News Letter | WeglosFamilyDental: April 2008

VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 4 • APRIL 2008

From the Doc

Spring has sprung!

Here we are, another month deeper into 2008. Let’s all welcome spring and the hope for 60-degree days with beautiful sunshine that extend well into May! I hope the weather will cooperate and not jump into the 90’s in mid-May.

Let’s not forget that the days are getting longer, giving us more time to do all the fun and healthy things we like to do outdoors. Spring means the start of baseball season. Hopefully, the Phillies will make the playoffs. And as long as we’re hoping, let’s see them advance to the World Series! Only time will tell.

April also means it’s time for that great annual ritual, spring cleaning. While you’re airing out the linens and opening up the house, giving the pets a bath and scrubbing down the car, don’t forget that your teeth need their regular cleaning, too. Just as with all the other things you want to keep nice for a long time, there’s not much better investment you can make than to spend a little time and money on keeping your smile healthy and attractive.

If you’re due for a little “spring cleaning,” call Patti today to schedule your exam appointment. We always appreciate it when you refer a friend or family member who might be putting off their own spring cleaning because they haven’t found a dentist who makes them as comfortable as we try to make you when you visit us here at Comprehensive Family Dentistry.

Yours for a fresh springtime smile,

Doctor Mark

Someone's Bridge Is Falling Down:
Updating Old Bridgework

Are you concerned because you’re starting to see dark halos showing near your gum line when smiling these days? It could be your old bridgework that was done 10, 20 or more years ago. While this bridgework may have served you very well, it’s probably time to replace it.

Why? There are a number of reasons that you might want to replace old bridgework. Those dark halos you’re seeing are the result of natural minor gum recession that happens to us all as we age. Beneath the porcelain veneers on your bridgework’s replacement teeth, the metal is beginning to show. Or, you may be starting to feel discomfort or pain when biting down. This symptom could indicate tooth decay under the old bridge, or an infected tooth nerve.

What is bridgework?
Dental bridges have traditionally been used to replace missing teeth that couldn’t be saved. Short-span bridges take the place of a single tooth, while multiple missing teeth require longer spans. This versatile remedy has worked for decades to replace front or back teeth on the upper or lower jaw.

Bridges are anchored on each end by attaching them to existing healthy tooth structures or with implants. The bridge itself has crowns attached to it where the missing teeth were located.

The most common traditional type of dental bridge was made of metal, because it’s strong and provides a certain amount of “give” to accommodate bite force without collapsing. To mimic a natural smile appearance, porcelain crowns were attached to its metal framework. A range of porcelain styles have been available to match patients’ cosmetic and functional needs.

This construction made the bridges sturdy, durable and as attractive as possible, with proper care. Typically, bridges remain serviceable for 10-15 years, but even the best bridge will eventually need replacement.

What’s My Best Treatment Option?
Because your mouth, teeth and bite are – like you – one of a kind, there’s no “one-size-fits-all” solution for your particular bridgework needs. Differences in your mouth’s shape, bite forces and jaw structure influence how we decide on the best option for your bridge technology.

Your eating habits, oral health habits and potential for bruxism also play a part in determining what kind of bridge we create for you. All-metallic bridgework may work for rear (posterior) teeth, since bite forces are greatest in the back of your mouth, where chewing takes place.

However, with today’s more aesthetically pleasing technology, patients are increasingly opting for metal-free bridges to help replace missing teeth. With the newer Zirconia bridges, we no longer have to worry about unsightly grayish-black metal collars showing, because there aren’t any! These Zirconia bridges are so strong and resistant to fracture that they can be placed in the molar regions.

All-porcelain bridges have also become popular for cosmetic applications, especially in replacing front teeth. These bridges have nearly the endurance of metal, thanks to space-age, fibrous materials used in their infrastructure. Chewing and biting forces are much lighter in the front -- or anterior -- area, allowing use of this lighter technology.

So if any of this sounds like you, stop suffering! Give Patti a call to set up a consultation at absolutely no charge. We’ll not only stop any pain you may be enduring, but we’ll also restore your smile to its most brilliant and attractive. Why wait to look – and feel – your best?

Mouth Detectives Find Surprising Clues:
Diabetes Can Impair Oral Health

Have you ever wondered what we look for in a dental exam? Of course, we’re looking for all the usual dental-specific things: tooth decay, gum disease, oral lesions. But did you know we can also see signs of other diseases you may not even be aware you have? It’s true. Your mouth is a living indicator of many facets of your whole body’s health, and a good dentist knows how to read those signs.

One of the conditions that can show itself through an oral exam is diabetes, or high blood sugar. Recent studies have shown that diabetes poses a serious risk to oral health. In addition to monitoring insulin and blood-sugar levels, diabetics must also be on the lookout for early signs of oral infection and periodontal (gum) disease.

According to the American Diabetes Association, the onset of diabetes weakens your body’s ability to effectively kill germs. Thickened blood vessels – a condition often caused by the disease -- impair the flow of nutrients and removal of waste from body tissue. Once an infection begins, an above-average blood glucose makes it more difficult to get rid of it.

This should be a major concern for many people. It is estimated that 20.8 million American adults and children have diabetes, and one-third of them remain undiagnosed. Type 2 diabetes, once considered the "adult" form of the disease, is on the rise in children. The following dental risks are associated with diabetes:

impaired sense of taste
salivary gland dysfunction
thrush (fungal infection)
delayed healing
inflammation of mouth tissues

Even if you have diabetes, these complications can be prevented with consistent oral hygiene. In particular, flossing daily can do wonders to prevent most of the dental risks associated with the disease. Brushing 2-3 times daily with a soft-bristled brush is also essential to preventing tooth decay. Many gum diseases can be prevented by using an antibacterial mouthwash once a day.

If any of these symptoms appear, contact your dentist immediately:

red, swollen, or easily bleeding gums
a chronic bad taste/odor in your mouth
loosening teeth
change in bite and jaw alignment
pus between teeth and gums

To maintain your oral health, you should visit us at least twice a year. If you've been diagnosed with diabetes, notify our office, so we’ll be aware and alert to the increased risk levels associated with the disease.

As long as you’re careful with your diet and diligent in your oral maintenance, there is no reason for concern. But if you’re worried about the risks of diabetes and oral health, schedule a visit with us so we can discuss the details in depth.

April's Recipe

From the Kitchen of Dr. Mark:
Fresh Mixed Garden Salad with Grilled Flank Steak

Nothing says “Spring!” like a fresh garden salad, and paired with a succulent flank steak grilled to perfection on the patio or deck, this meal is sure to drag even the most cabin-fevered individuals out of the winter doldrums.

Steak-n-veggies

Mixed Garden Salad
The best salads start with a healthy dash of imagination, so make this your own creation. Your garden salad can include anything fresh and seasonal. We recommend buying your produce locally. Not only will you support small family farms and save the environment by keeping the goods from having to be trucked to market, you’ll also get the freshest, best-tasting vegetables possible!

A few suggestions for your salad fixin’s:

Mixed salad greens – bibb, romaine or curly frisee lettuce
Tomatoes – organic plum or roma, cherry or grape
Broccoli
Carrots
Mushrooms
Red onion
Clover sprouts
Shredded red cabbage

Since we eat first with our eyes, try to choose items with bright and varied colors to provide a visual feast before anything ever touches your tongue. Chop to bite size and toss with balsamic vinaigrette just before serving.

Grilled Flank Steak
Beef flank steak – Choose tender, medium-thick cuts, one per person; not so large they’ll overpower the salad.
Dry Rub – Create your own by shaking together ground cumin, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme and light brown sugar to taste in a zippered sandwich bag.

Season steaks lightly with sea salt, then apply the dry rub to both sides of the meat. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes to bring out the flavor.
Grill approximately 4-5 min on each side.
Slice on the diagonal and serve atop your mixed garden salad.

Something Nasty This Way Comes…
Only YOU Can Prevent Canker Sores

Everyone has had a canker sore at least once in their lives, and you undoubtedly know what a pain they can be to get rid of. But do you know what causes them?

Canker sores are the non-infectious counterpart to cold sores, forming when the delicate tissue that lines the inside of your mouth is damaged. This can happen through unintentional trauma such as intense brushing, rubbing against braces, biting a cheek. Tissue damage can also result from an allergic reaction to certain foods, over-exposure to sugar, or hormonal imbalance caused by emotional distress or menstruation.

Whatever the cause, the sore appears as a small lesion of extremely sensitive tissue that can make talking, eating, and chewing painful. If you find yourself victim to a canker sore, there are several methods that effectively treat them.

Take Vitamins – A supplement high in zinc, folic acid, and vitamins B6 and B12 can speed the healing process by supplying your body with the nutrients required to mend damaged tissue.
Use Mouthwash – A thorough rinse twice a day can drastically improve the recovery rate of the sore. The fewer bacteria there are to interfere with the healing process, the less time it takes for full recovery.
Use Medicine – If the sore lasts for more than a week, there are many over-the-counter topical pastes that can be applied directly to it. They work quickly, and most are inexpensive. Or ask about the herbal remedies we offer here in the office.

The best way to deal with annoying sores is to stop them before they appear. This can easily be accomplished through a few simple steps:

Watch Your Diet – A balanced diet with as few irritants (sugar/salt/acid) as possible helps keep your mouth healthy. By maintaining your nutrition levels and not consuming too many irritants, the sores never have a chance to develop.
Eat With Care – Avoid biting your cheeks, scraping your mouth with straws or utensils, and try to avoid talking while food is in your mouth. Not only is it the polite thing to do, it also decreases the likelihood of damaging the tissue of your cheeks, tongue and gums.
Brush and Floss – daily mouth maintenance helps remove irritants you may consume.

We all experience stress and we all sometimes eat things we shouldn't. But knowledge is power, and the above tips can help prevent the aggravation of a canker sore.

Wishing for Healthful Swishing:
What’s in Your Mouthwash?

Have you checked the label on your bottle of mouthwash lately? Perhaps you’ve noticed some long words you can’t even pronounce. Do you really want to have something in your mouth that you can’t say?

You may have noticed, when you come in for a cleaning or other care, that we have you rinse with a natural, herbal formula. There are many reasons we’ve chosen to use Dental Herb Company’s Tooth and Gums Tonic.

DHC Products

Primarily, we like the idea of a rinse formulated with just the right blend of botanical anti-microbials to fight oral bacteria, with tissue rebuilders and conditioners to encourage healthy gums and other mouth structures. We also like the idea of staying away from harsh, alcohol-based mixtures in favor of a mild, pleasant-flavored tonic. And of course, we love the fact that it works!

Since people are becoming aware that the appearance of their teeth is an important factor in how other people perceive them, much emphasis is put on making teeth as white as possible. While appearance is absolutely important, fresh breath and a truly clean mouth are equally significant from a health perspective.

There are many commercial mouthwashes available in stores today, with more formulations and flavors appearing every year. The problem is that most of them have ingredients that are really harsh and can cause damage to your soft gum tissue. It’s not helpful to have whiter teeth and fresher breath if you’re destroying gum structure in the process. That’s why we recommend and use gentle, natural Dental Herb Company products, as well as making them available for you to purchase.

We believe in their effectiveness, and want to provide a way for you to maintain that just-out-of-the-chair freshness you leave here with. Since you can only buy these products through a dentist, we’re happy to be your one-stop shop for DHC’s oral rinse, as well as other tooth and mouth care products. Ask about them when you’re in next, and add some healthy sparkle to those pearly whites!

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