If you want to be healthy, seeing your dentist is more important than ever. Your oral health has a direct link to your general health. Dental problems contribute to diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer's, and other threatening conditions. Seeing your dentist and hygienist regularly can help you prevent and control these diseases. In this article, you will learn some of the things you can do at the dental office that will help you have a longer and healthier life.
1. Get Rid of Your Silver Fillings
Silver (amalgam) fillings are half mercury. Mercury is a toxin that has to be handled as hazardous waste. It does not make sense to put it in our mouths, especially when we have better materials available. Dentists trained in the safest way to handle mercury will use special techniques to prevent their patients from being exposed to more mercury during the removal process. These usually include using a rubber dam, special high-volume vacuum equipment, and the patient being on oxygen to prevent inhaling mercury vapor. Following these guidelines is very important for someone who has an illness related to mercury or of unknown origin. Of course, you don't have to be sick to look for a mercury safe dentist; my patients prefer these special precautions be taken preventively.
Mercury is also known to expand and contract with temperature, as it did in thermometers. When this happens in teeth, it can cause fractures and cracks. Fractured teeth usually require more extensive treatment like crowns and sometimes root canals. Changing silver fillings to newer materials may protect your teeth and save money in the long run.
2. Microscope Evaluations for Periodontal Disease
We all have bacteria bugs in our mouth. These bugs get into our blood stream when they are swallowed or absorbed. Some of them are harmless, but many of them contribute to periodontal (gum) disease or other infections. There is a direct link between gum disease in your mouth and diseases like heart disease and diabetes, so we take it seriously. In our office we do microscope slides for every patient in addition to checking their pocket depths. This allows us to evaluate the bacteria, use specific anti-microbial rinses or medications, and customize our approach for each individual patient. With this approach we are better able to control gum disease and its threat to your health.
3. ViziLite Oral Cancer Screening
Over 25% of oral cancers occur in people who don't smoke or have any lifestyle risk factors. There are about 30,000 new cases of oral cancer each year and only half of those people are still alive after 5 years. ViziLite screening is easy, painless, and 99% affective at catching oral cancer in the early stage. We know that early detection will save lives. Will yours be one of them?
4. Smiles
Research shows that smiling improves your mood, keeps you healthy, and helps you live longer. Smiles are also great gifts that allow you to brighten someone else's day. If there is anything about your teeth that prevents you from smiling, it can be changed. Dentists can change the color and shape of your teeth or how they fit together. When looking for a cosmetic dentist, be sure to ask to see pictures of smile makeovers by the dentist who will be doing your work. Being able to smile comfortably is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself and those around you.
You can find more detailed information on these and other dental related issues on my website.
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