State of the Art Dental Care
Patient Newsletter
High Blood Pressure and Oral Health
May 11th 2012
Get your blood pressure checked before your dental appointment!
High blood pressure, also called HBP or hypertension, can affect your ability to receive oral healthcare. Performing dental treatments on patients with hypertension can be detrimental! If your blood pressure is too high, many dentists won’t schedule procedures until you receive a health assessment from your medical doctor.
What is high blood pressure?
The two forces measured for your blood pressure reading are the blood pumping out of your heart and into your arteries (systolic), and the heart resting between beats (diastolic). Normal blood pressure readings for a healthy individuals who are 20 years and older should be below 120 for systolic and below 80 for diastolic. If blood pressure readings are consistently higher than 120/80 then you’re probably suffering from hypertension.
According to Heart.org, the website of the American Heart Association, “Untreated high blood pressure damages and scars your arteries.” High blood pressure increases risks of blood clots, organ damage, heart attacks, and strokes. High blood pressure also results increased plaque build-up and weakening blood vessels.
How does high blood pressure affect my dental health?
In a white paper released by the American Diagnostic Corporation, it states: “…elevations of blood pressure can increase a patient’s risk of experiencing a stroke or myocardial infarctions in the dental chair.” Patients with hypertension can also be in danger from local anesthetics that use vasoconstrictors, such as epinephrine, which increase blood pressure and heart arrhythmia.
High blood pressure medications can also affect your dental wellbeing. Some prescriptions cause dry mouth and may also alter your sense of taste. Meds with calcium blockers can also create gum overgrowth, which can affect a patient’s ability to chew and may require periodontal surgery to correct.
Will my dentist still treat me if I have high blood pressure?
Most dentists will not treat patients who have high blood pressure, especially if your numbers are in the Stage 1 or higher range for hypertension. (View the chart at the American Heart Association’s website.) If you’re being treated for high blood pressure, it’s important for you to discuss your condition and your medications with your dentist before beginning any treatments. Most patients being treated for high blood pressure can still have dental procedures, take anti-anxiety medications (often used for oral conscious sedation), and safely receive local anesthetics.
What Should I Look For When Choosing a Dentist?
May 1st 2012
No matter your age, your profession, or how busy your schedule might be, finding a good dentist is one of the most important things you can do. It can also be a struggle. So, how can you get started? What should you keep in mind as you look for a dentist for yourself and your family? Here are five things to consider.
Testimonials
Find out beforehand if the doctor you’re considering has any testimonials or before-and-after pictures you can see. Some states—Texas, for example—don’t allow testimonials, but others do and this can be a great way to get to know a dentist and his or her work.
Experience
Knowing where a dentist studied, how long they’ve studied, what associations they’re a member of, and what awards they’ve one can all help you decide on a dentist. Typically, you can find information like this on a doctor’s webpage, under the “About the Office” or the “About Our Team” page. If the practice you’re considering is a new practice, what does this mean to you? Are you comfortable with the dentist’s expertise and training?
Technology
Whether you’re looking for general care or restorative care, finding a practicing with cutting-edge technology can be important. Tools like digital radiography expose patients to 80% less radiation while laser dentistry can make periodontal therapy more comfortable than traditional therapy with a scalpel and stitches. What advanced tools are important to you and will encourage you to seek the care you deserve?
Services
One of the most important questions to ask yourself as you look for a dentist is, what services do you and your family need? Do you already know that you need to have a specific procedure performed? For advanced surgical care, many dentists refer patients to a specialist, but some dentists have sought extra training and can perform these same procedures in their own office.
Comfort
If you have trouble sitting for long periods of time or you struggle with dental anxiety, finding an office that keeps patient comfort in mind can be very important. Some dentists do this through sedation dentistry, while others do so by advertising spa amenities.
During April, Let’s Focus on Oral Cancer Prevention
April 3rd 2012
April is National Cancer Control Month, and you might not be aware of the fact that incidences of oral cancer are on the rise. Few people think about oral cancer, but it kills more people every year than brain cancer, cervical 
cancer, and testicular cancer put together. But the more you learn about oral cancer and its signs and symptoms, the better able you’ll be to get an early diagnosis and more effective treatment should oral cancer happen to you. Oral cancer responds very well to treatment in the earliest stages.
What are the risk factors for oral cancer?
The risk factors for oral cancer include smoking and chewing tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, and human papillomavirus (HPV), although some people develop oral cancer despite having none of these risk factors. It is believed that genetics, too, plays a role in the development of cancers, including oral cancer, as well as dietary factors. Because there are so many various contributing factors, everyone should get checked by their dentist for oral cancer at their dental checkups.
What are the symptoms of oral cancer?
The symptoms of oral cancer include:
- A flat, painless, white or red spot or sore.
- A sore that bleed easily or does not heal.
- A color change of the oral tissues.
- A lump, thickening, rough spot, crust, or small, eroded area.
- Pain, tenderness, or numbness anywhere in the mouth or on the lips.
It can be hard to see every spot in your mouth clearly, which is where your dentist comes in. He or she can take a look at any questionable areas and alert you if there’s a potential problem. Waiting until the symptoms become extremely obvious means wasting valuable treatment time that could save your life.
So why not make an appointment with your dentist for an exam during National Cancer Control Month? Set your mind at ease knowing that you’ve gone the extra mile for not only your oral health, but your overall health, too!
Gum Disease and Heart Health
March 27th 2012
Nearly 80% of American adults suffer from gum disease! Gum disease can devastate your oral health, causing serious dental problems. In fact, the number one reason for adult tooth loss in the United States is untreated gum disease. Worse, though, is the effect that gum disease can have on your heart health.
Research conducted recently found that patients who had suffered heart attacks also suffered from poor oral health, too. And the American Academy of Periodontology notes that people diagnosed with gum disease are twice as likely to have heart disease.
How do you know if you have gum disease? You may have periodontal infection if your gums:
- Bleed during or after brushing your teeth
- Feel tender, swollen, or sore
- Look red or discolored
- Form pockets around your teeth
One of the simplest ways to ensure good gum health is to brush twice, floss once, and use a fluoridated oral rinse every day. Getting regular check-ups at least twice a year gives your dentists the opportunity to check your gums—and keep you on track to periodontal health.
According to research published in The New England Journal of Medicine, patients who were treated for periodontitis showed improvements in endothelial (cells that line blood vessels) function. So, getting your oral health in order can also improve your overall health, too!
Foods and Drinks That Can Help Your Smile
March 6th 2012
You already know how important brushing and flossing are for the health of your smile. But did you also know that certain foods can benefit your oral health too? Any number of specific foods can be beneficial, but today we’re targeting just a few general foods or drinks that can help you.
Green Tea
As we mentioned in an earlier post, green tea has been used medicinally for ages and is consumed by millions of people around the world every day. It has a higher number of antioxidants than black tea, which helps explain its many benefits for patients. Among the oral health benefits to look forward to, green tea actually kills cancer-causing free radicals and can reduce periodontal inflammation.
But that’s not all. Green tea is also known to aid in the reduction of dental plaque and can interfere with the production of hydrogen sulfide, which causes bad breath.
Dairy Products
Whether you’re talking about a slice of cheese, a cup of yogurt, or a glass of milk, dairy products can influence your smile for the better. For one thing, their low acidity protects teeth from decay and promotes a healthier pH. Dairy products are also high in calcium and phosphate, which help fortify teeth and bones alike. (You can view our earlier post on dairy here.)
Fruits and Vegetable
You’re probably all too familiar with the phrase “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Well, there’s some truth to it. The chewing action involved in eating raw fruit massages your gums and helps keep plaque from forming on teeth. What’s more, many fruits contain vitamin C, which is not only good for your overall health, its’ also good for supporting gum health. Likewise, the act of eating raw vegetables, which contain a host of important nutrients (including vitamin A), helps keep teeth clean and strong, in addition to supporting overall health.
Water
If someone asked you to think about foods or drinks that are good for your smile, you might not have considered that water might be one of the best. But in addition to hydrating the body, water can help you wash away food trapped between your teeth and give the body extra protection from the development of bacteria and plaque, as it aids the natural neutralizing effects of saliva.
Want to know more about how certain foods can help your smile? Call your local dentist to schedule a visit, or you can also check out these two articles (from WebMD and Dental.net) on diet and oral health.
Did you know?According to a study by the Gallup Organization and Consumer Reports, dentists are among the top five most trusted professionals. What do powdered fruit, talc, honey, dried flowers, mice, and lizard livers have in common? They have all been ingredients in ancient toothpaste and powder. Yum. Attention Chocolate Lovers… Many dentists agree, raisins can cause more tooth decay than chocolate. Sticky foods, such as raisins and dried fruits, can stay on the teeth longer and cause more decay. According to a study at the University of Connecticut, too much toothpaste early in life is responsible for more than 70 percent of fluorosis cases (staining or mottling of tooth enamel that develops when children swallow fluoridated toothpaste). Although this problem is only cosmetic, it is recommended children under six use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and be reminded to spit it out after brushing. |
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Something to Smile About
Caring for your oral health includes regular teeth and gum care. Neglecting your gums can eventually lead to periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, which is a culprit for the deterioration of your overall oral health. Periodontal disease affects 75 percent of adults over 35 years of age and is responsible for approximately 70 percent of all adult tooth loss. Since symptoms of periodontal disease are mild, some people never realize their mouth is under bacterial attack.
Highly recognized as a greatly progressive disorder, periodontal disease is triggered by preventable factors, like plaque buildup, tobacco use, certain medications, and stress, as well as unpreventable causes, like systematic disease and fluctuating hormone levels during puberty, pregnancy, or menopause. Research proves up to 30 percent of the population may be genetically susceptible to gum disease.
Periodontal disease begins when the bacteria in the sticky film which forms on the tooth surface, what we call plaque, causes gum inflammation. If the irritation is ignored, plaque will release toxins to break down the natural fibers that hold your gums to your teeth, permitting even more bacteria and toxins to invade. Plaque deposits quickly harden into calculus or tartar, which is a rough, porous substance that cannot be removed by brushing. Over time, this progression can lead to severe inflammation, bone loss, gum recession, and tooth loss.
Symptoms and signs include:
Red, swollen, tender, or bleeding gums- Gum recession, or gums pulling away from teeth
- Loose or separating teeth
- Pus between the gum and tooth
- Persistent bad breath (halitosis)
- Bite changes
- Change in the fit of partial dentures
If you have noticed any of the above signs or symptoms, please call us immediately to schedule a consultation and assessment. Together, we can win the battle against periodontal disease and maintain your fresh and healthy smile.
Dr. Neal is very concerned with gum disease and the devastating effect it can have on your overall health. He now offers laser gum treatment to treat gum disease with the Periolase. It is the only patented, FDA approved laser for gum treatment. Dr. Neal is the only dentist in McHenry County to offer this advanced, comfortable, patient friendly treatment.
How to Handle a Dental Emergency
We haven an entire page with tips on dental emergencies and injuries.
Click here to learn about dental emergencies
Make an appointment
Call
815 459 2202
Crystal lake Dental Associates
280 B Memorial Court, Crystal Lake Illinois 60014
or
to contact us
Learn more about laser gum treatment
From Dull to Dazzling: Enhancing Your Smile with Cosmetic Dentistry
Some people only visit the dentist for checkups or toothaches. However, dentistry is no longer reserved for preventive care and routine maintenance. Today’s dentists are artists, as well as doctors. Cosmetic dentistry seeks to create a more aesthetically pleasing and healthy smile. Many doctors practice functional aesthetics, which means they’ll create a smile that’s beautiful and functional through a combination of procedures uniquely designed to suit your needs.
Even patients who are meticulous about their dental care routines can have a less than spectacular smile. Drinking coffee, tea, or wine, smoking or chewing tobacco, and simply growing older can take a toll on your teeth, causing them to look dull and stained. Some medications can also cause discoloration. One easy, safe way to restore your smile is through teeth whitening.
Restorative and aesthetic procedures can be combined to create a smile that’s perfect for you. 
For instance, cracked, chipped, or unevenly spaced teeth can be made to look fresh and new with bonding or veneers. In fact, your dentist can even reshape your front teeth to create the smile you’ve always wanted. Crowns can restore function and beauty to instable teeth, and all-porcelain crowns leave no dark lines at the gum, so your smile will maintain an all-white, natural beauty. Bridges or implants can replace missing teeth and restore the underlying structure that makes your face full and youthful. These dental procedures will not only give you a more beautiful smile, but they will also restore full oral function, as well as your self confidence.
If you are not satisfied with your smile and want to transform it from dull to dazzling, ask us about cosmetic dentistry. We can’t wait to make you smile!
Make an appointment
Call
815 459 2202
Crystal lake Dental Associates
280 B Memorial Court, Crystal Lake Illinois 60014
or
to contact us
learn more about cosmetic treatment options
see before and after photo gallery
Smile Renovation
We’re rough on our teeth. How many times have you chewed on ice or played sports without wearing a mouthguard? If you also skip semi-annual dental appointments and neglect a rigid homecare regimen of brushing and flossing, you compromise your smile even further. People damage or lose teeth every day from injury, disease, or decay. A damaged tooth can destroy oral function and cause pain, and a missing tooth will leave a gap in your smile. Your mouth must compensate for the lack of chewing power when a tooth is missing, so the chewing force may move to another part of the mouth. This causes the remaining teeth shift out of place and further destroys your smile.
We always suggest taking care of your teeth because preventive care can save you time, hassle, and money. But when accidents happen, we have solutions.
Simple dental procedures can restore your damaged tooth, replace your missing tooth, and return your smile’s natural, fresh beauty. A crown snugly covers the complete visible surface of a structurally unsound tooth to add strength and stability, while restoring the tooth’s natural shape and size. Crowns can be made of precious metal, porcelain pressed to metal, or all-porcelain. For damaged teeth, crowns restore beauty and function.
A bridge can actually replace missing teeth. Fused between two porcelain crowns, a bridge can replace one or more teeth to complete your smile. If you prefer a more stable and long-lasting prosthetic, a dental implant may be the right choice. Dental implants closely mimic nature in that they start with a firm foundation – a titanium post inserted into the missing tooth’s socket. This post creates a prosthetic tooth root that bonds with natural bone tissue. On the top of the implant, we can place a beautiful prosthetic tooth, a dental implant restoration, that will look, feel, and function just like your natural teeth.
The moral of the story is to be nice to your teeth, be diligent with your oral hygiene, and visit your dentist regularly. Your teeth are hard workers, but they’re also precious part of your body that you should care for and respect. However, if the damage is already done, see us immediately. We can help you decide on the best treatment to restore your smile. Your teeth will thank you for it.
Make an appointment
Call
815 459 2202
Crystal lake Dental Associates
280 B Memorial Court, Crystal Lake Illinois 60014
or
to contact us