[CareRally: Jim Holder - 02/26/11]

MSNBC has provided a great story n how taking Zinc can reduce the length of your cold. See the attached link.

Click here to view the full tip posted on CareRally.com:
http://www.carerally.com/tip/parenting-help/cure-colds-quicker

[03/03/11] Posted by: Parsippany Dental Care

CareRally.com

There are 3 major diseases that all patients are susceptible to:

1. Cavities – infections of teeth caused by bacteria
2. Periodontal disease – otherwise known as gum disease – caused by:
   1. Bacteria
   2. Bruxism (night time grinding)
   3. Clenching (daytime habit caused by stress)
   4. Irregular bite
   5. Lack of certain oral tissues/thin bone/ tooth position
   6. Systemic diseases such as diabetes
   7. Defective fillings – all fillings made from amalgam(mercury/silver) will fail at some point
3. Bite disease
   1. This is wearing away of tooth structure
   2. Causes cracked tooth syndrome
   3. Causes root canal inflammation/infection
   4. Can cause facial pain syndromes

Preventive dentistry

Is the minimizing/avoidance of dental disease. To do so involves:

1. Limiting the amount of carbohydrates
2. Proper oral hygiene
3. Visits to the dentist at appropriate times base upon your individual needs
4. The visit consists of:

1. 1. Hygiene–in our office that is a periodontal scaling
   2. Prophylaxis
   3. Necessary radiographs
   4. Doctor exam, if needed
   5. Home care instruction, if needed
   6. Recommendations of prevention/treatment
   7. Intra-oral photographs, if needed

Fighting Plaque

By fighting plaque, you can keep your teeth for a lifetime. Today, in fact, older adults are keeping their natural teeth longer because of scientific developments and an emphasis on preventative dentistry.

Good oral hygiene requires an understanding of plaque. Plaque is a sticky, colorless layer of bacteria. When you eat carbohydrates (foods made of sugar or starch) you feed this plaque, which in turn produces acids that attack tooth enamel, cause cavities, and develop a hard substance called calculus (tartar). Uninterrupted, the acid attacks can result in tooth decay and gum disease (also known as periodontal disease). If left untreated, gum disease can cause loss of teeth and bone.

At any age, you can begin the fight with plaque and keep your teeth and gums healthy. It’s really quite easy. Simply:

1. Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to remove food particles and plaque from the tooth surfaces. While you’re at it, brush the top surface of your tongue to eliminate bad breath and bacteria buildup.
2. Clean between your teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner. Decay-causing bacteria lingers between teeth where toothbrush bristles can’t reach. Flossing removes plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line.
3. Eat a balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks. If a snack is needed, nutritious foods such as raw vegetables, plain yogurt, cheese or a piece of fruit should be chosen.
4. Schedule regular check-ups. Visit the doctor regularly (every six months) for professional cleanings and oral exams.
5. Ask the doctor about dental sealants, a protective plastic coating that can be applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth where decay often starts.
6. Wear mouth protection such as a mouthguard when you play contact sports or extreme sports.

Preventing Tooth Decay

Tooth decay (cavity or caries) can develop on any surface of any tooth. Because cavities grow, they are much easier and less expensive to treat when they are small. A decaying tooth may not hurt, so you may have a cavity and not realize it. The dentist checks for tooth decay at your regular check-ups and will periodically use x-rays to check for decay between teeth. The dentist treats tooth decay by cleaning out the cavity and placing a restoration (filling) in the tooth.

By following the strategies listed above, you can prevent tooth decay.

Preventing Gum Disease

Gum disease (also called periodontal disease) is an infection of the tissues that support your teeth. It is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Because gum disease is usually painless, you may not know you have it. At each regular checkup the dentist will measure the depth of the shallow v-shaped crevice (called a sulcus) between your tooth and gums to identify whether you have gum disease.

• Some gum disease is caused by plaque, the sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on the teeth. These bacteria create toxins that can damage the gums.
• Certain periodontal diseases attack just below the gum line in the sulcus, where they cause the attachment of the tooth and its supporting tissues to break down. As the tissues are damaged, the sulcus develops into a pocket; generally, the more severe the disease, the greater the depth of the pocket.
• Periodontal diseases are classified according to the severity of the disease. The two major stages are gingivitis and periodontitis.
• In the early stage of gum disease, called gingivitis, the gums become red, swollen, and bleed easily. At this stage, the disease is still reversible and can usually be eliminated by daily brushing and flossing.
• In the more advanced stages of gum disease, called periodontitis, the gums and bone that support the teeth become seriously damaged. The teeth can become loose, fall out, or have to be removed by a dentist.
• Gum recession: when more of the tooth is exposed above the gum line it looks like your tooth is long. This is a form of gum disease where there is no pocketing or bleeding. The tooth has less bone support and can start tilting over; the tooth can become sensitive to cold air/fluids, and more prone to cavities (the structure of the tooth is weaker here).

If you notice any of the following signs of gum disease, see the doctor immediately:

1. Gums that bleed easily
2. Red, swollen, tender gums
3. Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
4. Persistent bad breath or bad taste
5. Pus between your teeth and gums
6. Permanent teeth that are loose or separating
7. Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
8. Any change in the fit of partial dentures

It is possible to have periodontal disease and have no warning signs.

That is one reason why regular dental checkups and periodontal examinations are very important. Treatment methods depend on the type of disease and how far the condition has progressed.

I happened to walk by the Table Clinics at the recently concluded California Dental Association (CDA) conference in Anaheim, CA and was amazed by the depth of research high-school, college and dental students had done and reported on.There was a lot of work on dental materials and new techniques.

Dr. Ramesh Gowda of Golden State Dental, a PatientFYI-Verified (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pB6eNvxU0GU) dentist was one of the judges of the panels and was explaining to me how kids at a young age get involved in research and public awareness.

Of all the high-school level entries, I think half dealt with tattoos and piercings!

What If A 5-minute Scan Could Save Your Life?

Dr. John Robinson: According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, someone dies from oral cancer every hour of every day in the U.S., and those numbers are increasing every year. Late diagnosis is often the culprit because oral cancer may not be noticeable or painful, and tobacco use is not the only cause. When diagnosed in the early stages of development, oral cancer victims have an 80% to 90% survival rate! With recent publicity surrounding actor Michael Douglas’s diagnosis of stage 4 oral cancer, public awareness of the need for earlier detection of this deadly disease has increased considerably.

If you are a fan of The Dr. OZ Show, last fall you may have seen a segment of the show titled, “A Trip to the Dentist Could Save Your Life.” During the episode, the advantages of a revolutionary new oral cancer screening device known as the VELscope was featured.

Always at the forefront of new technology, Robison Dental Group has been providing our community with the benefit of the VELscope screening system. It’s the only innovative dental device recently recognized by the World Health Organization as addressing global health concerns. In less than five minutes, a non-evasive and painless VELscope examination can be completed to identify precancerous lesions which are not visible to the naked eye.

At Robison Dental Group, we feel strongly about the advantages this technology offers and want to encourage you to get examined during Oral Cancer Awareness Month. That’s why during the months of April and May we are offering this potentially lifesaving scan for only $10!

Call us today to schedule a screening at 734.453.6320 or 888.66.SMILE!!

Do you have the smile you truly want?  Have you always wanted to change your smile?  Make the moment now!

LUMINEERS porcelain veneers can transform your smile with little or no preparation (meaning minimal to no removal of tooth structure).  LUMINEERS can whiten stained teeth, reshape misaligned/awkward/crooked teeth, even out uneven teeth, lengthen short teeth, close unwanted gaps between teeth or fix chipped teeth.

New technology makes LUMINEERS extremely strong and much thinner than traditional veneers.  If tooth reduction is required, only minimal contouring is done, eliminating the need for anesthetic and the possibility of sensitivity afterwards.  The results are outstanding!

LUMINEERS can only be done by LUMINEERS Certified Dentists.  At Shwedel Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, both Dr. Shwedel and Dr. Okonkowski are LUMINEERS Certified Dentists.  It is our goal to make and keep your smile beautiful.  Should you have any questions about LUMINEERS or any other dental related topic, including the latest ways to keep your mouth healthy, please contact us at 313-292-5590 or visit our website www.shwedeldental.com.  We are looking forward to seeing you soon.

Tags: Cosmetic Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentists, Dental Veneers, Find a Cosmetic Dentist, Improve Your Smile, Painless Dentistry, Teeth Whitening

Now that warm weather has arrived and children are spending more time outdoors, it’s a good time to warn them about accidents that could result in fractured teeth.

Share the following safety rules with your child.

• Remain seated on a swing.  Don’t jump from or walk under a moving swing.  Children often lose teeth from being hit in the mouth by a swing.
• Don’t run or push on the pool deck.  Always use a ladder to climb out of a swimming pool.  Each year many children hit their mouth on the concrete or tile edge of swimming pools, often damaging teeth.
• Leave the person drinking from a fountain alone until he or she is finished.  Hitting, pushing or throwing things could cause the person to hit their teeth on the metal faucet or edge of the fountain, possibly injuring them.
• Never trip or push anyone during outdoor games.  The person could lose their balance, fall and hit their mouth or teeth.
• If you have to ride your bicycle in the rain, be very careful.  Wet pavement is slippery and dangerous.  And always remember to wear a helmet.

Hopefully, your summer will be safe and healthy.  But should an accident occur, Shwedel Family and Cosmetic Dentistry will be there for you.  Just call us at 313-292-5590.  Even on weekends, one of our highly trained office staff is available to take your call and get you the dental care you need.  It is our goal to keep your smile beautiful and your mouth healthy.  For more dental health information visit our website www.shwedeldental.com. Enjoy your summer!

Compare VASER Lipo^® and Traditional Liposuction

You have many options when it comes to body contouring. Our physicians — and literally tens of thousands of patients each year — rely on VASER Lipo to safely and efficiently achieve the body they want. We invite you to read their stories, see their results, and hear their words.

On this page, we’ve made it easy to compare treatments at a glance. Still have questions about VASER Lipo? Read our FAQs for answers to the most common questions.

VASER Lipo

VASER^® ultrasound-assisted liposuction uses specially designed probes that deliver ultrasound waves into the fat layer to selectively target and emulsify (liquefy) fat.

Other body tissues like blood vessels and nerves are left intact. A specially designed cannula — a thin tube used to remove liquids — is inserted through a small incision to remove the treated fat.

Pro: Selectively targets only the fatty tissue, encouraging smooth, predictable results and fast recovery.

Con: As a newer technology, VASER Lipo is still being adopted by cosmetic surgeons.

Laser-Assisted Liposuction/Laser Lipolysis

Sold as SmartLipo™, CoolLipo™, LipoLite™, ProLipo™, SlimLipo™ and AccuSculpt™, laser-assisted liposuction uses laser thermal energy to destroy fat cells and cauterize surrounding vessels. The burned tissue is then removed with a traditional suction cannula.

Pro: Destroys fat and cauterizes vessels prior to removal to encourage fast recovery.

Con: Only good for small pockets of fat. Can cause thermal damage to important tissues. Tunneling can leave contour irregularities. Fat cannot be used for fat transfer procedures.

Suction-Assisted Liposuction (Traditional Liposuction)

Suction-assisted liposuction is a traditional liposuction method in which the surgeon inserts a cannula (suction probe) through a small incision. The surgeon pushes and pulls the cannula through the fat layer to break up the fat tissue and a suction pump draws the fatty tissue out of the body.

Pro: Most common form of liposuction performed.

Con: Tears out important tissue structures like nerves, blood vessels and collagen leading to potential “lumpy, bumpy” results and long recovery time.

Take the Next Step

We recommend these related pages.

FAQs
Find answers to the most popular questions about VASER Lipo.

Before & After
See the results achieved by patients receiving VASER treatments.

Power-Assisted Liposuction

A procedure that is similar to suction-assisted liposuction, except that it is performed with a specialized cannula that uses mechanized movements to help break up the fat tissue.

Pro: Fastest form of liposuction.

Con: Tears out important tissue structures like nerves, blood vessels and collagen leading to potential “lumpy, bumpy” results and long recovery time.

You can search for a Vaser Lipo doctor near you on PatientFYI - www.patientfyi.com/cosmeticsurgeons

By Tom Fontaine
PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, December 27, 2009

Link to Article

PatientFYI Profile: http://patientfyi.com/cosmeticsurgeon/J._Peter-Rubin-cosmeticsurgeon-in-PITTSBURGH-PA-15261-690804

Residence: Fox Chapel

Age: 43

Family: Wife, Julie, and four children

Occupation: Associate professor of plastic surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; co-director of Pitt’s Adipose Stem Cell Center.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in biology from Grinnell College, Grinnell, Iowa; medical degree from Tufts University, Medford, Mass.

Background: Rubin is a faculty member in the University of Pittsburgh’s Division of Plastic Surgery and holds a faculty appointment with the McGowan Institute of Regenerative Medicine.

Noteworthy: Rubin is leading a team that received a $1.6 million Department of Defense grant to help wounded soldiers recover from facial injuries using innovative surgical technologies. Fat grafting will be facilitated in this project by using specially designed devices and instruments for harvesting fat tissue and implanting it into regions of scarred tissue.

Quote: “As many as 26 percent of wounded soldiers suffer some kind of facial injury, which can have a huge impact on quality of life. While we can reconstruct bony structures very well, it is the surrounding soft tissues that give people a recognizable face.”

Dr. Richard Redman, MD (Advanced Plastic Surgery Center) in Richmond, VA has joined the elite group of doctors on PatientFYI offering to showcase their services/strengths, publish reviews and take your comments. The profile is directly available at: http://patientfyi.com/cosmeticsurgeon/Richard_D.-Redman-cosmeticsurgeon-in-RICHMOND-VA-23226-686552

Dr. Redmond is a Board certified plastic surgeon, specializing in a wide range of cosmetic surgery including Liposuction, Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck), Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift, Face Lifts, Nick Lifts, Rhinoplasty, Eye lid surgery and various aesthetic skin treatments.

A sample of the services is given below:

Liposuction

Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)

Abdominoplasty or “tummy tuck” is a major surgical procedure in which excess skin and fat are removed from the lower abdomen and the muscles of the abdomen wall are tightened. The drawings featured depict the traditional abdominoplasty procedure.

The best candidates for a abdominoplasty are men or women in good health and relatively good shape, but are bothered by a large fat deposit or loose abdominal skin that won’t respond to exercise.

Choosing the Right Cosmetic Surgeon

Choosing the right cosmetic surgeon can be difficult, but these guidelines can help you find the right doctor for your needs. Remember, cosmetic surgery is a highly competitive and lucrative field; therefore, turf battles are inevitable. You do not want to become confused by groups claiming to be “the only” or “the best,” because this excludes many surgeons who may be better choices for your particular problem.

Finding a Cosmetic Surgeon

First, choose two or three surgeons whose specialties match your needs. The surgeons should be board-certified and members of one of these professional organizations:

• The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• The American Society of Plastic Surgeons
• The American Academy of Dermatology

There may be qualified surgeons in other professional organizations, but these are the primary groups that certify doctors to perform cosmetic surgery.

Personal recommendations are important. Ask friends for referrals if they have undergone a similar procedure. Get opinions from your family doctor and other doctor acquaintances. Surgical technicians and operating room nurses are an excellent source for information regarding a surgeon’s skill in the operating room.

Interview the surgeons. Ask about their fellowship training — specialized training they have received in specific procedures. Check with your state’s medical board to verify the surgeon’s board certification, education, and license — and check whether disciplinary action has been taken against the surgeon.

Make sure that the surgeon you choose has hospital privileges to perform your specific procedure. If the surgeon is not respected enough to have hospital privileges, you don’t want that surgeon performing your surgery in an outpatient facility or in an office.

Questions to Consider Before Selecting Your Cosmetic Surgeon

At this point, you may have narrowed your choices to one or two cosmetic surgeons. It is now time for the consultation. Here are key questions to consider:

• What is the surgeon’s area of expertise?
• Has the surgeon practiced for many years or performed many of these procedures?
• Is the surgeon friendly yet confident and professional?
• If the procedure will not be performed in the physician’s office, does the surgeon use a certified surgical facility with board-certified anesthesiologists and up-to-date emergency equipment and anesthesia monitoring devices?
• What is the total price of the surgery? (This includes the surgeon’s fee, operating room, anesthesia, etc.)
• Are you allowed to see before and after pictures of other patients? Are computer images available for you and the surgeon to view together?
• Does the surgeon encourage you to ask questions?
• Are the surgeon’s answers to your questions realistic?
• If a second surgery is needed, what is your financial responsibility?

After you’ve settled on a doctor and a procedure, you may want to get a second opinion. This will help you feel confident in your final decision.

You should exclude any cosmetic surgeon who:

• Does not routinely perform the procedure you are considering
• Dismisses the risks of surgery or is not open to a discussion of complications
• Guarantees results
• Will not or cannot show before and after photos of other patients
• Does not allow you to ask questions freely
• Is not courteous and respectful
• Offers bargain fees or gimmicks
• Is not routinely involved in postoperative care

Keep in mind, excellent credentials and a good rapport with your surgeon does not guarantee a favorable outcome. However, they are the foundation of a successful partnership between surgeon and patient.

Article from WebMD