In these uncertain economic times, it is not unusual for many patients to postpone their regular preventive care. Often viewed as unimportant if there are no obvious problems and “nothing hurts,” the routine dental checkup and cleaning are put on hold in the interest of saving some money.

Unfortunately, nothing can be further from the truth. To begin with, the checkup examination can often help you avoid or detect a dental problem early before it becomes painful both physically and financially. Regular dental care helps ensure healthy teeth and gums, which in turn strengthen a healthy oral immune system.

Good oral health is essential to maintaining total body health as research continues to emerge showing a strong correlation between dental disease and many systemic problems ranging from Alzheimer’s disease to pancreatic cancer. If you are a pregnant woman, you have a seven times higher chance of having a pre-term baby. You also have up to a ten times greater chance of heart attack or stroke, and a seven times higher chance of developing type 2 diabetes. Basically, gum disease is a major source of chronic low-grade inflammation which can have ravaging effects on many body organ systems.

Several recent studies, including one completed with 145,000 patients at Columbia University’s dental school, went even one step further. They found that maintaining or restoring good oral health actually reduced total health care costs up to 21 percent for the management of patients with various systemic diseases. A study performed in Japan concluded virtually the same. The actual potential health care cost savings could easily be in the trillions of dollars if this is considered on a large population scale.

So if you’ve considered putting off your last checkup, think again. There’s a lot to be said about being “penny wise and dollar foolish.”  Now is the time to be more preventive and proactive about your health as a healthy smile is also healthy for your wallet.

Dr. Gerald P. Curatola is a renowned aesthetic dentist and pioneer in the emerging field of rejuvenation dentistry, which improves patients’ overall health and appearance by integrating total wellness with cutting edge oral care and restorative procedures. In addition to his private practice, research, and work as a Clinical Associate Professor at NYU College of Dentistry, he is an internationally sought after speaker, author and expert who has been featured widely in print and broadcast media. For more information, go to DrGerry.net

Hey ladies! If you’re going for a dental cleaning with your friendly, neighborhood dentist, and he starts fondling your breasts, trust me, this is no medical therapy!

Yet this is the excuse that Dr. Mark Anderson has given for his actions in the felony charges that he is facing in the state of California. He is charged with 19 felony charges for skin-to-skin contact and one misdemeanor for allegedly touching a patient’s breasts over her clothing. So far, fourteen women have come forward.

The attorney for the defendant told jurors that his client massaged women’s chests as part of a medical treatment. I wonder what kind of “treatment” calls for that?!

Let’s face it ― this is just another example of negligent behavior on the part of a medical professional. It is important for patients to understand that if they feel uncomfortable during a physical examination they should speak out and ask questions.

I also truly believe that a chaperone should always be present during a physical examination so that both the patient and the doctor are protected from unsubstantiated allegations.

I’m going to be following this trial because I can’t wait to see how the defending attorney is going to prove that his client’s actions were part of a medical treatment. But you know lawyers, they will give the jury “an act with lots of flash in it, and the reaction will be passionate.”

 What you don’t know can hurt you. Your smile may be white but that doesn’t mean it’s healthy. And we’re not just talking about cavities here, we’re talking about gum disease (periodontitis) and its link to cancer, stroke, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and even pre-term, low-weight babies. While researchers are not exactly sure how unhealthy gums can directly lead to these conditions, statistically they have discovered that those with periodontitis are more likely to develop them. One study of 50,000 men in Britain found an increase of 50 percent in both cancer of the kidney and the pancreas.

Now for the good news: Gum disease is preventable and preventing it can be a pleasurable experience! Forget those uncomfortable and dreaded dental checkups. The latest treatment dentists are offering is an organic “green cleaning”— a unique mouth facial that can help thwart gum disease by rebalancing the oral environment and promoting a healthy oral immune system necessary for good dental health. It includes a complete dental/periodontal cleaning and a myofacial massage followed by a revitalizing vitamin/mineral gum mask. And every product used is completely organic.

 
How does this work?  First we remove all plaque and gently scale the teeth.  Next, we use an anti-oxidant-rich organic cleansing paste that is free of alcohol and detergents to avoid any harsh and potentially harmful chemicals. The myofacial massage is helpful in eliminating the lactic acid that builds up in facial musculature thus relaxing the face and mouth while the mask soothes the gums, promoting good gum health.

An added beauty bonus is that this type of cleaning can brighten your smile without bleaching. (I actually call mine the Organic Rejuvenation Mouth Facial because patients come out looking so fresh and relaxed).  Many of my patients find it so pleasant that they come in for this treatment four or more times a year.         

Dr. Gerald P. Curatola is a renowned aesthetic dentist and pioneer in the emerging field of rejuvenation dentistry, which improves patients’ overall health and appearance by integrating total wellness with cutting edge oral care and restorative procedures. In addition to his private practice, research, and work as a Clinical Associate Professor at NYU College of Dentistry, he is an internationally sought after speaker, author and expert who has been featured widely in print and broadcast media. For more information, go to DrGerry.net

Are you one of the ten million Americans who suffer from TMJ, which stands for Temporo-Mandibular Joint dysfunction and refers to what could be called simply a pain in the jaw?  TMJ causes a variety of symptoms including headaches, neck, shoulder, back and face pain, being unable to open the mouth comfortably, clicking sounds in the jaw joint and facial swelling.

Fortunately, sometimes TMJ just goes away by itself but sometimes it’s severe enough to require the wearing of a dental appliance.  But most sufferers find their TMJ is not debilitating, just uncomfortable.

TJM can be brought about by malocclusion or a bad bite, but the most frequent cause is often habitual teeth clenching.  If this is the cause of your TMJ, two things will help diminish or even eradicate the condition. 

First off, you must become aware of when you are clenching your teeth.  For many, this is an unconscious habit and the first step to overcoming it is to notice when you are holding tension in your jaw.  When you catch yourself clenching, relax your jaw and let your mouth hang open for a little while.  This will help relax the jaw. 

Another source of relief can be a myofascial TMJ massage.  This is a specialized massage of the face, neck and shoulders using a specific Chinese acupressure technique and a combination of essential oils designed to relieve tensions and muscle spasms, release lactic acid (which can cause muscle pain), reduce swelling and relax the jaw area. The massage therapist works on specific pressure points and uses a proprietary blend of essential oils in four separate steps—including Lavender and Sweet Almond to stimulate circulation, Peppermint and Lime to encourage vasodilatation (widening of the blood vessels), Grape seed and Cypress to detoxify and Chamomile and Thyme to calm and soothe.    A typical myofascial TMJ massage will last 45 minutes to an hour and the masseuse should show you some specific at-home techniques for you to do to yourself.   

Of course, should the pain in your jaw be severe, immediately visit your dentist to determine the best course of action.  For more information about myofascial TMJ massage, contact your dentist or massage therapist.

Dr. Gerald P. Curatola is a renowned aesthetic dentist and pioneer in the emerging field of rejuvenation dentistry, which improves patients’ overall health and appearance by integrating total wellness with cutting edge oral care and restorative procedures. In addition to his private practice, research, and work as a Clinical Associate Professor at NYU College of Dentistry, he is an internationally sought after speaker, author and expert who has been featured widely in print and broadcast media. For more information, go to DrGerry.net