[03/03/11] Posted by: Parsippany Dental Care

CareRally.com

There are 3 major diseases that all patients are susceptible to:

1. Cavities – infections of teeth caused by bacteria
2. Periodontal disease – otherwise known as gum disease – caused by:
   1. Bacteria
   2. Bruxism (night time grinding)
   3. Clenching (daytime habit caused by stress)
   4. Irregular bite
   5. Lack of certain oral tissues/thin bone/ tooth position
   6. Systemic diseases such as diabetes
   7. Defective fillings – all fillings made from amalgam(mercury/silver) will fail at some point
3. Bite disease
   1. This is wearing away of tooth structure
   2. Causes cracked tooth syndrome
   3. Causes root canal inflammation/infection
   4. Can cause facial pain syndromes

Preventive dentistry

Is the minimizing/avoidance of dental disease. To do so involves:

1. Limiting the amount of carbohydrates
2. Proper oral hygiene
3. Visits to the dentist at appropriate times base upon your individual needs
4. The visit consists of:

1. 1. Hygiene–in our office that is a periodontal scaling
   2. Prophylaxis
   3. Necessary radiographs
   4. Doctor exam, if needed
   5. Home care instruction, if needed
   6. Recommendations of prevention/treatment
   7. Intra-oral photographs, if needed

Fighting Plaque

By fighting plaque, you can keep your teeth for a lifetime. Today, in fact, older adults are keeping their natural teeth longer because of scientific developments and an emphasis on preventative dentistry.

Good oral hygiene requires an understanding of plaque. Plaque is a sticky, colorless layer of bacteria. When you eat carbohydrates (foods made of sugar or starch) you feed this plaque, which in turn produces acids that attack tooth enamel, cause cavities, and develop a hard substance called calculus (tartar). Uninterrupted, the acid attacks can result in tooth decay and gum disease (also known as periodontal disease). If left untreated, gum disease can cause loss of teeth and bone.

At any age, you can begin the fight with plaque and keep your teeth and gums healthy. It’s really quite easy. Simply:

1. Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to remove food particles and plaque from the tooth surfaces. While you’re at it, brush the top surface of your tongue to eliminate bad breath and bacteria buildup.
2. Clean between your teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner. Decay-causing bacteria lingers between teeth where toothbrush bristles can’t reach. Flossing removes plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line.
3. Eat a balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks. If a snack is needed, nutritious foods such as raw vegetables, plain yogurt, cheese or a piece of fruit should be chosen.
4. Schedule regular check-ups. Visit the doctor regularly (every six months) for professional cleanings and oral exams.
5. Ask the doctor about dental sealants, a protective plastic coating that can be applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth where decay often starts.
6. Wear mouth protection such as a mouthguard when you play contact sports or extreme sports.

Preventing Tooth Decay

Tooth decay (cavity or caries) can develop on any surface of any tooth. Because cavities grow, they are much easier and less expensive to treat when they are small. A decaying tooth may not hurt, so you may have a cavity and not realize it. The dentist checks for tooth decay at your regular check-ups and will periodically use x-rays to check for decay between teeth. The dentist treats tooth decay by cleaning out the cavity and placing a restoration (filling) in the tooth.

By following the strategies listed above, you can prevent tooth decay.

Preventing Gum Disease

Gum disease (also called periodontal disease) is an infection of the tissues that support your teeth. It is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Because gum disease is usually painless, you may not know you have it. At each regular checkup the dentist will measure the depth of the shallow v-shaped crevice (called a sulcus) between your tooth and gums to identify whether you have gum disease.

• Some gum disease is caused by plaque, the sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on the teeth. These bacteria create toxins that can damage the gums.
• Certain periodontal diseases attack just below the gum line in the sulcus, where they cause the attachment of the tooth and its supporting tissues to break down. As the tissues are damaged, the sulcus develops into a pocket; generally, the more severe the disease, the greater the depth of the pocket.
• Periodontal diseases are classified according to the severity of the disease. The two major stages are gingivitis and periodontitis.
• In the early stage of gum disease, called gingivitis, the gums become red, swollen, and bleed easily. At this stage, the disease is still reversible and can usually be eliminated by daily brushing and flossing.
• In the more advanced stages of gum disease, called periodontitis, the gums and bone that support the teeth become seriously damaged. The teeth can become loose, fall out, or have to be removed by a dentist.
• Gum recession: when more of the tooth is exposed above the gum line it looks like your tooth is long. This is a form of gum disease where there is no pocketing or bleeding. The tooth has less bone support and can start tilting over; the tooth can become sensitive to cold air/fluids, and more prone to cavities (the structure of the tooth is weaker here).

If you notice any of the following signs of gum disease, see the doctor immediately:

1. Gums that bleed easily
2. Red, swollen, tender gums
3. Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
4. Persistent bad breath or bad taste
5. Pus between your teeth and gums
6. Permanent teeth that are loose or separating
7. Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
8. Any change in the fit of partial dentures

It is possible to have periodontal disease and have no warning signs.

That is one reason why regular dental checkups and periodontal examinations are very important. Treatment methods depend on the type of disease and how far the condition has progressed.

I happened to walk by the Table Clinics at the recently concluded California Dental Association (CDA) conference in Anaheim, CA and was amazed by the depth of research high-school, college and dental students had done and reported on.There was a lot of work on dental materials and new techniques.

Dr. Ramesh Gowda of Golden State Dental, a PatientFYI-Verified (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pB6eNvxU0GU) dentist was one of the judges of the panels and was explaining to me how kids at a young age get involved in research and public awareness.

Of all the high-school level entries, I think half dealt with tattoos and piercings!

What If A 5-minute Scan Could Save Your Life?

Dr. John Robinson: According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, someone dies from oral cancer every hour of every day in the U.S., and those numbers are increasing every year. Late diagnosis is often the culprit because oral cancer may not be noticeable or painful, and tobacco use is not the only cause. When diagnosed in the early stages of development, oral cancer victims have an 80% to 90% survival rate! With recent publicity surrounding actor Michael Douglas’s diagnosis of stage 4 oral cancer, public awareness of the need for earlier detection of this deadly disease has increased considerably.

If you are a fan of The Dr. OZ Show, last fall you may have seen a segment of the show titled, “A Trip to the Dentist Could Save Your Life.” During the episode, the advantages of a revolutionary new oral cancer screening device known as the VELscope was featured.

Always at the forefront of new technology, Robison Dental Group has been providing our community with the benefit of the VELscope screening system. It’s the only innovative dental device recently recognized by the World Health Organization as addressing global health concerns. In less than five minutes, a non-evasive and painless VELscope examination can be completed to identify precancerous lesions which are not visible to the naked eye.

At Robison Dental Group, we feel strongly about the advantages this technology offers and want to encourage you to get examined during Oral Cancer Awareness Month. That’s why during the months of April and May we are offering this potentially lifesaving scan for only $10!

Call us today to schedule a screening at 734.453.6320 or 888.66.SMILE!!

Do you have the smile you truly want?  Have you always wanted to change your smile?  Make the moment now!

LUMINEERS porcelain veneers can transform your smile with little or no preparation (meaning minimal to no removal of tooth structure).  LUMINEERS can whiten stained teeth, reshape misaligned/awkward/crooked teeth, even out uneven teeth, lengthen short teeth, close unwanted gaps between teeth or fix chipped teeth.

New technology makes LUMINEERS extremely strong and much thinner than traditional veneers.  If tooth reduction is required, only minimal contouring is done, eliminating the need for anesthetic and the possibility of sensitivity afterwards.  The results are outstanding!

LUMINEERS can only be done by LUMINEERS Certified Dentists.  At Shwedel Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, both Dr. Shwedel and Dr. Okonkowski are LUMINEERS Certified Dentists.  It is our goal to make and keep your smile beautiful.  Should you have any questions about LUMINEERS or any other dental related topic, including the latest ways to keep your mouth healthy, please contact us at 313-292-5590 or visit our website www.shwedeldental.com.  We are looking forward to seeing you soon.

Tags: Cosmetic Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentists, Dental Veneers, Find a Cosmetic Dentist, Improve Your Smile, Painless Dentistry, Teeth Whitening

PatientFYI: These devices work really well. I went to an Oral Surgeon, they then did a sleep-test and recommended an oral device before trying a CPAP. I’ve been using it for a year now and it works great. No more snoring either.

PatientFYI: Recent studies continue to suggest a relationship between gum disease and cardiovascular disease (CVD).  Given the considerable health burden associated with CVD, involvement of gum disease in the development of cardiovascular pathologies could have various implications. read more…

Tags: Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Veneers, Dentist, Find a Dentist, Gum Disease, heart disease, Teeth Whitening, Veneers

Dr. Guy Mangia

At Home Smile Analysis: There are a number of ways to  analyze your smile, there is the Emotional Smile Evaluation and the Objective Evaluation.  Below is  simple list of questions using each approach you can do in your own home.  Take a few minutes, stand in front of a mirror and answer a few questions.

The Emotional Smile Evaluation: is based on an individual’s subjective perceptions of their own smile.  Below are some questions that may help you reveal how you really feel about your smile; how it might affect  your self image;  how it impacts interactions with others; and how it influences the quality of relationships. read more…

Tags: Cosmetic Dentistry, Find a Dentist

Dr. Guy Mangia: Comprehensive Dental Examination is a service we provide for all new patients and for our adult patients of record every 2 years. Similar to a complete medical examination with your physician, this examination  process is considered the current Standard of Care with the American Dental Association.  During this examination we are able to document and compare the findings that are significant to your oral health.  Being able to compare these findings at a two year interval allows us to detect changes in your dental health that may be subtle to the human eye, resulting in early detection and correction of oral problems.  Of course, we will continue to provide updated examinations at the time of your  periodontal maintenance visit in between your comprehensive dental evaluations.

The Comprehensive Examination and Evaluation consists of six areas of your oral health: read more…

Tags: Cosmetic Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentists, dental, Dental Health, Dental Implants, Dentist Reviews, Find a Cosmetic Dentist, Gum Disease, Improve Your Smile, Teeth Whitening, Veneers, Whiter Teeth

There has been many articles written in recent months about how Americans are sleeping less than we used to. Seven to eight hours is the amount that most adults need to fully rejuvenate both body and mind. Yet, one study, reported in the National Geographic news of February 2005, shows that Americans are sleeping a full hour less than we did as recently as twenty to thirty years ago.

This same article reports that the cost of this lack of sleep, in added health care costs, is as much as $15 billion and perhaps as much as $50 billion in lost productivity.

These are staggering amounts of money. But the cost in health and quality of life are immeasurable.

All animals need sleep to repair damage done to our physical systems. Without adequate sleep our immune system becomes compromised and less effective, body temperature can decrease, and blood pressure may even rise. There is also an association between diminished sleep and diabetes.

So, how does this relate to weight management and specifically weight gain? There are two hormones that control appetite in the human body: ghrelin and leptin. Ghrelin is made in the GI system and stimulates appetite, while leptin is produced in fat cells and signals to the brain the feeling of fullness. Thus, they work together as a sort of  biological checks and balances.

With sleep loss, ghrelin production increases and leptin decreases. Thus, when we sleep less, we are often dramatically hungrier than we might otherwise be, and it becomes difficult to be sated. This leads to overeating. Too many sleepless nights can lead to weight gain.

So, one way to help keep weight under control is to get a good night’s sleep. It won’t do it by itself of course, but proper sleep will help, along with proper nutrition and exercise, maintain a healthy weight,

More on this later.

Sources: WebMD:  The Dream Diet: Losing Weight While You Sleep (online article)
National Geographic News  Feb 24, 2005 (online article)

Tags: Better Health, Sleep Disorders, Weight Loss

PatientFYI: I want to discuss, briefly, the relationship between gum disease and both heart disease & diabetes.

Medical research has shown there is unquestionably shown that there is a positive link between gum disease and cancer, heart disease and diabetes. read more…

Tags: Find a Dentist, Gum Disease, heart disease, Medical Health, Oral Cancer