Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Fish Oil Might Help Fight Gum Disease

A study published in the November issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that eating moderate amounts of omega-3 fatty acids seemed beneficial in preventing gum disease. The American Heart Association recommends eating fatty fish at least twice a week. So it appears that omega-3 is a good idea for heart and gum health.

Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums caused by the accumulation of plaque and tartar along the gum line of teeth. The bacteria of plaque release toxins which cause inflammation, the body's attempt to heal and repair itself. This chronic inflammation causes decay in the surrounding gum and bone causing pockets or cavities. About half of the adult population over 35 years of age experiences gingivitis, an infection limited to the gums, while 10-20 percent experience the more advanced form of periodontal disease effecting the gum and bone called periodontitis.

The usual treatment of periodontal disease is good home care involving daily brushing and flossing with supportive professional care by the dentist to remove the hard deposits of tartar and applying local antibiotics to kill the bacteria. This study supports incorporating fish into one's diet for the anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3 to limit the destruction of gum and bone as a result of periodontitis. Dietary sources of omega-3 are sardines, herring, salmon, along with walnuts and flax seed. For more information on periodontitis and the relation to heart health, refer to my September 29, 2010 blog post or visit www.dulski.com/gum-disease.html.

Tags: Prevention of Gum Disease, Periodontitis, Periodontal Disease, Treatment of Periodontal Disease

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Cosmetic Dentistry

Innovations in dental technology have made a trip to the dentist an entirely new experience thanks to the advances of cosmetic dentistry. The main goal of traditional dentistry is to keep teeth healthy and free of decay. Cosmetic dentistry takes the profession to a whole new level with the goal of enhancing the appearance of your smile and consequently your self-esteem. With cosmetic dentistry, even getting a cavity filled can be an opportunity to improve your smile.



For over 150 years, cavities were filled with a metal called amalgam, a mixture of silver and mercury. You may have seen these black filling on the back teeth of an individual when they laughed. Today, cavities are filled with composites which are made of resins that are matched to the tooth color for a natural appearance. Composite fillings also provide an excellent seal since they are bonded to the tooth using a strong dental adhesive.

Bonding technology is also used to restore severely discolored or decayed teeth with porcelain veneers or crowns. One of the more popular developments in cosmetic dentistry is the use of porcelain veneers to close gaps or straighten crowded teeth. The result is a new smile which can be accomplished in as little as one week.
Stained teeth are very common among adults of all ages and come from foods such as coffee, tea, tobacco, red wine and soda. Teeth whitening is a safe, effective and fast procedure. The key to a long-lasting, dazzling white smile is to have them whitened by a cosmetic dentist using a prescription strength agent applied using the technologies available in a professional office.
Teeth whitening used in conjunction with Invisalign uses a series of clear plastic aligner to close gaps and straighten healthy teeth without the metal brackets and wires of conventional braces. 3-D computer imaging technology allows you to see the results of your beautiful new smile right at the chair. It's one thing for me to tell you the services available through the advances of cosmetic dentistry. Why not see the results for yourself and hear patients relate their success stories by visiting www.dulski.com/success.html.

Tags: Cosmetic DentistryCompposite FillingsPorcelain VeneersDental CrownsTeeth WhiteningInvisalign

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Teeth Whitening

A smile is one of the first things that you notice about people. A bright, beautiful smile catches your attention. Stained or discolored teeth are very common among adults of all ages, and comes from a variety of sources, such as smoking or drinking coffee, tea, or red wine.

Those with stained teeth tend to brush more vigorously which can cause gum recession and expose and damage tender root surfaces. Others use over-the-counter whitening kits which don't have the prescription strength and lasting effects of professional teeth whitening.

The key to a long lasting, bright, naturally white smile is to have teeth whitened by a cosmetic dentist. I have found blue light activated teeth whitening to be safe, gentle and effective. Blue Light Teeth Whitening works by the dentist carefully applying the whitening gel to the teeth. The gel is then activated by a gentle blue light for 20 minutes while you relax and watch a video or listen to music. The process is repeated before you go home with a naturally dazzling new smile.

There's no laser, no heat and no scraping; only gel and light to achieve dramatic results in one hour. To learn more about what teeth whitening can do for you, visit /www.dulski.com/whiten.html.

Tags: Teeth WhiteningCosmetic DentistBlue Light Teeth Whitening

Monday, October 11, 2010

Why Dental Implants?

There are plenty of reasons to replace a missing tooth. A gap between your teeth if in your smile is an embarrassment. A missing tooth can also impair your speech. Missing back teeth, although not noticeable, diminish your bite.

When a back tooth is lost, the biting force on the remaining teeth increases and adjacent teeth collapse into the gap. These extra pressures if distributed to the jaw joints can lead to dysfunction and pain. If a missing tooth is not replaced, the shifting teeth open gaps at the gums which accumulate plaque which can lead to tooth decay, periodontal disease and further tooth loss. The need for many dentures began with the loss of a single tooth.

Dental implants are an excellent treatment for replacing a missing tooth. Implants are small titanium posts that replace the roots of missing teeth. Custom crafted crowns are secured to the implant which then restore the bite and hold the adjacent teeth firmly in place. Single tooth implants are not removable.

The placement of an implant has several phases. First, we determine if an implant is right for you by discussing your health and treatment goals. We do a comprehensive examination to check the health of your gums and the supporting jaw bone.

To begin the procedure, we shape a shaft in the bone, then place the implant in the prepared space. Over the course of the next two months, the implant will become fused in the bone. The last step is to secure the crown for final restoration.

Implants have several benefits. They stimulate the jaw bone when you chew preserving the jaw bone and keeping it healthy. Implants are comfortable and secure, and they have the look and feel of natural teeth. With good home care and regular check-ups, implants can be a good long-term solution for missing teeth. For more information, visit www.dulski.com/implants.html or www.ada.org/public/topics/implants.asp.

Tags: Dental ImplantsSingle Tooth Implants