Boutique Dental

Gum Disease Contributes to Cardiovascular Disease

admin — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:58:53 +0000

A new study was just reported in the New England Journal of medicine indicating that healthy gums will allow for improved bllod flow in arteries and veins. More than one in three Americans over the age of 30 have some form of periodontitis, or gum disease. Cardiovascular Disease is the number one killer of American adults. This only makes sense, but now has strong evidence to prove it. Gum disease allows for the hundreds of strains of bacteria and fungus that are native to the mouth to directly enter the blood stream and infect the entire body. Many of these strains of bacteria have an affinity to attach to blood vessels and the heart. Intensive periodontal therapy to eliminate gum disease in the mouth can and will save lives. Get your gums checked if you have and cardiovascular diseases.

Cant find a Job? Add a Fabulous smile to your resume!

admin — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:56:46 +0000

Results of a study conducted by an independant research firm provide new evidence that a beautiful white smilehas a direct effect on successful interpersonal interactions, both socially and frofessionally. The study shows that a whiter smile substantially affects how others think of you when you first meet.

According to the study, which included simulated job interviews, simulated first dates, and a quantitative onlive survey, more than half of the study participants were more likely to be hired (58%) and receive larger salary offers (53%) after their teeth had been whitened. I would assume that the same would apply if they had veneers or Invisalign to straighten the teeth.

The study also found that evaluators expressed greater interest in continuing their interaction or “date” with more than half of the study participants (54%) after their teeth had been whitened. Visable from 200 feet, a white smile is the intense focus of what other people look at and a sign of our warmth, confidence, and health.

During simulated job interviewwfound that a majority of the study participants were viewed to be more professional (65%0 and more confident (61%) after their teeth had been whitened. On their simulated first dates, more than half of the study participants were viewed to be more outgoing (59%) after their teeth had been whitened.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

admin — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:56:11 +0000

One in five adults have Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Almost half of snorers have OSA. People with sleep apnea are 23 times more likely to have a heart attack. Being overweight increases your odds only 7 times and smoking 11 times. Sleep apnea is over twice as likely to kill you as SMOKING! An oral appliance is the recommended first line of treatment for most Obstructive Sleep Disorders. Here are a series of questions that will tell you if you are likely to have Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Do you snore?

Do you have high blood pressure?

Has anyone reported that you chock or gasp for air while sleeping?

Do you wake refreshed?

Are you excessively tired during the day?

What is your neck size?

ANC Adjusted Neck Circumference

NC x 2.5 + Hypertension (4) + Snoring (3) + Choking (3)

<43 Low Probability

43 - 48 Intermediate Probability

> 48 High Probability

16 x 2.5 = 40
17 x 2.5 = 42.5
18 x 2.5 = 45

Ask Dr. Hedge about an oral sleep appliance to let you breath and get a full nights sleep.

Women’s Health

admin — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:53:06 +0000

I run across articles in women’s health, beauty, and fitness magazines now and then that have advice about dentistry and dental care. Most of the time the facts are, for the most part, correct, or at least close.

Recently, I had exhausted all of my reading materials at the pool while on vacation and picked up the June ‘08 issue of Self magazine. Under the “beauty NEED TO KNOW” column was an article entitled “Better teeth, happier you”.

“Better Teeth, Happier You Improve your smile and your life—it’s true!”

Self Magazine June 2008, Pages 62-65

Excerpts from this article.

“Smile Wish WHITER BRIGHTER TEETH

Best Fix In fact the near $800 service is the number one most requested dental service… but believe it or not, you can get equally great results for around $40. When used as recommended, at-home teeth whitening products can offer comparable effects to in office teeth whitening treatments”

6 WAYS TO GLAM UP YOUR GRIN Do-it-yourself fixes that lead to a healthier and brighter bite

“Mouthwashes with alcohol can degrade bonding and veneers. Swish with GoSmile Rinse, $25, instead.”

The article also discusses how to straighten your teeth without braces, lengthen your teeth and close gaps with bonding and veneers, and minimizing the effect of a gummy smile.

In reality, there is no comparison between over-the-counter products and professional whitening. Professional products are of prescription only strengths and are often four times the strength. Most dental professionals offer many different types of whitening treatments and costs can be well under $800. The following link is a video I did on the different types of whitening:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XdC1CYvviU

The comment in the article about mouthwashes with alcohol weaking the bond to veneers and bonding is simply NOT TRUE. End of story.

Most of what I read is fairly accurate, but when I see journalism like this, I have to refute it.

(information used under permission of dentalhealthcenter.com )

Tetracycline Deep Bleaching

admin — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 17:00:25 +0000

Many people have dark teeth due to Tetracycline stain. Many have been told that their staining is due to Tetracycline and it is, in fact, not due to Tetracycline. No matter what the cause, there is hope with deep bleaching. Deep bleaching involves a very specific technique with a combination of home use trays that are designed and fabricated to seal the bleaching material on the teeth and an office treatment that uses unique bleaching chemicals that whiten deep into the teeth. Treatment involves three visits and a commitment to nightly home treatment. The results are incredible.