[caption id="attachment_1233" align="alignleft" width="285"]Your Dentist Can See Stress Your dentist can often see stress long before you begin to have other bigger health complications.[/caption]                 During routine dental examinations and cleanings, dentists are able to detect oral symptoms of stress, including orofacial pain, bruxism, temporomandibular disorders (TMD), mouth sores and gum disease. It can be hard for people to identify how much stress they have or how much it's affecting their body until they get sick. Regular dental checkups are often your first line of defense at early detection. If you’re feeling tense or anxious, you should keep a watchful eye for signs of the following stress-related disorders: Bruxism Bruxism is the technical term for grinding teeth and clenching jaws. Although it can be caused by sleep disorders, an abnormal bite or teeth that are missing or crooked, it can also be caused by stress and anxiety. Nervous tension, anger and frustration can cause people to start showing the signs of bruxism without even knowing it. Because people are often not aware that they grind their teeth, it's important to know the signs and to seek treatment if you suspect you may have bruxism. Some signs of bruxism include: -Tips of the teeth appear flat -Tooth enamel is rubbed off, causing extreme sensitivity -Tongue indentations Your dentist can examine your teeth to determine whether you may have bruxism and, if so, can suggest the best method of treatment. Temporomandibular Disorders TMD refers to a group of conditions that affects the jaw joint (temporomandibular joint) and the associated muscles used in moving the jaw and neck. Stress is thought to be a factor in TMD. Stressful situations can aggravate TMD by causing overuse of jaw muscles, specifically clenching or grinding teeth, as with bruxism. But even if you aren’t seeing signs of bruxism, such as flat tips of teeth or decreasing tooth enamel, you may still experience other symptoms of TMD, such as jaw joint pain or popping and clicking of the jaw. If you experience any of these, you should check with your dentist to see if TMD may be the cause. Gum Disease Studies at State University of New York at Buffalo, the University of North Carolina and the University of Michigan found that emotional factors played a significant role in the development of adult gum (periodontal) disease. Researchers also discovered that the severity of gum disease increased with amount of stress (from spouse, children, lack of companionship, finances or work) experienced in a patient's previous 12 months. In addition, the researchers found that those at greatest risk for gum disease were those who were highly emotional in dealing with financial problems. But there's good news: Patients who dealt with their financial strain in an active and positive manner had no more risk of severe gum disease than those without money problems. Canker Sores Canker sores (or mouth ulcers) generally occur inside the mouth and are not contagious. They often are triggered by trauma such as biting your cheek, jabbing your gum with your toothbrush or even overzealous tooth cleaning. Canker sores may also be triggered by stress. According to a report in General Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistry's clinical, peer-reviewed journal, studies have shown that students have a high prevalence of canker sores, yet the sores appear less frequently during breaks and after graduation, when stress levels are lower. Maintaining Your Oral Health When Stressed One of the best ways to fight the negative effects of stress is to remove the source of stress. If it's not possible, counseling, exercise such as yoga or jogging, relaxation or meditation or even massage and physical therapy may help reduce your tension. Depending on your symptoms, your dentist can also recommend specific treatments. For example, if you have bruxism, your dentist can fit you with a mouth guard to protect your teeth during sleep. For TMD, your dentist may suggest some adjustment, including orthodontic treatment, to correct teeth alignment that may be magnifying orofacial pain. Check your benefits to see what treatments are covered under your plan. People who are going through stressful events tend to compromise their oral care. To prevent stress from affecting your oral health, you should continue to brush twice a day, floss every day and have your gums and teeth regularly evaluated by your dentist. More info: https://www.deltadentalins.com/oral_health/stressed_out.html

Townie Meeting 2015

We love seeing you (and your mouths) every day. In fact, we live for it.  However, we have to grow and learn new things so we can provide the best care ever. Even better when those lessons can come in the form of a cool work conference...in Vegas. The entire Downtown Dental team recently attended the Townie Meeting in Las Vegas. Townie Meeting is not your average dental meeting: Townie Meeting is not only a reunion for Townies aka members of the largest online dental community (Dentaltown.com); but it is a yearly gathering of all dental professionals interested in education, entertainment and camaraderie: Dentists, Dental Students, Dental Hygienists, Dental Assistants, Front and Back Office Staff, Lab Technicians, and any other dental professionals. In addition to earning those valuable continuing education hours in topics ranging from practice management, CAD/CAM, hygiene, cosmetic dentistry and more, we partied with and become life-long friends with many of your favorite colleagues and also some nationally-known keynote speakers.  http://www.towniemeeting.com/ Best of all: we came back relaxed, newly schooled and motivated, and even more eager to see you.      
What goes on in your mouth affects what happens all over your body. Regular dentist visits can do more than keep your smile attractive — they can tell dentists a lot about your overall health, including whether or not you may be developing a disease like diabetes.  Evidence is continually being shown to support the belief that your mouth is a window into many health issues throughout your body. It has been proven that more than 75% of American adults suffer from various forms of periodontal (gum) disease and many don’t know it. Your oral health can also act as an early detection window to so many other chronic illnesses. Here are a few points to consider. Dentists detect disease. The risks of developing diabetes, osteoporosis and heart disease increase with age. Since symptoms of these conditions can manifest in the mouth, dentists may be key in diagnosing the diseases. Acid reflux – your dentist may notice before you do. Never have heartburn? That doesn't mean you don't have acid reflux. The good news is that if you have acid reflux, your dentist can detect symptoms of this disease during your regular oral examination. A woman’s mouth can say a lot about osteoporosis. If you're a woman, your dentist may be the first health professional to suspect you have osteoporosis — and refer you to a physician before the disease advances. Anxiety disorders contribute to oral health problems. People are anxious about going to the dentist for different reasons, including worrying about the effectiveness, feeling dentist is rushed, neglecting concerns, anticipation of pain, negative past experiences, or atmosphere. Dental health care can help Alzheimer’s patients. Proper dental care can maintain or increase an Alzheimer's patient's quality of life. Taking time to brush, floss, inspect his teeth and see his dentist on a regular basis should be top priorities.  The Washington Post recently published an article citing three studies that demonstrated a correlation between gum (periodontal) disease and Alzheimer's disease. Your dentist should know what's in your medicine cabinet. If you haven't talked to your dentist lately about what medications you're taking, you should. From over-the-counter antihistamines to prescribed blood pressure regulators, many medications can cause side effects that negatively affect oral health. The heart and mouth connection: oral health and heart disease. According to the CDC, heart disease is America’s number one killer. But did you know that heart disease and oral health are linked? How many teeth are in that cigarette pack? If you start smoking at age 18 and smoke one pack a day, you are likely to lose 4 or 5 teeth by the time you are 35 years old. How vegetarians can ensure good oral health While a vegetarian diet can have great overall health benefits, vegetarians need to be aware of how this lifestyle choice can affect their oral health. By eliminating certain food groups, vegetarians can risk missing out on some key nutrients that are essential for good oral health. Oral cancer screenings Your dentist can perform a screening for oral cancer, which is most frequently found on the tongue, the floor of the mouth, soft palate tissues in back of the tongue, lips, and gums. Early detection and treatment is essential. Oral health gives clues about eating disorders. More dentists are becoming the first line of defense when it comes to recognizing eating disorders in patients. A dentist may spot the warning signs of an eating disorder and be able to point parents in the right direction to get help. Learn more: https://www.deltadentalins.com/oral_health/toc-overall.html
Downtown Dental is donating 10% of all cosmetic dentistry procedures, and you get to choose the recipient! Giving back is an important part of our business. We also believe that when you focus on helping others, your body reaps health benefits. Since spring is the time most of us begin to think about improving our smiles for that big event (Mother’s Day, weddings, graduations, etc), we want to give you a reason to smile even brighter. When you schedule any cosmetic dentistry procedure in 2015, Downtown Dental will donate 10% to the non-profit/charity of your choice. Procedures include: •    Cosmetic Bonding •    Veneers •    Implants •    Tooth Whitening Downtown Dental cares about your oral health as well as the things closest to your heart. We’re excited to learn more about the organizations you care most about supporting as we join you in paying it forward. To learn more, call our office at (615) 254-1393 or email us at frontdesk@downtowndental.com. Want to pick a local charity? Learn more here by visiting the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee website: http://www.cfmt.org/give/
When brushing or flossing, have you noticed a difference in your gums? Are they bleeding or are they beginning to pull away from your teeth? Receding gums can be one of the first signs of gum disease, and this is a symptom that should not be ignored. Notifying your dentist is a one of the first things you should do when noticing an issue with your gums, but what can do you to stop your gums from receding? Don’t brush too hard- if you brush too hard or the wrong way, it can cause the enamel on your teeth to wear away and recede. Professional cleanings every 6 months- inadequate brushing and flossing can leave behind tartar, and tartar will eat away at your gums. That’s why it is so important to have this professionally removed every 6 months by your dentist, and daily brushing and flossing will keep the tartar level build up down. Do not use tobacco products- Tobacco users are more likely to have sticky plaque on their teeth that is difficult to remove, which can cause gum recession. Correct bad habits- Clenching or grinding your teeth can put too much force on the teeth, causing gums to recede. It’s also important to note that some women’s gums recede due to hormonal changes during pregnancy and menopause, and some people are more susceptible to gum disease because of their genes as periodontal disease is hereditary. Taking proper care of your teeth and gums goes a long way in the fight against gum disease. Make it a habit to brush after every meal and floss twice a day.
 We all know the effects on our body caused by smoking. From cancer to premature aging to lung disease, there are many health concerns when it comes to the habit that kills nearly half a million people each year. If that’s not enough to make you not want to smoke, there are also many pitfalls when it comes to smoking and your mouth. Smoking causes:
  • Bad Breath
  • Tooth discoloration
  • Inflammation of the salivary gland openings on the roof of the mouth
  • Increased build up of plaque and tartar on the teeth
  • Increased loss of bone within the jaw
  • Increased risk of leukoplakia, white patches inside the mouth
  • Increased risk of developing gum disease, a leading cause of tooth loss
  • Delayed healing process following tooth extraction, periodontal treatment, or oral surgery
  • Lower success rate of dental implant procedures
  • Increased risk of developing oral cancer
And it’s not just smoking cigarettes that put you at risk for all of the above, cigars, pipes and smokeless tobacco can lead to the same issues. Studies show that smokeless products have 28 chemicals that lead to oral cancers, and those same chemicals can lead to gum disease, bad breath, tooth discoloration and even plaque build up. Downtown Dental wants you to be healthy from head to toe. If you are a smoker, please keep an eye on your oral and overall health, and have regular cleanings and check-ups to keep an eye on your mouth, gums and teeth.
We had a wonderful time at the 2014 NASBA Employee Health Fair! It's always great to see our community businesses emphasizing health and wellness and providing their employees with opportunities to interact with health focused local businesses. Screen Shot 2014-05-24 at 11.26.27 AM NASBA has proven themselves to be a award winning in business strategy, growth, & service along with being recognized in past years as one of the best places to work!  It's no surprise that they have a history of focusing on health and wellness for their employees. We were in good company and appreciated the opportunity to show how easily addressing your dental needs can lead to overall health and wellness. As a vendor we spent time speaking with employees about the oral systemic connection that links oral disease and inflammation to MANY serious illnesses throughout the body.Screen Shot 2014-05-24 at 1.58.55 PM There are signs to watch for to see if you are at risk!  And awareness of these warning signs are the first step towards better overall health and wellness: Screen Shot 2014-05-24 at 2.01.00 PM And thanks to technological advancements in the dental industry experiencing these signs of dental disease and infection DOES NOT mean that you are in for an unpleasant trip to the dentist.  OUR WAY makes treating common dental diseases and ailments easy and pain free.

The easier the treatment, the more likely you are to get and stay healthy!

Screen Shot 2014-05-24 at 2.01.23 PM If you are a local business and are looking to provide your employees with more opportunities for education in healthy and wellness let us know. We look forward to the opportunity to be a part of your event!
Ready to get a brighter, whiter smile for summer? There are numerous options if you are looking to whiten your teeth, but which ones should you choose, and which should you stay away from? For best results, here are a few steps that we recommend you take before whitening your teeth:
  1. DENTAL CHECK-UP: Don’t rush to the store to purchase a teeth whitening kit, visit your dentist first! It’s important to start your whitening process with a dental check-up. Your dentist will evaluate your oral health by diagnosing and treating any issues, which is extremely important. During your check-up, your dentist will also determine whether or not you are a good candidate for a teeth whitening.
  2. THINK TWICE ABOUT OVER THE COUNTER KITS: There are now several options for teeth whitening online, in stores, on TV and even on the radio. The American Dental Association (ADA) has noted concern surrounding the safety of chemicals and procedures being performed without the care or supervision of a licensed dentist. The ADA recommends consulting a dentist as some chemicals could damage the hard and soft tissues in the mouth if not applied properly.
  3. SKIP THE KIOSK: Teeth Whitening Kiosks are popping up in malls and salons all over the country at a rapid pace, but beware. Just because the staff is wearing white lab coats or scrubs, does not mean they are licensed healthcare professionals. In most cases, they have no healthcare experience at all and are dispensing chemicals that could damage a person’s teeth and gums. Some states have gone so far as to ban such kiosks due to health concerns.
  4. WEIGH YOUR OPTIONS: Talk to your dentist about the pros and cons of the treatment options available for you. Your dentist will take into consideration what is right for you. They could determine you are a candidate for an in-office treatment, or even give you a product to take home and apply.
   
“Brush Your Teeth!” That was a term heard around my house, but what about flossing? Is it good enough just to brush? Proper and consistent brushing is very important, but flossing is even more important when it comes to preventing gum disease and tooth loss. Flossing cleans between the teeth where your brush cannot get, and food tends to hide and dental plaque develops. So if it’s so important, why do so many Americans not do it? According to recent studies, nearly half of all Americans say they do not floss. Here are some tips on how to floss better:
  1. Commit to flossing at least once a day for three to five minutes.
  2. Use at least 18 inches of floss and wrap most around your middle fingers to begin, gently flossing through the contours of your teeth.
  3. Think you cannot floss, or have a pain in your hands? Use a floss holder (disposable plastic Y-shaped device) instead of traditional floss.
  4. Consider purchasing a Waterpik, a new water flossing device on the market that power cleans between teeth and gums.
  5. Keep a travel size floss with you for post meal cleanings during the day.

Why smile? Why not? I am smiling writing about smiling. Has anyone ever looked at your and said quit smiling? I sure hope not. As a dentist, I want you to show your healthy teeth, and smile as much as you can. Smiling not only benefits you, but also those around you. Take a look at this list of reasons to smile.

SMILING…

  1. IS ATTRACTIVE AND MAKES YOU LOOK YOUNGER. Smiling is a natural facelift! Your face is lifted and you immediately look younger when you smile. Look in the mirror and frown then smile. Which looks younger?
  2. CHANGES YOUR MOOD. A smiling face stimulates a dopamine response. Dopamine is our reward or pleasure neurotransmitter, it provides us with feelings of pleasure to ensure we will repeat behaviors needed for survival.
  3. IS CONTAGIOUS. Smile and see if people smile back at you.
  4. REDUCES STRESS. Stress often times shows on our faces. Smiling has a positive impact on the balance of neurotransmitters, calming your nervous system and stabilizing your mood in the midst of everyday stressors.
  5. BOOSTS YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM. Stress causes your immune system to lower and makes your body more susceptible to catching a cold or developing the flu. Smiling can keep your body relaxed and happy, leading to a healthier body.
  6. LOWERS YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE. Back to the stress factor. Lower stress means lower blood pressure. High blood pressure can lead to headaches, stroke or even heart attacks.
  7. CREATES ENDORPHINS. A smile stimulates the creation of endorphins, the neurotransmitters that relieve pain, heighten self-esteem, create mild euphoria. Endorphins are best known for their positive effects on mood after physical activity. For runners, it’s the runners high. Just think how great a smiling runner must feel!
  8. IS A NATURAL ANTI-DEPRESSANT. When you smile, you feel better. When we smile, our brain releases serotonin, which leads to having a positive and happy mindset. Serotonin plays a role in your body temperature, sleep, pain, mood and appetite and improves self-esteem, our sense of well-being.