General Health | Poss Dental Designs

January 29, 2013

Treating A Dry Mouth To Prevent Tooth Decay

Filed under: Beautiful Smiles,Cosmetic Dentistry,Dentist,General Health,Oral Health — Tags: dr poss, dry mouth, nashville cosmetic dentist, nashville dentist, nashville oral health, treating dry mouth — bdavis @ 6:40 pm

Dry mouth (xerostomia) is a common problem amongst seniors. It is caused by a reduced flow of saliva, which could be a side effect of a medication or a symptom of a medical condition. If you take antihistamines, painkillers, blood pressure lowering medications, decongestants, antidepressants, muscle relaxants, Parkinson’s disease medications, diuretics or incontinence medications, you will be more likely to suffer from this condition.

An insufficient supply of saliva can cause many problems. Saliva is required to help digest food, wash away stray food particles and reduce the amount of plaque that builds up in the mouth. It also helps to heal sores and prevent infection by controlling the amount of bacteria, viruses and fungi in the mouth. If left untreated, a dry mouth can feel very uncomfortable, can leave a constant dry feeling in the mouth and make it difficult to eat properly. It also makes you more prone to developing mouth sores, experiencing cracked lips and suffering from a rough tongue.

In addition to causing a wide range of oral health problems, dry mouth can cause severe tooth decay. Tooth decay develops when food particles and bacteria join together to form a sticky substance called plaque. Saliva naturally decreases the amount of bacteria in your mouth and prevents plaque from building up on your teeth. A lack of saliva can contribute to plaque accumulation, which can cause the surfaces of your teeth to slowly break down. If left untreated, plaque can damage your teeth and expose their nerves, causing you to feel pain and discomfort.

If you develop tooth decay, Dr. Poss can help to repair your damaged teeth. He can also recommend several products to help alleviate dry mouth symptoms and subsequent issues. Tooth decay is relatively easy to treat in its early stages. If you fail to seek treatment, you may eventually require costly root canal treatment or tooth extraction.

If medication is causing you to suffer from xerostomia, you should first consult with your physician to determine whether it would be beneficial for you to change your medication or adjust your dosage. If this is not possible, you should maintain good oral hygiene by brushing your teeth at least twice daily, flossing daily and eating a range of nutritious foods. You should also visit us regularly for check-ups, dental cleanings and topical fluoride rinses. During your consultation, we may advise you to make changes to your lifestyle to improve your saliva production. Increasing your water intake, chewing sugarless gum, reducing your intake of sugary foods and refraining from consuming alcohol and caffeine-containing drinks may be recommended.

If you reside in the Nashville area and desire more information on the treatments for a dry mouth, contact Dr. Poss, Nashville Cosmetic Dentist to discuss your options.

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November 21, 2012

Smile Makeovers in Nashville

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry,Dental Implants,Dentist,General Health,Nashville Cosmetic Dentistry — Tags: cosmetic dentist, nashville cosmetic dentist, Nashville Smile Makeovers, nashville teeth whitening, teeth whitening — bdavis @ 2:27 am

A smile makeover is like any kind of makeover because it makes your teeth look better. Cosmetic dentistry practitioners in Nashville offer teeth whitening services, alignments, replacement of missing teeth, and more. A healthy looking smile is important to the way you feel about yourself and the way others see you, especially in the job place, but it is also beneficial to have clean, straight teeth if you are looking for a date.

What are the most common problems that affect a person’s smile? They include wide gaps between teeth, alignment issues, and crowding. Dirty teeth are ugly and even though you might have cleaned them, they make you appear to have a poor hygiene routine. Whether you have bad breath or not, people will assume you do and will probably keep their distance. You might end up talking from behind your hand. Chipped teeth are unpleasant to see and to show. Do you currently cover your teeth by only smiling with your lips? Do you mumble for fear of opening your mouth too widely and displaying a dental mess?

A cosmetic dentist can fix just about any of these problems, sometimes in just a few visits. Whitening teeth is simple and effective, utilizing a special gel placed in a tray that can be taken home and applied over night. Consumers report dramatic results with just a few treatments. Custom trays can be designed for individuals with sensitive teeth. Speed up the process by having the gel applied at the office and subject to light treatment, which emits no heat. This will activate the bleach so fast that teeth are whiter just minutes later.

Aligning crooked or crowded teeth does not have to be a long and arduous experience. The same goes for teeth with a wide gap between them. Correct only the teeth that show with tooth-colored brackets, which can take just a few months. Use clear aligners to complete a more thorough correction process.
Fill in teeth that are missing with removable implants. Replace fillings with tooth-colored versions that will enable you to hide the condition of your teeth: silver fillings show up easily. Porcelain bridges will also fade into the background.

If you hide your smile, it might be time to seek the treatments necessary to make you proud of your teeth. Contact Dr. Poss, Nashville Cosmetic Dentist for a consultation today.

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October 8, 2012

Understanding Oral Health During Pregnancy

Filed under: Beautiful Smiles,General Health — bdavis @ 5:21 pm

During pregnancy there are many things you will want to think about in regards to your health. While many women focus on the health of their body and their baby’s body, many forget about their oral hygiene. However, this is just as important. By understanding what you need to do, you will be able to maintain your healthy smile during and after pregnancy.

The first thing you should know is what you should be doing to keep up with your regular brushing routine. If the toothpaste is causing you to feel nauseous then the best thing to do is to switch to a brand that does not have much flavor. Also, if you are having severe morning sickness and cannot brush your teeth after being sick, then it can be helpful to carry a travel sized mouthwash to help keep your breathe fresh and help eliminate the acids and bacteria in your mouth.

Another thing you should know is the importance of getting enough calcium during pregnancy. Your baby’s body will need plenty of calcium for development. If you do not take in enough calcium, your body will take from your own calcium for your baby. This can result in toothaches and weaker teeth. Keep in mind that if you breastfeed, then it is important to get enough calcium and other nutrients after your baby is born as this will also come from your body.

The good news though is that this is very easy to do with plenty of dairy, broccoli, soy and supplements. You should make sure to take in adequate amounts of vitamin D each day as this helps with the body absorbing calcium. Along with this, you should ensure that you keep sugary snacks to a minimum as these can lead to tooth decay.

It is necessary to see your dentist throughout your pregnancy to keep track of your oral health. Though dental procedures are usually avoided during the pregnancy, you still need to go. Even X-rays should only be done when absolutely necessary. You should ensure your dentist knows you are pregnant as well as any medications you are taking. If you have gum or periodontal disease, then this is something to be aware of and have treated.

Studies have indicated a common link between these diseases and premature birth. Your dentist should assess this and help you deal with the issue. If you find that you do have one of these oral diseases during your pregnancy it is also important that you let your let your OBGYN know so they can be prepared for the possibility of a premature birth.

Though this may seem like a lot of things to keep in mind, it is really not as much as you may think. Just remember to keep up with regular mouth care, get the necessary nutrients and tell any dentist or doctor you see about your pregnancy and other conditions. If there is a need for dental procedures, these can usually be completed after you give birth, though you should let your dentist know if you are breastfeeding.

Don’t forget to contact Dr. Poss with any specific questions about your oral health during pregnancy!

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September 28, 2012

Get Rid Of Headaches And Constant Jaw Pain With TMJ Treatment

Filed under: Beautiful Smiles,General Health,Teeth Grinding,TMJ Treatment Nashville — bdavis @ 5:26 pm

TMJ is the abbreviation for Temporomandibular Joint, and plagues many men and women worldwide. It is caused by a variety of issues, including:

• Disease (arthritis, for instance)
• Wear due to aging
• Grinding and clenching
• Chewing on things (not food)
• Poor alignment of teeth
• Trauma

Some of these situations are habits a person has formed. A child starts biting pencils, and continues to gnaw on things as she gets older. This biting might become grinding during slumber, or have begun from that grinding and progressed to daytime gnawing. Clenching is also a habit, even if it is related to mental health issues such as anxiety or problems with anger. It might be a coping mechanism in response to pain elsewhere in the body.

The result is pain of many kinds, including headaches. Taking analgesics can be helpful for relieving minor pain in the early stages of TMJ; however, this is simply a “band-aid” and has no long term impact on the cause of discomfort. Anti-inflammatory drugs sold over the counter are a more effective TMJ treatment as they reduce swelling in the joint.

Some clients will get injections deep into the joint, such as lidocaine or Botox. Lidocaine is recognizable as a topical anesthetic rubbed onto the skin before having an IV. Botox causes the joint to relax. Both forms of TMJ treatments are only effective for a few months and are not for the faint of heart.

Far less frightening and painful than a long needle, bite guards have also been proven effective. They stop the user from putting pressure on the TMJ. The user is not always aware she is grinding, especially at night, so a bite guard is a useful night time aid.

If dental alignment is the culprit, speak with Dr. Poss about getting braces. It is not too late, even if the teen years have passed you by. Many adults wear braces to correct a cross bite which were not addressed during childhood. This is a long term solution to an ongoing problem and could prevent headaches from becoming unbearable.

When it comes to TMJ treatment, it pays to think outside of the box. The problem rarely comes out of the blue, unless you are affected by arthritis or a disease that strikes joints all over your body. With some creative consideration, your headaches could be gone in just a few months even if you have suffered with TMJ for years.

Don’t forget that Dr. Poss has extensive experience treating TMJ and persistent headaches.

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August 28, 2012

Flossing – Just Do It!

Filed under: Dentist,General Health — Tags: flossing, oral health, whole body health — bdavis @ 4:11 pm

Dentists repeat the mantra that flossing is important with every visit to their chair. Parents encourage their children to floss every night when they brush their teeth, but are they doing the same themselves? There is a good chance that they are neglecting one of the simplest ways to care for their adult teeth: flossing. When compared with most dental work, flossing is quick, painless, and inexpensive.

When pushed against teeth and both sides of the inverted ‘v’ which gums create, floss pulls away food particles a brush cannot remove. This is an important point to remember if a person has bad breath. The smells in a mouth could be the result of leftover, rotting food. Worse still, rotting teeth could be causing some of that odor.

Flossing helps people to save teeth from developing cavities by removing plaque. The acids in plaque eat into tooth enamel to cause painful craters which a dentist must fill. The patient will need to endure anesthetic injections in the gums and drilling if this occurs.

Many consumers do not realize there is a connection between overall health and gum health. Periodontis is a gum disease which causes gums and bone to deteriorate. Eventually, a person could lose his or her teeth in the affected area. Losing teeth can make it difficult to chew, or even embarrassing to smile. Meanwhile, the bloodstream will absorb mouth-based bacteria which cause plaque and lay it down in veins throughout the body. Believe it or not, cardiac problems can be caused by dental plaque. By flossing, individuals can prevent gum disease and heart disease simultaneously.

Health and fitness specialists will also point out that when food is left in a person’s mouth, that person will often taste the food for a while after and crave it. Floss removes the food particles before they lead to temptation. Better still, by going through the whole process of brushing and flossing after a meal, this will change the flavor of food so that a person simply does not want it anymore.

Flossing should be done at least once every day, preferably last thing at night or after the final meal of the day. It can be done more often, but if you forget to floss for a few days, expect to experience some sensitivity in the gums. They might even bleed afterwards. There are many inexpensive brands of floss, but if you have tightly-packed teeth, try dental tape. This is a wider sort of floss which tends to get snagged or broken less often.

Buy flavored floss to encourage children to take up this good habit. Flavors such as cherry, bubble gum, and mint are hard to resist. If you like the taste so much that you want to floss twice a day, go ahead. People with braces can also floss. They use a small piece of plastic tied into a loop with a straight end. With a strand of floss tied to the other end, a parent threads the floss between the teeth above the braces of young children. Adults and teens might be able to do this job themselves.

Don’t forget to schedule regular checkups with Dr. Poss! He can help you keep your mouth healthy and your smile happy!

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June 13, 2012

Patient Starts Around the World Motorcycle Ride

Filed under: General Health,Patient Good News! — bdavis @ 5:26 pm

On July 28^th Brad Thompson, one of our patients, leaves Nashville on a solo, around-the-world motorcycle ride to support Rally Foundation and its mission of empowering volunteers to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer research. Rally Around the World will mark Brad’s 20^th anniversary of being cancer-free. The struggles these children endure reach far beyond the personal challenges Brad faced when fighting testicular cancer and will face on an around-the-world motorcycle ride. Every school day, two classrooms of children, about 46, are diagnosed with cancer. Cancer is the #1 disease killer of kids ages 0-15 in the US!

In 2002 celebrating his 10^thanniversary of being cancer-free, Brad made a solo bicycle trek from San Diego, CA to St. Augustine, FL covering 3,000 miles in 35 days raising money for cancer research.

www.rallyfoundation.org/rallyaroundtheworld

Keep up with Brad’s progress the following website:

www.rallyaroundtheworld.com

Brad – we’ll be thinking of you!

- Dr. Poss, Michele and the Team!

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Sleep Apnea Linked to Cancer

Filed under: General Health,Sleep Apnea — bdavis @ 5:20 pm

OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) is a disorder known to cause fatigue, snoring, and pauses in breathing during sleep. When left untreated, it can lead to a number of serious health complications. As OSA lowers the body’s oxygen level, the risk of developing cancer, heart disease, hypertension and diabetes is greatly increased. Recent studies have shown a strong link between the oxygen deprivation caused by OSA and the development of many forms of cancer. For individuals experiencing symptoms of OSA, a visit to a dentist specializing in sleep apnea treatment can help ease the symptoms and decrease the likelihood of developing related health complications.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Some of the main symptoms of OSA include loud snoring, choking and gasping for breath during sleep, extreme daytime sleepiness, and issues with concentration, memory and personality changes. Headaches, heartburn, a sour taste in the mouth at night, sweating and chest pain during sleep, and swelling of the legs are additional symptoms to look for. The number of non-breathing episodes an individual experiences during sleep in an hour determines the severity of the disorder.

Sleep Apnea and Cancer

Recent studies have shown a strong connection between OSA and the development of many major forms of cancer. Sleep doctors have labeled OSA a top concern due to the correlation between hypoxemia (low blood oxygen pressure) and cancer diagnoses. A study of mice with tumors that were deprived of oxygen suggests that oxygen-deprived bodies experience an increase in the development of blood vessels, and this creates an environment highly conducive to the growth of cancerous tissues and tumors. Individuals suffering from OSA can experience cessations in their breathing hundreds of times a night, depleting the body’s oxygen supply. These studies suggest that people suffering from OSA will die at a rate of almost five times higher than those without the disorder. Individuals whose oxygen levels dipped below 90 percent for 12 percent of their sleeping time were found to have a 68-percent higher risk of developing cancer than those whose levels did not drop below 90 percent.

Long-Term Consequences of OSA

In addition to the development of major forms of cancer, OSA is also linked to the development of hypertension, heart disease and diabetes. When blood oxygen levels are low, the branch of the nervous system in charge of heart performance is kicked into high gear, and this increases blood pressure and places stress on the heart. It is estimated that 50 percent of people with OSA have hypertension. This extra strain on the heart increases the risk of developing coronary heart disease and congestive heart failure. As blood sugar levels are higher in people with OSA, the disorder is also linked to the development of type 2 diabetes.
If you or someone you know is experiencing loud snoring and cessations in breathing during sleep, visiting a dentist specializing in sleep apnea can be the first step on the road to diagnosis and treatment. Dentists can fit patients with oral appliances that keep the airway open during sleep, easing the symptoms of OSA, as well as decreasing the related risk factors of developing cancer, hypertension, heart disease and diabetes.

Don’t forget that Dr. Poss has successfully treated thousands of patients for persistent snoring and sleep apnea when they couldn’t find relief elsewhere. Contact our office for an initial consultation.

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June 6, 2012

Regular Visits to the Dentist Can Save Your Life!

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry,Dentist,General Health,Nashville Cosmetic Dentistry,Oral Health,Sleep Apnea — bdavis @ 3:53 pm

Many people are unaware of the crucial connection between oral health and the body’s overall health. The mouth is often described as the gateway to the body and poor oral health and lack of dental checkups and screenings can leads to a variety of health complications: jaw pain, headaches, heart disease, sleep apnea and oral cancer. Many of these complications can be prevented, diagnosed and treated by practicing good oral hygiene with regular dental checkups.

Gingivitis and Heart Health

Good dental care is as important for the heart as it is for the mouth. Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums that often signals more serious dental health issues. Gingivitis can be easily avoided by regular brushing, flossing, rinsing, and regular dental checkups. As people with gingivitis are almost twice as likely to develop heart disease, practicing good dental hygiene is a crucial aspect of protecting the health of heart patients. When the gums are inflamed, the inflammation and chemicals released can deteriorate the gums and surrounding bone structure, resulting in severe gum disease, jaw pain and headaches. When the bacterial build up in the mouth moves into the blood stream, it sticks to the sides of the arteries, narrowing and blocking them. As these plaques block blood flow, the result can be heart attack and stroke.

Sleep Apnea

Regular dental checkups can help identify and treat OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) and the problems it can lead to. OSA is a disorder during which sleeping individuals experience shallow breathing and pauses in breathing caused by an airway obstruction. The disorder can cause low blood oxygen levels and contribute to coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes, hypertension and has also been linked to cancers outside the mouth. Regular checkups allows your dentist the necessary time and conversation to learn about these problems. With new discoveries in technology, modern dental appliances are instrumental in treating sleep apnea.

Oral Cancers

As OCS (oral cancer screening) is the best way to detect the presence of oral cancers early on, dental hygienists screen for oral cancer as part of every dental checkup. Regardless of age, patients are educated on detecting oral health problems and the risk factors of developing oral cancers. Through extra- and intra-oral examinations using sight, sound and touch, the presence of any mouth abnormalities are monitored and detected. HPV (human papilloma virus) is a common virus group that affects the body’s mucosal areas, and exposure to HPV is one of the main paths leading to the development of oral cancer. As HPV16 appears at the bottom of the tongue, the tonsils and the throat’s posterior, early detection of the disease through regular dental checkups is key to survival. When it comes to oral health, the old adage of “An ounce of prevention is worth a dose of cure” definitely applies. Through practicing good oral hygiene coupled with regular dental checkups, issues of jaw pain, headaches, gingivitis, sleep apnea and oral cancer can be monitored, identified and treated.

Dr. Stephen Poss, Nashville Cosmetic Dentist, practices a wide variety of dentistry. He specializes in cosmetic dentistry, treatment of sleep apnea and tmj, oral cancer screenings, general dentistry and much more. Please call our office if you think you may be suffering from any of these problems.

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April 23, 2012

Coke vs. Water

Filed under: General Health,Oral Health — Tags: avoid coke, coke, oral health, whole body health — bdavis @ 8:17 pm

The debate over the merits of water over soft drinks is ongoing. As a dentist, we know that the benefits of avoiding sugary drinks, but there are a number of other reasons to avoid soft drinks. Check out the merits below:

Water

75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated.
In 37% of Americans the thirst mechanism is so weak it is often mistaken for hunger.
Mild dehydration will slow your metabolism as much as 3%
Lack of water is the #1 trigger for daytime fatigue
Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.
A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math and difficulty focusing on the computer.
Drinking 5 glasses of water each day decreases your risk of colon cancer by 45% and can slash your risk of breast cancer by 79

Coke

In many states the highway patrol carries Coke in the trunk of their cars to remove the blood from the highway after a car accident.
You can put a t-bone steak in a bowl of Coke and it will be gone in two days.
You can clean your toilet by pouring a can of Coke into the toilet, let it sit for one hour and flush.
To remove rust spots from chrome car bumpers rub the bumper with a piece of Reynolds Wrap aluminum foil dipped in Coke.
Coke will clean the corrosion on a car battery.
Coke can also loosen a rusted bolt by soaking a cloth in Coke and apply it to the rusted bolt for several minutes.
To remove grease from clothes: Empty a can of Coke into the load of greasy clothes, add detergent, and run through a regular cycle. The Coca-Cola will help loosen grease stains. It will also clean road haze from your windshield.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION:

The active ingredient in Coke is phosphoric acid. It will dissolve a nail in about four days. Phosphoric acid also leaches calcium from bones and is a major contributor to the rising increase of osteoporosis.
To carry Coca-Cola syrup (the concentrate) the commercial trucks must use Hazardous Material Warning Cards reserved for highly corrosive materials.

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January 25, 2012

5 Easy Ways to Remember to Floss

Filed under: Beautiful Smiles,Dental Implants,General Health — Tags: flossing, nashville cosmetic dentist, oral health — bdavis @ 2:45 am

Despite the fact that flossing is an essential part of your daily routine and it can even contribute to a longer life, sometimes it is hard to remember to do it. There can be many reasons for people being forgetful when it comes to flossing, such as you work odd hours, you ran out of floss a week ago, or you subconsciously just don’t want to do it. Regardless of the reason, it is a practice that should be carried out on a daily basis.

If you have trouble remembering to floss, we have some easy tips for you that will keep it on the top of your mind every day. Eventually it might even be something that you do without thinking about it! Read on to find out how you can be a regular flosser in no time.

Remind yourself of the benefits – Flossing can do wonders for your looks and health. It keeps your gums healthy and clean so you won’t have to worry about gingivitis. It cleans out any food stuck between teeth that can lead to staining and cavities. It also gets rid of plaque that can make its way into other parts of your body and contribute to future health problems such as heart disease and stroke.
Establish an ironclad routine – One common theory is that it takes 21 days to make something into a habit. Whether that is the exact time it takes to establish a habit or not, it is true that you should floss daily without fail until it is just something you do. One trick that might help is to put a small calendar next to your bathroom sink and put a check mark on each day that you floss.
Always have more floss on hand – If you happen to run out of floss, you might be tempted to let it slide for a few days (or weeks) until you get new floss. Instead of letting this happen to you, consider buying an economy pack of dental floss so that you have a steady supply for months.
Have a loved one remind you – Your wife, husband, son, daughter or any other person close to you would probably be happy to remind you to floss. Don’t be afraid to ask for their help, but be sure to ask someone who will actually follow through with their promise to hold you accountable.
Become a mobile flosser – There are situations for pretty much anybody where a tight schedule or unforeseen events can hinder your ability to floss at home. This is not the time for excuses considering that a container of floss can fit in your pocket at any time. You can sneak to the bathroom during work or find many other small windows of time to get your flossing fix.

Remember, flossing is something quick and easy that you can do to improve your help. All it takes is a conscious effort at first until it is just second nature! Keeping up with these common oral health practices will keep your smile bright and your mouth healthy. Visit Dr. Stephen Poss, your Nashville dentist to keep your mouth healthy and happy.

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