New CDC Study

A new study by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that nearly half of US adults have some level of periodontal disease . The study found that about 47% of US adults aged 30 years and older have gum disease . In adults aged 65 years and older , an estimated 70 % have gum disease . The study , conducted on 3,743 adults shows the prevalence of periodontal(gum) disease is high – nearly half of all American adults have gum disease , and the percentage increases to nearly three fourths of older adults . Among the key findings of the study were that for adults 30 years old and older , 8.7% have mild gum disease , 30% have moderate and 8.5% have severe gum disease. The percents are higher in males, Mexican descent , with under a high school education , income below 100% of federal poverty levels and current smokers , these were the factors that increased the likelihood of more severe gum disease.

Mothers Linked To Teen Decay

Early maternal enabling factors(education , cognitive abilities , psychological stress) and psychosocial factors(stress , coping , social support) are important predictors of adolescent decay according to a study published in the September issue of Journal of Dental Research .Researchers examined the teeth of 224 adolescent participants and found that children having access to dental insurance , fluoride treatments and sealants when they were younger did not always prevent them from developing decay by the time they were 14 years old . What they did find was that if the mothers had education beyond high school , were healthy emotionally and had knowledge about eating right then their children had healthier teeth . The researcher concluded that the moms needed to care for themselves physically and emotionally to help their children. The researchers used an analogy , such as the emergency instructions on airplanes that say that the mothers need to put on their masks first and then help their children…….how can a mother help her child if she passes out ?.......its all common sense but some mothers may need help .

Don't Trust Your Sweet Tooth !

Your sweet tooth may be a sugar hound when it comes to finding sugars in places like candies, cakes and soft drinks … but beware! There are decay-causing sweets hidden in places you may never have even considered. Take medicines for example. Many drugs, both over-the-counter and prescription, contain sugar, especially cough syrups and lozenges. Even vitamins and antibiotic syrups can hide anywhere from 10-75% sugar. That's plenty enough to cause decay. Ever wonder why breath mints taste so good? Unless they say sugar-free, half of what you are sucking on may be sugar. Antacid tablets are another guilty sweet. They range from 10-50% sugar. You might as well have some candy. That's not all. Sugar isn't always called sugar. Many products contain sweets sugar-coated in exotic sounding names. Check labels for words like turbinado, invert sugar, coupling sugar, sorghum and cane syrup, corn syrup, fructose, glucose, galactose and lactose, honey, and raw or brown sugar. They're all really the same thing ... sugar! If you're serious about eliminating dental disease from your life, you're going to have to rely on more than your sweet tooth to avoid sugars. Read food labels carefully. You may even want to pack a magnifying glass so you can make out the small print. If you do eat anything that contains sugar, rinse your mouth immediately and brush as soon as possible .

So Many Choices !

It used to be easy to choose a toothpaste. Nowadays there are so many kinds, it can be confusing and difficult to decide which toothpaste is best suited for your smile. Here’s a helpful guide offering descriptions of different toothpastes and how they work: Tartar Control – These help prevent tartar (the hardened plaque that can lead to gum disease) from building up on teeth, and may even reduce it by as much as 36%. It is important to note that these toothpastes only remove tartar above the gumline and only a professional dental cleaning can remove it below the gumline. Baking Soda – With its mild abrasive action, baking soda helps to remove stains from teeth. These pastes don’t have any proven effect on periodontal disease, but because you may like the taste and feel of this kind of toothpaste, you might brush more often. Be careful though as excessive use may irritate your gums. Desensitizing – These products help decrease your tooth sensitivity to hot or cold drinks and food. They work by providing extra protection on exposed root surfaces of your teeth. It will take about four to six weeks of regular use before you notice any sensitivity improvement. You should have your sensitivity checked by us first, to be sure it is not the result of a more serious problem. Antibacterial – These brands control mild superficial inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) by reducing levels of bacterial plaque. They won’t reverse more severe gum disease. Whiteners – Whitening toothpastes can be abrasive on tooth enamel so do not use them exclusively. If you do want your teeth whitened, talk to us. These pastes really aren’t strong enough to make a difference. Regardless of which toothpaste you choose, you still need to brush at least twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush. It is also important to floss once a day, as even the best toothbrush and toothpaste can’t remove plaque trapped between teeth.

Risky Business Teeth Whitening

Believe it or not, people have been whitening their teeth for more than one hundred years. If it’s done right, whitening can be a safe, inexpensive, and dramatic way to whiten your smile. Techniques and materials have improved greatly over the years, and so have their whitening and stain-removing abilities. There are two approaches to whitening teeth. You can have it done in the dental office, or you can do your own whitening at home. Both are effective, but if you’re thinking of using a TV whitening kit, make sure you understand the risks! No one can guarantee the results of whitening, but we are up-to-date on all the latest agents and techniques. We have better ways to control the potentially harmful effects, and can do the job faster and more effectively. We also have a lot of experience in determining which teeth are good choices for whitening and which ones need other treatments. Stains can be caused by many things that can’t be helped by whitening, such as decay and amalgam fillings. Some do-it-yourself tooth whitening products advertised on TV work in much the same way as our whitening products, but the results you get are not nearly as predictable. This doesn’t mean that TV home whitening doesn’t work ... they’re just a more risky choice.

Better Than Ever

If you’re in your fifties, you probably think of dentistry as the science of drilling and filling. But if you take a careful look at the dental office on your next visit, you’ll notice that a lot more time is being spent on the look of teeth than ever before. With modern dental care, teeth are staying healthier longer, and cosmetic techniques are getting faster, better and less expensive. That explains why a lot of people in their fifties and older are investing in esthetically enhanced smiles. Many of them are finding that altering the shape, color or position of teeth not only improves appearance and function, but also the way they feel about themselves. There are a number of cosmetic services to consider. Bonding and contouring can deal with deep-rooted stains or patch up small cracks or chips and can even fill gaps and reshape teeth. Whitening can give just about anyone a brighter, whiter smile. For teeth that are extensively discolored or chipped, veneers or crowns can restore teeth to their original shape, function, and look. If your smile is suffering because of missing teeth, implants may be the answer. For teeth that are crooked, orthodontics may be the answer. Their popularity explains why more than 40% of orthodontic patients are over 18. More people than ever before are realizing that it’s never too late for the perfect smile !

New Trends In Laser Dentistry

This article will present the new development of laser dentistry and its practice in Brewster , MA.. Well known dentist, Stephen Bellorini, has taken laser dentistry to unparalleled heights in the practice of modern dentistry. He has utilized several different methods in dental treatment that has proven to be more efficient and less costly for the patient. Here are some of the areas that have been improved on. One of the most needed improvements in dental procedures has been the reduction of pain and discomfort during routine office visits. Next, lasers help in the early detection of cavities, thus reducing the need for returning to the dentist for costly fillings. Other improvements include gum treatment for gingivitis and periodontal disease, implant surgeries, biopsies and ulcers. When laser surgery is done vs. traditional procedures, there is less chance for pain and infection. Traditional surgical tools cause more discomfort and increase the length of time spent during the procedure. Keep in mind that anesthesia is used with traditional surgical methods, thus increasing the cost of dental work. Given the fact that lasers are relatively new in dental work and may currently cost more, once established by the dental community and given enough time, these costs will be minimized. In addition to reducing surgical costs, laser surgery can also reduce the need for repeated office visits since the surgical procedures with laser methods are more efficient. Reduced visits to the office save money for the patient. There are further developments being made in dentistry due to new laser technology. Laser teeth whitening has been a remarkable means for improving cosmetic looks. It is an easy way to whiten teeth and is less costly than buying other more expensive products that have similar results. Soft tissue surgery has found relief through laser technology. The other method of surgical tools can be painful and cause bleeding. Therefore, with lasers, the treatment of gum disease is much easier and the healing process is faster. Healing is faster because lasers reduce the spread of bacteria and this prevents infection. This is an important reason why laser methods in dentistry are long overdue. Perhaps one of the more interesting and valuable discoveries in laser work involves the more simple processes and reasons for visiting the dentist. The main reason most people visit their dentist is for routine checkups. Now lasers are capable of removing tooth decay and cavities. The laser can also detect early cavities and eliminate them before they become a dental problem for the patient. The more laser procedures are used by dentists, the more savings there will be for the average patient. In addition, the more often lasers are used in dental work, the more likely people will make an appointment to visit their dentist. The most prevalent reason individuals avoid going to the dentist is due to pain and discomfort they experience on routine office visits. If dentists are willing to implement more laser technology at the office and awareness in knowing lasers are being used by the profession, more people will seek dental treatment and care in general.