal disease and often have more severe gingival inflammation. A study on people with diabetes found that those who used the Water Flosser for three months had a 44% better reduction in bleeding and a 41% better reduction in gingivitis over those who did not use the Water Flosser.

   It is safe and gentle around dental implants

Maintenance of implants is critical to their long-term survival.

    There is nothing better for cleaning around orthodontic (braces) appliances

Keeping orthodontic (braces) appliances clean can be tedious and challenging. Water Flossing makes it easier. Adolescents age 11 -17 who used a Water Flosser with the Orthodontic Tip very day for four weeks had three times the reduction in plaque versus those who used a manual brush and floss and fives times the reduction than those who only brushed.

    It gets deeper into the pocket that string floss

Findings indicate that using the Water Flosser with the Classic Jet Tip results in penetration of approximately 50% of the depth of the pocket. In contrast, it is widely accepted though not scientifically documented that ideally, floss reaches about 3 mm due to technique / anatomical constraints.

   It removes plaque

A study at the University of Southern California Center for Biofilms found that a three-second application of water flossing with the Classic Jet Tip at medium pressure removed 99.9% of the plaque biofilm from the treated area.

    It is easy to use

Using the Water Flosser is easier than string flossing because it requires less manual dexterity. It takes about one minute to cleanse the entire mouth. Beyond the initial investment, all you need is water, although the Water Flosser can accommodate most mouth rinses.

    It is a clinically proven effective alternative to string floss

Studies have directly compared the Water Flosser to string floss. The Water Flosser with the Classic Jet Tip was up to 93% more effective at reducing bleeding and up to 52% more effective at reducing gingivitis than string floss. Plaque removal was also better.

    It is evidence based

The Water Flosser has been evaluated more than 50 times since its introduction in 1962. Clinical findings reducing bleeding and gingivitis are supported by positive outcomes from more than 20 clinical trials.

 Reference: RDH magazine

For more information visit our website; Office of Brian Nylaan facebook page; or Brian S. Nylaan, D.D.S. facebook page.

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Stress Busters - Here are five ways to put tension to rest

Managing your stress is important to your overall health. If chronic stress is left untreated, it can result in many serious health conditions, including high blood pressure, insomnia, a weakened immune system, anxiety and muscle pain. 

When stress is at its peak, it's hard to find the time to take a break, relax and regroup. To reduce stress, try these simple tips:

Get active: You don't have to be an athlete. Any kind of physical activity can act as a stress reliever. Try walking, dancing, swimming. The most important thing is to get moving.

Connect: When you are stressed and busy, it is easy to close yourself off and start to feel disconnected. Reach out to friends and family or join a group exercise class to keep yourself plugged in.

Laugh: Maximize your happiness by a good laugh, even if it is forced. Laughter triggers a relaxing response naturally within your body. At the very least smile. Smiling triggers a similar relaxing response within your body.

Meditate: Meditation helps you declutter your thoughts and refocus your attention. This time benefits both your emotional well-being and overall health through instilling a sense of calmness, peace and balance. Yoga is a great way to learn to begin to listen to your body and relieve tension. If you have never tried yoga, this is a perfect time to visit the YMCA. We have classes for every level. You will be surprised at how good you feel when you are done.

Sleep: You have too much to do and too much to think about, leading to many restless nights. Try to stick to a consistent, relaxing bedtime routine. Listen to soothing music and limit screen time before bed. Invest in a Snore appliance for your bed mate or a Sleep Apnea appliance for yourself if this is disrupting your sleep.

 Reference:

By Deborah MacDonald
Healthy Living Program Specialist

April Showers bring May Flowers, but they can also bring Sinusitis and Toothaches

April Showers bring May Flowers

 Unfortunately April and May also can bring Sinusitis and Toothaches.

 The change of the season can bring on Sinusitis and in Michigan the seasons, or weather patterns can change a lot.  

 

What are sinuses anyway?

The sinuses are multiple air filled cavities that are connected to the inside of your nose. They are lined with mucous membranes.

 

What is Sinusitis?  

Sinusitis is inflammation of the sinuses due to infection, allergies, or some autoimmune problems. The most typical symptoms of sinusitis are headache, drainage (which can cause a bad taste in your mouth also) and occasionally toothaches. Since these sinuses are air spaces the inflammatory process allows pressure build up. If the sinuses are not able to drain properly this can cause pressure buildup which can lead to serious pain.

 

Why do my teeth hurt when I have sinusitis or a sinus infection?

Your upper teeth especially the molars are sitting right on your sinuses. It’s quite common for someone to present with a toothache when they are having sinus problems, even when it is not a tooth problem. Often the toothache will be difficult to localize to one tooth. We need to perform tests to determine the cause of the toothache. When in doubt we can treat you for sinusitis and then re-check the tooth or teeth in question in a few days.

 

How can you treat sinusitis?

There are a few methods of treatment. Nasal irrigation with a saline solution can be helpful, or nasal spray decongestions can be used for short periods of time. Using these for extended periods of time can lead to sinus ‘rebound’, which means the same sinus problems reoccur. Over the counter decongestants can be helpful to reduce sinus pressure. In some cases antibiotics are indicated to combat the bacterial infection.

 

What does not work?

Treating a tooth that is actually referred pain from sinusitis will not relieve your discomfort or reduce your symptoms. Get the right diagnosis, ask questions, and relay all your symptoms.

 Request an appointment

 

Confused by your dental insurance coverage? This is how your benefits are really determined.

Dental insurance is not meant to be a pay-all. It's only meant to be an aid. You are very fortunate if you have dental insurance coverage and don't have to pay the entire dental fee plan out of your own pocket. Many patients don't have any dental insurance at all. Some patients have excellent dental insurance policies, some have fair policies, and some have poor policies. Many plans tell you you'll be covered up to 80% - 100%. In spite of what you're told, most plans cover only 15% - 70% of the average dental fee plan. We realize that every bit of help you get from your insurance company is a big help, and we are glad you have coverage. However, it must be understood that how much your policy covers has already been determined by how much your employer paid for your insurance policy. The less they paid for the insurance, the less you will receive.

 

EXAMPLE:

                                                         

      Plan A

• Costs a lot of money
• Deductible is $50.00
• Pays $84.00 on a filling
• Yearly maximum is $1,000

 

Plan B

• Cost ½ the amount of money
• Deductible is $100.00
• Pays $35.00 on a filling
• Yearly maximum is $800

It has been the experience of many dentists that some insurance companies tell their customers that "fees are above the usual and customary" rather than saying "our benefits are low."

Your insurance company sets the "allowable" or "a usual and customary dental fee plan" depending on how much your employer paid for your policy. It's just like your car insurance. The lower the benefits you choose, the less it costs you in premiums. Many necessary routine dental services are not covered by dental insurance at all. Again, what is covered and what is not is determined by what benefits and dental fee plan your employer purchased for you.

We do not believe it is in your best interest for your treatment to be compromised in order to accommodate an insurance policy's restrictions that may provide you with a quality of care that is considerably less than you deserve.

We strongly feel that you, not your insurance company, should choose the treatment you feel is best for you.

 

Reference -  Internet Dental Alliance

 

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Healthy Smile Series: Oral Health for Diabetics

Physicians and diabetic educators work hard to educate their diabetic patients that diabetes is a serious health condition with many complications. These include heart disease and stroke and vascular disease, skin infections and amputations, kidney failure, blindness, neuropathies, and now gum disease. In fact, the National Institute of Dental Health has published that periodontal disease is now considered the 6th complication of diabetes.

It has long been observed that diabetics (especially poorly controlled diabetics) have more gum infections and periodontal disease. Current research is confirming that diabetics are more susceptible to gum disease.

New research suggests that the relationship between gum disease and diabetes goes both ways. Periodontal disease can make it more difficH ult for diabetics to control their blood glucose levels, and people with diabetes tend to have more gum disease. This means that this disease equation is really a double ended arrow – a veritable “vicious cycle”.

It is widely believed that diabetics have a higher risk for developing infections and experience poor wound healing, generally, especially in uncontrolled or advanced stages.

Signs and symptoms of gum disease include:

·         Gums that bleed

·         Red, swollen and tender gum tissues

·         Bad breath

·         Loose or migrating teeth

·         Elevated C-reactive protein levels

Gum disease is a chronic low-grade infection around the teeth. Infections in diabetics generally impair the ability to process and/or utilize insulin. This can cause blood sugars to be more difficult to manage, and in turn can make the gum infections (or any infection in the body) more severe.

Because gum disease is more common and more serious in people with diabetes, periodontal disease has now been called an “oral complication” of diabetes. In fact, one in three diabetics have chronic gum disease problems. Because gum disease is an infection it represents a significant complication for diabetics.

Physicians are becoming more tuned in to the importance of good periodontal health generally and especially in their diabetic patients. It is important that physicians examine or ask about the oral health of diabetic patients and make a referral to a dentist for an evaluation as necessary. Additionally, dentists should be aware that their diabetic patients require closer supervision. Often dentist and physician must work together to manage the diabetes condition, especially if there is changing or improving oral health conditions which may alter insulin or oral medication needs.

The nature of gum disease is that it is a bacterial infection of the gums and bone around teeth. As such it increases local inflammatory factors producing inflammation in the gums. This also allows bacteria and inflammatory by-products to enter the blood stream and produce systemic inflammation in the body generally. This inflammation is believed to affect the health of blood vessels, tissues and organ systems throughout the body, a condition called “systemic inflammation.”

Increases in inflammation interferes with the body’s natural healing response to infection, of which gum disease is a classic example. Poorly controlled diabetics experience a dysregulation that can contribute to periodontal breakdown and diminished tissue repair capacity. As a consequence, diabetics respond differently to the oral bacterial microfilm that naturally accumulates at the gum line around teeth, compared to non-diabetics.

Effective control of diabetes (good blood sugar control) increases and improves the health of the gum tissues. The improved health of these oral tissues improves the ability to control blood sugars and increasing diabetic control. The good news is that when chronic oral infections are treated and when people have good oral health, the management of diabetes markedly improves. This information should give diabetics and their care-takers another reason to smile, because healthy gums aid in the overall control of diabetes, and vice-versa.

reference : Lee Ostler DDS

(Disclaimer: This information cannot be relied on as medical advice for individual circumstances, nor can it substitute for advice from qualified health professionals. Always consult with your physician, dentist, and/or other health professionals who are experienced with working with diabetic patients.)

Healthy Smile Series: The Periodontal Heart Connection

The evidence linking periodontitis to heart disease began in 1989 by a study in Finland, which observed that patients who had heart attacks had more severe oral conditions including periodontal disease and tooth decay. Several studies since have shown that a preexisting periodontal disease results in an increased risk for a heart attack or stroke.

These studies suggest that periodontal disease is not only associated with cardiovascular events like heart attack and stroke, but it is also associated with subclinical evidence of atherosclerosis including thickening of the vessel wall. These controlled studies indicate that periodontitis remains an independent contributor to heart disease. Caution is in order because these associations do not establish causality.

Recent evidence shows the relationship between gum disease and heart disease by demonstrating the presence of periodontal pathogens (bacteria & microorganisms) within the atheromatous plaque lesions of the vessels. We have long known that gum disease is associated with transient exposures of the bacteria into the blood (bacteria) and this is the reason why antibiotics are used as a prophylactic prevention prior to dental treatment for patients with heart murmurs and valve problems. New evidence is suggesting that these organisms can lodge in the vessel walls and persist. Thus the bacteria is associated with the plaques within the vessels themselves.

Other new information links gum disease with systemic inflammation, as measured by the production of liver proteins such as C-reactive protein. This protein has been known to be a risk factor for myocardial infarction or diagnosis of peripheral artery disease in otherwise healthy individuals. Mild elevations in C-reactive protein appear to confer risk for these cardiovascular complications. New research links gum disease as one potential cause for these elevations in this protein, thus suggesting another link between gum disease pathogens and heart disease risk.

There is also an association with known cardiovascular risk factors that are involved in systemic inflammation, and there is also evidence that the organisms are within the plaques. This represents a body of circumstantial evidence suggesting that this may be directly involved in the pathology associated with cardiovascular disease.

Regardless of the root causes for cardiovascular diseases, it stands to reason that good nutrition and good oral hygiene control of bacterial inflammation in the mouth are necessary components to help lower risk factors and prevent heart disease and its complications. Removing the oral bacteria meticulously well on a daily basis, and having regular periodic professional cleanings and dental checkups, as well as providing oneself with a diet high in necessary nutrients, will help reduce unnecessary risk factors that can lead to gum disease, heart disease and stroke.

Reference - Lee Ostler DDS

(Disclaimer: This information cannot be relied on for individual circumstances or substituted for medical advice from qualified health professionals.)

Women's hormone now associated with gum disease

Women, keep those toothbrushes and dental floss handy. A comprehensive review of women's health studies by Charlene Krejci, associate clinical professor at the Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine, has shown a link between women's health issues and gum disease.

Across the ages, hormonal changes take place during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. Krejci found female hormones that fluctuate throughout women's lives can change conditions in the mouth that allow bacteria to grow, enter the blood, and exacerbate certain health issues like bone loss, fetal death and pre-term births.

Her overview of the literature was reported in the article, "Women's Health: Periodontitis and its Relation to Hormonal Changes, Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes and Osteoporosis" in the May issue of Oral Health and Preventive Dentistry.

The Case Western Reserve University periodontist reviewed 61 journal articles with nearly 100 studies for a collective answer on whether hormones have a relationship to gum disease and specific women's health issues like preterm labor, bone loss, and the side effect of hormonal replacement therapy.

"There's definitely a gender-specific connection between women's hormones, gum disease, and specific health issues impacting women," Krejci said.

"Although women tend to take better care of their oral health than men, the main message is women need to be even more vigilant about maintaining healthy teeth and gums to prevent or lessen the severity of some of women-specific health issues," Krejci said.

In addition to the brushing and flossing daily regimen, Krejci recommends visiting the dentist at least every six months, and more if there are any gum problems found or women suffer from bone loss or are pregnant.

She added that it is widely known that hormones cause some women gum problems during pregnancy. Women already susceptible to gum disease before being pregnant, she advises, need to make sure that these oral problems are treated.

Although women were once discouraged from seeing the dentist while pregnant, she said that scaling and planing of the roots of teeth to eliminate some gum disease is now recommended during pregnancy for women. Severe gum disease requiring surgery is still generally postponed until after the baby's birth.

Gum disease begins with the build up of bacterial plaque on the teeth and under the gums. Untreated it can cause irritation and inflammation during which harmful and toxic byproducts are released. These toxins erode the bone that anchors teeth and cause breaks and bleeding in the gums.

Reference : medicalnewstoday.com

Dried Licorice Root fights the bacteria that causes tooth decay and gum disease

Scientists are reporting identification of two substances in licorice - used extensively in Chinese traditional medicine - that kill the major bacteria responsible for tooth decay and gum disease, the leading causes of tooth loss in children and adults. In a study in ACS' Journal of Natural Products, they say that these substances could have a role in treating and preventing tooth decay and gum disease.

Stefan Gafner and colleagues explain that the dried root of the licorice plant is a common treatment in Chinese traditional medicine, especially as a way to enhance the activity of other herbal ingredients or as a flavoring. Despite the popularity of licorice candy in the U.S., licorice root has been replaced in domestic candy with anise oil, which has a similar flavor. Traditional medical practitioners use dried licorice root to treat various ailments, such as respiratory and digestive problems, but few modern scientific studies address whether licorice really works. (Consumers should check with their health care provider before taking licorice root because it can have undesirable effects and interactions with prescription drugs.) To test whether the sweet root could combat the bacteria that cause gum disease and cavities, the researchers took a closer look at various substances in licorice.

They found that two of the licorice compounds, licoricidin and licorisoflavan A, were the most effective antibacterial substances. These substances killed two of the major bacteria responsible for dental cavities and two of the bacteria that promote gum disease. One of the compounds - licoricidin - also killed a third gum disease bacterium. The researchers say that these substances could treat or even prevent oral infections.

The American Chemical Society is a non-profit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. With more than 163,000 members, ACS is the world's largest scientific society and a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.

For more information about Licorice Root preventing cavities see our earlier Blog Post ~ What could be better than a lollipop? 

Schedule an appointment.

reference - American Chemical Society

Oral Cancer survivor urges tax increase for smokeless tobacco

Gruen von Behrens's first surgery took 13 hours when he was 17 years old. Two years later, maxillofacial surgeons transplanted bone from his back to his face to give him a mandible. The transplant lasted two days before his body rejected it.

Now 34, Behrens is cancer-free, but he has no teeth, has a hard time eating and speaking, and his face is disfigured.

He began chewing tobacco at the age of 13, a common practice in the rural farming community in Illinois where Behrens grew up. As a teenager, he thought about "baseball, food, and women, in that order," he recalled in a DrBicuspid.com interview. "Everybody used tobacco; they really didn't think it would hurt us if your grandfather or uncle was using it."

But after developing squamous cell carcinoma in his lymph nodes, surgeons removed half his tongue and neck muscles. Still, von Behrens feels lucky to be alive.

"Eighty percent of the people with that diagnosis die within five years of surgery," he notes.

Last month von Behrens testified at a Maryland legislative hearing, urging lawmakers to increase the tobacco tax on cigars and smokeless tobacco to 70%, the same level as the tax rate on cigarettes.

"Tobacco is tobacco is tobacco, and I believe having a lower tax on some tobaccos and a higher tax on the smoking tobaccos -- that's basically saying this is a safe alternative when it is not," von Behrens said.

In 2010, he testified before a U.S. Senate hearing about the dangers of tobacco in professional sports.

White spot lesion

Three years after von Behrens began chewing tobacco, he noticed a white spot on the side of his tongue where he kept it.

"After passing the tobacco with my tongue, it became raw and it hurt at first but then it became kind of tough, and I started to see white spots," he recalled. "I was terrified."

von Behrens kept it secret from his mother because she had warned him about the dangers of chewing tobacco.

“Spit tobacco seemed harmless, but it has ruined my life.”— Gruen von Behrens

"I kept telling her it was my wisdom teeth that was making my speech slurred and making me drool on myself," he recalled.

When von Behrens went in to get his primary molars removed, he knew what the maxillofacial surgeon's diagnosis would be.

"I told him I had cancer before he put the gas mask on me," he said. "I was scared to death of what they were going to do to me. I was afraid of needles, let alone having surgery done."

von Behrens said his mother's anguish was the worst part. "I've never seen my mother cry like that before, and the pain that it inflicted on her hurt me more than the surgeries," he said.

34 surgeries

To date, von Behrens has had 34 surgeries and was a college sophomore when radiation treatments burned his face and forced him to have all his teeth removed.

He now serves as a spokesman for Oral Health America's National Spit Tobacco program and travels to schools around the U.S. to warn young people about the dangers of smokeless tobacco.

"I want kids to have a fair shot with their lives and know what the effect of tobacco use is," von Behrens explained. "If I had known then what I know now, I never would have put a dip in my mouth."

He says he has traveled to 46 states and spoken to 3 million children.

"I know how to talk to kids and relate to them, and I think that has even more of an impact than my face," von Behrens observed. "My face is an attention-getter for the first five rows, but for the rest it's my story that captivates them."

He also addresses health organizations and health departments, often at the request of dentists.

Cosmetic surgery costly

He would like to have plastic surgery and was heartened by the recent story of a man who had a total face transplant.

"Oh man, that would be my dream, but I just can't afford to do that," von Behrens said.

Maxillofacial surgeons would have to replace his mandible before a face transplant could be done, he noted. von Behrens cannot wear dentures because after surgeons reconstructed his face in the last surgery, they removed his mandible and replaced it with fibula bone from his leg. They also used pectoral muscles from his chest to recreate the floor of his mouth.

Implants would require drilling into the fibula bone that now serves as a replacement for his mandible.

Today von Behrens lives in central Illinois with his wife and two young daughters. "I met an angel," he said of his wife. "It's amazing she picked me in spite of the way I look."

He also works with the National Spit Tobacco Education Program to correct the false belief that smokeless tobacco is a safe alternative to smoking.

"Spit tobacco seemed harmless, but it has ruined my life," von Behrens said.

 In honor of Oral Cancer Awareness Month     

In honor of Oral Cancer Awareness Month, Brian S. Nylaan, D.D.S. will be offering complimentary oral cancer screenings on Thursday, April 26th from 2 – 5 pm. Oral cancer is not a rare disease. Approximately 37,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer every year in the US. It kills one person every hour of every day, and over 100 new individuals will be diagnosed with it each day. The good news is that it can often be found early in its development, through a simple, painless, and quick screening.

Who should get screened?
Every adult. Oral cancer can often be caught early, even as a pre-cancer. With early
detection, survival rates are high and the side effects are from treatment are at their lowest. Like other screenings you engage in such as cervical, skin, prostate, colon and breast examinations, oral cancer screenings are an effective means of finding cancer at its early, highly curable stages. Make them part of your annual health check‐ups.

What are the risk factors?
There are two distinct pathways by which most people come to oral cancer. One is through the use of tobacco and alcohol, a long term historic problem and cause, and the other is through exposure to the HPV16 virus (human papilloma virus version 16), which is now the leading cause of oral cancers in the US, and the same one, which is responsible for the vast majority of cervical cancers in women. The quickest growing segment of the oral cancer population are young, healthy, non-smokers due to the connection to this virus.

Early Indicators:
Red and/or white discolorations of the soft tissues of the mouth.
Any sore which does not heal within 14 days.
Hoarseness which lasts or a prolonged period of time.

Advanced Indicators:
A sensation that something is stuck in your throat.
Numbness in the oral region.
Difficulty in moving the jaw or tongue.
Difficulty in swallowing.
Ear pain which occurs on one side only.
A sore under a denture, which even after adjustment of the denture, still does not heal.
A lump or thickening which develops in the mouth or on the neck.

An oral cancer screening should be conducted every year, so take advantage of this offer and get screened today.

 Call our office at (616) 361-7317, or click here to make an appointment for your complimentary screening.

For more information about oral cancer screenings click here; VELScope oral cancer screenings click here or general dental information visit our website.
 references:

Dr. Bicuspid

Oral Cancer Foundation

Tru Stories

"Look Mom - no cavities!" remember that Crest advertisement?

Are you one of the people that have never had a cavity in your lifetime, or are you the person that feels lucky to only have a few cavities at each dental visit?

So what's the difference between the "no-cavity" person and the multiple cavity person?  In general the "no-cavity" person has reduced risk factors compared to those who need a lot of dental treatment. These risk factors can include hereditary factors, dietary factors, anatomic factors and personal habits. There isn't necessarily a single reason that will put you at risk for dental problems. It is almost always a combination.

• The grooves in your back teeth, or molars, can be deep or shallow. This is determined by genes. People with deeper grooves are at a much greater risk to develop cavities in the grooves, or chewing surface of the teeth.
• You almost always get your oral bacteria from your mother. If she suffered from a lot of cavities and gum disease, you probably inherited the same troublesome oral bacteria.
• If you have reduced saliva flow, or dry mouth, you are more likely to have dental problems. Reduced saliva flow can come with age, illness, and is a side-effect of some medications.
• If you grind your teeth you are much more likely to have dental problems. Most tooth grinding takes place while you sleep. Tooth damage depends on how hard and how often you grind your teeth. Your level of stress, size of your jaw and chewing muscles can influence tooth grinding.
• Your diet also has a lot to do with dental problems. If you eat a lot of sticky, sugary foods, drink a lot of sugary drinks or consume a lot between meal snacks your dental problems can increase. The oral bacteria turn sugar into acid and that acid causes cavities. If you eat a lot of acidic foods this can cause the enamel to errode as well.

If you brush correctly and often you are less likely to have cavities. If you are a regular flossser your gums will be more healthy and you will have less cavities. You can control a few of these factors and there are things you can do to change the hereditary factors. You can have dental sealants placed to fill in the deep grooves, wear a bite splint to alleviate nighttime grinding, and control your diet.

If you are a "Look Mom - no cavities" person that is awesome. Everyone tries to be just like you! Does this mean you do not need to visit your dental office as frequently ? No, it does not. Your dental history makes you a lower risk for dental problems, but things can change and finding a problem while it is small or much better than finding it later, or too late.

• Medication changes can cause changes in your mouth. Dry mouth is a side-effect of many medications.
• Changes in your diet effect your mouth and can cause dental problems to start occuring.
• Aging. Unfortunately we all get older. Your natural saliva flow decrease as you age and medications usually increase causing changes in your oral bacteria and further reducing saliva flow. This increases your risk for tooth decay.

Moral of this story: Visit your dental office and work with your dentist or hygienist to maintain your smile which helps to maintain your overall health.

For more information visit our website.

Stay Healthy ~ Thyroid Cancer: Why Is It on the Rise? Could it dental x-rays be the culprit?

New diagnoses have shot up over the past decade. Here’s what you need to know.
While new cases of some cancers— including breast, lung, and prostate— are leveling off, cancer of the thyroid (an endocrine gland in the neck) is spiking; diagnoses rose a whopping 173 percent between 2002 and 2012, making thyroid cancer one of the fastest-growing types in the U.S.

“Better screening and detection may explain part of the increase,” says Robert Smallridge, M.D., chairman of the division of endocrinology at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla. “Still, research suggests other factors must be at play.” One of the few known causes of thyroid cancer is radiation, and some experts believe excess exposure may be behind the increase. Smallridge is less certain. “The most common radiation sources, such as dental X-rays and airport security scanners, provide extremely low doses,” he says. For its part, the American Thyroid Association says it does not believe that routine dental X-rays, for example, lead to thyroid cancer. Still, a large cumulative exposure over a lifetime may raise your risk. Smallridge recommends always asking your doctor whether an X-ray or a CT scan is truly necessary. He also advises wearing a thyroid collar (a small lead bib that deflects radiation) before dental X-rays. The good news: Thyroid cancer is highly curable and still rare—less than 1 percent of Americans will be diagnosed in their lifetime. To further lower your odds, maintain a healthy weight and load up on vegetables.

reference: Grand Rapids Parade ~ Camille Noe Pagán

What is our office doing to keep you healthy while maintaining the highest level of dental care and diagnosis?

Our office offers digital dental x-rays, commonly called dental films. Digital films are better for you, the patient, because there is 90% less radiation than traditional films and they are better for explaining our findings because you can view the films along with us on the computer monitor. Digital films are also better for the environment, because no harsh chemicals are needed to process this type of film.

When dental films are needed a lead apron with a thyroid collar is used to further reduce any radiation exposure from occurring.

If you ever have a question about the need for a dental film, or your health in general, ask us. This is why we are here. Our goal is to serve you to the best of our ability.

For more information visit our website.

Chronic Illness is related to Mouth Germs !

What You Need to Know.

The dental profession has known for decades that the condition of a person’s mouth is directly related to their overall, general health and well-being. Now it appears that the medical community at large is recognizing and even encouraging more research into this connection. It turns out that inflammation and bacterial infections in the mouth are linked to conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and even pregnancy issues! Taking care of your teeth and gums is not just about having an attractive smile, it can be essential in staying healthy.

What do we know?
We know that bacterial infection and tissue inflammation are important factors in the development of gum and bone (periodontal) disease. We know that inflammation is also a major factor in the development or worsening of many chronic illnesses. Ironically, inflammation is the first response of a healthy immune system to injury, infection or irritation. It is only when the inflammation spreads or the source of the injury, infection or irritation is allowed to continue, that the entire body suffers.

Here’s why:
Blood vessels dilate around the site of an infection, often causing swelling, redness and heat. White (infection killing) cells rush to an affected area with the purpose of surrounding the bacteria and preventing their spread.
If the infection and the source of the infection is eliminated by the white cells, the situation is resolved. If the cause of the inflammation does not go away or gets worse, the inflammatory process continues.
If the inflammatory process is overwhelmed by infection, the white cells just keep trying. The body recognizes trouble in the system and continues to ignite defenses. If nothing is done about the source of an infection, the swelling, heat, and attack of the white cells will affect more than just the bacteria. Damage can occur to organs, blood vessels, joints and even nerves.
An overstressed inflammatory system also does not do its job of killing bacteria. They can spread and eventually travel throughout the body, doing even more damage.
So, if bacteria in the mouth are not controlled, which is what can happen in chronic gum and bone (periodontal) disease, the body may never shut down the “full body” inflammatory process. Why, because the cause of the inflammation, the bacteria in the mouth, continue to incite the process. It can just go on and on.
The longer bacteria and the inflammation they cause are allowed to spread from the mouth, the higher the chance for damage to the body as a whole.

What can we do?
Here at our office we have many methods of helping people control bacteria in the mouth. We actively look for and treat periodontal disease so that our patients can maintain a healthy immune system. This may include more frequent professional cleanings, or more extensively; root planing and scaling of the teeth to remove diseased tissues and bacteria. In some cases certain medicines may be recommended, and we will provide you with detailed home care instructions and help with your daily mouth cleaning routines. With the mouth germs brought under control, the body’s immune system can begin the healing process.

Even if no dentist has ever previously told you that you need gum and bone care, new conditions require new treatment. It is not uncommon for even “regular” patients to develop mouth infections from time to time and need more than “just a cleaning” such as they have had in the past. Just as a person may develop high blood pressure, having never had it in the past, so may a person develop gum and bone disease. Our bodies change and face challenges all the time.

We are here to help you maintain the health of your mouth, which in turn will make you a healthier person.

Reference: Carrington Dental News