Patient Education

Here’s to Health in 2013

We care about you as patients and as friends, too. Hopefully these suggestions will help you lead a healthier life for years to come. 1. Make the New Year tobacco-free! Do whatever you need to quit smoking—seek out a program, a patch, a support group. Half a [...]

By |2013-01-01T00:00:20-08:00January 1, 2013|Patient Education|Comments Off on Here’s to Health in 2013

Osteoporosis: The Calcium Connection

Osteoporosis—porous bones—is a fragile, frightening reality for at least 15 million North Americans. What begins as a slow and initially painless decrease in bone mass eventually leaves bones weakened and susceptible to fracture. It turns strong backs into weak; healthy strides into shuffles. From a dental viewpoint, [...]

By |2012-12-25T00:00:37-08:00December 25, 2012|Patient Education|Comments Off on Osteoporosis: The Calcium Connection

Bulimia, the “Private Problem”

Not So Private Anymore If you recognize yourself or someone in your family in this piece, you share a problem with over 500,000 other people. Bulimia. Do you worry about how much you eat—all the time? Do you start a new diet almost every day? Do you [...]

By |2012-12-11T00:00:12-08:00December 11, 2012|Patient Education|Comments Off on Bulimia, the “Private Problem”

Smoking and Still Smiling?

Say you've spent the time and effort to get your mouth and teeth in shape. You’re dentally hale and hearty. And you smoke. As if there isn't enough reason to give up smoking, your dental health suffers too. Dramatically. Aside from the tobacco stains on teeth (not to mention the bouquet), [...]

By |2012-12-04T00:00:04-08:00December 4, 2012|Patient Education|Comments Off on Smoking and Still Smiling?

Diabetes and Your Mouth

We could be first to know. Don’t let us be the last. Diabetes affects the blood chemistry and metabolism of its victims, threatening them with multiple serious disorders. But early detection can ward off the dangers, and we dentists are often the first to notice clues. Diabetics [...]

By |2012-10-23T00:00:13-07:00October 23, 2012|Patient Education|Comments Off on Diabetes and Your Mouth

Heart Patients and Dental Care

Do I need to take an antibiotic before my dental appointment? Patients who have had rheumatic fever, heart murmur, heart valve replacement or orthopedic joint replacement are at risk for a condition called infectious endocarditis. The American Dental Association recommends these patients take a “pre-med” prior to [...]

By |2012-10-09T00:00:03-07:00October 9, 2012|Patient Education|Comments Off on Heart Patients and Dental Care

Is Snoring an Issue at Your House?

Do the walls of your house vibrate at night? Does your dog or cat sleep with his paws over his ears? If so, you may find some benefit in this article. In some men or women, snoring can be reduced or eliminated simply by wearing an oral [...]

By |2012-09-25T00:00:25-07:00September 25, 2012|Patient Education|Comments Off on Is Snoring an Issue at Your House?

Quitting Chewing Tobacco

Chewing tobacco affects your dental health as well as the rest of your body. If you use smokeless tobacco and have thought about quitting, we can help. How do you kick the habit? We can help you kick your chewing tobacco habit. In addition to cleaning teeth [...]

By |2012-09-04T00:00:17-07:00September 4, 2012|Patient Education|Comments Off on Quitting Chewing Tobacco

Pregnancy and Oral Health

How does pregnancy affect my oral health? It's a myth that calcium is lost from the mother's teeth, but you may experience some changes in your oral health during pregnancy. The primary change is a surge in hormones--particularly an increase in estrogen and progesterone-- which is linked [...]

By |2012-08-21T00:00:55-07:00August 21, 2012|Patient Education|Comments Off on Pregnancy and Oral Health

Causes and Treatments for TMJ Disorders

What is the Temporomandibular Joint? The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a joint that slides and rotates just in front of your ear, consisting of the side and base of the skull (temporal bone) and the lower jaw (mandible). Chewing muscles connect the lower jaw to the skull, [...]

By |2012-06-26T08:00:08-07:00June 26, 2012|Patient Education|Comments Off on Causes and Treatments for TMJ Disorders