Reprinted from Delta Dental.

How a Trip to the Dentist Could Save Your Life

Using the force of Star Wars technology to spot rogue cells, dentists are on the front lines of the war against oral cancer – a disease that kills an American every hour. More than twenty-seven years ago, the country launched the Strategic Defense Initiative program, otherwise known as “Star Wars.” Today, some of the technology originally aimed at identifying enemy missiles is helping dentists and medical professionals identify a different kind of potential killer.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, each year more than 30,000 people in the US are diagnosed with cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx. Since this form of cancer is typically discovered late in its development, the death rate is higher than that of many other forms of cancer, including cervical cancer and Hodgkin’s lymphoma. In fact, of those diagnosed with oral cancer, less than half will still be alive five years later. Each year, this stealthy killer takes the lives of approximately 8,000 Americans.

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We, at Smile South Florida Cosmetic Dentistry, pride ourselves on giving you the highest level of customer service and latest technology in dentistry offered today.  We are always upfront with our patients and treat them as if they are all a part of our dental family.

Our goal is to educate patients on some common misconceptions in dental marketing that can be misleading and not give the entire story.  One such example is with the popular brand Lumineers by Cerinate.

Lumineers are considered a type of porcelain veneer “smile shaper” that boasts catch phrases such as “no reduction of tooth structure (no filing down of teeth), no shots, 2 easy dental visits, permanently whitens” and many others.  While these statements can have some string of truth behind them, in most cases this will not be the situation –not if you ask any top cosmetic dental professional.

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Smile South Florida Has a Heart

New guidelines have been issued by the AHA ( American Heart Association) regarding premedicating for dental work and cleanings.

In past years, it was believed that IE (Infective Endocarditis) was caused by bacteria in the blood also known as “Bacteremia”. It was believed that after dental procedures, the bacteria in the bloodstream could settle on susceptible areas such as prosthetic valves and so on. New evidence has found many variances.

Previous AHA guidelines on the prevention of IE were largely based on opinion and limited studies. The most recent recommendations were devloped through an evidence based approach that was made after 20 years of extensive review. The new recommendation reduces the number of conditions that need premedication. Guidelines went under review due in part to the risk associated with a widespread immunity to antibiotic treatment.

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The American Dental Association (ADA) has been working in collaboration with OralCDx Laboratories for the past three years promoting public awareness for Oral Cancer. One very important step in this process is making sure that dentists and dental professionals are on-board and taking an active role in their practice’s knowledge and understanding of what Oral Cancer is, and how it can be reduced. An eminent step is early prevention and detection of Oral Cancer.

Our Smile South Florida Cosmetic Dentistry Team is dedicated to making sure that each and every patient that comes into our office, whether it be for a large cosmetic treatment or a routine hygiene cleaning, is educated on, and offered Oral Cancer detection tests. According to the ADA, “it is now easier than ever to detect oral cancer early, when the opportunity for the cure is great. Only half of all patients diagnosed with oral cancer survive more than five years.” (www.ada.org)

Here are some of the important things that you should know:

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I have been working for Smile South Florida for over thirty years.  Every day we ask patients to have oral cancer screening.  I am often amazed to see many patients decline this inexpensive procedure.

This oral cancer screening test takes minutes.  It is a swish of a liquid and invaluable.

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Smile South Florida Cosmetic Dentistry Offers Cosmetic Consultations, Invisalign Consulations, and Sedations Consultations – Complimentary!

Going to the dentists office can be a scary thing for anyone, no matter what gender or age you are.  Imagine if you wanted to have major cosmetic work that you would possibly be making a large investment on – both financially and aesthetically.  Would you trust your smile to just anyone?

I like to compare dental work (or any other cosmetic procedure for that matter) to a relationship:

(1) It needs to begin on a solid foundation
(2) It is a major decision that involves a great deal of thought, research, and
(3) You want to choose the right person

Choosing the wrong dentist that lacks experience, in exchange for price shopping, so-called “good deals,” and to-good-to-be-true offers can leave you in pain, in debt, and could cost more money out of pocket in the long run!

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At some point in our lives we have all felt the need to fit in. For teenagers this need to fit in can come at an unhealthy cost. The most common of all trends in teenagers today includes oral piercings. Unfortunately, not much thought goes into the negative risk factors behind this social trend. Some of the risks include:

• Severe Infection- The mouth has a substantial amount of bacteria which is worsened by oral piercings. The bacteria traps around and under the piercings. Piercings are the breeding grounds for bacteria.
• Prolonged Bleeding- Piercings can cause damage to the tongue’s blood vessels which can cause blood loss.
• Swelling and nerve damage- Because the tongue is in always in motion the healing process is long and drawn out. During the healing process it is customary to have swelling. The tongue has an abundance of nerves which can be very risky. If the nerves are damaged it is usually permanent.
• Bloodborne disease transmission- Oral piercings have been identified by the National Institute of Health as a possible factor in transmissions of hepatitis B, C, D, and G.
• Deterioration of the gums and enamel- In some cases the placement of the oral piercings can have a negative effect on the gums and enamel. Constant contact with the gums can cause recession. Bulky metal piercings banging against the teeth can cause the teeth to chip which causes unnecessary repair expenses.

The moral of the story is check out all the negative factors involved in oral piercings. Spread the word to your children and friends to help discourage them from making a mistake.

Today, Michelle, one of our wonderful hygienists, performed a cleaning on me. She did an excellent job. She was very gentle and thorough.

The reason for this posting is a result of our discussion. While Michelle was doing the cleaning, I asked her what a cavitron is. She said a cavitron is a dental tool that uses high frequency sound waves to clean teeth.

She explained that the cavitron breaks up the plaque layers, which allows her to hand scale the rest of my teeth.

I then asked her what plaque is. She explained that plaque is a type of bacteria that lives in our mouth.

While she was removing my plaque, she instructed me not to swallow the plaque. I was wondering why. She explained that the plaque is the same material that builds up in one’s arteries.

I never made this connection.

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Teeth are porous and made up of hollow tubelike structures called dentin tubules. These form the part of the tooth between the enamel (surface) and the pulp (core) of a healthy tooth. Some people develop stronger tooth enamel in their formative years, thanks to genetics and good brushing and flossing. But people with weaker enamel soak up things they eat and drink through their dentin tubules, and the surfaces of their teeth look stained.

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I am about to begin my first tray whitening experience. I have never professionally whitened my teeth before. However, as a good dentist’s son, I must experiment for the benefit of potential patients. I guess I am a guinea pig. Please do not ask me about my experience with the Magic Wand, which was supposed to deliver just enough Novocaine. I prefer lots of Novacaine.

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No one thinks happy thoughts when they hear the term ” root canal ,” but painful root canals can be the exception rather than the rule.

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July 30, 2007—MIAMI, BOCA RATON AND FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA— Smile South Florida Cosmetic Dentistry recently began offering Vizilite Plus® oral cancer screenings.

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July 20, 2007 -MIAMI, BOCA RATON AND FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA- Visiting the dentist on a regular basis and brushing and flossing daily could do more than prevent cavities. These activities also could prevent heart attacks and strokes.

A recent study presented at the American Association for the Advancement of Science meeting suggests that the bacteria present in gum diseases may trigger blood clots which can contribute to a heart attack or stroke, according to the American Academy of Periodontology.

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June 14, 2007 — MIAMI , BOCA RATON and FT. LAUDERDALE , Fla.   - Cosmetic dentistry has gone through many innovations in recent years, but none as dramatic as porcelain veneers treatments. These wafer-thin shells of porcelain can replace discolored, chipped, misaligned or worn teeth to give you a flawless smile.

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April 10, 2007 — MIAMI, BOCA RATON, and FT. LAUDERDALE – The Atkins Diet was popular for its weight-loss properties: But there was a second, little-considered, benefit. A low-carbohydrate diet also helps prevent tooth decay.

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