Chicago Dentist

The “no pain, no gain” mindset has always been associated with beauty. From sweating away the hours at the gym to going under the knife for a nip and tuck, American culture has accepted the harsh reality that “beauty is pain.” That old cliché rings true especially when applied to dentistry–stories detailing how dentists shave teeth down to a nub in order to apply veneers and how they are seemingly oblivious to their patients’ discomfort have come to define the industry. Dental phobias have flourished under these circumstances with estimates revealing that 30 to 40 million people avoid seeing a dentist because of anxiety and fear. A survey reviewed by the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine found that the majority of people who haven’t visited a dentist for 12 months list fear of pain as the main factor. Since the choice to undergo cosmetic dental procedures stems entirely from the patient, fear of pain is even more likely to deter someone from taking advantage of cosmetic dentistry. According to New York City prosthodontist Dr. Nargiz Schmidt, there is a clear need for truly pain-free smile makeover services. “The concept of pain-free cosmetic dentistry is often taken with a grain of salt. Most patients trust that “pain-free” or “virtually painless” usually means they will be experiencing pain,” said Dr. Schmidt. “We wanted to change that for our patients, and have introduced several services that eliminate pain completely.” Dr. Schmidt and partner Dr. Joseph Zelig are introducing Pain-Free Smile Makeovers at their Manhattan practice Smile in the City by utilizing Waterlase technology and IV sedation to guarantee patients will have a comfortable treatment.
Dental Economics-Dental News - Don’t just grin and bear it!

Bacteria in the mouth have been linked to heart disease, premature birth, uterine infection, diabetes, and now dementia as well. There are possibly many more ailments that have not yet been linked to oral bacteria, but one thing is for sure, bacteria in the mouth is responsible for a significant portion of disease in our body. With the news that the brain may also be negatively affected by oral bacteria and the destructive immune response that the body mounts in response to it, preventing the proliferation of this bacteria should become a primary objective for all of us.

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Call it the “forgotten cancer.” We all know about mammograms, Pap smears and colonoscopies as early-detection procedures. But what about oral cancer? Most oral cancers are not detected until their later stages, when it almost always is too late. Each year, oral cancer kills more people in this country than melanoma or cervical cancer. One American dies every hour from oral cancer, a death rate that has remained virtually unchanged for more than 40 years. While smoking, alcohol and chewing tobacco long have been considered the culprits in cases of oral cancer, the American Dental Association now reports that 27 percent of its victims don’t smoke, drink or chew.
THE SILENT KILLER | Home News Tribune Online

Bad breath doesn’t have to keep you from getting close. If you’ve got bad breath that just won’t go away, there’s help available. Bad breath may be embarrassing, but the good news is that there are several treatment options that can eliminate bad breath for good.  Treatment for bad breath may be available at your local cosmetic dentistry practice.

The Origins of Bad Breath
Bad breath is caused by bacteria that hide under the tongue and in the grooves and rough edges of teeth. As bacteria come in contact with food particles they can turn these food particles into volatile sulfur compounds, or VSCs. Sometimes, lack of regular brushing and flossing can encourage the reaction that leads to bad breath. And, of course, eating foods like garlic and onions can contribute to foul-smelling breath. For many people, however, bad breath may occur regardless of how healthy your teeth and gums are. When the bad breath sticks around, it is most likely a problem that requires attention. The important thing is to never assume that a condition like bad breath is just a fact of life. It may actually be a medical problem that can be fixed with proper diagnosis and treatment. It’s up to you to seek help.

Press Release - Bad Breath

People who live with diabetes on a daily basis are usually instructed to eat right, maintain regular physical activity, and if necessary, take medication. What many may not know is that these medications that help control healthy insulin levels may lead to unexpected events at the dentist’s office. According to a study in the November/December 2007 issue of General Dentistry, the AGD’s clinical, peer-reviewed journal, diabetic patients especially need to communicate special needs to their dentists. This is due to harmful interactions that could occur because of the materials and medications used at dental appointments.
According to the study, more than 194 million people worldwide have diabetes, and health officials estimate that this figure will double or triple in less than 20 years. “It is imperative that diabetic patients inform their dentist of their needs in order to anticipate medication interactions and physical reactions to treatment,” says Lee Shackelford, DDS, FAGD, spokesperson for the AGD. “The doctor must know if the patient is taking insulin, and has taken their daily dose of insulin, in order to anticipate the length of the appointment.”

Medications plus dental materials may equal infection for diabetic patients

For more than 10 years, energy drinks in the United States have been on the rise, promising consumers more “oomph” in their day. In fact, it is estimated that the energy drink market will hit $10 billion by 2010. While that may be great news for energy drink companies, it could mean a different story for the oral health of consumers who sometimes rely daily on these drinks for that extra boost.
Popular Energy Drinks Cause Tooth Erosion

It might be nothing serious, but a sore in your mouth that shows no sign of healing could also be a warning sign of oral cancer, which kills more than 8,000 people a year.
Often, it’s not diagnosed until it’s advanced because symptoms — sore throat, white or red patches on the gums or tongue, numbness — are easy to put off to something less serious.

Screening for oral cancer in a new light :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Health News