Posted by Robert Linder on Mon, Oct 25, 2010 @ 06:30 AM
Cigarette smoking is recognized as the biggest behavioral risk for periodontal disease, an infection that destroys the fibers and supporting bone that hold the teeth in place, but what about marijuana smoking?
Recent studies have shown that marijuana smoking, even independent of tobacco use, also increases the risk of gum disease. According to the ADA, a New Zealand-led research team found that regular marijuana smokers had a higher incidence of periodontal disease. The authors found that regular marijuana smokers (at least 41 occasions during the previous year) were three times more likely to have significant periodontal attachment loss than non-smokers.
The precise physiology of marijuana smoke's effect on the gums is not fully understood, but the research team believes the smoke interferes with immune function, inflammatory response and peripheral blood flow in the gums. The toxins in the marijuana are absorbed into the bloodstream via the lungs, and then affect the body's ability to heal inflammation in the gums caused by the build-up of bacteria on the teeth. The various toxins in marijuana smoke disrupt the balance between tissue destruction and tissue healing.
By Dr. Adriane Kilar
West Somerville Dental Associates
124 College Avenue
Somerville, MA 02144
(617) 625-0543
If you feel you are at risk for Gum Disease, please select the link below to request a dental appointment and receive 5% off your next visit.
Source(s):
http://www.ada.org/3137.aspx
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=a9JCfB5LANnI
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1ANQ/is_4_22/ai_n25378727/
Posted by Robert Linder on Tue, Oct 19, 2010 @ 06:30 AM
About five months ago my phone rang and it was the leader of a local clergy asking if we could help him with one of his elderly widows. "Of course, send her over," I said. When she arrived, I was surprised to learn that she did in fact have a form of dental coverage, but she did not even know. It made me think about all of the seniors that may or may not have dental insurance and what are we as a society are doing about it.
I went to the internet to learn more about providing quality dental care for the elderly. I called up our local Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services organization and we signed up as a vendor for their annual Elder Fair, and about three weeks ago we presented to a group of 40 social workers.
Here is what I learned about elder dental care, with a major thanks to the Virgina Department of Health for what you are about to read below:
"Older Americans make up a growing percentage of the population. As we continue to live longer, the need for proper oral care is vital to maintain natural teeth and enhance the quality of life. Currently, over 60 percent of the U.S. population over the age of 65 have some or all of their natural teeth.
Many people think that conditions such as toothaches, tooth loss and dry mouth happen naturally as you grow old. The truth is, most of these conditions result from diseases of the teeth such as periodontal disease and dental caries or side effects of medications. We can all keep our teeth longer by maintaining good oral health.
What problems most affect the dental health of the elderly?
- Limits on insurance and money to afford dental treatment
- Inability to get to dental offices
- Shortage of dentists trained and willing to see the elderly
- Side effects of medications
- Recurrent decay around older fillings
- Decay at the gum line where gums have receded
- Gum disease
- Oral cancers
- Poor diet
- Lack of appreciation of oral health
What can I do to maintain my oral health?
- Drink water and use toothpastes and rinses that have fluoride in them
- Brush at least twice a day and floss daily
- Get an electric toothbrush and flosser or use handles or other adaptations to make brushing and flossing easier
- See a dentist regularly
- Don't smoke or use smokeless tobacco products
- Limit the amount of alcohol you drink
- Check for side effects of medicines and report them to your doctor/dentist
- Make sure to get dental care before having surgery or treatment that may cause problems with your oral health
- Caregivers should learn how to take care of the teeth of those who are not able to take care of their own teeth
- Any changes in dental health and overall health should be reported to both your dentist and primary care doctor
West Somerville Dental Elder Services
At West Somerville Dental, we have committed ourselves to the quality care of our seniors.
We offer our elders the following dental services:
10% senior discount- Treatment financing
- Oral cancer screenings
- Thorough periodontal examinations
- On-site denture lab
- Same day denture repairs (Tues/Thurs)
- Implant-fixed dentures
- Regular cleanings
- Complimentry dental hygiene kits
- Special dry-mouth rinses and soft toothbrushes
- Dedicated parking
- Handicap ramp and wheelchair acces
- Personal relationship with social workers
- Consistent hygiene and doctor staff
- We participate in MassHealth for kids and seniors
- Comfortable couches, tv's, coffee, and magazines
- Quality care since 1946
Summary Thoughts On Elder Care
A few weeks ago one of our senior patients gave me a wrapped gift. I was a little surprised. I opened it and found the most beautiful engraved baby blessing certificate box. This attentive patient, had heard of our baby and went out of her way to get me this very special gift. That was the first gift I have ever received from a patient, and will probably be the most memorable. I would like to think that her thoughtfulness is a reflection on the way we treat our elders in our practice - with respect, gratitude, and quality care.
I feel very confident that you can trust West Somerville Dental for elder dental care. I invite you to make an appointment request online for yourself, or your elder, and receive the greater of a FREE denture consultation.
By Robert J. Linder
Managing Partner
West Somerville Dental
124 College Avenue
Somerville, MA 02144
617-625-0543
Posted by Robert Linder on Thu, Oct 14, 2010 @ 06:00 AM
Today my 3 year old daughter had a dental filling on an upper molar. She started out happy, but by the end I was holding her hand while she cried. I felt like a horrible father. I run dental practices for a living and my own daughter had a cavity...and not just a little one either.
In our home, we have every possible toothbrush under the sun, including kids Sonicare brushes, power OralB brushes, mouth rinses and flossers. But no matter the tool, or the number of them, it is how the tool is used that matters most.
So how did this happen. Simple! I didn't regularly floss her teeth. I taught her how to floss, she walked around the house every night with a toothbrush in her hand, and often fell asleep with her toothbrush, but I didn't check her teeth on a regular basis. Part of me wants to blame the city for no flouride in the water, but the truth is I could have done more to help her prevent tooth decay. She needed parental intervention.
Parents, here are some tips on how you can help your kids floss their teeth.
1. Start Flossing Early
"Once any two of your child's teeth touch each other, it's time to start flossing (Colgate Oral Care)." Flossing is not just to remove food particles between teeth; flossing is to scrape off plaque and clean between the surface of the tooth and gums to prevent tooth decay. Most children develop teeth before the age of one, at which time flossing should begin.
2. Floss Your Kids Teeth
To floss younger children's teeth, place them in your lap facing you. The technique is the same, no matter who is doing it. To floss your child's teeth:
- Take about 18 inches of dental floss and wrap one end around each of your middle fingers.
- Using your thumbs and index fingers as guides, gently slide the floss between two teeth, using a saw-like motion.
- Once at the gum line, pull both ends of the floss in the same direction to form a C shape against one tooth. Pull the floss tightly and move it up and down against one tooth.
- Pull the floss against the other tooth and repeat the motion.
Repeat this for all of the teeth. Be sure to floss both sides of the teeth farthest back in the mouth (Source: Colgate).
3. Try Dental Flossers
Little hands don't have the dexterity to wrap and hold string floss around the fingers nor the coordination to move floss in between teeth. Kids dental flossers are a very effective tool that kids can use, even 3 year olds, to floss their teeth on their own. They are easy to hold and sized perfectly for a childs mouth. One adult versions have a pick on the opposite end for further cleaning. Flossers are designed for children age 5-9 and are available in most food and drug stores.
4. Check Teeth Daily
I am 99.9% certain that kids are not reading this blog. So chances are you have kids and you are the one responsible for monitoring their oral health. The best way to do this is to check their teeth daily. And yes, it means you need to help them brush and floss their teeth. Don't make the assumption that I did - that your kids know what they are doing and that they are thorough.
If you kids associate flossing with fun, they are more likely to do it on their own. Any time you see your kids flossing tell them they are doing a great job.
5. Schedule A Dental Cleaning
Before my daughter's appointment today, the dental hygienist in our office asked her to open her mouth and show her where her tooth hurt. The hygienist was able to identify the decay and quickly took an x-ray for the doctor. I noticed in the system that my daughter was due for her 6 month exam this month. It is amazing how quickly cavities can form, and thank goodness we got her in when we did. Parents, be sure you stick to your 6 month exams like clockwork. And don't forget to ask about sealants and flouride treatment.
If you would like to have your child's teeth checked or would like to schedule a regular exam, please give us a call today at (617) 625-0543 or make an appointment request online.
By Robert Linder
President
Dental Growth Partners
West Somerville Dental Associates
124 College Avenue
Somerville, MA 01721
(617) 625-0543
Posted by Robert Linder on Thu, Oct 07, 2010 @ 06:30 AM
Do you have Periodontal disease?
Did you know that "approximately 15 percent of adults between 21 and 50 years old and 30 percent of adults over 50 have the disease (source: perio.org)?"
Surprised? Not me. In dentistry Periodontal disease is silent, sometimes painless, and is often not recognized until a patient is in the advanced stages of the disease. How do you know if you have it?
Ask yourself these simple questions to test yourself for indications of Periodontal disease.
Periodontal Disease Self-Test
Do you have?
- Red, swollen or tender gums or other pain in your mouth
- Bleeding while brushing, flossing, or when eating certain foods
- Gums that are receding or pulling away from the teeth, causing the teeth to look longer than before
- Loose or separating teeth
- Pus between your gums and teeth
- Sores in your mouth
- Persistent bad breath
- A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
- A change in the fit of partial dentures
Call Today To Schedule Your Exam
If you said yes to any of these questions, give us a call at (617) 625-0543 and schedule a consultation with our Periodontist, Dr. David Lebowitz, to see if you have Periodontal disease.
For further information, please visit our website at to learn more about treatment of Periodontal disease. Schedule an appointment now and receive 5% of your next appointment.
We want to be your #1 Somerville Dentist.
West Somerville Dental Associates
124 College Avenue
Somerville, MA 02144
(617) 625-0543
Posted by Robert Linder on Tue, Oct 05, 2010 @ 06:00 AM
I am not one to be easily impressed by dental vendors, but last Friday I was blown away by the new Snap-On-Smile product offered by DenMat through Arcari Dental Labs, now available at West Somerville Dental.
As an alternative to complete or partial dentures, and dental flippers, these flexible removable fixtures look and feel just like natural teeth and fit like a dental veneer or a mouthguard. Finally, a non-invasive removable prosthetic that you can eat with and wear comfortably.
This product is relatively new, so don't expect your dentist to know about it yet. Give them a few months. In addition, your dentist might prefer traditional denture solutions, which is OK. We are going to test out a few cases ourselves, but when our #1 lab showed up with the demo on Friday, I was suitable impressed.
This sounds too good to be true. Well, that may be. The lifespan of these products is estimated at 5-10 years, so at some point you will need to replace them. And for some who would like a non-invasive new smile, that is good news.
It is true that the dental implant with a dental implant crown is the number one method to replace a missing tooth. And in many cases, good orthodonture can move teeth and eliminate unnecessary or undesirable spaces or create spaces for implants. But for those on a budget, the snap-on-smile concept is a very great alternative, and in some cases, the preferred smile makeover solution.
If you are interested in a smile makeover, give your Somerville Dentist a call at (617) 625-0543 and schedule a complimentry consultation with one of our cosmetic dental professionals. Schedule online and get 5% off your next dental appointment.
By Robert J. Linder
Managing Director
Dental Growth Partners
Framingham, MA
We speak Portuguese!