Diamons

Patient Education

Photography by Dr. Padval

Sounding Off About Snoring!

Do you snore, and has your partner compared it to the sound of a giant band saw slowly slicing through the house? Ever wake up groggy and grumpy after a "full night's sleep?" If the answers are "Yes" and "Yes," you could be suffering from sleep apnea, a not-so-funny condition in which sleepers actually stop breathing for brief periods overnight. For most of us, snoring can be reduced or eliminated by wearing a simple oral appliance at night. It enlarges the airway by positioning [...]

By |2018-01-09T08:00:07-08:00January 9, 2018|Patient Education|

Resolutions for a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Here's to Health in 2018! We care about you as patients and as friends too! As we all try to get healthier in the New Year, here are some common resolutions that can improve dental and overall health. Make the New Year tobacco-free! Do whatever you need to quit smoking—seek out a program, a patch, a support group. Half a million North Americans die annually from disease caused by cigarette smoking. It doesn't have to be! Check your blood pressure and cholesterol. See a [...]

By |2018-01-02T08:00:16-08:00January 2, 2018|Patient Education|

Expiring Dental Insurance Benefits?

Use Them or Lose Them! What if someone gave you free money to spend on improving your smile? With one string attached: use it all by New Years', or lose it. Well, for those fortunate enough to have insurance, be sure to take advantage of your plan's benefits before they expire at the end of the year. Most dental insurance policies have a dollar limit to the amount of treatment provided over the calendar year. Benefit money not used by December 31 is NOT [...]

By |2017-12-12T00:00:03-08:00December 12, 2017|Patient Education|

Hormones and Periodontal Disease

Women of all ages are prone to changing levels of progesterone in the body. And progesterone—especially when you are pregnant or taking oral contraceptives—causes some bacteria to grow in awesome numbers. Unfortunately, the bacteria associated with gum disease are among them. Are you taking progesterone medication? Tell us if these ring a bell: Provera, Amen, Cycrin, Norlutate, Norinyl, Otho-Novum, Ovral, Triphasil—among many others. In the face of such drugs, an existing periodontal problem may worsen, or the disease can develop suddenly in apparently healthy [...]

By |2017-11-21T00:00:53-08:00November 21, 2017|Patient Education|

Your Health History

Keep Us Informed of Any Changes! If it's been a little while since your last appointment, then don't forget to update your health history. Your dental care is part of your total health-care package. Have you: experienced any new allergies or sensitivities? quit smoking (or started)? begun taking new medications, even over-the-counter drugs? had any accidents or injuries? been diagnosed with any illness or other medical condition? experienced dry mouth? had a baby? Your answers help to determine how we treat your mouth. In [...]

By |2017-11-07T00:00:02-08:00November 7, 2017|Patient Education|

Antibiotics before Dental Procedures?

Know the Guidelines If in the past your doctor has prescribed antibiotics before you had dental work, don't assume that your future holds more such meds. The guidelines may have changed since your last appointment… so check with your family doctor or cardiologist to learn if premedication is necessary for you. For years the American Heart Association (AHA) recommended an antibiotic regime before dentistry for certain heart patients. But recently the AHA rewrote its guidelines, and the American Dental Association adopted them, agreeing that [...]

By |2017-10-24T00:00:55-07:00October 24, 2017|Patient Education|

Eating Too Much Sugar…

The diet of today is the result of a 50-year increase in consumption of the rapidly absorbed sugars—specifically, soft drinks, commercial juices, candy, and easily digested sugar foods such as cakes, cookies, etc. This change has generally gone unnoticed by consumers, until very recently it has been unquestionably assumed that this is "the way this age is." However, now it has become increasingly apparent that we suffer from more and more glucose (sugar) metabolism diseases and dental caries because of poor diet. These high-energy [...]

By |2017-10-17T00:00:21-07:00October 17, 2017|Patient Education|

Oral Health Tips when Having a Baby

You've got the glow of a mother-to-be. Keep it with these tips for better oral health for you and your baby. Now you're eating (and brushing, flossing and keeping dental appointments) for two. Make an appointment at the outset of your pregnancy for a healthy head start and advice on changes that could lead to dental problems. Hormonal changes can lead to diet changes, for a famous example, and morning sickness acids can threaten tooth enamel. Schedule non-emergency dental care for the fourth to [...]

By |2017-09-26T00:00:34-07:00September 26, 2017|Patient Education|

Where Did All the Pain Go?

The Reality is, Today's Dentistry is Virtually Painless There's a bright new trend in dental offices these days: More people are making appointments because they want to, not because they have to. What is it about a visit to the dentist that feels this good? One simple, wonderful fact: In most cases, the pain is gone. Painless dental treatment is bringing us to a level of well-being—and appearance—makes a positive, tangible difference in our lives. Dental medicine has come a long way. The reality [...]

By |2017-09-19T00:00:25-07:00September 19, 2017|Patient Education|

The Calcium Advantage

How important is calcium to us? It' s very important. Here's why. It builds strong bones and teeth; helps the heart to beat, muscles to flex, blood to clot, and nerves to send messages throughout the body. Calcium helps to reduce risks of colon cancer, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, premenstrual syndrome, and high cholesterol. Calcium Advantage Tips Drink milk with meals, have cereal with milk, order cheese on your sandwich, snack on cheese and crackers, cheese and fruit, yogurt or a glass of milk. Consume [...]

By |2017-09-12T00:00:36-07:00September 12, 2017|Patient Education|