September 27, 2011

The Truth About Toothache

When a patient calls with a “toothache” the detective work begins. While the top reasons for toothache are cavities or gum disease there are other causes for oral pain. A thorough examination, including x-rays, is needed to diagnose the cause of the pain. Usually our examination will show obvious dental decay or an abscess that is the cause of the […]
September 16, 2011

FDA Changing Drug Labeling for Bisphosphonates

Osteoporosis drugs such as Fosamax, Boniva and Reclast will be required to clarify how long patients should use them to avoid potential complications. The drugs called bisphosphonates are prescribed for patients with osteoporosis and low-bone mass that is considered a precursor to  osteoporosis. The drugs stop and reverse the thinning of the bones that comes with the disease. Keeping bone […]
August 26, 2011

The Parts of a Tooth

Most people don’t think very much about the different parts that makeup a tooth – until something goes wrong. This blog will be a short description of the parts of a tooth. The part of the tooth that we see above the gumline is called the crown. The part that we can’t see below the gumline is the root which […]
August 15, 2011

Periodontal Disease and Pregnancy Problems

Women with periodontal disease who are pregnant need to seek treatment. Several studies have shown that expectant mothers with gum disease are much more likely to deliver their babies early. A study done at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine has apparently proven that using an alcohol free mouth rinse reduced this risk. The study involved a group […]
July 20, 2011

5 Things You Are Doing to Damage Your Teeth

It turns out that some of the things we do every day are causing damage to our teeth. Here are a few that you might not be aware of: Using sports drinks to re-charge after a workout. Sports drinks have become extremely popular but they aren’t great for your teeth. The drinks are typically full of sugars which act as […]
July 18, 2011

What is Dental Plaque?

We don’t like to think about it but there are countless numbers of bacteria that live in our mouths. Most of them are not there to do us any favors which is why keeping our teeth clean and free of dental plaque is so important. Dental plaque is a biofilm that is formed on your teeth by the bacteria that […]
July 15, 2011

Dentists Can Spot Undiagnosed Diabetics

The Journal of Dental Research published a study that showed that dental visits are an opportunity for identifying diabetes and pre-diabetes in previously undiagnosed patients.  One of the largest public health issues facing the nation today is the diabetes epidemic. This study was aimed at developing a protocol for identifying high blood sugar levels in dental patients. Nearly 70 percent […]
July 9, 2011

Oral Cancer Warnings on New Cigarette Packs

The FDA has included a warning about oral cancer in its collection of images that will now be required on all cigarette packs, cartons and ads. The image selected is described as “cancerous lesion on lip” but also includes a set of severely damaged teeth. The images used in the campaign were all viewed by focus groups. This image was […]
July 1, 2011

Poor Oral Care Can Affect Your Love Life

Poor oral health can cause bad breath which will certainly interfere with looking for love. Recent research has discovered another way in which gum disease can ruin your love life and this has much more serious consequences. The research looked at 70 male test subjects and showed a correlation between gum disease and erectile dysfunction(ED). As the severity of the […]
June 24, 2011

Your Oral Health May Deteriorate When Hospitalized

Lots of things are checked regularly when you are in the hospital but one thing that seems to be overlooked is your oral health. Recent research showed that the oral health of patients declined during their stays in the hospital and that poor oral health can be associated with an increased risk of hospital-acquired infection. The researchers reviewed data from […]
June 2, 2011

Worried About Germs?

No matter where you go today there seems to be antiseptic wipes or germ-killing gels placed for your protection. We wipe down the shopping carts at the grocery store and clean the TV remotes with alcohol wipes in the hopes we are protecting ourselves from germs. The makers of Listerine and Reach oral rinse products recently completed a survey about […]
May 20, 2011

Mouth Can Give Clues to Other Health Problems

We know that gum disease is linked to many conditions affecting the body such as diabetes, heart disease and Alzheimer’s. But there are also conditions that may show early clues in the health of your teeth and gums – sometimes before other symptoms appear. Here are a few that science has proven: Tooth Loss and Osteoporosis. The disease that weakens […]
May 12, 2011

College Kids Need the Dentist Too

Classes are winding down at colleges and universities all over the country. If you’ve got a child in college they will soon be home for the summer. While most students joke about the “Freshman 15” weight gain that can occur when they leave home and indulge all their unhealthy eating choices, at the office we typically see “Freshman Cavities”. Students […]
May 11, 2011

Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Screening Important

Oral, head and neck cancer refers to a variety of cancers that develop in the head and neck region. Since this is Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week I thought some additional information on the subject would be useful. Common warning signs are: Red or white patch in the mouth that lasts more than two weeks Change in voice or […]
May 5, 2011

Sinusitis May Be Caused by Dental Infection

Chronic sinusitis is a condition in which the sinuses become inflamed and swollen for an extended period of time. This painful condition leads to about 13 million visits to physicians each year. For many people a bout of antibiotics can solve their problem. Other patients aren’t so lucky and resort to surgery – which doesn’t always work. A group from […]
April 27, 2011

Save Your Heart – Treat Your Gums Right

The link between gum disease and cardiovascular problems has been well established by scientific research. The gum disease causes an inflammatory response in the body and inflammation is linked to atherosclerosis and can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. The bacteria commonly found in gum infections have been discovered in plaques in coronary arteries. The good news is […]
April 1, 2011

Root Canal Awareness Week

The American Association of Endodontists published a survey that showed that 70 percent of American fear losing a natural tooth – the same percentage that fear root canals, the procedure that can save that same natural tooth. Most of the fear of root canals is based on outdated ideas of the treatment.  Almost 90 percent of patients who had undergone […]
March 29, 2011

Don't Skip Those Dental X-rays

“I’ll do them at my next visit” is an all too common response when patients are told it is time for dental x-rays. No, we don’t do them for fun and no, we don’t do them to pad the bill. Dental x-rays are an essential tool for diagnosing many oral health issues that your dentist cannot see with the naked […]
March 23, 2011

Young People Getting More Oral Cancers

Did you know that squamous cell cancer of the tongue has been rising in younger Americans 18 to 44 years of age? The largest increase seems to be among young women. The researchers noted that historically, cancers of the oral cavity were associated with older men who had a history of smoking and alcohol use (like actor Michael Douglas). During […]
March 22, 2011

Menopause and Your Smile

Beyond the hot flashes, memory loss and mood swings, the hormonal changes that happen during menopause affect parts of your body you never thought about. Case in point, menopausal women are more likely to have high amounts of plaque buildup and are at a higher risk for tooth loss according to researchers from the Cleveland Clinic and Case Western Reserve […]