Periodontal Disease

“The mouth is a mirror, it reflects general health or disease.”

If you have been diagnosed with periodontal (gum) disease, you’re not alone. An estimated 80 percent of American adults currently have some form of gum disease, ranging from simple gum inflammation to serious disease which results in major damage to the soft tissue and bone supporting the teeth. Not only is gum disease a threat to your oral health that can lead to tooth loss, but research also points to health effects of periodontal disease that go well beyond your mouth.

The Correlation Between Misaligned Teeth and Periodontal Disease

Did you know that a major cause of periodontal disease is poorly-aligned teeth? This is because the bacteria living in the gums around crowded teeth are much more toxic and destructive than the normal bacteria found in healthy mouths! In fact, the misalignment that leads to periodontal disease continues to remain one of the most overlooked risk factors by the General Practitioner’s office.

Research has shown that mouth infections and inflammation caused by periodontal disease can play havoc throughout the body. There is a proven association between periodontal disease and other chronic inflammatory conditions, such as:

• Diabetes

People with diabetes are more likely to have periodontal disease than people without diabetes, probably because diabetics are more susceptible to contracting infections. In fact, periodontal disease is often considered the sixth complication of diabetes. Diabetics who don’t have their diabetes under control are especially at risk.¹

• Stroke
  Additional studies have pointed to a relationship between periodontal disease and stroke. In one study that looked at the causal relationship of oral infection as a risk factor for stroke, people diagnosed with acute cerebrovascular ischemia were found more likely to have an oral infection when compared to those in the control group. PROVIDE LINK TO STUDY.
• Respiratory Infections
  Bacteria in your mouth can be aspirated into the lungs to cause respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, especially in people with gum disease.
• Severe Osteopenia
  Osteoporosis may lead to tooth loss because the density of the bone supporting the teeth may be decreased.
• Pre-term or Low Birthweight Babies
  Pregnant women who have periodontal disease may be seven times more likely to have a baby that is born too early and too small.  PROVIDE LINK TO STUDY.

“Invisalign helps patients who are prone to periodontal disease. It gives them the option to straighten their teeth without brackets and wires. Straighter teeth help keep plaque and tartar from building up.” –Sara David, Hygienist practicing in Phoenix, AZ

Treatment is Key

If your teeth are misaligned, it could be more than a cosmetic issue. Undergoing orthodontic treatment to straighten your teeth may be a critical part of ensuring your overall health.

Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment option that allows doctors to straighten teeth using a series of clear, removable, nearly invisible, plastic appliances called aligners. Since Invisalign is removable, you can brush and floss normally, which helps prevent periodontal disease and tooth decay. In fact, clinical studies have shown that gingival health may improve with the use of Invisalign during orthodontic treatment.²

Straighter teeth are Healthier Teeth

Straight teeth are healthier teeth and can lead to:

Healthier Gums

Properly positioned teeth are easier to brush and floss than teeth that are crowded, crooked, or spaced too far apart. Properly aligned teeth can help gums “fit” tighter around them, which may lead to better periodontal health³.

Easier Cleanings

“Oral Health is integral to General Health.” – Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General, 2000

With maintenance of good oral hygiene, the chances of having plaque retention, tooth decay, and periodontal disease can be reduced.

If your teeth are misaligned, Invisalign should be considered to straighten your teeth and help prevent periodontal disease—all without the hassle of brackets and wires.

Straighten your teeth and protect your health with Invisalign!

 

1. Journal of Periodontology, November 1999, Vol. 70, No. 11, Pages 1313-1321. Heightened Gingival Inflammation and Attachment Loss in Type 2 Diabetics with Hyperlipidemia. Christopher W. Cutler, MD, Robert L. Machen,RaviJotwani, Anthony M. Iacopino.

2.   Presented at the AADR in San Antonio, Effect of Invisalign^® Aligners on Periodontal Tissues, Taylor, MG; McGorray, SP; Durrett, S; Pavlow, S; Downey, N; Lenk, M; Oxford, E; Dolce, C; Wheeler, TT.

3.   Ong et al., 1998 Boyd and Baumrind. 1992. Zachrisson and Zachrisson, 1972.

INVISALIGN® BASICS

 

 

Q. What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment option that allows doctors to straighten teeth using a series of clear, removable, nearly invisible, plastic appliances called aligners.

Q. How does Invisalign work?

The patient meets with an Invisalign-trained dentist or orthodontist who takes orthodontic records of the patient’s teeth, including impressions, and fills out an Invisalign treatment planning or prescription form and sends all the material to Align Technology.

At Align, a computer model of the patient’s teeth is created from the impressions. Align then uses its advanced, 3-D imaging software to generate a graphical representation of the doctor’s treatment plan—almost like an animated movie of the way the patient’s teeth will move from the current position to the final desired position.

The doctor reviews and approves the rendering of his treatment plan (the 3-D movie) on a secure portion of Align’s website. Align Technology produces a series of clear, plastic aligners that correspond to the stages of tooth movement in the 3-D movie.

The patient wears each stage of aligners for approximately two weeks before switching to the next set in the series. Week by week, the patient’s teeth are straightened millimeter by millimeter.

Q. Is this a new way to straighten teeth?

Doctors have successfully used removable appliances for years for very limited treatment. With the application of 3-D computer technology and mass-customization, Invisalign can be used to treat almost anyone who wants straighter teeth. Please ask your dentist or orthodontist if you are a candidate.

Q. What are the primary benefits of Invisalign?

• Nearly invisible: You can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing.
• Removable: You can eat and drink what you want.
• Better oral hygiene: You can brush and floss normally to maintain healthy gums and teeth.
• Comfortable: There are no wires, metal or brackets to cause mouth abrasion.

Q. Who can benefit from Invisalign?

Experienced doctors can use Invisalign to treat the vast majority of people who want straighter teeth. According to the Journal of the American Dental Association, two-thirds to three-fourths of American adults (between 136 and 154 million) have some sort of malocclusion (crooked teeth) and could benefit from orthodontic treatment.

Q. How long does treatment take?

Like traditional braces, the length of treatment depends on the complexity of the case. Treatment time typically is about the same as conventional braces—about a year.

Q. Can any doctor treat patients with Invisalign?

Doctors must attend and complete an Invisalign training seminar to treat patients with Invisalign. Align also provides doctors with many opportunities for continuing education (CE) and advanced Invisalign training and requires that Invalign-trained doctors complete 10 CE hours annually.

Q. Does insurance cover Invisalign?

Typically, an insurance policy that covers traditional braces also covers Invisalign to the same extent. In addition, many doctors offering financing through companies such as Chase^® or CareCredit^® as well as in-office financing.

Q. How many people are in treatment with the Invisalign System?

More than 1 million patients worldwide have entered treatment with Invisalign.

Q. Is Invisalign FDA approved?

Invisalign has FDA clearance as a Class II medical device

More information is available at www.invisalign.com or call us at Dr. Reggie Young 434-374-2137

 

Why Do People Grind Their Teeth?

Dental Health and Teeth Grinding (Bruxism) Most people probably grind and clench their teeth from time to time. Occasional teeth grinding, medically called bruxism, does not usually cause harm, but when teeth grinding occurs on a regular basis the teeth can be damaged and other oral health complications can arise.

Although teeth grinding can be caused by stress and anxiety, it often occurs during sleep and is more likely caused by an abnormal bite or missing or crooked teeth.

How Do I Find Out if I Grind My Teeth?

Because grinding often occurs during sleep, most people are unaware that they grind their teeth. However, a dull, constant headache or sore jaw is a telltale symptom of bruxism. Many times people learn that they grind their teeth by their loved one who hears the grinding at night. If you suspect you may be grinding your teeth, talk to your dentist. He or she can examine your mouth and jaw for signs of bruxism, such as jaw tenderness and abnormalities in your teeth.

Why Is Teeth Grinding Harmful?

 In some cases, chronic teeth grinding can result in a fracturing, loosening, or loss of teeth. The chronic grinding may wear their teeth down to stumps. When these events happen, bridges, crowns, root canals, implants, partial dentures, and even complete dentures may be needed. Not only can severe grinding damage teeth and result in tooth loss, it can also affect your jaws, result in hearing loss, cause or worsen TMD/TMJ, and even change the appearance of your face.

What Can I Do to Stop Grinding My Teeth?

Your dentist can fit you with a mouth guard to protect your teeth from grinding during sleep. If stress is causing you to grind your teeth, ask your doctor or dentist about options to reduce your stress. Attending stress counseling, starting an exercise program, seeing a physical therapist, or obtaining a prescription for muscle relaxants are among some of the options that may be offered. Other tips to help you stop teeth grinding include: Avoid or cut back on foods and drinks that contain caffeine, such as colas, chocolate, and coffee. Avoid alcohol. Grinding tends to intensify after alcohol consumption. Do not chew on pencils or pens or anything that is not food. Avoid chewing gum as it allows your jaw muscles to get more used to clenching and makes you more likely to grind your teeth. Train yourself not to clench or grind your teeth. If you notice that you clench or grind during the day, position the tip of your tongue between your teeth. This practice trains your jaw muscles to relax. Relax your jaw muscles at night by holding a warm washcloth against your cheek in front of your earlobe.

Do Children Grind Their Teeth?

The problem of teeth grinding is not limited to adults. Approximately 15% to 33% of children grind their teeth. Children who grind their teeth tend to do so at two peak times — when their baby teeth emerge and when their permanent teeth come in. Most children lose the teeth grinding habit after these two sets of teeth have come in more fully.

Most commonly, children grind their teeth during sleep rather than during waking hours. No one knows exactly why children grind their teeth but considerations include improperly aligned teeth or irregular contact between upper and lower teeth, illnesses and other medical conditions (such as nutritional deficiencies, pinworm, allergies, endocrine disorders), and psychological factors including anxiety and stress.

Grinding of the baby teeth rarely results in problems. However, teeth grinding can cause jaw pain, headaches, wear on the teeth, and TMD. Consult your dentist if your child’s teeth look worn or if your child complains of tooth sensitivity or pain.

Specific tips to help a child stop grinding his or her teeth include:

• Decrease your child’s stress, especially just before bed.
• Try massage and stretching exercises to relax the muscles.
• Make sure your child’s diet includes plenty of water. Dehydration may be linked to teeth grinding.
• Ask your dentist to monitor your child’s teeth if he or she is a grinder.

No intervention is usually required with preschool-age children. However, older children may need temporary crowns or other methods, such as a night guard, to prevent the grinding.

 http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/teeth-grinding-bruxism?page=2

Time to start-up another drawing for our Care to Share program!  This  quarter if you refer a patient to our practice your name will be entered into a drawing to win a digital camera, a 2 hour massage with Jennifer Eubanks at Natural Healing Massage or a $100 gift card to Cooper’s Landing & 2 movie tickets! We look forward to drawing a name in March!

  For details about drawing see:  Official Rules

Many people ring in a new year by making health-related resolutions to improve their lives. but how may of those lifestle changes are kept past January? The Academy of General Dentisty (AGD), a professional association  has compiled some easy to keep oral health tips that consumers can work into their everyday routines and continue to perform throughout the year.

Oral Health means more than just an attractive smile. Poor oral health and untreated oral diseases and conditions can have a significant impact on the quality of life. And in many cases the condition of the mouth mirrors the condition of the body as a whole.

Tips:

• Floss every day. It’s the single most improtant factor in preventing gum disease, which affects more than 50% of adults. Spend 2-3 minutes flossing at lesast once a day. Not flossing because irrates your gums? The more you flss the tougher & healthier yours gums will become!
• Brush your teeth for at least 2-3 minutes twice daily. If you’re not sure whether you’re burshing long enough. simply brush for the length or an entire song on the radio or buy an electric toothbrush with a timer.
• Change your toothbrush or toothbrush head (if you’re using an electric toothbrush) before the bristles become splayed and frayed or every 3-4 months. Not only are old toothbrushes ineffective but they harabor harmful bacteria that can cause infections such as gum disease.
• Ddrink sugary beverages through a straw. This wil minimize the amount of time that the sugars are in contact with your teeth, which can minimize the risk of developing cavities.
• Replace carbonated beverages, which cause enamel erosion and cavities with water, milk, tea or coffee. (being mindful too much sugar in tea or coffee can cause cavities)
• Chew sugarless gum that contains xylitol after meals and snacks. This will help cleanse your mouth and prevent the bacteria associateed with cavities from attaching to your teeth. Even better, gum will increase your saliva production and reduce bad breath!
• Wait 1 hour to brush your teeth after consuming highly acidic food or drinks, lilke wine, coffee, citrus fruits and soft drinks. Otherwise you run the risk of wearing away the enamel on your teeth.

One last reminder to patients the to make an apppointment to see your general dentist every 6 months. Majority of all systemic diseases have oral manifestations, meaning that your dentist could be the first health care provider to diagnose a health problem.

Know Your Teeth



I (Massie) decided I would do something fun for Tasty Tuesday…..Peppermint Christmas Cookies.  I found the recipe on the Pillsbury website. I thought 3 ingridents,  simple yet pretty and should be delicious!  

   Sugar Cookies that you break apart and place on a cookie sheet ( it can’t get much easier than that)

A Bag of peppermints unwrapped and crushed….I thew them in my blender and pulsed them a few times.

White Chocolate that can be melted to dip the cookies in.

               

         

The Final Product…..I would say that they turned out OK…..just not as pretty as I thought they should be!!!  Give them a try and let us know how yours turn out!!!! 

      

Spinach Dip

• ·        8 oz Frozen Broccoli
• ·        8 oz Cream Cheese (softened)
• ·        ¼ c parmesan cheese
• ·        ¼ c Heavy whipping cream
• ·        1 Tbs butter
• ·        1 c Monterey Jack Cheese

Mix all ingredients in bowl topping with the cup of Monterey jack cheese. Bake @ 350 for 20 –30 mins until warm & bubbly!

 

Chicken Pasta Salad

• 12oz Multi color pasta
• 2 c Mozzarella cheese
• 2 c chopped cooked chicken
• 2 small cans of black olives
• 1 small package of pepperoni
• 2 c fresh chopped mushroom
• 1 large red & green pepper
• ½ c olive oil
• 1/3 c Red vinegar
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp garlic powder

Cook pasta according to instructions of box. Mix all ingredients in large bowl! Ready to serve!

 

Creamy Potato Soup

• 1 bag white potatoes peeled and diced
• 8 ounces, Cream Cheese
• 1 can Cream of Celery Soup
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• Milk (optional for desired thickness)
• 1 bunch Green Onions (for garnish)
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese (for garnish)
• Bacon crumbled (for garnish)

 

Peel and dice potatoes into 1 inch cubes and place into a Dutch oven or a large sauce pan. Cover with water and boil potatoes almost 45 minutes. Add cubes of cream cheese to the potatoes and stir until cheese melts. Add cream of celery soup to the mix and continue to stir/mash. Add the garlic powder, salt, pepper, and milk if desired.  Serve in bowls, and garnish with cheddar cheese, bacon and green onion.

 

We didn’t get to celebrate Jenny’s birthday last Wednesday because she was at home taking care of her sick husband AKA Dr. Young!  Jenny looooooves Coconut Cake so we thought it would fun to make her coconut cake balls.  Well Emily took on the task of making the cake balls and let me just say that they are melt in your mouth some kind of good!  She searched online for a recipe for a few days and couldn’t find anything so she made up her own. 

White Cake Mix, Cream Cheese Frosting, White Chocolate Bark, Chocolate Bark, & Coconut

Here is the result

                       

Well Jenny didn’t know we were going to celebrate her birthday today so over the weekend she decided that she was going to make a coconut cake for Tasty Tuesday……and I (Massie) couldn’t decide if I should tell her that Emily was going to be making coconut balls for her birthday or just let her make her coconut cake that she looooooves.  I decided to just let her make her cake she already had all the ingredients.  She found a new recipe from her trusty source and just doubled the recipe.  Here is the link to the Creamy Coconut Cake.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

                     

After the cakes are made, baked, and cooled you must poke holes in the tops of the cakes to let the coconut glaze seep into the cake

     

This makes the cake so moist and delicious!!!

Now it’s time to make the icing!!!

    

     

    

     

Kellee, Hannah, & Valerie all brought goodies to share today at lunch too.  I will have to post those later today or tomorrow morning!!!! 

HAPPY HAPPY TUESDAY!!!

I (Kellee, who is better at cleaing teeth than cooking!) thought I would give Massie & Jenny a break from Tasty Tuesday & make something this week. Last year we played a Christmas game w/in the office & I took home a beautiful Christmas platter  & it has a recipe for Christmas cookies on it so I figured I would give it a try. Plus I knew my little girl would LOVE to help me make them!

Recipe for cookies: see images of platter.

I found an icing recipe online: http://www.food.com/recipe/sugar-cookie-icing-64015

Ingredients

1 cup powdered sugar

2 teaspoons milk

2 teaspoons light corn syrup

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract or 1/4 teaspoon almond extract

food coloring

 

Directions 

Stir the powdered sugar and the milk until smooth.

 Beat in corn syrup and vanilla until icing is smooth and glossy.

 If it’s too thick, add more corn syrup.

 Divide icing into separate bowls and stir in food coloring as desired.

 You can dip the cookies, paint them with a paint brush or spread them using a knife or the back of a spoon

 

 

 I made some w/almond & vanilla extract to see which one I like better.

Tip: Next time think I will make the cookies a little thicker. All in all not too bad for my first time experimenting with Christmas cookies from scratch & the enjoyment of baking w/my daughter was the best treat of it all!!

Are you looking for something that is quick and easy to fix and oh so yummy!!!!!  Massie made Peach Cobbler in a crockpot and it is to die for!  She said it took less than 10 minutes to prep and only 2 hours to cook in the crockpot!!!

2 packages (16oz) frozen peaches, thawed and drained

3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar, divided

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

6 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces

Whipped cream for topping (optional)

1. Combine peaches, 3/4 cup sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and nutmeg in medium bowl. Transfer to crock-pot.

2. TOPPING Combine flour, remaining 1 tablespoon sugar and remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon in small bowl. Cut in butter with pastry cutter or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over peach mixture. Cover; cook on HIGH 2 hours. SErve with whipped cream if desired.