Dana M. Nichols, DMD / Advanced Dental Concepts

10/31/2019

Happy Halloween

05/09/2019

Gum disease bacteria found to be a possible cause of Alzheimer's Disease.

New science details discovery of bacterial pathogen in brains of Alzheimer’s patients and possible evidence of disease causation UofL researcher part of international team of scientists, findings published today in Science Advances By Julie Heflin - January 23, 2019 4560 Share on Facebook Tweet on...

05/06/2019

Great to see Jon finally get the smile he wanted in less time than he thought with Invisalign! Straighter teeth for a healthier smile.

01/31/2019

Gum Disease: No Big Deal-Right? Wrong!

While many value the benefits of having healthy teeth and do all the right things to keep their gums in shape, there are those who feel, "Hey, they're only teeth." The latter, while never volunteering to have their teeth removed, do not attribute any major importance to them. For instance, untreated periodontal disease may lower birth weights of newborns. Now studies find that periodontal (gum) infections may contribute to the development of heart disease, which is the nation's number one killer. If that weren't enough, gum infections pose a serious threat to anyone whose health is already compromised due to diabetes or respiratory disease.

Let's first talk about how the gums relate to the heart. If you have a healthy heart, this doesn't pertain to you. Getting your teeth cleaned or having a gum abscess does matter if you have a weakened heart valve, as in mitral valve prolapse or aortic stenosis. Why? Bacteria from the mouth find their way into the circulatory system. They may be introduced when your teeth are cleaned or can arise from an infection. In either case, these "circulating" bacteria are normally gobbled up by the white blood cells before they do any damage. Should they pass through the body and make it to the heart unscathed, the chance exists that they will colonize on a weakened valve and cause a severe problem (bacterial endocarditis). For this reason, patients with any of the above conditions are suggested to pre-medicate with antibiotics when receiving dental care.

Researchers have found that people with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease as those without it and that diseased gums released significantly higher levels of bacterial pro-inflammatory components, such as endotoxins, into the bloodstream in patients with severe periodontal disease compared to healthy patients. Circulating bacteria can also impact on coronary artery disease. The walls of the coronary arteries can thicken due to the build-up of fatty proteins. Often blood clots form in these narrowed coronary arteries and normal blood flow activity is obstructed. This depletes the heart of the nutrients and oxygen it needs to function properly. Scientists now believe that bacteria found in the oral cavity can attach to these fatty plaques once they enter the bloodstream. Clinging to the heart walls, these bacteria may contribute to clot formation.

When it comes to diabetes, gum disease cannot be ignored. The link between the two has been well-documented. We have always known that diabetics are prone to more infections and heal slowly. Now studies find that periodontal disease may make a pre-existing diabetic condition worse. It has been shown that diabetics require less insulin once their gum condition has been treated. Since periodontal disease is a risk factor for the progression of diabetes, physicians should consider the periodontal status of their diabetic patients who have difficulty with glycemic control.

If you are experience any pain, swelling, bleeding or recession of your gums, make an appointment for an oral examination.

10/31/2018

Halloween fun at ADC!!!

09/26/2018

We Feel Your Pain

Anyone who endures the misfortune of a painful toothache knows that few experiences are more miserable. You want relief and you want it now. While home remedies may temporarily ease discomfort, the only way to get lasting toothache relief is to see a dentist.

Until you get professional help, you may get some temporary relief using these toothache home remedies:

Warm water

Some toothaches are caused by trapped food particles. Use dental floss to remove anything wedged between teeth and rinse out the mouth. This can actually provide toothache relief.

Over-the-counter (OTC) and natural pain relievers

Toothache pain can often be eased with OTC pain relievers. Aspirin and, especially if you have stomach issues (e.g. ulcers), ibuprofen generally work well. Also, consider applying ice to the affected area as an additional toothache remedy.

Hot and cold foods

Toothaches lead to tooth sensitivity, so treat your teeth gently. Avoid very hot and cold foods when suffering from a toothache.

Of course, toothache remedies depend on the source of the problem. An X-ray will usually be used to check for decay or other dental problems. Then we can perform the appropriate dental treatment, such as a tooth filling, tooth extraction or root canal.

Remember, toothaches don’t cure themselves. If they stop hurting, it could be a sign of a more serious problem. If you ever do suffer from a toothache, always seek professional help.

Ultimately, the best way to avoid toothaches is to practice good oral hygiene, including regular flossing and brushing. Another great toothache remedy is to take your dental visits seriously.

Call us today to make your appointment before you suffer from a toothache. An ounce of prevention is worth a root canal of cure.

08/14/2018

Smile Safety for Active Kids

Active kids call for active safety. And while helmets, goggles and knee pads protect your kids’ bodies, it's also important to protect their teeth. A mouthguard is an easy, reliable way to safeguard your child’s teeth during sports and play.

Mouthguards are especially crucial during contact sports such as football, hockey or boxing, where blows to the body and face are regular occurrences. But even non-contact sports, such as gymnastics, and recreational pastimes, such as skating or biking, pose a risk to the teeth.

In addition to cushioning your child’s teeth, using a mouthguard can prevent injury to the tongue, lips, face and jaw. Kids who wear dental braces should be especially careful to protect their mouths during physical activity. Custom mouthguards have even been show to reduce the risk and incidence of concussions.

A trip to the dentist can help you choose a mouthguard that’s right for your child. In general, there are three types of mouthguards to choose from:

- Stock Mouthguards. These pre-made protectors can usually be bought wherever sporting equipment is sold. Most dentists do not recommend their use because they cannot be adjusted to your mouth and provide only limited protection.

- Boil-and-Bite Mouthguards. Boil-and-Bite guards are softened with hot water and then molded over your child’s teeth. This somewhat custom fit leads to better protection and greater ease in talking and breathing. These are also available at most sporting goods stores.

- Custom Mouthguards. Your dentist can create a custom mouthguard designed specifically for your child’s teeth. These offer the best fit, comfort and protection, but may be more costly than store-bought varieties.

05/24/2018

Sweet letter from an even sweeter young patient. Glad to be a part of her service to our community.

05/02/2018

Extra Cavity Protection for Kids

You might think that cavities are inevitable for kids, but in truth, they’re not. A healthy diet mixed with good oral hygiene (brushing and flossing) plus regular dental visits can prevent tooth decay. Dental sealants can reduce the risk even more. In fact, studies show that dental sealants can reduce decay in school children by 70%.

Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings that are applied to the grooves of back teeth, where tooth decay is usually a problem for kids and teens. Sealants act as a barrier between the chewing surfaces by blocking pieces of food and germs.

Sealants work best on permanent molars, which usually erupt at age 12. It’s best to have sealants applied soon after the permanent molars erupt so that decay doesn’t have a chance to develop.

Because they’re so thin, dental sealants won’t have an effect on your child’s speech or make chewing difficult. Sealants can be clear or slightly tinted; either way, they’re virtually invisible to the naked eye.

Though they don’t take much time to apply, sealants can last 5-10 years. Dental sealants are some of the most comfortable, cost- and tooth-saving solutions around!

04/02/2018

THE GREAT AMALGAM DEBATE

For over a century, dentists have been using mercury/amalgam alloys as fillings for cavities. Amalgam restorations (silver fillings) consist of a combination of the metals silver, tin, copper, and zinc. They also contain mercury (and some of the older amalgam restorations contain considerable amounts of mercury). The fact that amalgam is inexpensive, durable, and easy for the dentist to work with in your mouth makes it the most widely-used restorative material in the world today. However, the mercury content of amalgam has been the subject of debate within the dental community for more than 150 years. It's a debate that's getting a lot of attention these days.

Medical and dental science has known for centuries that mercury is highly toxic. It's been proven that even just the smallest amount of mercury in a human body can damage cells. While some experts still say that there is no cause for concern over the health-related effects of mercury, a growing group of medical and dental professionals believe that mercury introduced into the human body does, in fact, produce a long list of negative health effects. These negative health effects include neurotoxicity, renal (kidney) dysfunction, birth defects, reduced ability to fight illness and disease, and compromised general health.

What's more, even low-level exposure to mercury has been shown to produce such symptoms as anxiety, fatigue, stress intolerance, headache, and depression. In 1984, the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology was formed to research the safety of amalgam restorations. Today, despite the fact that the US Public Health Service still says that there is no link between amalgams and health problems, a growing number of scientific studies indicate that amalgam mercury indeed can and does pose a health threat to patients.

Your comfort and safety is always our priority. As a result of the ongoing health controversy surrounding the use of mercury in amalgam fillings, our office policy will be to use only ceramic, porcelain or composite restorations that are stronger, better looking and environmentally friendly, when your restorations are being replaced due to decay, fracture or ill fitting restorations.

This office has taken steps to minimize your exposure to mercury v***r during removal of old amalgam fillings, to remove 99.5% of the total mercury from the dental office wastewater and to protect the environment of the local community with safe packaging and recycling of silver amalgams that have been replaced with mercury-free restorations.

03/15/2018

A Closer Look at Bonding


It's not unusual to feel shy about smiling if your teeth aren't everything you would like them to be. Stained teeth might inhibit you from smiling as often or as big as you normally would. Chipped teeth and gapped teeth can have a similar effect. But with a little dental bonding, you can start smiling again with confidence.

Dental bonding is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to make cosmetic improvements to your teeth.

During a bonding procedure, a tooth-colored resin, or plastic, is bonded to your tooth with an ultraviolet "curing" light. Unlike veneers and crowns, which are sometimes used to make similar improvements, a bonding procedure usually takes just 30-60 minutes per tooth and is often complete in just one dental visit. Another advantage of dental bonding: It requires less prep work than veneers or crowns, so more of your tooth enamel remains intact.

Bonding can even be used to replace existing amalgam (silver) fillings with natural-looking composites. It’s also ideal for treating cavities in the front teeth, where aesthetics are especially important.

Keep in mind that dental bonding isn’t the cure-all for every tooth defect. Bonding doesn’t work well on back teeth or larger cavities. But for the smaller changes, bonding can have a huge impact on the way you feel about your smile.

03/01/2018

Getting To The Heart Of Gum Disease

While many people value the benefits of healthy teeth, and do all the right things to keep their gums in shape, there are those who feel, "Hey, they're only teeth." Of course, if the latter group understood how gum disease contributes to other serious health issues, we bet they would whistle a different tune (provided they still have the teeth to do so).

Here’s an alarming medical fact: new studies reveal that periodontal (gum) infections may contribute to the development of heart disease, the nation's number one killer. Researchers found that people with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease as those without it and that diseased gums released significantly higher levels of bacterial pro-inflammatory components, such as endotoxins, into the bloodstream.

As the walls of the coronary arteries thicken, due to the build-up of fatty proteins, blood clots often form in these narrowed channels where normal blood flow activity becomes obstructed. This depletes the heart of the nutrients and oxygen it needs to function properly. Furthermore, scientists now believe that bacteria found in the oral cavity can attach to these fatty plaques once they enter the bloodstream. Clinging to the heart walls, these bacteria may further contribute to clot formation.

And if you have an existing heart condition, you must pay particular attention. While circulating bacteria are often gobbled up by the white blood cells before they do any damage, they can pass through the body and make it to the heart unscathed. In these situations, the bacteria then colonize on a weakened valve and cause a severe problem (bacterial endocarditis). For this reason, patients with any heart conditions are suggested to pre-medicate with antibiotics when receiving dental care.

Incidentally, gum infections also pose a serious threat to anyone whose health is already compromised due to diabetes or respiratory disease. When it comes to diabetes, gum disease cannot be ignored; the link between the two has been well-documented.

We have always known that diabetics are prone to more infections and heal slowly. New studies now find that periodontal disease may make a pre-existing diabetic condition worse. It has been shown that diabetics require less insulin once their gum condition has been treated.
Since periodontal disease is a risk factor for the progression of diabetes, physicians should consider the periodontal status of their diabetic patients who have difficulty with glycemic control.

If you experience any pain, swelling, bleeding or recession of your gums, make an appointment for an oral examination immediately. We’re here to ensure you don’t develop or worsen existing health conditions.