Diamons

osteoporosis

Photography by Dr. Padval

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 |2024-09-02T14:41:11-07:00April 23, 2024|Patient Education|

Dental Implants: What can they do?

All About Dental Implants What are dental implants? And how do they work? Dental implants are just one of the options available to replace missing teeth. They are known for their strength as well as versatility in addressing a wide variety of cases. A single implant can support one replacement tooth, or multiple implants can support several restorations. Dental implants work by utilizing the latest materials and techniques. The implants themselves consist of medical-grade biocompatible titanium that resembles a tapered screw. These implants are [...]

By |2023-04-25T08:00:05-07:00April 25, 2023|Restorative Dentistry|

Calcium is Crucial

For Healthy Teeth and Bones Calcium is especially important for children and new mothers. Dentally speaking, calcium is one of the essential nutrients. When we eat food that's high in calcium, it benefits both teeth and bones. It makes sure children's teeth develop correctly, and ensures that new mothers have enough nourishment for their babies during breastfeeding. Even for older women, it helps prevent the onset of osteoporosis, a disease that weakens the bones. What foods contain calcium? Luckily, calcium is present in many [...]

By |2021-06-08T08:00:41-07:00June 8, 2021|Nutrition|

Bone Up on Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis, the loss of bone mass as we age, could affect half of all Americans over 50 by 2020. It is defined as bone loss of about 25 percent, which results in fragile bones that fracture easily. Its reputation as an old person's disease stems from the fact that bone loss doesn't hurt and osteoporosis victims can go years without a clue they are susceptible to the condition. You can guard against bone loss even if factors outside your control put you in one [...]

By |2018-08-14T00:00:53-07:00August 14, 2018|Patient Education|

Your Teeth Age Too!

Special Concerns for Older Adults Along with those gray hairs and inevitable smile lines, your mouth undergoes natural changes over the years, as well. Among them: Cutting edge of teeth are worn flat by chewing or grinding. Remember to keep regularly scheduled hygiene appointments to check for cavities. Consider dental sealants to prevent decay, or a nighttime mouthguard if you experience grinding (bruxism). Jawbones supporting teeth or dentures can shrink by as much as two-thirds! Loss of bone mass is a fact of aging, [...]

By |2018-05-22T08:00:19-07:00May 22, 2018|Restorative Dentistry|

The Truth About Smoking

While nobody enjoys getting lectured about a bad habit, it's important to have all the relevant information available to you, especially when it involves health implication. So if you need any extra motivation to help you quit smoking, we'll discuss some of the lesser known problems it can cause. It isn't just your lungs that suffer! Of course, anyone can understand the relationship between smoking and lung cancer, but there are serious oral health implications too. Gum disease significantly increases with smoking, as nicotine [...]

By |2018-03-27T08:00:39-07:00March 27, 2018|Patient Education|

Don’t Forget Your Calcium

Since childhood we've been told we need calcium to build strong teeth and bones. But the fact is we never outgrow our need for this important mineral. Why...? Osteoporosis and loss of bone around the teeth can result when we don't consume enough calcium Authorities say that to reduce the risk of weak, brittle bones later in life, you need a daily intake of 800 mg (men) or 1000-1500 mg (women). Rapid growth during adolescence and the demands of pregnancy and breastfeeding create even [...]

By |2018-02-27T08:00:23-08:00February 27, 2018|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|

When Prescriptions and Dentistry Don’t Mix

Some prescribed drugs and dental surgery may not be a good mix. You might not think that what your MD prescribes—and what your dentist does for your mouth's well-being—are closely related. But both are significant. If you are contemplating upcoming dentistry like a tooth extraction or an implant, it may be helpful to review which prescribed drugs you are taking for other problems. Two red flags, here: prescription drugs for osteoporosis and certain drugs used in association with chemotherapy against cancers. The big word [...]

By |2016-08-16T00:00:47-07:00August 16, 2016|Patient Education|

Let the Sunshine in!

Are you one of the millions of Americans who spends most of their working and free time indoors? If so, you may be missing out on the important benefits of sunshine, which not only lifts the spirit, but also helps the body create an essential nutrient—vitamin D. Early in this century doctors discovered that too little vitamin D led to childhood diseases in which bones failed to develop. We now know that vitamin D deficiency can lead to brittle bones in adults (osteoporosis). Hips, [...]

By |2016-06-07T00:00:16-07:00June 7, 2016|Patient Education|