Dental & Health Care

These are exciting times for anyone who has considered improving their smile. Yesterday, many people thought that only Hollywood movie stars could get dazzling smiles, but today people know that anyone can enhance the smile that Mother Nature gave them.

Just look at the results of a recent survey of several thousand dentists. They are eye-opening. It perhaps is not so surprising that more women than men are changing their smiles—67 percent to 33 percent. What catches the eye is the number of men who are jumping into the smile makeover arena. And their numbers are steadily increasing.

But here is the real wow factor: Most patients (53 percent) are 41 to 60 years of age! It is not just Baby Boomers who want to improve their smiles. Many patients on both sides of the age range are saying they have had enough of misshapen or stained teeth. Read the rest of this entry »

We occasionally have patients who tell us they have a “simple toothache,” and could we please write them a prescription and send them on their way. We wish it were that simple, but a painful tooth can be caused by many factors, and sometimes a prescription is not the answer. If you are experiencing tooth pain, we need to do a thorough examination to determine the cause of your pain.

Diagnosis: pulpitis

When you called in for an appointment, you told us that you had a fever and your tooth hurt when you bit down. During the exam we found you had other symptoms:

* The gum is swollen.
* Your have a nasty tasting discharge.
* The pain gets worse when you lie down.
* The pain worsens when you eat or drink hot or cold foods and beverages. Read the rest of this entry »

A current complex dental issue is the concern about osteoporosis medications causing healthy bone to die. There are things you need to know if you are taking these medications. Please ask your Bonham Family Dentist about this and he will help educate you on what you need to know.

There are studies indicating the bisphosphonates in osteoporosis medications can cause a serious dental condition called “osteonecrosis,” a rare condition in which healthy jawbone dies. Image

Early research shows that certain cancer patients who take an intravenous bisphosphonate are more likely to develop osteonecrosis than other patients.

Here is what is important for you to know if you are taking a bisphosphonate. Read the rest of this entry »

A growing number of people are suffering from dental health problems due to a national upsurge in teeth grinding caused by stress over the stagnant economy, according to a recent study.

Researchers from the Chicago Dental Society surveyed more than 250 of its members and found that nearly 75 percent of dentists said their patients reported increased stress in their lives. Moreover, approximately 65 percent of dentists said that they have seen an increase in teeth grinding and jaw clenching among their patients.

“It’s been because of the economy,” said Chicago dentist William Frericks told the Sun Times. “‘Can I pay for food on the table or my next rent check or mortgage?’ Those kinds of things have really come into play lately.” Read the rest of this entry »

In the beginning of March, American Dental Association President Dr Ronald Tankersley testified before the Institute of Medicine Committee on Oral Health Access to Services (IOM), explaining the ways that the organization is working to improve access to dental care for underserved populations.

Before outlining the ADA’s new initiatives, Tankersley heavily criticized the IOM for its recent decision to exclude private practice dentists from two U.S. Department of Health and Human Services panels put together to study the nation’s oral health delivery system.

“The nation’s 167,000 private practice dentists represent some 92 percent of professionally active dentists in the U.S.,” he stated. “Without them, there can be no significant impact on access to oral health care, regardless of the delivery system.” Read the rest of this entry »

According to a recent collaborative study conducted by Harris Interactive and Health Day, nearly 45 percent of Americans are either “extremely” or “very worried” about the rising cost of healthcare, which includes prescription medications and dental care.

“Forty-four percent is a huge number of worried citizens and underscores the biggest concern about our healthcare system, which is, ‘How will America pay for it?’” said Humphrey Taylor, chairman of The Harris Poll.

The survey, which was conducted just a few days before President Obama signed a bill to overhaul the current healthcare system, found that the majority of concerned respondents blamed insurance companies and drug manufacturers for the skyrocketing cost of medical services. Read the rest of this entry »

It is becoming increasingly well known that regular visits to the dentist can not only help people avoid dental health problems, but can also prevent more general health issues, such as cardiovascular disease or infection.

However, as Dr Steven McConnell points out, there is an even closer link between oral health and general welfare for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment.

McConnell, who is an expert dentist for Smart Now, a wellness information site, believes there are a few key dental care tips for those who experience the side effects associated with chemotherapy. Read the rest of this entry »

The state of Massachusetts recently announced that it will be forced to close the Fernald Development Center on June 30 due to budget constraints. Unfortunately, the cost-cutting measure will displace Tufts University’s Waltham dental clinic, which provides low-cost dental care services to mentally disabled patients from around the state, according to the Boston Globe.

Although university officials are scrambling to ensure that services can be provided at their other locations, many Massachusetts residents are worried that the 2,100 patients that the clinic serves will soon be without a facility capable of handling their specials needs.

“Where will they go?’” asked Marilyn Meagher, director of the advocacy group Fernald League for the Retarded. “These are extremely handicapped people. It is going to be very devastating for them.” Read the rest of this entry »

According to a recent study published in the Journal of Periodontology, routine consumption of green tea can help promote superior dental health.

In the study, Japanese researchers analyzed the oral health of 940 men based on three indicators of periodontal disease: clinical attachment loss of gum tissue, periodontal pocket depth and bleeding upon probing of the gum tissue.

The research team found that every cup of green tea consumed was associated with an additional decrease in all three symptoms related to periodontal disease. Read the rest of this entry »

Several recently published medical studies have identified a strong link between a person’s dental health and their overall physical wellbeing.

Over the last few years, researchers have recognized the link between inferior oral health and many debilitating diseases and disorders, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and respiratory problems, the Vancouver Sun reports.

“The research that has been done over the last few years is showing more and more that there is a considerable link between what’s happening in the mouth and the overall health of the body,” said Cindy Fletcher, executive director of the British Columbia Dental Hygienists’ Association. Read the rest of this entry »