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 […]
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 […]
December 30, 2010

Resolve to Save Your Smile in 2011

Do you make New Year’s Resolutions each year?  How many times have you actually kept one of your resolutions?  Most of us don’t last long with resolutions because they tend to involve meeting pretty big goals that we have set for ourselves:Lose 20 pounds Work out 5 days per week Quit smoking Stop nagging my spouse Lose 20 pounds Here […]
October 28, 2010

Facial Changes Linked to CPAP Use

A small study out of Japan recently showed that using nasal CPAP for just three years showed changes in the jaws and teeth.  The lead author of the study, Dr. Hiroko Tsuda noted that “the whole front area of the maxilla was pushed back…” and that “these changes may affect the profile, tongue space and OSA symptoms”.  This study has […]
October 1, 2010

Dental Mercury Waste Addressed by EPA

According to the American Dental Association (ADA) the Environmental Protection Agency has plans to set up rules to reduce mercury waste from dental facilities.  The EPA expects the new rules to take place in 2012.  While the ADA has a policy that encourages dentists to voluntarily reduce amalgam in dental office wastewater it is now expected to review its amalgam […]
September 29, 2010

Mouthwash Makers Warned by FDA

The Food and Drug Administration warned CVS, Walgreens and Johnson and Johnson to stop marketing mouthwash products with “unproven” claims that the products help remove plaque or prevent gum disease.  Specifically targeted were certain brands such as “Listerine Total Care Anticavity Mouthwash”.  According to the FDA statement “These mouth rinse products contain the active ingredient sodium fluoride.  The FDA has […]
September 23, 2010

Kids Dental Checkups – In Kentucky it's the Law

Kentucky has long been a state with poor dental health – in 2002 it had the worst rate of toothlessness in adults 65 or older.  That may be starting to change.  A new law requires proof of a dental exam or screening by January 1st of the first year children enter school. Dr. Ann Greenwell of the University of Louisville […]
September 21, 2010

Celebrate National Dental Hygiene Month

The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) is celebrating National Dental Hygiene month in October  with the theme “Healthy Habits are Easier than You Think”.  The ADHA is teaming up with the Wrigley chewing gum company (maker of Orbit sugar-free gum) to promote the idea that good oral hygiene habits are easy to start and maintain, even if you have a […]
September 1, 2010

Do You Need An Electric Toothbrush?

Recently Ric Romero,  a health reporter at KABC in Los Angeles, teamed up with Consumer Reports to test electric toothbrushes.  Because some electric toothbrushes can cost over $100 it is important for consumers to talk to their dentists about whether they need an electric toothbrush.  If it is determined that an electric brush would be helpful in keeping your gums […]
August 26, 2010

George Washington's Dentures

“What were George Washington’s false teeth made of?” is a common trivia question.  Find the answer at the National Museum of Dentistry located in Baltimore, Maryland.  The museum hardly considers the question trivial however, the dentures worn by our first President are the star exhibit at the museum.  They are not carved of wood as many visitors guess, but are […]
August 12, 2010

Back to School

It is that time of year again – back to school preparations are underway.  Kindergarten to college age, families are busy shopping for school supplies, new school clothes and desperately searching for the perfect backpack.  Many students are also undergoing back-to-school physicals because of participation in school sports. Don’t forget to schedule the dental check-up as well.  For college age […]
August 5, 2010

Alzheimers Linked to Periodontal Disease

New York University College of Dentistry researchers have found long-term evidence that periodontal disease may increase the risk of brain inflammation, neurodegeneration and Alzheimer’s disease.  The research team looked at 20 years of data and what they found supports the idea of a possible link between periodontal disease and Alzheimer’s disease. According to Dr. Angela Kamer, lead researcher “The research […]
June 4, 2010

Midnight Snacking Leads to Tooth Loss

Eating late at night is an easy way to gain weight but  midnight snacks have been found to be bad for your dental health as well.  A study published in the August issue of Eating Behaviors reveals that eating food late at night contributes to tooth loss.  Surprisingly, this outcome was not dependent upon the types of food eaten.  The […]
June 2, 2010

Brushing Saves Your Heart

Several studies have been released over the past several years that prove the link between gum disease and heart problems.  Now it seems that people who brush their teeth less than twice a day have nearly 3 times the risk of heart disease.  The new study, led by Richard Watt from University College London studies data from over 11,000 people […]