Yesterday, the Wall Street Journal posted an article about this very topic. It is one of the better summaries I have read, and puts it all out there in plain English.  Click on the image below to get to the article.

The Palm Desert Center for Advanced Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry is concerned about your overall health.  It is going to be one of our main goals for 2012.  Stop in and get acquainted with our friendly staff, Dr. Pamela MacPherson and Dr. Anne A. Nicholas.  We are located at 73929 Larrea Street, Suite 2 in Palm Desert. Or, call an request an appointment with Dr. Pamela MacPherson or Dr. Nicholas at 760-340-1030.

ScienceDaily (May 27, 2010) — Individuals who have poor oral hygiene have an increased risk of heart disease compared to those who brush their teeth twice a day, finds research published on the British Medical Journal website.

(If You Don’t Brush Your Teeth Twice a Day, You’re More Likely to Develop Heart Disease, Study Finds)!

The Palm Desert Center for Advanced Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry wishes a Happy and Healthily New Year to all, and encourage all our dental patients and friends to brush twice daily since it may help lower their risk of heart disease. California scientists, dentists, and cardiologists have known for many years that there is a link between inflammation in the mouth (gum disease) and heart problems.

The Science Daily article provides information about the team at the University College in London, how they analyzed data from over 11,000 adults who took part in a Scottish Health Survey. The research team analyzed data about lifestyle behaviors such as smoking, physical activity, and oral health routines. The team concluded:

“Once the data was adjusted for established cardio risk factors, the researchers found that participants who reported less frequent tooth brushing had a 70 percent extra risk of heart disease compared to individuals who brushed their teeth twice a day.”

This Scottish survey is one of many that confirm the link between oral health and overall health. Simply put: you aren’t healthy unless your gums and teeth are healthy.

Our friendly team at The Palm Desert Center for Advanced Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry will help keep your oral health and overall health beautiful for 2012 and for the rest of your life. It starts with just a call to 760-340-1030 or a stop at our office at 73929 Larrea Street, Suite 2 here in Palm Desert.

To read the entire Science Daily article, click on the link below:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100527204227.htm

Again, we wish you a Happy New Year!

Dr. Anne A. Nicholas

I am Dr. Anne A. Nicholas. My Cosmetic, Periodontal and Implant dental practice is called The Palm Desert Center for Advanced Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry . We are located at 73929 Larrea Street, Suite 2   Palm Desert, California. You can find information about my practice, services, and professional Palm Springs, CA dental team at http://palmdesertimplantdentist.com.

In my The Palm Desert Center for Advanced Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry dental blog, I post informative articles about dentistry including new Palm Desert cosmetic dental treatments, preventative Rancho Mirage, CA dental care, and news about my dental practice. Many of my patients visit my blog regularly and I hope you will also find useful dental information here.

Do you currently have a Palm Desert dentist? If you are in need of a dentist or are not happy with your current dentist, I invite you to visit my office, meet my friendly staff, and discuss your dental needs with me.

My approach to my profession emphasizes you, the patient.

My first priority is exceeding my patient’s expectations. Before I can provide dental treatment, however, I must become familiar with each patient. That is why your first consultation will take some time. We can’t get to know each other in five minutes.

How are you doing? What is the current condition of your teeth and gums? What are your fears and expectations about Palm Springs dental treatment? Do you have financial concerns regarding your dental needs? I recognize that each one of my patients has a unique set of circumstances.

At The Palm Desert Center for Advanced Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry, we emphasize preventative dental care. When restorative dental treatment is necessary, I recommend the most conservative procedures. If you have pressing dental needs, let’s talk about your options and consider the long term consequences of each treatment. If I believe it is best to refer you to another specialist, I’ll do so without hesitation. I am committed to your well-being and want you to receive the best possible care.

If you are interested in Palm Desert cosmetic dentistry, I can also help you. I pursue continual training in the latest cosmetic treatments and have extensive experience performing individual tooth restorations, complete smile makeovers and everything in between. Did you know that I can completely redesign your smile if that is what you desire? Miracles are possible with cosmetic dentistry.

Please call us at (760) 340-1030 to book a consultation. I am confident you will feel good about choosing The Palm Desert Center for Advanced Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry for your dental care.

This recession has really changed the way people do things.
Folks are saving more and charging less. They’re worrying
about the future, eating more dinners at home and putting
off purchases they once would have made without a thought.

There’s one place, though, where tons of people – maybe even
you — are leaving literally MILLIONS of dollars on the table,
and that’s their dental insurance.

How can that be?

My guess is that it’s because dental insurance isn’t like the
other kinds of insurance you buy.

You buy car insurance to cover you if you’re in an accident
or your car is damaged, and health insurance primarily to
insulate yourself from the high cost of treating a
serious illness or injury.

Dental insurance is different, though. It’s meant to
cover the ROUTINE and PREVENTIVE care you need
to protect your smile and your health — as well as contribute
a portion of the cost of more extensive treatment.

That makes dental insurance VERY valuable – if you
understand how it works and how to get the most out of it.

Use it or LOSE it

You see, there’s something else you need to remember
about dental insurance. It comes with an annual maximum
benefit (the top amount it will cover in a calendar year)
– and if you don’t use all of it by the end of that year
whatever is left simply disappears. NO ROLLOVER.

So if, for example, your annual maximum benefit is
$1,000 and you use just $200 of it, you’re leaving
$800 of YOUR money on the table.

That’s something you just can’t afford to do in times
like these.

Beat the System in Palm Desert; Call “The Palm Desert Center for Advanced Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry” today… 760-340-1030

Periodontal (gum) disease is a chronic, infectious and inflammatory disease of the gums and supporting tissues. It is caused by the normal bacteria that exist in everyone’s mouths, which, if unchecked, can create inflammation around the tooth; the gum starts to pull away from the tooth, creating spaces (periodontal pockets) that become infected. The inflammation sets off a cascade of tissue-destructive events that can pass into the circulation. As a result, periodontal disease has been associated with heart disease, type 2 diabetes, respiratory and kidney disease, and problems in pregnancy such as miscarriage and premature birth. Around 10% of the population is believed to have severe periodontal disease. Regular brushing and flossing of teeth is the best way of preventing it.

Professor Roger Hart told the annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology that the negative effect of gum disease on conception was of the same order of magnitude as the effect of obesity. Prof Hart, who is Professor of Reproductive Medicine at the University of Western Australia (Perth, Australia) and Medical Director of Fertility Specialists of Western Australia, said: “Until now, there have been no published studies that investigate whether gum disease can affect a woman’s chance of conceiving, so this is the first report to suggest that gum disease might be one of several factors that could be modified to improve the chances of a pregnancy.” (Science Daily (Aug. 1, 2011))

The Professor and his researchers followed a group of 3737 pregnant women, who were taking part and they analyzed information on pregnancy planning and pregnancy outcomes for 3416 of them. They found that women with gum disease took an average of just over seven months to become pregnant — two months longer than the average of five months that it took women without gum disease to conceive.

The study concluded that: “All women about to plan for a family should be encouraged to see their general practitioner to ensure that they are as healthy as possible before trying to conceive and so that they can be given appropriate lifestyle advice with respect to weight loss, diet and assistance with stopping smoking and drinking, plus the commencement of folic acid supplements. Additionally, it now appears that all women should also be encouraged to see their dentist to have any gum disease treated before trying to conceive. It is easily treated, usually involving no more than four dental visits.”

Dr. Anne A. Nicholas of “The Palm Desert Center for Advanced Cosmetic, Sedation and Implant Dentistry, “can help you control or prevent gum disease. She will help you plan a program for good oral health for you and your future baby.

Dr. Nicholas office is located at 73929 Larrea Street, Suite 2 Palm Desert, California. Call 716-340-1030 to schedule a consultation.

Our doctors and staff provides the highest-quality services for restoring mouths that have been damaged by dental disease and injury. Our primary goal for you is to achieve and maintain optimum oral health through advances in techniques, and technologies.

Services we offer include periodontal maintenance/care, crown lengthening, dental implants, gingivalplasty, frenalplasty, vestibular deepening, coronal repositioning, osseous regeneration, bone grafting, gingival grafting, connective tissue grafting, ridge augmentation, tooth extractions, sedation dentistry and more.

To learn more about the service we offer, contact “The Palm Desert Center for Advanced Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry” by calling 760-340-1030 or feel free to stop by our office at 73929 Larrea Street, Suite 2, Palm Desert, California.

What causes gum disease?

Bacteria populate and find a home in the mouth and along with mucus and other particles forms plaque that sticks to the teeth. When plaque is not removed daily, it has a tendency to stick to the teeth and harden.  It is therefore important to brush and floss to get rid of plaque.  The plaque that becomes hard forms “tarter” and will require professional cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist to be removed.

What is Gingivitis?

The longer plaque and tartar are on teeth, the more harmful they become. The bacteria cause inflammation of the gums that is called “gingivitis.”  In gingivitis, the gums become red, swollen and can bleed easily.  Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that can usually be reversed with daily brushing and flossing, and regular cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist. This form of gum disease does not include any loss of bone and tissue that hold teeth in place.

Periodontitis

When gingivitis is not treated, it can advance to “periodontitis” (which means “inflammation around the tooth.”)  In periodontitis, gums pull away from the teeth and form spaces (called “pockets”) that become infected. The body’s immune system fights the bacteria as the plaque spreads and grows below the gum line. Bacterial toxins and the body’s natural response to infection start to break down the bone and connective tissue that hold teeth in place. If not treated, the bones, gums, and tissue that support the teeth are destroyed.  The teeth may eventually become loose and have to be removed.   

Risk Factors
 
• Smoking.  Need another reason to quit smoking?  Smoking is one of the most significant risk factors associated with the development of gum disease.  Additionally, smoking can lower the chances for successful treatment.
• Hormonal changes in girls/women.  These changes can make gums more sensitive and make it easier for gingivitis to develop.
• Diabetes.  People with diabetes are at higher risk for developing infections, including gum disease.
• Medications.  There are hundreds of prescription and over the counter medications that can reduce the flow of saliva, which has a protective effect on the mouth.  Without enough saliva, the mouth is vulnerable to infections such as gum disease.  And some medications can cause abnormal overgrowth of the gum tissue; this can make it difficult to keep gums clean.
• Illnesses.  Diseases like cancer or AIDS and their treatments can also negatively affect the health of gums.
• Genetic susceptibility.  Some people are more prone to severe gum disease than others.

Who gets gum disease?

People usually don’t show signs of gum disease until they are in their 30s or 40s.  Men are more likely to have gum disease than women.  Although teenagers rarely develop periodontitis, they can develop gingivitis, the milder form of gum disease.  Most commonly, gum disease develops when plaque is allowed to build up along and under the gum line.

What can I do to prevent gum disease?

• Brush your teeth twice a day (with a fluoride toothpaste)
• Floss every day
• Visit the dentist routinely for a check-up and professional cleaning
• Don’t smoke

How do I know if I have gum disease?

Symptoms of gum disease include:

• Bad breath that won’t go away
• Red or swollen gums
• Tender or bleeding gums
• Painful chewing
• Loose teeth
• Sensitive teeth
• Receding gums or longer appearing teeth

Any of these symptoms may be a sign of a serious problem, which should be checked by a dentist.  At your dental visit the dentist or hygienist should:

• Ask about your medical history to identify underlying conditions or risk factors (such as smoking) that may contribute to gum disease. 
• Examine your gums and note any signs of inflammation.
• Use a tiny ruler called a ‘probe’ to check for and measure any pockets.  In a healthy mouth, the depth of these pockets is usually between 1 and 3 millimeters.  This test for pocket depth is usually painless.
• The dentist or hygienist may also
 - Take an x-ray to see whether there is any bone loss.
 - Refer you to a periodontist like Dr. Anne A. Nicholas.  Dr. Nicholas is an experts in the diagnosis and treatment of gum disease and may provide you with treatment options that are not offered by your dentist.

How is gum disease treated?

The main goal of treatment is to control the infection.  Dr. Anne A. Nicholas is a Periodontist and can help you control and treat gum disease.  If you are concerned that you might have this disease, don’t wait, call Dr. Nicholas today to schedule an appoint to determine what treatment will be required to maintain your good oral health.  Dr. Nicholas is located in Palm Desert at 73929 Larrea Street, Suite 2.  You can also call and schedule an appointment by calling 760-340-1030.

The number and types of treatment will vary, depending on the extent of the gum disease.  Any type of treatment requires that the patient keep up good daily care at home. Dr. Nicholas may also suggest changing certain behaviors, such as quitting smoking, as a way to improve treatment outcome.

Did you know that gingivitis is an early form of periodontitis, or gum disease?  Dr. Nicholas treats many patients who experience an occasional swelling of the gums, gums, that bleed after brushing or flossing, itchy gums, or bright red or purple gums.  These symptoms are signs of gingivitis and with preventive treatments from Dr. Nicholas and her hygiene department that include regular teeth cleanings, followed by a strict oral hygiene regimen, including anti-bacterial rinses, you can control the progression of gingivitis which if left untreated, gingivitis can escalate into periodontitis.

There are other factors that can contribute to the disease of periodontitis, including smoking, genetic tendencies, and unchecked diabetes.  However, with regular visits to a periodontist like Dr. Anne A. Nicholas, you can rid your mouth of periodontitis.  Dr. Nicholas will remove the buildup of bacterial plaque through scraping or sonic vibration.  She may place small pads treated with antibiotic solutions which will be placed between the teeth and gums, which also help to reduce plaque and combat the disease.

If you feel you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned in this blog posting, please feel free to contact Dr. Nicholas at her office by calling 760-340-1030 or stop by at 73929 Larrea Street, Suite 2, Palm Desert, California and she will be more than pleased to help you.

Dental plaque is the primary etiologic factor of the two most prevalent oral diseases: dental caries (cavities) and periodontal disease. Numerous studies have concluded and demonstrated that the ability to control the onset or progression of periodontal diseases is improved by regular plaque-control practices.

The Palm Desert Center for Advanced Cosmetic, Sedation and Implant Dentistry knows that oral health can be improved through effective plaque control, and that mechanical means of cleaning teeth are failing to deliver optimal levels of oral health because the techniques are not done consistently or thoroughly. In other words, people can do a better job of cleaning their teeth.  Oral hygiene routines (daily tooth brushing and flossing) are neither practiced consistently nor are they done for an adequate amount of time to thoroughly remove plaque.

Due to these limitations on home oral care practices, Dr. Anne A. Nicholas suggests that other strategies are required. Many of the strategies or other mechanical oral hygiene methods of plaque removal require time, motivation, and manual dexterity. Dr. Nicholas knows that people are busy and most likely will not take time for some of these procedures. However, using chemotherapeutics agents to help control plaque is another story.

She recommends along with multiple daily brushing that as an adjunct the use of an antimicrobial agent for reducing plaque and gingivitis, as an adjunctive therapy. Using a recommended mouthwash will have inhibitory effects on plaque and gingivitis compared to negative controls in the absence of tooth brushing and flossing.

Call and talk to Dr. Nicholas about which mouthwash is right for you.  She will be happy to talk with you and make recommendations that will help you maintain good oral health.

Call today;  The Palm Desert Center for Advanced Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry at 760-340-1030. Dr. Nicholas’s office is conveniently located at 73929 Larrea Street, Suite 2,   Palm Desert, California. She provides advanced dentistry for patients in Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage and the surrounding areas.

Osteoporosis shares many common risk factors with periodontal diseases. Bone loss is a common feature of both diseases, and it is biologically plausible that periodontal destruction could be significantly influenced by systemic bone loss. Numerous studies suggest a relationship between oral bone loss and systemic bone loss as well as an association of reduced hip bone mineral density (BMD).

The impact of periodontal diseases on affected individuals is increasingly apparent and significant with the disease progressing from gingival recession at relatively early stages. Including, dentin hypersensitivity toward tooth mobility, pathologic migration, and eventually tooth loss thereby affecting chewing and speech functions, esthetics, psychological aspects and the quality of life.

If you are concerned about Osteoporosis, Osteopenia, or Periodontal issues, you should make an appointment with Dr. Anne A. Nicholas of Palm Desert for a complete oral examination.  Dr. Nicholas has offices in both Palm Springs and Palm Desert to better serve her patients.