Oral Health | Poss Dental Designs

April 1, 2013

Dr. Stephen Poss is Accepting New Nashville and Brentwood Patients

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry,Nashville Cosmetic Dentistry,Oral Health — Tags: dentist, dr poss, nashville dentist, nashville oral health, oral health — bdavis @ 6:38 pm

Good afternoon,

I am Dr. Stephen Poss (also known as Steve),

Are you a local Nashville resident? How about a person in the surrounding areas? Well, welcome to our website and blog!

Our dental practice is known as Poss Dental Designs and is located at 1646 Westgate Circle, Suite 100 in Brentwood, TN, 37027. I’ve been practicing dentistry for almost 30 years. Not only am I dedicated to helping individuals maintain a healthy smile, but I’m also invested in the well being of the entire field of dentistry. As a teacher and a sleep diplomat – not only do I bring a wealth of experience to the exam room – I also bring it to the classroom for fellow practioners.

Some services that may be of interest: general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, sleep apnea treatment, full smile makeovers, veneers, six month smiles, teeth whitening, cosmetic bonding, metal free dentistry, TMJ treatment and much more!

With all sincerity, we ask that you call our office with any and all questions. If you’re thinking about some cosmetic procedures we’d be happy to schedule an initial consultation to see how we can help.

I pride myself on being the best, but also easy to talk to!

If you have dental insurance, call our office to see if we are contracted with your provider. If you don’t have dental insurance, call us at 615-373-1056 to talk with our office about rates and additional options. Budgeting for regular cleanings and checkups can ensure a healthy smile and can keep your long term dental costs way down.

Stephen Poss DDS

Poss Dental Designs
1646 Westgate Circle
Suite 100
Brentwood, TN 37027

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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 13, 2012

Keeping Your Mouth Healthy During the Holidays

Filed under: Beautiful Smiles,Oral Health — bdavis @ 3:57 am

Despite your usual efforts at following good oral health habits, you may gravitate towards holiday food that does nothing to promote a healthy smile and healthy teeth. While one day of enjoying special treats may not seem so bad, your social schedule may mean that eating holiday food may last for several days or several weeks. The thought of skipping your favorite foods and beverages while spending time with the people that you care for the most may be unacceptable, but you can still enjoy holiday food and protect your oral health. With some simple changes and additions to your usual routine, you can maintain a healthy mouth, beautiful teeth, and still enjoy yourself during the holidays.

Your holiday fun may include traveling from house to house, city to city, state to state, or beyond. Being away from home may make brushing and flossing more challenging, but it is still possible to keep up with these necessary hygiene activities. One of the best ways to maintain a healthy smile is to keep your mouth clean, and this includes keeping sugar, caffeine, and other harmful things from remaining on your teeth. While coffee, tea, or cocoa may be perfect accompaniments to sumptuous holiday food and mealtimes, sipping these kinds of beverages over several hours may be extremely harmful to your tooth enamel. A better alternative would be to finish these beverages more quickly and then follow up with some sort of mouth cleansing. If you assume that effectively cleansing your mouth means having mouthwash, yards of floss and a full sized toothbrush at your disposal, you may be pleasantly surprised with the quick and easy alternative that may work for you.

While you may be able to slip away and brush your teeth if you are in your own home, it may be more difficult if you are traveling. A complete brushing and flossing would be ideal, but even swishing your mouth out with water may remove an impressive amount of harmful food and drink residue from your mouth. Simply keeping a glass or bottle of water nearby may protect your healthy smile, and you can do so without even leaving the hub of the holiday festivities. Even if you are slowly sipping sugary drinks or making repeated trips to a holiday buffet, intermittent drinks of water may keep you from ruining your healthy smile.

Another way to support your oral health during the holidays is to plan ahead as you would any other time you are going to be away from your usual surroundings. This may include keeping floss picks, dental gum, or a travel toothbrush and small tube of toothpaste at your disposal at all times. Innovative items such as sterile and reusable mouth picks, dental finger mitts, and dental wipes are small enough to fit in a small purse or travel bag, and you may use them quickly and discreetly in nearly any restroom area. A healthy smile can be yours whenever you desire, even as you enjoy your favorite holiday food and beverages with these easy oral health solutions.

Finally, you can keep your smile healthy by maintaining regular dental visits.

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June 18, 2012

Nashville Patients Find Relief for Jaw Pain and Headaches

Filed under: Oral Health — bdavis @ 7:09 pm

Stress can wreak havoc on a person’s body, causing a wide variety of symptoms. Sometimes people attribute the causes of their pain to stress when it is a byproduct of a medical condition, not the cause. Headaches and jaw pain may be caused by problems with the alignment of the jaw or conditions such as teeth grinding or teeth clenching.

Often, people experiencing grinding or clenching will have these incorrectly attributed to stress. They may attempt to seek relief by consulting their general practitioner, or even chiropractors, masseuses, or hypnotists in their quest for relief. While any of these may be able to offer temporary relief, they will not be able to identify and treat the root cause of the headaches and jaw pain.

Consulting the proper dentist, one who is trained in neuromuscular dentistry, can help to identify the problems with the system of facial muscles, nerves, teeth, and jaw joints that must work together seamlessly to relieve the pain.

In addition to diagnosing the cause of the discomfort that the patient is experiencing, it is important that the condition is treated in a manner that eliminates the pain while also treating the root causes. This provides a more permanent solution to the patient and keeps them from having to rely on medications for relief.

When patients are suffering from temporomandibular disorders (or TMJ) , they can experience jaw pain, headaches, ear pain, jaw clicking, teeth grinding, teeth clenching, damaged teeth, and even tingling in the hands and feet. A common cause of these problems is transmandibular joint dysfunction.

A dental professional who has been properly trained to identify the causes of this dysfunction will be able to identify where the deficiencies are occurring using advanced technology. Once the problems have been identified, dental devices can be created to gently correct the problems and bring the joint into proper alignment, usually while the patient sleeps. Over time, the muscles in the jaw will be re-programmed so that proper alignment can be achieved, eliminating jaw pain and headaches. Once this goal is met, any damage that has been done to the teeth can be corrected using cosmetic techniques.

This not only ensures that the person is free of pain and able to share a bright, healthy smile, but it also prevents any future damage from happening. The patient can then approach any social situation with the confidence they need to be happy and successful.

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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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May 14, 2012

Protecting Your Kids Teeth During Sports

Filed under: Dentist,Oral Health — bdavis @ 5:34 pm

Nashville Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Stephen Poss Discusses Protecting Teeth During Sports

If you have kids who play sports, chances are you have been concerned about making sure that their teeth are protected, especially if they are in a sport that involves physical contact. After all, in many sports, there is the risk of collision with other players, a ball, obstacles on the field such as goals or fences and, of course, injury due to falling. Sports offer children a wonderful opportunity to get the exercise they need, learn about working together as a team and simply enjoying the competition of a well played game; however, there is always a risk of injury, regardless of what type of sport they engage in. These injuries can easily lead to a tooth being chipped or damaged or even knocked out entirely. Fortunately, there are mouth guards and other types of safety equipment that can be purchased to help protect a child’s mouth during various sports activities.

The National Youth Sports Safety Foundation estimates that over three million teeth, in 2012 alone, will be accidentally knocked out in the course of some sporting event. This is just in the United States. Obviously, children’s teeth are in potential danger of being damaged, loosened or knocked out whenever they are engaged in a sporting activity and providing protection for their mouth is crucial. Of course, this does not mean that your child should not play sports; it simply means that precautions should be taken to ensure that their teeth are adequately protected during play.

A mouth guard can go a long way in protecting your child’s teeth and should be considered an essential part of their uniform and equipment. Many dentists are able to make a custom fitted mouth guard out of soft plastic and designed to comfortably fit your child’s mouth. This is an excellent way to protect their teeth and avoid unnecessary damage. Your child might not like to wear their mouth guard at first, but with consistent encouragement, they will soon come to regard it as being an important part of their regular safety gear.

Other important safety equipment that can help protect your child’s teeth can include items such as helmets, face masks and face protectors. Of course, no amount of safety equipment can protect your child from every possibility of injury, but taking preventative measures to protect their teeth is an important way to reduce serious accidents and unnecessary tooth damage.

Dr. Stephen Poss specializes in cosmetic dentistry in Nashville, but touts good oral health and oral safety practices for all ages.

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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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April 16, 2012

9 Super Foods to Boost Oral Health

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry,Nashville Cosmetic Dentistry,Oral Health — bdavis @ 4:57 pm

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry has released the findings of an important study on the most health friendly foods. Here are some of the most important foods that help keep gums and teeth healthy:

Basil – this herb helps reduce the bacteria film in the mouth and is also a natural antibiotic.
Broccoli – keeps anti-acid film from forming on teeth, thus preventing dental erosion.
Cheese – helps neutralize bacteria in the mouth, preventing tooth decay.
Ginger – has anti inflammatory properties that help maintain the tissues in your mouth.
Lemon – acts as a natural teeth whitening agent and also contains Vitamin C, which is important for overall health.
Pineapple – helps people produce more saliva, creating a healthier oral environment.
Sea Salt – helps strengthen teeth by fusing them with the right minerals.
Sesame Seeds – these act as a natural scrubbing agent, which reduces plaque. They are also extremely Calcium rich, which is important for maintaining teeth.
Xylitol – several studies have shown that this sugar substitute helps prevent tooth decay.

Keep your oral health on the up and up by maintaining a healthy diet that includes these 9 oral health super foods. Visiting Dr. Poss, your favorite Cosmetic Dentist in Nashville will help maintain your smile too!

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January 30, 2012

6 Reasons To Treat Sleep Apnea

Filed under: Nashville Cosmetic Dentistry,Oral Health,Sleep Apnea — Tags: brentwood cosmetic dentist, cosmetic dentist, cosmetic dentist nashville, sleep apnea, sleep apnea treatment, stop snoring, treating sleep disorders — bdavis @ 11:49 pm

If you think you might be dealing with sleep apnea, you should make it a point to get diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. Some people ignore this condition for years or possibly even never get treated, which can potentially lead to more serious complications later on. Instead of dismissing your sleep apnea as something that doesn’t require professional attention, keep in mind that one quick visit to your dentist could provide relief and health improvements that you have been lacking for years.

If you’re not convinced yet, keep reading to find out more about the negative health problems that can result from leaving your sleep apnea untreated.

Health problem 1: Higher blood pressure
Obstructive sleep apnea causes people to wake up many times throughout the night, which eventually causes damage to the walls of the blood vessels. These blood vessels are in charge of maintaining a normal blood pressure, so the damage inhibits their ability to carry out this important task.

Health problem 2: Diabetes
Sleep apnea is known to often impact people’s blood sugar levels, which has been linked to increased occurrences of diabetes. Getting treated for sleep apnea sooner rather than later can lower the risk of diabetes, or at least perhaps lessen the risk of complications due to diabetes.

Health problem 3: Depression
Depression is a relatively common symptom found in people who are dealing with sleep apnea. Lack of sleep can lead to drastic changes in mood and temperament, which can cause depression.

Health problem 4: Heart illness
Researchers have asserted that sleep apnea is capable of contributing to serious heart problems such as heart disease and heart attacks. This is because sleep patterns that are severely disrupted by sleep apnea can lead to hypertension or coronary artery disease.

Health problem 5: Stroke
Studies have shown that people with sleep apnea are much more likely to suffer strokes than those who don’t have the condition. In fact, a major research effort called the Sleep Heart Health Study found that even men with mild cases of sleep apnea are more at risk for stroke.

Health problem 6: General lack of energy
Weeks, months and years on end of little to no sleep can obviously leave a person feeling drained of energy. This tiredness can affect almost every part of a person’s life from work performance to simply being able to focus on conversations. Studies have even shown that people who have severe cases of sleep apnea are more likely to be involved in auto accidents than regular sleepers.

You Should Take Action Now
Even if you only suspect that you may be suffering from sleep apnea, you should make an appointment with your dentist to get checked out. Dentists have advanced methods of providing effective and fast treatment for sleep apnea, including custom oral appliances that you can wear while you sleep. Instead of letting the potentially dangerous effects from sleep apnea take their toll on you over time, seek treatment now and begin enjoying the peaceful sleep your body requires.

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October 20, 2011

Oral Cancers Tied to HPV

Filed under: Dentist,General Health,Oral Health — Tags: brentwood cosmetic dentist, cancers related to hpv, cosmetic dentist, cosmetic dentist nashville, hpv, oral cancer, oral cancer screenings — bdavis @ 4:46 pm

Do you say no to smoking or chewing tobacco partially because you want to avoid oral cancer? That’s a wise decision, but you unfortunately may still be at an increased risk for oral cancer. Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which has been linked to oral cancer, is on the rise in sexually active young male and female adults.

Getting screened for HPV is easy and fast, and it’s something you should do to protect the health of yourself and your loved ones. In this article, we’ll tell you more about HPV’s connection to oral cancer and explain why you should let your dentist check for the virus.

The dangers of HPV
Smoking and chewing tobacco used to be the leading cause of oral cancer, but HPV has quickly claimed the top spot. HPV 16, the same virus strain that is responsible for up to 70 percent of all cervical cancer in women, is spreading like wildfire among sexually active young adults. In fact, adults ages 25 to 50 are in the fastest-growing segment of the population to test positive for HPV, which has been proven to spread through oral sexual contact. HPV spreads slowly once in the body, but it can prove deadly if left undetected for too long.

How your dentist can check for HPV
Getting screened for HPV should be high on your list of priorities because the majority of cases are found too late. If discovered early, oral cancers have an 80 to 90 percent survival rate. Luckily, getting checked for HPV is something your dentist can do quickly and painlessly during your next visit to his or her office.

Your dentist can conduct a visual examination and feel around your mouth to check for any abnormalities. They also can use a special piece of equipment called a VELscope, which detects a wide variety of oral diseases, including pre-cancer and cancer. The VELscope uses illumination to light up healthy tissue in the mouth and single out any potentially problematic areas. The entire exam takes a matter of minutes, but it may be the best use of your time you make this year.

One warning sign that could be cause for you to visit your dentist is if you have a sore, lesion or other abnormality in your mouth that isn’t healing after two weeks. Bringing this to your dentist’s attention gives him or her the chance to examine the problem to determine whether or not it is oral cancer. As much as you can rely on your dentist to protect your oral health, part of the responsibility lies with you to keep an eye out for changes in your mouth that may signal a problem.

Visit Dr. Poss to get screened for Oral Cancer
Dr. Poss, local cosmetic dentist and his expert staff use the most advanced technology and techniques to test patients for oral cancers. They will give you a thorough screening and clearly explain your options if they do find signs of the virus. The screening is fast and easy, and it could end up saving your life!

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1646 Westgate Circle | Suite 100 Brentwood, TN 37027

615-373-1056