Dr. Kosdon says untreated and neglected dental hygiene issues can result in chronic oral and periodontal infection that can spread to the rest of the body. He says through regular cleanings and x-rays, dentists can identify potential concerns in a patient’s oral health early on and take the proper course of action for addressing these issues and preventing further complications. Dr. Kosdon adds that patients who routinely receive dental scalings or cleanings also get the benefit of comprehensive and thorough dental care to supplement their at-home hygiene practices. “In many cases, gum disease and infection aren’t always visible to the patient and can affect overall health. It is always better to be proactive and catch dental disease at an early stage before it compromises ones overall health.”

Whether patients are looking for routine cleanings or a more noticeable improvement to their dental aesthetics such as porcelain veneers, Dr. Kosdon recommends consulting with an experienced and qualified cosmetic dentist before undergoing any procedure. He says patients should be sure to seek out a practice dedicated to their overall health through quality oral hygiene maintenance and an eye for aesthetic beauty. “Routine cleanings along with regular brushing and flossing can often lead to whiter teeth which is an inexpensive way to improve ones self-esteem and oral health.”

Another similar study recently produced by the AACD reports that 99.7% of Americans believe a person’s smile is an important social asset, with 74% stating an unattractive smile can hurt a person’s chance for career success. With such an importance being placed on the cosmetic appearance of one’s teeth, Dr. Singer says that a smile makeover can offer patients renewed self-confidence and a more positive outlook on life. By combining several cosmetic procedures, he says patients can achieve a redesigned smile that they are proud to show off.

For patients considering porcelain veneers or teeth whitening in New Jersey, Dr. Singer recommends seeking dental professionals active in the dental community and dedicated to continued education. Active and consistent engagement, he says, ensures that cosmetic dentists stay up-to-date with the latest techniques and technology in the field. Dr. Singer adds that choosing a dentist who is in constant pursuit of the latest in dental education is one of the most important things patients can look for.

The biennial World Dental Forum will be held in Hong Kong, China from May 31 to June 3, 2012 and is open to all dentists. With a shift in the dental industry toward international integration, the World Dental Forum gives U.S. dentists an opportunity to meet with world-renowned dentists, opinion leaders, and suppliers from around the world. This prestigious event will feature lectures covering a wide-range of topics by some of the most influential dentists in the world. Dentists will also be able to earn continuing education credits (16 credit hours, PACE approved for AGD). Register by February 15, 2012, and receive a $500 lab credit from Modern Dental Laboratory USA.

This year’s World Dental Forum features an outstanding educational curriculum. Scheduled speakers from the United States include: Dr. Howard Farran; Dr. John Burgess; Dr. Joseph Kan; Dr. Jack Ferracane. Topics include: Current trends; dental restorations; endodontics; implant dentistry; aesthetic dentistry; sleep medicine; operative dentistry and more. All lectures will be in English.

The World Dental Forum will include an educational excursion to Modern Dental Laboratory in the world-class manufacturing hub of Shenzhen, China. This excursion will allow dentists to see first-hand how international integration is reaching dentists and patients across the world today. After the tour of the largest dental laboratory in the world, Modern Dental Laboratory USA will be hosting a semi-formal dinner for the U.S. delegation where Dr. Savage will share her insights about practice management to the U.S. delegation.

This year’s event will be held at the Grand Hyatt in Hong Kong and is organized by Modern Dental Laboratory USA and Modern Dental Laboratory. The World Dental Forum is particularly significant as the World Dental Forum is taking place in conjunction with the 100 year anniversary of The University of Hong Kong and the 30 year anniversary of The University of Hong Kong, Faculty of Dentistry.

While people know eating right, tossing the smokes and exercising are all part of leading a healthier lifestyle that can prolong their lives, most people are not aware of the overall health benefits of taking care of their teeth. Yet studies show that people who take care of their teeth live an average of 6.3 years longer than those who lose their teeth, said Dr. Camacho, head of Cosmetic Dentistry of San Antonio.

Most adults lose their teeth to gum disease, which research links to heart disease, diabetes, preterm births and other health problems. The bacteria that cause tooth decay can cause damage in other areas of your body. The oral cavity, Dr. Camacho said, is truly an indicator of your overall health, and not taking care of oral disease can negatively affect your health.

Dr. Camacho suggests the following dental New Year’s resolutions to help your overall health:

1) Brush twice daily – Your mouth is the front line for battling the bacteria that damage not only your teeth and gums, but also other organs and systems in your body. Brush your teeth thoroughly at least twice daily with fluoride toothpaste.

2) Floss daily – Your toothbrush can’t reach between your teeth, which allows the bacterial film to build up. Daily flossing cleans the spaces between teeth, depriving bacteria of a safe haven.

3) Have at least two dental cleanings a year – Your dental hygienist supplements your daily brushing and flossing by cleaning the pockets where bacteria may escape your own routine. And the hygienist provides a vital screening for problems between dental checkups.

4) Get a regular dental checkup at least annually – Preventative dentistry is better for your health – and much cheaper – than dealing with major dental problems. Many people never visit a dentist until teeth require a root canal or even extraction, problems that are expensive to fix, and affect other teeth. A checkup and a simple filling can head off thousands of dollars of repair. Also, the dentist can provide oral cancer screenings with cutting edge devices such as the Velscope, which can illuminate oral cancer in its very beginning stages. When found at early stages of development, oral cancers have an 80 to 90% survival rate.

5) Eat, drink and be wary – The enemy of oral health is the group of natural bacteria – particularly Strep mutans – that thrive on sugar and dissolve the protective enamel covering the teeth. Refined sugar is present in an overwhelming number of foods, and is part of the modern diabetes “epidemic.” This year, make a commitment to tooth- and health-conscious eating habits. Rinse your mouth after eating sugary food or acidic foods. Avoid sticky sweets that cling to teeth, as well as hard candies that are held in the mouth to dissolve. Drink sugary beverages through a straw so it moves immediately to the back of the mouth. Avoid sugar as much as possible – there is a clear link between diabetes and oral health, and each feeds off the other. Fresh fruits, such as apples, can help clean teeth, and Xylitol – a sweetener found in sugar-free chewing gums and other foods – can actually fight against the bacteria.

6) Consider a new smile – Getting bridges or crowns for missing or broken teeth isn’t a luxury; these problems can have a domino effect that leave you with shifting teeth, a vulnerability to gum disease and other growing damage. After restorations are done, you should consider the quality-of-life benefits of a new smile. A mature adult who’s lived for decades with a crooked or discolored smile can turn the page on their self-esteem, confidence and emotional well-being with teeth straightened by Invisalign clear braces, beautiful crowns or veneers, dental bridgesand whitening.

Getting your teeth cleaned twice a year, practicing good home care and taking care of problems when they are small is a lot less expensive than people think, Dr. Camacho said. “If you are hitting the local coffeehouse chain a few times a week, then over the course of a year, you will spend more than you would getting your teeth cleaned and checked twice a year and handling an occasional small cavity.”

The GUMline to Waistline Challenge is an exciting eight-week initiative focusing on the correlation between oral health and diabetes management.

Starting November 1, 2011, registered participants will be provided with the information and tools needed to improve their oral health, reduce fat and embrace a healthier lifestyle.

Participants will receive step by step instructions on establishing and achieving realistic weight loss goals, a Diet Free LifeWorkbook and Journal, daily nutrition and exercise tips, and optional additional support by SMS and email.

“For everyone, the link between oral health and overall health is important to consider – but this relationship is particularly crucial when patients are at high risk for diabetes,” said Dan Descary, Managing Director of Sunstar Americas, Inc. “The GUMline to Waistline Challenge is an opportunity for patients to learn about this link while challenging themselves to adopt changes and new habits that can help manage or prevent the onset of diabetes.”

Registration is currently open to individuals, groups and families. To register, log on to www.dietfreelife.com and become a member using the discount code: GUM – or call (805) 642-8440. The outcome? Better oral health and a healthier you!

Participants in the GUMline to Waistline Challenge as well as other interested parties are encouraged to listen and participate in weekly radio webinars hosted online at www.dietfreelife.com. Sunstar Americas, Inc. and Robert Ferguson are excited to raise awareness of the relationship between oral health and total health, and to offer a plan that connects the dots between the gumline and the waistline.

Although they’ve been known to chip their teeth on stubborn victims—and even lose the occasional fang—vampires are largely immune to cavities, says the society.

As a CDS spokesperson, pediatric dentist Dr. Mary Hayes stuck her neck out, so to speak, to answer the pointed question: Can vampires get cavities?

“Vampires don’t get cavities because their favorite meal—blood—is not full of sugar,” Hayes said. “And sugar is the main culprit in cavities.”

The mouth is home to millions of microscopic bacteria that live on the teeth, gums, lips and tongue. Some of these bacteria attach themselves to tooth enamel in a white film called “plaque,” where they grow into large colonies.

Because bacteria use it as a food source, sugar makes the bacteria more active and the plaque thicker, making it harder for saliva, the body’s natural decay defense, to keep teeth clean.

Stubborn plaque allows bacteria to feed on sugar in the foods we eat, producing acid as a byproduct. This acid dissolves the minerals that make tooth enamel hard, making the surface of teeth full of tiny holes. Over time, these tiny holes in the tooth enamel grow until one large hole is formed. This is a cavity.

“There is sugar in the blood, but under most circumstances the quantity is very small,” Dr. Hayes explained. “There isn’t enough of it available to cause decay. The bacteria in the mouth like sugar to be the main part of the diet, and sugar is incidental in the composition of blood.”

While drinking blood typically won’t cause cavities, it could have cosmetic side effects. Blood contains iron, and people who have extra iron in their diet can get a grayish stains on their teeth. While these stains are superficial, they nonetheless can gray out pearly whites.

While humans and vampires may have different oral hygiene issues, there is at least one thing they can agree on: No one likes the smell of garlic on their breath! If you’ve consumed too much of this pungent vampire deterrent, the best thing to do is brush your tongue.

“Too many sweets can cause a spooky mouth,” says Dr. Flanagan. “People have the tendency to graze on the sugary treats lying around the house during the holidays, and this increases the likelihood of cavities.”

Dr. Flanagan knows that candy consumption is almost unavoidable at this time of the year, so she’s offering some advice as to which sweets are less damaging to your teeth than others.

The Good:

Sugar-free lollipops and hard candies: These treats stimulate saliva, which prevents dry mouth. A dry mouth allows plaque to build up on teeth faster, leading to an increased risk of cavities.

Sugar-free gum: Chewing gum can actually prevent cavities, not only because it helps to dislodge food particles from the teeth, but also because it increases saliva. Saliva works to neutralize the acids of the mouth and prevent tooth decay.

Dark chocolate: Chocolates are loaded with sugar, but studies have shown that the antioxidants in dark chocolate can be good for the heart and may even lower blood pressure. Just be sure to eat it in moderation.

The Bad:

Sugary snacks: Candy corn, cookies, and cake all contain a high amount of sugar, which can cause tooth decay.

Chewy/sticky sweets: Gummy candies, taffy, and even dried fruit can be difficult for children and adults to resist, but they are a serious source of tooth decay, particularly when they get stuck in the crevices between teeth and make it nearly impossible for saliva to wash away.

Sour candies: High acid levels in these treats can break down tooth enamel quickly. The good news: Saliva slowly helps to restore the natural balance of the acid in the mouth. Dr. Flanagan recommends that patients wait 30 minutes to brush their teeth after consuming acidic foods or drinks, otherwise they will be brushing acid onto more tooth surfaces, increasing the erosive action.

So this Halloween season, try not to overdo the sweets. And, that goes for the little ones, too. “Parents, remember: A proper oral hygiene routine for your little ghosts or goblins is essential to maintaining good oral health all year-round,” says Dr. Flanagan.

For more information about oral health, visit www.KnowYourTeeth.com.

The report, titled Breaking Down Barriers to Oral Health for All Americans, identified the lack of a coordinated approach to treat underserved populations as a main barrier to treatment. A July report from the Institute of Medicine found that 33 million Americans live in areas that don’t offer adequate dental services and almost 5 million children skipped their regular dental visit because their parents could not afford to take them to the checkup. While the issues are serious and may be viewed as costly to remedy, the ADA listed the following seven easy and inexpensive ways to treat them.

* Educating families on the importance of routine dental health to prevent minor ailments from becoming costly and painful dental procedures

* Extending the system of dental care to more people so all Americans have access to routine dental care

* Finding a way to make sure those who need free or discounted care not only have access to the dental services, but also use the services available

* Discovering a better way to share best practices related to safety net operations between the government and the government-administered programs

* Ensuring that dentists provide their patients with the information to make sure they reduce the chances the patient’s disease will reoccur

* Simplifying the process associated with public health and assistance programs, thereby reducing red tape and helping patients with non-clinical needs

* Drawing attention to the problems associated with a lack of access to dental care so the attitudes and priorities of lawmakers, the general public and the media change

While a lot of these suggestions are based off changes that will be made at the national level, focusing on prevention is the easiest for most Americans to implement. St. Louis dentist Dr. Michael Frith, the dentist behind Masterpiece Smiles in Ellisville, Mo., offers several general and cosmetic dentistry procedures for all of the patients visiting his St. Louis dentistry office. Dr. Frith offers comprehensive oral exams, as well as oral cancer screenings and services specific to pediatric dentistry. For those needing more than a routine dental checkup, Masterpiece Smiles provides cosmetic dentistry procedures, including dental veneers, bonding, crowns and smile makeovers. For information about scheduling a dental checkup, contact Masterpiece Smiles today.

The Pennsylvania Dental Association (PDA) recommends mouthguards be worn during games and practice sessions. Wearing a mouthguard helps to cushion an impact and reduce injury to the teeth, lips, tongue, face and jaw. They prevent broken and chipped teeth and reduce the possibility of them being knocked out. Mouthguards also protect against bone and root damage, and may reduce the chances of a concussion.

Dr. Dennis N. Ranalli, a professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, team dentist for the Pittsburgh Panthers football team and past president of the Academy for Sports Dentistry, says mouthguards are an essential part of sports equipment.

“While mouthguards are only required in amateur sports like football, ice hockey, men’s lacrosse, women’s field hockey and boxing, they should be worn while playing any contact or collision sport,” Dr. Ranalli said. “In order for a mouthguard to be effective, it needs to be used and it needs to be cared for with proper cleaning and storage.”

Wearing a mouthguard is especially important for students who have braces. It acts as a barrier between the braces and the cheeks or lips, reducing the risk of lacerations.

Student athletes have a 1 in 10 chance of suffering a facial or dental injury while on the playing field. According to the National Sports and Safety Foundation (NYSSF), student athletes account for a significant part of the 15 million dental injuries and the five million cases of traumatically lost teeth that occur every year. An athlete also is 70 times more likely to sustain damage to the teeth when not wearing a mouthguard and almost one-third of all dental injuries are sports-related, according to the Academy of General Dentistry.

PDA urges both children and adults wear a mouthguard when participating in any sport or recreational activity where injury to the mouth can occur, including football, field hockey, ice hockey, baseball, basketball, softball, wrestling, soccer, lacrosse, rugby, in-line skating and martial arts. Mouthguards can also help prevent more serious injuries such as jaw fractures.

An effective mouthguard should be resilient, tear-resistant and protect all the teeth. It should be comfortable, not interfere with breathing or speech and have excellent retention. To ensure a proper fit, a mouthguard is best fitted by a dental professional.

There are three types of mouthguards:

• Stock mouthguards: least expensive, but offer less protection because the fit adjustment is limited.
• Boil and bite: when heated and placed in the mouth, the mouthguard molds itself to the teeth and then sets.
• Custom-made: made by a dentist from a cast of the patient’s mouth. They are more expensive, but offer the best protection, fit and comfort.

Dr. Ranalli encourages his patients to invest in a custom-made mouthguard. He says, “The overall cost of a custom fabricated mouthguard is much less expensive than the cost associated with the treatment of a sports dental injury.”

Before and after each use, rinse your mouthguard with cold water. It can be cleaned with a toothbrush and toothpaste, and soaked in mouthwash. To minimize distortion and damage, do not leave in direct sunlight and avoid rinsing with hot water. Store the mouthguard in a firm, well ventilated plastic container.

Mouthguards can last for more than one season but they will wear out like any other sports gear, making it less effective. It should be replaced if it no longer fits, has tears or holes and is a source of discomfort.