The NobleDentist Blog

This is an article by Sylvia Perez that appeared recently on ABC7Chicago.com – IL, USA.

Your mouth may hold the key to diagnosing a whole host of ailments you may not even know you have and your dentist may be the one to identify the problems.

If you think a dental checkup is just to have teeth cleaned or checked for cavities, think again. A dentist can diagnose and possibly help cure a long list of medical problems.

Open wide in the dental chair these days and a routine exam may turn up more than you expect. Leeda Allen thought she was perfectly healthy. But her dentist discovered unusual holes in her teeth and figured out Leeda had acid reflux before she even knew there was a problem.

“I was shocked. I wouldn’t have thought my stomach would have had such an effect,” Allen said.

Sharon Schumann also has her dentist to thank. He confirmed a potentially deadly disease lurking in her mouth.

“I never expected to have cancer of the tongue in my life,” said Schumann.

Sharon’s tumor was successfully removed and she has been cancer free for three years. At the UIC Department of Oral Medicine dentists in training are now being taught that a good checkup starts outside the mouth, with a thorough exam of the head and neck. What they’re looking for are unusual growths or problems, such as swelling of the nymph nodes.

Inside the mouth, the tongue, cheeks and gums reveal more than patients realize.

“Changes in the mouth can often be the first sign of changes occurring at other body sites,” said Joel Epstein, DMD, oral medicine, UIC Medical Center.

Tooth erosion and a burning or sour taste are symptoms of reflux disease. Type-2 diabetes often results in bright red, bleeding gums and bad breath. An ammonia smell in the mouth is a sign of kidney disease. Accelerated tooth loss can indicate a problem with bones, such as osteoporosis. And white spots in gums could be a symptom of oral cancer.

“Oral cancer is probably the No. 1 thing we find on patients. It’s the No. 1 thing we find,” said Joseph Kravitz, DDS, prosthodontist, Washington Center for Image Dentistry.

Inflamed gums, excess cavities and oral infections can be a sign of heart disease Studies are even linking periodontal disease to hardened arteries. Researchers believe the presence of the bacteria that causes dental plaque build-up can have a negative effect on your cardiovascular health. Some dentists may even recommend you see a cardiologist if they notice you have serious gum disease.

“Rather than competition, I think we are seen as support and an important part, I hope, of the whole medical team that really covers the person from head to toe,” said Epstein.

Fiery red gums and wounds that won’t heal are a sign of leukemia. And tooth erosion can indicate bulimia. It could be sleep apnea if a patient’s tongue blocks their airway when they’re tipped back in the chair. And a woman might be pregnant if blowing air on gums makes them bleed.

“And really the key in making those kinds of diagnosis is to know when something isn’t normal,” said Epstein.

They are some compelling reasons the 40 percent of patients who don’t get regular check ups should.

On the flip side, unhealthy teeth can lead to disease in other parts of the body. So keeping up on oral health also brings benefits beyond the mouth. Dentists recommend you get checkups not just once but actually twice a year.

This is an article by Dr. Tod Bigelow that appeared recently in the Hattiesburg American – Hattiesburg, MS, USA.

Many institutions as well as most of the dental colleges and many private companies – Colgate, Crest, etc. – across the United States specialize in dental research and are continually looking for new ways to maintain and improve our health.

Research that has been going on for years has focused on gum health, new surgical techniques and new and improved products to help our work in the mouth go faster and last longer. More recently lots of research has been done in new technologies such as lasers and their usage in dentistry. Magnification is another area that has seen much improvement with new surgical loops and magnifiers being used by dentists.

Regrowing teeth

Most recently three new areas have received a lot of attention. One area is tooth regeneration. The University of Alberta in Canada has found a way to regrow human dental tissue.

The possible uses for this technology may include patients with chipped or knocked-out teeth, and patients with poorly developed jawbones. It’s still about two years away from being available in dental offices.

Vaccinations

The second area is a vaccination for decay (cavities). The Forsyth Institute in Boston is focusing on a vaccine that will prevent cavities. They are attempting to make a vaccine that creates an immune response in the mouth at a young age to prevent bacteria from attaching to the tooth and therefore causing tooth decay.

They are working on gaining Federal Drug Administration approval on the vaccine so that it can be tested on small children. It could become available within a decade.

Detection

The third area they are looking at is disease detection. Researchers at UCLA are working on creating a system where saliva can become a diagnostic fluid.

For example, placing a drop of saliva on a microchip could be used to detect the early presence of oral, breast and other cancers as well as other metabolic and neurological disorders. This could be available to us by 2011.

This is an article by Gerald Deas M.D. that appeared recently in Frost Illustrated – Fort Wayne, IN, USA.

When I was a student at Boys High School in Brooklyn, I worked for Singer, a Fitzhand Dental Laboratory, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, daily. My duties were to deliver dentures and clean up the plaster splattered on the surfaces in the lab and on the floor. Before leaving for school, I also had to get the employees’ lunch. This was my first introduction to the field of dentistry.

During my sojourn through medical school at Downstate Medical College in Brooklyn, I can’t remember ever receiving a lecture by a dentist on the need for determining the health of the oral cavity.

When faced with what seems to be an unsolvable problem, I am sure you have heard the expression “you have to put your teeth into it,” to bring it under control. Well, diabetes is a serious health problem and must be recognized and treated properly. There are at least 17 million people in the U.S. under treatment for this disease, with untold millions undiagnosed. Diabetes affects many organ systems throughout the body such as the eyes, cardiovascular system, immune system and, especially, tissues and bone which surround the teeth. If, however, you really “put your teeth into controlling diabetes” and chew on it diligently, you will enjoy longevity of your choppers.

The mouth is full of all kinds of germs that affect the gums, teeth and its sockets which hold the teeth in place. The gums and teeth float all day in a sea of germs, tobacco products, sugar drinks and alcohol. It is impossible to kill these germs, no matter which mouthwash you use. In fact, mouthwashes that have a high alcohol contact will dry out the mouth and make it easier for germs to grow.

When I was kid, instead of getting good dental care, tooth pain was treated with medication to numb the pain. A rare visit to the dentist usually meant an extraction or a filling-the former being a more common practice. Modern dentistry has advanced to a point where almost every tooth is salvageable.

In medical school, examining the oral cavity was meant only to look at the coating on the tongue after asking the patient to say “Ahh.”

Today, dental care involves not only caring for the teeth but also understanding systemic diseases such as diabetes that affects the health of teeth. Dentists now practice taking a good health history before any procedure is done. Some dentist can screen a patient right in his or her office for diabetes by determining the glucose in the blood (HbA1c). The level of glucose is determined by a simple stick of the finger before treating any dental problem. They are aware that keeping blood sugar under control will ensure a better outcome of a dental procedure.

Dentists are even concerned whether a patient is on chemotherapy or has an auto immune disease such as lupus or blood diseases such as sickle cell anemia or leukemia and many other diseases.

Finally, if you are a diabetic, it is important to keep this condition under control since the health of gums and teeth depend on it. “Put your teeth into diabetes” and “chew on it” and your smile will be healthier and brighter.

This is an article by Angelle Barbazon that appeared recently in The Clarion Ledger – Jackson, MS, USA.

You brushed your teeth and flossed them too. Did you swish with a mouth rinse? If not, maybe you should.

Although brushing and flossing are dental health protocol, the American Dental Association recommends going one step further and recently has stressed the importance of using association-accepted fluoride mouth rinses and antimicrobial mouth rinses and toothpastes to maintain dental health.

“The current message about antimicrobial mouth rinses and toothpastes and fluoride mouth rinses is just to let people know those are available,” said Clifford Whall, director of the association’s Seal of Acceptance Program.

The American Dental Association’s daily oral hygiene recommendations have not changed. People should still brush twice a day with an association-accepted fluoride toothpaste; clean between their teeth daily with an association-accepted floss or association-accepted interdental cleaner; eat a balanced diet; limit between-meal snacks and visit their dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral examinations.

Fluoride mouth rinses are used to reduce and prevent tooth decay. Antimicrobial products reduce bacterial count and curb bacterial activity in plaque.

Dr. Laura Leigh Moody, general dentist at River Hills Family Dentistry in Jackson, said she usually recommends mouth rinse to people who may have gingivitis or other oral hygiene problems. Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums caused by the accumulation of plaque along the gum line.

“If I’m happy with what I see, and they keep up their dental hygiene, I don’t usually mention using it,” she said.

Dental caries, also called cavities, and gum disease are the two most common dental afflictions caused by bacteria, according to Dr. Francis Serio, professor and chairman of the Department of Periodontics and Preventative Sciences at the University of Mississippi’s School of Dentistry.

“The collection of bacteria on teeth is called biofilm, so the key to preventing these dental diseases is to disrupt the biofilm on a daily basis,” he said.

Serio said people should answer two questions when determining the effectiveness of a mouth rinse: Does it reduce the amount of biofilm or plaque? And is there any clinical improvement in the teeth and gums?

Serio said people should use mouth rinse for 30 seconds for it to be effective.

Dr. Joe Young, pediatric dentist and president of the Mississippi Dental Association, said children should follow separate guidelines concerning dental health.

Young said parents should monitor flossing and brushing with children because of their “lack of dexterity to remove plaque.”

He said children younger than 6 years old should not use mouth rinses because they may not be able to control swallowing.

Serio said some studies suggest the bacteria that cause tooth decay is sometimes passed on genetically from the mother.

“Just because this happens doesn’t mean anyone is doomed to tooth decay,” he said.

“People may think cavities only impact children, but adults can get tooth decay, too,” said Maria Lopez Howell, consumer adviser for the American Dental Association. “Adults can get gingivitis. If allowed to progress, gingivitis can lead to advanced gum disease and that can lead to tooth loss.”

A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states 27 percent of people age 65 and older experience complete tooth loss.

More than 100 American Dental Association consultants test dental products including floss, toothpastes, mouth rinses and toothbrushes.

The association also tests denture adherents, denture cleansers and artificial saliva. It grants a seal of approval to brand name and generic products that comply with a set of guidelines about the product’s safety, effectiveness, advertising and ingredients.

About 180 mouth rinses and 50 toothpastes are accepted by the association.

“If they have our seal, they’ve gone through a pretty rigorous process to get it,” Whall said.

Companies must reapply for the seal after about five years when it expires or if a product is altered.

In addition to brushing, flossing and using mouth rinses, Serio said people can drink fluoridated water and follow a healthy diet to minimize tooth decay.

“If people are educated and do what they’re supposed to do, they can live for a lifetime without cavities and gum disease,” he said.

Whall said people who regularly take care of their dental health should still visit the dentist for checkups every six months.

Mark Caraway of Jackson isn’t taking any chances with his dental health.

He uses an antimicrobial mouth rinse every other day, despite his dentist emphasizing flossing more than using mouth rinse.

Barrett Smith of Flowood said his dentist does not mention mouth rinse when they discuss his dental hygiene.

“I use it sometimes when I have it, but if I’m out, I won’t go out and buy it,” he said.

This is a report that appeared recently on WTVF - Nashville,TN,USA.

Your mouth could be the key to diagnosing a whole host of ailments you may not even know you have.

If you think dentists just check for cavities, think again. A dentist can also diagnose and possibly help cure a long list of medical problems.

Leeda Allen’s dentist saw holes in her teeth and figured out she had acid reflux, before she even knew there was a problem.

“I was shocked. I wouldn’t have thought my stomach would have had such an effect,” Allen said.

Turns out, dentists can do a lot more than check your teeth.

“This is about more than a cleaning. We’re kind of like detectives or like sleuths,” said Joseph Kravitz, DDS, MS, prosthodontist with Washington Center for Image Dentistry in Bethesda, Md.

Tooth erosion and a burning or sour taste are symptoms of reflux disease. Type-two diabetes often results in bright red, bleeding gums and bad breath. An ammonia smell in the mouth is a sign of kidney disease. Accelerated tooth loss can be a sign of osteoporosis. And white spots on the gums are a symptom of oral cancer.

“Oral cancer is probably the number one thing we find on patients. It’s easy to find,” Kravitz said.

Inflamed gums, excess cavities and oral infections can be a sign of heart disease. Fiery red gums and wounds that won’t heal are a sign of leukemia, and tooth erosion can indicate bulimia.

“You notice the upper back of the front teeth are thin and eroded and more yellow because the healthy white enamel color is gone,” Kravitz said.

It could be sleep apnea if a patient’s tongue blocks his or her airway when they’re tipped back in the chair, and a woman might be pregnant if blowing air on gums makes them bleed.

“At least 10 times, they didn’t know they were pregnant before they came to see me,” Kravitz said.

And that’s 10 reasons why the 40 percent of patients who don’t get regular dental check ups should.

Studies have linked periodontal disease to hardened arteries. Researchers believe the presence of the bacteria that causes dental plaque buildup can have a negative effect on your cardiovascular health. Dentists recommend you get checkups twice a year – except when pregnant, you should go four times a year. Pregnant women are more susceptible to disease.

Kravitz’s own wife lost two teeth while pregnant!

This is an article that recently appeared in Best Syndication – Pinon Hills, CA, USA.

All aspects of your appearance are important but without a doubt your face is the one physical feature that will be noticed more than others. Your face identifies you and each part is so unique that often they can become the main focus of attention. For instance, you may have heard people describe themselves as having a “pug” nose or “sleepy eyes.”

But perhaps even more than the eyes, the mouth draws attention when you speak, laugh or cry, and throughout all of these actions your teeth are on display for the world to see. As you progress through life and the different the stages of development, it is natural for your body to change. In addition, every person has experienced physical trauma which sometimes involved the face and resulted in damage to or the loss of teeth.

The solution for many people who have had their teeth chip or break has been to have crown and bridge restorations made to repair the damage. On the other hand, if the physical trauma was severe and teeth were lost, until as recently as ten years ago, your only option was to be fitted with either removable or fixed dentures.

Traditional dentures continue to be chosen by many people, but they have their limitations; removable dentures can be difficult to manage, sometimes they do not fit properly which causes problems speaking and eating. Wearers of fixed dentures which are attached directly to the jawbone and can only be removed by a dentist experience the same problem of achieving a comfortable fit that plagues the removable type of denture as well.

These problems led to the development of dental implants, which like fixed dentures are attached to the jawbone, with the difference found in the techniques used to secure them in the mouth. Rather than feeling like foreign objects in your mouth, dental implants quickly become one of the “pearls” in your mouth.

One of the main reasons why dental implants are the better choice today is because they are made of titanium, an exceptionally strong but lightweight material that is impervious to damage from the acids used to digest food in the mouth. Especially in the case where a person has lost a tooth which has created a gap between their teeth, dental implants are the ideal solution to restore the curvature of the face to its original position.

Dental implants are designed to become part of your natural array of teeth. You do not experience the problems encountered with this traditional dentures such as slipping or discomfort. The main reason why dental implants are growing in popularity is because they free you from the anxiety caused by improper fitting dentures and they allow you to have a beautifully confident smile.

The cost of quality dentistry, especially cosmetic dentistry is best considered as an investment in your health. When you have experienced physical trauma and need to have teeth replaced, keep in mind that the cost of dental implants is based on their prominent function. Teeth play a role in your ability to speak clearly, prepare your food for digestion by your body and support your facial features. Your mouth is the gateway to your body and oral hygiene or the lack of it can be a contributing factor to the support or the deterioration of your health as a whole. The most important thing is for you to discuss with your dentist whether cosmetic dentures or dental implants are the best choice for you.

(Successful Smiles podcasts, produced by Boston cosmetic dentist Dr. Helaine Smith, available at no charge from iTunes)

Boston, MA (PRWEB) June 27, 2007—Helaine Smith, DMD, recently made available a series of podcasts regarding oral health and cosmetic dentistry. Titled “Successful Smiles,” the complimentary podcasts can be downloaded at http://www.helainesmithdmd.blogspot.com/ or via the Apple iTunes store under the “Health” category.

The first three of a series of planned broadcasts, the informative podcasts cover topics such as bad breath and its causes, frequently asked questions about cosmetic dentistry, and the questions people should ask dentists when considering veneers. Future broadcasts include the relationship between sex and oral health, dental care for the elderly, and the different methods of tooth whitening available.

A firm believer in educating the public about the issues surrounding oral health and the dental industry in general, Dr. Smith’s podcasts are an extension of her e-newsletter and Website where consumers can learn about procedures such as teeth whitening and dental implants.

“The dental industry has changed dramatically in the last ten years or so,” said Dr. Smith. “Due to the Internet, people are online researching dentists and cosmetic techniques well in advance of making an appointment. In addition, you now have dental offices located in strip malls and dental professionals advertising on radio and TV and writing blogs.”

“Cosmetic dentistry has gone mainstream,” she adds, “which means more people are considering procedures, such as veneers, that they wouldn’t have thought of fifteen years ago. My goal with these podcasts is to educate consumers and help them make knowledgeable decisions when choosing cosmetic dentistry providers and/or procedures.”

Each “Successful Smiles” podcast is approximately three to six minutes long and is available as an MP3 audio file. Each file is easily downloaded to an MP3 device or computer. For more details about each podcast, see Dr. Smith’s blog at http://www.helainesmithdmd.blogspot.com/

About Dr. Helaine Smith

Dr. Smith, a Boston, Massachusetts cosmetic dentist, has combined a dedication to patient care, volunteerism, and business acumen since beginning her dentistry career in 1991. She is a Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry and a Las Vegas Institute graduate, and she recently completed an executive MBA program at Suffolk University.

In May 2006, Dr. Smith’s practice was named first runner-up in the prestigious Cosmetic Practice of the Year Award competition, sponsored by Levin Group, Ascend Media, and Philips Oral Healthcare. For more information about her practice visit: http://www.helainesmithdmd.com

This is a report that recently appeared on WSIL TV - Carterville,IL,USA.

If you think dentists can only check for cavities, think again. A dentist can also diagnose and possibly help cure a long list of medical problems.

Dentist say holes in teeth can indicate problems like acid reflux. Turns out, dentists can do a lot more than check your teeth. Dr. Joseph Kravitz, a prosthodontist from the Washington Center for Image Dentistry Bethesda says being a dentist is about more than cleaning. It’s about detecting all oral health problems.

Tooth erosion and a burning or sour taste are symptoms of reflux disease. Type-two diabetes often results in bright red, bleeding gums and bad breath. An amonia smell in the mouth is a sign of kidney disease. Accelerated tooth loss can be a sign of osteoporosis, while white spots in gums is a symptom of oral cancer.

Dr. Kravitz says oral cancer is the number one thing he finds on patients in his care.

Inflamed gums, excess cavities and oral infections can be a sign of heart disease. Fiery red gums and wounds that won’t heal are a sign of leukemia, and tooth erosion can indicate bulimia. It could be sleep apnea if a patient’s tongue blocks their airway when they’re tipped back in the chair. and a woman might be pregnant if blowing air on gums makes them bleed. Kravitz says many times women don’t even know their pregnant until they come to the dentist.

Studies have linked periodontal disease to hardened arteries. Researchers believe the presence of the bacteria that causes dental plaque buildup can have a negative effect on cardiovascular health.

Dentists recommend checkups twice a year. Pregnant women should go four times a year because they are more susceptible to disease. Doctor Kravitz’s own wife lost two teeth while pregnant.

This is an article that recently appeared in the Daily Telegraph.

The Daily Telegraph revealed yesterday the number of people waiting in NSW for dental treatment was 178,876, including more than 45,000 children waiting for basic services.

The revelation of the dire state of the NSW’s oral health provoked a face-off between state and federal governments yesterday with NSW Premier Morris Iemma agreeing the waiting list was “not acceptable” but blaming the backlog on lack of federal funding.

But Federal Health Minister Tony Abbott said dental was a state responsibility and accused the states of acting like “glorified beggars.”

While some dental advocates believe dentistry should be included under Medicare, federal opposition spokeswoman Nicola Roxon said the responsibility should be shared.

Val Shorter, 66, who was forced to pull out her own tooth last year with a set of pliers, doesn’t mind where the funding comes from as long as people can stop having to wait in pain to see a dentist.

The Uralla grandmother has become a dental advocate since she pulled out her own tooth.

“They told me it would be a six week wait and I was in agony, I knew I wouldn’t have a good night’s sleep so I had a bottle of wine, got up the dutch courage and then got out the pliers,” she told The Saturday Daily Telegraph.

The Dental Rescue Squad was formed after Sydney dentist Dr David Digges was appalled by the number of severe cases of preventable dental decay he was seeing in young patients.

Now in demand, the squad’s charitable workers have doubled in numbers in less than a year and they are seeing up to 300 patients each workshop – and encountering cases so bad the patients need hospitalisation.

This is an article that recently appeared in The Daily Telegraph.

The eyes, according to those who pen romance novels, love sonnets or other such literary extravagances, are “the windows of the soul”. But it is the teeth, according to doctors, which reveal far more about their owner’s state of health and well-being.

While the subject may not inspire high flights of poetic fancy, there is no doubt that advances in oral hygiene have played a vital role in our steadily increasing life expectations.

And the converse is also true. Those who endure untreated dental problems – cavities or tooth decay; oral illnesses such as gingivitis, peridontal disease and so on – will often suffer other health problems, such as dietary imbalance, disrupted sleep patterns and digestive difficulties.

Those and other conditions arising from poor dental health can become chronic, even life threatening.

That is why it is important we undergo regular dental checks and treatment as required.

That’s easier said than done in NSW. According to impeccably reliable information obtained by The Daily Telegraph, almost 180,000 people – more than 45,000 of them children – are on waiting lists for dental treatment.

That is a state of affairs that should not be acceptable in a medically advanced country such as ours – but regrettably there is no instant solution. The waiting time for dental attention is the result of a critical shortage of dentists which – in turn – is a result of a shortage of training infrastructure and of qualified teachers.

However that problem is dissected, if flows from a systemic policy failure in this critical health care area. We have crisis – and no quick solution. That does not mean there is nothing that can be done.

Funds need to be found for training places; undergraduates need to be encouraged into the highly specialised discipline. In short, urgent steps need to be taken to reinforce the ranks of the dentistry profession as quickly as possible.

Yet there is one apparent anomaly which ought to be addressed. Dentistry falls under the umbrella of health care – so it should be brought under the Medicare umbrella to ensure people are not precluded from obtaining dental treatment on simple financial grounds.