January 9, 2012

Poor Sleep May Increase Fibromyalgia Risk

A study from Norway suggests that poor sleep habits may increase the risk of fibromyalgia in women. Fibromyalgia is a syndrome with symptoms including long term pain throughout the body with increased muscle and joint tenderness. The risk of developing fibromyalgia increased with more severe sleep problems. The connection appears stronger among women who were past middle age as compared […]
January 6, 2012

The Difference Between a Cap and a Crown

Some patients call dental crowns “caps” because they are used to entirely cover or “cap” a damaged tooth. But there is no difference between a cap and a crown. They are one in the same. A dental crown is the “official” term for this type of dental restoration. A crown is a permanent restoration that is created in a dental […]
January 4, 2012

National Sleep Day

It seems that yesterday was National Sleep Day and I missed it. Maybe you missed it too! Considering how important a good night of sleep is to our overall health I think we really need more than one day per year devoted to sleep. Following the hectic holiday season we are all a little overtired during the first week in […]
January 3, 2012

Dropping New Year's Resolutions

How many New Year’s resolutions did you make? Three days later how many have dropped by the wayside? Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the US so prevention should be on your list of resolutions for 2012. Resolve to get your teeth professionally cleaned on a regular schedule and you’ll be helping your heart health without […]
December 27, 2011

How Bacteria Fight Fluoride

Fluoride is a naturally occurring substance that has been used for many years to fight tooth decay but it seems that bacteria are learning to fight back. The incidence of tooth decay in America has greatly declined with the advent of fluoride toothpastes and the addition of fluoride to municipal water supplies. While this is controversial in some areas the […]
December 22, 2011

Police Often Have Undiagnosed Sleep Disorders

It has been estimated that sleep problems affect one-third to one-half of all Americans causing a huge toll on the individuals and on society as a whole. In a recent screening of almost 5,000 police officers in the US and Canada, about 40% of them tested positive for at least 1 type of sleep disorder. The most common was obstructive […]
December 20, 2011

Quitting Smoking Smart Resolution for the New Year

For smokers it is probably the resolution they make every New Year. Quitting smoking offers all sorts of health benefits and it is well known that smoking contributes to harmful bacteria in the mouth that are responsible for gum disease.  Scientists have also known that when smokers quit, the microbe population in their mouths change.  What they didn’t know was […]
December 15, 2011

Oral Bacteria Knocks Out Usual Guardians of Blood Vessels

Another reason to keep your mouth squeaky clean. A professor at Case Western Reserve School of Dental Medicine has discovered that the common oral bacteria Fusobacterium nucleatum has the ability to knock out the safeguards that protect our blood vessels and allow bacteria to spread. This bacterium is the most common of the 700 or so bacteria that inhabit the […]
December 13, 2011

Cherry Juice May Improve Sleep Problems

Sleep problems affect about one-third of Americans. Some, such as obstructive sleep apnea, are serious and may be life threatening.  But many more people suffer from problems such as insomnia or waking throughout the night. No matter what the cause, poor sleep quality can lead to serious medical problems over time. A study in the European Journal of Nutrition showed […]
December 9, 2011

Can Dental X-Rays Predict Bone Fractures?

A study from Sweden says that it is possible to use dental X-rays to predict which patients may be at risk of bone fracture. The research was published in the journal Nature Reviews Endocinology and showed that sparse bone structure in the lower jaw is an indicator that the individual is at greater risk for bone fractures in the future. […]
December 7, 2011

Gum Disease Improves With Weight Loss

Can gum disease treatment really work better when people lose weight? Can body weight and gum disease be connected somehow? A recent study from Case Western Reserve University seems to answer yes. Researchers found that when fat cells disappeared the human body was better at fighting off gum disease. The study looked at 31 obese patients with gum disease. Half […]
December 2, 2011

More People Aware of Oral Cancer Dangers

More and more people have become aware of the dangers of oral cancers. The diagnosis and treatment of celebrity patients like Michael Douglas help put this dangerous disease in the news. But do people think that oral cancer screening is important and worthwhile? The answer in Britain seems to be yes. A study completed in Britain showed that almost 90% […]
November 29, 2011

News Article Highlights Dental Fears and Solutions

Feeling fearful and anxious about going to the dentist is a huge problem for some people and an article in the Columbus Dispatch talks about how dental professionals can help anxious patients get the treatment they need. About 25% of fearful patients have reported having a bad experience in the dental chair as the reason for their anxiety. Other patients […]
November 22, 2011

Your Smile After Your 50th Birthday

Once you pass your 50th birthday you begin to notice some changes in your body. Your metabolism runs a little slower so you can’t eat like you used to. Body parts that you never thought much about start to twinge or ache.  This is also a time where we notice some oral health changes. If you have been brushing, flossing […]
November 17, 2011

Reduce Your Heart Attack Risk

Researchers  from Taiwan reported this week that people who had their teeth professionally cleaned at least twice a year had a 24% lower risk of heart attack and a 13% lower risk of stroke compared to those who did not visit the dentist. Drs. Emily Chen and Hsin-Bang Leu reviewed medical  data on over 51,000 adults who had their teeth […]
November 15, 2011

Mediterranean Diet May Help Sleep Apnea

Researchers have found that eating a Mediterranean diet and exercising  can improve some sleep apnea symptoms. The study published in European Respiratory Journal looked at the impact of the Mediterranean diet on obese sleep apnea patients as compared to patients on a prudent diet. Obstructive sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep breathing disorders and becomes more prevalent […]
November 12, 2011

A Great Smile After Age 40

Looking forward to celebrating your 40th birthday? During our 40’s we start to experience some changes in our bodies but the good news is, if you have been taking care of your teeth (brushing, flossing, etc.) your dental health should continue to be terrific. There are a few things to keep an eye on when when you hit your 40’s: […]
November 8, 2011

Psychiatric Symptoms Worsen With Sleep Apnea

The symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea can sometimes mimic those of mental illness – lethargy, irritability, forgetfulness. When those suffering from depression or another form of mental illness also have obstructive sleep apnea it can make the mental illness worse and possibly contribute to manic episodes. Unfortunately, screening for sleep disorders in psychiatric patients is rarely done. A new study […]
November 4, 2011

Sleep Apnea Increases Risk of Atrial Fibrillation

Sleep disordered breathing such as sleep apnea has been shown to increase the risk of heart arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation (afib). A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology showed that the risk of having an abnormal heartbeat were 18 times higher immediately after an apnea episode compared to during normal sleep breathing. The apnea did […]
November 1, 2011

Jaws Sizes Shrink With Age

A Swedish study has proven that the size of our jaws decrease with age causing crowded teeth in older adults. The study began in 1949 with plaster molds of the jaws of dental students, ten years later this was repeated. Molds were again created forty years after the first round and “We found that over these forty years there was […]