We Make Your Smile

Tongue Piercing Revisited

noreply@blogger.com (Bradford Boyd, DDS) — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:27:00 +0000

A number of years ago we wrote an article titled “Why Pierce a Perfectly Good Tongue?” and posted it on our website. We thought we were just presenting information for people to have while they considered whether or not to get their tongue pierced. We were surprised by the hate mail that we received. Apparently we struck a nerve when we talked about the “cons” of tongue piercings.

We decided it was time to revisit tongue piercing after reading an article about a study published in the Journal of Clinical Orthodontics this month.

Researchers at the University at Buffalo did a case study on a 26 year old female patient who complained about a large space that had developed between her two front teeth. The patient had her tongue pierced when she was nineteen and at that time she had no space between her two front teeth. She provided photos showing how her teeth looked prior to having her tongue pierced.

So, how did having her tongue pierced cause her front teeth to separate? When this patient had her tongue pierced she had a barbell type stud placed through her tongue. The tongue is very vascular muscle, meaning it is a muscle with good blood flow, so people who have tongue studs leave them in all of the time so that the hole does not close up. From the time she was nineteen and had the tongue pierced this patient had played with the stud pushing it into her two front teeth and then as a space began she would habitually play with the stud and push it into this new space.

To repair this space this patient now needs fixed braces to push the front teeth back together at a cost of thousands of dollars. I wonder if she thinks that tongue stud was worth it.

While this wasn’t mentioned in this particular study we have seen patients with gum recession requiring gum surgery due to a tongue stud. Gum surgery is expensive and uncomfortable.

Check out our article “Why Pierce a Perfectly Good Tongue?” at www.drboyd.com to read more about the risks of having your tongue pierced. But be warned, we are biased and do not think it is a good idea to pierce a hole in your tongue. What if the piercing person hits a vein?? You have to go to the hospital to get the bleeding to stop.

If you decide to have your tongue pierced make sure you know how to spot an infection so that you can seek medical attention right away. In addition to primary infections that could develop in and around the piercing there are also two main secondary infections that have been known to occur in patients who have had their tongues pierced: Ludwig’s angina which can cause swelling that closes the windpipe leaving the patient unable to breathe and requiring intubation; and Hepatitis which destroys a person’s liver and is incurable.

If you have educated yourself and still decide to put a hole in your tongue make sure that the piercing shop has strict sterilization procedures. They should be every bit as clean and sterile as a dental office. After all, they are working in your mouth with sharp objects, putting holes in your perfectly good tongue. Be smart!!

Fosamax, Boniva, and Dentistry

noreply@blogger.com (Bradford Boyd, DDS) — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 16:56:00 +0000

Are you taking or do you know someone who is taking bisphosphonates? Bisphospho-what? Well, you probably have heard of bisphosphonates, but you know them as Fosomax, Actonel, or Boniva. These drugs are commonly prescribed for osteoporosis. While men are prescribed these medications it is mostly Caucasian women with slight builds who take these bisphosphonates. These drugs are advertized widely on television and in magazines and people are led to believe they are safe and effective drugs for osteoporosis with no real risk. Most patients have not been told of any oral health risks associated with the use of bisphosphonates when these drugs are prescribed. However, even short term use of bisphosphonates poses a dental risk of which many people are unaware.

Before I started this I thought I’d do a search on Google to see what comes up when you enter “Fosamax dental”. The very first site to come up was a link to a lawyers office. As I looked through the list half of the sites on the first page that came up were links to attorney offices. Yikes! I guess that should be a warning sign right there.

Bisphosphonates are used to treat osteoporosis and osteopenia and some cancers involving the bone. Osteoporosis is the thinning of bone tissue and loss of bone density over time while osteopenia is the term for thin bones. Some bisphosphonates are taken orally, and others are taken intravenously (IV).

The dental risk that we must be aware of is a rare disorder called osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ), or death of the jawbone. Sounds pretty awful, doesn’t it? Since 2003, there have been reports of a possible link between bisphosphonates and ONJ. The death of the jawbone is a condition marked by pain, swelling, infection and exposed bone. The majority of cases of ONJ involved people with cancer who were receiving chemotherapy and had been given IV bisphosphonates to treat cancer that had spread (metastasized) to the bone.

However, in January 2009, USC School of Dentistry reported in the Journal of the American Dental Association that a small but growing number of cases of ONJ have been reported in people taking oral bisphosphonates — such as Fosamax, Actonel, and Boniva — for osteoporosis. These have occurred primarily where a person has active dental disease or has had a recent dental procedure, such as a tooth extraction. The USC study reported that 4% (9 of 208) of the healthy patients in the group who were evaluated for ONJ had been taking bisphosphonates orally. This was startling!! It had previously been believed that only those receiving IV bisphosphonates were at risk, that the risks to those taking this drug orally was negligible.

In theory bisphosphonates are supposed to strengthen bone, however interrupting the natural process of bone recycling is proving to be very dangerous in some cases. Here’s a quick little lesson on how these drugs work:

Bisphosphonate medications act as bone strengtheners and increase bone density by binding to the bone and slowing down osteoclastic (bone-destroying) activity which increases osteoblastic (bone-building) effectiveness.

This helps prevent fractures in the hip, spine, and other skeletal regions, but it may disrupt the osteoclast and osteoblast activity in the jaws, impairing the bone destroying osteoclasts’ ability to remove and repair or contain diseased bone. Bone healing requires the breakdown of diseased bone to replace it with healthy bone. This impairment causes bone building osteoblasts to overbuild or wall off diseased bone. As osteoblasts build new bone, the failure of bone destroying osteoclasts to remove contaminated bone interferes with the development of the necessary structure on which to lay down healthy bone.

Bisphosphonates irreversibly alter the metabolism of the bone destroying osteoclasts, so there is little or no bone resorption, even if the blood supply is good. This is what dental professionals are concerned about because once the osteoclasts are destroyed there is no bone healing.

Symptoms of ONJ can include loose teeth, pain in the jaw, swelling, exposed bone, and/or recurring infection. Keep in mind that the risk of developing ONJ due to bisphosphonate use is very low in people without cancer or dental problems.

Recent studies have also shown that bisphosphonates may actually cause the exact thing they are supposed to prevent – bone fractures. A study was published in The Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma (JOT) in May 2008 that reported 20 patients with fractures in their thigh bones (femur). 19 of those patients had been taking Fosamax. Patients stated that after weeks or months of unexplained aching their thigh bones simply snapped while they were walking or standing!!

If your doctor prescribes a bisphosphonate for you be sure and talk to your doctor about the risks associated with this drug. Ask about options. Maybe you would respond to weight bearing exercises and diet changes. If you are already taking bisphosphonates you should be sure to have routine dental exams and maintain excellent oral hygiene. If you have a dental infections you should pursue aggressive nonsurgical treatment where possible. You should have root canal treatment done if needed rather than having the tooth extracted. You should not have dental implants as they may result in ONJ.

After reading this you might think that stopping the medication would be a good thing, however, stopping the medication is not thought to make any difference in the outcome. Bisphosphonates accumulate in the bones for up to 30 years making a patient who once received bisphosphonate therapy to be at significantly increased risk for ONJ, and dental treatment must be carefully considered. If extractions are needed referral to the oral surgeon may be recommended.

If your doctor recommends and you decide to take a bisphosphonate for osteoporosis, consider getting any needed dental work done before starting this medication. If you currently take an oral bisphosphonate and need a dental procedure, you should discuss this with your doctor and dentist, don't just stop taking the medication without first talking to your doctor.

You can see how important it is to let your dentist know if you are taking a bisphosphonate or if you have ever taken this drug. We aren’t just being nosey when we ask what medications you are taking. The fact is, your health may be vitally affected if we proceed with dental treatment without this knowledge.

Here is a list of the different Bisphosphonate Medications:

Generic: Alendronate, Risedronate, Etidronate, Tiludronate, Pamidronate, Ibandronate, Zoledronate.

Trade Name: Fosamax, Fosamax Plus D, Actonel, Actonel with Calcium, Didronel, Skelid, Aredia, Boniva, Zometa, Reclast.

ref: JADA, Jan 2009; JOT, May 2008; Science Daily www.sciencedaily.com

What’s all the Twittering About?

noreply@blogger.com (Bradford Boyd, DDS) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 16:19:00 +0000

Today I had an email from a dental company with whom I sometimes do business. There was nothing unusual about getting this email -- this company sends an email every day. Some days I actually open it and read it. Today was one of those days.

In the letter they talked about the press keeping tabs on what’s on the minds of people by checking Twitter. They suggested that we go to Twitter and search the word “dentist” to see what people are saying about dentists.

So I did. I wasn’t sure what I’d find.

Here are some of the unedited postings I saw (none of these are our patients, just random people on Twitter)…

i just came from the dentist and it was the best dentist appointment ever!!! i still hate going to the dentist tho
One day off this month and I spent it at the dentist from 9am to 3pm!!! OUCH.... in so many ways!
Day 3 with a pulled muscle in my back AND I had to go to the dentist...not the greatest day!
I hate dentist visits.... Can I leave yet? :D
at the dentist...Yikkes! i dont like this!
Why are dentist office's so cold? D:
The dentist went surprisingly well :-) Then we had Chinese for dinner
I hate the dentist office
Got a dentist appointment n a few
at the dentist with mom ughhhh so boring & I'm starving!!
Gotta a dentist appt in the morning
I absolutely hate going to the dentist... It scares the beegeezees out of me lol
at the dentist getting a filling right before my mom's birthday party. pretty lame
i have the dentist at 9 in the morning. eugggggh
My mouth hurts from the damn dentist!!
p.s. I HATE THE DENTIST!!!!!!
Here I am the dentist. After I ate a bag of popping corn. I want to get my dollar's worth!
I HATE the Dentistexperience! Not dentists personally just what they do, it sucks!
I have the dentist tomorrow at 11.30 I CAN'T GET UP THAT EARLY
Time for my dentist appt ugh
Unbelievable pain in my teeth this am, had trouble finding a dentist on short notice, finally found one, needed root canel done--wonderful?!
oh the dentist....they were rude to me when i first got in their and they didnt numb me when they drilled my gums ='(
I love when the people at the dentist talk to you and expect you to talk back..
actualy no1 likes the dentist :) lol
I love the way the dentist office smell..
At the dentist.. Waitin 2 get cheked up..
I fist-bumped my dentist.
Waiting in the dentist chair for about 20 minutes now .. About to fall asleep and pee my pants ugh !
i hate going into cold places and cant control the AC like the dentist office or doctors or resturants ugh im cold...
Everyone needs to go to my dentist, srsly. Entire office shrieked about the wedding & my hygienist refers to me as "my friend."
Always feels terrible about the status of my mouth after a visit to the dentist. No matter how hard I try!
Time for the dentist D: im scared
Just went to the dentist to get my teeth cleaned. Always makes me want to floss more often...
This is why I don't enjoy dentist's appointments. You have an appointment in advance for months, go in, and still wait 30 minutes or more!!
Going to the dentist on my list of things I like to do is right above getting mugged and getting arrested
Of course the day when I've eaten so much and my mouth is gross I have a dentist appt. Gonna get mouthwash before I go.
i have the dentist tomorrow.yippeee.needles.eeek.

Ok, so people actually tweet about going to the dentist. But then, again, they tweet about what they ate, when they are doing laundry, and when they work out, etc. But I’m not really sure that I learned that much looking at all of these “dental” tweets. Let’s see, people go to the dentist. Many people hate the dentist. People don’t like to wait at the dentist. People are scared to go to the dentist. People don’t like the dental office to be cold. And people hate the dentist even when they have a good experience there. Hmmmm. Oh, and there are some people who actually like the smell of a dental office.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying anything against twittering. We even have a twitter account – www.twitter.com/bradfordboyddds. I’m just saying that searching for random “dentist” comments isn’t as enlightening as that dental company seemed to imply. I still am trying to figure out how twittering can benefit our office and our patients. In the meantime, however, I will be keeping a better eye on the temperature in the office. I don’t like it cold either.

I’m Medically Trained and I’m Here To Help…

noreply@blogger.com (Bradford Boyd, DDS) — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 16:29:00 +0000

This past week we had a paramedic come to the office to get us up to date on CPR/First Aid/AED training. We were all dreading it very much – especially when we discovered that the trainer, Bob, expected the class to last 7 hours! 7 hours! So, rather than go out to the golf course and play a lovely round of golf we were going to be spending it sitting in the office hearing a dry lecture. We just were ready to get it behind us.

Thursday evening we were wondering if the class was even going to happen. The hills above Palmdale were on fire, there was a fire in Acton, and a fire in Agua Dulce. We weren’t sure that the 14 freeway was going to stay open and if it closed our instructor wouldn’t be able to get to our office.

Friday morning came and the 14 freeway was open so it was off to the office we went. We still had hopes that the class wouldn’t be 7 hours long. How could a class that we found listed as ComedyCPR be that long? If it was going to be that long we all were hoping that we wouldn’t fall asleep in our chairs.

We got to the office and Bob was ready and eager to teach us all about CPR, first aid, and the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). This looked like it was going to be a long day.

But something unexpected happened. The class was entertaining. Not like being at a comedy club, but entertaining in a way that you wanted to hear what Bob had to say. He would give us information and then weave personal stories around the information. We still had to practice on mannequins, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. The mannequins were the more "life-like" mannequins -- so you wanted to get it right. You wanted to understand how it would feel to have to perform chest compressions on an adult. It takes a lot of effort!

Yes, we went over the ABCs (airway, breathing, circulation) but we went over it in such a way that it really stuck in our brains. And over and over again he would remind us that in the event of an emergency our job would be to do for the person in distress what they couldn’t do for him/her self. We thought that was a great way to look approach an emergency situation.

One thing Bob suggested was that when you come upon a person requiring help, once you have assessed the situation you should yell for someone to help you. But he said rather than saying “Help” you should call out “Hey, come look at this, bring your camera, you’ll want to see this.” Someone will come because they are curious. That seemed kind of odd and I wasn’t really convinced that would work.

On Saturday Dr. Boyd was in his house and he wanted me to see something on a television show. So, he called out, “Hey, Cathy, you have to come see this. Bring your camera.” So I ran through the house looking for a camera. I ran into the room where Brad was, camera in hand, and there wasn’t anything unusual to see. So I said, “what do you want me to see?” Brad looked at me standing there with the camera and couldn’t stop laughing. Then he said, “Hey, it worked.” Yeah, I felt like a fool but I have a better appreciation of Bob’s advice.

We learned a lot that day in class. I think we all feel more confident now about being effective in an emergency situation.

Here’s a secret to calling 911 that the paramedic gave us that I want to pass along. If you find yourself needing emergency medical help and are calling 911 from a land line when the dispatcher answers ask to be transferred to the fire department dispatcher. They have a button that quickly puts them with the fire department. Don’t answer any questions until the fire department gets on the line. They are the ones who will be sending out the paramedics. They are the ones who need the information that you can provide so they know who and what to send. Help will be on the way a lot faster if you do this. This only works with a land line.

911 calls on cell phones are answered by the CHP. You would be smart to look in the phone book, go to the front under government agencies and find the local fire department emergency numbers for your home town and places you frequent. For L.A. County, where we are, the number is 1-800-688-8000. Now put that in your cell phone… and we hope you never have to use it.

You Got Your Botox Injections Where?

noreply@blogger.com (Bradford Boyd, DDS) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:53:00 +0000

More and more people seem to be getting Botox injections to try and turn back the hands of time. Now, I'm all for trying to look as good as you can, but not at the expense of looking like your face is frozen. But that's just me. After all, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

If you are thinking about getting injections in your face to look younger where do you go? Of course there is the Plastic/Cosmetic Surgeon. Then there is the Dermatologist. Would you think about going to the Dentist to get your Botox injections? It wasn't something in the curriculum back in Georgetown Dental School, I can tell you that.

However, more and more dentists are offering it as a service after taking a one-day course. I read an article recently that said that in a survey 16% of dentists said they already offered Botox to their patients and 37% said they might offer it someday. That surprised me. The argument that some make for dentists providing Botox injections is that since dentists are professionally trained to give subcutaneous injections and are the only practitioners qualified to inject the face and mouth for pain management they should be qualified to provide Botox injections for pain management and cosmetic applications.

Botox is a brand name for a refined form of botulinum toxin – the toxin that causes botulism, a type of food poisoning. Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It is one of the most poisonous naturally occurring substances in the world, and is the most toxic protein. Just 0.0000007 grams would kill most adults. Although highly toxic, it is used in minute doses to treat painful muscle spasms and now also as a cosmetic treatment to reduce lines and wrinkles. In fact, Botox injections have become one of the most popular cosmetic procedures.

Botox is used most commonly for the reduction of the appearance of frown lines between the brows, forehead furrows, and lines at the outer edge of the eye, commonly referred to as "crow's feet". In other words Botox is injected into your face in areas very close to your brain. What Botox does is temporarily paralyze the muscle that it injected into by blocking the neuromuscular transmission. So to get rid of some earned facial lines poison is injected into muscles very close to your big, beautiful brain. Seems awfully scary to me. I’m sure by now it comes as no surprise that you won’t see our office offering Botox injections. I have a personal issue about injecting a nerve toxin within inches of a brain.

According to the Department of Consumer Affairs, Dental Board of California: “In California Botox or any related agents can only be used for the diagnosis and treatment of TMD/myofacial conditions as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Use for isolated cosmetic purposes is illegal, unless privileged under the Facial Cosmetic Surgery Permit. For further information, please contact our Sacramento Enforcement Unit at 916-274-6326 or our Southern California Enforcement Field Office at 714-247-2100 (please see Business and Professions Code, Sections 1625 and 1638.1).”

Have You Heard About Our Crime Fighting Pens?

noreply@blogger.com (Bradford Boyd, DDS) — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 20:31:00 +0000

For many years we’ve given away these great little BIC ink pens here at the office. Patients have told us over and over and over how much they like the pens and how reliable they are. And they are. It’s the little pen that just keeps on working.

We’ve spotted our pens around the valley in the hands of a variety of people. It’s fun when we go to purchase something and the waiter or clerk hands us one of our pens to use. Oh yeah, we love that.

But we always figured they were just good, inexpensive, reliable pens. Recently, however, they became crime fighters.

A month or so ago Ben’s sister was home alone when she became a victim of a crime. A couple of thugs knocked on her door and since she was by herself she didn’t answer. Then she heard the sound of a window being broken. Terrified, she locked herself in one of their bedrooms and got out her phone and started calling for help. Every number that she called went to voice mail. And then, as she was sitting there terrified, she remembered that her brother’s work number was on her pen. Yep, those pens that we give away.

She called the office and we answered. Ben found out what was happening and nearly flew out of the office to rescue her. He got there as the police pulled up. As soon as she knew people were there to rescue her his sister came out – very shaken, but physically unharmed. (The criminals were caught and sent to prison.)

Ben’s sister was in the office the other day and she was offered more pens, but she said that she didn’t need any – hers was working just fine.

Brushing Tips

noreply@blogger.com (Bradford Boyd, DDS) — Thu, 13 May 2010 21:47:00 +0000

When you are sitting in the dental chair and the hygienist is telling you how to brush your teeth do you listen or do you just figure you know how to do it? Well, there is a good way and a bad way and we’d like to see you brush the best way. Here are some tips form the American Dental Hygienists’ Association:

Proper brushing is essential for cleaning teeth and gums effectively.

Place bristles along the gumline at a 45-degree angle. Bristles should contact both the tooth surface and the gumline.
Gently brush the outer tooth surfaces of 2-3 teeth using a vibrating back & forth rolling motion. Move brush to the next group of 2-3 teeth and repeat.
Maintain a 45-degree angle with bristles contacting the tooth surface and gumline. Gently brush using back, forth, and rolling motion along all of the inner tooth surfaces.
Tilt brush vertically behind the front teeth. Make several up & down strokes using the front half of the brush.
Place the brush against the biting surface of the teeth & use a gentle back & forth scrubbing motion.
Brush the tongue from back to front to remove odor-producing bacteria.
Remember to replace your toothbrush every three to four months. Researchers have established that thousands of microbes grow on toothbrush bristles and handles. Most are harmless, but others can cause cold and flu viruses, the herpes virus that causes cold sores, and bacteria that can cause periodontal infections.

http://www.adha.org/oralhealth/brushing.htm

Just a Cleaning??

noreply@blogger.com (Bradford Boyd, DDS) — Thu, 06 May 2010 16:16:00 +0000

I think a lot of people see a dental cleaning in the same light as having your car washed or having a super tooth brushing. But there is a lot more involved in a professional dental cleaning than meets the eye. It is much more than just a polishing of the teeth.

Dental cleanings involve removing the soft, sticky bacteria-infested film called plaque and the hard, chalky calculus deposits called tartar that have built up on the teeth over time. Usually the calculus deposits are tooth colored and can easily be mistaken as part of the teeth, but it also can vary from brown to black in color, depending on staining factors.

If the calculus is allowed to accumulate on the teeth it will provide a home and the right conditions for bacteria to thrive next to the gums, causing periodontal problems. The purpose of the professional dental cleaning is to leave the surfaces of the teeth clean and smooth so that bacteria are unable to stick to them.

A dental cleaning also involves an evaluation of the health of your gums and is your first defense against periodontal problems. That is important to your overall health. More and more studies are showing that poor periodontal health can lead to major health problems including an increased risk of heart attack or stroke, cancer, respiratory disease, and diabetes. Periodontal disease is the cause of most tooth loss – not decay and is one of the most widespread diseases in the world.

When you have a professional dental cleaning you may hear the hygienist or dentist call it a prophy. That is short for prophylaxis, the dental term for a cleaning. Prophylaxis is a Greek word that means "to prevent beforehand" - in this case, it helps prevent gum disease.

Would you like x-rays with that exam?

noreply@blogger.com (Bradford Boyd, DDS) — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 16:56:00 +0000

You’d be surprised by the number of people who come into the office and think that dental x-rays are an optional treatment, like adding fries with your burger. X-rays are an important part of a thorough dental examination. They can expose hidden dental decay, abscess, cysts or tumors; show impacted or extra teeth; and also help determine the condition of fillings, crowns, bridges and root canals. Dental x-rays can also reveal bone loss from periodontal (gum) disease, locate tartar buildup, find foreign bodies within the gum or bone, and see if there is enough bone for the placement of dental implants.

When a patient is new to the office a full set of x-rays is needed to be able to evaluate the condition of their mouth. Depending on how many teeth you have a full set of x-rays includes up to 18 single films. Every year or so, depending on each individual patient’s needs, check-up x-rays called bitewings are needed. Generally 2 or 4 of these bitewing x-rays are taken at that time to show the back teeth and view between them where decay can exist unseen to the naked eye.

We are very conscientious about minimizing the amount of radiation a patient receives at our office. While a full series of x-rays may seem like a lot 18 dental x-rays deliver 800 times less radiation than a chest x-ray, and 40 times less radiation than the background radiation in a typical day. The use of digital x-rays delivers even less radiation than film x-rays and we are excited to be able to offer this technology in our office. In addition, with digital x-rays the image is immediately available – no need to wait for film to be developed. An added plus with digital x-rays is that chemicals like fixer and developer are not used and there is no environmental waste from film packets and the lead backing they contain.

Dental x-rays are an important tool in the diagnosis and treatment of dental problems. They do not, however, replace the need for a visual examination of the head, neck, TMJ and oral cavity. It is only with a combination of both x-ray images and the visual examination that our patients can receive the best treatment. And the very best is what we want for all of our patients!

Energy Drinks Deliver More Than Just Energy

noreply@blogger.com (Bradford Boyd, DDS) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:50:00 +0000

I think most people know that drinking cola is not good for your teeth. However, most people might be surprised to know that drinking energy drinks, sports drinks, and citric fruit juices can be harmful to teeth. At a recent seminar I attended Dr. Gordon Christensen (founder of the most well-known private dental research institute in the world - CLINICIANS REPORT) talked about energy drinks, sports drinks, fruit juices, etc. and how they affect teeth.

Sipping those energy drinks, sports drink, carbonated beverages, and citric fruit juices bathe the teeth in harmful acids. These acids cause erosion of the teeth, stripping away the enamel, which is the hard, protective layer of the tooth. Unlike decay, erosion from drinking acidic drinks happens to the entire mouth. Erosion causes hypersensitivity, discoloration, and cracks on the teeth. It also causes loss of enamel that cannot be replaced.

A study at the University of Iowa’s College of Dentistry found that energy drinks and sports drinks, such as Gatorade, Powerade, Red Bull, and KMX eroded the enamel more than soda and fruit juices.

I’m not suggesting that you only drink milk, which is good for your teeth, but we want you to be aware of damage that can be caused by certain drinks. To avoid tooth erosion when drinking acidic or carbonated drinks:

Drink the acidic beverage all at once, instead of sipping it all day
Use a straw to avoid the teeth from being immersed in liquid
Rinse mouth with water after drinking acidic beverage instead of brushing.
Don’t brush for at least 30 minutes after drinking an acidic drink. If brushed too soon after drinking the bristles of the toothbrush may damage the enamel.

Here is a chart from Dr. Christensen showing some of the most harmful drinks. It is enlightening to see how much more enamel is destroyed in 14 days with KMX than with Coca-Cola!

What’s That Gunk On Your Tongue?

noreply@blogger.com (Bradford Boyd, DDS) — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 23:00:00 +0000

A tongue is clean if it is a rosy pink color. A white film on the top of the tongue means there are millions of bacteria living there and excreting. Yep, that’s what I said, excreting. Yuck. By using a tongue scraper those nasty waste products are removed from the surface of the tongue. As a result the person has better function of of taste buds, fresher breath, and a cleaner environment for good dental hygiene. After brushing and flossing the bacteria on the tongue can travel over to the teeth and re-infect the gums if the tongue is not cleaned.

The Fresh Breath Clinic in Toronto did a study and found that most people with bad breath do not necessarily have gum disease. Instead, they found that there was bacteria living at the back of the tongue that produced smelly sulphur. Ordinary tooth bushing does not remove this bacteria, only brushing or scraping the tongue removes those nasty bugs. A drawback to brushing your tongue is that when you are done your moist toothbrush may continue to hold the bacteria, ready to infest your mouth the next time you brush. Unless you are willing to throw out your toothbrush on a continuous basis you might want to learn how to use a "tongue scraper".

Yogis have been scraping their tongues clean for hundreds of years and believe that tongue cleaning activates the salivary glands which aids digestion and revitalizes the throat.

When you have any kind of sinus infections it is even more beneficial to clean the tong. If your nose is blocked by mucous, preventing the passage of air so you need to breathe out your mouth, the bacteria thrive. By regularly scraping the tongue with a tongue cleaner the excess mucous and any minor infection is removed.

To use a tongue scraper stick out your tongue. Take the two ends of the tongue scraper in your hand, and reach the arch of it to the back of the tongue. Gently, scrape forward several times, rinsing the white mucous off the scraper between scrapings. Remember to do this gently or you will find you have a bruised tongue for days. Rinse out the mouth once you are done. Now your mouth should feel clean and your tongue should be rosy pink.

You can buy tongue scrapers at the drug store. A good one is called Oolit. Or you can stop by our office for a complimentary tongue scraper to help you on your way to a nice clean tongue!

Not All Dental Plans Are Created Equal

noreply@blogger.com (Bradford Boyd, DDS) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 22:03:00 +0000

There are many dental plans available today and they are not all created equal.

There are certain things to know when choosing a dental insurance plan:

Do you have a dentist with whom you are comfortable. If so it is important that your plan allows you to choose your dentist rather than have the plan choose for you. Many plans have a network of dentists who are members of the plan. Is your dentist in the network and if not, can you use the insurance outside of the network?

Does the plan only permit the cheaper dental treatments. Does the plan allow you and your dentist to choose the best treatment for you regardless of the costs?

Does the plan allow for at least two cleanings and exams per year and at least one series of bitewings xrays?

Is there a waiting period before certain types of procedures are covered?

Are the benefit percentages based on the dentist’s actual fees or on an insurance company fee schedule?

Are endodontics (root canal treatment), periodontics, (gum treatment) and prosthodontics (crowns, bridges, dentures) covered. At what percentages are they covered?

Does the plan cover orthodontic care?

What is the plan maximum payout per year?

What is the deductible per year. Is the deductible waived for preventive services?

Is a predetermination required before dental treatment is rendered?

When choosing the perfect dental plan, don’t just consider premiums. A plan may be cheap but you may not get your money’s worth. It always pays to read your plan’s fine print – that’s where you will find the restrictions on your plan.

If you see a plan that seems to fit your needs, check out the company’s track record and see if they have a history of good customer service and timely payment.

You can always check with your dental office and see if they have information about any plan you are considering.

How You Doin’?

noreply@blogger.com (Bradford Boyd, DDS) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:03:00 +0000

Many of us made New Year’s resolutions last month. Some of us remember what those resolutions were. And some of us are even keeping those resolutions. If you are one who made a resolution to keep yourself healthy or if you should have made a resolution to keep yourself healthy we hope that dentistry is a part of your overall plan.

Here are a few important things to know with regard to dental health:

Cleaning and checkup: Your regular checkup and cleaning will keep your teeth looking their best, find problems when they are more easily treated, and prevent many major dental issues.

Periodontal Disease: Gum disease can lead to a host of other health problems, including tooth loss, bone loss, heart problems, and diabetes. Periodontal disease is treatable so why put yourself at risk for these other problems.

Oral cancer screenings: Oral cancers are highly treatable and curable with EARLY detection. Your dentist is probably the most likely person to notice any unusual symptoms in your mouth or throat, probably long before they become a problem that you might notice yourself.

Problems don't go away or heal on their own: Dental problems are the kind of problems that just don't go away on their own. Rotting teeth with cavities are just going to keep getting worse. Get them taken care of! Some dental treatments sound worse than they are. So many people are afraid when they hear they need root canal therapy, but after the procedure they aren’t sure what they had been so worried about. The hardest part is keeping your mouth open.

Mirror, Mirror

noreply@blogger.com (Bradford Boyd, DDS) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:31:00 +0000

When you look in the mirror and smile, what do you see?

Do you see a beautiful smile worthy of the red carpet? Are your teeth clean with no plaque or tartar? Are your gums healthy and pink? Are the teeth uniform, proportional and straight? Are they nice and white? Is your breath fresh and clean smelling? Do you like what you see when you smile? And do you like to smile?

Or are you one who hides their smile behind their hand or tries to keep their lips covering their teeth? Do you have obvious tartar on your teeth? Do you have missing or chipped teeth? Are your gums swollen and red? Are your teeth crowded or crooked? Do you have loose or missing teeth? Are they yellow or discolored? Do you keep your smile to yourself??

Or are you somewhere in between these two?

If you like what you see and are happy to smile, Congratulations!!

If you look in the mirror and wish it was a different smile looking back at you don’t worry. What you need to do now is figure out how you want your smile to look. And make a plan. Before going to your next dental appointment ask yourself this question, “If you could change anything about your smile, what would you change?” Once you have the answer to this you can change your world.

Talk to your dentist about what can be done to meet your smile goals. A beautiful smile can be yours.

And remember, We Make Your Smile!

Oral Cancer: the basics and what we are doing to protect you from it.

noreply@blogger.com (Bradford Boyd, DDS) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:12:00 +0000

There is one single word that uninhibitedly strikes fear into any person: cancer. The mouth is not immune to this horrific disease. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation there are 34,000 new cases of oral cancer diagnosed each year. It causes 8,000 deaths each year. Of those 34,000 new cases each year, only half will be alive after 5 years.

There are several risk factors for this disease. Historically, oral cancer is related to alcohol and tobacco use, but according to the American Dental Association 25% of oral cancer patients have no known risk factors. Although oral cancer risk increase with age, certain oral cancers are affecting younger generations. This new trend is associated with HPV viral infections.

Oral Cancer death rates are not high because the disease is hard to discover, oral cancer death rates are high because it is routinely discovered late in its development. At the stage the the cancer has possibly metastasized to other locations, usually the lymph nodes in the neck. Furthermore, with time an oral cancer tumor has had time to invade deeper into oral tissues, making treatment more invasive and worsening the prognosis.

Because of these eye opening facts, We are utilizing the state-of-the-art VELscope oral cancer screening system in conjunction with the conventional oral cancer screening each patient receives at their regular dental checkups. This machine can literally see beneath the surface to detect any potentially dangerous areas. The VELscope exam only takes a couple of more minutes after your regular dental checkup. It involves no pain and the cost is very reasonable. We hope our patients appreciate the technology we are utilizing to provide the peace-of-mind you deserve.

Back to School…

noreply@blogger.com (Bradford Boyd, DDS) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 19:09:00 +0000

So what did you do this past weekend? I spent the weekend down in Los Angeles attending an implant class at USC. Things are always changing and improving in dentistry so when I saw that USC was offering this class I knew I wanted to get updated on implants.

One of the procedures that was discussed was for a full lower denture that won’t stay put – a big problem with lower dentures – there is a simple implant treatment that will help it stay in place. Two implants are placed in the front part of the jaw that the denture can then snap over. With it snapped in place it stays where it is supposed to stay.

This weekend I was reminded of being back in dental school. For this course I was given a fake jaw and after being instructed in how to do it I placed an implant in the fake jaw. It was very informative to me and I was able to appreciate the precision needed to place the implants.

Late Sunday afternoon we observed an actual implant surgery to stabilize the lower denture. The patient was a 75 year old woman on blood thinners who had a history of having had a stroke. The procedure took 40 minutes and the patient was awake throughout.

Back in the real world I prefer to leave the drilling of the jaw to the oral surgeon or periodontist. They place the implant into the jaw and then I take it from there.

The course was two long days over the weekend but it was a class worth attending.

While staying in downtown Los Angeles I had a chance to go to the Staples Center for the first time and at tend my first professional basketball game. Even though it was just the Clippers I think I can still count it as a professional game. At least they won. Cathy and I had a great time, but who wouldn’t. We paid $10 for tickets on the VIP level! Not too shabby. Got them from StubHub.com. I highly recommend that website if you are looking to buy tickets.

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Don’t Forget to Change Your Toothbrush

noreply@blogger.com (Bradford Boyd, DDS) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:30:00 +0000

If you are like most Americans you probably replace your toothbrush 1-2 times a year. But did you know that it is recommended that you replace your toothbrush every three months? After about 3 months the bristles wear out, lose their effectiveness, and can cause gum tissue damage. A new toothbrush is 30% more effective at removing plaque.

If you find that the bristles are bent or out of shape before 3 months then it could be that you are brushing too hard, which is not good for the tissue or the teeth. Children's brushes may need to be replaced more often, as they can wear them out more quickly.

If you have gum disease you should change your toothbrush every 4 – 6 weeks because bacteria can hide in the bristles. After an illness such as a cold or flu you should change your brush regardless of how old it is or what condition it is in.

To keep you and your toothbrush healthy, make sure you let it dry out between uses. Toothbrushes can be breeding grounds for germs, fungus and bacteria, which after a while can build up to significant levels. After using your toothbrush, rinse it thoroughly with tap water, making sure to remove any toothpaste and debris and store it in an upright position so that it can air out.

Do not run the toothbrush through the microwave or the dishwasher. The American Dental Association cautions that these methods can damage a toothbrush.

Also, it is recommended that a toothbrush be kept at least six (6) feet away from a toilet to avoid airborne particles resulting from the flush. (Yuck!)

When traveling a plastic toothbrush case or cover will protect toothbrush bristles from becoming squashed or flattened in your suitcase. After brushing, however, you should let your toothbrush dry in the open air before covering it up.

If your toothbrush looks all worn, you can’t remember the last time you changed your toothbrush, or you have been sick, it is probably time to get a new one. Stop by the office with your old toothbrush and we will replace it for you.

Flu Phobia

noreply@blogger.com (Bradford Boyd, DDS) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:33:00 +0000

As a health care provider, I am not just concerned about the health of your mouth. Through my career and courses like microbiology, immunology, epidemiology, and public health taken in dental school, I am aware of the many health threats that patient are susceptible to in areas other than the mouth. It is for this reason that I would like to touch on a subject that has exploded in the news media: Influenza A (H1N1), more commonly known as “swine flu.” Hopefully I can dispel some myths, give you some resources for how to protect yourselves from it, and show you the procedures we utilize in our office to protect you from the many health threats out there.

The H1N1 influenza is by no means a new disease. The 1918 influenza pandemic and the much smaller 1977 outbreak can be attributed to the H1N1 virus. The H1N1 influenza is a viral infection that causes typical flu symptoms like: fever (over 100°F), chills, head and body aches, fatigue, cough, stuffy nose, sore throat, vomiting and diarrhea. The disease is spread via person-to-person contact through coughing and sneezing by the infected person. Unlike the seasonal flu, adults older than 64 are not at an increase risk for H1N1 influenza; the disease seems to affect a younger generation. The median age for infection is 12-17 years old, presumably because older adults have built up a resistance to the H1N1 influenza strain.

Since the virus is passed by person-to-person contact when an infected person coughs or sneezes, cough etiquette and hand hygiene are very important. These guidelines are not only important in preventing the spread of H1N1, but also in limiting the spread of all respiratory infections like the seasonal flu and rhinovirus (the common cold). If you are coughing or sneezing use a tissue to cover your mouth and dispose of that tissue in a trash bin that is either open, has a foot pedal, or does not require you to open the top. If no tissue is available you should sneeze or cough into the corner of your elbow and forearm and not your hand. Frequent hand washing is also helps to prevent infection; when you wash you should wash for 20-30 seconds; enough time to sing Happy Birthday to yourself twice. It may not be your birthday but people will think it is and will be nicer to you! Antibacterial soaps are no better at killing viral germs than regular soap and using antibacterial soap can lead to the development of bacteria resistant to antimicrobial agents so a normal hand soap is recommended, plus they smell better and it will give people another reason to be nice because your hands smell like sweet pea , blooming jasmine, or fresh lemons. Alcohol based hand sanitizers are also a great way to clean your hands as long as they are not visibly dirty.

We take our patients' health very seriously and know our patients trust us to do everything in our power to ensure you don't just have good oral health, but good health in general. It is for this reason that we have come up with a meticulous plan using standard industry protocols to ensure every instrument and surface is clean and free of microscopic organisms. Every room is disinfected with a hospital grade surface cleaner after it is used, all instruments are sterilized after they are used, and surfaces touched a lot are covered with plastic barriers. We have also strategically placed tissues, alcohol based hand sanitizers, and no-touch trash bins all over the office for your safety. Additionally, be sure and stop by the office for a free personal sized bottle of hand sanitizer to help protect you against the flu this season!

Beware of Hard Candies

noreply@blogger.com (Bradford Boyd, DDS) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:06:00 +0000

We have seen a few patients recently who have developed an alarming number of cavities from sucking on hard candies all day. These are adults who generally have a lower decay rate than adolescents.

Many people find themselves with dry mouth, often due to medications such as antihistamines, medication for high blood pressure, anti-depressants, etc. Unfortunately, many people try to alleviate this problem with hard candy or cough drops, which can have a very high sugar content. Since they sit in your mouth for a prolonged period of time the bacteria that naturally live in your mouth feed on the sugar, turning it into acid. This acid then eats away at the hard enamel on your teeth causing decay in a short period of time. The longer this acid bath lasts the longer the greater the chances for tooth decay.

If you find yourself suffering from dry mouth a special toothpaste or rinse can be prescribed.

If you eat hard, sticky, or gummy candy – anything that sticks to teeth or stays in the mouth for a long period of time – you are asking for big trouble. Make sure you use a sugar-free candy and avoid prolonged periods of time with anything that contains sugar (i.e. sipping sport drinks, power drinks, sodas, chewing gum, candies, or mints). A constant diet of sugar feeds the bacteria all day long and they continually excrete acid onto your teeth. After any sugar ingestion rinse well to dilute the sugars and the acids and brush your teeth as soon as you can with a fluoride toothpaste. Be sure to brush at least twice a day, paying special attention to the gum line.

Stress Free Dental Visits

noreply@blogger.com (Bradford Boyd, DDS) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:34:00 +0000

Visiting the dentist doesn’t have to be a stress-filled experience. We are just as eager for you to have a good experience as you are. The best advise we can give is to not put off your visit. The longer you delay dental treatment the more extensive the care will become. So if you have been putting off seeing the dentist for months or years pick up the phone and schedule an appointment.

Here are some tips to make you next visit as comfortable as possible:

Schedule your visit for the time of day when you are most relaxed.

Get a good night’s sleep the night before your appointment, eat lightly before your appointment, and wear comfortable clothing.

Talk to the dentist and the hygienist about what makes you nervous and what concerns you. Often, voicing your fears can help reduce them and make you more comfortable. And when we know what your fears are we can help alleviate them.

If the dentist tells you that you need further treatment, ask questions. The more you know about the treatment plan, the more confident and relaxed you will be. Those of us who work in dentistry do not fear treatment when we need it. This seems to indicate that knowing what is being done makes for less stress.

Schedule short appointments where possible, don’t try and have everything done at one time.

If you feel any discomfort raise your hand to let the dentist or hygienist know. They can always take a break if you need one.

Establish a positive relationship with your dental team. You should feel at ease and comfortable with your dentist. Take an active role in your dental care.

Try these pointers and we think your next appointment will show you that dental appointments can be good experiences.

Celebrating 25 years-- A Look at the Past and a Glimpse to the Future

noreply@blogger.com (Bradford Boyd, DDS) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:34:00 +0000

In May we kicked off the celebration of our 25th year of practicing dentistry in the Antelope Valley. We have been lucky to have had such a wonderful 25 years, and we look forward to many more in the future. When Dr. Boyd started this practice in 1984 it was hard to imagine it would turn into the bustling place it is today. In the past 25 years we have seen expansions and remodels, a growing staff, improvements upon our dental care with the introduction of new techniques and products, awards and recognitions, and a growing confidence and reputation with our patients. We would like to take the time to thank our patients for your confidence in Dr. Boyd and his staff and for allowing us to make your smile.

A lot can change in 25 years-- we've all seen the transitions from neon colored hot pants and crimped hair to Uggs, skinny jeans, and stick straight hair. When we started this practice in 1984 we didn't have a computer, the Internet had not been discovered, and no one had a cell phone. Now, in 2009, we are faced with the challenge of keeping up with boom of technology that has inundated our culture. We now live in a face paced world where Google can answer all your questions, xrays are becoming digital, and no one can be found without the ever present cell phone.

We don't want to be left behind on this exciting adventure, so you will see that we have added some new and exciting ways of communicating with you to our repertoire. We have recently entered the social networking world and can now be found on Facebook and Twitter! Social networking sites, such as these, have been around for a few years; however, it wasn't until recently that businesses began using them as a way of getting information out to the public. We feel that this is a great tool for keeping up with our patients and letting you know about the exciting things our office has to offer.

Visit us at facebook.com. Search: Bradford Boyd, D.D.S, Inc. and become a fan of our page!
Follow this link to become a fan: http://tinyurl.com/n6t9yz

Follow us on twitter.com. Search: Bradford Boyd and follow our updates!

Have you seen our new website? We've worked very hard to create a new logo and website for our practice and we hope you enjoy it! Visit us on the web at http://www.drboyd.com/

We are excited to embark on this new social networking adventure and we hope you'll be there with us! We're interested to see where this and many other endeavors will take us in the coming years. Thank you for all of your continued support and be on the look out for new changes to come!