Squaw Peak Dental

Three new reports on heart attack risk

Three new reports on heart attack risk:  tooth scaling decreases risk, periodontal disease predicts type of risk, stopping aspirin increases risk.

This month's newsletter describes recent reports addressing the relationships between oral hygiene, periodontal disease and cardiovascular patient.  The first report, which included more than 100,000 people over a seven year period, showed that professional tooth scaling appeared to decrease the risk of heart attack and stroke.  the second report, which included 7,999 subjects, found that the type of periodontal disease appeared to predict the risk for heart attack, heart failure and stroke in different ways.  The third report, which included 39,513 subjects over a seven year period, found that individuals with a history of cardiovascular events who stopped taking low dose aspirin are at increased risk of non-fatal myocardial infarction compared with those who continue treatment.  This third study confirmed many previous reports on the increased risk of heart attack when discontinuing aspirin       "cold- turkey".

Beware of Valentine’s Day!

Valentine's Day is right around the corner, and you may be getting ready for some big fat kisses to come your way.

So even though at the office of James Jorgensen DDS we're concerned about cavities, gum disease, bad breath and lots of saliva, we won't use this month's blog entry to gross you out about kissing.  But we will tell you some interesting facts that you can tell your kissing partner right after they smack one on you!!

Anthropologists have argues for years about the orgin of kissing.  Many now believe that it has evolved from the time when mothers chewed food for their babies and then went mouth to mouth at feeding time. (Well, okay - we might gross you out a little bit!).  This action became so comforting to babies that the habit continued even after they could chew for themselves, and then developed into a sign of affection.

Nowadays kisses aren't just about romantic love. Of course parents kiss their children.  Worshippers often kiss religious artifacts. Some people kiss the ground when exiting an airplane.  And who doesn't want to have a "boo boo" kisssed when they get a bruise?

But February 14th is a day for romantic kind of kiss, and if you are craving one, there may be a scientific reason.  While this action can promote a psychological response of warmth and affection, it also causes your brain to secrete some important and productive chemicals, such as:

-Oxytocin, which helps people develope feelings of attachment, devotion and affection for one another

-Dopamine, which plays a role in the brains processing of emotions, pleasure and pain

-Serotonin, which affects a person's mood and feelings

-Adrenaline, which increases heart rate and plays a role in your body's fight-or- flight response

But along with that, when you kiss, hundreds of even millions of bacterial colonies are transported from one mouth to the other.  And let's face it - no one wants to kiss a person who has poor oral hygiene, bad breath, or just a generally yucky mouth.  So let's start with the basics;

-Make sure you brush at least twice a day with a soft toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste.

-Floss once per day-if you have trouble flossing or are not sure how, please ask!  We'll be glad to show you the ropes.

-Avoid sugary and acid-laden foods such as soft drinks, sports drinks, and candy. (Okay - we won't tell anyone if you have a tiny bit of candy on Valentine's Day!)

-Eat a well balanced diet including lean proteins, healthy fats, fruits and vegetables, nuts and fiber.

-If you need to slip in a piece of gum or breath mint, make sure it contains Xylitol, which has been proven to reduce tooth decay.

-Drink plenty of water! This helps to rinse away food particles, and staying hydrated is good for fresh clean breath.

-See your dentist on a regular basis and call immediately if you suspect there are any problems with your oral condition.

We want you to have a kissable February 14th and a lifetime of excellent dental health.  If you have any questions or need to set up an appointment please give us a call. We are here for you!!!

Changes in Your Health

Be sure to let your Dentist know if you have any illnesses or medical conditions and if your health status has changed since your last visit. Tell your Dentist what medications you are taking - both prescription medications and over the counter products, including alternative medications. Also let your Dentist know if you've had any problems with medications.A healthy attractive smile can help you feel and look your best. By scheduling regular dental visits, you will gain important benefits for that smile! Professional teeth cleaning and oral exams are essential ingredients for
maintaining good oral and general health. 

Why your Smile needs a regular Professional cleaning

Both tooth decay and gum disease can develop when a sticky film of bacteria, called plaque, is allowed to build up on the teeth. While brushing and flossing your teeth will help remove a great deal of plaque, its nearly impossible to remove all of it. In time, plaque can harden into tarter, or calculus, especially in hard -to-reach areas near the gum line and between teeth. Once plaque has hardened into calculus, the only way it can be removed is through professional teeth cleaning at the dental office. Oral health is integrally connected with your general health. Regular check-ups are important because some deceases or medical conditions have symptoms that can appear in the mouth. Diabetes, nutritional and vitamin deficiencies and hormonal irregularities are some examples.

Be sure to let your dentist know if you have and illness or medical conditions and if your health status has changed since your last visit. Tell your dentist what medications you are taking - both prescription medications and over - the - counter products, including alternative medications. Also let your dentist know if you've had any problems with medications.

A healthy, attractive smile can help you feel and look your best. By scheduling regular dental visits, you will gain important benefits for that smile! Professional teeth cleaning and oral exams are essential ingredients for maintaining good oral and general health.

Save Your Gums and Keep Your Teeth!

As periodontists like to say "Ignore your teeth and they'll go away." Actually, they'd be more correct to warn against ignoring your gums.
Three in four adults over 35 have some form of gum disease, according to the American Dental Association. And new research reveals that gum disease poses a far greater threat to health than just losing a tooth.
Gum disease recently has been linked to three main killers of man: Heart disease, Diabetes and Respiratory disease, "says Dr. Robert Genco, director of the Periodontal Disease and Implant Research Center at the State University of New York at Buffalo. "This is imperative to treat gum disease to save not only teeth but also patients."

The Root of the problem
All gum disease begins with the accumulation of plaque, a sticky deposit of bacteria, mucus and food particles that builds up along the line and between the teeth. Plaque can cause gingivitis - inflammation of the gums. Plaque must be removed daily to prevent buildup. Brushing and flossing, coupled with twice - yearly professional cleanings, will thwart gingivitis in most people.