Diamons

Patient Education

Photography by Dr. Padval

Winter Stress Can Be A Grind

Dentists and researchers aren't in complete agreement about the cause of nightly tooth grinding (bruxism). But they do agree that it's partly stress-related. Since the year-end holidays can be some of the most stressful months of the year, we may be at risk for high stress more than at any other time. The Holiday Season is more than your ordinary daily grind—it's much more stressful. You can actually lower your body's stress response by inhaling deeply and exhaling completely. With mouth closed, slowly inhale [...]

By |2023-12-22T15:05:22-08:00July 9, 2024|Patient Education|

A Dental Insurance Reminder

Before you ring in the New Year, remember that a new insurance benefit period will also be starting in January. If your insurance plan has a maximum allowable benefit for the calendar year (and many plans do), you can maximize your dollar benefits by properly using the time at the end of the year. Take advantage of your annual allocated cleanings. or if you need or desire a specific dental treatment, see us before the end of the current benefit period.

By |2023-12-22T15:05:14-08:00July 2, 2024|Patient Education|

Facing Chemotherapy?

Tell Your Dentist Anyone facing cancer therapy already knows—chemotherapy for the treatment of cancer is a serious response to a serious condition. What they may not know is that a dental appointment scheduled at least two weeks before treatment begins can reduce the risk of complication and help preserve salivary glands. The reason is this: with radiation treatment and chemotherapy, changes in saliva occur that can encourage decay and dry mouth, diminish taste, and thicken soft tissues—to name a few. All these side effects [...]

By |2023-12-22T15:05:06-08:00June 25, 2024|Patient Education|

Alcohol and Your Teeth

Dentally speaking, is drinking alcohol a good thing or a bad thing for your teeth and gums? As with everything alcohol related, there are positives and negatives. On one hand, a mixer-free shot of vodka is probably less hazardous than caramel candies, which coat the teeth with a sticky goo that practically begs for cavities. On the other hand, every kind of alcohol—most notoriously drinks with sugary mixes—are chock-full of their own types of sugar. Sugar is the main source of energy for plaque [...]

By |2023-12-22T15:04:52-08:00June 18, 2024|Patient Education|

Sunshine For Healthy Teeth and Bones

We don’t hear a lot about vitamin D. It’s crucial for healthy teeth and bones because it helps you absorb calcium. And the easiest way to get your minimum daily requirement is—take a walk in the sun! Vitamin D is called the “sunshine vitamin” because natural sunlight converts a chemical in your skin into a usable form of vitamin D. Experts at the Mayo Clinic write that, for most people, as little as 10 to 15 minutes of natural sunshine three times a week [...]

By |2023-12-22T15:04:04-08:00May 14, 2024|Patient Education|

Medicine & Your Mouth

The medicine you take for one physical disorder may literally rot your teeth. This is one of many reasons we need to know your medical history and current treatment. For instance... Chewable vitamin C supplements are a good idea for a lot of people, but check your brand for sugar content. For children especially, a liquid form does less damage to tooth enamel, and natural sources of the vitamin—oranges, green vegetables—are even better. Calcium channel blockers (Procardia, Cardizem, Adalat) cause swelling of the gums in [...]

By |2023-12-22T15:03:55-08:00May 7, 2024|Patient Education|

Osteoporosis: The Calcium Connection

Osteoporosis—porous bones—is a fragile, frightening reality for at least 15 million North Americans. What begins as a slow and initially painless decrease in bone mass eventually leaves bones weakened and susceptible to fracture. It turns strong backs into weak; healthy strides into shuffles. From a dental viewpoint, the disease is evident in loss of tooth strength and jaw erosion. Osteoporosis, most common in middle-aged women and the elderly, is particularly insidious in that it is rarely diagnosed until the damage is done. Evidence suggests [...]

By |2023-12-22T15:03:43-08:00April 23, 2024|Patient Education|

Bulimia, the “Private Problem”

Not So Private Anymore If you recognize yourself or someone in your family in this piece, you share a problem with over 500,000 other people. Bulimia. Do you worry about how much you eat—all the time? Do you start a new diet almost every day? Do you perceive everyone else as thinner than you are? Do you make time in the day to eat in solitude—ice cream, doughnuts, pies, cakes, soft drinks—then vomit or take laxatives? Eating disorders have become so common in this [...]

By |2023-12-22T15:03:27-08:00April 9, 2024|Patient Education|

Smoking and Still Smiling?

Say you've spent the time and effort to get your mouth and teeth in shape. You’re dentally hale and hearty. And you smoke. As if there isn't enough reason to give up smoking, your dental health suffers too. Dramatically. Aside from the tobacco stains on teeth (not to mention the bouquet), serious oral disease can develop. The evidence just keeps piling up. Gum Disease - Research is showing that the incidence of gum disease is increased in a smoker, even given good oral hygiene and the best dental [...]

By |2023-12-22T15:03:18-08:00April 2, 2024|Patient Education|

Diabetes and Your Mouth

We could be first to know. Don’t let us be the last. Diabetes affects the blood chemistry and metabolism of its victims, threatening them with multiple serious disorders. But early detection can ward off the dangers, and we dentists are often the first to notice clues. Diabetics are more likely than others to develop tooth decay, periodontal (gum) disease, fungal infections, dry mouth, impaired taste, inflammatory skin disease, delayed healing and infections. Many diabetics have to come in for dental checkups more often than [...]

By |2023-12-22T15:02:41-08:00March 5, 2024|Patient Education|