February is American Heart Month

Love yourself, love your mouth!  It is estimated that more than half of all adults in the United States have some form of periodontal disease (also known as gum disease).  Periodontal disease is sometimes a painless, but detrimental condition that can cause other health conditions.  There has been scientific evidence which states that plaque that builds up below the gum line is the same plaque that can clog arteries.  This type of condition is known as atherosclerosis.

In addition to heart conditions, periodontal disease is also linked to stroke, diabetes, low birth weight babies and still-births.

Everyone should treat the body as a whole.  The mouth is the pathway to one’s body. Flossing and brushing your teeth twice per day and  routine dental visits are key to a healthy body.  Call your dentist today to schedule your next cleaning and checkup! You’ll be glad you did.

Ami S. RDH – Eola Dental

Children’s Oral Health

 

What happens in February?  It’s the month of LOVE and who do we love more than life itself… our children!  As parents we strive to teach our children right from wrong. We teach them good habits that will last throughout their lifetime.  Some of those habits should include brushing and flossing daily and visiting the dentist regularly.

According to the National Children’s Oral Health Foundation, pediatric dental disease is 5 times more common than asthma and 7 times more common than hay fever. Untreated dental cavities can cause pain that can affect a child’s ability to sleep, eat and even learn.  Cavities left untreated in baby teeth can affect the development and placement (positioning) of permanent teeth.

So, developing good oral hygiene habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a jump start in maintaining a lifetime of good oral health.

Ami Spencer RDH  

Eola Dental

Oral Cancer

According to the American Cancer Society, 35,000 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed every year of which 25% of those afflicted will die of the disease. The ACS (American Cancer Society) also warns that oral cancer occurs as often as leukemia and claims more lives than melanoma and cervical cancer.   The new face of oral cancer is changing.  It is on the rise amongst women, younger adults and even non-smokers.

The risk factors for oral cancer are:

• People age forty and older are 95% of the newly diagnosed cases.
• Alcohol use
• Smoking
• Oral HPV (Human Papillomavirus)
• However, 25% of oral cancer occurs in individual who do not smoke or have any other risk factors.

Oral cancer has shown an increase within the female population. The ACS found a startling statistic: In 1950 the male to female ratio for oral cancer was 6-1. However, in 2002 it was 2-1.  Of those diagnosed with the disease only 50% will survive more than 5 years.  These are alarming figures!

The best way to help prevent oral cancer is to abstain from tobacco and alcohol use and visit your dentist regularly getting a complete oral exam of the entire mouth. There are several ways to screen for pre-cancerous and cancerous conditions. One of those screening methods that we employ at Eola Dental is fast, safe and effective.  First, the patient uses a special mouth rise. Next, the clinician uses a chemiluminescent light source to help identify any cancerous or pre-cancerous areas. If any suspicious areas are identified, a special blue dye is used to mark those lesions.  If any areas are of concern, then the patient is referred to the appropriate specialist.

The incidence of oral cancer is on the rise and can be a fatal if not diagnosted  and treated promptly. Therefore, early detection is crucial!

 

Early Orthodontic Intervention

Most parents will come to my dental office frequently asking about orthodontic treatment for their children.  They are curious as to whether or not their child will need braces and at what age their child should start treatment.

Because every child is different with different eruption patterns and habits, this can be a difficult question to answer.  However, the American Association of Orthodontics suggests that screening a child for orthodontic treatment should begin at age 7.  Although most children will not need early intervention, there are certain situations which may require early intervention beginning between ages 8-10. 

Some of these conditions which may require early intervention include:

• Finger sucking, thumb sucking or other habits
• Crossbites
• Severe overbites and overjet
• Crowding
• Impacted teeth
• Premature loss of baby teeth
• Over retained baby teeth
• Missing teeth
• Speech difficulties
• Children who are too shy to smile

For these children, early intervention can help prevent further complications and help make the outcome for orthodontic treatment more predictable.

To find out if your child needs early intervention, consult with your dentist or orthodontist.

Dinesh J. Patel D.D.S.- Eola Dental   Aurora, IL

The Importance of Dental Hygiene

One question you may ask yourself is, “Why do I need to have my teeth cleaned every 3, 4, or 6 months?” The answer is easy. It is to prevent periodontal disease, more commonly known as gum disease.

Periodontal disease is often a painless infection of the gum tissue and is the number one cause of adult tooth loss. The great news is that gum disease can be treated and in some cases reversed is diagnosed early. If not treated, gum disease can become more serious.

So how can we combat this problem? It can be achieved by getting regular cleanings and check-up visits by a dental professional along with daily brushing and flossing. Of course regular check-ups are important to help maintain a healthy smile, but did you know that studies have linked heart attacks, strokes, premature labor in pregnant women along with low birth weight babies and even stillborn births to gum disease and poor oral hygiene?

The bacteria composition of a person’s mouth is completely unique to them, so please follow the advice of your dental professional as to how often you should get your teeth cleaned. Some individuals need professional cleanings 3 or 4 times per year, while others need cleanings twice per year.

To help you maintain your beautiful smile, your dental professional will compile a treatment plan that is individualized just for you.

Ami-RDH

Eola Dental-Aurora, IL

Sports Guards

The Importance of Wearing a Sports Guard

Children as well as many adults love to play sports. Many of these sports that Americans enjoy participating in are contact sports. Although, a sense of healthy competition and physical activity are beneficial, there is always a risk of injury. For the sake of brevity, I will concentrate on the risk to mouth and jaw.

To protect the soft tissue like the tongue and cheek and to protect teeth and the jaw bone from injury, everyone, should wear a sports guard, especially children and teens whether they participate in contact or non-contact sports.

It has been noted that severe damage to primary and permanent teeth may arise if a blow to the mouth or jaw area occurs. A blow can occur from a bat, ball, elbow or even a fall.  However, the damage may not be identifiable immediately.  Most times it is not until after the permanent teeth come in that the damage can be assessed.

 A sports guard is a necessary, preventive measure to ensure that the athlete is protected and to help minimize any damage that may occur during competition. Although there are several different types of mouth protectors, consult your dental professional for more information about protecting yourself or your child with a custom-fitted sports guard.

Dinesh Patel D.D.S.

Importance of Bite Guards

In the past several years, more and more people have been grinding and clenching their teeth due to stress. We are living in worrisome times with high unemployment and legitimate concerns about our financial future. Stress from external forces cause an array of health problems, but one way it can manifest itself is through the clenching and grinding of teeth.

Not only does clenching and grinding cause sensitivity and loss of tooth structure, such as loss of enamel, it may lead to infection of the root tips. It can also create muscle tension and discomfort. Most people do not realize they are clenching and or grinding. It is a subconscious habit. People may clench during the day in somewhat stressful situations such as when stuck in heavy traffic, but many people are clenching and grinding during sleep.

So, what can be done to help prevent the effects of clenching and grinding? The best preventive measure is to wear a bite guard that is customized to the individual.  It is specially made for better protection, fit, comfort and longevity.

Interested in learning more about bite guards? Consult your dental professional for more information.

Dr. Dinesh J. Patel