Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Dental Did You Know

Mental Floss - Fact of the Day!

With the Olympic trials on TV and all of the excitement building for the London Olympics, I thought this random fact would be a perfect little tidbit for St. Louisans!

Did you know the 1904 Summer Olympic Games, held in St. Louis, included greased pole climbing, rock throwing, and even mud fighting.


Source: http://mentalfloss.com/amazingfactgenerator/?p=776#520#ixzz1yvVZlo1l


R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
Like us on Facebook!

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

News You Can Use

Waterlines in the Dental Unit

Water is transferred from one location to another through a series of waterlines.  While making this journey, the water can pick up a few microbes or germs called biofilm. The more tubing the water goes through, the more likely it is that biofilm builds up. 

The average dental unit consists of thin tubes that force the water through at an excellerated pace.  Recent studies have shown that this, along with the number of waterlines that the water has to go through increases the amount of biofilm in the water UNLESS the dentist has filters in place to filter the water.  The American Dental Association has stated that dentists need to hold the water in the dental units to the same standard as drinking water.  According to the American Public Health Association, drinking water cannot contain more than 500 colony forming units per million. 

Here at Smile Station Dental, we have filters that are maintained and replaced yearly to ensure the quality and health of the water being delivered at the dental units. Our patients continued good health is a priority of ours.


Source: Waterlines, Dental Unit - American Dental Association - ADA.org


R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
Like us on Facebook!

Monday, June 25, 2012

News You Can Use

DIAGNOdent - Diagnostic Tool


With the inception of embedding fluoride into tap water, dentistry has seen a decrease in dental caries (or cavities) over the past decade or so. Decreased dental caries means healthier, more esthetically pleasing teeth. In an effort to keep patient’s teeth healthy and beautiful, the dental field has developed new technology to detect caries earlier and more reliably.

While this technology is not new to Smile Station Dental, I thought I would take this opportunity to explain how it works and why we use it. The DIAGNOdent uses wavelengths to scan over the tooth. A healthy tooth will have little to no fluorescence. When the tooth has some decay, even decay hidden to the naked eye or not yet detectable by radiograph or explorer, the tooth will exhibit fluorescence relating to the degree of severity of the decay. The sound, along with the number reading, allows me to know the depth of the decay present in the tooth


There are many benefits to this alternative form of decay diagnosis. Dental decay can be diagnosed earlier and may save the patient the time and money it takes getting the cavity filled. Early detection also means the restoration necessary will be smaller and more of the natural tooth can be preserved. The DIAGNOdent also does not employ x-rays, therefore cutting down on the exposure to radiation (although this is not sufficient to detect all dental problems and therefore should not replace the use of radiographs). This technology is also fast, easy, and painless as the hygienist just runs the sensor over the teeth without the use of a dental explorer.

A study conducted in Switzerland by Dr. Lussi found that visual inspection only diagnosed 57% of hidden decay while the DIAGNOdent correctly diagnosed 90%.  This technology is a safe, reliable way to diagnose hidden occlusal dental caries that would otherwise be missed until the decay progresses.


Source: DIAGNOdent Classic (2010). In KaVo. Retrieved June 25, 2012, from http://www.kavousa.com/US/DIAGNOdent/Classic/Benefits.aspx


R. Eric Emery, DDS
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
Like us on Facebook!

Thursday, June 21, 2012

News You Can Use

Alternative Therapies for Dental Anxiety



Many people experience some anxiety during a visit to the dentist.  While this anxiety can be assuaged by explanations of procedures for some people, others continue to feel apprehensive during all types of visits to the dentist. The American Dental Association recently published an article on alternative therapies for dealing with dental anxiety, namely guided imagery, relaxation exercises, and hypnosis.

Guided Imagery includes visualizing a pleasant, restful place.  Concentrating on all of the sensory experiences that accompany the place, such as the smell along with the sights, helps you to be transported to the image created.  Breathing deeply and slowly while pushing away any other thoughts that try to intrude will allow you to concentrate on this peaceful place and maintain relaxation.

Relaxation Techniques include focusing on breathing, mindfulness meditation, and body scan.  These techniques will help you slow your heartrate and bring you to a state of relaxation, easing dental anxiety.  An example of these techniques would be to sit comfortably in the dental chair.  Breathe deeply and slowly with your eyes closed if necessary and focus on the word "calm" or "peace" while keeping other thoughts from entering your mind.  Keep concentrating on the word and your breathing until a feeling of relaxation occurs.  Another example is to focus exclusively on breathing.  Place your hand just below your naval so you can feel the rise and fall of your breathing.  Breathe in deeply and slowly, counting to three.  Hold it for a count of three and then breathe out for another three counts.  Continue to do this until feeling relaxed.

Hypnosis is a useful technique for those who want to control pain but cannot tolerate anesthesia due to health reasons.  It is also successful for those who cannot tolerate needles. Self-hypnosis is possible with the guide of a hypnotherapist.

These techniques are just suggestions for extras ways to help control anxiety experienced during a visit to the dentist.  They may not work for everyone.  For those who experience extreme dental anxiety, a licensed therapist may be a better option.


Source: Dental Health for Adults: A Guide to Protecting Your Teeth and Gums. Copyright © by Harvard University. All rights reserved.


R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
Like us on Facebook!

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Dental Did You Know

Smokeless Tobacco Use

While some may believe smokeless tobacco is healthier than cigarettes or other tobacco products, the American Cancer Society estimated that more than 39,000 people were diagnosed with oral cancer in 2011. Nearly 8,000 died of the disease in the same year. Smokeless tobacco use is thought to be behind many of these oral cancer cases.

Shockingly, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Study found that 11% of males in high school are using smokeless tobacco and four percent of male middle school students.

Believed to be a big influence in young men picking up the habit, Major League Baseball has begun to phase out the tobacco product, no longer allowing players to chew it or carry it in their uniforms while fans are in the stands. Follow the link below for the news release about the cessation of smokeless tobacco in MLB players.


http://www.deltadental.com/Public/NewsMedia/NewsReleaseMLBToQuitTheSpit201204.jsp



Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Tobacco Use Among Middle and High School Students-United States, 2000-2009. MOrbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 2010;59(33):1063-8

Source: Delta dental encourages major league baseball to quit the spit (tobacco) (2011, April 23). In Delta Dental. Retrieved June 20, 2012 from http://www.deltadental.com/Public/NewsMedia/NewsReleaseMLBToQuitTheSpit201204.jsp


 
R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
Like us on Facebook
!

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

News You Can Use

Secondhand Smoke and Periodontal Disease: Atherosclerosis Risk in Community Study

Did you know that secondhand smoke can increase your chances for periodontal disease? The American Journal of Public Health recently published a study comparing periodontal health of nonsmokers with little to no exposure to second hand smoke and nonsmokers with a few hours of exposure to secondhand smoke daily. Those exposed to some amount of secondhand smoke had a higher prevalence of severe periodontitis.  Check out the link below for the full article.

http://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/full/10.2105/AJPH.2010.300069


Source: Sanders, A. E., Slade, G. D., Beck, J. D., & Ágústsdóttir, H. (2011, December). Secondhand smoke and periodontal disease: Atherosclerosis risk in communities study. American Journal of Public Health101(S1), 336-346. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2010.300069
 

R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
Like us on Facebook!

Monday, June 18, 2012

News You Can Use

Sports, Energy Drinks are Causing Irreversible Damage to Teeth

A recent study on the increase in the consumption of energy and sports drinks is causing concern within the dental community.  These drinks contain high acidity which erodes the enamel on the teeth leaving it more open to decay, sensitivity, and other dental problems.  The age group who tend to consume the most sports drinks is adolescents. Considering the irreversible damage that these drinks can cause, it is even more alarming that younger generations are the ones consuming them the most.  For more information on this, follow the link to the full article below:




Source: Sports, energy drinks are causing irreversible damage to teeth (2012, June 13). In Colgate Oral And Dental Health Resource Center. Retrieved June 18, 2012, from http://www.colgate.com/app/CP/US/EN/OC/Information/Articles/ADA/2012/article/ADA-06-Sports-energy-drinks-are-causing-irreversible-damage-to-teeth.cvsp


R. Eric Emery, DDS
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
Like us on Facebook!


Thursday, June 14, 2012

News You Can Use

Dental X-Rays and the Threat of Radiation

A common concern among dental patients these days is the threat of radiation from dental x-rays. Exacerbating that anxiety, a peer-reviewed medical journal, Cancer, published an article supposedly lending evidence to the theory that dental x-rays are associated with the meningioma brain tumor. Several popular magazines and newspapers picked up on this study and republished the findings.

More recently, several peer-reviewed medical and dental journals have published subsequent articles discussing the brain tumor scare, including Nursing Times and Cancer Weekly. Cancer Weekly targeted experts from the Academy of General Dentistry to comment on dental x-rays. According to the AGD President Howard Gamble, DMD, FAGD, this study focused primarily on older x-ray techniques. New, digital x-rays reduce the radiation exposure by 90%, using a more focused beam and taking the x-ray faster. Dr. Gamble vehemently expressed the need for dental x-rays as there is no better manner to detect dental problems. Fear of radiation should not deter patients from getting the necessary x-rays.

The journal Nursing Times also critiqued the original article, stating that there were many problems with the methodology of the study therefore the results cannot be considered valid.

The method of collecting data on patient’s dental x-ray history was self-reported, meaning that each individual person in the study had to recall the x-rays they had had in their dental history. The authors of the study did not use dental charts to collect x-ray information, which would have been a more reliable measure. The subjects diagnosed with brain tumors were more likely to report having had x-rays as they were more cognizant of instances that would have produced their tumor.

The tumor patients also only reported having had more bitewing x-rays than the control group. The bitewing x-ray would produce less radiation than the full mouth or the panoramic, therefore leading to another self-report error.

Finally, the chances of a brain tumor are very small. Even with the old methods of dental x-rays, the amount of radiation a person came in contact with only translated to a 0.07% increased risk over a lifetime. The amount of radiation from the new digital x-rays used at Smile Station Dental is miniscule compared to the old techniques. Staying out in the sun for an hour will expose you to more radiation than a set of full mouth x-rays. The diagnostic capability of dental x-rays far outweighs the diminutive risk of radiation. With the new advances in dental technology, the chances of a brain tumor from x-ray radiation should only continue to abate.

Source: "The Academy of General Dentistry AGD Sets the Record Straight on Dental X-Rays." Cancer Weekly 24 Apr. 2012: 144. Health Reference Center Academic. Web. 14 June 2012. http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA288062845&v=2.1&u=tel_a_rhodes&it=r&p=HRCA&sw=w

Source: Claus EB, Calvocoressi L, Bondy ML et al. Dental x-rays and risk of meningioma. Cancer, April 10 2012. Web. 14 June 2012. http://www.lexisnexis.com.relay.rhodes.edu:2048/hottopics/lnacademic/?verb=sr&csi=8406&sr=lni%2855FG-19X1-JDSX-C4YC%29

R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
Smilestationdental.com
Like us on Facebook!

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

News You Can Use

Media Alert: Injectable Progesterone Contraceptives May Be Associated with Poor Periodontal Health

New studies have indicated an association between the injectable contraceptive depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) and poor periodontal health.  Women who are currently using DMPA or have used it in the past had poorer periodontal health as compared to women who have not taken DMPA.  See the link below for the full article

http://www.perio.org/consumer/contraceptives.htm

Source: Taichman, L., Sohn, W., Kolenic, G., & Sowers, M. (2012, February 6).  Media Alert: Injectable Progesterone Contraceptives May Be Associated with Poor Periodontal Health.  Journal of Periodontology. doi:10.1902

 R. Eric Emery, DDSSmile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO, 63122
(314) 821-7100
smilestationdental.com

Like us on Facebook!

Monday, June 11, 2012

News You Can Use

Thumb and Finger Sucking: Is It a Problem?

The sucking reflex is normal in babies but continuing that habit into childhood can have detrimental effects on the growth of the mouth and jaw as well as the position of the teeth. If the habit persists through the ages of 4 to 7, the position of the adult teeth may be off, forcing the two front teeth to be pointed outward. Habitual thumb sucking may also cause the child to have an open bite which may cause further problems in adulthood, such as premature tooth wear and dental decay. Sucking on pacifiers as the adult teeth come in could also cause the same issues.

The recommended way of dealing with a thumb sucking habit is through positive reinforcement, or praising the child when he/she is not sucking on the thumb or pacifier. Using charts or graphs to track the child's progress with a star each morning they wake up with a thumb/finger not in their mouth is a recommended way to help the child to quit sucking the thumb with an internal motivation.  Another way to treat thumb and finger sucking is to alleviate the anxiety that is causing the child to suck their thumb. Covering the thumb/finger with a bandage or sock may help remind the child not to suck on the appendage at night. Fixed appliances may also be perscribed by Dr. Emery.

 

Source: How Do I Care for My Toddler's Teeth? (2012). In Colgate Oral and Dental Health
Resource Center. Retrieved June 4, 2012, from http://www.colgate.com/app/CP/US/EN/OC/Information/Popular-Topics/Oral-Care-for-Children/article/How-Do-I-Care-For-My-Toddlers-Teeth.cvsp


R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO, 63122
(314) 821-7100
smilestationdental.com
Like us on Facebook!

Thursday, June 7, 2012


Hello and welcome to Word of Mouth, the dental blog for Smile Station Dental! I’m Dr. Emery, the main dentist here at the Smile Station.  I will be periodically posting random dental facts and jokes as well as the latest updates in the dental field! Feel free to stop by this website for answers to common dental questions and information regarding the less well-known aspects of dentistry.  I will also be posting new and exciting changes in the office, such as new staff members and technology.  Through this blog, I hope to bring you the latest dental information while working towards more open communication between the patients and myself.

R. Eric Emery, DDS
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd.
Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314) 821-7100
smilestationdental.com
Like us on Facebook!