Jul 19, 2012
No one likes to get their blood taken – it’s just not fun!! But it’s the only way that we can be tested for diabetes, anemia, cholesterol levels, and many other important health issues. Well, that may soon be changing!
Scientists at Johns Hopkins University are saying there may now be a much easier way to detect illness – spit!
Yes – good old saliva contains DNA, enzymes, hormones, proteins and lots of other good stuff that are making it a great candidate for medical testing. And best of all, it’s simple and painless to collect.
Recently, trials have been done with saliva to test for heart disease risk, HIV, hormone-related diseases, children’s performance in school, and even a woman’s ability to have good relationships with men based on their feelings for their fathers! (As strange as it may seem, that last one is based on levels of stress hormones found in saliva when women discuss relationship topics!!)
It’s tough to even compare the ease of spitting in a cup versus having a needle poked into your vein. As Dr. Steven Hirschfeld of The National Institutes of Health said,
“We like tests that are fast, inexpensive, and can be repeated multiple times.”
Saliva already has lots of jobs. It softens food as you chew it, making that grilled cheese sandwich much easier to swallow. It helps your tongue to taste things, is the first step in digestion, and it cleans the inside of your mouth and rinses your teeth. Most people produce one to two liters of saliva every day!!
If you feel like your mouth is always dry, be sure to let us know. It could be caused by medications, aging, or possibly a serious medical condition. And get prepared for the day when instead of someone saying “please roll up your sleeve for a blood test,” they simply ask you to spit in a cup!
If you have questions about dry mouth or any other dental issues, please remember that at Falmouth Dental Arts we are here for you! Please give us a call at 207-781-5900. We’re looking forward to seeing you soon!
Jun 20, 2012
Sure – snoring is annoying. But can it actually be deadly?
No – this does not mean being strangled in the middle of the night by a severely annoyed spouse or partner, as tempting as that may be! But the fact is, snoring is often related to sleep apnea, a condition where the body is deprived of oxygen during a night of heavy zzzzz’s.
One obvious problem this causes is being tired during the day, contributing to automobile and workplace accidents. But even worse, sleep apnea, which is experienced by 30 million Americans, has been scientifically linked to obesity, high blood pressure, strokes, heart attacks and diabetes. So if that low rumbling sound that keeps the entire neighborhood awake isn’t enough, now there is much more reason for concern.
But wait – it actually gets worse. A study performed at The University of Wisconsin School Of Medicine has just shown a significant link between sleep apnea and cancer, showing this condition increases the risk of cancer death by almost a factor of five!
“This is really big news,” said Dr. Joseph Golish, a professor of sleep medicine with the MetroHealth System in Cleveland. “It’s the first time this has been shown, and it looks like a very solid association,” he said.
There is no doubt that snoring can be much more serious than just a nighttime disturbance. So what can you do if you or a loved one may suffer from sleep apnea?
Fortunately, there are many ways to have this condition treated, all the way from simple dental appliances, to surgery, to wearing nighttime contraptions that make you look (and sound) like Darth Vader! Your dentist and physician can recommend the appropriate treatment for you.
At Falmouth Dental Arts, we would be glad to take a look and discuss your snoring issues or any other dental questions you may have. Just give us a call at 207-781-5900 and we will get you in right away! Let’s make tonight a quiet one!!
May 18, 2012
Here’s an interesting quiz for you.
Who originally dispensed the famous recommendation to “see your dentist twice a year?”
We all know it’s true (or do we???) – so when and where do you think that bit of advice originated?
a) The American Dental Association in 1933
b) The world’s first dental college – The University of Maryland School of Dentistry in 1845
c) An article in The Journal of Oral Surgery by Dr. Henry Horseacre in 1909 entitled “Proper Protocol for Dental Cleanings.”
d) A radio ad for Pepsodent Toothpaste in 1929
Believe it or not, if you guessed “d” you are correct!
Most of us know the famous order to “see your dentist twice a year.” Some insurance companies even use that interval to define their standards for payment. But the fact is that phrase was developed with no scientific basis at all – and to sell toothpaste!
Another example of this logic was the ad campaign for Pear’s Soap in the late 1800s. The slogan “Have you used Pear’s soap today” ushered in the habit of daily bathing! And while that was certainly a good thing, the fact is that we are all different and to expect that everyone requires the same schedule for their health needs just doesn’t make sense.
When you wash your hair, do you “rinse and repeat?” Do you associate diamonds with engagement rings? Are you convinced that Volvo builds the safest cars? If so, you’ve been influenced by advertising, not necessarily facts. Don’t worry – we are all guilty of it!
At Falmouth Dental Arts, we don’t believe in a cookie cutter approach when your health is involved. In order to determine the correct dental treatment for you (including how often you should have your teeth cleaned) we perform a thorough examination, checking your teeth, gums, medical history, bite, jaw muscles and more. We even do an oral cancer screening at every check-up.
Everyone is different, so despite what the ad men from Pepsodent once said, let’s scientifically determine the correct schedule for your dental visits by looking at the facts, not an ad slogan. Then you can look forward to a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums – and keep smiling forever!
If you have any questions or you would like to schedule a visit, please call 1-207-781-5900 right away. We are here to help you!
Nov 14, 2011
When you come in for your dental visit, you may notice that we do a lot more than examine your teeth and gums.
One of the most importan parts of your visit is when we ask you questions about your general health. But many people have said to us:
“What does that have to do with my dental checkup?”
The answer – a lot!
More and more research is being published linking dental health to overall health, and at Falmouth Dental Arts we are concerned about both!
Did you know that diabetes, especially when it is undiagnosed, can be a huge factor in gum disease, eventually causing tooth loss?
A recent study by Columbia University concluded:
“Gum disease is an early complication of diabetes.” It continues: “Since 70% of adults see a dentist at least once a year this is a perfect opportunity to screen for diabetes and other diseases.”
According to a recent article in The British Dental Journal, it works the other way around, too, as gum disease can be a contributing factor in heart disease, oral cancer and other illnesses.
Are you taking any medications, either prescription or over-the-counter? Many of these can lead to dry mouth, gum inflammation, and other dental problems.
And it’s even more complicated for women, as hormonal changes, pregnancy, and oral contraceptives can cause many changes in dental health. (Isn’t everything more complicated for women!?)
So the good news is, unlike a visit to your physician – you get to keep your clothes on and won’t be poked and prodded anywhere other than your mouth! But as you can see, it is extremely important that we know about your total physical health and any medications you are taking. Not only can we save your teeth – we may actually save your life!
If you want to know more about your dental health and how it relates to your overall health, please let us know. If you have any questions or want to schedule your next appointment, just give us a call at 781-5900. We are here for you!
Jul 13, 2011
Dr. Brian Brunacini
We are excited to announce that Dr. Brian Brunacini will be joining our practice in July!
Dr. Brunacini graduated from The Ohio State University in 2009. Since graduation, he has worked as an associate in Rockport, Maine. He is interested in sedation dentistry as well as the surgical aspects of dentistry, such as dental implants.
He is a member of the American Dental Association and the Maine State Dental Association. He stays busy taking numerous continuing education classes, such as classes at the Frank Spear Institute.
Dr. Brunacini enjoys working as a team in order to be able to provide the most comfortable and satisfying appointment possible. It is very important to be sure the patient is being listened to in order to fully be satisfied with the dental treatment. He looks forward to joining the team at Falmouth Dental Arts, and continue the consistent and excellent dentistry for the patients.
He is an avid sports and music fan. He has been married to his wife, Jenny, since 2009, and they both look forward to becoming part of the community here at Falmouth Dental Arts.
