Love the Gums You're With

Love the Gums You’re With 

It may seem like a hassle to get to the dentist for your continuing care hygiene visit with work and your kid’s afterschool activities but did you know gum disease can increase the risk heart disease?

Patients who have periodontal disease have inflamed gums due to trapped bacteria which is called plaque.  This inflammation is caused by poor dental hygiene, unhealthy diet, and/or smoking.  The unhealthy gums pull back from the tooth and periodontal pockets develop which creates a breeding ground for bacteria.  The pockets can widen enough to even cause loose teeth.     

So what does gum disease and heart disease have in common?   Inflammation!  Don’t be fooled.  The bacteria doesn’t stay in the mouth.  It travels from the diseased gum tissue to your bloodstream throughout your body.  Plaque can then build up in the arteries.  This clogging inflames the tissue and reduces blood flow and oxygen flow to the heart. 

There is a number of prevention methods: 

            -Brushing and flossing twice a day.

            -Routine visits to your dental provider.

            -Healthy diet and weight.  A diet rich in antioxidants help decrease any inflammation in the body and fight bacteria.

Keep your heart healthy and visit your dentist!

           

            

The New “Buzz” at Lund Dental

            The New “Buzz” at Lund Dental

            Nobody likes the idea of “getting a shot.”  In fact, the fear of needles may be a major reason that patients have a fear of the dentist.    

   

           At Lund Dental, we now have a way to make your dental visit pain-free.   Dr. William and Dr. Cara are now using a device called a Vibraject.  The Vibraject is a small battery operated device that clips onto the syringe.  It delivers a high frequency vibration to the needle.  This does two things: mainly, it distracts the patient from feeling any pain and secondly, it disperses the anesthesia in a way that makes the injection almost pain free.  The combination produces a reaction from the patient who oftentimes say “I can’t even tell that you gave me a shot!” This “wow” moment may change the experience for many people and relieve anxiety.  It increases the comfort level of the patient and builds a more positive dental relationship.  Our feedback has been outstanding, making us pleased that once again we have improved the patient experience.

            At Lund Dental, we are constantly striving to find new and improved ways of making our patient’s experience more comfortable and positive.  

The Hidden Rascals - Keeping a Healthy Toothbrush

 The Hidden Rascals

            It is that time of year again, cold and flu season!   Airborne germs are so easily spread through coughing and sneezing.  Because of this, we must think outside the box and remember our toothbrushes.  Yes, our toothbrushes!

After it is used, our toothbrush remains a moist, warm environment that is most welcoming to these airborne germs; not just colds and flu but any illness. Because of this, we must keep our toothbrushes healthy. 

Thoroughly rinse your brush after use to rid it of any remaining toothpaste or food particles. Always let your toothbrush dry between brushings; air drying allows the bacteria to disperse.   It is best not to lay it on the counter; the upright position is optimal for drying out the brush. Do not store it in the medicine chest; the heightened moisture is enough to spread germs to an unhealthy extent.  Bacteria will not fester in the open air.

Using mouthwash before you begin brushing will help you to get rid of germs that could wind up on your brush.  Using mouthwash before can eliminate the bacteria that would cling to your brush.

After any illness, a toothbrush should be replaced, eliminating the possibility of reintroducing harmful bacteria into your body.

Finally, your toothbrush should be replaced regularly.  Lund Dental happily gives all patients a new brush at every continuing care appointment.  

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Dental Insurance, Use It or Lose It

       It is that time again when patients need to be aware of their insurance benefits.   A patient may postpone treatment for various reasons one of which may be financial.   If a patient has dental insurance, often times they may not be aware of the fact that they did not utilize all their benefits for the calendar year.  These are monies that are wasted by the patient.  If the total benefit is not reached, the money remains unused.

             At this time of year, people may have sufficient benefits remaining on their dental policies to have some treatment completed.   Without knowing, they may let these benefits lapse when they could have had a necessary treatment.  It is to the patient’s best interest to know just what they are entitled to for a calendar year.  This way, they may be able to have that one part of their treatment plan completed and not let this money be wasted.

            Dianne, our office administrator, is wonderful at maximizing your dental benefits.  If you think you may have some benefits remaining for 2015, please call the office. Don’t let this money go unused.

            

Let’s Get Something Straight

                

            In the past when a patient needed orthodontics to straighten teeth or correct malocclusion the only solution was to have braces.  Now, Invisalign is a great alternative to traditional braces. After a complimentary consultation, we take impressions with our digital scanner. These are then sent to Invisalign where the aligners are made.   A series of clear plastic aligners are worn by the patient for two weeks at a time until the desired result is achieved.  Usually other people cannot tell that someone is wearing them!  Also, they are removable which makes it easier for the patient to eat and brush their teeth.                     

Straightening teeth is about more than a beautiful smile. Crooked teeth can be the cause of several problems including periodontal (gum) disease if left untreated.  In addition, malocclusion (incorrect bite) can lead to premature wear of teeth, sometimes resulting in tooth loss.

           

         At Lund Dental, we have been providing patients with Invisalign for over ten years with much success.  We have treated patients from teenagers up to adults resulting in many new beautiful smiles.  Our patients who have had Invisalign have been extremely satisfied with their treatment. In fact,  Dr.Cara, Dr Lund and several staff members have been Invisalign patients.  If this is something you may be interested in, one of the doctors would be happy to discuss the possibilities with you.

          

         These pictures show two of our patients' Invisalign journey. You can easily see the amazing results!

           

5 Tips For Healthy Teeth For Your Child

• Are you a new parent or expecting? 
• Did your child’s first tooth come in?
• Concerned about your child’s oral health?
• Is your child getting more cavities than your wallet can pay for?

If you answered yes to any of these, keep reading to learn more about how to protect your child’s teeth as they grow older and independently care for their oral health.

Your child only has 2 sets of teeth their entire life. Make sure their primary teeth are healthy and they develop good dental hygiene habits so that when their permanent teeth erupt, they will be on the right track to healthy teeth for the rest of their lives. Read below for some of our tips on how to protect your child’s teeth.

1. Visit the Dentist Regularly

If you have a newborn, you should bring your child to the dentist by his or her first birthday so that we can start dental care early. Preventative care is actually the more cost-effective route compared to expensive bills to fix a problem left unchecked.

2. Establish Good Habits

Set a good example for your child. Brush your teeth with them or sing them a song until they are finished brushing their teeth. Make it a bonding experience. Some useful tips:

• Prior to your child’s teeth appearing, gently brush his or her gums with water on a baby toothbrush or a gentle washcloth
• When baby teeth first appear, use an infant toothbrush and brush twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste
• Once two teeth are touching, you may begin flossing
• Only water should be allowed after brushing and flossing before bedtime
• Ask Dr. Lund when your child should start using mouthwash

3. Less Juice, More Water

Juice can actually lead to tooth decay. If your child insists on juice, you may dilute it with half water, half juice. Only 4 oz per day is recommended of 100% fruit juice. Juice should be seen as a treat for them.

4. Encourage a Well Balanced Diet

Limit sweet and starchy foods. Try to prepare salads, fruits, and calcium-rich foods for them. A trick for when you treat your child with starchy or sugary foods is to serve it with a meal as opposed to separately. The extra saliva produced while eating a full meal will help wash teeth.

5. Praise For Doing A Good Job!

Motivate your child by keeping track of how many days they have been consistent with flossing. You can award stickers or gold stars on a chart in the bathroom or provide a mint as a reward. Bribing is not recommended, this is after they choose and complete the activity themselves.

Visit Our Office in Stoneham!

Thank you for visiting our blog. We hope we helped answer some of your questions. If you still have more, please feel free to give us a call at (781) 438.2700 and we would be happy to help set you up with an appointment to see one of our dentists. You may also conveniently request an appointment online.

Allergies and Toothaches - As if constant sneezing didn't hurt enough!

In the spring, we see a number of patients with tooth pain in their upper molars and it turns out pollen is a big culprit.

When you are congested, your sinus cavities create mucus and can swell, becoming inflamed or infected, causing the sinuses to press on the roof of your mouth.  Your sinus cavities are above the roof of your mouth which rests above your maxillary (upper) molars and premolars.  The inflammation can indirectly cause pain in the nerves of the teeth, presenting the following symptoms:

•          Pain when biting
•          Throbbing sensation
•          Sensitivity to cold

Think of it this way:  when you fill a balloon you are able to press your finger into it without it popping, however, there is a great amount of pressure surrounding your finger.  Your sinuses are like that balloon, creating pressure over your teeth.

How can you treat this?  After your dentist rules out no possible tooth infection, there are a number of remedies to reduce sinus congestion:

·         Antihistamines (Benadryl, Claritin, Zertec, Allegra)

·         Advil to reduce inflammation

·         Saline Spray

·         Air Purifier at home & closed windows while driving

So watch out for that pollen and its ability to mimic a toothache!

We All Need Our Beauty Sleep

            A good night’s rest does wonders for the body.  Sleep apnea, however, can disrupt the ability of a person to get a full night’s sleep. Recent studies done at various medical facilities have found that sleep apnea may cause more serious problems than fatigue. 

            Several physicians have concluded that patients with sleep apnea, on average, could be diagnosed with MCI (mild cognitive impairment) as many as ten years earlier than those without.  Additionally, some patients developed Alzheimer’s five years earlier.   It is not clear just how this happens; the theory is that because it disrupts breathing during the night, oxygen levels in the blood drop, affecting the brain.

            At Lund Dental we take each patient’s health seriously.  Dr. William Lund and Dr. Cara Lund fabricate custom appliances which provide clinically proven treatment options for obstructive sleep apnea and sleep bruxism (grinding).   If you think you may have this problem, we at Lund Dental are more than happy to speak with you about the options and different appliances that would help. 

For more information visit somnomed.com/patients/.

Your First Dental Visit as an Adult!

What would your ideal dental office visit be like? Relaxed? Educational? Inexpensive?

Your first visit at a new dental office should not intimidate you, emotionally or financially.  Nothing should hold you back from being as healthy as possible, this includes your dental health.   Here is what you should expect at an initial new patient visit during your comprehensive examination:

• Oral Cancer Screening: Prevention of oral cancer through the early identification of pre-cancerous conditions (provided at every appointment).

•  Dental Exam: A clinical exam and radiographs (x-rays) findings are used to determine the most conservative but thorough treatment plan for your oral needs.

• Periodontal Examination: Examination of your gum tissues to insure that any gum disease is detected and treated. 

•  Orthodontic Examination: We examine the position of your teeth and the relationship between your upper and lower jaws. If your teeth are not properly aligned, excessive tooth wear, jaw damage, and periodontal issues can occur.

• Temporo-Mandibular Joint (TMJ) Examination: Temporo-Mandibular Dysfunction (TMD) is a condition that includes popping and clicking of the jaw, limited jaw function, pain in the neck, shoulders, and upper back, and pain and pressure in the face and ears. 

• X Rays: We use digital (computer based) x-rays that use a fraction of the radiation exposure of regular x-rays. The images are also clearer and therefore much more diagnostic. We take seriously the concern of radiation exposure and take only the necessary films needed to properly diagnose your dental health.

• Camera: We take photographs, called intraoral pictures, of all the teeth to help you better understand all treatment recommendation.

So we've provided you with a lot of information about your teeth, now what?  The doctor and the financial coordinator will sit down with you and go over findings, treatment options, and financial options.  This is a perfect time to ask as many questions as possible.  Your oral health should be as important to you as it is to us!

Take charge of your oral health and reserve an appointment today!

March Is Lund Dental Pet Month!

Lund Dental sure does loves animals. From March 1 – March 31st, 2015, Lund Dental Associates will donate $1 to the Northeast Animal Shelter for every new “like” on our Facebook page!

Our goal?

$500

(The math there is 500 likes = $500)

Think we can do it? We do!

Spread the word by:

1. Telling your friends
2. Sharing any of our Facebook posts
3. Going to our website and clicking the Facebook icon

The Northeast Animal Shelter of Salem, MA is one of the largest no-kill animal shelters for dogs and cats in New England. Over 119,000 furry friends have been given homes thanks to their work. Their annual operating budget is entirely dependent on contributions from animal lovers like you. 

Let us do some of the contributing too! All you have to do is click the like button! 

Contact Your Stoneham Dentists

Lund Dental specializes in cosmetic, general and pediatric dentistry for patients in the Stoneham & Reading, MA areas. If you have a question for us or would like to schedule a visit to our office, please call us at (781) 438-2700, email us at info@lunddental.com, or request an appointment online. We’d love to see you!