10 Tips For Maintaining Mental and Emotional Health

Mental and emotional health are often challenging to preserve in our modern-day, busy and hectic lives.

To lessen the impact of stressful wear and tear, consider implementing some of these helpful strategies into your daily routine.

Some of these tips have been also been touched upon in other articles, however this only underlines their importance.

1. Maintain good physical health.     

This point is so basic it's often overlooked. Our physical health affects our emotional health much more than we realize. Make sure to eat well, exercise and get plenty of sleep.

As Virgil said: "The greatest wealth is health."

2. Learn to release anger and let go of grudges.

Vent if you have to. Shake it off. Walk it off. Harboring anger or ill feelings builds emotional toxicity, which ultimately affects your overall health.

"For every minute you are angry, you lose sixty seconds of happiness". Anonymous

3. Be aware.

Look for the hidden message in negative or difficult situations. Learn from them. Experiencing adversity is meant to alert you to something or teach you a new skill.

"Life deals you a lot of lessons, some people learn from them, some people don't." Brett Favre

4. Keep your brain active.

Don't let complacency or boredom set in. In order to feel alive and vibrant we need to keep our minds active by learning new things and challenging ourselves.

"If I had to live my life again I would have made a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music at least once a week; for perhaps the parts of my brain now atrophied could thus have been kept active through use." Charles Darwin

5. Stimulate your senses.

As well as keeping your mind active, enjoy beautiful art, listen to music that lifts your spirits or try a new gourmet dish. Our senses need to be reawakened every now and then too.

"Man has no Body distinct from his Soul; for that called Body is a portion of Soul discerned by the five Senses, the chief inlets of Soul in this age." William Blake

6. Have fun and don't take yourself too seriously.

Balance in life is important for maintaining emotional health. Too much emphasis on work causes stress as well as wear and tear on the body and mind. Take time off; go to the beach, the park or a movie to take your mind off your current quandaries. Chances are when you come back you will see things from a fresher, more productive perspective.

"I hope life isn't a big joke, because I don't get it." Jack Handey

7. 7. Maintain supportive relationships.

Maintain good relationships with friends and family for much needed feedback, a shoulder to lean on or a different perspective. Often we get so caught up in our own problems and misery we can't see the forest for the trees. Having an objective pair of eyes and ears can give you a whole new way of thinking.

"Someone to tell it to is one of the fundamental needs of human beings". Miles Franklin

8. Donate your old clothes, furniture or items you don't use anymore to your local Good Will, Salvation Army or charity of your choice.

It will make you feel good, first by helping someone out and secondly by cleaning out your closets and basements of 'stuff' you haven't put to use in a long time.

"For it is in the giving that we receive." St. Francis of Assisi

9. Take some yoga classes, learn to meditate or incorporate a relaxation technique into your routine.

Besides having fun and not taking yourself too seriously, it's a good idea to integrate another relaxation strategy into your routine for those times when life gets somewhat overwhelming. Having many methods to fall back on ensures emotional well-being.

"If a man insisted always on being serious, and never allowed himself a bit of fun or relaxation, he would go mad or become unstable without knowing it". Herodotus

10. Learn to savor and appreciate the moment.

How many times have we heard that life is too short? We get so caught up in the whirlwind that we forget to live in the present moment. And in those times we're not caught up in the whirlwind, we're worrying about the future. It's time to slow down and enjoy the now!

"Life is a memory except for the present moment that goes by so quickly you hardly catch it going." Tennessee Williams

Take good care of your mental and emotional health. It can determine the quality and enjoyment of how you experience your everyday life.

Reference: Essential life skills.net            

DENTAL VISITS MAY BE USEFUL FOR EARLY LIP CANCER DETECTION

Beautiful Smile, Teeth and Lips

Dentists may be able to spot some skin cancers of the face and neck areas when they are in the early treatable stages. Regular visits to your dentist could aid in the early detection of lip cancers, which are a type of oral cancer. Exposure to sunlight may increase the risk of lip cancer, which occurs most often on the lower lip. Avoiding the sun or using some type of sunscreen or colored lipstick on the lips may decrease the risk of lip cancer. Sun-induced skin cancers are the most common types of cancers in the United States, according to the National Cancer Institute, with more than one million new cases diagnosed each year.

In addition to exposure to the sun, other common risk factors for developing lip cancer as well as some other types of oral cancer are alcohol use, tobacco use, the human papilloma virus (HPV), male gender, and age over 40. Approximately 26,000 new oral cancers, including lip cancer, are estimated to occur annually in the United States. Of that total, between 10% and 15% are cancers of the lip.

Early lip cancers may have no symptoms. When symptoms do present themselves, the most common situation is a sore on the lip that will not heal. Most lip cancers develop on the lower lip and are squamous cell cancers. These are cancers caused by changes and abnormal growth of the flat, disc-like cells that line and cover the lip.

Lip cancer symptoms commonly involve only the lip itself. However, the cancers may involve other areas when they spread. When diagnosed early, lip cancer has an excellent prognosis and potentially can be cured by either surgery or radiation therapy. Later stages may also be treated with surgery or radiation or a combination of the two methods. Most lip cancers that develop into serious problems do so because medical assistance was not sought at an early stage in the development of the disease. Therefore regular visits to your family dentist should be maintained, usually at the time recommended by your dentist. Any type of suspicious sore or lesion that you notice should be presented to your dentist at the time of your visit.

Common Symptoms of Lip Cancer

According to the Oral Cancer Foundation common lip cancer symptoms include:

Bleeding lip area

Discolored or darkened area of the lip

Enlarged lymph nodes around the head or neck

Lip sore that does not heal

Lump in or under the lip

Numbness, tingling, or pain of the lip

Swelling in the jaw or mouth

Thickened area on the lip which may also be discolored

Left untreated, lip cancer can result in serious conditions. Seek prompt medical care if you have bleeding that does not stop, persistent or unusual symptoms, or trouble eating, drinking or swallowing.

Make an appointment with our dental office.

How "preventive care" pays you during tough times.

Most of us get through tough times by cutting back or delaying "unnecessary" expenses. However, in order to save your teeth, your health and your money make sure you are not postponing your dental care.

You can have serious dental problems without having pain. Dental issues do not go away by themselves. They will eventually turn into more complex, painful and costly problems.

"During tought economic times, we know that health and health care can suffer, especially for those individuals who lose their insurance coverage. We want to encourage utilization of services - like preventive care - that are highly effective and relatively inexpensive.", says Brian C. Quinn, PhD of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Do not allow limited or lack of dental insurance coverage stop you from making healthy decisions. Your best dental insurance is your daily home care, getting routine preventive exams and having regular professional dental cleaning performed.

Remember these exams are highly effective and relatively inexpensive. Preventive measures will save you a lot of money in the long run. No dental plan coves all dental costs and your coverage may not cover conditions that existed before your plan became effective. However, this does not mean your condition does not need to be treated.

Do not confuse what your dental plan will cover with  the dental services you need to have performed. Your dental coverage is determined by your insurance carrier; your dental care is determined by your dental professional here at Dr. Nylaan's office.

Trying to save a few dollars by skipping preventive examinations, professional cleanings, or necessary dental work is not a wise decision.

Routine preventive care is the smart solution for your dental health and overall health!

Another smart solution is enrolling in our Dental Health Investment Plan. Our commitment to you through this plan is that we will increase your monthly investment in yourself by 20%.

It’s vital to visit dentist during pregnancy

You have so much to think about during pregnancy, but don’t overlook your oral health, which can be affected by the hormonal changes you will experience during this time.

It is important to continue to see your dentist during pregnancy for oral exams and professional teeth cleaning. Be sure to tell your dentist you are pregnant and about any changes you have noticed in your oral health.   

For example, women are more likely to develop gingivitis during pregnancy. Gingivitis is an infection of the gums that can cause swelling and tenderness.

Your gums also may bleed a little when you brush or floss. Left untreated, gingivitis can affect the supporting tissues that hold your teeth in place. Your dentist may recommend more frequent cleanings to prevent gingivitis.

Sometimes, lumps appear along the gum line and between teeth. These swellings are harmless, but they bleed easily and have a red, raw-looking berry-like surface. Although these growths are sometimes called “pregnancy tumors,” they are not cancerous. They usually go away on their own after pregnancy, but they can be easily removed if they bother you.

Total health important    

Your oral health is an important part of your overall health, and untreated dental disease may be harmful to you and your baby.

Be sure to let your dentist know about any medications or supplements you are taking. Your dentist may need to use or prescribe medication as part of your treatment. Some medications are safe for limited use during pregnancy while others should not be used at all.

For example, if you develop an infection, your dentist might prescribe penicillin or amoxicillin. However, pregnant women should not be treated with tetracycline because it can stain the fetus’ developing teeth. Once the teeth come in, they make look gray or brown permanently as a result of these stains.

Talk to your dentist or physician about medications that are safe to use during pregnancy.

X-rays during pregnancy

Although X-rays often may be delayed until after your baby is born, your dentist may need to have an X-ray as part of your dental treatment. To minimize your exposure and that of the fetus to X-rays, your dentist will cover your abdomen with a protective apron and place a thyroid collar over your throat.

Your baby’s teeth

Your child’s baby teeth are important too. Children need strong, healthy teeth to chew their food, speak and have a goodlooking smile. Baby teeth also hold a space in the jaw for the adult teeth. If a baby tooth is lost too early, the teeth beside it may drift into the empty space. When it’s time for the adult teeth to come in , there may not be enough room.

Starting infants off with good oral care can help protect their teeth for decades to come. The American Dental Association recommends a dental visit for your child by the first birthday. Your child’s baby teeth are at risk for decay as soon as they first appear — which is usually around 6 months of age.

Tooth decay in infants and toddlers most often occurs in the upper front teeth. The good news is that decay is preventable. To reduce the risk of tooth decay, avoid frequent, prolonged exposure of the baby’s teeth in liquids that contain sugar, such as sweetened water and fruit juice.

Tooth decay can occur when the baby is put to bed with a bottle, or when a bottle is used as a pacifier for a fussy baby. The sugary liquids pool around the teeth while the child sleeps. Bacteria in the mouth use these sugars as food and produce acids that attack the teeth. After multiple attacks, the teeth can decay.

Infants should finish their bedtime and naptime bottles before going to bed.

Visit our website for more information about your baby's teeth. 

Brought to you by the 600 members of the West Michigan District Dental Society in Kent, Ottawa, Ionia, Montcalm and Mecosta counties. West Michigan District Dental Society dentists are also members of the Michigan Dental Society.

HPV, which causes cervical cancer can also fuel oral cancer

WASHINGTON — A prolonged sore throat once was considered a cancer worry mainly for smokers and drinkers. Today there's another risk: A sexually transmitted virus is fueling a rise in oral cancer.
The HPV virus is best known for causing cervical cancer. But it can cause cancer in the upper throat, too, and a new study says HPV-positive tumors now account for a majority of these cases of what is called oropharyngeal cancer.

If that trend continues, that type of oral cancer will become the nation's main HPV-related cancer within the decade, surpassing cervical cancer, researchers from Ohio State University and the National Cancer Institute report Monday.

"There is an urgency to try to figure out how to prevent this," says Dr. Amy Chen of the American Cancer Society and Emory University, who wasn't part of the new research.
While women sometimes get oral cancer caused by the HPV, the risk is greatest and rising among men, researchers reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. No one knows why, but it begs the question of whether the vaccine given to girls and young women to protect against cervical cancer also might protect against oral HPV.

HPV vaccination is approved for boys to prevent genital warts and anal cancer, additional problems caused by human papillomavirus. But protection against oral HPV hasn't been studied in either gender, says Dr. Maura Gillison, a head-and-neck cancer specialist at Ohio State and senior author of the new research. That's important, because it's possible to have HPV in one part of the body but not the other, she says. A spokeswoman for Merck & Co., maker of the HPV vaccine Gardasil, said the company has no plans for an oral cancer study.

Monday's research was funded by the NCI and Ohio State. Gillison has been a consultant to Merck.
There are nearly 10,000 new cases of oropharyngeal cancer a year, and overall incidence has risen by 28 percent since 1988 even as other types of head-and-neck cancer have been declining.

Tobacco and alcohol have long been the main causes of these tumors, which occur in the tonsils, base of the tongue and upper throat. But over the past few years, studies have shown HPV is playing a role in that rise, probably due to an increase in oral sex even as tobacco use was dropping.

The new study took a closer look, tracking HPV over time by directly testing tumor tissue from 271 patients that had been stored in cancer registries in Hawaii, Iowa and Los Angeles. The proportion that were HPV-positive rose from just 16 percent in the late 1980s to nearly 73 percent by the early 2000s.
Translate that to the overall population, and the researchers concluded that incidence rates of the HPV-positive tumors more than tripled while HPV-negative tumors dropped by half.

Oral cancer has always been a bigger threat to men than women. Gillison says women account for only about 1 in 4 cases, and their incidence is holding steady while men's is rising. That raises questions about gender differences in sexual behavior or whether oral HPV infection is likely to linger longer in men.

While HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection, studies show women's bodies usually clear the virus from the cervix quickly; only an infection that persists for years is a cancer risk. It's not known if oral HPV acts similarly or even is as common.

Nor is it clear if oral sex is the only way it's transmitted, cautions Dr. Gregory Masters of the American Society for Clinical Oncology, an oncologist at Delaware's Helen Graham Cancer Center.
Regardless, just over 11,000 cases of cervical cancer will be diagnosed this year, a number that has been dropping steadily thanks to better Pap smears. (It's too soon to know what difference vaccination will make.) Gillison's team calculated that annual cases of cervical cancer will drop to 7,700 by 2020 – compared with about 8,700 cases of HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer by then, about 7,400 of them in men.

The cancer society's Chen urged caution about those numbers, saying more data is needed. But she says two things are clear: First, patients with HPV-linked oral tumors have better survival odds than those with other types of this cancer, possibly because they tend to be younger. Studies are beginning to test if they can scale back today's treatment and thus suffer fewer long-term side effects such as problems with speech and swallowing.

And "just because you're not a smoker or drinker doesn't mean you can't get throat cancer," Chen says – so get checked for symptoms like a throat that's sore for longer than two weeks.

~ Lauran Neergaard - Huffington Post

Our office offers The OraRisk^® HPV Salivary Diagnostic Test

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common virus groups in the world. According to the Centers for Disease Control, at least 20 million people in the United States are infected with HPV and there are approximately 6 million new cases each year.

Oral HPV is a manifestation of the HPV virus in the mouth, and is primarily found in the oropharyngeal complex. Specific types of oral HPV are now considered to be separate and serious risk factor for developing oral cancers. Early detection and identification of the presence or absence of oral HPV is important, as early oral HPV infections do not typically cause any clinical signs or symptoms.
The OraRisk^® HPV test is a non-invasive, easy-to-use screening tool to identify the type(s) of oral HPV, a mucosal viral infection that could potentially lead to oral cancer. OraRisk^® HPV enables the clinician to establish increased risk for oral cancer and determine appropriate referral and monitoring conditions.

Who should be tested?

• Patients with traditional risk factors for oral cancer
• Patients who are sexually active
• Patients with signs and symptoms of oral cancer
• Patients with suspicious oral lesions

Schedule an appointment for your OraRisk^® HPV Salivary Diagnostic Test

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.