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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. read more…

Tags: Children's Dentistry, Find a Children's Dentist, Parent Reviews, Pedodontist

PatientFYI: Bisphosphonates, (also known as disphosphonates) are a class of drugs that prevent the loss of bone mass, used for treatment ranging from osteoporosis to cancer related conditions. Bisphosphonate has become a prevalent drug in our society and is a potent suppressor of osteoclastic (bone resorbing) activities, thus bone remodeling and healing are being affected. read more…

Tags: Bisphosphonate, Bone Healing, Dental Implants, Jaw Surgery, Oral Surgery

Gingivitis, which may affect more than one-half of the U.S. adult population, is a condition commonly attributed to lapses in simple oral hygiene habits. However, a new study shows that development and reversal of gingivitis at the molecular level is apparently much more complicated than its causes might indicate. read more…

Tags: Find a Dentist, Gingivitis, Oral Hygiene, Patient Reviews

PatientFYI: A dental exam is much more than a cavity-spotting expedition. In addition to decay, dentists look for potentially life-threatening conditions including oral cancer.

According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, 35,000 Americans are diagnosed each year with oral cancer, while 8,000 Americans each year die from it. Without early detection, survival rates significantly worsen. read more…

Tags: Dental Health, dental technology, Dentist Ratings, Find a Dentist, Gum Disease, Parent Reviews of local Dentists, Patient Reviews

It is estimated that 80 percent of people brush their teeth every day, but far fewer pet owners do the same for their pets. Pet Dental Health Month, celebrated every February, teaches pet owners proper dental hygiene is equally as important for their pets.

“Most people have no idea that dental health is so important to their pets, and that’s why Pet Dental Health Month is such a great idea,” explains Dr. Larry Corry, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). “In fact, veterinarians report that periodontal disease is the most commonly diagnosed problem in dogs and cats. This can lead to painful infections of the mouth, and in severe cases these infections can spread and become life-threatening conditions. During Pet Dental Health Month, the AVMA is encouraging all dog and cat owners to regularly brush their pet’s teeth and regularly see their veterinarian for checkups.”

The AVMA, a sponsor of Pet Dental Health Month, offers an informative video giving step-by-step instructions on how to brush your pet’s teeth. The Pet Dental Month Web site, http://www.petdental.com, includes tips from a veterinary expert on pet dental health, Dr. Brook Niemiec.

“Periodontal disease, an infection of the gums, is incredibly common in pets, and it can be quite serious,” explains Dr. Niemiec, a board certified veterinary dental specialist. “It’s estimated that by the age of two, 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats have some form of periodontal disease. Periodontal infections have been linked to diabetes, heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease and other life threatening disorders. The best way to prevent periodontal disease is by regularly brushing your pet’s teeth and by regularly visiting your veterinarian.”

For more information, please visit http://www.avma.org, and to show off your pet’s pearly whites upload their photos at the AVMA Flickr site Pearly White Pets.

Tags: Cats, Dental Health, Dogs, Veterinarians

Dr. Sorkin on Modern Endodontics: Teeth with roots that have been damaged or infected used to require extraction, which can cause a lot of problems and should be done as a last resort. When dental decay reaches the nerve of the tooth (or the tooth has become infected), a simple filling does not suffice. Endodontics can save the tooth by removing the pulp of a tooth and replacing it with a filling material. Root canals of the past were quite painful and gained a reputation as something to be avoided. However, with today’s modern anesthetics and technology, we can offer treatment that is often painless.

PatientFYI

Tags: Endodontic, Root Canal Treatment

Dr. Bodak on Children’s Dentistry: Your newborn baby already has teeth, although you can’t see them. They are sitting just below the gum line. These “baby teeth”, which give your infant a great smile and allow the pleasures of chewing food or speaking more clearly, also help guide the permanent teeth into place. How soon do you need to start caring for your infant’s teeth? Just as soon as you see them!

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Tags: Children's Dentistry, Find a Children's Dentist, Parent Reviews, Pedodontist

Dr. David Grayson: Periodontal (gum) disease is prevalent throughout the adult population in the United States and elsewhere. Untreated, it can lead to pain, swelling, abscesses and eventually tooth loss, and the loss of the supporting bone in the jaws.

More people above the age of 35 lose a tooth from gum disease than they do from cavities or decay. Periodontal disease is the number-one cause of tooth loss. According to the 1996 American Dental Association/Colgate survey, U.S. dentists say gum disease is a more pressing oral health concern than tooth decay by a 2-to-1 margin It is not curable, and should the jawbone deteriorate there is little that can be done to reverse it. It is however, very treatable, both surgically and non surgically.

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Tags: cancer, Diabetes, Gum Disease, heart disease, periododntal disease

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!

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Tags: Dentist Discounts & Coupons, Dentist Reviews, Find a Dentist, Find a Orthodontist

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!

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Tags: Dentist Reviews, Find a Dentist, Find a Periodontist, Periodontist