Are You Concerned About Dental X-Rays?

Let us help calm your fears! We are concerned about radiation too, so we want you to have the facts you need to make an educated decision when it comes to your children.

We want you to know the truth about dental x-rays. Just to break it down for you, below is a chart of the radiation doses you receive from different x-rays. An annual maximum occupational exposure for radiation workers in the united State is 5,000 millirems (measure for radiation). When you spread low doses out over a period of time, it's not as destructive to the body because it has time to recover.

High dose group includes:

*Mammography =1000

*Pelvimetry = 875

*Lower spine = 450

*Middle spine = 347

Medium dose group includes:

*Abdomen = 147

*Ribs = 143

*Pelvis = 133

*Skull = 78

*Hip = 72

Low dose group includes:

*Neck = 52

*Femur = 21

*Full Mouth dental series (digital) = less than 1

*Dental Bitewing (digital) = less than .05

To put this in perspective, you would need to have 2000 dental x-rays to equal the radiation in 1 mammogram. To reach that maximum safety dose, we would have to take approximately 10,000.

On average, people receive 3 dental bitewings worth of radiation a day just from being outside in the sun, around concrete buildings or roads. These are some studies produced by radiologists saying that low doses may actually reduce cancer risks. Knowing how low the dose is, lets talk about the benefits of dental x-rays.

Here are just a few:

*detecting hidden decay

*detecting the presence of a cyst or tumor

*determining the presence of permanent teeth

*detecting oral cancer

*detecting root involvement with the sinuses

*helping to determine whether or not to remove primary teeth

*determining if extra teeth are present

The list goes on and on. We hope you feel safe and secure when your child gets his or her next set of dental x-rays!

Children May Also Need Mouth Guards

Dental hygienists can provide guidance by identifying children who are at increased risk of dental trauma and discussing this risk with them and their parents. The permanent dentition of children begins to erupt around the age of 6-7 years. Children with permanent dentitions who have an increased overjet are at higher risk of dental trauma. A normal overjet is 0 -3 mm. Children who have twice the normal overjet 3-6 mm, experience twice the number of injuries to the teeth. These children are easy to identify and dental hygienists should educate them and their parents about the increased risk of dental trauma and provide guidance on what to do if an oral injury occurs.

These children with increased overjet should wear protective mouthguards when playing contact sports. Typically, kids will only wear mouthguards when they are required to, but many injuries occur when playing unorganized sports, such as skateboarding, riding a bicycle or even jumping on a tramapoline. Dental hygienists should encourage children with increased overjet to wear a mouthguard even during these everyday activities.

Treating Pregnant Patients

Dental professionals have long worried about treating pregnant patients because the effects of oral health care on fetuses are not well understood. In 2006, the Obstetrics and Periodontal Therapy Trial was conducted through funding from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. This study determined that providing dental and periodontal care to pregnant patients did not cause an increase in preterm births or any other significant complications. A new study followed up on the study participants and their children. Researchers administered cognitive and language tests to the children of 411 inital study participants. Study authors found that the children of mothers who received dental care during pregnancy were at the same neurodevelopmental level as the children of control group mothers, demonstrating that dental treatment of pregnant women does not result in any negative effects on their children.

The opposite effect can be true, with the increase of pre-term births and low birth weight babies among women who have periodontal disease. Therfore, it is so important to have good oral care while pregnant - so go out there and make that dental appointment to get your teeth clened.

Smoking and Risk for Periodontitis

The impact on periodontitis by smoking is alarming. Thirty percent of Americans have moderate to severe periodontitis; this represents approximately 93 million people. In addition, the institutions that we trust to keep our statistics up to date have warned that our current estimates under-represent the number of actual cases of periodontitis by as much as 50 percent. Suddenly, it seems that periodontitis is even more prevalent that we once thought.

If so many people have periodontitis, what are the causes? We know that periodontal diseases are multi-factoral and can be impacted by systemic disease, medication, personal oral hygiene, and genetics, but the greatest single modifiable behavior associated with the disease is smoking. At least 20 percent of periodontitis cases are attributed to smoking.

It is common knowledge that smoking is a vasodilator, but less well-known is that smoking heavily influences the immune response, in more ways than decreased blood flow. For instance, nicotine and carbon monoxide found in cigarette smoke negatively influence wound healing. In fact, patients who smoke are expected to respond less favorably, or unfavorably to periodontal treatment.

The Surgeon General has made statements recognizing the dangers of cigarette smoke, and has linked smoking to causation of periodontal disease. So while no formal name exists for smoking- induced periodontitis, we do know that smoking causes periodontitis in a dose-dependent relationship.

Fluoride Varnish

Fluoride varnish is one of the most common chairside treatments in the fight against dentin hypersensitivity. Applied chairside, fluoride varnish creates a barrier to adverse stimuli by occluding tubules through concentrated calcium fluoride on the tooth surface. This solidifies and blocks the open dentin tubules, reducing permeability and hypersensitivity.

Fluoride varnish is easily applied and although thorough drying of all tooth surfaces is recommended, varnish can set in the presence of saliva. Fluoride varnish's disposable unit-dose application provides for simple chairside treatment. These varnish products have also benefited from advances in flavor and color, which have increased patient acceptance.

Now with the use of fluoride varnish we have the ability to greatly improve the quality of life of our patients.

Oral Pathology

Meticulous examination and extensive documentation of existing conditions observed from intraoral and extraoral exams are imperative to the total assessment of paients for proper treatment planning. Lesions are often identified without the patient even knowing they exist because they are asymptomatic. It is the dental professionals responsibility to make every effort possible to detect suspicious lesions early and rule out the presence of oral cancer.

Suwanee Dental Care Blood Drive

Friday August 12, 2011 from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm there will be a Blood Drive being done by the American Red Cross. The Blood Drive will be at Suwanee Dental Care at 4355 Suwanee Dam Road , Suwanee Ga. 30024. Your donation will be highly appreciated. Please contact Linda Smith @ (770)614-7300 to schedule an appointment to donate !

Saving Stem Cells in Lost Teeth

One day the tooth fairy may save your life - that is, if your tooth fairy is an oral maxillofacial surgeon. About ten years ago, National Institutes of Health researchers discovered stem cells in dental pulp, cells that may hold keys to curing diseases like diabetes, heart failure, lupus, cancer, Parkinson;s and Crohn's. Some dentists may now offer patients the option of banking wisdom or other extracted teeth as "biological insurance" for potential regenerative therapies. These teeth are sent to a New York based laboratory called StemSave, which extracts, cryopreserves, and stores the stem cells. The cost is $590 for initial processing and $100 annually - a significant tab when there are no proven therapies yet.

Identifying Diabetes in the Dental Office

A team of nursing and dental researchers are investigating the possibility of using gingival crevicular blood as an indicator of diabetes. The team will look at the levels of hemoglobin A1C, a measurement for blood glucose, within the gingival crevicular fluid of patients with periodontal diseases. The hemoglobin A1C test is currently used to determine how well people with diabetes are managing their blood glucose levels and in the diagnosis of diabetes and diabetes risk. This study will use a testing kit originally developed for dental professionals to use with finger stick blood samples. The kit has been revised to accommodate oral blood as well as finger stick samples. The year long study will include 120 subjects who will provide one finger stick sample and one blood sample from a periodontal pocket if oral bleeding is present. Researchers will examine the laboratory results of both the finger stick samples and oral blood samples to see if there is a link between A1C levels.

Bacteria and Dental Caries

In order to find out more about the bacteria species that cause early childhood caries, investigators looked at the microbial composition of dental plaque in 42 children with early childhood caries and 40 children without dental caries. Results showed the presence of a pathogen that was not previously known to cause caries: Scardovia wiggsiae. Scardovia wiggsiae was associated with severe early childhood caries and were found in the mouths of children with early childhood caries even when Streptococcus mutans was not. Streptococcus mutans, Veillonella parvula, Streptococcus cristatus and Actinomyces gerensceriae were the other species found to be associated with early childhood caries. Streptococcus mutans and Scardovia wiggsiae were the main caries related species.

Bacteria and Orthodontic Retainers

Researchers in the United Kingdom investigated whether orthodontic retainers could be resevoirs for opportunistic pathogens. They found 50% of the retainers tested harbored microscopic pathogens. Candida species were found on 66.7% of the retainers and Staphylococcus species were found on 50% of the retainers. The study concludes that orthodontic retainers can be a source of cross, self-, and re-infection for opportunistic pathogens. Therefore, make sure your teeth are brushed and flossed well before putting the retainers in your mouth. Then when the retainers are removed, make sure that the retainers are brushed well to remove any new bacteria. This will help to prevent further recontamination.

Diet, Exercise, and Immune Function Among People with Obesity

Scientist at the Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine concluded that a healthy diet and moderate daily exercise may reverse immune system problems , which make it more difficult to fight infection, that are common among people with obesity. The study included four groups of mice, lean mice on a standard diet, obese mice on a high-fat diet, obese mice on a high-fat diet that performed moderate daily exercise for 1 month, and obese mice that performed moderate daily exercise and a standard diet for 1 month. The mice who exercised daily and consumed a standard diet experienced significantly restored immune function. Their cytokines were repaired and their ability to fight gingivitis (measured by bone loss) improved. Researchers emphasized the need to address both diet and exercise in order to improve immune function among people with obesity

Denture Patients Risk Toxic Levels of Zinc

Dentures that fit poorly may create a health hazard among those who overuse dental adhesives to keep the prosthesis in place. An article published in General Dentistry explains that zinc ingested at toxic levels can trigger nausea, stomachache and mouth irritation. We can play an important role in protecting patients against excessive zinc intake. It is recommended to encourage patients to be evaluated every 6 months to ensure dentures fit properly and explain to patients it may be necessary for the dentist to adjust the denture, reline it, or possibly remake the prosthesis. Furthermore, it is important to evaluate keratinized tissue, erythematous tissue, callous formation on the ridges as signs that should lead us to question the proper fit of the denture or prosthesis. Clinicians should remember to ask patients about a possible history of digestive-related irregularities.

Are you wearing your teeth away?

Have you noticed your teeth chipping , a shorter appearance to your teeth and possibly tooth pain? These are all signs of clenching or grinding your teeth. We are not always aware that we are clencing or grinding our teeth because it usually happens in our sleep. Some people may not be bothered by the physical appearance and choose not to treat these habits early on. Your dentist may suggest a night guard to protect your teeth while you are sleeping. A bite analysis may also be indicated to correct how the upper and lower teeth meet together. If not treated early by these measures, serious damage and symptoms can happen; for instance tmj pain, bad headaches and severe bite issues that are not only painful but can be cosmetically disfiguring too. So if you suspect you are grinding or clenching , early treatment and prevention is the best route.

Dr. Bill and Shelia 2011 Kenya Mission

Dr. Bill Williams , his wife Shelia and one of our SDC members Joan are off to Kenya for their 2011 mission trip. For the last several years Dr. Williams and Shelia Williams have been traveling to Kenya to provide Dental care and to teach the ways of our lord. Not only have they provided dental care but they have helped many others who were ill and even seen babies introduced into the world. They have established a facility in Kenya that started from nothing and has grown with the help of other mission volunteers and Kenya natives. Pray for them on their mission that great events happen and they return home safe .

SDC Diva Update 2011

This is an update on one of SDC's 2011 Divas. Our Diva Barbara has made great progress. Barbara is a diabetic so we had to be careful with how we approached her treatment.We were concerned with how high Barbara's blood sugar levels were. We started by removing badly decayed teeth and treating her periodontal disease. We were concerned that we may not be able to do the implants to replace her missing teeth because her blood sugar levels were so high and we may have to do removable partials instead. We waited to get the okay from her MD. before proceeding .To our amazement Barbara's sugar levels dropped greatly since we treated the infections going on in her mouth. We were able to place the implants and are waiting on healing. We can't wait to see the finished results!

Professional Implant Maintenance

Professional Implant Maintenance can reduce the potential for ensuing attachment loss. The goal is to remove plaque and calculus from the clinical crown surface as well as the surface of tooth structure adjacent to the sulcus or pocket.

The recommended instrumentation technique to debride the artificial anatomy, however, is quite different from periodontal instrumentation. Instruments used to remove plaque and calculus are often made of plastic or titanium. The purpose of using these plastic or titanium materials is to prevent or reduce scratching of the abutment or the inplant surface, which may increase the potential for increased plaque retention. A probing depth of greater than 3 mm in a periodontal pocket may hinder the patient's ability to adequately clean the area. Therefore, frequent periodontal maintenance appointments may be needed to maintain periodontal health.

Periodontal Risk Assessment

Periodontal Risk Assessment is a necessary part of the periodontal paradigm. The American Academy of Periodontology, AAR) asserts that risk assessment should be a part of every comprehensive dental and periodontal examination. Risk assessment goes beyond identification of the existence of disease and severity, and considers factors that may influence future disease progression. These risk factors include:

*Cigarette smoking,

*Diabetes,

*Poor oral hygiene,

*Periodontal pockets,

*Vertical bone loss,

*Furcation involvement,

*Subgingival calculus

*Restorations with subgingival margins

The Link bewteen Oral Inflammation and Systemic Health

The role that oral inflammation plays as a pathway to the rest of the body is becoming much better understood, making the control and prevention of gingivitis and periodontitis a critical part of optimal patient care.

The oral cavity is the portal to the rest of the body. Within the past decade, an emerging body of evidence has linked oral infections, primarily chronic inflammatory periodontitis to systemic conditions including atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer's disease, kidney disease, bacterial pneumonia and obesity. All of these systemic issues may have an inflammatory, infectious, and/or bacterial component in common with periodontitis.

The dental hygienist plays an important role in the total systemic health treatment of patients with periodontal infections. A complete evaluation can assess the patient's risk of the future development, progression or recurrence of inflammatory periodontal diseases. This is especially important if the patient has one or more systemic risk factors, such as smoking, hyperglycemia, high cholesterol, or a familial history of hyperlipidemia. Genetic factors may play a significant role in 50% of patients with periodontal diseases.

Instead of merely treating the patient to stop the initiation of progression of periodontitis, today we want to control periodontal infection and inflammation that may affect other regions of the body. The focus of periodontal treatment is to attack the chronic inflammation. Essentially, periodontal disease should be treated as oral inflammation that must be controlled for better oral and overall health. Dealing with the inflammatory response to the bacteria is a main paradigm shift in the treatment of the periodontal patient.

Main Causes of Bad Breath

Bad Breath, Halitosis, is a common dental and social problem affecting millions of people worldwide. Many studies have shwn that bad breath does affect a person's self-esteem and can damage career prospects.

Bad breath is mainly caused by volatile sulphur compound (hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, dimethyl sulfide, and dimethyl disulfide) that are produced by the metabolism of a group of oral bacteria.

These bacteria habitat in:

* between teeth and gums

* dental cavities

* food traps

* defective dental fillings or crowns, bridges and dentures

Other causes of bad breath are:

* gum disease

* oral infection

* social habits, like smoking

* food intake

Oral Cancer Screening

The statistics tell the story~ 34,000 people a year are diagnosed with oral cancer, and 7,500 die from it. Just half of those diagnosed survive five years, according to the American Cancer Society.

A typical oral cancer is life-threatening, largely because it's detected too late. Many consumers are not aware of oral cancer, even though it causes twice as many deaths as cervical cancer.

The American Dental Association is urging peope to seek screening for oral cancer.

The cornerstone of oral-cancer detection isn't a device, it's a 5 minute exam that can be done during your regular dental checkup.

*Look and feel inside the lips and the front of the gums

*Tilt the head back to inspect and feel the roof of the mouth.

*Pull the cheeks out to see inside surfaces and back of the gums.

*Feel for lumps and enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, including under the lower jaw.

Every dentist should do this on every patient every 6 months. About 10% of the patients have spots that need further investigation, but most turn out to not be cancer.

Oral cancers are strongly linked to smoking. People who smoke and drink heavily are at the highest risk. Chewing tobacco also may increase the risks. But about 25% of those diagnosed wih oral cancer don't use tobacco.

NuCalm~ Relaxation during Dental Treatment

NuCalm is a revolutionary technology proven to naturally relax the body without drugs. The NuCalm system causes effective, safe anxiolysis where a deep relaxed state is induced and maintained for the entire experience.

The benefits of NuCalm for dental treatment include:

*Significantly reduces patient's motor responses:

-reduced salivary flow

-reduced gag reflex

-reduced white knuckling

-reduced jerking, or startled responses

-reduced muscle tension in the head and neck

*The anxious patient is manageable without being rendering chemically unconscious

*No narcotics or controlled substances are used

*The patient can come and go on their own with no recovery time or supervision required

*The patient's post treatment experience is a feeling of relaxation and rejuvenation

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month

Oral Cancer is on the rise in young adults who don't smoke and don't drink heavily. The main cause of oral cancer in young adults is due to HPV , " The Human Papilloma Virus ''. This is the same virus that is one of the main causes of cervical cancer in young women. This month at SDC we are offering oral cancer screenings with our velscope light for all our patients and to the public . The velscope can detect suspicious lesions before we can see them with our naked eye. Oral Cancer is one of the most treatable cancers when detected early , but one of the most disfiguring if not. For the month of April the cost of this test will be only $25, a small price for your future health. So give us a call at 770-614-7300 to schedule your sreening.

Microdentistry

Don't wait for a cavity to grow.If you have deep or stained grooves in your teeth you could have hidden cavities there.Here at SDC we have the technology to find cavities at there smallest.Some dentists choose to observe a tooth before putting a filling in it until they can get a tacky feeling in it with their explorer instrument. By the time they are able to do this,not only do you need a filling but now a big one.With our Diagnodent cavity detector we can find the very beginnings of a cavity before it gets to the inner part of the tooth which can often lead to huge fillings,rootcanals or possible tooth lose . So don't wait! Here at SDC we practice Microdentistry, we simply clean out the small cavity and put a small composite microfilling to seal out decay to assure no further damage will be done to the tooth. Learn more at Suwaneedentalcare.com.

Don't Forget to Replace Power Brush Heads

We have all been taught to change out our manual toothbrushes every 3 months, but how many of us think about changing our power toothbrush heads? Patients often assume the brush heads on power toothbrushes don't need to be changed until they stop working. Not so! Most manufacturers recommend changing brush heads at the same interval of 3 months whenever toothbrush bristles begin to show wear. Some power brushes include an "indicator bristle" that loses color as tie elapses. Germs accumulate on and in between the bristles of a toothbrush and no matter how well a brush is cleaned, bacteria harbor in and around the filaments. Sanitizers that are designed to kill 99.9% of bacteria have been incorporated into many rechargeable toothbrushes, but they do not stop the normal wear and tear of bristles. As dental hygienists, it is our responsibility to educate the public about the need for systematic changing power toothbrush heads in order to ensure oral health and effective plaque removal.

Obesity, Physical Fitness and Periodontitis

A new research study performed at the Fukuoka Health Promotion Center in Japan, investigated the relationship between obesity, physical fitness and periodontitis. The study looked at 1,160 participants. The body mass index and percentage of body fat were used as indicators of obesity. Maximal oxygen consumption was used as an indicator of physical finess. Participants with a Community Periodontal Index code of 3 or 4 were defined as having severe periodontitis. Researchers found that the subjects who were phyically fit and at a healthy weight had the lowest risk of severe periodontitis.

Reptile Study Shows Teeth Can Thrive Without Periodontal Ligament

Researcher's understanding about how to prevent damage to dental implants has taken a step forward through observation of a reptile that has teeth fused directly into its jaw. The Tuatara resembles a lizard in appearance but unlike reptiles or mammals the Tuatara has no periodontal ligament to help hold teeth in place. Researchers based in the United Kingdom launched an investigation of the Tuatara to better understand how actions between the jaw, muscles and brain can prevent damage to dental implants and jaw joints. Tuataras live more than 60 years in the wild without replacing their teeth. The study team used a three-dimensional computer model to analyze data about the interaction between the Tuatara's jaw joint and muscles. They discovered the animals can unconsciously measure the forces in their jaw joint and make adjustments to the strength of the jaw muscle contractions accordingly. Researchers concluded that while the study crystallizes the reason individuals who have dental prostheses are able to process feedback in the brain and guide their bite force relative to the food being eaten, it also underscores the value of the periodontal ligament in making fine adjustments for chewing.

Gum Disease Found to be Significant Public Health Concern

The prevalence of periodontal disease in the United States may be significantly higher than originally estimated. Research published in the Journal of Dental Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) suggests that the prevalence of periodontal disease may have been underestimated by as much as 50%. The implication is that more American adults may suffer from moderate to severe gum disease that previously thought.

In a National Health and Nutrtion Examination Survey (NHANES) pilot study, funded by the CDC's Division of Oral Health, a full mouth , comprehensive periodontal examination was conducted on over 450 adults over the age of 35. Periodontal disease was classified according to definitions determined by the CDC in collaboration with the AAP. The prevalence rates were then compared against the results of previous NHANES studies which used a partial-mouth periodontal examination. Historically,NHANES has served as the main source for determining prevalence of periodontal disease in US adults. The pilot study finds that the original partial-mouth study methodology may have underestimated true disease prevalence by up to 50%.

Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the gum tissue and other structures supporting the teeth. If left untreated, it can lead to tooth loss, and may also interfer with other systems of the body. Several research studies have associated gum disease with other chronic inflamatory diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and rheumatoid arthritis.

This study shows that periodontal disease is a bigger problem than we all thought. It is a call to action for anyone who cares about his or her oral health. Given what we know about the relationship between gum disease and other diseases, taking care of your health isn't just about a pretty smile. It has bigger implications for overall health, and is therefore a more significant public health problem.

Increased prevalence of periodontal disease makes it essential to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Not only should you take good care of your periodontal health with daily tooth brushing and dental flossing, you should expect to get a comprehensive preiodontal evaluation every year. A dental professional will diagnose, treat and help you prevent gum disease, and will conduct the comprehensive exam to access your periodontal disease status.

This study suggests we have likely underestimated the prevalence of periodontal disease in the adult US population. We are currently utilizing a full-mouth periodontal examination to better understand the characteristics of periodontal disease in our adult population. Research suggests a connection between periodontal health and systemic health. In light of these findings, understanding the relationships between periodontal disease and other systemic diseases in the adult population is more crucial than ever.

Dental Fear

Fear of the dental office keeps many people from seeking the consistent oral health care they need. A study conducted at the University of West Virginia looked at patients' subjective experience of dental pain. Researchers surveyed a population of 79 patients who underwent an emergency extraction about their anxiety and pain before, during, and 2 weeks after the procedure was completed. Participants were also asked to rate their level of anxiety and fear of pain. All study subjects exaggerated their memory of the pain experienced during the procedure but only those who were noted as highly anxious also exaggerated their memory of anxiety. The patients in the highly anxious category also reported more pain before undergoing the procedure and said they had expected more pain.

Silent Nite Snore Prevention

It is estimated that more than 80 million people in North America snore while sleeping. Considering the snorer's spouse and children , as many as 160 million people are negatively affected by snoring every night. However , there is now a prescription for a more restful night's sleep. Silent Nite Dentists can prescribe this affordable , custom-made device, which is flexable , thin and comfortable in the mouth , to aid in the dissolution of snoring. Not only does the Silent Nite snoring device aid in a good night's sleep , it exhibits documented clinical success for the prevention of annoying and unhealthy snoring. Ask your dentist today about Silent Nite for a more restful and healthy sleep.

Getting ready for the dentist

Parents always ask me when they should take their child for their first dental visit.Getting your child learning good dental health from an early age will greatly make them better dental patients. By teaching your child at an early age the importance of good brushing , healthy snacks vs. unhealthy snacks, and how dangerous the plaque and sugar bugs are to their teeth , you pave the way for a good experience. One of the best ways you can do this is by reading to your child and talking about what to expect at this dental visit.It's fear of the unkown and a parents own view of the dentist that can greatly impact this first visit. Always talk positive and try not to use words such as bad, hurt and pain when describing the dentist. There are also some great books available about going to the dentist. Alot of dental offices will let you bring your child in for a happy visit. At this visit your child can get familiar with the atmosphere and meet the staff before any hands on treatment is done. At age three your child should have all their baby teeth and be able to cooperate to simple instructions , this can vary from child to child though. Giving you child a great dental future all starts at home with early education. Learn more at suwaneedental.com.

Meeting the 2011 Diva's

I recently had the pleasure of meeting our 2011 SDC Diva's. I am working on all three Diva's periodontal health so that they all have a good solid foundation to build their beautiful new smiles upon. These three woman all have incredible stories to tell about their lives which makes them all quite the deserving Divas. Even though these woman are all very different, they all have great strength and have given all of themselves to help the people they love. We here at SDC are proud to give these three ladies the gift of a beautiful, pain free smile.Follow us at suwaneedental.com to see these Diva's transform their smiles.

Tooth Nerves Protected by ToothPaste

Dentists have a new treatment for patients suffering from tooth pain and sensitivity caused by excessive tooth whitening, drinking acidic sports drinks and sodas, or stress-related tooth grinding.

The treatment, which will be introduced at the Chicago Dental Society conference this month, is a new toothpaste that contains a nerve-protecting ingredient.

Tooth sensitivity is caused when the dentin layer below the enamel is exposed. Staw-like dentin tubules transmit pain to the tooth's nerve when exposed to heat or cold, acidic soft drinks or bleach in tooth whiteners.

The protective ingredient, called NovaMin, contains a" calcium phosphate molecule that in the presence of saliva, lays down a barrier" and prevents the transmission of pain to the nerve, says Linda Niessen, dentist and chief clinical officer for Dentsply International, which is partnering with GlaxoSmithKline on the NUPRO Sensodyne paste that contains NovaMin.

For now, the paste will be administered at dental offices for immediate relief of sensitivity and pain caused by exposed dentin. A high-fluoride commercial toothpaste containing the ingredient will be available this summer.

"Toothy Toys" Exhibit at the National Museum of Dentistry

A fun, new exhibit called "Open Wide! Toothy Toys that Made Us Smile" ran from November 6 to January 30, 2011 at the National Museum of Dentistry in Baltimore. Open Wide! featured a variety of toys, dolls, puzzles, and character toothbrushes with a dental theme from the 1940's to the 1990's. With more than 50 objects on display , the exhibit had a PlayDoh Dr. Drill-n-Fill, an Evil Knievel rocket toothbrush and a dentist Barbie. The museum also offered a hands-on area where guests could play dental-themed games such as Crocodile Dentist and Mr. Mouth.

Curated by Dr. Elaine M Miginsky, DDS, a general dentist and collector of dental toys, the show drew from from her own personal collection as well as the museum's 40,000 piece collection of dental related items. Miginsky shared the story of her dental toys collection at the opening of the exhibit on November 6, 2010.

Herpes and Oral Cancer

Onco VEX, the virus that causes cold sores (herpes simplex 1) has been used in small scale study to treat patients with mouth, neck and head cancer. Researchers injected the virus into the affected lymph node of 17 patients with mouth, neck or head cancer. The virus was injected in up to four doses. In 14 patients, tumor shrinkage was noted, and more than 75% of these patients did not show any signs of cancer in the treated lymph nodes. Two years later, more than 75% of the patients were still living. Because these cancers are typically aggressive with a high rate of recurrence, the results are promising. The researchers suggest that larger trials are warranted to further study this technique.

Tongue Piercings

People with barbell stud piercings in their tongues often have the unconscious habit of pushing the appliance against their front teeth. Researchers at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, Buffalo, NY, presented a case study that showed this habit can cause a diastema between the front teeth. The 26 year-old woman, who was the subject of the study, wore a barbell stud in her pierced tongue for 7 years. During that time, she habitually pushed the barbell stud against her front teeth, eventually creating a space between her front teeth. The woman needed a fixed brace appliance to close the space. Besides creating a need for orthodontic treatment, the authors noted that tongue piercings can also create serious side effects, such as hemorrhage, chipped and cracked teeth, and injury to the gums.

Older Adults and Oral Health Care Expenses

Researchers at the University of Maryland Dental School in Baltimore studied, 10,582 public health records of those enrolled in Medicare who live in community-based homes to determine the effect of providing preventative oral health care services to this population. The analysis showed that Medicare beneficiaries who received regular preventative oral care visited a dental provider more often but had lower dental expenses overall than those who saw a dental professional for oral health problems only. They also had fewer visits for expensive non-preventative procedures.

Therefore if you go regularly for your preventative maintenance visits, in the long run you will spend less than those that only go when they have a problem. So, since February is Dental Health Month ~ Call and make you dental appointment today!!

Your Dentist Can Make a Difference in the Prevention and Early Detection of Oral Cancer

It is estimated that 36,540 new cases of oral cancer will be diagnosed in the US in 2010 and approximately 7,880 people will die from this disease. Oral cancer amounts for approximately 3 percent of cancers in men and 2 percent of cancers in women, and occur most frequently in black males. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, oral cancer kills roughly one person per hour, 24 hours per day and the survival rate has not significantly improved in over five decades. Although detection and treatment are possible at the early stages, most oral cancers are moderately advanced at the time of diagnosis, influencing treatment and prognosis. The cost of treating head and neck cancers each year amounts to approximately $3.2 billion.

There are multiple risk factors for oral cancer, including age, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, HPV infection, exposure to ultraviolet radiation and a diet low in fruits and vegetables. Although most cases of oral cancer occur in people older that 45, data on the incidence of oral cancer has shown a substantial increase in those younger than 40 . While most oral cancers can be prevented by avoiding risk factors, it is noteworthy that approximately 25 percent of oral cancer occurs in those with no risk fctors. The American Cancer Society recommends the primary care physicians and dentists examine the mouth and throat as part of a routine cancer-related exam. Also, people at high risk for oral cancer should perform monthly self-examinations using a mirror to check for signs and symptoms of cancer in the mouth and throat.

We at Suwanee Dental Care will work together to reduce the incidence of oral cancer, to improve early detection practices, and to create an environment that supports saving lives as a practice priority.

Loyal Patient Rewards

We have found a great way to say "thanks" for choosing us to be your dentist. It's our Loyal Patient Rewards, a great new way to save lots of money on the things we all want and enjoy - travel, entertainment and brand name merchandise! And of course it is free as our thank you gift. This program offers guaranteed savings for over 8500 hotels, 83000 restaurant offers, software, movie tickets, jewelry and giftcards. You earn your Loyal Patient Rewards every single month for just being our patient. However there are many more ways to earn additional rewards such as:

*attending appointments as scheduled

*returning if you have been gone awhile

*having any cosmetic or other elective procedure

*telling a friend about our practice

*a healthy check-up

You can easily earn over $1,000 in rewards each year. Get rewarded right now by calling our office and scheduling an appointment today!

Do you want a simple way to look 10 years younger?

Did you know that by updating and improving your smile you can look 10 years younger? It can be something as simple as whitening your teeth or smoothing some rough, uneven edges to orthodontics or even veneers. Having a healthy, beautiful smile can be a non-surgical facelift! Come in to our office for a Smile Analysis and we will go over your options so that your smile can look 10 years younger too!

Sensitive Teeth - Your dentist can put a stop to that

Now your dentist or hygienist can easily eliminate tooth sensitivity caused by enamel erosion. The most common cause of sensitive teeth is the exposure of the sensitive part of the tooth called the "dentin". The dentin is made up of thousands of microscopic passageways that lead to the tooth's nerve center. These passageways, known as tubules, are normally covered and protected by the tooth's enamel and the surrounding gums. But when the dentin is exposed, and your teeth come in contact with something hot, cold or sweet, the tubules carry the sensation directly to the tooth's nerves and cause pain.

There are several types of "desensitizers" that stop sensitivity. First they mimick the protective action of the tooth's enamel by plugging and protecting the tubules so that sensitivity and pain disappear. The more deeply the tubules are blocked, the deeper and longer lasting the desensitization.

The enamel where the tooth meets the gum can become worn away, either by hard brushing or by the natural effects of aging, causing exposure of dentin. which results in hypersensitivity. These "desensitizers" are specially formulated to quickly, simply and painlessly stop the sensitivity and prevent it from recurring. Ask us about it at your next dental visit.

The Wand- Computer Controlled Anesthetic Delivery

The Wand conquers the pain and anxiety of dental injections. The microprocessor inside The Wand automatically ensures a steady flow rate regardless of tissue density. Constant, slow flow is one key to virtually pain-free injections. The computer provides a flow of anesthetic directly ahead of the needle. This creates a pathway of anesthesia so you hardly feel the needle at all.

The source of discomfort for most injections, however, isn't the needle, it's the flow of the anesthetic into your tissue. The Wand delivers the anesthetic at an optimal flow rate for a comfortable injection.

We've taken the Fear, Anxiety and Pain our of Dental Anesthetic. We know that some patients get more nervous than others do at the mere site of a needle and syringe. That's why this office now performs anesthetic injections with a revolutionary system called The Wand. It doesn't look like a syringe. It doesn't feel like a syringe. The Wand allows injections that do not numb the lips, face and muscles of expression. Whether injections make you nervous or not, The Wand helps us provide a more effective anesthetic delivery and the onset of anesthesia is often faster.

A more pleasant dental experience The Wand is an excellent example of our efforts to bring you helpful dental technology, and to aid all of our patients to have a pleasant, positive visit to our office. Feel free to ask us if you'd like to know more about this remarkable system.

Start your new year with a great smile.

We all have NEW Year resolutions , why not start the year with a great smile? Not only is it important to have healthy gums and teeth , but having a great smile makes for a great first impression. You might be looking for that new job or that someone special. In either case there are many easy ways you can improve your smile, from whitening , veneers, invisalign or just simply recontouring the shape of your teeth. Changing your smile does not have to be costly. Find out ways you can change your smile by visiting us at suwaneedental.com.

VELscope - the Oral Cancer Screening System

The VELscope System is a revolutionary hand-held device that provides the dentists, hygienists and other oral health care professionals with an easy-to-use adjunctive mucosal examination system for the early detection of abnormal tissue. It is based on the direct visualization of tissue fluorescence and the changes in fluorescence that occur when abnormalities are present. Under the examination with the VELscope, abnormal tissue typically appears as an irregular, dark area that stands out against the otherwise normal, green fluorescence pattern of surrounding healthy tissue.

Oral cancer kills one person every 24 hours a day in North America. The incidence of oral cancer increased 11% in the United States in 2007. The overall 5 year survival rate for oral cancer is 52%, but when discovered early, it increases to 80-90%. Unfortunately, only 35% of oral cancer cases are diagnosed in the early stages.Pre-malignant changes actually start below the surface, at the basement membrane. These changes may not be apparent to the naked eye until the disease progresses to the surface.

The VELscope System can single out suspicious tissue and early discovery can save lives. Ask us about the Velscope Oral Cancer Screening System today!