HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Thanksgiving is a time to take stock. Here at the Ameridontics blog, we're thankful for the many wonderful patients we've met and who have become wonderful friends. We're thankful for the Ameridontics' doctors who have made it their mission to help educate everybody about the importance of proper oral health care. And, we're thankful to be in a position to be able to introduce LANAP (Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure) to so many of you. We it's a great feeling to know we're making a positive difference in so many people's lives. Enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner, but we would be remiss to not remind to be sure to to brush and floss after eating the pumkin pie!

PROPER NUTRITION AIDS ORAL HEALTH

If we've been reading these posts for any length of time, you know the importance of proper dental care (brushing and flossing). But did you know that there are other health style choices you can make that will help you fight gum disease? This is certainly true for a well balanced diet. Proper nutrition helps the body to fight off infection. For example, antioxidant rich foods with vitamin E (vegetable oil, nuts, green leafy vegetables) and vitamin C (citrus fruits, broccoli, and potatoes) helped repair damaged tissues.

ORAL HEALTH LINKED TO A WOMAN'S OVER-ALL HEALTH

A woman's oral health in an important, yet often overlooked aspect of a woman's over-all health. It is also important to note that while women are generally more likely to perform proper oral maintenance than men (daily brushing and flossing), their overall incidence of gum disease is not markedly lower. Researchers believe this is caused by hormonal fluctuations in the various stages of a woman's life (puberty, pregnancy, and menopause). These life stages can adversely affect the gum tissue in a woman's mouth causing gum disease. In upcoming posts, we will discuss the links between gum disease and osteoporosis and pregnancy complications.

GUM DISEASE AND PREGNANCY COMPLICATIONS

While both men and women suffer with gum disease linked diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes equally, there are some periodontal linked health complications that are specifically linked to women. Researchers have tied gum disease with pre-mature birth. It is believed that disease causing organisms (bacteria) in a pregnant woman's mouth my end up in the amniotic fluid or placenta contributing to pre-mature birth. Unfortunately, treating the gum disease after a woman is pregnant may already be too late. This is because the bacteria is already in the bloodstream. That's why it is so important that a woman take care of any gum disease before getting pregnant.

ORAL HEALTH LINKED TO A WOMAN'S OVER-ALL HEALTH

A woman's oral health in an important, yet often overlooked aspect of a woman's over-all health. It is also important to note that while women are generally more likely to perform proper oral maintenance than men (daily brushing and flossing), their overall incidence of gum disease is not markedly lower. Researchers believe this is caused by hormonal fluctuations in the various stages of a woman's life (puberty, pregnancy, and menopause). These life stages can adversely affect the gum tissue in a woman's mouth causing gum disease. In upcoming posts, we will discuss the links between gum disease and osteoporosis and pregnancy complications.

How Much Work Will I Miss After The LANAP Procedure?

One of the first questions someone contemplating the procedure asks is, "How long will I be off work?" In other words, "How long will I take to heal after the procedure?" The good news is that recovery time is almost immediate for most patients. Many people report going back to work the same day they have the procedure. Or as in the case of one patient we talked to, after having the procedure,
since she had told her work that she was "out for day" having "gum surgery" she went shopping at the Mall! In any case, you'll be fine to go back to work the next day.

Gum Disease and the Economy

At first glance these two topics seem unrelated. How does the economy affect gum disease? It's simple. As prices rise higher and higher on basic necessities such as food and fuel, the natural tendency is to "put off" other purchases to another time. It's understandable and everyone on a budget does it. We take our vacation days at home rather than traveling. We don't visit restaurants like we used to. It's basic Economics 101. However, if you've been diagnosed with gum disease, one thing you should never "put off" is treatment. Here's why, gum disease will not get better over time, it will only get worse resulting in pain and tooth loss. Even more serious, recent medical research suggests a link between gum disease and grave health conditions such as heart disease and stroke. Speaking medically and economically, it never pays to postpone the treatment. The cost truly out weighs the shot term savings. So how do you work the treatment into your budget? Well, at Ameridontics, the doctors offer a range of payment plans for patients that result in low monthly payments. Treating your gum disease is an important investment in your over-all health. Please don't "put it off"

IS GUM DISEASE CONTAGIOUS?

After examining the risk factors for gum disease in earlier posts, we've been asked the question, "Can you catch periodontal disease from someone else?" " Is it contagious?" Well, the answer is YES, if you're asking about the bacteria believed to be responsible causing plaque and gum disease. That's why it's a good idea to NEVER, NEVER share your tooth brush with a friend. He or She may return it with undesirable bacteria, not to mention a host of other germs! Talk about the "yuck" factor.

THE AMERIDONTICS PRESIDENTIAL POSTING!

These days it seems everyone is focusing on the upcoming presidential election. We're no different here at Ameridontics Blog. And, no we're not going to endorse one of the candidates based on their oral health! But, we did think it might be fun to "explode" a prevalent presidential myth. We've all heard since childhood that George Washington had wooden teeth. The wooden teeth story is, well, "false". Washington did wear dentures, but as was the custom of the times, the false teeth were made of gold, lead, animal, and human teeth. No wood was used in their construction. There are four known existing dentures of our first president. One pair was recently analyzed by historians and found to be made of hippopotamus ivory and cow's teeth. Washington suffered with gum disease most of his life, and began losing his teeth while still in his twenties. His dentures "fit" over-sized giving him the stern "look" we now associate with the "the fatherof our country". That's too bad, because historians believe he was was much more fun-loving than the image on the one dollar bill would lead us to believe. He was said to be our most athletic president and quite a good dancer!