“The eyes may be the window to the soul, but the mouth mirrors a person’s health and well-being throughout life and into old age. That is because oral diseases and conditions can affect many other aspects of an individual’s general health status, and have an impact on emotional and psychological well-being through speech, laughter and social expression.  Several health conditions can, in turn, have an impact on oral health.  Oral health and general health are therefore inseparable, experts agree.”

Obviously an attractive healthy smile is more than skin deep!  We know that neglecting your dental care leads to both financial and health related risk.   The more we learn about the Mouth/Body connection the more we understand that neglecting your oral health can adversely affect your physical health. The leading causes of death in 2004 were still heart disease, cancer and stroke. The medical connection between cardio vascular disease (including heart disease and stroke) and periodontal disease is well accepted. Although the exact causative factor is still unknown, we do understand the need to control the risk factors involved in the onset and advancement of periodontal disease. A just released study by Harvard Medical School investigators states: “We found those with history of periodontal disease had 60 percent increase in risk of getting pancreatic cancer,” said Dr. Charles Fuchs of Dana Farber Institute. Periodontal risk factors can be categorized as Microbial, Systemic including Diabetes, HIV and genetic factors, Behavioral including tobacco use and smoking, and Local Factors including a poor bite and faulty dental restorations, poor home care and lack of professional care.  How we control these risks is important to our future health.

The increased incidence of pneumonias associated with increased plaque levels in patients in institutional settings cannot be overlooked; in fact some insurance company studies find fewer medical care needs in patients who maintain their periodontal health. These studies support the notion that individuals in hospital ICU’s and nursing home settings have poorer oral hygiene than do those in the greater community, and are therefore at considerably higher risk that their dental plaque is infected by respiratory pathogens. This suggests that oral intervention to reduce or control the amount of dental plaque may be a simple, cost-effective method of reducing pneumonias and lung infections in high-risk populations.  The cost to individuals and insurers to quell such infections is considerable to say nothing about the risk to life itself.

Some of the medications that are taken daily to reduce our health risks actually increase our risk of necessary dental care.  The most ominous scenario lately is the use of bisphosphonate medications (like Fosamax) taken orally to help prevent or treat osteoporosis and Paget’s disease of the bone. Or others (like Bonefos) are given intravenously as part of cancer therapy to reduce bone pain and abnormally high calcium levels in the blood, in treating some with breast cancer, prostate cancer and multiple myeloma.  In rare instances these medications have led to development of osteonecrosis of the jaw, a rare but serious condition that involves severe loss or destruction of the jawbone. 

Not so threatening but still serious in its treatment scenario and financial impact is the tendency of many drugs to cause dry mouth.  This condition is not just uncomfortable; it results in high decay rates.  Patients, who have for years been dentally stable, are now faced with rampant decay affecting many teeth, which in turn affects existing bridgework and crowns.  This often leads to extensive treatment needs including, root canals, replacing crowns and removal of teeth.  The financial consequences can be considerable. There are no viable dental health programs available during retirement. Therefore, the financial burden of care rests solely on the patient.  This is a risk many are not prepared to take and the result is unwanted loss of teeth.

Now is a good time to visit the dentist. Ongoing regular dental care is an important and necessary part of staying healthy as we age. The risks of not making that annual or semiannual dental visit can be substantial to our health and financial well being.

So what is there to talk about in dentistry? It is fair question; I mean there is only so much you can say about “Cosmetic Dentistry” or Porcelain veneers, or “Whitening” or “Teeth Bleaching” that hasn’t already been overdone. But there is a lot more to discuss that has an impact on your health.  Dentistry at its best today is about:

·         Bisphosphonate think “Fosomax” therapy for osteoporosis and necrosis of the jawbone; should you be concerned?

·         Periodontal (gum tissue) health and the effect it can have on the health of your arteries and risk it can hold for cardiovascular disease.

·         Oral cancer risks and the means to early detection

·         Senior dental health issues are changing as more of us live longer, have our teeth and want to keep them.

·         What do you do when you retire and lose your dental insurance?

·         Dental insurance is it a benefit or a gigantic rip off?

·         Childhood decay rates are soaring, why and what to do

·         Conservative dentistry using Minimally Invasive techniques and approaches to care

·         How technology is a benefit to your dental care and this includes:

o   digital x-rays

o    3-D scanning

o   CEREC, lasers

o   technologies to detect decay without x-rays

o    intraoral digital photography

o    digital record keeping

o   3-D cone beam x-ray

o   3-D treatment planning software and more

·         Should you have that Root Canal done?

·         Should you have that tooth replaced with an Implant?

·         Should you have your denture or partial denture replaced with an Implant “supported” or Implant “retained” prosthesis?

·         Tooth decay:

o   What causes decay…really?

o   Lots of cavities? Are there some new approaches to treatment and prevention?

·         Hate to go to the dentist? It is not the same place you may be remembering, what to look for.

Dentistry today is about prevention of disease and retention of natural teeth for a lifetime.  You cannot be healthy without dental health.  There is a lot in Dentistry to talk about, that is what we will be doing here, and we invite you to join us.

There are several ways that Jaw Pain or TMJ Disorders may be treated. We will recommend what type of treatment is needed for your particular problem or recommend that you be referred to a specialist. Treatment may involve a series of steps. The step-by-step plan is in your best interest because only minor, relatively non-invasive treatment may be needed.

Diagnosis is an important step before treatment. Part of your clinical examination includes checking the joints and muscles for tenderness, clicking, popping or difficulty moving you jaw. Your complete medical history may be reviewed so it is important to keep your dental office record up-to-date. We may take x-rays and may make a “cast” of your teeth to see how your bite fits together. We may also request a specialized x-ray of the jaw joints.

If you or someone that you know is missing any or all of your teeth, you should consider permanently replacing them with implant supported crowns or bridges. The implant, placed into the jawbone, replaces the missing root of the tooth. This is extremely important because this allows the jawbone to remain intact and not dissolve with time. A crown or bridge is then fixed to the implant to replace the visible and functional part of the tooth or teeth. Placing the implant is painless and is done by a surgical specialist either Oral Surgeon or Periodontist.

Your smile is your presentation of self to the general public. We don’t advertise in the glossy magazines because that is not our style. However, our approach to cosmetic dentistry couldn’t be more advanced. I have been placing porcelain veneers for 20 years! I have utilized every bleaching system available for 20 years. There are appropriate techniques and goals for every desire. We will use our experience and expertise to help you choose the appropriate care for you.

Darker teeth can be lightened with various bleaching techniques but most people middle age and above will want to use our special Deep Bleach Technique. Misaligned teeth can and should be evaluated for orthodontic care. Front teeth with ingrained discoloration, large fillings, or broken edges may be candidates for Porcelain Veneers or may need full Porcelain Crowns.

Our objective is always to offer the least destructive alternative. Our responsibility is to present the best care and meet your individual esthetic needs. It is a challenging and rewarding journey for those wishing to take it.

You will love your Healthy new smile.

Do it for yourself and take years away!