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.