Sleep Apnea Linked to Cancer

Recently two studies reveled  a link between sleep apnea and cancer. A study at the University of Wisconsin found that patients with servere sleep apnea were five times more likely to develope cancer of some type. Patients with moderate sleep apnea were two times more likely to develope cancer.

Another study from the Spainish Sleep Network looked at five thousand people over seven years and found 65% of those with sleep apnea developed some type of cancer.

Greater deprivation of oxygen during sleep makes patients more likely to develope  cancer. Doctors recommend patients with signs of sleep apnea, such as snoring and fatigue should be tested.

Donated Dental Services

Donated Dental Services

As many of my patients know, I am a volunteer for an organization called Donated Dental Services. This is a program of Dental Lifeline Network. Since 1974 Dental Lifeline Network has been coordinating care for our society’s most vulnerable individuals.  People with disabilities or who are elderly or indigent.  I am one of   thousands of volunteer dentist across the country who donates time and materials to provide comprehensive care to these needy people in all 50 states.

Though volunteers like me donate our services,   some money is needed to support our work.  Dental   Lifeline Services manages the applications and qualification assessments, matches patients to participating dentists, coordinates care with specialists and provides support and treatment follow up for the patients.

            

Last year Dental Lifeline Services provided life-transforming care for 7,572 deserving individuals. Yet there are over 17,000 still on the waiting   list, and more call every day. All of us who partner with Dental Lifeline Network are committed to serving these desperately needy people, but it will be increasingly more difficult as previous financial resources are eliminated.

Please join me in making a gift that will restore dignity, hope and health to needy people. Each $1 donated generates $9 in life changing care. You can make your tax-deductible donation online at www.DentalLifeline.org  or mail your check payable to Dental Lifeline Network at 1800 15^th Street, Denver, CO 80202. If you have any questions please contact Heather O’Connor at 888-471-6334.

Donated Dental Services

 As Many of my patients know, I am a volunteer for an organization called Donated  Dental  Services. This is a program of Dental Lifeline Network. Since 1974 Dental Lifeline Network has been coordinating care for our   societies   most  vulnerable  individuals.  People   with  disabilities or who are elderly or indigent.  I am one of   thousands of volunteer  dentist across the country who donate time and materials to provide  comprehensive care to these needy people in all 50 states.

Though volunteers like me donate our services,   some money is needed to support our work.  Dental   Lifeline  Services  manages the applications  and  qualification  assessments,  matches patients to participating dentists, coordinates care with specialists and  provides support and treatment follow up for the patients.                                                                   

Last year Dental  Lifeline  Services  provided life-transforming care for 7,572 deserving  individuals. Yet there are over 17,000 still on the waiting   list,  and  more  call  every  day. All of us who partner with Dental Lifeline Network  are  committed  to  serving  these desperately needy people, but it will be increasingly more difficult as previous financial resources are eliminated.

Please join me in making  a gift that will restore dignity, hope and health to needy people. Each $1 donated generates $9 in life changing care. You can make your tax-deductible  donation online at www.DentalLifeline.org  or mail your check  payable to Dental Lifeline Network  at 1800 15^th Street, Denver, CO 80202 . If you have any questions please contact Heather O’Connor at 888-471-6334.

What is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease is a chronic disease that damages the gums and bone that support our teeth. It is the main reason why adult patients lose their teeth.

One of the earliest signs of periodontal disease is bleeding gums. Some people erroneously attribute bleeding gums to overzealous tooth brushing.  Gum tissues bleed and turn red because of the accumulation of   plaque, a soft film of bacteria, around our teeth. Inadequate daily oral hygiene allows this plaque to build up. When the plaque builds up over a prolonged period of time the gum tissue becomes inflamed. After several weeks the inflammation becomes chronic. Chronically inflamed gum tissue can become sensitive and is prone to bleed easily. While bleeding gums is one of the early signs of periodontal disease, bad breath is also a common sign due to the unpleasant odor of plaque.

The chronic inflammation of the gum tissue eventually elicits and auto immune response from our body which results in a breakdown and loss of bone surrounding the teeth. As the disease progresses the redness will increase. The gum tissue may appear swollen and might eventually recede. As the bone loss continues the teeth will become loose and shift position. Ultimately the teeth will be lost.

The good news is periodontal disease can be controlled. Daily flossing and brushing along with regular dental hygiene care can remove the plaque   that cause the problem and reduce the risk of periodontal disease.

What is Periodontal Dosease

Periodontal disease is a chronic disease that damages the gums and bone that support our teeth. It is the main reason why adult patients lose their teeth. One of the earliest signs of periodontal disease is bleeding gums. Some people erroneously attribute bleeding gums to overzealous tooth brushing.  Gum tissues bleed and turn red because of the accumulation of   plaque, a soft film of bacteria, around our teeth. Inadequate daily oral hygiene allows this plaque to build up. When the plaque builds up over a prolonged period of time the gum tissue becomes inflamed. After several weeks the inflammation becomes chronic. Chronically inflamed gum tissue can become sensitive and is prone to bleed easily. While bleeding gums is one of the early signs of periodontal disease, bad breath is also a common sign due to the unpleasant odor of plaque. The chronic inflammation of the gum tissue eventually jadfjelicits and auto immune response from our body which results in a breakdown and loss of bone surrounding the teeth. As the disease progresses the redness will increase. The gum tissue may appear swollen and might eventually recede. As the bone loss continues the teeth will become loose and shift position. Ultimately the teeth will be lost. The good news is periodontal disease can be controlled. Daily flossing and brushing along with regular dental hygiene care can remove the plaque   that cause the problem and reduce the risk of periodontal disease.

Poughkeepsie Dentist, Are Amalgams (Silver Filings) Safe?

In recent years some concern has arisen regarding the safety of amalgam (silver) fillings. Some small isolated studies seem to indicate that some of the mercury in amalgam (silver) fillings might   turn to vapor and be released in the mouth while chewing. The word amalgam is defined as a combination of diverse elements: a mixture. The silver fillings that dentists use are called amalgam. It is a compound composed of silver, copper, tin and zinc bonded together by mercury.

The few studies that seem to indicate that a possible health concern regarding amalgam are isolated studies. The results of those studies have never been duplicated in controlled environments with reputable scientist.

The American Dental Association (ADA) estimates that upwards of 75% of dentist use amalgam to restore teeth. The ADA also states it believes amalgam fillings to be a safe. Along with the ADA, the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the FDA believe amalgam is a safe an effective filling material. The only reason not to use amalgam is when a patient has demonstrated and allergy to the material.

Although the scientific evidence shows that silver fillings are safe many patients have expressed a preference not to use them. Some are still concerned about the mercury but most simply prefer the more esthetically pleasing alternative of composite or porcelain, the so called “tooth colored fillings”.

In our office we generally elect to use the tooth colored filling unless the situation calls for the need for some of the properties unique to the amalgam filling material.

For more information, please feel free to contact our office at (845) 471-4383.