Dr. Richard Redman, MD (Advanced Plastic Surgery Center) in Richmond, VA has joined the elite group of doctors on PatientFYI offering to showcase their services/strengths, publish reviews and take your comments. The profile is directly available at: http://patientfyi.com/cosmeticsurgeon/Richard_D.-Redman-cosmeticsurgeon-in-RICHMOND-VA-23226-686552

Dr. Redmond is a Board certified plastic surgeon, specializing in a wide range of cosmetic surgery including Liposuction, Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck), Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift, Face Lifts, Nick Lifts, Rhinoplasty, Eye lid surgery and various aesthetic skin treatments.

A sample of the services is given below:

Liposuction

Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)

Abdominoplasty or “tummy tuck” is a major surgical procedure in which excess skin and fat are removed from the lower abdomen and the muscles of the abdomen wall are tightened. The drawings featured depict the traditional abdominoplasty procedure.

The best candidates for a abdominoplasty are men or women in good health and relatively good shape, but are bothered by a large fat deposit or loose abdominal skin that won’t respond to exercise.

MSNBC.com

When Rachel Sarah took her daughter in for her first dental checkup a few years ago, she got a surprise. Not only did her 24-month-old have two cavities in her baby teeth, the pediatric dentist suggested she might have “caught” them from her mom.“The dentist handed me this piece of paper that talked about saliva transfer,” said Sarah, a 37-year-old writer from San Francisco. “It said not to share cups or utensils or food and said, ‘No kissing your kid on the lips.’ I was shocked; I’d been taking a bite of food and then giving her a bite since she started eating. I told the dentist I’d never heard of this and he said these were new findings.”

As it turns out, studies about the transmission of cavity-causing bacteria from mom to baby have been published for 30 years. The primary culprit is Streptococcus mutans, a bacteria that can pass from person to person through the transfer of saliva, such as sharing utensils, blowing on food, and yes, even kissing that sweet little bundle of joy on the mouth.

According to a 2008 study in Pediatric Dentistry, “strong evidence demonstrated that mothers are a primary source of MS [mutans streptococci] colonization of their children; a few investigations showed other potential sources … notably fathers.”

“There have been many, many studies,” said Dr. Jane Soxman, a pediatric dentist from Allison Park, Pa. “It’s well-documented. You can’t blame it all on kissing a child on the lips — that’s one of several different factors that would have to be working together. But the main thing to know is that tooth decay is a bacterial infection and you can spread it from one person to another during the window of infectivity, which is during infancy and especially during the time of tooth eruption. That’s when the teeth are most vulnerable. It’s as if you had a bad cold and were kissing your child, you would spread the cold virus.”

Only parents (or caregivers) with active tooth decay can spread the Streptococcus mutans bacteria through the transfer of saliva. And Soxman stressed that the transmission of bacteria-laden saliva is just one piece of the puzzle. Tooth decay is caused by a combination of factors, including the transfer of infectious saliva, genetics, oral hygiene, and feeding practices, such as letting your baby constantly suck on a sippy cup full of juice or milk or other sugar-laden liquid. (Bacteria uses the sugar to produce acid, which breaks down enamel.) Baby teeth are particularly vulnerable to decay.

“When teeth first come into the mouth, when they first erupt, the enamel is very soft,” said Soxman. “They’re brand new virgin surfaces and are very susceptible.”

But the decay won’t just impact baby teeth. If the bacteria are allowed to thrive, Soxman said, they will colonize and stick around for years, attacking the permanent teeth when they come in.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that parents have their child evaluated by a dentist when the first tooth erupts, or no later than their first birthday.

Chew Xylitol gum
Luckily, there are preventative measures that can help kick the bacteria to the curb. A January 2010 study in the Journal of Dental Research found that the children of moms who chewed Xylitol gum (starting in the sixth month of pregnancy) “were significantly less likely to show MS colonization.”

“If a woman is decay-active, she should be chewing Xylitol in the third trimester so when the baby’s born, the chance of transmission of decay-causing bacteria will be reduced,” said Soxman. “She should also have her teeth cleaned thoroughly during the second and third trimester.”

Cutting back on saliva-transferring behaviors — such as utensil-sharing, toothbrush sharing, blowing on baby’s food, pre-chewing baby’s food and cleaning off the pacifier with your own mouth — will also help.

But some say that’s easier said than done.

“It’s one thing to tell parents who have active decay to be extra cautious, and it’s something to be aware of for the rest of us, but I don’t think I’d be able to completely eliminate those behaviors,” said Marcy Hogan, a 29-year-old stay-at-home mom from San Jose, Calif. “They’re very natural behaviors and actions. I don’t want to avoid kissing my son and I don’t know how I’d get around blowing on his food. Sometimes it’s too hot and kids are not very patient.”

Dr. Stephanie Su, a pediatric dentist and mother of two from Redmond, Wash., said she tries to stress preventative measures as much as possible since saliva transfer between parent and child is almost “unavoidable.”

“When you look at a lab test, yes, there’s transfer of bacteria, but in real life, you’re not going to be able prevent that. You can’t live in a bubble,” she said. “But you can maintain good hygiene practices and a good diet, and the parents can take care of their own oral health and focus on preventative care like flossing and dental checkups and chewing Xylitol gum if they’re at high risk for decay.”

Both dentists also point to a surefire workaround.

“You could do just about everything as long as you wipe that baby’s mouth out repeatedly with a clean wet cloth,” said Soxman. “I tell parents to wipe the baby’s mouth out as often as they change the diaper. Wipe the tongue, the teeth, and the cheeks from infancy on. Then the colonies of bacteria won’t be established.”

URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35989527/ns/health-oral_health/

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PatientFYI: As with any other part of your child’s body, your child’s mouth needs to be cleaned regularly to keep it healthy, working properly and looking good. Research is now showing that the health of your mouth affects the health of the rest of your body, too. If your child’s mouth is clean and healthy, the rest of his or her body will be better off too.

Oral hygiene needs to start early. This means taking action even before your child gets his or her first tooth. Wipe your child’s tongue, gums and cheeks at least once a day, before bed or nap time, with a clean, damp washcloth wrapped around your finger. You can also use a terrycloth finger cot. This fits over a finger and is made for this purpose. Most drugstores carry them.

It’s best if you can look into your child’s mouth while you clean it. Lay your baby in a bassinette and stand behind his or her head as you use the wipe. As your child grows, sit down and have your child stand or kneel between your legs, facing away from you. Then, your child can tip his or her head back into your lap.

While you are looking in your child’s mouth, keep an eye out for anything that doesn’t appear normal. This could be white or red spots in the mouth, bulges that you can’t identify, or other changes. Ask your child’s dentist about anything you see.

As soon as the first teeth appear, it is especially important to clean along the gums around the teeth. This is where plaque is most likely to cause cavities and inflamed gums. Plaque is a sticky white or yellowish substance that contains bacteria. Wiping is a good way to clean your child’s mouth until the first few teeth begin to show. Then it is best to switch to a soft-bristled, infant-sized toothbrush. Use a very small smear of toothpaste.

Your child’s teeth don’t touch each other when they first come out. There is space between them. But as your child grows, the back teeth will move into position against one another. This can occur as early as age 3 or as late as age 6. When these back teeth start touching each other, it’s time to start flossing your child’s teeth. Flossing is essential because toothbrush bristles cannot reach between the baby teeth. This makes the areas between teeth at high risk for cavities.

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We’ve seen thousands of great Patient Reviews in which the high level of technology that a Dental Practice offers is highlighted by the Patient… and Electronic Dental Records (EDRs) have quickly proven to be a value-add that get noticed by Patients upon visiting a Dental Practice that uses them.

So we’re excited to share with you an announcement from Pacific Dental Services (and their 180+ locations that are highlighted on PatientFYI) regarding their recent move to empowering a better patient experience through the use of EDRs. (Read More).

Visiting the dentist for routine cleanings &  exams can protect much more than just your oral health.

Recent research found that roughly 90 percent of people who suffer from gum disease are at high risk for diabetes, according to New York University. Experts now say that dentists should offer screenings for the condition in their offices.

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It’s estimated that 93 percent of subjects who had periodontal disease were considered to be at high risk for diabetes, while only 63 percent of individuals with good dental health might eventually develop the condition, talk to your Dentist about these factors during your next appointment.

Pre-diabetes, which is potentially reversible, is an illness that involves elevated blood-sugar levels that aren’t high enough to be classified as diabetes.

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Some adults choose not to get braces because they believe having crooked teeth only affects the way their smile looks, but misalignment can also damage key aspects of your overall dental health as well.

According to a study conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), 75 percent of Americans have crooked teeth. Many of these people choose not to get their smiles straightened because they are afraid of how they’ll look with braces, and therefore put themselves at risk of damaging their dental health so as to not harm their appearance.

Find an Certified Orthodontist in your City!

The American Dental Association (ADA) says crooked teeth can lead to periodontal disease. This infection may damage the tissue that supports teeth and passes through two stages: gingivitis and periodontitis. 

Gingivitis is a milder form of periodontal disease that only affects the gums and is reversible, according to the ADA. Periodontitis is a more destructive form of the infection.

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PatientFYI: Periodontal (gum) disease is an infection of the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth. It is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. In the more advanced stages of periodontal (gum) disease the gums and bone that support the teeth can become seriously damaged. The teeth can become loose, fall out or have to be removed by a dentist.

That is one reason why regular dental checkups and periodontal examinations are very important. Treatment methods depend upon the type of disease and how far the condition has progressed. Good oral hygiene at home is essential to help keep periodontal disease from becoming more serious or recurring. You don’t have to lose teeth to periodontal disease. Brush, clean between your teeth, eat a balanced diet, and schedule regular dental visits for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

Find a great Dentist near you!

PatientFYI can help you find the best dentists & orthodontists for your dental needs. For all local dental offices, here you can see doctor profiles, patient referrals, and prices for specific dental procedures. You can also learn about braces, technology, and even dental insurance or financing to make your dental procedures more affordable.

 

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Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. Episodes, called apneas, last long enough so that one or more breaths are missed, and occur repeatedly throughout sleep.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common category of sleep-disordered breathing. The muscle tone of the body ordinarily relaxes during sleep. And since, at the level of the throat, the human airway is composed of walls of soft tissue . which can collapse . it is easy to understand why breathing can become obstructed during sleep. Mild, occasional sleep apnea, such as many people experience during an upper respiratory infection, may not be important. However, chronic, severe obstructive sleep apnea requires treatment to prevent sleep deprivation and other complications. The most serious complication is a severe form of congestive heart failure called cor pulmonale.

A dentist specializing in sleep disorders can prescribe oral appliance therapy (OAT). The oral appliance is a custom-made mouthpiece that shifts the lower jaw forward, which opens up the airway. OAT is usually successful in patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. OAT is a relatively new treatment option for sleep apnea in the United States, but is much more common in Canada and Europe.

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Sleep apnea is diagnosed with an overnight sleep test called a polysomnogram.

The most common treatment and arguably the most consistently effective treatment for sleep apnea is the use of a continous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, which ‘splints’ the patient’s airway open during sleep by means of a flow of pressurized air into the throat.

CPAP and OAT are effective only for obstructive sleep apnea, not for central or mixed cases.

Snoring is the vibration of respiratory structures and the resulting sound, due to obstructed air movement during breathing while sleeping. In some cases, the sound may be soft, in others loud and unpleasant. The structures are usually the uvula and soft palate. The irregular airflow is caused by a blockage . and usually due to one of the following:

• Throat weakness, causing the throat to close during sleep
• Mis-positioned jaw, often caused by tension in the muscles
• Fat gathering in and around the throat (often associated with overweight or obesity)
• Obstruction in the nasal passageway 

Statistics on snoring are often contradictory. However, at least 30% of adults, and perhaps as many as 50% of people in some demographics do snore.

Specially made dental appliances called mandibular advancement splints, are a common mode of treatment for snoring. They advance the lower jaw slightly, and thereby pull the tongue forward. Typically, a dentist specializing in sleep apnea dentistry is consulted. Such appliances have been proven to be effective in reducing snoring and sleep apnea in cases where the apnea is mild to moderate. Mandibular advancement splints are often tolerated much better than CPAP machines. Possible but rare side effects include gradual movement of the teeth, temporomandibular joint disorder, excess salivation, and gum irritation.

Find Dentists Ratings & Reviews for your city!

PatientFYI can help you find the best dentists & orthodontists for your dental needs. For all local dental offices, here you can see doctor profiles, patient referrals, and prices for specific dental procedures. You can also learn about braces, technology, and even dental insurance or financing to make your dental procedures more affordable.

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PatientFYI: A Pedodontist is a dentist specialized in handling children. This helps prevent the fear in a child’s mind that is often created by seeing the complex equipment, including drills and various tools (plus, hearing loud noises in the dental office). The Pedodontist is specially trained to win the child’s confidence, making the child aware of the responsibility of looking after his or her teeth — and the importance of a healthy mouth.

Find the best Pedodontists in your city!

The biggest challenge facing the Pedodontist is the scared and nervous child . and converting the child into a confident patient. Generally, treating a child may take two or three times more time than it will take for the same procedure in an adult. However, it is worth the effort to do so. Pedodontistsmay treat children up to the age of 18, and have the ability to work with children with disabilities.

Reviews & Ratings of Pedodontists near you!

PatientFYI empowers Patients to quickly find Dentists in their city that offer the specific Services, Strengths & Satisfied-Patients that they want in a new Dentist.

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Endodontists specialize and limit their practice to root canal therapy (diseases of the tooth pulp as well as the tissues surrounding the root of the tooth) and root canal surgery. They use their special training and experience to treat difficult cases that are referred to them by general dentists, who opt not to perform these cases. This happens particularly when teeth have narrow or blocked canals, or unusual anatomy.

Find the best Endodontists in your city!

Endodontists are dentists who have specialized in the field of root canal therapy. Qualification as an Endodontist typically requires an additional 2-3 years of training following dental school. Patients requiring root canal therapy are either referred by their general dentists to the Endodontistor are self-referred.

Endontists perform these key services:

Root Canals

Incision for Drainage

Internal Tooth Bleaching

Periradicular Surgery (Apicoectomy)

Patient Reviews & Ratings of Endodontists near you!

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