Can Good Dental Care Decrease Your Risk of Dementia?

July 7, 2017 7:27 pm Published by

It seems at times the letter D gets a bad rep: DENTIST, DISEASE and DEMENTIA.   What’s equally DISTURBING is a recent study which found a correlation between dementia and dental care. Interestingly, it has to do with the number of teeth in your mouth.   The increase in the incidence of dementia  is a huge public concern.   Approximately 45 million people worldwide have dementia with 9.9 million new cases each year. And five million people have been diagnosed in
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dental diabetes

Should You Be Tested for Diabetes at the Dentist’s Office?

March 23, 2017 7:19 pm Published by

Picture this.   You just finished your appointment at the periodontist. And it’s confirmed: You have periodontal (gum) disease.   So before you check out, the dental assistant asks if you would like to be tested for Diabetes.   Say what?   Turns out a recent study, conducted by the University of Amsterdam, found that patients who had gum disease were 23% more likely to have Type 2 Diabetes.   They also stated that 47% of those patients were more likely to
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inflammation

Four Top Reasons You Should Never Brush Off Your Oral Hygiene

February 21, 2017 7:38 pm Published by

 Let’s get right to the point. Here are my top four reasons to never brush off your oral hygiene: 1.     Heart Disease: Symptoms of restricted blood flow, added stress, or lack of oxygenation caused by heart disease also affect the health of your gums and teeth. 2.     Diabetes: The connection between Diabetes and Gum Disease is well documented. People with diabetes generally have compromised immune systems, making them susceptible to infection. Consequently, they are more likely to have periodontal (gum) disease than
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Is Our Oral Healthcare Preventing Our Pursuit of Happiness?

January 20, 2017 7:00 pm Published by

According to the Declaration of Independence, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are three unalienable rights given to all human beings.   Maybe our Founding Fathers should’ve added “access to oral healthcare” as number four.   In a recent study by the ADA Health Policy Institute, close to 30% of Florida respondents shared, “Life is generally less satisfying due to the condition of their mouth and teeth.”   Who knew oral healthcare was so impactful?   This statistic is
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Why I Decided to Go Back to the Classroom

December 19, 2016 12:27 am Published by

  It’s been more than 30 years since I was a dental student at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine in Boston.   And though I loved the whole dental school and residency experience, I truly had no desire to return……until my son started dental school.   Let me clarify. I was an instructor at the dental clinic at Lindsey Hopkins educational center in Miami, teaching dentists the fundamentals of dental implants. It was a unique experience where the clinic
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To Floss or not to Floss?

October 9, 2016 4:53 pm Published by

  Lose the guilt! It seems the clinical evidence proving the importance of flossing in preventing cavities and gum diseases is “as thin as dental floss.”   For years, the American Dental Association’s website promoted flossing “as an essential part of taking care of your teeth and gums.” Turns out, there were never any randomized clinical trials to support this dental mainstay. Don’t think that lets you off the hook for flossing, but you can bet that the researches will
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lifesaver

Why a Visit to Your Periodontist May Be a Lifesaver

September 8, 2016 1:08 am Published by

    Seeing your periodontist might do more than just save your gums and teeth.   It may save your life.   While that may sound melodramatic, a new study, presented at the 2016 American Association for Cancer Research meeting, found that periodontal disease is a potential early marker for pancreatic cancer, a disease that often escapes early diagnosis and causes 40,000 US deaths annually.   This new study could pave the way for an earlier detection system.   According
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Smoking Weed Can Cause Your Gums to Go to “Pot”: Long-term marijuana use is linked to gum disease

July 21, 2016 2:08 am Published by

The number of Americans using marijuana is increasing rapidly.   Twenty-five states and the District of Columbia currently have laws legalizing marijuana in some form.   Four states and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana for recreational use.   In Alaska, adults 21 and older can now transport, buy or possess up to an ounce of marijuana and six plants.   So what does this have to do with your gums?     In the past, chronic marijuana use
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Deed not Creed: How Volunteering Could Solve the Middle East Crisis

June 10, 2016 2:12 am Published by

I believe in giving back.   Growing up, donating both time and money was an integral part of my family DNA and volunteering was a natural extension of what was espoused at home and taught in school.   I have made regular volunteering a priority because I believe in it. It feels good.  More importantly, it allows me to give something of value to someone who really needs it.   A recent article in the NY Times explained why advising
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teeth more valuable than diamons

Pearls of Wisdom: Is Longevity on Your Bucket List?

May 5, 2016 1:26 pm Published by

“Every tooth in a man’s head is more valuable than a diamond.”   Surprisingly this is a quote from the famous Spanish writer, Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote. Even in the early 1600s, the value of our pearly whites was recognized both for esthetic and practical reasons.   Today we know that keeping your teeth clean improves your smile and promotes the longevity of your teeth.  We also know that good oral hygiene and regular appointments has been
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