Tooth Chatter

The Benefits of Licorice Root for Teeth

2012-02-13T14:22:00.000-08:00

Scientists are reporting identification of 2 substances in licorice , used extensively in Chinese traditional medicine that kill the major bacteria responsible for tooth decay and gum disease . In a study that appeared recently in the Journal of Natural Products , they say these substances could have a role in treating and preventing these afflictions . Scientists found that 2 licorice compounds , licoricidin and licorisoflavan A , were the most effective antibacterial substances , capable of killing 2 of the major bacteria responsible for cavities and 2 of the bacteria that promote gum disease . One of the compounds , licoricidin , also killed a third gum disease bacterium . The researchers stated that these substances could one day treat or even prevent oral infections .

Poor Dental Care Can Make You Sick ?

2012-01-19T14:29:00.000-08:00

5 Ways Poor Dental Care Makes You Sick

Even if you brush your teeth daily, you may still have dangerous bacteria growing inside your mouth. Not only could that lead to periodontitis (an advanced form of gum disease that comes with symptoms such as bleeding when you brush and gum pain), but studies also find a link between poor oral hygiene and major health issues. Here are some ways that missing the mark on oral care could harm your heath.
1. It may hurt your heart.
People with gum disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease compared to those don't have periodontitis. Researchers aren't exactly sure of why this might be, but one theory is that harmful bacteria from your mouth enters your blood stream and attaches to fatty plaques in your heart's blood vessels, leading to inflammation and upping your risk of clots that can trigger heart attacks.
2. Your memory may suffer.
Some research suggests there may be a tie between poor oral health and an increased risk of dementia. One study that followed 118 nuns between the ages of 75 and 98 found that those with the fewest teeth were most likely to suffer dementia. Experts think oral bacteria may spread to the brain through cranial nerves that connect to the jaw or through the bloodstream, and may contribute to the type of plaque that's been linked to Alzheimer's.
3. It might worsen your body's control of blood sugar.
People with diabetes are more likely to have periodontal disease than those without diabetes. While this may be because diabetics are more susceptible to infections, there's also been research that finds gum disease could make it harder to control your blood sugar, and that treating it helps improve diabetes symptoms.
4. It may affect your breathing.
Gum disease may increase your risk of getting respiratory infections, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pneumonia, according to the Journal of Periodontology. The infections might be caused when bacteria from the mouth are inhaled into your lungs, possibly causing your airways to become inflamed.
5. It could make it harder for you to have a baby.
Women of childbearing age with gum disease took an average of just over seven months to become pregnant – two months longer than the average of five months that it took women

Bad Breath Can Be Viewed As A Health Risk ?

2012-01-17T14:22:00.000-08:00

Although bad breath is generally not viewed as a health risk, if left unchecked it can be the kiss of death for individuals whose jobs and personal relationships put them in close proximity to others. Current research and new technologies can help dental hygienists understand how diet, medication and certain systemic conditions may cause oral malodor—as well as assist them in detecting, measuring and helping treat oral malodor in their patients.
Approximately 90% of the causes of bad breath develop in the oral cavity, with most cases originating from decaying particles of food and certain chemical components in saliva.1 The decay process breaks down proteins and other organic materials into simpler matter, leaving behind sulfuric acids and fatty acids that create lingering odors. Poor oral hygiene can allow bacterial plaque to accumulate on the teeth and tongue. In addition, subgingival and proximal areas—as well as restorations that have fallen into disrepair—have been pinpointed as sources of bad breath when oral hygiene is not maintained. While age is not a risk factor for oral malodor, gender does play a role, as the condition is three times more common among men than women.

A DEEPER LOOK
Oral malodor is identified as either nonpathogenic or pathogenic. The former typically relates to normal body functions, such as "morning breath" that results from lack of salivary flow during sleep. Smoking and food debris are also nonpathogenic triggers. Pathogenic causes may include periodontal diseases, xerostomia or wearing dentures overnight. Radiation therapy is another pathogenic cause of mucositis-related malodor, as are Sjögren's syndrome and cleft lip/palate.
Some causes of bad breath are nonoral in nature. For example, many common drugs—from antidepressants to pain relievers—can cause xerostomia, which increases the risk of oral malodor.3 Diuretic agents, muscle relaxants, antihypertensive medications, antihistamines, anticholinergic agents and analgesics can also lead to xerostomia.

THE NOSE KNOWS
Clinicians may assess oral malodor simply by smelling the air exhaled from the patient's nose and mouth. Generally, malodor exiting the mouth is produced by oral or pharyngeal causes. Several technologies have been developed to detect and measure oral malodor. One is a handheld device—referred to as the "electronic nose"—that samples a patient's breath via a chemical sensor that tests for volatile sulfur compounds (VSC). A second technology, known as gas chromatography (GC), uses a needleless syringe to capture an air sample from deep inside the mouth. The sample is injected into the portable GC device and analyzed for VSC that typically include hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan and dimethyl sulfide. Some clinicians may use a portable sulfide meter that analyzes patients' breath after they have exhaled through a tube for 30 seconds. This device, however, may yield readings that underestimate the strength of some types of oral malodor.4
Diagnosing oral malodor is not always a simple matter. Transient oral malodor can be treated with little more than good advice and cosmetic measures, while pathologic oral malodor requires clinical treatment and individualized oral hygiene strategies.

TIPS FOR TREATING ORAL MALODOR
Once systemic conditions are ruled out as the cause, clinicians should review the patient's oral health history and self-care practices. One strategy to overcome oral malodor is to minimize the proteinaceous debris present in the oral cavity, thereby eliminating the source of bad breath.5 Tongue scraping is a highly effective tactic because bacteria that produce offensive breath are most likely to collect on the lingual dorsum, and this is also where most food debris accumulates. Tongue cleaning works by reducing the substrata for putrefaction.6 Patients are typically unfamiliar with this form of self-care, however, and dental hygienists can help by educating patients about proper technique. Clinicians can also recommend the use of fluoride toothpaste and antimicrobial mouthrinses to kill oral bacteria.
In terms of professional care, toothbrushing, followed by tongue cleaning with a high-speed vacuum ejector, and irrigation with a mouthrinse, is an effective strategy for reducing odor-causing bacteria entrenched in the tongue.7 In cases where oral malodor is triggered by periodontitis, scaling and root planing may help ease gingival inflammation, while also reducing plaque and the volume of odor-causing microbes in the oral cavity.

GET CLOSE
The incidence of oral malodor is widespread. Setting aside possible systemic causes, the most effective treatment strategies focus on controlling and reducing the microflora that underlie the condition. Fortunately, some treatments directed at controlling the microbiota associated with dental caries may also prove helpful in eradicating the bacteria that cause bad breath.
With the guidance of a well-informed dental hygienist, most patients can easily address oral malodor via methods that are affordable, effective and preserve their ability to confidently interact with others.

How Teeth Can Prevent Heart Attacks

2012-01-16T10:42:00.000-08:00

Cleaner Teeth May Lead to Fewer Heart Attacks
Last week in Orlando the American Heart Association held its 84th annual meeting. A huge event, by its close over 14,000 medical professionals attended more than 4,000 scientific sessions concerning the latest findings on the treatment and prevention of heart attacks and stroke.

Amazingly, amid that mass of information, one of the studies that received the most attention linked heart attack prevention to regular dental cleanings.
That’s right, cleaner teeth may lead to a healthier heart. That’s really something to smile about.
Researchers at the Veterans General Hospital in Taipei, Taiwan, followed 100,000 adults over seven years and found those who had their teeth cleaned by a dental professional—at least once over that period—had a 24% lower risk of heart attack and a 13% lower risk of stroke than those who didn’t have a dental cleaning.
Dr. Emily Chen, lead author of the study, told the Orlando Sentinel that protection against heart disease was even stronger among participants who had their teeth cleaned at least once a year.
Of course, there is the possibility that people who have their teeth cleaned take better care of themselves, in general, but—as I said in a previous post , one secret to living a longer life : Flossing ! - a number of other studies have shown that clean teeth can help reduce inflammation-causing bacterial growth, prevent heart disease and prolong life.
“The results are not surprising since there have been many studies showing association between inflammation and heart disease,” said Dr. Lawrence Phillips, Director of Nuclear Cardiology at NYU Langone Medical Center, in USA Today. “Good dental hygiene is recommended for all patients.”
Nothing is definite—unfortunately in healthcare things rarely are—but the evidence is starting to mount. Who knows, maybe just smiling more is good for your heart?

Introduction To Dental Implants

2011-12-17T13:01:00.000-08:00

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments »

Introduction to Dental Implants
26. June 2008 by admin.

Many people want information about dental implants, so here it is. Reply to this blog message if there are any further questions. Dental implant is becoming the new standard of care in replacing missing teeth. Historically, when a tooth is missing, a denture is made to replace the tooth. The denture can be fixed or removable. A fixed denture is also known as a bridge. In order to make a bridge, a dentist must grind down the adjacent teeth on either side of the missing teeth so that a new prosthetic tooth can go over it. Grinding down a tooth for the sake of replacing one is not considered healthy dentistry. The beauty of dental implant is the ability to replace a missing tooth without affecting otherwise healthy teeth.

Dental implants are made of titanium metal, the same material used in other prosthetic replacements in the human body such as hip or knee repairs and replacements. Titanium has a good track record in combining with the body as if it is a part of it. This part of the dental implant is called the fixture. The fixture is surgically embedded in the jaw bone. After about 4 months of healing, the second part, or the abutment, is installed. The abutment part of the implant sticks out of the gums and is attached to the fixture by a screw. Soon thereafter, a crown can be made and fitted onto the abutment.

Not all missing teeth qualify for dental implant. If a tooth has been lost for a long time, the bone in the area tends to shrink and sometimes necessitate a bone grafting procedure. Bone graft is also done to preserve a extraction area for future implant placement, again to prevent shrinking of bone. The dentist needs to do proper treatment planning including taking history, x-rays and study models.

Does it hurt? That is a common concern with dental implant candidates. In most instances, putting a tooth in (dental implant) is less traumatic than taking a tooth out and therefore is less painful. It is done under local anesthesia with Novocain. Anxious patients may be sedated further with nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or with IV relaxants and sedatives.

The success rate of implants is high, in the 85-95 percentile success rate. Post operative care and general health of an individual including current medical conditions affects the percentage. The costs of dental implant range based on the experience of the dentist, the service, as well as the implant system used. On average, be prepared to spend between $3500-$4000 per tooth replaced. Talk to your dentist to determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants.

Food and Mood , 6 Way Your Diet Can Affect How You Feel

2011-12-12T14:09:00.000-08:00

Food and Mood – 6 Ways Your Diet Affects How You Feel
You are what you eat? Maybe not, but you do feel what you eat. Research suggests that certain foods affect mood—for better or worse. Dietary changes can trigger chemical and physiological changes within the brain that alter our behavior and emotions. “Most people understand the link between what they eat and their physical health,” says registered dietitian Elizabeth Somer, author of the 2010 book Eat Your Way to Happiness. “But the link between what you eat and your mood, your energy, how you sleep, and how well you think is much more immediate. What you eat or don’t eat for breakfast will have at least a subtle effect by mid-afternoon, and what you’re eating all day will have a huge impact today and down the road.”
1. You don’t eat regularly. Food is fuel; skip a meal and you’ll feel tired and cranky.
2. You skimp on carbs. Carbohydrates have long been demonized, but your body needs carbs to produce serotonin—a feel-good brain chemical that elevates mood, suppresses appetite, and has a calming effect.
3. You fall short on omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s—found in fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines—improve both memory and mood.
4. You neglect important nutrients. Getting too little iron can spell depression, fatigue, and inattention, research suggests. Iron-rich foods include red meat, egg yolks, dried fruit, beans, liver, and artichokes.
5. You eat too much fat. That bag of potato chips isn’t good for your waistline or your mood. Greasy choices—particularly those high in saturated fat—are linked to both depression and dementia.
6. You chug without thinking. What you drink affects your spirits as much as what you eat. In moderate amounts, caffeine can enhance physical and mental performance, but too much can spur anxiety, nervousness, and mood swings. Stick to one or two cups daily to dodge the negative effects

Your Smile in your Golden Years

2011-12-05T14:08:00.000-08:00

December 5 , 2011
Your Smile In Your Golden Years

As you age, caring for your smile becomes harder to do. Pain from arthritis can make brushing and flossing a chore, if not impossible, while dry mouth—a side effect of some medications—can increase the risk of gum disease and tooth decay.
But problems like these don’t have to keep you from a healthy smile. A dentist with years of experience and a compassionate spirit can give you the gentle care you need. You’ll find both of these qualities at my office in Brewster, MA. .
Compassionate Care Based on Experience
If arthritis is keeping you or a loved one from brushing and flossing every day, coming in for regular cleanings is important. Clean teeth are your best defense against tooth decay and gum disease . I can recommend many tools to help with daily teeth cleaning, including a power toothbrush that might make brushing at home easier for you.
But patients with arthritis aren’t the only ones who can benefit from regular visits. If you suffer from dry mouth, we can talk about what’s causing it as well as some remedies that can bring relief, like sugar-free gums or mints. Drinking plenty of tap water can help, too, as it contains fluoride, which is good for teeth.
My office can even help patients with dentures. Whether you’re getting them for the first time, or you want to replace what you have with ones that are anchored by dental implants, we can help you…… give our office a call.

2011 Halloween Candy Donnation/Swap

2011-10-20T11:51:00.000-07:00

Halloween Candy Swap
For adults and children…..help our U.S. troops overseas with your leftover Halloween candy. All the Halloween candy collected will be included in the Christmas packages being sent to our U.S. troops courtesy of Cape Cod Cares for the Troops. Adult candy collection will be Nov 1st – Nov 5th during business hours. The children’s candy swap will be Nov 1st 5-7pm. Each child who donates candy will get $1.00 per pound and will be entered to win a bicycle from Orleans Cycle. There will be gift certificates from Wendy’s in Orleans. and for the first 25 children who arrive at our office on Nov 1st they will receive a Firefly Flashing Toothbrush. So have fun on Halloween and on November 1st come to our office to donate your candy.

For the third year one area dentist on the Cape is redefining the phrase “Eating your own leftover Halloween candy” This Halloween, trick-or-treaters and adults can bring their excess candy to East Brewster Dental in Brewster, MA.. Dr. Stephen Bellorini is leading this anti-decay movement by collecting the candy that will be donated to the U.S. troops overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan. Working with Dylan and Michelle Desilva from Cape Cod Cares for the Troops, the candy is incorporated into the holiday care packages they send in December . Last year , we donated over 600lbs of candy that was placed in over 1500 care packages .
“Ditch the candy, that’s what we’re saying. Visiting your dentist twice a year and brushing daily are great preventative measures, but doing away with excess sweets altogether would really give your teeth a healthy boost,” says Dr. Stephen Bellorini from East Brewster Dental.
“Kids can still have all of the fun of trick-or-treating, and now their donation can help put a smile on the faces of our troops fighting in other countries .”Dr. Bellorini states , “We have been told that the solders will exchange the candy with the children and in return the children provide them with vital information as to where land mines are hidden , so the candy helps save their lives”.
Global sugar consumption for kids increases by about 2% annually and currently sits at 50 million tons per year, which means parents need to be sure their kids teeth are being cared for more than ever. Candy, as well as hurting children’s teeth, can lead to hyperactivity and weight gain. In some cases, the wrong types of candy can also lead to broken teeth and damaged braces.

Dr. Stephen Bellorini is one of the dentists at East Brewster Dental, 11 Baystate Ct. in Brewster ( at the Orleans Brewster town line) , which emphasizes general family dental care as well as cosmetic procedures. Dr. Bellorini is available to provide more information at 508-255-0111, or visit East Brewster Dental on-line at www.eastbrewsterdental.com

The candy swap will be at
East Brewster Dental
11 Bay State Ct., Brewster, MA.
For any questions or information call (508)255-0111

Dr Bellorini's Blog October 2011

2011-10-07T07:01:00.000-07:00

A More Natural-Looking Smile with Tooth-Colored Fillings from Dr.Stephen Bellorini
October 7 , 2011

Traditional fillings made of metal, also called amalgams, can help save your smile. But their dark gray color can also be embarrassing for patients.
That’s why Dr. Stephen Bellorini is proud to offer tooth-colored fillings as a cosmetic alternative. Made of silicon dioxide, your tooth-colored fillings—also known as composite resins—can be made to match the exact shade of your teeth.
In fact, we’re confident that you tooth-colored fillings will so closely match the rest of your mouth that no one besides us will even know you have them.
But the benefits of composite resins don’t stop there.
A Healthier, More Natural Smile Waiting for You in Your Future
Like traditional amalgams, composite resins can last between 7 and 10 years. But more importantly, their bond with your teeth actually works to support your tooth’s natural structure. That means extra protection from breakage and temperature changes, but more than that, it means more of your natural tooth can be left in place. And with more of your natural tooth left in place, you can look forward to a healthier smile years down the road.

Cosmetic Teeth Whitening

2010-09-08T14:56:00.000-07:00

September 8 , 2010
Cosmetic dentistry has gained a wide popularity since they offer you with various methods in making your smile much attractive while also helping to correct the imperfections in your teeth. The process of teeth whitening helps in vividly changing the appearance of your teeth that have lost their shine with passing time.
The availability of many teeth whitening methods and products itself is enough to prove the strong urge among people to have such bright teeth which can make them look more appealing. Discus Dental ‘s ZOOM Teeth Whitening method is an effective process that helps in whitening your teeth by a few shades in no time.
Like other teeth whitening procedures, the dentist starts this process by first cleaning your teeth so as to remove any leftover food particles or debris that’s got stuck in between your teeth. Then your dentist will apply some teeth whitening gel on your teeth. From here, our ZOOM teeth whitening method differs from the general methods. A special light activates the whitening agents present in the gel so that your teeth can get rid of various spots and stains without spending much time in the dentist’s chair.
This costs incurred can largely depend on the stain formation on your body besides the amounts of discoloration your teeth have gone through. While the use of laser can help in getting faster results in fewer dental visits, you can feel safe and secured since the process is administered by a professional

East Brewster Dental Implant Team Can Make You Look And Feel Younger

2010-07-05T17:07:00.000-07:00

East Brewster Dental Implant Team Can Make You Look and Feel Younger
June 22 , 2010
Everyone needs regular and apposite dental care in the universe. Any lack of dental care, leads to severe oral disease. This leads to bad breath. The regular checkup of dental care is not only for humans, but is prominent in the regular poodles as well. You should not allow your dog to suffer from diseases and hence taking enough care of your dog by visiting a veterinarian on a routine and checking the cleaning procedure is essential. You can also ask your doctor to demonstrate the cleaning of your dog’s teeth and cleaning at home is also essential.
An implant dentist is like a magician. Using a wand of implant dentistry, an implant dentist completely alters your outlook. Any missing tooth creates an empty space and restoration of a missing tooth enhances your look and you feel and look natural. An implant dentist effectively works for the restoration of your appearance and filling of the missing tooth space. This is done by evaluating the space and the bone strength. The earlier the space is occupies, it is the best. The implant dentist definitely alters your outlook and helps in sustaining the shape of your face. Moreover, the implant dentistry gives you a natural feel like your original tooth. They are fixed also in a short period of time and function for more than10 to 15 years.
Dr. Herb Bader and Dr. Stephen Bellorini focus on Implant Dentistry, Restorative Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentistry, Sedation Dentistry and dental implants. Call us to receive a free report “The Miracle of Dental Implants!” Find out more on having the celebrity smile of your dreams – Go here: www.eastbrewsterdental.com

Oral Cancer

2010-02-27T13:36:00.000-08:00

Oral Cancer
These are two words that we, as dentists, hope they will never have to say to a patient. Oral cancer kills one American every hour of every single day. A number of famous people have become victims of oral cancer, among them Babe Ruth, Sigmund Freud, Bill Blass and Jack Klugman. We know that when a lesion is found in the mouth that may be squamous cell carcinoma, there is a 50% to 70% chance that the patient may not live past the next five years. They will also need radical surgery and major reconstruction that runs into the hundreds of thousands of dollars and causes immeasurable pain and suffering.
By the way, the number one finding of a recent dental patient survey done by the Crown Council was that patients want to hear more about oral cancer. CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta recently did a story on oral cancer. Consumers are ready to get involved with learning more about their mouths and certainly want to be involved with oral cancer prevention.
When you look at other cancer awareness programs, some organizations have done an absolutely outstanding job at creating a very high awareness of certain types of cancer. Every woman knows how to do a breast cancer self-exam and routinely goes for mammograms, and everyone over the age of 50 knows that it is time to go for a colonoscopy. These types of self-examinations and screenings have helped to save many, many lives over the years and have reduced the mortality rate of these dreaded cancers very substantially.
An established self-examination for oral cancer would be a huge help in finding abnormalities or incipient oral cancer lesions early on. This kind of self-examination, much like a breast examination or a skin examination, is easy to do, does not require any special equipment and will help familiarize people with their own mouths. The primary benefit is early detection of any unusual lesions in the patients’ mouths and the secondary benefit would be consumers becoming much more familiar with their mouths, which would prompt them to seek treatment for oral health issues that they usually ignore.
Oral cancer is one of the most curable diseases when it's caught early. That's why the ViziLite Plus exam has been developed.ViziLite Plus uses technology that has proven successful in identifying soft tissue abnormalities in other areas of the body. A ViziLite Plus exam is particularly important if you are at increased risk for developing oral cancer.

The ViziLite Plus exam can help us identify abnormal tissue, that might develop into oral cancer.

An annual ViziLite Plus exam, in combination with a regular visual examination, provides a comprehensive oral screening procedure for patients at increased risk for oral cancer. The ViziLite Plus exam is painless and fast, and could help save your life.
Importance of Early Detection
Early detection is the key to reducing the devastating impact of oral cancer on victims and their families. Annual oral cancer screening of patients at increased risk for oral cancer, patients age 18 and older, and tobacco users of any age, is the only way to achieve the early detection of oral cancer necessary to reduce the death rate of oral cancer – a death rate that has remained unchanged for more than 40 years!

The chart below shows how the death rates of other types of cancers have dropped with routine visual/manual screening examinations followed by annual examinations with an adjunctive screening technology. As you can see, when patients at increased risk for breast cancer, prostate cancer and cervical cancer began receiving annual screenings with the mammogram, PSA test and Pap smear, respectively; there was a significant decline in the death rates due to these cancers.

Screening Technology & Year Introduced Decrease in Death Rates For the Period
Breast Cancer Mammogram - 1972 45%a 1972-1992
Prostate Cancer PSA Test - 1986 17.6%b 1993-2002
Cervical Cancer Pap Smear - 1952 70%-80%c 1950-1990
Oral Cancer ViziLite Plus- 2002 to be assessed
a.American Cancer Society
b.Canadian Medical Association CMAJ March 5, 2002:166 (5)
c.American Society of Clinical Pathology, ASCP.org 6-27-03

ViziLite Plus is performed immediately following a regular visual examination
• First, you will be instructed to rinse with a cleansing solution
• Next, the overhead lighting will be dimmed.
• Then, your dental professional will examine your mouth using ViziLite Plus, a specially designed light technology
________________________________________
Oral Cancer: Who's at Risk?
Doctors cannot always explain why one person develops oral cancer and another does not. However, we do know that this disease is not contagious. You cannot "catch" oral cancer from another person.
Research has shown that people with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop oral cancer. A risk factor is anything that increases your chance of developing a disease.
The following are risk factors for oral cancer:
Tobacco: Tobacco use accounts for most oral cancers. Smoking cigarettes, cigars, or pipes; using chewing tobacco; and dipping snuff are all linked to oral cancer. The use of other tobacco products may also increase the risk of oral cancer. Heavy smokers who use tobacco for a long time are most at risk. The risk is even higher for tobacco users who drink alcohol heavily. In fact, three out of four oral cancers occur in people who use alcohol, tobacco, or both alcohol and tobacco.
Alcohol: People who drink alcohol are more likely to develop oral cancer than people who don't drink. The risk increases with the amount of alcohol that a person consumes. The risk increases even more if the person both drinks alcohol and uses tobacco.
Sun: Cancer of the lip can be caused by exposure to the sun. Using a lotion or lip balm that has a sunscreen can reduce the risk. Wearing a hat with a brim can also block the sun's harmful rays. The risk of cancer of the lip increases if the person also smokes.
A personal history of head and neck cancer: People who have had head and neck cancer are at increased risk of developing another primary head and neck cancer. Smoking increases this risk. Quitting tobacco reduces the risk of oral cancer. Also, quitting reduces the chance that a person with oral cancer will get a second cancer in the head and neck region. People who stop smoking can also reduce their risk of cancer of the lung, larynx, mouth, pancreas, bladder, and esophagus. There are many resources to help smokers quit:
The Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER can talk with callers about ways to quit smoking and about groups that offer help to smokers who want to quit. Groups offer counseling in person or by telephone.
Also, your doctor or dentist can help you find a local smoking cessation program.
Your doctor can tell you about medicine (bupropion) or about nicotine replacement therapy, which comes as a patch, gum, lozenges, nasal spray, or inhaler.
The "National Cancer Institute Information Resources" section has information about the Federal Government's smoking cessation Web site, http://www.smokefree.gov.
Some studies suggest that not eating enough fruits and vegetables may increase the chance of getting oral cancer. Scientists also are studying whether infections with certain viruses (such as the human papillomavirus) are linked to oral cancer.
If you think you may be at risk, you should discuss this concern with us. You may want to ask about an appropriate schedule for checkups. Your health care team will probably tell you that not using tobacco and limiting your use of alcohol are the most important things you can do to prevent oral cancers. Also, if you spend a lot of time in the sun, using a lip balm that contains sunscreen and wearing a hat with a brim will help protect your lips.
2007…. stats
34,360 New Cases of Oral Cancer
Diagnoses estimated to be made this year in the U.S.
11,150 New Cases of Cervical Cancer
Diagnoses estimated to be made this year in the U.S.
- Estimated U.S. deaths from Oral Cancer in 2007: 7,550

- Compared to 3,670 estimated deaths from Cervical Cancer in 2007
- 25% of Oral Cancer patients have no risk factors
- The greatest increase of new Oral Cancer patients has occurred in patients under age 40
• Nearly 5-fold Increase in this age group
• Great majority have no risk factors
• Majority occur on the tongue
“The nearly 5-fold increase in young oral cancer patients under the age of 40, many with no traditional risk factors, underscores the need for thorough examination of all patients and increased awareness of this devastating disease

Dental Care And A New Diagnostic Tool For Oral Cancer
By Brian J. Gray, DDS, MAGD, FICO
According to the American Cancer Society, about 30,000 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed annually in the U.S. About half of those who have oral cancer die within five years. Early detection can make a dramatic difference in treating oral cancer at curable stages and reducing oral cancer deaths.
Early detection capabilities recently have been enhanced by a new computer-assisted oral cancer screening tool. A nationwide study of 945 patients ranging in ages from 18 to 83 was conducted by dentists at 35 U.S. academic dental care sites.
Brush biopsy specimens were obtained from oral lesions as part of the extensive research, testing the accuracy of computer-assisted diagnostic equipment. The brush biopsy caused little or no bleeding and no anesthetic was required. The computer-assisted image analysis was used to identify suspicious cells in the samples.
The computer analysis properly identified every case of pre-cancerous and cancerous lesions as confirmed by lab tests from their traditional tissue evaluations. Additionally, it also correctly identified some lesions that were benign in appearance, but were actually found to be pre-cancerous or cancerous. Had it not been for this new diagnostic equipment, they would have escaped detection and not received any additional oral cancer testing.
"Early evaluation of oral pre-cancerous lesions can have a dramatic impact on oral cancer mortality rates," says Dr. James J. Sciubba, DMD, PhD, professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology at State University of New York at Stony Brook, who also serves as a spokesperson for the study. Early-stage oral cancers are not easily detectable by visual inspection and may be overlooked.
The oral cancer scanner provides a new evaluation tool that can lead to a significant reduction in cancer deaths. An estimated 8,100 people will die from oral cancer this year. This new tool has shown remarkable merit as a reliable device in accurate diagnosis of oral cancer and a weapon in the fight against cancer.

Are Your Gums Getting Bigger ?

2010-02-27T13:33:00.000-08:00

Are Your Teeth Getting Bigger?
Signs and symptoms of periodontal (gum) disease include bleeding gums; red, swollen, or tender gums; gums that have pulled away from your teeth (this makes your teeth look bigger); pus between the gums when they are compressed; persistent bad breath or bad taste in the mouth; permanent teeth that are loose or moving apart; any change in the way the teeth fit together when the patient bites; and any change in the fit of dentures. Most people with diabetes do not experience pain with periodontal disease, however, and some can have periodontal disease and be asymptomatic (no symptoms).
People with diabetes are three times more likely than persons without diabetes to have destructive periodontal disease (gum disease), such as periodontitis. Periodontal disease progresses more rapidly and often is more severe in individuals with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

Gum disease is a bacterially induced chronic inflammatory disease that destroys non-calcified connective tissue and bone supporting the teeth and can lead to tooth loss. Recent research suggests a two-way connection between diabetes and periodontal disease. Not only are people with diabetes more susceptible to periodontal disease, but the presence of periodontal disease can worsen blood sugar control. In fact, proper care of the mouth can help people with diabetes achieve better blood sugar control.
Who Relies On DentistryForDiabetics©?
Frankly, a lot of diabetics are just not sufficiently motivated to do everything possible to manage their disease and maintain the best possible health for themselves. But a lot of patients tell us how glad their spouses and family members are that they explored the ways DentistryForDiabetics® doctors and dental health programs can help. After all, you don't deal with your diabetes in private. It worries and affects all those who care about you, live with you, travel with you, and rely on you. And you certainly do not want to be a burden to your loved ones - but, truth is, that's the reality, if not now in the future, if you fail to control your diabetes as best you can for as long as you can. Its nasty side effects can put you in a wheelchair with amputated limbs.... put you on dialysis for kidney failure....or incapacitate you with stroke. Diabetes sharply raises such risks - and poorly controlled diabetes raises these risks sky-high. Our patients tell us they understand these things and, rather than fear them or deny them, want to be aggressive and thorough in battling them - so they want the oral health advantage that only comprehensive care from a dentist thoroughly knowledgeable about the special needs of diabetic patients can provide!

Gum Disease Linked To Obesity

2010-02-27T13:27:00.000-08:00

Gum Disease Linked to Obesity

The obesity epidemic may be linked to high worldwide rates of gum disease, according to a new study conducted by researchers at Boston University and published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Researchers wrapped a material that had been infused with P. gingivalis, bacteria that causes gum disease, around the gums of both obese mice and mice of normal weight. They found that the obese mice had more bone loss than the leaner mice, indicating a more severe form of gum disease. They also had higher levels of P. gingivalis in their mouths, and lower levels of certain immune system chemicals that the body produces to help fight off infections.

"These data indicate that obesity interferes with the ability of the immune system to appropriately respond to P. gingivalis infection," the researchers wrote. They noted that the generalized immune system suppression seen in the obese mice might indicate that obese people are more vulnerable to bacterial infections in general than people of healthier weight.

Periodontal disease is incredibly common, affecting approximately 80 percent of adults around the world.

"The importance of the current findings is underscored by the facts that millions of people worldwide are affected by this infection every year," the researchers said, "and the universal prevalence of obesity has reached epidemic proportions."

Another recent study may also link gum disease to obesity. Researchers at the School of Dental Sciences at Newcastle University in the United Kingdom have discovered a connection between Type 2 diabetes, which is often correlated with obesity, and severe forms of gum disease.

"We found that periodontal disease was often of the more aggressive form in patients with diabetes," researcher John Taylor said. "It is possible that obesity may be compromising the immune response, leading to increased susceptibility to periodontal disease

October Newsletter

2009-10-28T17:39:00.000-07:00

This is our October Newsletter...just click on each image to make it big enough to read...and ENJOY!!!

Hilary
East Brewster Dental, LLC