Alzheimers Linked to Periodontal Disease

New York University College of Dentistry researchers have found long-term evidence that periodontal disease may increase the risk of brain inflammation, neurodegeneration and Alzheimer’s disease.  The research team looked at 20 years of data and what they found supports the idea of a possible link between periodontal disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

According to Dr. Angela Kamer, lead researcher “The research suggests that cognitively normal subjects with periodontal inflammation are at an increased risk of lower cognitive function compared to cognitively normal subjects with little or no periodontal inflammation.”   Dr. Kamer found that subjects at age 70 with periodontal disease were nine times more likely to test in the lower range on a standardized test as compared to subjects with healthy gum tissue.

What does all this mean for us?  This study is one more piece of information that links the importance of healthy gums and teeth to our overall well-being.  Previous studies have confirmed the links between gum disease and heart disease, diabetes and even low birth-weight babies.  This study adds brain function to that list.

The best advice for maintaining your overall health is to maintain a healthy mouth.

The reasons that patients use to avoid dealing with their gum disease vary but often include the following:

• Taking care of my gums is expensive.  Prevention of, or treatment for, your gum disease is much less costly than the treatment of other illnesses that it can cause.
• It doesn’t hurt so it can’t really be that big a problem.  If you had a large infected sore anywhere else on your body you would get it treated immediately – because gum disease is not obvious does not mean you can safely ignore it.
• I am anxious or afraid of visiting the dentist.  Many of our patients fall into this category – we offer several options for making your visit more comfortable.  Click here for more information about dentistry with the “little pill”.  My team and I specialize in treating anxious patients.

A healthy smile contributes to a healthy life.  Please contact us at  614-476-6696 today – conveniently located in Gahanna, Ohio.

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What is Sleep?

Most animals sleep.  All mammals (including human beings), birds, even fish and reptiles spend periods asleep.  According to the medical dictionary:  sleep is a physiologic state of relative unconsciousness and inaction of the voluntary muscles, the need for which recurs periodically.  This means that every day our bodies need to sleep, it is during this time and our bodies are repairing injuries, growing and producing new bone, muscle and nerve tissue.  New research is also showing that sleep is required for new learning to become “memorized” by our brains.

The amount of time our bodies need to sleep varies with age – babies sleep up to 18 hours per day while most adults should average 7 to 8 hours.  When our sleep is disrupted, whether by lifestyle (not going to bed on time) or by a sleep disorder, it places severe stress upon the body.  Sleep deprivation affects millions of people globally and can eventually lead to:  memory problems, obesity, increased risk of certain diseases such as diabetes, headaches or migraine,  mood  and attention problems, slower healing and even heart disease.

Sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea cause the sleeper to stop breathing for 10 seconds or more during sleep.  This occurs many times each night and is caused by the soft tissues of the tongue and throat relaxing, collapsing and blocking the airway during sleep.  The sleeper lacks deep, healing sleep because of constant awakening during the night to fight for breath.  Sleep apnea sufferers do not realize this is happening – they only realize they are not rested in the morning and experience severe sleepiness during the day.  Loud snoring is common in sleep apnea patients.

If you wake feeling exhausted or suffer from extreme sleepiness during the day you may be suffering from obstructive sleep apnea.  As a dental sleep medicine specialist in Columbus, Ohio my team and I can work with your physician to treat your obstructive sleep apnea with an oral appliance that allows you to breath easily during sleep.  Please contact my office today at 614-476-6696  to schedule a sleep disorder consultation.  A restful, restorative night’s sleep is possible with oral appliance therapy.

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Smoking and Gum Disease

A study in the July issue of 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.

It is well known that smoking contributes to harmful bacteria in the mouth and that oral bacteria 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.  The 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.

In the Columbus, Ohio area please contact our office at 614-476-6696 today to schedule your dental hygiene appointment.  Diagnosing and treating gum disease in its early stages is best.  Treatment for gum disease has changed significantly over the years and a healthy smile is easier to achieve that you might guess.  Call us today.

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Twice-A-Day Brushing Good For Your Heart

A new study reported in the British Medical Journal, 2010 reports that regular twice-a-day tooth-brushing is associated with lower risks of heart disease.  The study also showed decreased levels of inflammatory markers C-reactive protein and fibrinogen, which are associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, when study participants brushed with higher frequency.

The study was designed to discover whether tooth-brushing had an association with C-reactive protein and fibrinogen and the risk of heart attacks.  Study participants showed that those who reported less tooth-brushing had a 70% increase in their risk of cardiovascular disease events when compared to those who reported brushing their teeth two times a day.

Researchers also found that people who brushed their teeth less than twice per day had increased levels of both C-reactive protein and fibrinogen.  Because periodontal disease is believed to contribute  to inflammation, researchers believe that systemic inflammation could be part of the underlying mechanism that links oral health and heart disease.  Gum infections may add to the inflammatory burden on the body, which results in higher risks of heart disease.

According to the authors of the study, the results strengthen the link between oral hygiene and heart disease.  The study findings also suggest the poor oral hygiene plays a role in increasing the risk of heart disease because of systemic inflammation.

Does all this mean that brushing twice a day will completely protect you from a heart attack?  Of course not – the study does prove, once again, the importance of healthy gums and teeth to your overall well-being.  My patients report many reasons for avoiding proper dental care – one of the more common reasons is anxiety or fear of dental treatment.

My team and I work with you to alleviate your anxiety and allow you to receive the treatment you need.  Sedation dentistry may be a good choice for you.  Please contact my Gahanna, Ohio office today at 614-476-6696  and we can discuss your concerns and offer you several options to make your visit more comfortable.  Remember, your dental health is reflected in your overall health – please call today.

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Natural Fluoride Levels In Tea

Black tea is the most popular beverage in the world.  Tea drinkers gain several health benefits including protecting their teeth because of the naturally occurring fluoride contained in brewed black tea.  While we have known about the natural fluoride in tea for some time, new research from the Medical College of Georgia suggests that the levels are higher than previously thought.

Fluoride is known to help prevent dental cavities and many municipal water supplies add fluoride to drinking water for just that purpose.  When fluoride  is consumed in excessive amounts  over long periods it can cause bone problems.

Dr. Gary Whitford decided to look at the tests used to detect fluoride levels in tea after reviewing data from four patients with advanced skeletal fluorisis, a disease caused by too much fluoride consumption.  The link between the patients who suffered from this rare condition was excessive tea drinking.  Each of the patients drank between 1-2 gallons of tea a day for a decade or more.  When the tea brands used by the patients were tested using a traditional testing method the fluoride amounts seemed very low.

Dr. Whitford knew that the tea plant was unusual in that it accumulates large amounts of fluoride and aluminum in its leaves.  Testing was then done using a diffusion method that breaks the chemical bonds between the fluoride and aluminum allowing all of the fluoride to be measured.  The amount in each sample was 1.4 to 3.3 times higher than previously measured.

“The additional fluoride from drinking two to four cups of tea a day won’t harm anyone” according to Dr. Whitford.  “The bottom line is to enjoy your favorite tea, but like everything else, drink it in moderation.”

If you have questions about protecting your teeth from cavities please contact our Gahanna, Ohio office at 614-476-6696.

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Sleep Apnea Can Depress Your Partner

A new study reported in the journal Sleep and Breathing shows that sharing a bed with a loud snorer can cause depression.  Treatment of the obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) responsible for the nocturnal noise allows your partner to feel better as well.

The study involved 36  couples wherein one partner suffered from mild to moderate sleep apnea.  Each patient with OSA was given a sleep study and their partners were screened for depression and daytime sleepiness.

Researchers treated the OSA patients using a surgical technique.  The patients and their spouses were then given the same tests when they returned a couple of months after the surgery.  The patients testing showed a reduced number of stoppages of breathing during sleep.  The spouses also showed lower scores on their depression assessments.

The study shows that reducing the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea can make your partner less depressed.  While surgical intervention was used in this study it is normally considered an extreme treatment option.  There are highly effective, non-invasive treatments available for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.

The “gold standard” of sleep apnea treatment is the CPAP machine.  However, the majority of patients abandon using the CPAP device over time.

Oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea involves a custom fabricated oral device that gently moves the mandible into a position that allows the airway to remain open during sleep.  Recent studies have proven that patient compliance with oral devices is high over the long term – meaning that most patients find the oral appliance easy and comfortable to use.

Please contact your Columbus, Ohio dental sleep medicine office at 614-476-6696 to discuss your options for treating snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.  You will be helping yourself and helping your partner to a better night’s sleep.

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Basic Self-Help for TMJ Pain

There are many causes for temporomandibular joint dysfunction and, treatment for the disorder will vary for each individual.  Until you can visit your neuromuscular dentist for diagnosis and treatment here are some ideas to help relieve your discomfort.

1. Do NOT chew gum.
2. Apply cold packs. Apply an ice pack to the side of your face for 10 minutes (wrap in a towel to protect your skin).   Reapply after 20-30 minutes.
3. Eat a soft diet. Stick to soft foods such as yogurt, mashed potatoes, cottage cheese, scrambled eggs and soup.  The idea is to rest your jaw muscles as much as possible.  Don’t eat hard, crunchy foods like raw carrots, pretzels or really chewy foods.
4. Avoid opening your mouth too wide. Try to keep your mouth movements small when you yawn.  Do not order the overstuffed sandwich or the double bacon cheeseburger.  You will be more comfortable if you avoid extreme jaw movement.
5. Hold the Phone. This means hold it with your hand, not between your ear and shoulder.
6. Don’t Rest Your Chin - Do you rest your chin on your hand?  Time to stop.  Also, check your pillow position at night – find a comfortable position that doesn’t place pressure on your face or jaw.
7. Lips Together, Teeth Apart – Practice keeping your teeth slightly apart to help avoid unconscious clenching or grinding of your teeth during the day.
8. Try Over The Counter Medications. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofin (Advil, Motrin, etc.) can be purchased at your local retailer.  Follow the dosing directions carefully and remember to always have food in your stomach before you take these medications (see #3 above) because they can injure your stomach lining.

Hopefully these tips will help alleviate some of the pain, headaches and other symptoms you are experiencing until your appointment.  They are not a treatment for temporomandibular joint dysfunction and will not replace a visit to your neuromuscular dentist.   Proper diagnosis and treatment of your individual case is necessary to avoid further damage to the jaw joint.

In Gahanna, Ohio please contact Dr. Mark Levy today at 614-476-6696 to schedule your consultation.  Relief from the pain and headaches associated with TMD are only a phone call away.

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Symptoms of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD)

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is your jaw joint.  It is the hinge that connects your lower jaw to the upper part ofour skull.  The joint is extremely complex and flexible allowing movement both up and down and side to side.  This allows us to talk, chew, yawn with a wide range of motion.  The muscles surrounding the joint control the movement and position of the jaw.

A temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) is a problem with the jaw joint and surrounding muscles.  Symptoms of TMD include:

• Pain or tenderness in the jaw, face, neck or shoulders
• Limited range of opening the mouth
• Clicking or popping noises in the jaw
• Difficulty or discomfort chewing
• Headaches or migraines
• Swelling in the jaw area
• Dizziness
• Tinnitus or ringing in the ears or a feeling of “fullness” in the ears
• Ear aches
• Toothaches

With so many varied symptoms it is not unusual for patients to visit many different specialists and undergo many tests before finally being diagnosed correctly.

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above you may be suffering from TMD.  An experienced neuromuscular dentist  can perform a clinical examination to determine whether or not your jaw joint is the cause of your symptoms.   Treatment options for TMD will vary by patient depending upon the severity of the problem and the underlying cause.  I will discuss some basic, conservative self-care techniques in my next blog.  While these techniques will not replace proper treatment they may make you more comfortable until your appointment.

TMD problems do not typically “go away” and putting off treatment may only make the problem worse.  Please contact my Columbus, Ohio neuromuscular dental office today at 614-476-6696 to schedule a consultation.

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A Dental Treatment Revolution?

In the American Chemical Society journal ACS Nano researchers reported on the development of a technique that could bring diseased teeth back to full health.  Root canal therapy is a procedure that is used to prevent tooth loss by removing the diseased soft tissue inside a tooth leaving a non-vital tooth in the mouth.

Dr. Nadia Benkirane-Jessel and her team developed a film containing a substance that could regenerate the dental pulp and bring root canal treated teeth back to life.  The substance called alpha melanocyte stimulating hormone  was placed in a nano-sized film (only 1/50,000 the thickness of a human hair).  Scientists in the laboratory found that the nano-films increased the number of dental pulp fibroblasts, the main type of cell found in dental pulp.  The researchers suggest that one day this approach could help revitalize damaged teeth.

While this new research is intriguing, any use of this type of treatment on actual dental patients is many years away.  In the meantime we all need to be diligent with good home care (brushing and flossing) and regular cleanings with your dental hygienist.  It is important to let your dentist take x-rays (using digital radiography to reduce exposure to radiation) of your teeth on a regular basis to discover small problems before they become larger and maybe lead to a root canal.  A regular, thorough examination by your dentist can save your teeth and your pocketbook.

Please contact our Gahanna, Ohio office today at 614-476-6696 to arrange your consultation and start your journey toward a healthier smile.

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Are Dental Implants Right For You?

A dental implant is basically an artificial tooth that replaces a tooth that has been lost.  Implants are perfect for replacing just one tooth or many instead of using bridges or partial dentures.  Implants can even be used to anchor dentures.

The implant itself is a small titanium device that is placed in your jaw to act as an artificial tooth root.  Your jaw bone grows around the anchor and holds it in place.  Not only does this provide a solid base for your new tooth but placing an implant protects you from bone loss in the area where you have lost the tooth.

Ideal candidates for dental implants have healthy gums and enough bone to support the implant – but since most things in life are not “ideal”  we can work with you to ready your mouth ready for an implant.  Your treatment options will be reviewed in detail when you visit Stone Ridge Dental Care.

Since the implant itself serves as an artificial tooth root it is mostly under your gums – the part that you will see is a special crown that is placed on top of the implant.  These crowns are color matched to your existing teeth and very lifelike in appearance.  Since the implant is permanently placed in your mouth no one will ever know you have a replacement tooth – you do not have to remove it for cleaning.  Just brush and floss regularly.

If you are missing a tooth or teeth and are unhappy with the gap in your smile or are unhappy with the bridge or partial denture that you are currently wearing please contact your Columbus, Ohio cosmetic dentist today at 614-476-6696.  My team and I will be happy to explain your options and help you decide if a dental implant is the right choice for you.

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