Dradeledoherty’s Weblog

This volume will discuss the monthly cycle and pregnancy.

Menstruation:  During menstruation, a woman of child-bearing age may observe several changes in her mouth, including canker sore, swollen gums, lesions and swollen salivary glands.  Some women don’t even notice any changes at all.  For others, particularly those for whom dental plaque of gum pockets are a problem, the gums my bleed in days before the period begins.  These symptoms should be attended to promptly.  Your dentist may prescribe some special cleanings, treatment or topical anesthetics to ameliorate any discomfort and/or pain.

Pregnancy and A Woman’s Dental Health: During pregnancy, a woman’s hormone levels rise exponentially.  Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) , especially common during the  second to eighth month of pregnancy, may cause red, puffy or tender gums that tend to bleed readily when brushed.  This sensitivity is an exaggerated response to dental plaque and oral irritants and is caused by an increased level of ah hormone called progesterone in the system.  Your dentist may recommend more frequent cleanings during the second trimester or early third trimester to help avoid the problems.  Occasionally overgrowths called “pregnancy epulis or tumors,”appear on the gums during the second trimester. These localized growths or swellings are usually found between the teeth and are believed to be related to excess dental plaque.  They bleed easily and are characterized by a red, raw-looking mulberry-like surface.  They are often surgically removed after the baby is born.  If a woman experiences pregnancy epulis, she should call her dentist promptly.

It is especially essential, then, to maintain good dental health during pregnancy.  Research suggests that the pregnant women who have periodontal disease may be at increased risk for delivering a pre-term and/or low birth-weight baby.  If a woman notices changes in her mouth during pregnancy, please call your dentist immediately.

*Courtesy of the American Dental Association and for more info, pls visit http://www.ada.org

Dental amalgam was recently banned throughout Norway. The AGD has resources available to help you with questions from your patients. You can read the AGD’s position on dental amalgam   or  read the consumer article on the ban. Also, a fact sheet focusing on amalgam will be published in the March issue of AGD Impact.  We will bring it to your attention.

* Courtesy of Academy of General Dentistry (http://www.agd.org).

FDA Warns About Electric Dental Handpieces*
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Public Health Notification late last year, on Dec. 12, 2007. The notification prompted dental healthcare providers of patient injuries that may result from poorly maintained electric dental handpieces. If you want to know more click here FDA Web site.

*Courtesy of Academy of General Dentistry (http://www.agd.org)

Some jaws are narrow and sometimes with a V-shape  palate that may have adverse effects on sequential eruption of teeth and proper positioning in the mouth.  Many parents are worried about such situations for their children and may seek help from orthodontist or general dentist or pediatric dentist that incorporates functional appliances into his/her practice.  One of the well-known laboratories in the US that fabricate such appliances is Space Maintainers Laboratory.  This laboratory will work with your dentist to produce appliance that your child can wear.

*

http://www.appliancetherapy.com/Global_Center/sml/MemRx.aspx

One of such appliance is known as *MemRx E appliance which features lateral expansion via unique Memory Expansion Screws. The special Memory Screw allows for multiple adjustments to be made at the time of seating the appliance. Expansion is achieved through the Memory Springs, which are integrated in the screw. This serves to increase patient comfort and compliance as well as less chair time in the doctor’s office, not to mention fewer patient appointments.  If this appliance is right for your child, ask your doctor.

Starting in March 2008, we will begin a new segment that will deal with myths, old tales and stories about dentistry and dental care.  For example, it is believed in some quarters that a woman would lose at least one tooth on pregnancy.  This is certainly not true!!!!!!!!!!!!

You can also send in your own stories, myths, old tales, etc and all refined stories, tales, etc shall be published. Let’s have some fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Females generally have different needs at various stages of life. Puberty, menstruation, pregnancy and menopause can all affect the dental health and the need for treatment of a woman.  During these periods, the body of a woman undergoes hormonal changes that can make ones gums (periodontal tissues) sensitive and increase her risk for periodontal (gum) disease.  By understanding these changes, one can make informed decision as to how to practice good dental health habits that can keep ones teeth and gums healthy.  American Dental Association (http://www.ada.org) and your dentist have information for you.

WHAT IS GUM DISEASE?

Gum disease (periodontal disease) is an infection of the gums and bone that help anchor the teeth in the mouth caused by dental plaque, a sticky film of bacteria (germs) that adheres to teeth surface.  Dental plaque forms regularly on teeth and do build up if it is not removed through daily oral hygiene.  The bacteria in dental plaque produce toxins that irritate gums.  In the early stage, called Gingivitis, gums swell, turn red and do bleed readily.  Eventually, the gum may separate from a tooth and form deepened spaces called Pockets.  In this stage, called Periodontitis, the bone and soft tissues that support the teeth are destroyed, which ultimately can cause the teeth to be loose, fall out, or require removal by any licensed dentist in your state.

Gum disease occurs at any age, but it is most common in adults.  In fact, 3 out of 4 adults are affected by this disease at some point in their lives.  women are especially susceptible to the disease at certain stages of life.  You can be sure that hormonal changes can affect the blood supply to the gums, and response to irritants from dental plaque may be extra-large i.e. exaggerated.  The periodontal tissue is a target for female hormones, which makes it much more sensitive to changes in the levels of these hormones.  Any person who is already prone to the disease, may find the problem worsening during hormonal changes.

VOLUME 2 will include Monthly Cycle, Pregnancy.

VOLUME 3 will include Teen-age years, Menopause and What to do to help Oneself.

For more information visit American Dental Association website (http://www.ada.org) or write ADA for information.  The bulk of the material obtained from ADA patient education handouts.  You can also speak with your dentist about periodontal disease and your dental health.

The conventional wisdom is that one is encouraged to pay off his mortgage ASAP.  How does that do for your tax deductions?  The annual tax benefit steadily ebbs away as no tax deductions are available on interest (no interest without loan/mortgage) since the house is paid for in full.  It is very difficult for an average person to grow his arbitrage effectively if he cannot take advantage of the tax deductions on interests paid on mortgages, take the equity on the home out and invest it in tax-favored growths, etc.  This approach of paying off mortgage in order to become mortgage-free is known in some quarters as cost of forfeiting future equity earnings (COFFEE).  Break the mold, start a new approach to wealth-building and there are many books in the market today that can help you, understand the smart way of growing wealth with what you have right now, your home.  Untapped Riches by Susan and Anthony Cutaia (http://www.amacombooks.org) and another very good good is written by Marian Snow called Stop Sitting on Your Assets.  One can get free tickets to her HERO Solution Workshop by either going to her website, http://www.StopSittingOnYourAssets.com or calling toll-free 1866-404-HERO (4376).  Better still you can google making money or growing wealth through home equity or a combination of this and you will see for yourself tons of information. Be disciplined, start growing your wealth with what you already have, it is that simple!

Good luck and may the universe reward you because you have a millionaire mind!

A lot of people have been conditioned to paying off their mortgages as quickly as possible, leaving them with little or no tax deductions on interest paid on their mortgages.  Forget about the conventional wisdom, step into the new century, grow your assets with your own equity, be your own “bank.”  Ask any experienced financial planner who understands the HERO solution or other smart wealth-building programs.  Your home is probably your largest investment, take advantage of its equity, get it out, let your dollars work for you and invest it in programs such as cash-value insurance contracts and just grow your assets.  Every three-five years re-evaluate your home’s worth, collect the equity and invest it religiously.  Tax-deferred or tax-avoidance investments, tax-favored growth and tax-free money/investments are available, just ask  your experienced financial planner.  Be disciplined, grow your assets with what you have right now.  You need a vehicle that locks in stock market gains in good years when the market is doing great and avoids losses in not so good years like now.

Sleepy & Ready for Dental Work! Back in the 1800s, a young dentist, Dr. Horace Wells was determined to make dental care as painless as possible.  He experimented on a number of techniques sometimes medical to find a way to ameliorate pain and discomfort during dental procedure.  He adopted many other health field’s techniques to dentistry and he was indeed very creative and energetic.  He even used himself as guinea-pigs in most of his experiments.  His original practice was in Hartford, CT and he introduced the use of nitrous oxide in pain management during dental treatment.  This discovery changed the field of dentistry and medicine forever and paved the way for the development of anxiolysis, conscious sedation and general anesthesia.  Dr. Wells was only 33 years old when he took his life and was honored  for his contribution to modern anesthesia by an honorary membership of the world-renounced Medical Society of Paris and both the American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Medical Association  (AMA) recognized him as a giant in the field of general anesthesia.