Why Men Are at Greater Risk of Oral Health Problems

As the new hottest trend “Dad Bod” suggests, recent surveys and studies show that men are less likely to take care of their physical health than women. This holds true for their oral health. In fact, one of the greatest risk factors for infrequent trips to the dentist is simply being male.

With Father’s Day right around the corner and Men’s Health Week upon us, now is a good time to make sure all the special men in our lives take care of their oral health, and to talk about how we can support them so they can fully enjoy optimal whole health and a lifetime of smiles.

What the Statistics Say

• Men have an increased risk of developing oral and throat cancer
• Men are at greater risk of developing periodontal disease than women
• One-third of men have not had a dental checkup in the past year
• On average, a man will lose 5.4 teeth by the age of 72
• A man who smokes is likely to lose up to 12 teeth by age 72

Why They Are Important

Everyone knows cancer is a serious subject, but what many do not know is that dentists play a key role in the early detection of oral cancer. Every time you go into the dentist for a routine checkup, they screen for oral, head, and neck cancers. When caught early, you have a good chance for a full recovery.

Similarly, regular visits to the dentist can prevent the development of periodontal disease and the loss of teeth, both of which are linked to cardiovascular disease, putting people at risk of heart attacks and stroke. Men are already more likely to suffer from heart attacks, so good oral hygiene and routine trips to the dentist are extra important, especially as men age.

Changing the Numbers

So how do we help our husbands, fathers, brothers, and friends fight the statistics? First make sure they know and regularly practice the best oral hygiene basics:

• Brush twice daily
• Floss every day
• Attend two routine dental exams with cleanings annually
• Use a toothpaste with fluoride and a rinse regularly
• A healthy diet makes a difference in oral health and whole health

Remind your loved one that seeing a dentist regularly promotes prevention and could save his life! And for Father’s Day, skip the tie. Pick Dad up an electric toothbrush or flosser. You might even consider surprising him with a tooth-whitening treatment, because when he looks better, he feels better — and every dad deserves that.

Find out more about how we support men’s whole health through regular dental care and treatments. Call (785) 370-0940 today!

Pregnancy and Your Oral Health

There’s a bit of folk wisdom that calcium is lost from the teeth of pregnant women during pregnancy. Thankfully, this myth is just that — a myth. It is a useful warning to expectant mothers, however, that they may experience some changes in their oral health because of their pregnancy and the accompanying surge of hormones. In particular, gum tissues may respond differently to plaque, and women with gingivitis are likely to see their condition worsen during pregnancy.

Increases in the hormones estrogen and progesterone can lead to what’s known as “pregnancy gingivitis,” which begins to surface as early as the second month. In some ways, this is a blessing because it brings to the forefront the existing plaque stuck between the teeth, and it acts as a warning that worse hygiene problems, like periodontal disease, are on the horizon. Periodontal disease is the result of poor brushing and flossing habits, and it can cause tooth loss if hygiene is not improved or if it’s left untreated.

Pregnant women are also at risk for developing inflammatory, noncancerous tumors caused when swollen gums become irritated. The tumors are usually left untreated because they resolve on their own after the child’s birth, but if it interferes with a woman’s ability to eat or care for her teeth, the dentist may elect to remove it. Research suggests that good oral hygiene is also good for your baby; an association exists between preterm, low-birth-weight babies and mothers with gingivitis. Excessive bacteria from the gums can enter the bloodstream, negatively affecting the body’s labor reflexes.

Practicing good oral hygiene can help prevent any complications during pregnancy. Teeth cleanings and checkups every six months are important for keeping up with oral health. Regular brushing and flossing, along with use of a mouthwash, can help control plaque and gingivitis — two huge factors in keeping the gums free from irritation and preventing pregnancy tumors.

Consult your dentist and your physician about the safety of any non-emergency oral procedures that you’d scheduled prior to your pregnancy. The best time for a pregnant woman to receive a dental treatment procedure is between the fourth and sixth months, and x-rays should typically only be taken during pregnancy when needed for an emergency. Your dentist or physician may recommend postponing elective procedures until after your baby is born.

Brush and Floss to Prevent Your Gums from Receding

Improper oral health hygiene has far-reaching, long-term consequences that go beyond cavities: Receding gums (or gingival recession) is the exposure of the roots of teeth caused by a loss of tissue surrounding the gums. Gum recession is common in adults over the age of 40, but younger adults may also experience it.

The cause of gum recession in most cases is the same cause of most oral health problems: inadequate brushing and flossing. This allows bacteria to build up between the teeth and below the gumline, which is a root cause of gum disease. This bacterial buildup leads to painless, chronic inflammation and occasional bleeding — similar to periodontal disease — and also causes a very gradual recession of the gums.

In most cases, gum recession is a progressive oral health condition that occurs over many years — one of the reasons it’s most common in those over the age of 40. Changes in the gums may remain totally unnoticed until the condition starts to more seriously affect oral health. The individual’s teeth may feel “loose” or overly sensitive to hot, cold, sweet, sour, or spicy food and drink. Teeth may appear longer than normal because of exposure of the tooth root, and they may appear to be a different color. Receding gums caused by periodontal disease will appear swollen or inflamed, may bleed, and are usually accompanied by bad breath.

Treatment for receding gums starts with addressing the root cause. Sometimes it’s as simple as changing brushing habits or toothbrushes, because overactive brushing may be the cause. Sometimes oral hygiene must be improved because the cause was poor plaque control; regular professional cleanings can help with this. Scaling or root planing, both of which are part of treatment for periodontal disease, can help resolve inflamed gums and keep bacteria in the mouth from contributing more to the disease.

Receding gums can be repaired as well. A soft-tissue graft can be performed to create more gum tissue, which usually heals in less than a month. Regular checkups and oral health examinations can help catch receding gums early, which is key to making a full recovery: When gum recession has not affected periodontal bone areas of the mouth, the recessed gums can be fully recovered.

Our dentists are a local community authority for oral health. If you or a loved one are concerned about gum recession and think you may be experiencing symptoms, contact us today. The earlier your gums are treated, the greater your likelihood of making a full recovery!

Give us a call at (785) 789-4388 to schedule an appointment.

Know Your Mouth: Oral Cancer Signs, Symptoms, and Prevention

No one wants to spend time thinking about oral cancer. However, with more than 43,000 Americans estimated to be diagnosed this year, educating yourself on prevention methods, early detection, and treatment options is more important than ever.

While the number of people expected to be diagnosed with oral and throat cancers is concerning, the good news is that ensuring early detection is as easy as attending your routine dental exams every six months. What you may not realize is that oral cancer screening is part of your regular exam. A dentist can see and feel precancerous tissue changes and early cancer, and can diagnose them during the curable stages. When oral cancer is detected early, the survival rate is an encouraging 80% to 90%.

Due to the rapidly growing number of HPV-related oral cancer diagnoses, people 18 years and older should get screened yearly.

What Is an Oral Cancer Screening?

An oral cancer screening takes only three minutes. It consists of a verbal, visual, and physical examination and includes the following:

• A thorough review of your oral health history, as well as your overall health history, which includes questions that help assess your level of risk for mouth cancer
• A visual inspection of all the areas of your mouth and throat in an effort to locate any abnormalities, such as sores and red or white patches; this inspection includes the lips, cheeks, gums, tongue, floor of the mouth, roof of the mouth, and far-back section of your tongue

Oral Cancer Signs and Symptoms

In between routine dental exams, you should perform self-examinations, and be sure to keep an eye out for the following signs and symptoms that may indicate the presence of oral cancer:

• Red or white patches on the lining of the mouth or tongue
• Swelling or thickening of areas inside the mouth
• Unexplained bleeding
• Sores on the face, neck, or mouth that do not heal
• Chronic sore throat
• Hoarseness
• A change in the way your dentures fit
• Suspicious lumps found by palpating your mouth, jaw, and neck
• Dramatic weight loss

Oral Cancer Prevention Tips

While oral cancer is prevalent, there are measures you can take to minimize your risk.

• Avoid smoking and the use of all tobacco products.
• Limit or refrain from drinking alcohol.
• Avoid overexposure to the sun, and use sunblock on your skin and lips.
• Practice safe sex.
• Maintain a healthy diet.

So you just completed an at-home oral cancer exam, but you would like some additional reassurance. No problem! Call (785) 789-4388 today to set up an oral cancer screening at Dentistry By Design and receive the peace of mind you deserve.

Dentistry By Design at the Forefront of Laser Dentistry

On a constant mission to enhance the quality of dental care and improve overall patient experience, Dentistry by Design is pleased to reintroduce our newly upgraded DEKA CO2 Laser!

The DEKA CO2 Laser makes use of UltraSpeed DEKA’s proprietary pulse technology to combine power and gentleness for procedures that can now be performed with less swelling, less bleeding, and less post-op discomfort.

Unlike diode lasers, the DEKA CO2 Laser is a true soft tissue laser that allows tissues to absorb energy so that they are not charred. This means our dentists are using the fastest, most precise, and gentlest dental laser available. 

We are proud to be among the 1% of dental practices in the United States reaching beyond conventional diode lasers and investing in CO2 laser technology!

Not only does the DEKA CO2 Laser allow all standard and advanced treatment procedures at Dentistry By Design to be performed more quickly and comfortably, it also effectively treats cold sores as well as canker sores. The laser makes use of a bio-stimulation setting to accelerate the healing process, reducing or eliminating the discomfort caused by these sores and preventing a reoccurrence in the same area!

DEKA Seminar in Las Vegas

On March 6, Dr. Gilsdorf and Dr. Guess traveled to Las Vegas to attend a seminar for DEKA laser treatment. This hands-on program provided training on contemporary, powerful, minimally invasive surgical solutions, as well as the techniques associated with them. Our doctors gained valuable knowledge on laser set-ups, delivery systems, settings, and treatment protocols. They also learnt how to integrate laser dentistry seamlessly into the range of treatment options available at Dentistry by Design in order to maximize the level of care given to patients everyday. 

To find out more about the DEKA CO2 laser, please give us a call at (785) 789-4388.

5 Myths About Root Canals Debunked

If you were recently informed that you need a root canal, chances are the minute you left your dentist’s office, you immediately began scouring the Internet for information on this well-known—but highly misunderstood—dental service. The Internet can be a great place to gather helpful information, but it is also plagued by unreliable sources and dangerously inaccurate information that can lead unknowing online researchers astray.

The following are common myths and misinformation about root canals and tooth pain that are prevalent online. While finding out you are in need of a root canal can be frightening, the more you know about this tooth-saving procedure and what it can do for your toothache and oral health, the calmer and more confident you will feel when you return to the dentist’s chair.

Myth #1: You only need a root canal if you are experiencing tooth pain.

Sometimes teeth that have died no longer cause pain and need to have a root canal in order to avoid becoming infected. We have several tests, including temperature testing and percussion testing, that allow us to know when a tooth has died and needs to receive a root canal.

Myth #2: Root canal treatment is painful.

A root canal relieves tooth pain associated with progressive and destructive decay that has reached the root of a tooth and caused infection. With the use of cutting-edge dental technology, along with anesthetics and sedation dentistry, having a root canal feels similar to receiving a filling and can be just as painless.

Myth #3: Root canals cause illness. 

It’s hard to miss this myth if you are searching for information on root canals online. This myth is based on poorly designed and long-since debunked research that took place almost an entire century ago! In the 1920s, Dr. Weston A. Price was responsible for disseminating the results of this study and using them to promote extractions (the permanent removal of a tooth) — one of the most traumatic treatments available. There is no valid scientific evidence supporting Dr. Price’s research to date. Not only are root canals safe and effective, they eliminate bacteria from the infected roots of teeth, improving both your oral health and your overall health.

Myth #4: The benefits of root canal therapy are temporary.

Root canal results are long-lasting. They relieve patients’ toothaches and preserve the affected tooth indefinitely. The final restoration or crown is the key to successful results. A well-made and well-fit crown combined with good at-home oral health practices and routine visits to the dentist can ensure that your tooth lasts a lifetime.

Myth #5: Tooth extraction is a good alternative to root canals. 

An extraction is a traumatic procedure that actually allows more bad bacteria to be introduced into the bloodstream. There is no adequate replacement for a natural tooth. A root canal with a good restoration is not only cost effective, it allows you to keep your natural tooth. Bridges, implants, and other replacement alternatives require additional treatments, more time in the chair, and elevated cost.

If you would like to find out more about root canal treatments or think you may need one, contact us at (785) 789-4388 to set up an appointment. We look forward to helping you maintain a healthy, happy, natural smile.

Why We Love Our Dental Assistants — And Why You Should Too!

While every member of our staff works hard to help you preserve your oral health, our dental assistants are key players in the routine dental care and the specialized treatments we provide. They make contact with every patient who walks through our doors, are responsible for making sure you feel comfortable and safe while you are in the dentist’s seat, and before you walk out our door, they will make sure you are well informed and educated. 

The quality of care at Dentistry By Design just wouldn’t be the same without them!

What Your Dental Assistant Does

If you are wondering what exactly our dental assistants are responsible for, the following are just some of their daily duties:

• Greeting patients and escorting them to the examination rooms
• Ensuring each patient’s comfort
• Taking down and tracking patients’ medical histories
• Making sure all of our dental equipment is sterilized and in safe condition
• Assisting with treatments and procedures
• Taking x-rays
• Educating patients on their treatment, procedures, and aftercare
• Updating and maintaining medical records

Why We Love Our Dental Assistants

While the list of duties that dental assistants perform is enough to earn our respect, it’s the underlying responsibilities that come with those duties that win them our love and appreciation. Our dental assistants are the keepers of the smile that eases your anxiety when you first enter the exam room. They earn your trust by asking you questions that must be asked in order to ensure you receive the best care possible, then asking you the questions you want to be asked so that you know your oral health providers really care about you!

Our dental assistants make sure the technology you depend on is in top condition and ready to be used safely. They are there to assist our dentist so routine exams and dental treatments go smoothly, so you can feel relaxed when you are in our care. Finally, when you leave our practice, they make sure you know everything you need to know in order to make the best of the care and treatments you have received.

Show Your Dental Assistant Some Love!

While the first full week of March is considered Dental Assistant Appreciation Week, we are celebrating our dental assistants all month long. Take some extra time to show your dental assistant that you appreciate them. If you are a regular patient, a simple thank-you card or a tooth-healthy treat is a great way to show your appreciation. If you are new to our practice, just take a moment to give our wonderful assistants a heartfelt thank you, and return the smile they so graciously hand out to each and every patient that walks through our door.

If you would like to experience the superior care you can receive from our talented and caring dental assistants, as well as the rest of the staff at Dentistry By Design, give us a call at (785) 370-0940 today!