Do You Have Insurance Benefits Left for 2007?

Hurry, there is still time left to use your unused insurance benefits for 2007. They do not rollover if there not used, your money is basically gone! Don't let them keep your money. You need to use it or you'll lose it. Call us for an appointment! (562) 496-3230

Annual Screening for Oral Cancer

Early detection has been found to be critical for decreasing the morbidity and mortality associated with oral cancer which is now as common as cervical cancer. Few women go through a year without a screening for cervical cancer. Yet few people are commonly screened for oral cancer, which has become as common as cervical cancer in women. Early detection is vital in cancer. Several advancements in treatment are now available related to the earlier stages of cancer that indicate how much cancer has grown and spread.
In his continuing efforts to provide the most advanced technology and highest standard of care available, Dr. John Rose, Long Beach dentist, has begun to include the ViziLite Plus exams as an integral part of the annual comprehensive oral screening program in his office. The ViziLite Plus exam helps identify abnormal tissue that might develop into oral cancer. Clinical studies have determined that using ViziLite Plus after the standard oral cancer exam improves the dentist's ability to recognize and evaluate suspicious areas at their earliest stages. The mortality rate of oral cancer patients is surprisingly frequent- on person dies each hour from oral cancer.
The risk of developing this disease is highest in patients over forty who smoke. Also sexually active 18 to 39 year olds have an increased risk of contracting cancer caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV16/18), a sexually transmitted disease. Are you at risk for oral cancer? A few minutes once a year, is worth it for a healthier life.

ViziLite Plus--Better screening saves lives

Get Between the Cracks

Despite the pleading from dentists, doctors and people who notice that ill-placed broccoli floret, 85 percent of men and 65 percent of women in the United State still don't floss regularly. Dentists consider it even more crucial for preventing tooth decay and periodontal disease than brushing. But it's also crucial because flossing--which gets rid of inflammation-causing bacteria-helps prevent heart disease. But you've got to know how to do it.

The right way: The floss should barely pass between each tooth and should gently touch the gums.
The wrong way: You can't get into a certain opening, so you hack away, which causes so much gum bleeding that you bathroom looks like a scene from Psycho.

Now, if you don't floss, remember to save up enough money to buy the dentures you're going to eventually need, and to pay the deductible on the cardiac bypass operation you"ll eventually face.

"Staying Young" Michael F. Roizen, Mehmet C. Oz

Periodontal Procedures Using Lasers

One of the most popular laser periodontal procedures involves using specific lasers as an adjunct to the sulcular debridement (deep cleaning) process. The laser light is delivered to the sulcus using a flexible fiber optic, designed to focus energy and selectively vaporize diseased tissue while leaving healthy tissue intact. The laser also vaporizes bacterial tissue toxins and in some cases has proven to delay the re-population of certain bacteria. Bacterial reduction (specifically Porphyromanas gingivalas, Provotella intermedia and Actinobacillus acetinomycetem comitans)appears to coincide with significant pocket reduction and a decrease of bleeding on probing, hence assisting in the treatment of periodontal disease. Wavelength is a very important consideration of this procedure penetration with adequate coagulation and minimal post-operative discomfort. Current studies at focusing on bone regeneration realized as a result of laser periodontal procedures with specific wavelengths.

The benefits of this procedure attributed to the use of the laser are many. The small size and flexibility of the fiber optic delivery system provides for easy access to the pocket. The laser-assisting procedure is considerably faster than traditional mechanical debridement. Initial studies indicate that specific lasers initiate a process of bacterial decontamination resulting in delayed pathogenic bacterial re-population. The vast majority of adult patients could realize benefit from type of procedure and based on its minimally invasive nature, patient acceptance is high.

For those with a sweet tooth

All you need is a quick trip to the grocery store to realize how much sugar is poured into the Halloween holiday each year. If you have kids, most likely you will have a sugar rush to deal with this week. To make the most of it, use this influx of sugar as a reminder to reinforce good brushing and flossing habits.

Sugar, saliva and bacteria can work together, leading to tooth decay that causes cavities. That is why brushing and flossing at least twice daily is important. This attention to cleaning should include between teeth and along the gumline.

You always hear about what you should do but sometimes it is important to review what happens if you don’t. In general, sucrose (which comes from sugar) and glycoproteins (a combination of a carbohydrate molecule and a protein molecule, can stick to teeth and begin the formation of plaque, which attracts bacteria.

Lactic acid is a byproduct of the bacteria when it metabolizes sugar in this anarerobic environment. It is the lactic acid that dissolves tooth enamel, leading to a cavity.

In addition to a diet that is rich in calcium and fluoride, brushing and flossing is crucial to preventing cavities. So, on Halloween, is it okay to indulge in some treats. Why not? Just make sure and brush and floss afterwards

New videos for you.

Earlier this month, our web site began broadcasting The Cosmetic Channel™. You can click here to visit our web site. Just click on the button that says, “The Cosmetic Channel™ - Click here to watch.

I have chosen these online “shows” for your education and, sometimes, entertainment. If you return to our web site each month, you will see new “episodes.” I got this for my clients to help you learn more about the importance of great dental care and to learn more about the benefits of cosmetic dentistry.

So, stay tuned to our web site for more new video on The Cosmetic Channel™!

Headaches and TMJ

Did you know migraine headaches can be caused by TMJ issues? A misaligned jaw can be the reason for many pains and discomforts.

Normally, you would not think of taking your migraine headache issues to a dentist. Most people go to the doctor and get medication if the need persists. Or, they just live with it and ride out the headaches. It takes some research, a heads-up referral, and often a lot of frustration before some migraine sufferers finally seek out a neuromuscular dentist.

Misaligned jaws can cause a number of issues beyond simple jaw popping and pain. This is how most people know TMJ, so to connect TMJ with migraines may seem a difficult jump to make. In truth, it is not. In layman’s terms, the muscles and nerves that surround the jaw area are affected when the bite it not right. A misaligned bite may cause localized pain at the jaw but the effects radiate out to nearby areas. Naturally, this can cause severe headaches and even migraines.

If you or someone you know has migraines, why not ask them to call my office for a TMJ test that will let them know if I can help their migraine problem. Better to treat the cause for a lifetime, than to continue to treat the symptoms for the moment with medications that may not always work.

New Guidelines for Heart Patients

There was a recent article on The American Dental Association web site that published a recent revision in the recommended use of anti-biotics prior to a dental visit. These new recommendations apply to many dental procedures, including teeth cleaning and extractions.

For years, The American Heart Association advised patients take anti-biotics just before a dental visit if they have certain heart conditions. The prevailing thought has been that doing so would prevent infective endocarditis, also known as bacterial endocarditis.

The latest guidelines published in the AHA’s scientific journal in April 2007 adjust their recommendation. In short, the AHA recommends that most patients with heart conditions not take short-term anti-biotics before a visit to the dentist as a precaution for endorcarditis.

Preventive anti-biotics prior to a dental procedure still are advised for patients with:

1. artificial heart valves
2. a history of infective endocarditis
3. certain specific, serious congenital (present from birth) heart conditions, including
* unrepaired or incompletely repaired cyanotic congenital heart disease, including those with palliative shunts and conduits
* a completely repaired congenital heart defect with prosthetic material or device, whether placed by surgery or by catheter intervention, during the first six months after the procedure
* any repaired congenital heart defect with residual defect at the site or adjacent to the site of a prosthetic patch or a prosthetic device
4. a cardiac transplant that develops a problem in a heart valve.

Patients with congenital heart disease can have complicated circumstances. They should check with their cardiologist if there is any question at all as to the category that best fits their needs.

You can learn more about this at ada.org.

Periodontal care and your overall wellness.

Periodontal care is one of the most important aspects of dental health because periodontal disease (or disease of the gums) has been linked to several other health problems. We are interested in your general wellness and that means remembering periodontal care.

A few common facts you may know are that there is link between periodontal disease and heart disease. And, surely, you know that proper brushing technique includes brushing the gums and that you should floss regularly as part of your daily care for you gums.

What many people do not know is that certain conditions can increase the likelihood for periodontal disease. For instance, if you are in a high stress life style or career or if you have poor coping skills in dealing with stress, you are at higher risk for periodontal disease.

So what do you do about that? Go back to the basics in caring for your gums. Take that extra few minutes while brushing to make sure you are doing a good job on your gums, in front and behind the teeth.

And, while you are doing it, take a breather. Try to relax and take care of yourself!

Our commitment to personal attention

I hope that my patients know my commitment to personal attention. This is one of the important elements that I think separates my practice from other dentists. It has always been my intention to make patients feel at home in our dental office. This goes well beyond simply being polite while performing your dental care.

There is an obvious, warm quality that goes along with genuine personal attention. It is our goal for our patients to experience this when they come to us for a visit. Why? It's how we really feel. So, it is important to us that you know this.

How many times do you go to a business or a professional service and you feel like a number? You are the next one in line, so now it is your time to get your service. That is not how we operate here and, every once in a while, I like to make it a point for our team to focus on this fact.

When you visit us for your dental needs, we want you to feel our genuine interest in your care. Call it personal attention… but it is all about caring.

It’s surprising so many people live with this kind of pain.

Part of the continuing education I have taken courses on treating Tempromandibular Joint Disorder. Many people know this condition as TMJ, which is usually known for causing jaw pain. However, TMJ is much more complicated disorder and many people live with the pain.

Basically, TMJ is a misalignment of the jaws and it can cause a lot more than jaw pain. TMJ can manifest itself in the form of head, neck and shoulder pain in addition to jaw pain. It can also cause a ringing in the ears.

Because there are so many symptoms that are not associated directly with the jaw, it is common for people to see a doctor for their pain instead of a dentist. This is often the reason why TMJ goes undiagnosed. The sufferer complains about headaches and a battery of tests for severe headaches may not turn up TMJ unless the doctor is looking for it. This is why many TMJ sufferers have been told the pain is “just in their head” after a visit to their general practitioner.

I have learned advanced treatments for TMJ and I help people with this disorder all the time. If you are suffering from these persistent pains and just living with it because you cannot get your pain diagnosed properly, please call me or email me here. The same goes for anyone you know who might be simply living with TMJ pain. I can help.