Smile Perfect

Don't forget to Brush

2008-09-15T12:36:00.001-04:00

Here is an interesting article on oral hygiene and how it affects the rest of the body.

How to avoid heart disease: brush your teeth, say scientists

Wed Sep 10, 7:16 PM

PARIS (AFP) - Here's another reason to brush your teeth: poor dental hygiene boosts the risk of heart attacks and strokes, a pair of studies reported this week.

Heart disease is the number one killer worldwide, claiming upward of 17 million lives every year, according to the World Health Organization.

Smoking, obesity and high cholesterol are the most common culprits, but the new research shows that neglected gums can be added to the list.

"We now recognize that bacterial infections are an independent risk factor for heart diseases," said Howard Jenkins of the University of Bristol in Britain, at a meeting of the Society for General Microbiology in Dublin.

"In other words, it doesn't matter how fit, slim or healthy you are, you're adding to your chances of getting heart disease by having bad teeth," the professor said.

There are up to 700 different bacteria in the human mouth, and failing to scrub one's pearly whites helps those germs to flourish.

Most are benign, and some are essential to good health. But a few can trigger a biological cascade leading to diseases of the arteries linked to heart attacks and stroke, according to the new research.

"The mouth is probably the dirtiest place in the human body," Steve Kerrigan of the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin said.

"If you have an open blood vessel from bleeding gums, bacteria will gain entry to your bloodstream."

Once inside the blood, certain bacteria stick onto cells called platelets, causing them to clot inside the vessel and thus decreasing blood flow to the heart.

"We mimicked the pressure inside the blood vessels and in the heart, and demonstrated that bacteria use different mechanisms to cause platelets to clump together, allowing them to completely encase the bacteria," he said.

This not only created conditions that can provoke heart attacks and strokes, it also shielded the bacteria from both, immune system cells and antibiotics.

"These findings suggest why antibiotics do not always work in the treatment of infectious heart disease," Jenkins said.

In separate research, a team led by Greg Seymour of the University of Otago Dunedin in New Zealand showed how other bacteria from the mouth can provoke atherosclerosis, a disease that causes hardening of the arteries.

All organisms -- including humans and bacteria -- produce "stress proteins," molecules produced by conditions such as inflammation, toxins, starvation, or oxygen deprivation.

One function of stress proteins is to guide other proteins across cell membranes.

But they can also can latch onto foreign objects, called antigens, and deliver then to immune cells, provoking an immune reactions in the body.

Normally, the body does not attack its own stress proteins.

But bacterial stress proteins -- which are similar -- do trigger a response, and once that has happened the immune system can no longer differentiate between the two, said Seymour.

"White blood cells can build up in the tissue of arteries, causing atherosclerosis," he explained in a phone interview.

TMD and Migraines

2008-09-04T12:59:00.000-04:00

One of the most agonizing and debilitating symptoms of TMD is migraine headache. Many physicians, including neurologists, have not received the dental training required to diagnose Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) problems and how they relate to migraines. Neuromuscular dentistry is the branch of dentistry that helps people correct jaw problems that cause migraines and other discomfort.

TMD causes migraines due to the trigeminal nerve. One of the most powerful and complex nerves in the human body, this nerve is wholly responsible for the temporomandibular joint and tooth functions, and accounts for over 40% of the brain’s processing. The trigeminal nerve has three branches, each affecting various parts of the face, head, shoulders and arms. The muscle tightness and pain associated with TMD can even affect your hands and fingers.

Patients complaining of TMD-related migraines are often prescribed medications to treat the pain of the migraine. Little is done, however, to treat what is actually causing the headaches. Neuromuscular dentistry is the specialized area of dentistry that treats the cause, not just the symptoms, of the painful headaches associated with TMD.

There are a number of different treatment approaches for TMD. They may include any combination of heat, ice, a soft diet, anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, stress management, occlusal therapy (“bite therapy”), correction of bite abnormalities, and, in some cases, surgery.

If you live in the Fort Lauderdale, Miami, or Boca Raton area of Florida and suffer from TMD-related migraines or other TMD-related discomforts, please contact a SmilePerfect office today.

How the Health of Your Mouth Affects Your General Health

2008-08-21T13:08:00.000-04:00

Recent studies have established a number of links between your oral health and your general health. Many medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and pregnancy complications have direct associations with oral health. Practicing good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly, and visiting a dentist at least once a year are a few simple ways to ensure that you stay healthy.

For example, diseases of the mouth can affect your ability to eat, and therefore get proper nutrition. On the other hand, if your nutritional intake is compromised, this may negatively impact your oral health. It may also impact the severity of oral diseases and the rate of recovery. Periodontal infections can eventually enter the bloodstream, travel to major organs and start new infections.

Studies continue to show a link between heart disease and tooth loss. A definite link between the two conditions exists even in the non-smoking population.

Poorly managed diabetes results in high blood sugar levels and increased amounts of sugar in saliva. This can lead to xerostomia (dry mouth), periodontal disease, dental caries, gingivitis, infections, candidiasis, and burning mouth syndrome.

The outcome of pregnancy may also be affected by periodontal disease. Toxins produced by periodontal bacteria in the mother's oral cavity can affect the fetus. Part of the mother's immune response to the oral infection may potentially affect the growth of the fetus and delivery.

If you live in the Fort Lauderdale, Miami, or Boca Raton area of Florida, and have any further questions or concerns about the links between oral health and general health, please contact a SmilePerfect office today.

The Science of a Smile

2008-07-17T18:48:00.002-04:00

Here is some interesting science behind what makes a beautiful smile.

There are guidelines that most dentist use to evaluate and design smiles.

Tooth Display: The mouth at rest or in general conversation will display about 2-4mm of tooth. As a patient ages the tooth display becomes less because the lip looses some of it's mobility.

Gum Display: When someone smiles you should only display the gum between the teeth. The gums above the teeth are typically not seen and if they are it is generally regarded as a gummy smile. There are surgical procedures to correct this appearance. Some doctors have the training to administer Botox so that the upper lip is not as hyper mobile and this loss of muscle contraction helps hide a gummy smile.

White and Bright: White bright smiles are a sign of youth and beauty. As we age our teeth naturally become duller with increasing colors of yellow, brown and grey. Many patients will whiten their teeth with in office procedures such as Zoom and other patients try at home products such as Crest White Strips. Both have their pros and cons but the bottom line is that whiter brighter teeth make you look younger.

Proportions: Teeth have a height and width ratio. Short, squat teeth look square. Long narrow teeth look skinny. The shapes of teeth can be altered with porcelain veneers. The results can be predicted by computer modeling or a mock-up in the patients mouth or on plaster (stone) models.

Arch form: Crooked teeth are difficult to clean and look bad. There are many options such as traditional braces or Invisilign. In any event, get your crooked teeth fixed for two main reasons: The are easier to maintain and they will make your smile look great.

Conclusion: Your smile defines the initial introduction when meeting someone for the very first time. Make a good first and lasting impression: Smile with a bright beautiful white smile. It is welcoming and will send a friendly warm aura.

Oral Cancer Prevention

2008-07-11T16:06:00.001-04:00

The only way to avoid developing oral cancer is to avoid known risk factors so that the chance of developing cancer decreases. Anything that increases a person's chance of developing cancer or any other disease is called a risk factor. Some risk factors can be avoided, but many cannot. For example, you can choose to quit using tobacco. However, you cannot choose which genes you have inherited.

Some known risk factors for oral cancer include:

Tobacco and Alcohol Use - Cigarette, pipe, cigar, and smokeless tobacco use is responsible for most cases of oral cancer. The risk of developing oral cancer is higher in people who use both tobacco and alcohol. It is known that stopping or avoiding tobacco use decreases the risk of oral cancer, though no studies have shown whether abstaining from alcohol decreases the risk of oral cancer.
Sun and UV Exposure - Sunlight and ultraviolet ray exposure may increase the risk of lip cancer, which occurs most often on the lower lip. Avoiding the sun, tanning beds, and/or using a UV-protective sunscreen, lipstick, or lip gloss on the lips may decrease the risk of developing lip cancer.
Genetics - A family history of cancer - and not just oral cancer - may put you at a higher risk of developing oral cancer.
Other Factors - Some studies suggest that being infected with certain types of the human papillomavirus (HPV) may increase the risk of oral cancer.

Another factor that may contribute to developing cancer is age. About 95 percent of all oral cancers occur in persons older than 40, and the average age at the time of diagnosis is about 60.

If you are in the Fort Lauderdale, Miami, or Boca Raton area of Florida and would like to learn more about oral cancer prevention, please contact a SmilePerfect office today.

We Need Your Vote!

2008-06-19T21:42:00.006-04:00

Please visit our vote for your Presidential Candidate with the best smile page! www.smileperfect.com/forpresident/

Tooth Loss and Heart Disease

2008-06-09T10:24:00.001-04:00

If you are losing your teeth, you might want to start paying closer attention to your cardiovascular health. The latest research continues to support a progressive link between heart disease risk and tooth loss - even among non-smokers.

Dr. Catherine Okoro, an epidemiologist in the Division of Adult and Community Health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, led a study that analyzed data from more than 40,000 respondents aged 40-79. This study concluded that heart disease was present in 4.7 percent of respondents with no tooth loss, 5.7 percent of those missing 1-5 teeth, 7.5 percent missing 6-31 teeth and 8.5 percent with total tooth loss.

The study adjusted for sex, race, ethnicity, education level, marital status, diabetes, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and body mass index. A correlation between tooth loss and heart disease remained even with respondents that had never used tobacco.

The results of this study are consistent with those of previous studies linking periodontal disease and tooth loss to an increased risk of atherosclerosis and heart attack.

The authors of the report are careful to point out that the results of this study cannot determine whether people with poor oral health are at greater risk for cardiovascular disease, only that the two conditions are related to one another.

If you live in the Fort Lauderdale, Miami, or Boca Raton area of Florida, and have any further questions or concerns about the links between tooth loss and heart disease, please contact a SmilePerfect office today.

Gum Disease

2008-06-05T15:36:00.002-04:00

Gum disease is a type of infection caused by your bodies’ reaction to the bacteria on the gums and teeth which have been allowed to multiply. These bacteria digest tiny food particles in the mouth and deposit acidic and toxic excretions on the teeth and gums.

This is known as plaque or biofilm at first, and it can be brushed and flossed away by daily dental hygiene. But if it’s allowed to stay in the mouth, it hardens into tartar, also called calculus, which cannot be brushed or flossed off. It has tiny sharp edges that irritate the gums and harbor bacteria which perpetuates the process. All of this can lead to what is called periodontal disease.

With periodontal disease, the gums become inflamed, swollen, and sore, and start bleeding when you brush. So the bacterial excretions can enter the bloodstream, travel to other parts of the body, and trigger chemical reactions. In the early stage of gum disease, called gingivitis, a good professional cleaning and some special care and monitoring can often take care of the problems. Many patients are under the impression that every six months is the standard of care. It is not the standard of care. Adults should see the hygienists every three months. The biofilm takes three months to form a large enough volume to cause the disease process to start doing damage. Every hygiene visit MUST include the probing and measuring of the gum tissue. This painless procedure will use consistent pressure and computerized technology to accurately and objectively record the health of the gum tissue.

In the later stage of gum disease, periodontitis, more aggressive treatment will be needed. Treatment is difficult then because a vicious cycle has been set up. The bacteria multiply, the gums pull back from enclosing the teeth, leaving little pockets, where more bacteria can live, multiply, and excrete, creating larger pockets, and so on. The disease process can spread beyond the teeth, gums, and even into the bone.

Research has actually proven that gum disease does not only affect the health of the teeth and gums. There are links between periodontal disease and the following very serious medical diseases and conditions, which, of course, affect your overall health and wellbeing:

• Diabetes

• Heart disease

• Cancers

• Alzheimer’s Disease

• Kidney disease

• Stroke

• Respiratory disease

• Pre-term, low birth weight babies

Symptoms of periodontal disease include:

• Red, bleeding gums

• Swollen gums

• Halitosis (bad breath)

• Gingival recession

• Deep pockets between teeth and gums

• Loose teeth

Taking good care of your teeth and gums is absolutely imperative to maintaining overall good general health and working to prevent serious medical conditions such as those listed above. Even if you have beautiful teeth, you can have gum disease, and you may not even be aware of the symptoms.

William L. Balanoff, DDS, MS, FICD

The Mouth Body Connection

2008-06-02T20:07:00.002-04:00

The Mouth Body Connection

Justine C. Bons, DDS, PA

There is a connection between a healthy mouth and a healthy body.

Bleeding gums, visible root surfaces and loose teeth are not normal at any age. These are usually signs of an infection called periodontal disease, or gum disease. Medical evidence suggests that an unhealthy mouth may worsen serious medical problems, like heart disease, stroke and diabetes. It has shown to increase the risk of heart disease and stroke as well.

With incidences of HPV increasing, it is more important than ever to have an annual oral cancer screening. HPV increases the risk of cervical cancer and oral cancer. Gone are the days of dentists looking and manually feeling the inside of their patient’s mouths. There is new technology that is much more reliable for detection of abnormalities. Our office uses Vizilite annually to screen every patient for oral cancer. It’s as simple as using an oral rinse and then the hygienist uses a special light to look for anything unusual.

What is Temporomandibular Joint Disorder?

2008-05-19T17:06:00.001-04:00

Temporomandibular joint disorder (often referred to as TMJD, TMJ, TMD, or TMJ disorder) is an umbrella term that refers to any acute or chronic inflammation of the temporomandibular joints that connect the lower jaw to the skull. These joints are complex and are composed of muscles, tendons, and bones. When the muscles are relaxed and both jaw joints open and close comfortably, we are able to chew, talk, or yawn without pain.

Typical signs and symptoms of TMD include ear pain, dizziness, bite problems, tinnitus (ringing in the ear), headaches, fullness of the ear (muffled or clogged ears) or locked jaws. Grinding, crunching, clicking or popping sounds of the jaw are also common signs of TMD.

Many behaviors and conditions cause the disorder. Teeth grinding (bruxism) and teeth clenching increase wear on the cartilage lining of the temporomandibular joints. Habitual gum chewing and fingernail biting are common culprits. Chewing on only one side of the jaw can either lead to, or be a result of, TMJ problems.

Stress and occupational tasks such as holding the telephone between the head and shoulder can lead to TMD. Malocclusion, or the misalignment of teeth, may also lead to or be a cause. In addition, a history of broken facial bones or jaw fracture can lead to the disorder.

There are a variety of different treatment approaches for TMD. They may include heat, ice, anti-inflammatory medications, a soft diet, stress management, physical therapy, occlusal therapy ("bite therapy"), correction of bite abnormalities, and, in some cases, surgery.

The appropriate treatment for TMD varies from patient to patient, as the causes and severity of the disorder vary. If you suffer from TMD, please contact a SmilePerfect office today to arrange a consultation.

Seminar on Saturday, April 5

2008-03-31T16:19:00.004-04:00

There is still time to call for a reservation to our Cosmetic Dentistry Seminar. Have breakfast with us! You will learn what options are available in cosmetics today and have the opportunity to meet the dentists before you come in to our offices. Call Stefanie for your reservation 954-566-0751.

9-11am (45 min presentation and question and answer time)

Renaissance Plantation

595/ Pine Island Road

Join us for a Seminar

2008-03-17T14:10:00.005-04:00

Join us for one of our regularly scheduled patient seminars.

Considering Cosmetic Dentistry?

Meet our Dentists and learn your options and have your questions answered.

Saturday, March 29

Westin Cypress Creek

I-95/ Cypress Creek Road

Saturday, April 5

9-11am

Renaissance Plantation

595/Pine Island Road-11am

Call Stefanie to RSVP

954-566-0751

Welcome

2008-02-20T13:14:00.000-05:00

Welcome to our blog. Please come back again to read more about Cosmetic Dentistry.