A Silent Epidemic!

A Silent Epidemic!: "Dear Friend,
Gum disease has been described by the US Surgeon General as a silent epidemic, affecting approximately 85 percent of American adults thirty-five and over. The disease starts with an inflammatory response to a bacterial infection in the gum tissue. Gum disease is not only the leading cause of adult tooth loss but has also been linked to heart disease, diabetes, upper respiratory disease and other inflammatory infections.
Once an individual is diagnosed with gum disease, the standard treatment available involves intensive cleaning of the teeth above and below the gum line, a repetitive practice (every 3 to 6 months) that often requires a local anesthetic. Severe cases may require surgery. Many patients leave their disease untreated and therefore lose their teeth.
Periodontal disease is caused by plaque, the colorless, sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on the teeth. The bacteria in plaque produce byproducts that can irritate the gums and, over a period of time, seriously damage the structures that support the teeth.
To keep your teeth and gums healthy, it is important to floss daily and brush at least twice a day with a soft or electric toothbrush. Good dental hygiene at home and regular dental cleanings help maintain above and below the gum line free of plaque and tartar. This way you prevent problems such as gum recession, cavities, bone loss and eventual tooth loss.
Because gum disease is silent, many people who ignore it or are unaware that they have the disease end up losing teeth and have no other choice but to wear dentures.
Today, we have implants which can replace missing teeth. However, they are costly and may not be a possiblity in the absence of bone.

Wishing you a healthy holiday season,
Dr. Nazarian"

Oral Cancer

Dear friends,
According to National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, approximately 35,000 Americans are diagnosed each year with oral cancer which affects the mouth and/or part of the throat.

My patients oral health is my main concern and it doesn't stop with diagnosis and treatment of dental cavities and gum disease. Having detected lesions of the oral cavity which have been diagnosed as malignant, I know the importance of early detection of oral cancer.
You can help reduce your risk of oral cancer by avoiding the use of tobacco products and drinking alcoholic beverages in moderation.
It is also important to inform your dentist if you notice any sores in your oral cavity that last over 2 weeks or if you see/feel any persistent changes in your throat or mouth that don't go away i.e. lumps, swellings, numbness, coughing, difficulty swallowing or eating.
To read more on this topic you may copy and paste the link below.

http://www.ada.org/sections/scienceAndResearch/pdfs/DentalPatient_0510.pdf

Interesting news!

Dear friends,
I want you to know about a new product in the dental market which you may find interesting!
This is called a Snap-on-smile which is removable. It means you can take it out at night after wearing it all day long. This is an inexpensive and conservative way to change your smile if you have an issue with it. Of course, this is only for people who are not happy with their smile. Let's say, someone has short and damaged teeth or missing teeth or dark and stained teeth that just don't whiten even after bleaching. This will go over the teeth and give them the smile they want.
Many people who are interested in Cosmetic Dentistry but hesitant find this product helpful because it gives them a preview of what their teeth would look like after Veneers or Lumineers.
Just click on the link. It is short and informative.

Please take care of yourselves and keep smiling,
Dr. Nazarian :)

Spring Is Here!

Hello friends,
Spring is here and I hope you are enjoying the Season and the Holidays with your loved ones.
I recently read a series of articles on dentistry and a comparison of the decade from 2000 to 2010 to the decade from 1900 to 1910. I want to share some of that interesting information with you.
In the past 10 years, new equipment and products entered the profession. It is interesting to note that their technology was based on the discoveries made in the latter half of the 20th century. A similar phenomenon occured from 1900 to 1910 and again the discoveries from the preceding century, starting in the 1850s made it possible.
By 1900, dentistry had made rapid strides. Until mid 19th century, there were no dental schools or dental profession. By 1841, Americans wanted to make it clear to the British and other Europeans that they were ready to declare their cultural and academic independence.
They started a dental journal, a dental professional society and a formal process of dental education. These were the 3 elements needed to define a profession. It is not surprising that 2 out of 3 of these entities had the word American in their title. Of course, there was still European influence in the education system even though there was political independence.
In Europe, science generated new knowledge and greater understanding of natural phenomena. In America, from politics to religion, Americans were questioning their belief system, why they believed what they believed and why they did things the way they did. New religions were formed daily, new social movements emerged and new political systems were born. The scientific method as a new way of thinking was so very different from the one provided by organized religion in understanding and exploring natural phenomena. The second half of the 19th century, technological and scientific advances impacted society and eventually dentistry.
By 1900, x-rays were discovered and dentists used x-rays to capture the internal image of a tooth.
Another scientific discovery that had a major impact on dentistry was the discovery of microbial action leading to tooth decay in 1890s. This provided dentists with a scientific rationale for diagnosis of tooth decay. This way, dentists were able to become more proactive and could justify their therapeutic measures. By 1900, the standard of care included the use of amalgam (silver fillings) to restore teeth. The electric motorized drill was also discovered.
In a similar way, many new products have been developed in the past 10 years to restore lost and damaged teeth. These new products and equipments have changed the way dentists think about treatment.
It continues to be very exciting for me to be part of it all. I have noticed great changes in my own dental practice throughout the past 10 years due to the advances in dental products, technology and equipments. Many of my patients have already enjoyed and experienced the innovative and amazing results of cosmetic dentistry and the effect it has had on their smile and ultimately their life. It wasn't too long ago when a person had to go through extreme measures and painful procedures in order to have a beautiful smile!
Dentistry has come a long way since 1841 and there is still so much more to come in a very near future.

YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.: "."

Your Oral Health is Important to Your Total Health!

Hope you are staying dry and safe! It sure rained and came down pretty hard! The flowers are looking so pretty today, have you noticed?

Going back to teeth, people always ask me how do I keep my teeth and gums healthy? My answer is you need to brush and floss and see your dentist regularly.

A soft toothbrush is recommended and better yet an electric toothbrush. It is important to brush softly without scrubbing your gums and teeth to avoid gum recession. You can also damage the enamel on your teeth which leads to an unattractive and unhealthy smile. However, it is very important to not avoid the gumline because plaque accumulation can lead to gingivitis (gum inflammation) or more serious periodontal problems. Also, if plaque is left on teeth, it can lead to cavities.

Flossing is necessary to keep the teeth and gums healthy. I particularly like using Glide floss (waxed) for my own teeth and recommend it to my patients. It doesn't shred and makes you feel clean by reaching the difficult and tight spaces. Some people need to floss and brush more often than others. It is based on your individual needs and I always make sure to instruct every patient according to their own individual needs. After a thorough examination of the teeth and oral tissues, I can also advise you better and tell you what else you can do to keep that beautiful smile healthy.

Just remember, your head is part of the rest of your body and if you want to keep your heart healthy then among other things, you need to keep your mouth and oral tissues healthy as well.