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.

Why should anyone go through life and be unhappy with their smile? We know that people who have great smiles are judged as being more successful, more attractive, friendlier and more interesting. With our technological advancements, it is like snapping our fingers to give you a great smile.

Some patients may be surprised to know that many general or family dentists also perform cosmetic dental procedures.

Great smiles aren’t just for movie stars anymore. Be your own best friend; reward yourself and improve your smile wow quotient! Call us. Come in so we can discuss your smile goals and create a smile makeover treatment plan uniquely for you.

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.

These are classic symptoms of pulpitis. You might be surprised to know that a “simple toothache,” or pulpitis, affects only about 12 percent of the population.

What causes pulpitis

There is a chamber in the center portion of each tooth, and that chamber contains a mix of nerves, blood vessels and soft, spongy tissue called pulp. Healthy pulp causes no sensations, but when it is attacked by bacteria, pressure builds up in the chamber and you experience pain.

Pulpitis is typically caused by untreated caries (decay) that has inched its way down into the pulp chamber. Your “simple toothache” could have also been the result of a loose filling, periodontal disease, an injury to the tooth or an extensive, invasive dental procedure that came close to the pulp chamber. [The dark area in the image is infection spreading into the pulp chamber.] Image

If we can catch the decay before it progresses, we usually can remove the decay, place a filling and save the tooth. But sometimes the condition has gone too far and an abscess forms at the end of the tooth’s root. Now we may be left with only two choices: do root canal therapy or extract the tooth.

If it’s not pulpitis

Let’s say my examination determines that you do not have a “simple toothache.” We can examine you for other causes, but we may also refer you to a specialist.

Tooth pain can be caused by a sinus infection and mistaken for pulpitis. Perhaps you are under a great deal of stress and you grind or clench your teeth. This is called bruxism and can cause your teeth to hurt. A migraine can make teeth hurt. Nerves in your face can produce tooth pain.

People who have heart disease may experience tooth pain. In rare cases, tooth pain is caused by cancer.

So, you can see that what seems like a “simple toothache” can be a serious condition with serious causes and results.

Preventative homecare

If your pulpitis is caused by caries, our recommendation is to brush and floss twice each day. They are the most important things you can do to keep your teeth healthy and strong. We may also modify your diet and recommend that you use oral care products that contain fluoride.

If you are experiencing tooth pain or have another dental problem, please call our office and schedule an appointment right away. The earlier we can examine you and determine the cause of your dental concern, the better chance we have of preserving your precious teeth.

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.

Tell us if you take an osteoporosis medication. Having your current medical history is critical when we plan your dental treatments.

You need regular check-ups, especially if you will undergo cancer treatments. Regular exams will help us to identify any unusual oral changes while they are in their early and most treatable stage.

Before you begin any medical treatment, tell your physician and oncologist about dental issues. This will help your medical team plan your treatments and monitor any effects from dental procedures we perform. Image

Tell us and your doctors if anything out of the ordinary occurs in your mouth. This includes bleeding gums, pain, an infection or an unusual sensation in your mouth.

Update your dental and medical history with me and your medical team. When your medical and dental teams have the same information, we will all be aware of anything that could affect your dental and overall health.

Provide phone numbers. Your physician, oncologist and I may need to confer about your health or care and coordinate our treatment plans.

Because we know so little about the bisphosphonate effect on the body, we should proceed with caution, for today is not as simple as we wish it were.

As always, please call our office if you notice anything out of the ordinary in your mouth. We can examine you and intercede early.

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.”

Teeth grinding and jaw clenching can cause headaches and sleep problems, and can lead to muscle inflammation, broken teeth and damaged dental work.

The Chicago Dental Society recommends that patients who find themselves grinding their teeth avoid caffeine, exercise regularly and talk to their dentist about a night mouth guard if the issue persists. Massaging the muscles along the jaw line can also help relieve jaw soreness.

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.”

Tankersley recommended that the IOM create a public health advisory committee to study dental health policy as well as implement an association-wide initiative to address dental health needs of the vulnerable elderly.

The ADA president also lobbied the committee to support federal programs that could effectively improve access to dental care for the underprivileged.

“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.

Officials with the Harris poll also noted that healthcare costs are rising considerably faster than inflation or average wages, and that they are beginning to eat into the country’s gross domestic product. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, each citizen spends approximately $7,681 per year on healthcare-related services.

Those in search of inexpensive dental coverage may want to look into discount dental plans, which can save up to 60 percent compared to traditional insurance plans.

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.

As teeth become weaker and more susceptible to decay, McConnell recommends that patients use alcohol-free anti-bacterial mouth rinses and specialized tooth pastes. He also proposes that people undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy avoid any products that promote dryness, and utilize a toothbrush that has soft bristles.

Although cancer patients are often told by their oncologist to not go to the dentist during treatment, McConnell states that it is crucial to receive dental care soon after stopping chemotherapy.

“The link between oral health and overall health is now well documented,” said McConnell. “Establishing optimum oral health is important for everyone at any age. After cancer treatment it is imperative.”

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.”

The majority of patients currently being treated by the clinic include those with autism, brain injuries and mental retardation.

Jean McGuire, an assistant secretary for the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, said that other clinics from around the state should be able to absorb the displaced patients, and that they plan to ensure that a disruption of services does not occur.

Regular visits to the dentist can help prevent avoidable dental health problems, such as infection, tooth decay, and cardiovascular disease, according to the American Dental Association.

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.

“Periodontists believe that maintaining healthy gums is absolutely critical to maintaining a healthy body,” says Dr David Cochran, chair of the department of periodontics at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

“That is why it is so important to find simple ways to boost periodontal health, such as regularly drinking green tea - something already known to possess certain health-related benefits,” he added.

Although researchers have been unable to pinpoint the exact mechanism responsible for the reduction of symptoms, they speculate that the antioxidants in green tea are capable of reducing the body’s inflammatory response to periodontal bacteria in the mouth.

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.

“Previously, we thought that the most devastating effects of periodontal disease were that people might lose their teeth,” she added. “Now we know it is much more than that.”

Canadian investigators have also found a direct correlation between dental health and heart health. Oral bacterium related to periodontal disease often makes patients more prone to cardiovascular problems, especially following heart surgery.

Moreover, researchers have recently found that pregnant women suffering from periodontal disease are more than six times as likely to deliver low-birth weight babies.