Celebrities and TheraBreath® at the Golden Globe Awards
Throughout the event, many celebrities came by the TheraBreath gifting area to discuss their experiences with the product and to also learn more about how these natural products provide fresh breath. Some of the celebrities that were able to enjoy TheraBreath products included Rico Rodriguez of Modern Family, Raven Goodwin of Glee, Bai Ling of The Crow, Booboo Stewart of Twilight, Christian LeBlanc of The Young and the Restless and the 2011 Ms. America – Tracy Broughton, among many others. Needless to say, the products were very popular among the celebrities who are in need of fresh breath during the big Golden Globe Awards events.

Many people have crooked or misaligned teeth that they would like to straighten. However, they do not want to wear ugly metal braces. Modern solutions, like Invisalign aligners, allow patients to correct their smile with a clear tray that fits seamlessly over the existing teeth. For teeth that are jagged, misshapen, cracked or discolored, there are porcelain veneers and Lumineers, which bond to the surface of the teeth. Individuals who have lost one or more teeth can replace them with dental implants. They do more than just improve one’s appearance and actually aid in things like chewing and speaking.

Tooth discoloration is caused by a variety of factors including tobacco use, caffeine, foods, drinks, medications, heredity and aging. Therefore, it is a common affliction that many people strive to improve the appearance of their teeth with a teeth whitening procedure. While there are several viable options, the fastest and most effective is zoom whitening. The entire series of steps takes less than one hour and a single session with the dentist. Afterward, patients emerge from the office with teeth that are up to eight shades lighter than when they arrived.

In response to the growing trend of electronic prescribing in dental offices, this product offering combines eprescribing capabilities with direct access to Lexicomp Online for Dentistry™, Lexicomp’s dental-specific drug and clinical information solution, to deliver the information that dental professionals need to safely and efficiently prescribe medication and check for dangerous drug interactions. “We are very pleased to offer this first-of-its kind combined dental eprescribing and medication management tool to dental professionals”, commented Steven Kerscher, Vice President and General Manager, Lexicomp. “Dental professionals are now able to review their patient’s saved medication history and receive patient safety alerts regarding drug interactions, drug allergies and procedure safety checks for dental treatment. Having these capabilities, in addition to electronic prescriptions, will save dentists valuable time and help avoid adverse medication events.”

The pilot Text2Floss project was founded by  Tony S. Hashemian, D.D.S. , Assistant Dean to Global Oral Health at ASDOH, who explained, “The Mission of the Global Oral Health program at Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health is to create Global Oral Health Solutions through improving oral health, leadership development, innovation, dental education, new technology, and the promotion of peace through collaboration and the provision of compassionate care to the underserved locally and worldwide.”

Dr. Hashemian continued, “Health and wellness organizations are in need of a mobile solution that turns the already ubiquitous SMS text messaging medium into a powerful, HIPAA-compliant communications tool; enabling healthcare organizations and vendors to communicate patient data and other medical information via secure text messaging to clinicians’ and patients’ mobile devices.”

CellTrust’s founder and CEO, Sean Moshir, added, “With a secure SMS solution, organizations are able to send and receive text messages with real-time Protected Health Information (PHI) from personal mobile phones, web-portal interfaces, email exchange servers, electronic medical records, customer relationship management systems, lab systems, and other applications.”

By directly providing physicians and clinicians with required patient information to make informed decisions, a secure SMS solution improves the quality of healthcare with decreased response times and accurate decision-making, allowing for quicker interventions and improved patient outcome.

1.    Better Smile

2.    Better Breath

3.    Better Health

“Typically we get a lot of calls at the first of the year from people who say ‘This is the year I’m going to do something about my teeth’,” says Dr. Martin. “What most of them are talking about is improving the appearance of their teeth and their smile. What they don’t realize are the physical health benefits that also go along with good dental health.

The good news is that today’s dentistry can result in smile improvement almost immediately. So what should the savvy dental consumer – even one who hasn’t been to a dental office in years – expect when he or she finally makes that appointment?

Patients who haven’t seen a dentist in a long time should plan to discuss their dental history and the kind of treatment they’re seeking. Then they’re ready for a complete dental workup, diagnosis and treatment plan.

“When a patient who has neglected their teeth comes in, we first do an interview to find out exactly what has brought them to our office,” Dr. Martin says. “Typically there’s an impending event like a reunion, a wedding or a graduation where they want to look their best or they’re newly single and are self-conscious about meeting people. It usually takes a significant life event for people to take a good look at their teeth and decide it’s time to take action. It can also be a dental problem that brings people to a dentist – a toothache, broken tooth, swelling in the mouth or bad breath that can’t be controlled with over the counter treatments.”

In a diagnostic visit, a patient should expect their dentist and hygienist to do a clinical exam that includes not just a look in the mouth, but x-rays, photographs, molds of the teeth and a record of their bite. The dentist should also check for gum disease and oral cancer. During a first visit they may take the patient’s blood pressure along with a complete medical history. The importance of this exam is to assess where a patient is right now and what treatments will help them meet their dental health goals.

The importance of a smile is known and accepted for those in the public eye such as political candidates, but it’s equally important for teachers, students, customer service employees, retail clerks… just about anyone in any profession can enhance their approachability and appearance with an attractive smile.

“Think about the people you meet who never smile,” says Dr. Martin. “How do they make you feel? Typically people who are unhappy with the way their teeth look will keep a stern look on their face. They may put a hand over their mouth before speaking or look away from you when they talk. What’s even sadder are the people I see who have, for some time, refused to leave their home because of the appearance of their teeth.

“Ironically health issues aren’t usually what finally drive the reluctant patient to the dentist’s office, but frequently people find that getting their teeth taken care of properly they are able to reach other goals like losing weight because they can now chew firmer foods and eat a healthier, lower calorie diet,” says Dr. Martin. “Gum disease has been linked to many serious illnesses like diabetes, stroke and heart attack – even cancer. Getting a patient’s mouth healthy can help them improve their physical health.

“Many people are blind to how their teeth really look until something in their life causes them to take a close look at their appearance,” Dr. Martin adds. “Maybe they’ve lost out on a big promotion at work or have lost a job and need to go job hunting and want to look their best. Often for these patients, a bad dental experience in the past has frightened them away from the dental chair. Whatever the reason, visiting a dentist’s office for a complete diagnosis and treatment plan can improve more than just your smile.”

Often combining procedures such as dental implants orporcelain veneers, Dr. Salazar says a smile makeover offers patients the opportunity to customize their treatment to meet each of their individual needs. Through personalized attention and a custom plan for improving one’s dental aesthetics, Dr. Salazar says patients can revitalize their appearance and feel confident going into the holidays and the upcoming new year. Patients can also include several other procedure options during a smile makeover such as gum recontouring or Invisalign®. “The best results for veneers is with teeth whitening also. A bright white smile enhances the appearance of good health.”

Dr. Ross adds that patients looking to enhance their smile for the holidays can also choose more subtle options for feeling rejuvenated and confident, such as teeth whitening or routine cleanings. Regardless of whether patients are seeking a comprehensive, custom smile design or a single procedure, Dr. Ross says choosing an experienced and qualified dentist is essential for achieving the highest quality results. He adds that through the skilled and dedicated work of a passionate practice, patients can revitalize their mouth and feel healthy and confident in time for the holidays. “During the holidays, people always feel that they want to look their best around friends and family. A nice smile radiates health and confidence.”

Oral cancer has existed outside the consciousness of much of the public, which is one reason 37,000 Americans will be newly diagnosed this year alone. That is about 100 new people a day. That lack of awareness has contributed to this cancer not being discovered until very late in its development. By implementing a public awareness campaign, OCF wants to educate the public about the risk factors, early signs and symptoms of the disease, as well as the need for all adults to undergo an annual oral cancer screening. In the early stages of oral cancer’s development, it is often is painless, and physical signs may not be obvious to an individual. This makes it a very dangerous disease and is also the reason it is crucial to have an annual oral cancer screening. OCF is asking dental and medical professionals nationwide to act as the first line of defense against oral cancer through the process of early discovery, and to raise public awareness of this cause by opening their doors for at least a half-day, during the month of April, to opportunistically screen members of their community.

These screenings are more important now than ever. Oral cancer is one of the few cancers that are on the rise in the U.S. When found early, oral cancers have an 80% or better survival rate. Unfortunately, most oral cancers are found in late stages, when the five-year survival rate plummets to about 30%. Late stage diagnosis can be greatly reduced through increased public awareness of these facts, and OCF believes that a national program of opportunistic screenings is the best means of creating that awareness.

A visit to the dentist is no longer just about a cleaning or restorative procedures; when a dental exam includes a simple, painless, visual and tactile oral cancer screening, it can save your life. The Oral Cancer Foundation urges you to find out if your local dentist is participating in Oral Cancer Awareness Month this April by visiting OCF’s event section of the website at http://ow.ly/8jzhN. If you do not see your dental practice listed, please encourage them to contact the Foundation for more information on how easy it is for them to participate.  Like other screenings you may receive, such as cervical, skin, prostate, colon and breast examinations, oral cancer screenings are an effective means of finding cancer at its earliest and highly treatable stage. Of all these screenings, the one for oral cancer is the least invasive and time-consuming.  It is also affordable and in many cases, it may even be free.

The Oral Cancer Foundation is a big believer in the development of strategic partnerships. In April 2012, OCF will again join forces with both professional societies and private sector companies who are stakeholders in this disease. The American Dental Association, the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, the Academy of General Dentistry and the American Academy of Oral Medicine form the core of the professional society sponsorship. OCF has also aligned with private sector entities Henry Schein Inc., LED Dental, and Bristol-Myers Squibb, who are asking their customer base to be active in this April’s endeavor. In addition, the 21 treatment facilities with head and neck departments that participated in 2011′s effort are expected to participate again in 2012. With the help of these partners in 2011, OCF was able to create over 2,000 screening sites/events, a ten-fold increase over any previous year.  These events, combined with 7 major walk/run awareness events coordinated by OCF, resulted in over 50,000 individual screenings for this deadly disease during April alone.  For 2012, the Foundation and its partners have set of goal of at least doubling those results.

Oral cancer is not a rare disease. Each hour of every day, one American dies of the disease, and four more Americans are newly diagnosed. These staggering statistics are the result of the public’s low awareness of the diseases risk factors, which makes these free screening events so crucial.  This disease can be defeated, but only with an informed public supported by involved professionals who want to make a difference in the world of oral cancer.

“Consumers worry about pain when it comes to the dentist, but the financial burden of yet another medical expense is the greatest concern of all. It’s worrisome that so many people are putting off dental care due to cost constraints,” said Nancy Metcalf, senior program editor, Consumer Reports.

“Because cost is an issue, consumers need to be clear about the line between dental care that is necessary and the procedures they can live without.  Many dentists are trained to push for procedures, both cosmetic and non cosmetic, that will boost their bottom line,” said Metcalf.  “We were struck by the finding that nearly a half of those who had had a cosmetic procedure had been prompted to do so by their dentist.”

Some examples of treatments that might not be necessary include teeth whitening, amalgam filling replacement, unnecessary restorations, precautionary removal of wisdom teeth, x-rays, and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) surgery.

The Cost Barrier

Seventeen percent of respondents who had a dental procedure for health reasons said they had delayed it, notes the report.  That’s a much lower percentage than in nationally representative surveys.  Even readers with insurance put off a treatment they needed; 23 percent did so because insurance wouldn’t cover the procedure, and 24 percent because they had already used up the maximum that their insurance plan would cover for the year.   According to Metcalf, there are several ways consumers can keep costs down or get by without insurance:

• Shop around and bargain.  Look up typical insurance paid rates in your area at FairHealthConsumer.org and HealthCareBlueBook.com, then ask providers to accept that amount, or less, as a cash payment.
• Consider Free and low-cost clinics and health centers.  Some community health centers offer dental care with fees based on the ability to pay. Consumers should call their local health department to find one nearby.  But they should expect to encounter waiting lists in some locations.
• Look into dental and dental-hygienist schools.  Consumers who are willing to be treated by supervised students can avail themselves of schools that offer free or discontinued care to the public. A list of schools is available at www.ada.org/267.aspx.
• Investigate dental discount plans.  For an annual membership fee of around $50 to $100, one can get access to a network of dentists who have agreed to discounted rates.  But Consumer Reports recommends that consumers watch out for pricey add-ons and extra procedures they don’t need.

The report notes that having dental insurance is better than not having it, especially if an individual’s insurance is job based. But don’t expect free or nearly-free care.  Consumer Reports’ survey found that of the 71 percent of respondents who had dental insurance, 90 percent received some sort of coverage.  But only 46 percent said it covered more than half of the cost.

Here’s what subscribers with and without insurance paid for some common dental procedures.  The costs are based on average out-of-pocket payments.

Sweetened with stevia leaf extract, ClayBrite is formulated with Calcium Montmorillonite clay, a nutrient-fortified mineral that is both highly absorbent and edible, as proven in experiments conducted by NASA and MIT. The natural toothpaste has been acclaimed for being effective against gum disease and cavity prevention. Minerals from Montmorillonite are known to naturally remove bacteria from the teeth and gums.

Since ancient times, people have used clay not only for cleaning teeth and preventing gum disease, but to also soothe digestive ailments, heal wounds and decontaminate unhealthy drinking water. “In France, Montmorillonite clay is sold by bulk in most health food stores. Its unique healing ability makes it one of the most popular detox remedies in Europe. ” says Zion Health sales manager, Marie Holmes. “Our Natural Minerals Toothpaste has received tremendous feedback from customers with unhealthy gums. The clay’s ability to absorb bacteria out of the gums has produced substantial results with as little as one month use.”

It is understandable that families are trying to be frugal with their finances during these tough times. While dental care may seem like an easy expense to cut, postponing regular dental checkups could result in a serious oral health problem and a more expensive treatment plan in the long run.

“When a patient is not seen at a regular three-month, four-month or six-month intervals, problems are left to progress, which leads to more expensive treatments such as crowns, root canals or periodontal surgeries,” said Dr. Tamara S. Brady, a PDA member dentist in Exton. “Not only are these procedures more expensive, they also may not be covered by a patient’s dental insurance.”

PDA has no statistics on whether more Pennsylvanians are avoiding dental checkups because of the economy. However, there is anecdotal evidence. Gallup-Healthways surveyed 177,000 Americans from January through June 2011. The survey showed that 35 percent, or more than one-third, of Americans did not visit a dentist in the last 12 months during this time period. Pennsylvania was close to the national average, at 33 percent.

“It is important to not skip your routine dental checkup appointments because it is not always apparent to a person when there is a dental problem that should be addressed,” said Dr. Brady. “Many patients build up significant plaque and tartar in between dental hygiene exams and these materials need to be removed professionally at your routine recall appointment. Also, dental decay can begin to develop and will need to be detected by a dentist via a dental exam and X-rays.”

Once a tooth begins to decay, it will never heal on its own. It’s better to catch the decay early before it progresses into a larger lesion. Dr. Brady said, “In cases of extreme decay a person may have to have the affected tooth extracted or removed.”

By avoiding the dentist to save money, patients are putting their overall health in jeopardy too. Dentists also check for more serious conditions, such as oral cancer and jaw diseases. They are trained to look for many systemic diseases simply through your regular oral exam. Lack of dental treatment can lead to or exacerbate medical conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Studies show that the mouth is connected to the rest of the body. Periodontal (gum) disease is linked to coronary artery disease (CAD), stroke, bacterial pneumonia, pre-term births and low-birth weight babies. In addition, oral health problems can negatively affect your ability to speak, chew and swallow properly, which can have an adverse impact on your ability to consume the nutrition your body needs to remain healthy.

Dr. Brady tells her patients that ideal preventive care between routine checkups includes the following:

Limit intake of foods containing sugar and starches. Sugary drinks should only be consumed with an accompanying meal. Water is the ideal drink in between meals.

Brush teeth with a soft bristled toothbrush and a toothpaste containing fluoride at least two times a day. Always complete right before bedtime.

Floss teeth at least one time per day, again it is best to complete right before bedtime.

Schedule and complete any prescribed dental treatment in a timely manner to decrease the risk of the disease progressing.