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.There is increasing evidence relating infection to hardening of the arteries and stroke events.  Recently, blood concentrations of a certain protein (a systemic maker of inflammation) were shown to predict the risk of a future heart attack or stroke.  Similarly, increased serum levels of this protein have been observed in periodontal patients.  Therefore, a chronic inflammatory burden of periodontal infection may directly contribute to cardiovascular disease, possibly mediated by inflammation including this protein.

What is the Evidence?  Bearing in mind this plausible biological explanation of a relationship between periodontitis and CVD, what evidence supports this association?  A number of studies have evaluated this association found an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) ranging from 20% to 100% associated with periodontitis.

Although future research is required to assess the relationship between periodontal disease, tooth loss and CVD, better oral self-care, regular professional cleanings and an emphasis on the retention of teeth are recommended.

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.Do you love  the way your teeth and smile look?

Do you ever hold your hand up in front of you mouth when laughing or smiling?

Have you ever caught yourself looking at someone’s smile and wishing you had a similar smile?

How does your smile make you feel?  Confident?

Have you ever held back a smile because you were uncomfortable  or embarrassed about your smile?

When taking pictures, do you tend to smile with your lips closed, instead of flashing a happy smile?

How would a beautiful new smile make you feel?

What would you like to change about your smile?

Are you embarrassed to visit the dentist due to the condition of your teeth, or the length of time since your last visit?

The Objective Smile Analysis: For the objective analysis, the best thing for you to do is stand in front of a mirror.  Now smile at yourself using a normal smile.  Then look at the mirror and think of a moment in your life that gave you a big laughing smile.  This big smile could be much larger than you feel comfortable with most of the time if you are not happy with your teeth. When your smile is  improved, your smile appears more spontaneous because you look and feel great.  So let’s figure out what is holding your big smile back, and what bothers you about your teeth.

Are there spaces between your teeth?

Do you grind your teeth, or are the biting edges of your teeth chipped or worn down?

Are you missing  any of your teeth?

Do you have teeth that are crooked, uneven or out of line?

Do any of your teeth appear shorter, wider, larger or smaller than the others?

Do you have any grayish, black or silver fillings in your mouth?

Have your gums receded, or do they appear red  or puffy?

Do you have teeth that are stained or discolored ?

Do you have old crowns that may have dark edges at the top, or don’t look natural?

Do you have a “gummy” smile— showing too much gum tissue or do your gums appear thick?

WHEN YOU IMPROVE YOUR SMILE,  YOU WILL FEEL BETTER AND MORE CONFIDENT!  SO LET’S FIGURE OUT WHAT IS HOLDING YOUR SMILE BACK.  WHAT IT IS THAT BOTHERS YOU  ABOUT YOUR TEETH.   PLEASE GIVE US A CALL, WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE  THAT BIG SMILE AGAIN!

PatientFYI: A kiss is not JUST a kiss!!!  Researchers at Case Western Reserve University School of Dentistry had dental students kiss bacterial culture plates to tell how much bacteria is transferred in a kiss.THE RESULTS:

- A 12-second kiss has double the bacteria of a 2-second kiss.

- Lipstick reduces bacteria.

- Kissers with mustaches spread more bacteria than kissers with a hairless lip.

- More bacteria are on lips when kissing occurs first thing in the morning.

Not that we would want to discourage anyone from kissing, we would however encourage conscientious home care.  Brushing with a fluoridated toothpaste not only make teeth stronger and more resistant to decay, but also slows down how fast bacteria reproduce.  And of course we can’t say enough about the benefits of flossing and using a tongue scraper in reducing the levels of bacteria in the mouth.  Although it is nice to share, let’s not share germs.

It has been shown in others studies than if one person has gum disease (which is caused by bacteria), it can be transferred to their partner.  So besides good home care make sure you keep up on your regular preventive dental visits.

At Shwedel Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, it is our goal to keep your smile beautiful and your mouth healthy.  Should you have any questions about this or any other dental related topic including the latest ways to give you a beautiful smile, please contact us at 313-292-5590 or visit our website www.shwedeldental.com. We are looking forward to seeing you soon!

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Dr. Shwedel: No longer are fluoride treatments just for children.  New research shows that everyone, regardless of age, can benefit from them.  Fluoride not only helps protect newly erupting teeth from decay, but mature teeth that present their own set of needs.  Such as exposed roots from gum recession or the margins where crowns & teeth meet or even the effects of dry mouth as a result of medication & decreased saliva. Most insurance companies feel only children need fluoride or at least only pay for children’s fluoride.  And that lack of coverage makes many people think adults don’t need or wouldn’t benefit from a fluoride treatment.  However, that is not the case.  At your next cleaning, ask your dental provider if fluoride would be right for you.

At Shwedel Dental, we are now strongly encouraging all our patients to have a fluoride treatment after having their teeth cleaned.  Should you have any questions about fluoride or any other dental related topic, including the latest ways to give a beautiful smile, please contact us at 313-292-5590.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

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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.One lesser known fact is that if one treats the diabetes the gum disease gets better, and if you treat the gum disease the diabetes gets better!. This is incredibly important!  Diabetes is such a terrible disease, which causes many different problems, including the possibility of vision loss,loss of limb , heart disease, e.d. and death. Anything that can be done to slow the progress of the diabetes is a step that should be taken.

There have been studies done that prove a direct relationship between gum disease and cancer, and also between gum disease and heart disease.

I have written an article  has  appeared on both ezines.com and scribd.com.
To read it, please click here: gum disease and other serious diseases.

If you have any questions, please contact me here:  contact.

This is a very serious matter, and I urge everyone to learn as much as possible, to help prevent these serious medical illnesses.

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.

Research conducted jointly by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Procter & Gamble (P&G) Oral Care has found that more than 9,000 genes – nearly 30 percent of the genes found in the human body – are expressed differently during the onset and healing process associated with gingivitis. Biological pathways associated with activation of the immune system were found to be the major pathways being activated and critical to controlling the body’s reaction to plaque build-up on the teeth. Additionally, other gene expression pathways activated during plaque overgrowth include those involved in wound healing, neural processes and skin turnover.

Results of the study are published in the December 2009 edition of the Journal of Periodontology. This study is the first to successfully identify gene expression and biological pathways involved with the onset and healing process of gingivitis.

Gingivitis is characterized by gums that are red, swollen and tender and that bleed easily during brushing and flossing. If untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontal disease, which has been studied extensively for its possible relation to heart disease, diabetes and pre-term birth. Researchers said that understanding how gingivitis develops and resolves on a molecular level can possibly provide critical insights into gum disease prevention, as well as new treatments.

“The study’s findings demonstrate that clinical symptoms of gingivitis reflect complicated changes in cellular and molecular processes within the body,” said Steven Offenbacher, D.D.S., Ph.D., the study’s lead author and director of the UNC School of Dentistry-based Center for Oral and Systemic Diseases. “Understanding the thousands of individual genes and multiple systems involved in gingivitis will help explain exactly what is occurring in a person’s body at the onset of the disease and how it relates to their overall health.”

The build-up of plaque formed during the onset of gingivitis represents the overgrowth of bacteria as a biofilm on the teeth above and below the gum line. Biofilms can form in other parts of the body and are known to be involved with health conditions, such as urinary tract infections, ear infections and chronic sinusitis. Researchers believe learning about how the body interacts with bacteria overgrowth during gingivitis could provide insight into a variety of bio-film-associated diseases.

Meet Dr. Sorkin! on PatientFYI

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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.

Having regular dental exams is the most important step, but knowing what to look for between check-ups is also critical. Test your knowledge with a short multiple-choice online quiz. Then, go a step further and listen to a three-minute podcast with Dr. Cary Sun, a dental director at CIGNA Dental, on http://www.itstimetofeelbetter.com‘s audio page. Finally, ask your dentist for an oral cancer exam at your next regular checkup.

“Since oral cancer is not in the news as often as other types of cancer, education is extremely important,” Dr. Sun said. “If people learn about the disease and its symptoms, oral cancer can be detected sooner.”

As part of CIGNA’s effort to help people improve their health, wellness and sense of security through health education, the quiz and podcast teach people about the signs of oral cancer:

- unusual spots
- unexplained tender areas in the mouth
- a feeling like something is stuck in one’s throat
- thickening of the tissue in the mouth or neck

“Screenings for oral cancer are usually quick and painless,” Dr. Sun said. “People need to make sure they get their regular dental exams, not just for teeth cleanings and cavity treatment, but to guard against more serious ailments like oral cancer.”

Meet Dr. Sorkin

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PatientFYI: Whether you’re preparing for Valentines Day or are just in the mood for some love, you’re probably fully aware of the connection between the state of your mouth and the quality of your kisses. Still, a little reminder never hurts. Here’s the skinny on getting lucky without embarrassment (from your mouth, anyway)!

Kick the Smoking Habit

I’m sure you’re very familiar with the smoking lecture. Not only do tobacco products taste awful to your partner, but they put you at greater risk for oral cancer and periodontal (gum) disease. Why put so much effort into knocking your sweetheart’s socks off if you aren’t going to be around to pick them up? If you don’t kick the habit for your partner, do it for yourself.

Don’t Chew Gum

The best smooches are spur of the moment, so it’s best to be prepared for them. Besides, sugary gum can lead to tooth decay, AKA cavities. If you must chew gum (maybe you want your breath to be in top shape), choose a sugar-free variety.

Brush and Floss

Nothing leaves an impression like bad breath, but it’s not the kind of attention you want. Besides, healthy white teeth will help you build confidence in your smile. Brushing your teeth and gums is a good start, but take it a step further and floss each night. You’ll dislodge food particles and remove odor-causing, not to mention tissue- and tooth-destroying, bacteria. If you don’t have your toothbrush handy after you eat, at least rinse your mouth out with warm water. There are also a number of handy little dental products available for great breath on the go.

Take good care of your partner by caring for yourself. If you find that your gums are exceptionally tender or swollen, or if you have habitually bad breath, make an appointment with our office for a check up!

PatientFYI: Whether or not children receive regular dental care is strongly associated with their parents’ history of seeking dental care. A new report to appear in the journal Pediatrics, which has been released online, is the first to analyze the relationship between parents’ and children’s’ dental visits in a nationally representative sample.

“When parents don’t see the dentist, their children are much less likely to see the dentist,” says Inyang Isong, MD, MPH, of the MassGeneral Hospital for Children (MGHfC) Center for Child and Adolescent Health Policy, the study’s lead author. “It looks like strategies to promote oral health should focus on the whole family.” The result of this study is clear. To set the pattern of good dental care for their children, parents need to set the example of regular dental care for themselves. Parents, you’re children are watching!

Meet Dr. Sorkin!

Dr. Sorkin on Digital X-Rays: Introducing digital radiography, now available at our practice. With this new technology, a digital image is taken of your mouth and downloaded into our computer system, where it is immediately available. This method results in 75% less radiation than conventional X-rays. No more waiting for images to develop. And no more chemical waste to pollute the environment.

Central Jersey Dental on PatientFYI