4518 Rowlett Road Rowlett, TX 75088
(972) 475-0301
Our Newsletter
Don’t Put Off ‘Til Tomorrow What Your Dentist Can Address Today
August 26th 2010
Ideally, you’d never procrastinate in doing responsible, grown-up things.
But we’re all guilty of it.
For some, it’s finances: “I’ll do my taxes next week!”
Or housework: “Those dirty dishes can soak in the sink for a while.”
Or even shopping: “I’ll just take a package of ramen noodles to work for lunch…”
All kinds of things get pushed aside on our daily to-do lists because we’d rather not tackle them now. But when it comes to your dental healthcare, procrastinating is ill advised. Sure, your time is precious, but your health is irreplaceable. And though many people don’t realize there are benefits to their wallet associated with dental visits, there are many. Yes, dental treatment can help your family budget’s bottom line!
How is that possible, you ask? How can spending money actually save you money? Well, consider preventive maintenance on your teeth like the regular tune-ups and oil changes you get for your car. You rotate the tires so they wear evenly, and replace the air filter when it gets grungy. All so your transportation keeps transporting you where you need to go, and you don’t have to pay big bucks to replace a part that could have been protected with preventive measures.
You know where this logic leads, and why it’s even more important to pay attention to your smile than your car. Your teeth need that same attention to keep doing what they do so well. Without it, the chances of developing a serious problem are much higher. Gum disease, tooth decay, and oral cancer are all conditions your family’s dentist will check for during a routine exam. If you’re not keeping appointments on a regular basis, a problem could be developing and you’d never know. At least, not until you experience a symptom that signals there’s a problem—and by then, the issue has progressed far beyond what your dentist or hygienist could catch in a simple exam.
A cavity or signs of disease are much easier and cost effective to treat in the early stages, so don’t delay your dental visit any longer. Put off shopping for a bathing suit, but don’t put off caring for your smile!
Wondering what to expect during your dental visit? Click here for some helpful info.
What Does Shark Week Have to Do With Gum Disease?
August 5th 2010
While Shark Week continues to strike fear into the hearts of Americans nation-wide, we’re keeping on our eye on another, more sinister threat: Gum Disease. Here’s why we think gum disease is infinitely scarier than anything a silly ol’ shark can dish.
Take a look at these statistics and tell us if you agree.
Sharks: Chances of being attacked by a shark are one in 11.5 million
Gum Disease: Chances of being attacked by gum disease are about one in three (conservatively)
Sharks : Account for less than 1% (way less) of annual deaths
Gum Disease: Accounts for 70% of all tooth loss
Sharks: 90% of victims will recover from a shark attack
Gum Disease: Victims of advanced-stage gum disease may never fully recover, as there is no cure
From sharks with laser beams attached to their heads to Steven Spielberg’s bone-chilling Jaws scene (dun-unt… dun-unt… you know the one), sharks have a long-standing reputation as evil-doers. But what about gum disease? No Hollywood blockbusters there. And yet gum disease is the number one cause of tooth loss, and it has been linked to such systemic illnesses as heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and dementia.
Fortunately, much like you can prevent shark attacks if you keep away from oceans and aquariums, you can also prevent gum disease. All it takes is regular visits to the dentist and daily brushing and flossing. Did you just get chills? Up next: Why flossing ISN’T infinitely scarier than Shark Week!
Random facts related to this article:
- 73% of Americans would rather go grocery shopping than floss.
- 42% of dentists say that periodontal disease is the most pressing oral health issue
- In 2007 there was only one casualty related with a shark attack in the world
- Sharks can grow more than 20,000 teeth in a lifetime
- Fear of sharks is known as selachophobia
- Fear of teeth is known as odontophobia
With Parental Power Comes Great Responsibility
July 19th 2010
Good Dental Habits Have a Trickle Down Effect in the Family
Every parent remembers the moment when their baby, their pride and joy, became just a little too old for that goodbye kiss on the cheek or other
overt display of affection. At that moment, you may have felt that your parental sway had forever diminished. But a recent study from the Journal
of Dental Research reaffirms the influence that parents have in affecting the habits of their children. It found that the oral health of a child’s parents, particularly his or her mother, is highly indicative of that child’s own oral health condition.
If a mother has tooth decay, the study states, then her child is twice as likely as other children to have cavities. Just
one more reason for you, as a parent, to schedule those twice-yearly cleanings and checkups at your family dentist’s office. The example you set for your children will yield benefits for you and for them. Though their baby teeth are only a precursor to their adult smile, keeping those teeth well-cared for is important so they maintain adequate space and prepare properly for the full-sized teeth to come.
Poor oral health, on the other hand, can lead to a variety of diseases and health complications. Unlike your grandfather’s heirloom watch, tooth decay is one thing you don’t want to hand down to your family’s future generations. Plant the seed of responsible oral health habits and watch it grow in your children. They still look to you to set the trends–believe it!
Attention Athletes! Shocking News About Energy Drinks
July 2nd 2010
We all know soda is bad for our teeth. You may have even done one of those experiments in third grade where you place a baby tooth in Coke overnight and witness the horrifying consequences. Well researchers have done a similar experiment with popular fitness drinks and with startling results. According to a study published in the AGD’s journal General Dentistry, energy drinks can cause 3 to 11 times more enamel erosion than soft drinks.
Here’s what went down:
Scientists immersed cavity-free teeth in a variety of popular beverages and let them fester for 14 days, which equals about 13 years of normal beverage consumption. As you can imagine, all the beverages tested caused pretty significant damage to the tooth enamel, but certain players stepped up to the plate and really knocked it out of the park. In order of ferocity:
- Lemonade
- Energy Drinks
- Sports Drinks
- Fitness Water
- Iced Tea
- Cola
Were the results what you expected? If you’re like most dental-conscious people, you probably would have grabbed a Vitamin Water over a Coca-Cola any day. Alas! Fitness waters, energy drinks, and sports beverages actually contain more additives and organic acids that advance tooth erosion. These organic acids are especially damaging because of their ability to breakdown calcium, which is an essential ingredient for strong teeth and gums.
In addition to tooth decay, these drinks can contribute to staining and hypersensitivity caused by softened tooth enamel. To minimize the impact these drinks have on your teeth, limit your intake, drink with a straw when possible, and rinse your mouth out with water after drinking sugary or acidic beverages. Sipping your Gatorade throughout the day may exacerbate the problem, since you’re exposing your mouth repeatedly to teeth-eating acids.
One more thing…
Don’t brush your teeth! WHAAATTT??? You exclaim, obviously shocked that dental experts would ever give you advice that contradicts everything you’ve come to believe about oral hygiene. Settle down. We’re not saying don’t brush your teeth ever – just don’t brush them promptly after chugging your breakfast of Red Bull and Life Water. The abrasives in toothpaste can actually cause more damage because of the softened state of your acid-exposed tooth enamel. Wait at least 45 minutes before brushing and consider rinsing with water to flush away excess sugars.
P.S.
If you’re concerned about tooth decay, stains, or sensitivity, talk to your dentist. Certain pro-active dental treatments and oral hygiene products can help strengthen tooth enamel and prevent bacteria from scoring points on the home team (your mouth).
Tooth Loss = Lower Cognition Ability?
June 22nd 2010
Recently, researchers published a study analyzing the effects that tooth loss and periodontal disease have on cognitive decline. The outcome 
discovered a possible link that’s sure to give dentists and patients a cause for increased vigilance in dental health.
Researchers combed through dental records of male veterans who had enrolled in a VA dental study in the 60’s and 70’s, and compared them to cognitive tests the subjects underwent. These tests, one the Mini-Mental State Examination and the other a spatial copying test, were administered along with medical and dental exams every three years. The result? For each tooth lost per decade, the risk of deteriorating test results from the cognitive assessments increased 8 to 10 percent. People with all their natural teeth performed better on average than those with tooth loss, but those with more cavities usually tested poorly.
One doctor conducting the study suggested inflammation as a likely cause of these issues. Periodontal disease, which is deeply intertwined with tooth loss and dental decay, introduces inflammatory proteins into the blood. Other medical research has already linked higher inflammation levels with cognitive decline and diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
While the association between tooth loss, gum disease, and cognition hasn’t been clearly defined as yet, the circumstantial evidence is piling up. There are more reasons than ever to take good care of your natural teeth and ensure they stay strong and healthy for the years to come. Brushing and flossing every day goes a long way to achieving that goal, as well as regular visits to your dentist’s office. There, your dental team can create a customized plan to keep gum disease and tooth loss at bay.
Reserve Your Appointment!
Our quality shows in your smile. Call Rowlett Dental Associates today to reserve your appointment with Dr. Almy, Dr. Daniels, or Dr. Fedosky and experience customized care for your best smile. We serve patients from Rowlett, Garland, Rockwall, Lake Ray Hubbard, and surrounding areas.