What Your Mouth is Saying About You

Posted on February 24, 2012 by admin

Did you know that your mouth is a great indicator of the health of your body?  The gums, teeth and tongue can show early signs of conditions such as diabetes, pregnancy, cancer, hormone imbalances and drug issues.  Your dentist can be one of the first to catch any health issues you may be dealing with simply by seeing the warning signs in your mouth.

This proves another reason why routine dental check-ups are so important.  Especially with health issues such as cancer and diabetes, catching these in their early stages can aid greatly in the treatment process.  Your dentist can help refer you to your medical doctor to seek the proper care before situations worsen.  He can see signs of diabetes in your gums, evidence of eating disorders in the erosion of tooth enamel and signs of drug abuse in tooth erosion as well.  Your dentist can play a great role in your overall health.

There is a direct correlation between your oral health and overall health.  Some people can be fooled by the appearance of a brilliant, white smile but just cosmetically whitening your teeth at home is not enough.  You have to go to your dentist every six months and receive the proper care to ensure a healthy mouth.  Some people make look like they have a great smile but can have cavities or periodontal disease that can go untreated if routine care is not made a priority.  Make sure to seek advice from  your dentist or medical doctor if you suspect anything abnormal.

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From Dentist to Inmate

Posted on February 14, 2012 by admin

Dentist gone bad?

Emmanouil Parisis was a practicing dentist in Britain but as of March 2011 he is now an inmate.  According to sources, Emmanouil was quite the fan of living a “champagne lifestyle” and adding more and more debt to his name.  He eventually was almost $600,000 in debt so he came up with a plan.

He started by faking his death in a car accident in 2009.  He then fled the country and went to Scotland where he changed his name to Neil McClaren and began practicing dentistry again thanks to some forged documents.  Only his wife and his sister knew the real story.  He even allowed his four children to believe his death and mourn their father.  It wasn’t until four months later that his wife and children also moved to Scotland to be with him.

Emmanouil collected $2.9 million from his life insurance policies.  He was able to continue his lavish lifestyle until his crimes caught up with him.  His defense team tried to say that the fraud was driven by desperation but this did not lessen his sentence.  He was sentenced to five years in prison for his crimes.

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Tooth Trauma and Your Children

Posted on February 8, 2012 by admin

I often get phone calls from parents requesting an emergency dental appointment because something has happened to their child’s teeth.  As much as we don’t want accidents to happen, they are an inevitable part of life and knowing how to handle these situations will prepare you for giving your child the best care.

A child’s accident proneness seems to peak at two ages.  One when they still have their baby teeth, between two and three years of age.  These little toddlers are still quite unstable in moving around and combined with an eagerness to discover their surroundings, bumps to the mouth do happen.  The other age range is from nine to ten years old when they are really getting into organized sports.  Boys more than girls will suffer sports related mouth injuries during this time.

When an accident does occur, having these steps in mind will go a long way:

  • Stay calm, reassure your child
  • If there is bleeding, apply pressure to the site with gauze and hold it in place till bleeding stops
  • Give the child something cold to suck on – this will act as a cold compress and prevent swelling
  • If the tooth is chipped or a piece is broken, check to see no piece is imbedded in the soft tissues
  • Contact your dentist as soon as you can!

Even with baby teeth, your dentist needs to check for damage and make sure the permanent teeth underneath were not affected.  If your child’s tooth was knocked completely out, find the tooth and hold under running water.  DO NOT scrub the tooth, this can damage the root.  Getting to your dentist within thirty minutes will give your child’s tooth the best chance of being saved.  Don’t wait to call!

Like most situations in life, it’s better to be safe than sorry.  Call your dentist if you have any concerns about your child’s teeth, especially after an accident or fall.

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John Lennon’s Tooth at Auction

Posted on February 3, 2012 by admin

In late 2011, a molar once belonging to the great John Lennon was auctioned off for the hefty price of $31,000.  The tooth was originally given by Lennon to his longtime housekeeper in the late 1960′s.  It made it’s way into the hands of her child who then decided to place it up for auction.

A Canadian dentist, Michael Zuk, is claiming responsibility for the winning bid of this discolored tooth even though the auction house has yet to conform this information.  The tooth is too fragile to be DNA tested but according to reports, the authenticity is not in question.

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How Your Smile Can Affect Your Paycheck

Posted on January 31, 2012 by admin

We’ve all been told not to judge a book by it’s cover or to like somebody for what’s on the inside, not the outside.  These are great things to aspire to, but when it comes down to it, we are a very physical culture.  We’re constantly bombarded with advertisements to fix those wrinkles, buff up those arms, and boost our self-esteem.  Others instantly form an opinion about us based on our appearance.  This holds true especially for job interviews.

There have been numerous studies done to see how your physical appearance affects you being called back for an interview or even landing the job.  Factors such as hair color, dress, posture and height all contribute to the initial opinion an interviewer has of you.  One very important factor: your smile.  There is a direct correlation of good looks and success.  The better looking you are, the more trustworthy you are deemed and trust leads to more leadership positions.  Therefore, a great smile can lead to great opportunities in the workplace, leading more and more people to be interested in cosmetic dentistry.

One study in particular done by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry gave over 500 participants two sets of pictures.  The first set, randomly chosen individuals were pictured smiling.  The second set, the same group of people were smiling, but this time they had each received minor cosmetic dentistry.  From these photos the participants were asked to choose whom would receive an interview based on looks alone. An overwhelmingly high number of the second group were chosen for advancement, proving the study’s hypothesis correct that the smile is vital in interviewing.

Overall, your smile is a worthy investment.  If you have any questions about cosmetic procedures, please give any of our three offices a call.  Remember, people with white, healthy looking  are considered more intelligent, interesting, and successful!

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Halitophobia: It’s Real

Posted on January 25, 2012 by admin

Halitophobia is the fear of having bad breath.  This is a real and existing condition some people have.  Those with halitophobia constantly worry about their breath, even if it is not offensive or foul in any way.  Some dentists have admitted that some of their patients specifically come in because of their halitophobia, to seek a cure.  Halitosis, or bad breath, is usually caused by dry mouth or some specific food you ate.  Your dentist can help evaluate the severeness of your bad breath and suggest different techniques or products to help.

Some things he might suggest are:

  • chewing gum (medicated or regular)
  • flossing
  • staying hydrated and eating healthy foods that don’t cause bad breath
  • using mouth washes
  • using special toothpastes
  • using tongue scrapers

While halitophobia is extremely rare, it can affect someone’s life greatly.  Doctors are unsure exactly of what would cause someone to become obsessed with bad breath but most agree there is an underlying mental disorder or compulsion going on.  It’s normal to worry about bad breath.  We all do the self-check method before big social events or dates but it becomes life-altering and a problem when it turns into an obsession and disrupts normal day to day living. If you have any concerns about you or someone you know, don’t hesitate to seek advice from your dental professional.

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Wear a Mouthguard During Sporting Activities

Posted on January 24, 2012 by admin

Participating in organized or recreational sporting activities brings a high risk of injury to the mouth.  Working in the dental field, I’ve seen athlete after athlete coming into the office with front teeth knocked loose, teeth missing, chipped teeth, etc.  There is great importance in wearing a mouthguard.  Studies show the risk of sustaining an injury decreases by almost two times when wearing a mouthguard.

While custom mouthguards, considered by many to be the most protective option, other mouthguards can be effective if they fit well, are worn properly and stay in place.
The primary mouthguard types include:

  1. the custom-fitted mouthguard made by your dentist
  2. the mouth-formed, “boil-and-bite” mouthguard

Whichever option you choose is best for you, you’re always more than welcome to consult with your dentist.  It’s always better to take the necessary steps to prevent an injury than to leave your mouth unguarded.

Dr. Chris Young recently saw a patient who was elbowed in the mouth during a recreational basketball game.  Above and below are before and after pictures and the patient’s testimonial.

“Young Family Dental is the best dental practice in Utah. I had two teeth dislocated by a elbow playing basketball. Dr. Young and his team saved my teeth, with no pain, and made the experience actually somewhat enjoyable. The results speak for thmselves. GREAT results!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Dental Implants

Posted on January 18, 2012 by admin

Dental implants are an option for replacing missing teeth.  They are considered the best option because they are the most like your natural tooth and have proven to be a long term, if not lifetime, solution.

Missing teeth can cause embarrassment in social settings, lack of confidence in your smile, and discomfort while eating.  Over a period of time, the loss of teeth can even cause your remaining teeth to shift and worsen your discomfort.  There are several options to replacing missing teeth such as a denture, flipper, or bridge.  The downside to a denture or flipper is the fact that they are removable and require special cleaning care.  Bridges are not ideal because they require crowning the two teeth surrounding the space.  Most of the time, these teeth are healthy teeth which do not require crowns and if you don’t have to affect the integrity of a tooth, you really do not want to.  Another disadvantage to bridges is they require special flossing techniques to clean correctly.  It takes more time to accomplish and the area can still be prone to more problems because of this challenging task.

Implants are great because they are a single unit and can be flossed and cleaned just like a natural tooth.  Your dentist will decide during a consultation if you are a candidate for an implant.  This is the longest process because of the healing time required between each step.  After an extraction, your dentist will determine if you have enough bone structure to place an implant or if you need a bone graft.  This procedure adds bone material into the extraction site to improve the success rate of placing an implant.  Since every individual heals differently, there are not set times for healing after an extraction or bone graft but the average is usually 4 to 6 weeks.

The next step in the process is placing the implant.  A metal anchor, which functions as the tooth root, is inserted into your jawbone, and then the gum incision is closed. After the jaw and gums have had enough time to heal and settle, a custom-made crown is then attached to the implant.  The time between these two steps can be as long as 6 months to a year.  Your dentist gauges the time estimate in order to give your implant the best success rate.  Crowning the implant too soon before your jaw has healed around it can cause the implant to come loose and fail.

Most insurances cover a portion of the implant process.  If you are interested in a consultation and the fees for dental implants, give any of our three offices a call!

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Invisalign: The What, Why and How

Posted on January 13, 2012 by admin

Invisalign is a great alternative to traditional braces when thinking about orthodontic work.  The process consists of having custom, clear trays made, called aligners, which will adjust slightly each tray to move the teeth.  Usually, each tray is worn for two weeks at a time – only being removed to eat, brush or floss.  To monitor your progress, you will also have occasional checkups with your dentist, usually only every six weeks or so.

There are several benefits to Invisalign:

  • Undetectable: the clear aligners are virtually invisible to others
  • Removable: the aligners are removable for eating, brushing and flossing
  • Comfortable: the aligners are comfortable to wear since there are no brackets, wires or permanent fixtures

To find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment, schedule a consultation with your dentist.  Your dentist will take x-rays, pictures and impressions of your teeth, which Invisalign will use to create a digital 3-D image of them. From these images your doctor will map out a precise treatment plan, including the exact movements of your teeth and have your custom aligners made.  All cases are different, therefore, there are no set cost estimates.  At the time of your consultation, you will be able to get a quote from your dentist and plan out your course of treatment.  All three locations of Young Family Dental are happy to be able to offer Invisalign.  Call today to schedule your free consultation!

Orem: (801)224-0222, American Fork: (801)756-7173, and Saratoga Springs: (801)766-2112

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How To Choose A Dentist

Posted on January 9, 2012 by admin

Choosing a dentist in your area can be hard and frustrating.

There are so many options and everyone seems to be offering some kind of deal that you may feel overwhelmed with information.  Finding a dentist who is the best fit for you and your family can be made a lot easier by figuring out what you really want.  Here are some key items to consider as you approach this decision:

  1. Location: How convenient is the office located in relation to your home, school, or work?  Are you willing to drive a little farther if you find someone you really like?  These are questions to keep in mind since you may be making frequent visits in the future.
  2. The dentist and staff: How experienced is the dentist?  This can make you feel more comfortable and trusting if you ask. The staff of the office plays a big part in interacting with you.  You want to see smiling faces and kind personalities.
  3. Scope of Procedures: Some dentists specialize in certain areas such as endodontics, periodontics, or orthodontics.  Make sure you choose a dentist who will fit all of your needs.
  4. Sedation: If you prefer to be sedated for your dental work or for your children’s dental work, make sure you ask questions when choosing a dentist.  Some offices have more options when it comes to sedation dentistry than others do.
  5. Billing: All offices have different protocols on billing.  Some prefer to collect payment up front and some will be happy to send bills after insurance pays their portion.  If you feel more comfortable one way or the other, make sure to find a dentist who is on the same page.
  6. Referrals/Online Reviews: Asking family or friends in the area can be really helpful in finding the right dentist.  You can get personal experiences and opinions from people you trust.  Also, online reviews are becoming really popular and can give you a little insight into how other patients have felt with the office.

All in all, there are questions you need to ask yourself as you search for a dentist to fit your needs.  Don’t be afraid to call offices and ask about their policies.  This will help assure you find the right match and provide happy, pleasant experiences at the dentist for all.

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