January 23rd, 2012 amogell
Is your energy boost damaging your smile? Not too long ago, if you wanted a little energy boost you drank a cup of coffee. Today we can skip the coffee and get our caffeine fix from any number of energy drinks on the market. The growth in sales of these drinks has been amazing and more products are coming to market all the time. From a dental point of view most of the energy drinks are enamel destroyers meaning they cause damage to dental enamel and leave your teeth vulnerable to decay.
Why do energy drinks cause dental damage?
Most energy drinks are highly acidic. Not only does the acid erode your tooth enamel but it also changes the pH levels in your mouth making it much more hospitable to bacteria.
Most energy drinks contain lots of sugar. Yes, there are some sugar free brands available but most rely at least partly on sugar for a quick energy rush. Sugar is always bad for your teeth but combined with the high acid content of the drinks your dental enamel faces an uphill battle. The acid has compromised the enamel and the sugar feeds all the bacteria that are growing in the pH altered mouth.
Some drinks can also cause dry mouth. Caffeine is a diuretic and some energy drinks can cause you to dehydrate. When your mouth is dry the chances of tooth decay and gum disease increase. We need our saliva to keep our mouths clean and healthy.
Too much caffeine can cause your body to secrete calcium through urine. Both bones and teeth suffer when calcium levels decline.
If you consume lots of energy drinks try to protect your smile by rinsing with water after finishing the drink. Wait to brush your teeth about an hour so you don’t further damage your dental enamel. Chew sugar-free gum containing xylitol to help with saliva flow. Cosmetic damage that includes discoloration may be repaired using dental veneers.
Please contact StoneRidge Dental Care in Columbus, OH today if you are experiencing sensitivity or discomfort. By treating these problems early you can avoid serious dental damage. Call 614-476-6696 today to schedule your appointment.
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January 11th, 2012 amogell
Health trends for 2012 will be changing. The Values Institute at DGWB, a national research group, determined the following are going to be hot in 2012:
- Natural energy drinks – Instead of Red Bull and Monster consumers will be looking for an energy boost from more natural ingredients like vitamins and tea extracts.
- Sleep – Study after study confirms the link between poor quality sleep with high blood pressure, heart disease, weight gain, depression and even sexual dysfunction. Anyone who snores loudly should be tested for a sleep breathing disorder such as sleep apnea to preserve their own health as well as the health of their bed partner.
- Flexitarian eating – This means that more American’s will enjoy a few more vegan or vegetarian meals each week for health purposes but still eat animal protein on occasion. Vegan and vegetarian diets can be excellent for gum health.
- Health Apps - Do it yourself health applications for smart phones and tablet computers can do everything from monitor your moles and blood pressure to scan your sleep for disruptions. Expect to see even more as the Apple App Store expects their offerings to increase to 13,000 in this category by the end of the year.
- Digital Motivation – Track your fitness with a gadget or commit to losing weight via a Facebook page where your friends can help lend accountability to your actions.
According to Mark Weisman of the Values Institute “These trends are consistent with the growing importance of health in America — if not yet as a daily routine then certainly as a primary goal in 2012 for three out of four consumers… Health is the new prestige barometer in the country — meaning that the great majority of Americans would rather be considered healthy than wealthy.”
We must add improving our oral health to the list above. In 2012 make a commitment to proper brushing, flossing and regularly schedule hygiene visits. Overall health begins with a healthy smile and StoneRidge Dental Care in Gahanna, OH is looking forward to helping you make 2012 your healthiest year ever. Contact us at 614-476-6696 today.
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December 27th, 2011 amogell
Fluoride is a naturally occurring substance that has been used for many years to fight tooth decay but it seems that bacteria are learning to fight back. The incidence of tooth decay in America has greatly declined with the advent of fluoride toothpastes and the addition of fluoride to municipal water supplies. While this is controversial in some areas the addition of this mineral has the amazing ability to not only reduce cavities in children and adults but can even repair the early stages of tooth decay.
Researchers from Yale reported in Science Express that bacteria have molecular messaging systems called riboswitches that detect fluoride. When the fluoride is detected the bacteria activate their defenses. One of the side effects of these defense mechanisms contributes to tooth decay.
Fluoride not only hardens the enamel in our teeth but is toxic to bacteria. These bacteria have had to deal with the toxic effects of fluoride for billions of years and have evolved these sensors to help them survive. According to the researchers “Now that these sensors and defense mechanisms are known, it may be possible to manipulate these mechanisms to make fluoride even more toxic to bacteria.”
As with many things, a little fluoride can be good for our teeth but too much can cause problems including spotting and discoloration. There are other reasons for discolored or mottled teeth including use of medications such as antibiotics. Unfortunately, the discoloration caused by medications or excess fluoride cannot be removed by dental bleaching. Cosmetic dentistry techniques including dental veneers are used to restore discolored teeth creating a beautiful new smile.
For more information about cosmetic dentistry options in the Columbus, OH area please contact Columbus cosmetic dentist Dr. Mark Levy at StoneRidge Dental Care today. Schedule your consultation by called 614-476-6696.
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December 20th, 2011 amogell
For smokers it is probably the resolution they make every New Year. Quitting smoking offers all sorts of health benefits and it is well known that smoking contributes to harmful bacteria in the mouth that are responsible for gum disease. Scientists have also known that when smokers quit, the microbe population in their mouths change. What they didn’t know was whether or not smoking could reverse the colonization of bad bacteria.
A study reported in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology found more good reasons to quit smoking. Patients with chronic gum disease that quit smoking while undergoing treatment had lower number of harmful bacteria in their mouths. Even more impressive – the number of good bacteria increased! A win-win situation for the patient in many ways.
A long term study completed by researchers from The Ohio State University and Newcastle University showed that those study participants that quit smoking had a reduction in their levels of harmful bacteria and an increase in health-associated or “good for you” bacteria. “These results indicate a critical role for smoking cessation counseling in periodontal therapy for smokers,” according to the report.
This study did not include patients that used other forms of tobacco, only smokers. It will be interesting to see if anyone completes a similar study using smokeless forms of tobacco.
Diagnosing and treating gum disease in its early stages is best. However, if you have been living with chronic gum disease for some time don’t despair. Treatment for gum disease has changed significantly over the years and a healthy smile is easier to achieve that you might guess. Contact StoneRidge Dental Care in Columbus, OH today at 614-476-6696 to schedule your appointment – and if fear or anxiety have been keeping you from visiting the dentist remember that dentistry with “a little pill” can make your visit calm and anxiety free.
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December 9th, 2011 amogell
A study from Sweden says that it is possible to use dental X-rays to predict which patients may be at risk of bone fracture. The research was published in the journal Nature Reviews Endocinology and showed that sparse bone structure in the lower jaw is an indicator that the individual is at greater risk for bone fractures in the future.
The study used data from the Gothenburg study of women that has been running for over 40 years. The researchers believe that although the study data was about women, the same link will apply to men. The study also showed that the older the person, the stronger the link between the sparse bone structure in the jaw and bone fractures. Hopefully this research will translate into guidelines that can be used in dental offices since more people get regular dental x-rays than seek out bone density testing or other types of x-rays. A dentist could share x-ray data with physicians to help monitor those most at risk of fracture.
Dental x-rays are used for more than finding hidden cavities. Dentists already use the films to check on the health of the jaw bone and to look for oral cancers so they are an important part of your dental examination. Digital x-rays (radiographs) have reduced the amount of radiation drastically. You actually receive more radiation on a cross country airplane flight that you do from your dental x-rays!
Please contact your Columbus, OH area cosmetic dentist Dr. Mark Levy at 614-476-6696 today to schedule your next appointment.
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December 7th, 2011 amogell
Can gum disease treatment really work better when people lose weight? Can body weight and gum disease be connected somehow? A recent study from Case Western Reserve University seems to answer yes. Researchers found that when fat cells disappeared the human body was better at fighting off gum disease. 
The study looked at 31 obese patients with gum disease. Half of the group had gastric bypass surgery and was treated for gum disease. The other half of the group was treated for gum disease only. Both groups received home care instructions. The study showed that both groups had improved gum health but the group that had gastric bypass surgery did even better on all measures of gum health.
Fat cells can trigger inflammation in the body. Gum disease also causes inflammation. Chronic inflammation of these types can have harmful effects over time including breaking down the gums that can allow harmful bacteria to enter the bloodstream. Oral bacteria have been linked to heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and pre-term birth. The researchers have theories as to why the weight loss resulted in healthier gums and are planning additional studies.
If you are experiencing red, puffy, painful gums or if you have bleeding when brushing or flossing you may have the early stages of gum disease. Please contact StoneRidge Dental Care in Columbus, OH today at 614-476-6696 to schedule your appointment. Early treatment of gum disease can prevent long-term damage to your teeth, gums and overall health.
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December 2nd, 2011 amogell
More and more people have become aware of the dangers of oral cancers. The diagnosis and treatment of celebrity patients like Michael Douglas help put this dangerous disease in the news. But do people think that oral cancer screening is important and worthwhile? The answer in Britain seems to be yes. A study completed in Britain showed that almost 90% of patients would like to be checked for oral cancer during their dental visits. Despite that number only 14% of those surveyed said that their dentist had talked to them about the risks and symptoms of oral cancer. Hopefully dentists in the US are doing better at talking to patients about the importance of oral cancer screening than our colleagues across the Atlantic.
Oral cancer screening is a part of every comprehensive oral examination conducted here at StoneRidge Dental Care. The rates of oral cancer have been increasing in recent years and it is vital for everyone to be screened regularly. Oral cancers used to be seen primarily in older individuals who smoked and drank alcohol regularly. Today we are seeing an entirely different group of patients being diagnosed with mouth and throat cancers — young adults. The primary cause for cancers in this age group appears to be HPV infection.
If you have not scheduled your appointment yet please contact Columbus, OH cosmetic dentist Dr. Mark Levy today at 614-476-6696. We will be glad to schedule your examination and answer any questions you might have about oral cancer screening.
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November 17th, 2011 amogell
Researchers from Taiwan reported this week that people who had their teeth professionally cleaned at least twice a year had a 24% lower risk of heart attack and a 13% lower risk of stroke compared to those who did not visit the dentist. Drs. Emily Chen and Hsin-Bang Leu reviewed medical data on over 51,000 adults who had their teeth professionally cleaned and compared them to people who had never had their teeth cleaned. “Protection from heart disease and stroke was more pronounced in participants who got tooth scaling at least once a year” said Dr. Chen. She suggested that having a dental cleaning removes inflammation-causing bacteria that can lead to heart disease.
The bacteria associated with gum disease has previously been linked to heart problems and this study confirms the importance of good oral health for overall health Keeping your smile healthy requires good home care, brushing and flossing, plus it requires regular visits to your dental hygienist. Home care cannot remove all of the bacteria that lurks below the gum line so a visit every six months is needed for those with healthy gums. If you have experienced gum disease then your recall visits will be scheduled more often. If you have been avoiding the dentist because of anxiety or fear ask about sedation dentistry.
Appointments are filling fast since we are quickly approaching the end of the year. Contact StoneRidge Dental Care serving the Columbus, OH area at 614-476-6696 today to schedule your next visit.
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November 12th, 2011 amogell
Looking forward to celebrating your 40th birthday? During our 40′s we start to experience some changes in our bodies but the good news is, if you have been taking care of your teeth (brushing, flossing, etc.) your dental health should continue to be terrific.
There are a few things to keep an eye on when when you hit your 40′s:
Replacing old fillings - Many of those old mercury amalgam fillings are probably beginning to break down and should be replaced. Old fillings form cracks or become loose which can allow bacteria underneath creating more decay. Without removing the decay and replacing the filling you can risk a future root canal or even loss of the tooth. Old bridges and crowns may also need to be replaced.
Periodontal disease – Healthy gums are important. Gum disease has been linked to heart disease, diabetes and even preterm birth A recent study in the Journal of Periodontology reported that over 23% of women aged 30-54 have gum disease. If your gums are red, sore or if they bleed when you brush or floss you need to see your dentist. The health of your smile and your long term overall health depends upon healing this chronic infection.
Cosmetics – Decades of coffee, red wine and sodas have probably robbed you of the shiny bright smile you remember from your 20′s. The easiest solution is one hour whitening with ZOOM! If you’ve never been happy with your smile you are not alone. Many patients in their 40′s decide that they aren’t happy with the smile they were born with and would like to change their crooked, misshapen teeth. Cosmetic dentistry techniques allow us to change the shape and color of your teeth, even change the contours of your gum line, giving you the smile you’ve always dreamed of.
StoneRidge Dental Care serves the Columbus, OH area. Please contact us at 614-476-6696 today to schedule your appointment.
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October 18th, 2011 amogell
Chipped teeth are a common problem we see in our office. The reasons for the damage range from accidents to people who grind their teeth so severely they cause breakage How we repair the damage depends on factors such as the size and location of the chip, which tooth is chipped and the overall oral health of the patient. Options for repairing a chip include bonding and dental veneers. For a tooth that is badly chipped or cracked a full dental crown may be needed. If the damaged tooth is one that is easily seen when you smile please make sure that the dentist has received extensive training in cosmetic dentistry so that your smile will be as beautiful after the restoration as it was before the repair – maybe even better!
For smaller chips dental bonding may be sufficient. A tooth colored restoration material is bonded to the damaged surface and carefully sculpted to look just like your original tooth. The technique has some advantages but it is also subject to staining and may not last as long as a dental veneer.
Dental veneers are thin pieces of ceramic material that are created in a dental lab. They are matched to your tooth color and provide a very lifelike appearance. The dental veneers are bonded to your natural teeth and allow for the correction of chipped, discolored or misshapen teeth. A dental crown may be needed if the damage to the tooth is too severe to be corrected with the other alternatives.
If you have chipped a tooth please contact the office of Dr. Mark Levy at 614-476-6696 to discuss your treatment options. Please don’t delay, small chips can easily become larger, and the damage to the tooth more extensive over time.
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