No matter what your age, you need to take care of your teeth and mouth.
When your mouth is healthy, you can easily eat the foods you need for good nutrition. You can smile, talk and laugh when you have a healthy mouth. Teeth are meant to last a lifetime. By taking care of your teeth and gums, you can protect them for years to come. Below is information on the changes in your mouth, teeth and gums, tips for preventing oral disease, and finally, how diabetes affects dental health.
A. The Changes
Our mouth, teeth and gums go through many changes as we age. Seniors face a range of oral health concerns, with tooth decay and periodontal disease two of the more prevalent conditions. The majority of people over age 50 have been affected by some form of gum disease and tooth decay. Oral cancer is also more common in older individuals.
Some changes in your mouth, teeth and gums to look for, include:
--Receding gums and bone loss (Receding gums can expose tooth root surfaces making them more susceptible to tooth decay. Bone loss may cause teeth to loosen.) --Oral cancer can affect the lips, gum tissues, check lining, tongue, hard and soft palates and floor of the mouth --Teeth may become more dry and brittle and may be more likely to crack or break --Years of chewing may wear down tooth enamel and teeth may become more sensitive --Dry mouth may develop as a side effect of some medications, increasing the risk of tooth decay (Tell your dentist about health problems and medications you are taking to assure the most appropriate dental treatments. Plus, your medical insurance may cover some of these problems.) --Old fillings may fracture --Bone shrinkage under dentures may occur --Teeth may appear to darken with age
B. Prevention
The good news is you can practice oral disease prevention by:
--Brushing at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste --Flossing --Drinking fluoridated water --Eating a nutritious diet --Try sugar-free candy or gum to stimulate saliva flow if you have dry mouth; artificial saliva or oral rinses may also be appropriate --Not smoking --Making regular dental visits
C. First Signs of Trouble
See your dentist at the first signs of trouble, including:
--Pain
--Tenderness or numbness
--Bad breath
--Gums that bleed easily or are red or swollen --Crust or small eroded area in or around the mouth or neck --White or red patches in the mouth or on the lips --A sore that bleeds easily or does not heal --A change in the way your teeth fit together --Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving the jaw or tongue
II. DIABETES AND YOUR DENTAL HEALTH
Tooth and gum problems can happen to anyone, but those with diabetes are at a greater risk. A sticky film full of germs (called plaque) builds up on your teeth causing tooth decay. High sugar levels in the blood help these germs or bacteria grow even faster.
A. Information You Should Give Your Dentist It’s important to keep your medical records updated. Let your dentist
know:
--If you have been diagnosed with diabetes --If the disease is under control --If there has been any other change in your medical history --The names of all prescription and over-the-counter drugs you are taking
B. What Oral Health Problems can be Associated with Diabetes?
The most common oral health problems associated with diabetes are:
--Tooth decay
--Periodontal (gum) disease
--Salivary gland dysfunction
--Inflammatory skin disease
--Infection and delayed healing
--Taste impairment
C. How Can Diabetes Hurt My Teeth & Gums?
When diabetes is not controlled properly, high glucose levels in saliva may help bacteria thrive. This may cause tooth decay, inflammation and infection. And because diabetes reduces the body’s resistance to infection, the gums are among the tissues likely to be affected.
Periodontal diseases are infections of the gum and gone that hold your teeth in place.
Periodontal disease is often linked to the control of diabetes.
Patients with inadequate blood sugar control appear to develop periodontal disease more often and more severally, and they lose more teeth than persons who have good control of their diabetes.
D. What Should I do if My Mouth Feels Dry?
Saliva helps wash away food particles and keeps the mouth moist.
Without adequate saliva, bacteria continue to grow. Dry mouth is a common complaint among diabetic dental patients and those going through radiation cancer therapy. Constant dryness irritates the soft tissues in the mouth, often making them inflamed and painful. This condition greatly increases the risk of tooth decay and periodontal disease.
Your dentist may recommend a saliva substitute, rinsing with a fluoride mouth rinse or having a topical application of fluoride at home and in the dental office to help prevent tooth decay. Sometimes sugarless gum, sugarless mints, frequent sips of water and ice chips may help.
Restricting intake of caffeine and alcohol can also help.
E. Other Oral Conditions Associated with Diabetes A fungal infection, oral candidiasis, in the mouth appears to occur more frequently among persons with diabetes. Your dentist may prescribe antifungal medications to treat this condition. Good oral hygiene is critical.
Lichen planus, a skin disorder that produces lesions in the mouth, is another condition seen in diabetics. This may cause painful ulcers that erode surface tissue. Your dentist may prescribe a topical anesthetic to reduce and relieve the condition. A cool water laser may also be used to zap the ulcer to speed recovery time.
F. What if I Need Oral Surgery?
Since infection is a risk for the diabetic patient, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics to minimize the risk of infection if you are having extensive oral surgery. To help the healing process, keep your blood glucose levels under control before, during and after surgery.
Also, talk to your dentist before your visit to find out the best way to take care of your blood glucose during the dental work. You may need to bring some diabetes medicine and food with you to the dentist’s office.
G. Keeping Your Teeth & Gums Healthy
--Keep your glucose levels as close to normal as possible.
--Use dental floss at least once a day.
--Brush your teeth after each meal and snack, using a soft toothbrush.
--If you wear false teeth, keep them clean.
--Call your dentist right away if you have problems with your teeth and gums.
--Get your teeth and gums cleaned and checked by your dentist twice a year.
--Let your dentist know you have diabetes.
--Quit smoking.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Friday, February 9, 2007
LASER DENTISTRY COMES TO NORTHEAST OHIO WITH WATERLASE TECHNOLOGY NOW IN ROCKY RIVER DENTAL PRACTICE
Dr. Richard E. Betor hangs up his drill for a water-laser tool.
(ROCKY RIVER) Imagine a trip to the dentist without drilling, needles or Novocaine. It’s now possible with an innovative new instrument called the Waterlase MD that has made its way to Rocky River, and into the dental practice of Dr. Richard, E. Betor.
The Waterlase MD can perform a variety of dental procedures normally done with a drill, without even touching the patient’s tooth, and usually without the need for local anesthetics.
Manufactured by California-based Biolase Technology, Inc., the Waterlase MD uses “hydrokinetic” technology that combines laser technology with an ultra-fine stream of water, capable of cutting into tooth, bone and soft tissue. As the stream of water flows into the laser beam, the water molecules become laser energized, and create tiny explosions upon impact with teeth or soft tissue. The Waterlase MD is about the size of a computer hard drive tower with a laser/water jet situated at the end of an attached hose. The laser-cutting procedure remains painless due to the numbing effect which results when the laser painlessly impacts microscopic nerve endings.
Instead of the high-pitched noise of the dental drill, all you hear are quiet, little “pops”, reminiscent of popcorn popping. As the Waterlase MD works, it produces a series of soft pops, and combined with the streams of water, cools and soothes the tooth.
There are only a handful of dentists in the Northeast Ohio area that are currently using this new technology. And according to Biolase Technology, the manufacturers of Waterlase MD, a study done at University of the Pacific says 98.5% of patients reported no discomfort during Waterlase MD procedures.
“This technology is for anyone interested in pain-free dentistry, but is especially helpful for children and those with allergies to local anesthetics,” says Dr. Betor.
The Waterlase MD is both a hard and soft tissue laser. It can be used in dental procedures such as removal of tooth decay, cavity preparation, dental resurfacing and for other uses on the mouth and gums (soft tissue). About the only thing you can’t do with the water-and-laser beam technology is to cut through silver fillings. The Waterlase MD technology allows the dentist to alleviate the chemical process that causes pain (inactivate the pain process), and then use a traditional drill to remove the metal filling. Yet another benefit of the Waterlase MD is that the laser sterilizes the tooth area as it removes the decay, so there’s no need to drill the tooth more than medically necessary. With respect to root canals, the infected root is sterilized without the use of harsh chemicals. The Waterlase MD is also used to zap mouth sores, which can be especially helpful for cancer patients going through chemotherapy, where mouth sores can be a side effect.
Cool and precise, there’s no danger of the Waterlase MD overheating or cracking the tooth from pressure as a regular drill might do. The Waterlase MD does not damage nerves, so teeth stay alive and healthy. On procedures involving soft tissue therapy, the laser helps to reduce swelling, bleeding and the need for sutures, and even enhances healing time.
For more information on Waterlase MD technology, call The Dr. Richard E. Betor Cosmetic Dental Group at (440) 333-3766, or visit www.drbetor.com.
The Dr. Richard E. Betor Cosmetic Dental Group is located at 21851 Center Ridge Road, Suite 307 in Rocky River. Dr. Betor has many years of experience, specializing in cosmetic, implant and aesthetic dentistry. He is a member of the American Dental Association, Ohio Dental Association, Cleveland Dental Association, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, American Academy of Implant Dentistry, and the Academy of General Dentistry. Currently, Dr. Betor is a candidate for Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry (F.A.G.D.), one of the highest levels of dentistry education. Dr. Betor is also a recent graduate of the Larry Rosenthal Institute for Aesthetic Dentistry, located at the New York University College of Dentistry.
(ROCKY RIVER) Imagine a trip to the dentist without drilling, needles or Novocaine. It’s now possible with an innovative new instrument called the Waterlase MD that has made its way to Rocky River, and into the dental practice of Dr. Richard, E. Betor.
The Waterlase MD can perform a variety of dental procedures normally done with a drill, without even touching the patient’s tooth, and usually without the need for local anesthetics.
Manufactured by California-based Biolase Technology, Inc., the Waterlase MD uses “hydrokinetic” technology that combines laser technology with an ultra-fine stream of water, capable of cutting into tooth, bone and soft tissue. As the stream of water flows into the laser beam, the water molecules become laser energized, and create tiny explosions upon impact with teeth or soft tissue. The Waterlase MD is about the size of a computer hard drive tower with a laser/water jet situated at the end of an attached hose. The laser-cutting procedure remains painless due to the numbing effect which results when the laser painlessly impacts microscopic nerve endings.
Instead of the high-pitched noise of the dental drill, all you hear are quiet, little “pops”, reminiscent of popcorn popping. As the Waterlase MD works, it produces a series of soft pops, and combined with the streams of water, cools and soothes the tooth.
There are only a handful of dentists in the Northeast Ohio area that are currently using this new technology. And according to Biolase Technology, the manufacturers of Waterlase MD, a study done at University of the Pacific says 98.5% of patients reported no discomfort during Waterlase MD procedures.
“This technology is for anyone interested in pain-free dentistry, but is especially helpful for children and those with allergies to local anesthetics,” says Dr. Betor.
The Waterlase MD is both a hard and soft tissue laser. It can be used in dental procedures such as removal of tooth decay, cavity preparation, dental resurfacing and for other uses on the mouth and gums (soft tissue). About the only thing you can’t do with the water-and-laser beam technology is to cut through silver fillings. The Waterlase MD technology allows the dentist to alleviate the chemical process that causes pain (inactivate the pain process), and then use a traditional drill to remove the metal filling. Yet another benefit of the Waterlase MD is that the laser sterilizes the tooth area as it removes the decay, so there’s no need to drill the tooth more than medically necessary. With respect to root canals, the infected root is sterilized without the use of harsh chemicals. The Waterlase MD is also used to zap mouth sores, which can be especially helpful for cancer patients going through chemotherapy, where mouth sores can be a side effect.
Cool and precise, there’s no danger of the Waterlase MD overheating or cracking the tooth from pressure as a regular drill might do. The Waterlase MD does not damage nerves, so teeth stay alive and healthy. On procedures involving soft tissue therapy, the laser helps to reduce swelling, bleeding and the need for sutures, and even enhances healing time.
For more information on Waterlase MD technology, call The Dr. Richard E. Betor Cosmetic Dental Group at (440) 333-3766, or visit www.drbetor.com.
The Dr. Richard E. Betor Cosmetic Dental Group is located at 21851 Center Ridge Road, Suite 307 in Rocky River. Dr. Betor has many years of experience, specializing in cosmetic, implant and aesthetic dentistry. He is a member of the American Dental Association, Ohio Dental Association, Cleveland Dental Association, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, American Academy of Implant Dentistry, and the Academy of General Dentistry. Currently, Dr. Betor is a candidate for Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry (F.A.G.D.), one of the highest levels of dentistry education. Dr. Betor is also a recent graduate of the Larry Rosenthal Institute for Aesthetic Dentistry, located at the New York University College of Dentistry.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
BRUSHING & FLOSSING MAY PREVENT HEART DISEASE IN WOMEN
BRUSHING & FLOSSING MAY PREVENT HEART DISEASE IN WOMEN
Dr. Betor offers free comprehensive examinations and diagnostic x-rays, as well as oral cancer screenings for all new patients, with no obligation.
Evidence is mounting that women who fail to take care of their teeth are at higher risk for heart disease, respiratory infections, osteoporosis, gum disease and even giving birth to premature babies. Many believe the cause is the bacteria found in dental plaque. Could something as simple as regular brushing, flossing and check-ups help women beat the odds? Dr. Richard E. Betor thinks so.
That’s why Dr. Betor of The Dr. Richard E. Betor Cosmetic Dental Group in Rocky River, is offering free comprehensive examinations and diagnostic x-rays, as well as oral cancer screenings to all new patients, with no obligation. And for those interested in a little whitening and brightening, Dr. Betor offers the Zoom 2 laser whitening system for just $299.
And to further spread the word about women’s dental health, Dr. Betor offers free dental seminars to women’s groups, and he is also participating as a speaker at the upcoming Women’s Expo event on Saturday and Sunday, March 10 & 11, 2007 at the IX Center.
In his seminars, Dr. Betor lets women know about the importance of dental health, the latest in laser dentistry and the options available in cosmetic dentistry.
“I go over the basics about good oral hygiene in my presentations, and then we get into the fun stuff—laser and cosmetic dentistry,” says Dr. Betor. “No one should be afraid to go to the dentist anymore. With water laser technology, many procedures are done without drills and Novocaine. I’ll also bring some before and after photos of the new smiles we’ve created for our patients,” he adds.
With the popularity of shows like “Extreme Makeover,” many women are seeking information about cosmetic dentistry, including whitening and porcelain veneers. A beautiful smile can also improve self-esteem, which is part of your mental health. Dr. Betor can discuss cosmetic options at his seminars of the group is interested. At the Women’s Expo, he will do complimentary dental imaging in his booth, so attendees can see what they would look like with a smile makeover.
A member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Betor was trained by Dr. Larry Rosenthal, “The Dentist to the Stars,” who counts Donald Trump and Kathie Lee Gifford as clients. Dr. Betor has appeared on TV3 and TV5, and has been profiled by the Plain Dealer, Sun Newspapers, WestLife and Crain’s Cleveland Business.
To book your free exam, x-ray and oral cancer screening, or to take advantage of the $299 Zoom 2 laser whitening special, call The Dr. Richard E. Betor Cosmetic Dental Group at (440) 333-3766, or visit www.drbetor.com.
The Dr. Richard E. Betor Cosmetic Dental Group is located at 21851 Center Ridge Road, Suite 307 in Rocky River. Dr. Betor has many years of experience, and is trained in cosmetic, implant, laser and general dentistry. He is a member of the American Dental Association, Ohio Dental Association, Cleveland Dental Association, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, American Academy of Implant Dentistry and the Academy of General Dentistry. Currently, Dr. Betor is a candidate for Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry (F.A.G.D.), one of the highest levels of dental education. Dr. Betor is also a graduate of the Larry Rosenthal Institute for Aesthetic Dentistry, located at the New York University College of Dentistry.
Dr. Betor offers free comprehensive examinations and diagnostic x-rays, as well as oral cancer screenings for all new patients, with no obligation.
Evidence is mounting that women who fail to take care of their teeth are at higher risk for heart disease, respiratory infections, osteoporosis, gum disease and even giving birth to premature babies. Many believe the cause is the bacteria found in dental plaque. Could something as simple as regular brushing, flossing and check-ups help women beat the odds? Dr. Richard E. Betor thinks so.
That’s why Dr. Betor of The Dr. Richard E. Betor Cosmetic Dental Group in Rocky River, is offering free comprehensive examinations and diagnostic x-rays, as well as oral cancer screenings to all new patients, with no obligation. And for those interested in a little whitening and brightening, Dr. Betor offers the Zoom 2 laser whitening system for just $299.
And to further spread the word about women’s dental health, Dr. Betor offers free dental seminars to women’s groups, and he is also participating as a speaker at the upcoming Women’s Expo event on Saturday and Sunday, March 10 & 11, 2007 at the IX Center.
In his seminars, Dr. Betor lets women know about the importance of dental health, the latest in laser dentistry and the options available in cosmetic dentistry.
“I go over the basics about good oral hygiene in my presentations, and then we get into the fun stuff—laser and cosmetic dentistry,” says Dr. Betor. “No one should be afraid to go to the dentist anymore. With water laser technology, many procedures are done without drills and Novocaine. I’ll also bring some before and after photos of the new smiles we’ve created for our patients,” he adds.
With the popularity of shows like “Extreme Makeover,” many women are seeking information about cosmetic dentistry, including whitening and porcelain veneers. A beautiful smile can also improve self-esteem, which is part of your mental health. Dr. Betor can discuss cosmetic options at his seminars of the group is interested. At the Women’s Expo, he will do complimentary dental imaging in his booth, so attendees can see what they would look like with a smile makeover.
A member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Betor was trained by Dr. Larry Rosenthal, “The Dentist to the Stars,” who counts Donald Trump and Kathie Lee Gifford as clients. Dr. Betor has appeared on TV3 and TV5, and has been profiled by the Plain Dealer, Sun Newspapers, WestLife and Crain’s Cleveland Business.
To book your free exam, x-ray and oral cancer screening, or to take advantage of the $299 Zoom 2 laser whitening special, call The Dr. Richard E. Betor Cosmetic Dental Group at (440) 333-3766, or visit www.drbetor.com.
The Dr. Richard E. Betor Cosmetic Dental Group is located at 21851 Center Ridge Road, Suite 307 in Rocky River. Dr. Betor has many years of experience, and is trained in cosmetic, implant, laser and general dentistry. He is a member of the American Dental Association, Ohio Dental Association, Cleveland Dental Association, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, American Academy of Implant Dentistry and the Academy of General Dentistry. Currently, Dr. Betor is a candidate for Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry (F.A.G.D.), one of the highest levels of dental education. Dr. Betor is also a graduate of the Larry Rosenthal Institute for Aesthetic Dentistry, located at the New York University College of Dentistry.
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