Dentistry for Today - Mark Palmer, DDS - General and Cosmetic Dentistry in University Place, Washington

Posted February 14, 2012:Tips to Live By!

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Posted February 8, 2012:Tips for surviving your next dental visit!

It is estimated that between 5 and 8 percent of Americans don't go to the dentist out of fear and another 20% only go when absolutely necessary. When trying to conquer dental anxiety, "the main thing is to remember is that you are in charge," says Kendra Holdip Donaldson, RDH, who works in the cozy office of dentist Charles Grannum, DMD, in Brooklyn, New York. "People are self-conscious about communicating their anxieties." She points out that unless patients voice their fears, dentists and hygienists can't help make their appointments more bearable.

Grannum and his staff are part of a new generation of dentists and hygienists whose training includes methods of making people feel more comfortable and relaxed. In his office, they play soft music, offer healthy snacks and tea in the waiting room, and will set up a favorite DVD for patients to watch during longer procedures. Still, surveys show that the average person feels as much anxiety about going to the dentist as they did 50 years ago.

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), "Dental anxiety is a significant cause of poor dental health." Dr. Ada Cooper, ADA spokesperson, describes a vicious cycle: People are scared of going to the dentist so they postpone or put off making appointments altogether. Inevitably, this approach leads to bigger, more costly and, potentially, more painful problems down the road. However, there are easy methods anyone can try to make visits to the dentist less stressful and more pleasant.

Do your homework. If you are going to a new dentist, check out reviews of their practice. You can't believe everything you read online, but you may be reassured or spot some red flags. Donaldson suggests popping by your new dentist's office a few days before your appointment to "see what the vibe is." If you feel like it's friendly and pleasant, you will have less anxiety going to your actual appointment.

Listen to music. Bring a portable MP3 player and listen your favorite music or a podcast. Dentist.org points out that the sound of the ultrasonic scaler or dental drill triggers a high proportion of the anxiety many people feel in the dentist's chair. Simply blocking the noise with something you enjoy can make a huge difference.

Breath deeply. Grannum, along with the ADA, is a big proponent of using slow, deep breaths and visualization techniques to overcome fear and anxiety. Close your eyes and focus your mind on a place or people you love.

Communicate. Don't "suffer in silence." Decide on a signal such as raising your hand that will alert your dentist or hygienist that a procedure is uncomfortable or that you need a break. Most people are more relaxed when they feel in control of the process.

No question is too basic for your dentist. You can ask what instruments they are going to use, how long a procedure is going to take, and what it is going to feel like. "Some patients feel more comfortable knowing step, by step, by step, what is going to happen," says Cooper. "People tend to be anxious about what they don't know."

Schedule an appointment for after you have done something relaxing. Cooper recommends that if you have a high stress job, don't come rushing to your appointment after a long day at the office. Instead, schedule an early morning or a weekend appointment.

Eat a light meal before your appointment. It's important to have something in your stomach when you are having dental work done because hunger can increase the body's stress response. People with blood sugar issues need to be particularly mindful so they don't feel lightheaded or even faint. Also, if your treatment requires Novocain, you might not be able to eat for a couple of hours while the numbing effects wear off. However, don't eat a large, heavy meal. It might make you feel nauseous during certain types of procedures.

Request a topical anesthetic. Numbing gels properly applied can make oral injections virtually pain-free.

Take a prophylactic pain-reliever. Some people benefit from taking a dose of ibuprofen either before or after certain procedures. Check with your dentist prior to your appointment.

Hypnosis. If you experience a debilitating level of fear and do not want to resort to pharmaceuticals, studies show hypnosis can be effective for alleviating dental anxiety.

Practice good dental hygiene. Your appointment is guaranteed to be better if you practice good hygiene and go to the dentist for regular cleaning and check up appointments. Brush after every meal and floss daily. Most adults and children should have checkups every six months.

Find a new dentist. Cooper says you should completely trust your dentist. If you don't feel comfortable, you should get a second opinion or find another dentist.

With kids, there are some special considerations:

A child's first visit to the dentist should be fun. Focus on exploring the office and getting to know the dentist and their staff. They can always return for more treatment as necessary, but that initial visit can influence the way they feel about going to the dentist for the rest of their lives.

Don't make kids endure treatment if they are upset or panicked. Occasionally, children will have to have dental treatment under duress because of a real emergency. But generally speaking, forcing a miserable, crying child to have dental work done is going to backfire. A slow, gentle approach, where the child feels in charge, can actually build their confidence and make them feel proud about overcoming their fears.

Model relaxed behavior. As long as you are feeling calm about it, Cooper suggests asking your dentist about bringing your child to watch your dental or hygiene appointment.

If you still can't swallow making an appointment, Grannum points out a new trend in the field: spa dentistry. Pampered patients can choose to have services like an aromatherapy foot massage along with their six-month cleaning or order a special frozen soothing smoothie after their dental work is complete. Don't expect insurance to pick up the manicure tab.

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Posted February 2, 2012:Dr. Palmer made a powerpoint presentation for your viewing pleasure...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryOL0Ir6iq4

Posted January 26, 2012:We use paper clips for paper!

Dr. Palmer wants you to know that you are encouraged to ask questions about the superior quality of any of the products or equipment that he uses in your treatment!

Dentist Used Paper Clips —in Root Canals

Michael Clair also charged with Medicaid fraud

By Evann Gastaldo, Newser Staff

(Newser) – Paper clips and stainless steel posts: Basically the same thing, right? A former Massachusetts dentist has pleaded guilty to a host of charges, including the accusation that he used parts of paper clips rather than stainless steel posts to support root canals in an attempt to save money. Michael Clair's main charge, however, is Medicaid fraud to the tune of $130,000; he was suspended by Medicaid in 2002, but prosecutors say he continued performing work on Medicaid patients and submitted the claims in the names of other dentists in the practice.

Clair, 53, apparently ran a very scary dental practice: He is also charged with assault and battery, larceny, tampering with evidence, and witness intimidation. Last but not least, he was charged with illegally prescribing prescription medication—Hydrocodone, Combunox, and Percocet—to other staff members, who gave some of the drugs back to him. The general public should be pleased to hear that he no longer practices dentistry. Perhaps unsurprisingly, his license had been revoked in three other states, the Herald News reports.

Posted January 2, 2012:10 Reasons To Eat Breakfast

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Posted December 12, 2011:Heart Health and Clean Teeth...

ScienceDaily (Nov. 13, 2011) — Professional tooth scaling was associated with fewer heart attacks and strokes in a study from Taiwan presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2011.

Among more than 100,000 people, those who had their teeth scraped and cleaned (tooth scaling) by a dentist or dental hygienist had a 24 percent lower risk of heart attack and 13 percent lower risk of stroke compared to those who had never had a dental cleaning. The participants were followed for an average of seven years.

Scientists considered tooth scaling frequent if it occurred at least twice or more in two years; occasional tooth scaling was once or less in two years.

The study included more than 51,000 adults who had received at least one full or partial tooth scaling and a similar number of people matched with gender and health conditions who had no tooth scaling. None of the participants had a history of heart attack or stroke at the beginning of the study.

The study didn't adjust for heart attack and stroke risk factors -- such as weight, smoking and race -- that weren't included in the Taiwan National Health insurance data base, the source of the information used in the analysis.

"Protection from heart disease and stroke was more pronounced in participants who got tooth scaling at least once a year," said Emily (Zu-Yin) Chen, M.D., cardiology fellow at the Veterans General Hospital in Taipei, Taiwan.

Professional tooth scaling appears to reduce inflammation-causing bacterial growth that can lead to heart disease or stroke, she said.

Hsin-Bang Leu M.D., is the study co-author. Author disclosures and funding are on the abstract.

Type of periodontal disease predicts degree of risk for heart attack, stroke, and heart failure

In a separate study, researchers found that the value of markers for gum disease predict heart attack, congestive heart failure and stroke in different ways and to different degrees.

Anders Holmlund, D.D.S., Ph.D. Centre for Research and Development of the County Council of Gävleborg, Sweden, and senior consultant; Specialized Dentistry, studied 7,999 participants with periodontal disease and found people with:

Fewer than 21 teeth had a 69 percent increased risk of heart attack compared to those with the most teeth.

A higher number of deepened periodontal pockets (infection of the gum around the base of the tooth) had a 53 percent increased risk of heart attack compared to those with the fewest pockets.

The least amount of teeth had a 2.5 increased risk of congestive heart failure compared to those with the most teeth.

The highest incidence of gum bleeding had a 2.1 increased risk of stroke compared to those with the lowest incidence.