January 3rd, 2012 amogell
How many New Year’s resolutions did you make? Three days later how many have dropped by the wayside? Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the US so prevention should be on your list of resolutions for 2012.
Resolve to get your teeth professionally cleaned on a regular schedule and you’ll be helping your heart health without ever stepping inside a gym.
Research presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions in November showed that people who had their teeth cleaned had a 24% lower risk of heart attack and a 13% lower risk of stroke. By removing inflammation-causing bacteria from your teeth you reduce your heart disease risk.
What is your reason for not keeping those dental hygiene appointments? Many people avoid dental cleanings because of anxiety or a fear of dental visits. Using sedation dentistry you can easily get the dental care you need, even preventative care like cleanings, without feeling anxious or afraid. Several types of sedation are available to our patients and all of the team members at StoneRidge Dental Care are understanding and supportive.
In the Columbus, Ohio area please contact cosmetic dentist Dr. Mark Levy at 614-476-6696 today to find out more about sedation dentistry.
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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 22nd, 2011 amogell
It has been estimated that sleep problems affect one-third to one-half of all Americans causing a huge toll on the individuals and on society as a whole. In a recent screening of almost 5,000 police officers in the US and Canada, about 40% of them tested positive for at least 1 type of sleep disorder. The most common was obstructive sleep apnea. 
Dr. William Kohler of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine stated “Police officers are obviously a very important group because they are there to protect us, and unfortunately, at times when they are distracted because of tiredness, they are at risk to themselves and others.”
Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with being overweight and about a third of the officers in the study had a BMI higher than 30. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the soft tissues of the mouth and throat relax during sleep and block the airway. The sleeper stops breathing for several seconds until the lack of oxygen causes a partial wakening to begin breathing again. The sleeper does not remember these episodes which can occur from a few to hundreds of times each night. The bed partner of the sleeper is also wakened frequently because of the loud snoring and gasping for breath that accompanies the disorder. Both partners feel exhausted the next day.
Untreated obstructive sleep apnea is associated with cardiovascular disease, stroke, weight gain and increased risk of accident. Treatment usually begins with CPAP but many patients find it difficult to tolerate sleeping with machines. Oral appliance therapy is proven to be an effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea and is available in the Columbus, OH area from Dr. Mark Levy.
Police officers are not the only ones that need a good nights sleep in order to perform their jobs. Contact StoneRidge Dental Care today at 614-476-6696 to schedule your consultation.
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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 15th, 2011 amogell
Another reason to keep your mouth squeaky clean. A professor at Case Western Reserve School of Dental Medicine has discovered that the common oral bacteria Fusobacterium nucleatum has the ability to knock out the safeguards that protect our blood vessels and allow bacteria to spread. This bacterium is the most common of the 700 or so bacteria that inhabit the human mouth. 
Dr. Yiping Han found that the germ has a bonding agent that allows it to unlock the cells on the blood vessels surface which allows it, and other germs such as E. coli, to cross the placental and blood-brain barriers. The bacteria has been found in infections and abscesses in the brain, lungs, liver, spleen and joints. Dr. Han had previously linked it to preterm labor and fetal death.
This bacteria typically enters the bloodstream through breaks in the mucous membranes in the mouth. Periodontal disease offers this bug, and others, the opportunity to enter the bloodstream and cause damage to many systems of the body.
Keeping your gums healthy by practicing excellent home care including brushing and flossing as directed by your dental hygienist is important. Home care alone can’t diagnose or treat periodontal disease. Treating gum disease and getting it under control as soon as possible is very important for your overall health. If you experience puffy, sore gums or if you bleed when brushing or flossing you need to visit your dentist as soon as possible. Early treatment is simple and inexpensive — waiting makes treatment much more complex.
In Columbus, OH please contact StoneRidge Dental Care today at 614-476-6696 to schedule your dental hygiene visit. Remember that keeping your dental hygiene schedule of professional cleanings two times per year can save health care dollars in the future. If you have active gum disease you may need to visit your hygienist more frequently.
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December 13th, 2011 amogell
Sleep problems affect about one-third of Americans. Some, such as obstructive sleep apnea, are serious and may be life threatening. But many more people suffer from problems such as insomnia or waking throughout the night. No matter what the cause, poor sleep quality can lead to serious medical problems over time. A study in the European Journal of Nutrition showed that drinking tart cherry juice improved sleep quality.
The researchers gave adults 2 glasses of tart cherry juice per day. They found that the cherry juice drinkers slept an average of 39 minutes longer and had up to a 6 percent increase in sleep efficiency (meaning they actually were asleep while in bed). When the study participants drank a non-cherrry juice drink they did not have these improvements. The sleep benefits seem to be caused by the melatonin content of the tart cherries. Previous research had shown that tart cherries could be used as a sleep aid and since American’s spend over $84 million on over-the-counter sleep aids per year drinking tart cherry juice may be a healthier, money saving alternative.
If your sleep is disturbed by loud snoring by either you or your bed partner the problem may be obstructive sleep apnea. This is a serious condition that causes the sleeper to stop breathing many times during the night. The signs of sleep apnea include loud snoring, gasping during sleep, a large neck size and high BMI (body mass index). Obstructive sleep apnea can be treated using a comfortable oral appliance worn while sleeping. This stops the snoring and allows the sleeper to breath all night long.
If the signs of sleep apnea sound familiar to you please contact StoneRidge Dental Care in Columbus, OH today at 614-476-6696 to schedule your consultation.
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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 29th, 2011 amogell
Feeling fearful and anxious about going to the dentist is a huge problem for some people and an article in the Columbus Dispatch talks about how dental professionals can help anxious patients get the treatment they need.
About 25% of fearful patients have reported having a bad experience in the dental chair as the reason for their anxiety. Other patients may fear having a painful procedure. I have talked to patients who never had a bad experience or a painful experience at the dentist but still expressed fear.
Whatever the reason, the fear is real for these patients and so is their need for treatment. Small cavities can become large ones which can lead to more complicated and costly treatment so it is especially important for those suffering from dental anxiety to visit the dentist regularly — prevention is especially important!
Here at StoneRidge Dental Care we work closely with our patients to ease their fears. For patients who are extremely anxious we can offer sedation dentistry. Sedation dentistry allows you to receive the dental care that you need while in a completely relaxed state.
For more information about sedation dentistry or to schedule your consultation please contact StoneRidge Dental Care serving the Columbus, OH area at 614-476-6696 today. You can have the healthy, beautiful smile you’ve always dreamed of!
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