Lost Your Job? Visit Your Dentist To Feel Better

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Even in the current economic slump, a complete smile makeover can be your best investment. Consumers who used to suffer in silence with pain caused by oral disease or the embarrassment of a crooked or broken smile, are now asking for a "cosmetic dentistry" approach rather than the traditional "one-tooth-at-a-time" or "piecemeal" method.

Patients using the piecemeal method, tend to have more dental emergencies, suffer more long-term pain and see their teeth fail faster. This can have dramatic physical, professional and financial downsides that can put these patients on the path to an unappealing smile or appearance, weaker or receding jaws, dentures and additional medical issues and costs associated with poor or delayed oral health.

Dr. Arthur P. Freedman of Manchester, Connecticut, knows the powerful value of "complete dentistry." He's been changing lives by creating new smiles for over 25 years. New features such as patient narrative presentations and more before and after photos on FreedmanDentistry.com offer considerable proof of a smile makeover's value.

"Smile makeovers" -with their dramatic, life-changing results- not only create beautiful, natural looking smiles, they reverse serious health conditions such as, periodontal disease, loss of teeth and oral pain. Often without this level of care, more employee absenteeism occurs, which can affect job performance, costing both employee and employer. An improved and healthier smile also creates a confidence boost, eliminating the patient's embarrassment and frustration due to seeing their earning power and career success hindered by an incomplete or imperfect smile.

Simply put, a smile makeover can give a patient a new life, setting them off on a new, healthier and more prosperous path. And for people without dental insurance, even they can save 25% or more on all types of cosmetic dentistry by enrolling in a discount dental plan.

Pets Need Dental Care Too? Oh, Come On!

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Proper Dental Care Can Lead To Better Overall Health For Your Pets

Humans aren't the only ones who should be brushing frequently and having their teeth checked. Licensed veterinarians urge pet owners to remember regular dental care for their furry family members.

"By the age of three, 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats have developed gum disease," said Jon Klingborg, DVM, president of the California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA). "It's been proven that unchecked dental disease can not only result in a loss of teeth, but may damage your pet's heart, kidneys, liver, and other organs."

"In other words," Dr. Klingborg added, "not taking care of your pet's teeth can affect its overall health."

A pet's bad breath, long a standard running complaint in many households, is often a first indicator of dental problems. When left untreated, plaque and tartar form naturally in your pet's mouth when food remains in the crevices of the teeth, especially in the gum line. This ultimately leads to periodontal disease that can cause bacteria and toxins to enter the bloodstream with potentially harmful effects on internal organs.

"Oral disease is the No. 1 health problem diagnosed in dogs and cats," said Dr. Klingborg. "It's vitally important to have your pet undergo a dental exam by a veterinarian every six to 12 months and establish a home dental care routine that includes a healthy diet and regular brushing."

Make sure that it is a veterinarian who conducts the dental exam. California law is designed to protect our animal companions, and it clearly states that only a veterinarian or a layperson under the supervision of a veterinarian can perform dental procedures. This includes using any type of metal or hard plastic scaler. Pet owners should be concerned if they have their pets' teeth cleaned in a grooming facility or pet shop. Only a soft item like a toothbrush or gauze can be used in these facilities to brush an animal's teeth. Asking about the method used can save your pet from harm.

Veterinarians are trained in animal dentistry and have the equipment and knowledge to expertly care for your pet's teeth. Discuss your pet's specific diet with your veterinarian. Canned foods, which tend to stick to teeth easily, and soft foods should be avoided, while hard food and certain chewing toys are beneficial because they can dislodge plaque while it is still soft. Your veterinarian may recommend a special dental diet if it is indicated.

Ideally, your pet's teeth should be brushed daily. Here are some easy steps to keep your pet's teeth and gums healthy:

• 1) If you have never brushed your pet's teeth, start by rubbing your pet's gums, beginning at the front and working to the back, with your index finger. You may want to wrap some gauze around your finger, and then dip your finger into beef bouillon for dogs or tuna water for cats. This gets them familiar with the general feeling of having their teeth brushed.
  
  
• 2) Next, get a toothbrush designed for pets or a very soft human toothbrush, as well as specially formulated toothpaste -- both can be obtained from your veterinarian. Never use human toothpaste because it can upset your pet's stomach. Repeat the process you began with your finger by substituting the toothbrush. Avoid forceful restraint of your pet; rather, try to make it a fun bonding experience, and always praise and reward your pet for its cooperation.
  
  
• 3) Keep the sessions short. Even brushing for just one minute can make a difference! Generally, pets get used to the procedure and enjoy the taste of the toothpaste. They think it's a treat!

Regular dental check-up visits to your veterinarian are strongly recommended, and the interval between check-ups varies from pet to pet. Only your veterinarian should remove hardened tartar so do not try this procedure by yourself as you can end up hurting your pet.

Source: California Veterinary Medical Association and HealthNewsDigest.com

Smoking Hurts Long-Term Effects of Oral Surgery

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People Who Smoke Damage Periodontal Plastic Surgery Procedures
Studies have shown that smoking can impair the body’s ability to heal itself immediately after oral surgery, but a recent issue of the Journal of Periodontology (JOP) found that smokers had less desirable long-term results following periodontal plastic surgery than non-smokers. The study followed 10 smokers and 10 non-smokers for two years to evaluate the effects of cigarette smoke on the long-term outcomes of a treatment to help soft tissue reattach to the root surface of the teeth.

This study showed that when a patient has periodontal him plastic surgery, smoking can damage the ability of that procedure to stay intact over a long period of timer as after two years, residual gum recession around the area which received the surgery was greater in smokers as compared to non-smokers.

“People who smoke and have had some sort of periodontal plastic surgery should be aware of the negative side effects of smoking. It can be costly to have to repeat a surgery because the desirable outcomes might have been undone by smoking,” explained Dr. Preston D. Miller, DDS, and AAP president. “Therefore, it is important patients and doctors agree to a smoking cessation program prior to any periodontal surgery. This will help a patient’s chance of achieving optimal results.”

To learn more about the oral health risks associated with smoking, you can get a referral to a periodontist in your area and free brochure samples including one titled Tobacco & Gum Disease by calling 800-FLOSS-EM.

Can Diet Soda Cause Cavities?

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Diet Soda Drinkers Beware!
If you think that switching from sugary sodas to their diet versions is making a "healthy choice", think again. According to the DentalNotes Academy of General Dentistry, you should take caution as diet soda will also cause your teeth to decay. It's not just the sugar that rots your teeth, but the acid content in soda as well. These acids can soften tooth substance and promote formation of Plaque, which erodes the enamel.

Say Hello to Soda, Saying Goodbye to Tooth Enamel
Tooth enamel can be affected by beverages that have a pH level below 5.5 and some soda, such as regular Pepsi, can drop as low as 2.49, which will eat away your teeth's protective coating with a fury. The least dangerous soda is your run-of-the-mill root beer which has a pH level of around 4.60.

Ways To Reduce Soda-Related Damage
To really avoid Tooth Decay and other potentially long term side effects associated with soda drinking, switch to drinking water, unsweetened tea, and other non-sugary, non-acidic beverages. If you have to drink soda, you should know that soda consumed at meal times is less injurious than when consumed alone and continuous sipping is more harmful than the whole drink taken at one time. Drinking soda thorough a straw reduces (but does not eliminate!) the amount of soda that comes into direct contact with your teeth. Also, it's helpful to rinse your mouth out with water after drinking soda, especially if the water contains fluoride like many municipal water sources do.

Also, because saliva helps neutralize acids and wash your teeth clean, the worst time to drink soda pop, ironically, is when you are very thirsty or dehydrated due to low levels of saliva. So get into the habit of quenching your thirst with water.

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