According to a brief article in the January 2011 issue of Natural Health Magazine, a sunny outlook on life could actually be good for your health.  A study showed that when first-year law students were asked how they felt about their futures, the students who were optimistic showed stronger immune system responses.  Immunity tests elicited more sluggish responses when those same students were felling pessimistic.

Try choosing a specific part of your life to consciously stay positive about.  Suzanne Segerstrom, PhD, professor of psychology at the University if Kentucky, and author of this study, suggests setting realistic expectations and focusing on the positive about one aspect of your life.  ”Figure out whether you’re more focused on the negative or the positive feedback you get.  We often don’t take our positive feedback seriously enough.”

Technology is everywhere. Even at your dentist! Dr. Nemec enjoys offering our clients the latest technologies for their dental care, and their comfort. Our newest digital x-rays system takes just 25 seconds to create a 3D image of your full mouth, and even your jaw and sinuses. This scan helps us monitor the health of your teeth, diagnosis and treat for TMJ, and even aid in reducing sleep apnea problems. Many of our clients love knowing that unlike old fashion x-rays, the radiation exposure is extremely low – about equal to spending an hour in the sun. And, many dental insurances will cover the cost for you. Ask for your scan during the month of January and save 50%!

Interested in the fun side of technology? Watch a movie on our iPad during your next dental treatment. And its free!

A study conducted by the Faculty of Dentistry at Malmo University in Sweden followed a group of dentists throughout their adult lives.  The study began in 1949 with plaster molds that were made of the jaws of dental students, who were in their 20s at the time.  Then years later, the procedure was repeated.  Then, again 40-years after the original molds, researchers were in contact with 18 of the original 30 participants and molds were done one final time.

Lars Bondemark, DDS, PhD, a professor of orthodontics, was one of the doctors who analyzed the materials, and he said, “We found that over these 40 years, there was less and less room for teeth in the jaw.”

According to the study, crowded teeth comes from shrinkage of the jaw, in both length and width.  The lower jaw showed more shrinkage than the upper.  And while this change in length and width is only a matter of a few millimeters, it is enough to crowd the front teeth.  Furthermore, the study revealed that even people with no wisdom teeth showed crowding with age.  This means that the idea of wisdom teeth causing crowded can be eliminated.

Of course, how much the jaw shrinks is different for each individual, but for some patients, the changes are sufficient to cause them to perceive a change in their bite.

Dentists should take these findings into consideration when they plan to perform major bite reconstruction on a patient because the jaw shrinkage will continue to happen with age.  It’s not known why the jaw changes throughout life, but it is likely that hereditary and anatomical factors play into the equation.

It could be said that orthodontic treatment to correct crowding and to fine-tune the bite should be followed with a lifetime plan to wear removable retainers to help prevent relapse later in life.

How do you know if you have tooth decay or a cavity?

It can often take months for a cavity to develop.  Typically we can detect the beginning breakdown of the enamel of a tooth when slight brown stains appear.  These stains will eventually turn into a cavity as the bacteria and acid break through the enamel of the tooth and burrow deeper into the tooth structure.  If the initial signs of the brown stain are addressed, we can prevent a cavity from forming!  If you see brown in the grooves of your molars, ask your dentist if these stains are cavities already, or if they can be reversed.

Once a tooth has decay, the condition can worsen very quickly.  If you already have a filling in a tooth, that tooth can still get a new cavity.  Sensitivity or soreness in a tooth, or even signs of a loose filling, and bad breath are all ways to tell that you may have a cavity.

Make an appointment with your dentist right away if you have any tooth pain, even the slightest discomfort, as many dental problem progress very rapidly if left untreated.

Remember, the bigger the dental problem, the greater the cost – in time, money and discomfort.

Tooth decay can damage any tooth.  Even a tooth that already has a filling.

Decay often occurs between the teeth, where it’s harder to keep clean.  This is why flossing daily is important.  Floss that glides between the teeth can remove food particles and bacteria that will build up and cause decay.

The grooves in your molars are susceptible to cavities because these areas collect food particles and bacteria.  Brushing at least twice a day, and even using a fluoride mouth rinse, can help keep these teeth cleaner and less vulnerable.

The very back teeth are often harder to clean with your tooth brush.  Flossing in front of, and behind these back teeth help to keep them more clean.  A fluoride mouth rinse can be especially helpful if you still have your wisdom teeth as these are very hard to clean properly with a tooth brush.

Tooth decay can also form around an existing filling.  The natural tooth around a filling can collect new bacteria and lead to a small cavity between the tooth and filling material.  Left untreated, this small cavity can grow deeper and deeper and lead to extreme discomfort and pain in the tooth.

The root of a tooth can have decay too, just below the gumline.  This is often evident as a dark brown or blackish line right at the edge of the gum.

If you have any sensitivity to hot or cold, or even just a dull ache in a tooth, it’s best to get in for an exam with your dentist right away.  The sooner decay is treated, the more comfortable you’ll be, and the less costly the treatment will be.

Did you know? After menopause, women should see their dentist more often. A new study from Case Western Reserve University found that women after menopause are at greater risk for periodontal disease and need more frequent professional cleanings.  Up to four dental cleanings a year may be necessary to adequately remove hard plaque that triggers gum disease and can lead to bone loss in the jaw.  Unsure if you would benefit from more frequent cleanings by your hygienist? Let’s discuss it at your next checkup.

You may think only children get cavities.  The truth is, all of us are at risk of tooth decay our whole lives.  By following a healthy at-home oral health routine, seeing your dentist regularly, and making smart food choices, you can lower your risk of getting a cavity.

What is tooth decay?  Tooth decay is often referred to as a cavity, and is a disease that damages and breaks down teeth.  A tooth has an outer layer (the enamel), a middle layer (dentin), and the center (pulp).  The deeper a cavity gets, the more layers affected by decay, and the worse the damage to the tooth.

Tooth decay is a serious public health problem.  Did you know, it is 4 times more common than asthma in teens age 14 to 17 years?  Untreated decay can lead to pain, loss of teeth, and even loss of confidence.  People with tooth pain often cannot get through their daily routines because of the discomfort.  They cannot eat or sleep properly, and can miss days of work or school.

So, what causes tooth decay?  Bacteria in the mouth feed on the sugars found in foods and drinks.  This bacteria produces acids that attack the tooth surface.  The more these sugars are consumed, the more acid attacks the teeth, eating away at the tooth and causing decay.  When a hole is formed in the tooth, this is called a cavity.  Once a small hole is formed, the tooth cannot heal itself, nor can your body prevent further damage on it’s own.

This bacteria thrives on all kinds of sugars, not just those found in candies.  Sodas, sports drinks, flavored waters, fruit juices, and even milk, all have sugars that produce acids.  Studies even show that salt has a similar affect on teeth by creating it’s own acid to break down the tooth surfaces.

As bacteria builds up on the teeth, they form a sticky film we call plaque.  The sticky plaque actually holds the acids closer to the teeth and causes more rapid damage to the tooth structure.  Keeping your teeth clean can help reduce cavities.  Brushing after a snack or meal will help to rinse away the bacteria that causes these acids.  Regular brushing and professional dental hygiene cleanings will reduce the tartar buildup in your mouth, and keep your teeth more healthy.

So, who gets tooth decay?  Really, anyone can.  People of all ages can get cavities.  The risk may increase for people who:  often sip and snack on foods and drinks high in sugars and sodium;  drink water not fortified with fluoride; are suffering from dry mouth due to medications or medical conditions; have weakened tooth enamel due to genetics or a childhood illness; don’t brush at least twice a day, and floss at least once; and who don’t visit their dentist regularly for cleanings and checkups.

You may be wondering if tooth decay can be passed on from person to person.  While the decay itself cannot be transfer from one person to another, the bacteria can be shared.  Parents may pass along harmful bacteria to infants and children .  Bacteria can be passed by kissing, sharing a cup or straw, or anything else that can transfer a drop of saliva from one mouth to another.

How can cavities be prevented?  You may be able to easily avoid frequent sipping and snacking on sugary foods and drinks.  When you do indulge in a candy bar or a sports drink, brush your teeth afterwards.  If you can’t brush, consider swishing and rinsing your mouth with water.  Brush at least twice a day.  If you can’t brush after a meal, consider chewing a sugar-free gum.  Chewing gum increases your saliva flow and can aid in washing away bacteria.  Flossing once a day will help remove buildup from between the teeth.  Be sure your drinking water is fortified with fluoride to help strengthen your tooth enamel.  And finally, visit your dentist and dental hygienist regularly.  Your dentist can catch a cavity when it is small.  A small cavity is quicker and easier to repair, and costs much less for treatment.

You teeth can last a lifetime if you take good care of them!

The May issue of SHAPE magazine mentioned a 6 year study by Spanish researchers that discovered that people who take in even small amounts of trans fats, found in packaged and processed foods, had up to a 48% chance of suffering from depression. At the same time, those with a diet rich in olive oil, avocados and other sources of unsaturated fats were less likely to feel gloomy. So try a handful of almonds instead of a donut and you’ll be doing your body AND mind a favor.

Hormonal changes during pregnancy increase your sensitivity to plaque, so reduce the buildup that can lead to gum disease.  Gingivitis is the most common oral disease for expecting women and can be reduced  by brushing twice a day and flossing at least once.  Go to your dentist every three months for a cleaning while you’re pregnant.  Make an appointment if your gums are red, swollen, bleeding or uncomfortable, or if you notice any other changes in your mouth.  And, if you’re prone to morning sickness, be sure to swish with water or mouth wash after vomiting.  This will help flush away the acids that can erode teeth and cause permanent damage.  Just as your whole body goes through huge changes during your pregnancy, your mouth will as well.  Even if you’ve never had a cavity before, you will be more prone to decay during your pregnancy.  Step up for that cleaning every 3 months and your smile will be more healthy, for the rest of your life.

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Plan on whitening your smile within a day or two of having your teeth professionally cleaned.  Once your dental hygienist removes the surface stains and plaque from your teeth, the bleaching agents are allowed to penetrate better, yielding the best results.  Some people experience mild irritation or sensitivity, especially at the gumline, if they whiten on the same day as having a cleaning, so plan for a day or two later to be on the safe side. If your teeth tend to be sensitive to cold or heat, you may also be sensitive to bleach.  If you’re concerned, try ibuprofen or Tylenol before you whiten to curb sensitivity.  Another helpful step is to switch to a desensitizing toothpaste, such as Sensodyne.  You’ll not only reduce your sensitivity to hot and cold, but used for a month before whitening, you’ll drastically reduce sensitivity to bleach.  And with several varieties of Sensodyne available, it can be your new toothpaste of choice.  To get your whitest white, avoid dark colored foods and drinks while you are bleaching.  This means, if you opt for an at-home treatment that requires daily use for one to two weeks, you’ll get your brightest if you avoid coffee, tea, sodas and red wine every day that you are using the bleaching product.  This goes for dark foods too – opt for chicken fettucini with alfredo sauce instead of spaghetti and meatballs with marinara.  Try a Ceasar dressing instead of Thousand Island.  Mayo instead of mustard.  You get the idea.  And to chose the whitening product that is best for you, consider these tips.  Whitening strips work well for many people, you just have to be sure you use as directed, and if the strips are too large for your teeth, use scissors to cut them down to size.  Be sure not to get the strip on your gums or you may become irritated and even ulcerated at the gumline.  If you have crooked or crowded teeth, whitening strips won’t fit well and stay in place.  Try using the end of a toothpick to mold the strips to your teeth – this will give you better results along the edges of your teeth.  Consider custom-made bleaching trays from your dentist.  It will cost more than an over-the-counter option, but will yield vastly better results for those with a crooked smile.  Another option is whitening gel applied directly to the teeth.  This system works really well, just apply carefully to avoid bleach on the gums.  No matter which at-home treatment you try, be sure to brush lightly with a wet toothbrush to remove any traces of bleach when you’ve finished your treatment.  This will reduce sensitivity after the treatment.  Ladies can give their smile an easy boost by wearing a glossy, blue-based lip color, such as cheer red, wine or berrry shades.  These colors make yellowish teeth appear whiter.  Try Clinique For a Brighter Smile which are designed to give the appearance of whiter teeth.  If your smile has a grayish appearance, try a coral color lip color.  Always avoid pearly lipsticks, matte finishes and beige, brown or yellow undertones.  Remember that products purchased from your dentist are stronger than those bought from the pharmacy or grocery store.  Many people find that while these cost more, the stronger concentration means less frequent use to get the same or better results than the store bought products.  When in doubt, consult your dentist.

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