We have nothing to fear but fear itself.

Most people get nervous just thinking about going to the dentist. Your anxiety might be created by past experiences or the negative representation of dentistry by the media. Dentistry has come a long way from your grandfather’s dentistry. The advances have helped the patients achieve an increased comfort level.
It’s often best to share your anxiety. If you’re tense or anxious, tell me as your dentist, I will try to create a positive relaxed experience for you. My staff and I can adapt our treatment to allow you to be as relaxed as possible.
Try to choose a time for your dental visit when you’re less likely to be rushed or under pressure. For some people, that means a Saturday or an early-morning appointment. Our office is open several days at 8 AM and we also offer Saturday hours.
If the sounds at the office bothers you, bring a portable audio player and headset so you can listen to your favorite music. If you do not have such a device or have forgotten it-we offer a list of CD’s you may choose from which we can play for your private musical needs. During the dental visit you might try visualizing yourself relaxing on a warm beach –we offer a hand warmer if your hands become cold.
These positive techniques work wonders for many. Smile and floss, and communicate your needs. We want to keep you smiling.!

What dental products should you buy?

Sometimes I am asked what dental floss or toothbrush is the best. My answer is and always will be “The best is the one that you as the patient likes, uses and is happy with.” If you do not like a floss brand or product; toothbrush brand or product, what real value is my opinion?

My real value to you as your healthcare professional is to EDUCATE you in the proper use of the floss and toothbrush. My responsibility is to educate and not become the marketing wing for any manufacturer. The proper use of any toothbrush and or floss will clean your teeth better than any “Super Custom Selected” toothbrush and or floss used incorrectly.

When you purchase a golf club, you may ask “What driver does Tiger Woods use?”. The purchase of that golf club will not make you a
better golfer and definitely will not make you play like Tiger Woods.
Educating yourself on the proper use of the driver and practice with the driver is the key to success.

If a mother purchases a Mont Blanc pen for their teenager, she knows that pen will not make her child write like Shakespeare. It is the education and practice while writing with a pen that could allow their child to create poetry that will last the ages.

I do say and feel that some toothpastes are more abrasive than others,
but realistically you do not need toothpaste to clean the teeth.
Fluoride is the active ingredient you should apply to the teeth.

So in reality Keep it Simple. Remember to floss daily and brush daily. My dental utopia would love to have everyone floss and brush after every meal. So smile floss and enjoy the day. Concentrate on the two minutes you are cleaning your teeth and that will be better than any Magic toothbrush I could offer you.

Walk the Talk

Recently I had to accompany my father to the emergency room. During the entire emergency room experience, I started to realize how as health care professionals we can lose sight of why we became healthcare providers. Waiting excessively, no attention to the patient or the family members while waiting; allowing hours to go by without water. Professionals fixated on the machines read outs and not the patients emotions. Is this healthcare or a science fair project?

I pride myself in being as compassionate as I can be for my patients. A dentist my patient can easily trust. I also pride myself in the fact that my staff and I truly attempt to educate the patient with communication and demonstration.

As our countries health care attempts to treat all, I am afraid that we may lose sight that our patients are frightened and need to be informed. When insurance companies dictate the treatment and reimbursement scale with their profit as the goal, the Doctor and patient lose.

The economic wave has hit all of us. As the dental insurance companies continue to decrease their payments, our office has made every effort to cut our overhead. I will continue to provide compassion and education for my patients. When I feel that the insurance companies cause me to treat patients otherwise, I will need to change my relationship with the insurance company and not my PATIENT.

As health care professionals, we must remember we are dealing with a human and not the dollar sign. The insurance companies and maybe even congress are beginning to lose sight of that.

I will continue my commitment to my patients and walk that talk. Smile and Floss.

Why Do My Gums Bleed?

Many patients believe that bleeding gums is acceptable, others ask why their gums bleed. Bleeding gums is a warning sign that periodontal disease has taken hold in your mouth.

Numerous articles are now written about the association of periodontal disease (gum and bone disease in the mouth) and a persons overall health. Conditions such as diabetes or heart issues can be adversely impacted when you have periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease is caused by an overgrowth of bacteria around your gums and teeth. You can remove the sticky film of overgrowing bacteria (plaque) with diligent brushing and flossing daily. If plaque is left unattended, in as short as three days damage can begin. The cells of the bacteria die, and their outer shell calcifies. These calcified shells pile up and form the hard calculus that your dental professional then must remove. The calculus acts like a splinter and irritates the gums, they bleed, toxins slide down to the bone holding your teeth and then the boney housing holding your teeth slowly dissolves. Dissolved bone leads to loose teeth and eventually premature tooth loss.

If you experience bleeding gums, Halitosis (Bad Breathe), loosening teeth, a salty flavor in your mouth and or oozing yellow material (pus); then you should contact your dentist soon. If you are not comfortable with your dentist contact me. My staff and I pride ourselves on communication and creating a bond of trust with our patients.

Remember Smile often, Laugh much Floss always.

ANALYZE YOUR OWN SMILE

1. Do you have any concerns about your smile?
2. Do you cover your mouth with your hand when you smile or talk?
3. Are some of your teeth darker than the others?
4. Do some of your teeth have white or brown stains?
5. Are you self-conscious about smiling in front of other people?
6. Would you like a whiter, more youthful smile?
7. Do you see any defects in the appearance of your teeth or gums?
8. Are there spaces or gaps between any of your teeth?
9. Are your teeth crowded?
10. If you have crowding or spaces, is it getting worse?
11. Are any of your teeth too long or too short?
12. Are any of your teeth crooked, jagged, worn, or chipped?

If you answered yes, please call for a consultation. 978-443-3111

Dry Mouth

Patients experience dry mouth for many reasons. Sometimes prescription medications can cause this and sometimes it is an effect of another disease. If left untreated, dry mouth can lead to some serious dental problems. Sipping water can help. However it does not lubricate and protect the mouth. There are products which offer relief, such as Biotene gel, toothpaste and mouthwash. Sometimes patients will need to be placed on prescription fluoride to additionally protect their teeth.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast Cancer is an insidious disease which has robbed us of many talented and vibrant women. The disease has affected many of us through our families, friends and, business associations. The good news is also that many of us know of breast cancer survivors. This is a wonderful time to express your love for your friends and family by reminding them to have their annual mammogram scheduled. As a dentist, your overall health is my outmost priority.

http://www.nbcam.org/

Dentures

When I first became a dentist, I went to a Nursing home to provide dentistry. To my disappointment, I was greeted by the head nurse with a box of full upper and lower dentures. My first task was supposed to be to identify which denture belonged to which patient.
From that point forward, I have always had the dentures which I fabricated have the patients’ identification. By inserting the name in an area only viewed when the denture was out of their mouth the patient can have the confidence their appliance will always be identified.
To this day hospitals and nursing homes lose or mismatch dentures. So please look at any family member’s prosthesis and verify that their name is on the denture for their mouth. If the denture does not have identification, please contact my office.

DIAGNOdent aids in detection of decay

Did you ever hear your dentist say, “We will watch that”? At times, I know I have made that statement about brown and butterscotch pits on the surface of patient’s teeth. What are we watching? Some teeth may be breaking down to decay or not. Now with the aid of the DIAGNOdent those brown spots can be quantified. Diagnosis of decay can be more accurate. This tool has been in my office for several years and my patients have benefitted from its scientific approach to quantifying changes in the teeth.
The DIAGNOdent works at 655 nm wavelength. Altered tooth and bacteria fluoresce when they are exposed to that wavelength of light. The DIAGNOdent then emits an audible tone with a quantified number for the amount of fluoresce.

Your Mouth is the Doorway to your Health

Although more research is needed, it is suggested that periodontal disease can contribute to pre-mature delivery of babies. Women considering pregnancy should see their dentist and confirm that their mouth is healthy. During the pregnancy it is suggested that elective work only be done during the middle trimester.