Dental Blog

September 8, 2011

The Perfect Smile in Columbus

Recently some researchers took photos of teens and digitally altered the images so that some showed crooked teeth and others straight teeth. The photos with the straight teeth were rated higher for popularity, sports ability and leadership by other teens. This doesn’t change when we become adults – we can say we aren’t supposed to judge a book by its […]
September 1, 2011

No More Drilling for a Filling?

The sound of the dentist drill. One of the things that people complain (and joke about) when visiting the dental office.  Researchers in England have discovered a new way to treat cavities that may do away with the high pitched whine of the dental drill in the future. Tooth decay is caused by bacteria which live in your mouth. Keeping […]
August 30, 2011

Sleep Type Linked to High Blood Pressure in Older Men

Researchers have discovered that getting enough of a specific type of sleep is linked to high blood pressure risk in older men. The slow wave sleep is one of the deeper stages of sleep and individuals in this stage are very hard to wake up. According to researchers from Harvard Medical school elderly men who are not getting enough of […]
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 25, 2011

The Daily Grind May Be Causing Your Headaches

This is the longest recession in modern history and almost everyone has experienced increased levels of stress. One sign of this stress that we are seeing more frequently is a condition called bruxism, or teeth grinding. Patients clench or grind their teeth, usually at night during sleep, so they don’t even realize they are doing it until a tooth breaks […]
August 17, 2011

CPAP May Cause Facial Changes

Nasal CPAP is a common treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. but a recent study has shown that using nasal CPAP for just three years can cause changes in the position of the jaws and teeth. These finding may raise concerns for patients because CPAP therapy for sleep apnea continues throughout the patients entire life. Other options for treatment include oral […]
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 […]
August 13, 2011

Sleep Apnea Linked to Higher Risk of Dementia

Untreated sleep disordered breathing such as obstructive sleep apnea may increase the risk of dementia in the elderly. These sleep disorders have previously been linked to diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. This new study looked at 298 women over 65 who began the study without dementia or cognitive impairment. After four years had passed the women were monitored […]
August 9, 2011

Best Treatments for Sleep Apnea

Tufts University completed a review of treatment options for obstructive sleep apnea. The review was funded by the Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Treatment using CPAP and oral appliances worn at night were backed by the strongest evidence. The report stated that weight loss and surgery may also be effective but the evidence […]
August 6, 2011

Migraine Headaches May Reveal Dental Problem

Migraine headaches have been in the news lately and there have been many discussions about just how debilitating these headaches can be. Many migraine  sufferers never discover the reason they get hit with these painful headaches they only know that time is lost from work, family and relaxation. One often overlooked reason for migraine headache is tooth grinding during sleep. […]
August 4, 2011

Weight Loss Linked to Sleep

Trying to lose weight and it just isn’t working? The reason could be the amount of time you are sleeping. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that people who didn’t get enough sleep ate more but they didn’t burn off the extra calories. The study took a group of middle-aged men and women of similar […]
July 29, 2011

What Causes Teeth Grinding?

Clenching our jaws and grinding our teeth is often blamed on stress but many times the cause is not easily found. Most people who grind their teeth do so during sleep and may not even realize they are doing it until a bed partner comments on the noise or a visit to the dentist shows wearing of the teeth. Because […]
July 26, 2011

Memory Impaired by Sleep Interruptions

People with medical conditions that interrupt their sleep often experience memory problems. Scientists using new technology have concluded that sleep discontinuity does impair memory according to a report in the Proceedings of the national Academy of Sciences. One of the conditions that causes sleep disruption is obstructive sleep apnea. Scientists have long suspected that sleep and memory are connected but […]
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 13, 2011

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Linked to Blood Vessel Changes

New research reported in Hypertension: Journal of the American Heart Association shows that obstructive sleep apnea may cause changes in blood vessel function that reduces blood supply to the heart. Treating the obstructive sleep apnea for 26 weeks improved blood supply. This study is the first to show blood vessel changes in sleep apnea patients. Researchers looked for changes in […]
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 6, 2011

Lack of Sleep Linked to More Pain

Poor quality sleep or not enough sleep may increase the perception of pain. A study from Harvard Medical School looked at health care workers and their length and quality of sleep. Sleep deficient was defined as sleeping less than six hours, feeling tired upon waking or experiencing insomnia (trouble falling asleep or waking up in the middle of the night). […]
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 […]