Happy Halloween from the Maroon Family! BOO!

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The Facts About TMD...

Do you experience pain in your face, ears, below or in front of your ears, or headaches for which your medical doctor has not found a cause? Do your jaw joints, located in front of your ears, hurt when you chew or do they make clicking, popping or crackling noises? If so, you may be suffering from TemperoMandibular Disorder - often called TMD.

The temperomandibular joints - or TMJs - are located on both sides of the face in front of the ears, connecting the lower jawbone to the skull. They're the most complicated joints in the human body, and they allow us to open our mouths wide and move them from side to side.

Symptoms of TMD affect millions of North Americans and can appear with no apparent cause. They can also appear after trauma, such as a traffic or bicycle accident, or a blow to the face. Teeth clenching, excessive gum chewing, a bad bite, nail biting or cradling the phone between your shoulder and head can cause or exacerbate TMD.

Stress and tension may awaken or aggravate an existing TMD condition. However, stress alone does not cause this disorder if a patient has good oral health and a balanced bite.

To diagnose TMD, a thorough exam is essential. Let us help you determine if the cause of your discomfort is your jaw joint, and from there, if necessary, determine a treatment plan that will give you relief.

Call us at 860-828-3933 or email Contact@AdvancedDental.com for your appointment today and you'll soon be on your way to better dental health.

Prime Attraction

Get what you need

Is 50 really the new 40? It seems so. men and women today feel and act ten years younger than their biological age. Midlife is a strong, powerful time of life in every way and you can see the influence you command in the number of products tailored just for you. A prime example is the number of esthetic innovations created to enhance your smile, like beautiful natural-looking crown and implant restorations.




You'll like them because...

You're an experienced and savvy consumer

• Long-lasting natural-looking materials resist chipping, staining and cracks.
• Improvements in options and technology have made procedures more time-efficient and patient-friendly.

You're health conscious

• Your damaged or discolored tooth can be covered, protected and strengthened with a single crown.
• Bone loss can be prevented by anchoring a permanent new tooth into the jawbone by combining a single crown with a dental implant.
• Missing teeth can be replaced with several replacement teeth attached to a secure crown or implant bridge restoration to prevent your other teeth from drifting and altering your ability to eat, speak and socialize.

You love to look great!

• Crowns made of natural-looking porcelain are beautiful and designed to blend in so well with neighboring teeth that no one can tell that you have them.

Don't let your smile give away your age. Let us give you a midlife smile with style! Call us at 860-828-3933 or email Contact@AdvancedDental.com today for a complimentary consultation where we'll help keep you smiling for many years to come!

Dear Doctor: Comedians that make us smile!

For years, comedians and dentists have shared one common trait... the ability to make us smile!


As far back as the ancient Greeks, comedians have taken the common routine of life and turned it into comedy and farce. Dentistry especially has provided one of the richest veins of material for stand-up, skits, situation comedies and even books. It ...seems everyone remembers a favorite comedy routine about visiting a dentist: toothaches, drills, shots ñ practically anything dental - whose memories still bring a smile or chuckle.


Maybe it's old-fashioned nervousness or anxiety people may have about seeing the dentist, or the somewhat unbelievable notion that something as small as a tooth can cause such a big ache. Or, maybe it's just because one of the best-known anesthesics is commonly known as "laughing gas."


Whatever the reason, our favorite comedians often draw from dentistry with hilarious takes, that drown us in tears of laughter. Don't get us wrong, dentists don't take their profession or their mission lightly. But it's always good for the soul to take a lighthearted look at ourselves and what we do once in awhile, to help us empathize in seeing things from a patient's point of view.


So, in the spirit of good humor and of course smiling, here's a sampling from some of our favorite comedians and their take on dentistry. We can't guarantee that generous doses of these comedians will necessarily improve your dental health, but they will certainly improve your mental health.


Read More...

PET DENTAL DISEASE: THE SILENT KILLER OF PETS!

Did you know that 80% of dogs and 70% of cats over age 3 have some kind of dental disease? Left untreated, it can lead to heart, liver and kidney disease. That's why pet dental disease is called the "Silent Killer of Pets."

October is National Pet Wellness Month - the perfect time to educate pet owners about the importance of preventive pet health care.

START WITH YOUR PET'S SMILE

Oxyfresh combines the best ingredients nature has to offer with safe science to create the highest quality formulas you'll find anywhere to promote optimum dental health for your pet. You'll love the results!

Add some TLC to their water bowl!

Pets need water anyway, why not nourish it? Pet Oral Hygiene Solution contains the active ingredient Oxygene to freshen pet breath and help reduce the formation of plaque and tartar that can lead to dental disease, and its 100% safe. Just one teaspoon of this tasteless, odorless solution added daily to your pet's drinking water does the trick - it's that easy!

Protect their smile - and their health!

It's more than a breath-freshening toothpaste. Pet Gel with Oxygen cleans and deodorizes gums to help protect agains the buildup of germs that can threaten your pet's health. This formula also contains aloe to soothe tissues and speed the healing or oral wounds. Use Pet Gel whenever you brush, and also when your pet needs immediate relief from oral discomfort.

Pets have teeth too...brush them!

Brushing your pet's teeth regularly is the best way to fight dental disease. The Triple-Pet Toothbrush is uniquely designed with a triple-sided head to make brushing quicker, easier and more effective. For superb toothpaste, Oxyfresh Pet Gel has got you covered.

For more information or to try these products today visit http://www.oxyfresh.com/AdvancedDental/default.asp

Celtics' trainer Ed Lacerte awarded

Congratulations to my high school buddy, Ed Lacerte, on receiving and having the following award named for him. Ed hasn't changed since high school...he was always someone who cared more about others than himself. Cheers Ed!

From The Boston Globe - September 25, 2009

The NBA Athletic Trainers Association has established the Ed Lacerte Service Award, named for the Celtics’ trainer. Lacerte, who has been with the Celtics for 22 years, received the inaugural award.

Lacerte, a Lowell native, is the longest-service trainer in Celtics’ history, and has also been the team’s physical therapist and condidtioning coach for eight seasons.

The official NBATA release follows:

The National Basketball Athletic Trainers Association (NBATA) has recognized Boston Celtics Athletic Trainer Ed Lacerte by creating and awarding him the Ed Lacerte Service Award. Lacerte was honored at an awards ceremony held in Chicago in May for his contributions and exceptional service and assistance to the NBATA.

This honor is given out to a member of the NBATA every two years by the outgoing chairman. Lacerte has been extremely involved with the NBATA having served as the treasurer and executive committee member for the past 21 years.

Lacerte enters his 23rd season with the Celtics in 2009-10, making him the longest-serving athletic trainer in the club’s history. In addition to his responsibilities as Athletic Trainer, Lacerte has acted as the team’s Physical Therapist and Strength and Conditioning coach for eight of those 23 seasons.

“Ed Lacerte embodies the definition of Service, his selfless and tireless dedication to the Boston Celtics, as well as the National Basketball Athletic Trainers Association is unmatched by any of his peers. He is the model example of what our organization has strived to portray since its inception over 35 years ago,” NBATA Chairman Wally Blase remarked. “It is only fitting that an award for exemplary service be named in his honor, as well as bestowed to him in its inaugural year. To give an idea on how much dedication and service Ed has shown to the NBATA, the longest tenure that one can have to the executive committee is 6 continuous years, while serving as chairman elect, chairman, and past chairmen, upon the completion of the 6th year that member is relieved of his service to the executive committee. Ed has now served 21 continuous years and is still serving! This is type of service will never be duplicated again by another member. On behalf of the NBATA we say thank you Ed.”

Lacerte is the only athletic trainer in the league who is a licensed physical therapist, a certified and licensed athletic trainer, a certified strength and conditioning specialist and a board certified sports clinical specialist. In 1993, Lacerte was recognized as NBA Athletic Trainer of the Year, one of countless other awards he has received throughout his career. He also served as the trainer for the 1992 gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic Basketball “Dream Team.”

A native of Lowell, Massachusetts, Lacerte has stayed close to home throughout his career. He graduated in 1982 from Boston University with a degree in Physical Therapy and earned a Master’s in Education in 1987 from the same institution. Lacerte worked as Head Athletic Trainer for the Boston University hockey and football teams from 1982 to1985.

7 Tips For A Tiptop Smile!

Which would you choose?

Improving the color, shape, or position of your teeth can improve the way you feel about yourself. Here at a glance are seven tips for a tiptop smile that looks completely natural and feels great!

1. Teeth Whitening - Instantly brighten your smile.
2. Tooth-Colored Fillings of Composite Resin or Porcelain - Make tell-tale dark fillings a thing of the past.
3. Tooth-Colored Bonding - Cover deep-rooted stains, repair small cracks or chips, fill in gaps and recontour teeth.
4. Natural-Looking Porcelain Veneers - Conceal spaces, crooked, chipped or discolored teeth.
5. Natural-Looking Crowns - Restore severely damaged or broken teeth
6. Natural-Looking Bridgework & Dental Implants - Replace missing teeth and restore appearance and function to your smile.
7. Natural-Looking Partial & Full Dentures - Replace missing teeth and prevent further damage to your smile.

Whatever you decide, Advanced Dental has the ability to give you the smile of your dreams. Give us a call at 860-828-3933 or email Contact@AdvancedDental.com to discuss your "perfect smile" today!

Just In Time

You get to decide!

Do you adhere to the Before Flossophy or the After Flossophy? People can be surprisingly passionate about when to floss...before or after they brush.

Even dentists can't always agree! In a poll conducted by the American Academy of Periodontology, 40% of dentists recommended flossing before you brush, 36% after you brush and 24% thought it didn't matter whether you flossed before or after brushing.

Truthfully, as long as you remember your home care routines and maintain your hygiene recare schedule, you & your teeth will be happy!

So, in no particular order...

• Floss once - to clean between your teeth and below the gumline.


• Brush gently at least twice a day (preferably after eating) - to remove food & bacteria from your teeth, gums and tongue.


• Rinse often throughout the day - we prefer that you use Oxyfresh mouthrinse, however even plain water can keep bacteria at bay when there's no time to brush.

If you have any questions or concerns about your dental care, please contact us at Contact@AdvancedDental.com or give us a call at 860-828-3933. We LOVE answering questions about teeth!

You Can Do It - Discover Your Inner Balance

It's all about the balance. Really. A lifestyle that balances work with stress-relieving play and that pays attention to nutrition and diet is a healthy one. That's the macro level. At the micro level, small imbalances in the pH of your blood, for example, can create changes in the pH of your saliva, altering your mouth's environment. In other words, your oral health can impact and be impacted by your overall health and here's how...

Plaque, the thin film on your teeth, is a biofilm and a bacterial ecosystem within the larger bionetwork of your mouth and body. When the scale tips so that good bacteria are overtaken by those that are harmful, red swollen gums that bleed easily, gum and bone recession, and tooth loss can occur.

Tartar is the conspicuous, cement-like substance that plaque hardens into when you allow it to build up. Tartar can break the natural protective seal that your gums provide, allowing oral bacteria into your bloodstream. Experts believe that toxic bacteria from your gum infection can trigger your immune system into a constant state of alert.

Gum disease has been linked to systemic and inflammatory diseases including heart disease, stroke, osteoarthritis, diabetes, cancer and lung disease.

These complex interactions mean that a one size fits all approach to life, health and your oral health care is no longer sufficient. That's why, at Advanced Dental, we customize your professional oral health care regimen to suit your needs. At each visit we examine your mouth for any changes and make appropriate recommendations to keep your mouth, and you, healthy!

Weighing In - Fight Diabetes!

Did you know that diabetics are more likely to have gum disease than others and that those with gum disease find it more difficult to control blood sugar levels? Or that 90% of people newly diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes are overweight? In addition to visiting our office every 3 months for preventive oral hygiene visits, weight loss and exercise could go a long way to preventing or managing diabetes - and your oral health!

A regular routine of physical activity is ideal, but still, you can find inventive ways to burn calories!

• Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
• Try hiding the remote. Research shows that thin people get up and move around more, tend to fidget more, and sit less.
• Do some eco-exercise - instead of driving, ride your bicycle when you can.

It's important for everyone to maintain healthy routines for oral and overall health.

Tooth helps restore desperate woman's sight

It really is an "EYE" tooth! Who would have known?

Check out this story on CNN.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/09/16/tooth.eye.vision/index.html

Sobering Statistics - Why annual oral cancer exams matter

By now you've heard us emphasize many times that the evidence linking gum disease to systemic diseases like diabetes and heart and stroke continues to grow. That's why we're so thorough at your checkups and focus on prevention and home care routines to maintain your oral health. Another important priority we'd like to stress is the need for regular oral cancer exams.

Recently, more than 25% of oral cancer victims have been under age forty and have none of the known lifestyle risks like tobacco, alcohol use, diabetes or HIV. It has now been established that people can develop oral cancer through the human papilloma virus (HPV). Most types of HPV are harmless - skin warts for example, are very common. But some types that can be sexually transmitted have been linked to oral cancers.

If oral cancer is caught early, the five-year survival rate can be as high as 90%. If not, the rate drops significantly. You can help us by pointing out any abnormal condition you might have seen or felt in your mouth, even ones that seem trivial like a small canker or cold sore that just won't go away.

And because in its earliest most-treatable stages oral cancer usually causes no pain or discomfort, we will perform an oral cancer examination for all of our adult dental patients, from age 20, every year.

Healthy Gums and a Healthy Heart: The Perio-Cardio Connection

Healthy Gums and a Healthy Heart: The Perio-Cardio Connection
Newly released clinical recommendations encourage cardiologists to examine the mouth and periodontists to ask questions about heart health
 
CHICAGO – (June 1, 2009) – Cardiovascular disease, the leading killer of men and women in the United States, is a major public health issue contributing to 2,400 deaths each day. Periodontal disease, a chronic inflammatory disease that destroys bone and gum tissues that support the teeth affects nearly 75 percent of Americans and is the major cause of adult tooth loss. And while the prevalence rates of these disease states seems grim, research suggests that managing one disease may reduce the risk for the other.  

 
A consensus paper on the relationship between heart disease and gum disease was recently published concurrently in the online versions of two leading publications, the American Journal of Cardiology (AJC), a publication circulated to 30,000 cardiologists, and the Journal of Periodontology (JOP), the official publication of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP). Developed in concert by cardiologists, the physicians specialized in treating diseases of the heart, and periodontists, the dentists with advanced training in the treatment and prevention of periodontal disease, the paper contains clinical recommendations for both medical and dental professionals to use in managing patients living with, or who are at risk for, either disease. As a result of the paper, cardiologists may now examine a patient's mouth, and periodontists may begin asking questions about heart health and family history of heart disease.   
 
The clinical recommendations were developed at a meeting held earlier this year of top opinion-leaders in both cardiology and periodontology. In addition to the clinical recommendations, the consensus paper summarizes the scientific evidence that links periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease and explains the underlying biologic and inflammatory mechanisms that may be the basis for the connection. 
 
According to Kenneth Kornman, DDS, PhD, Editor of the Journal of Periodontology and a co-author of the consensus report, the cooperation between the cardiology and periodontal communities is an important first step in helping patients reduce their risk of these associated diseases. "Inflammation is a major risk factor for heart disease, and periodontal disease may increase the inflammation level throughout the body. Since several studies have shown that patients with periodontal disease have an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, we felt it was important to develop clinical recommendations for our respective specialties. Therefore, you will now see cardiologists and periodontists joining forces to help our patients."
 
For patients, this may mean receiving some unconventional advice from their periodontist or cardiologist. The clinical recommendations outlined in the consensus paper advise that periodontists not only inform their patients of the increased risk of cardiovascular disease associated with periodontal disease, but also assess their risk for future cardiovascular disease and guide them to be evaluated for the major risk factors. The paper also recommends that physicians managing patients with cardiovascular disease evaluate the mouth for the basic signs of periodontal disease such as significant tooth loss, visual signs of oral inflammation, and receding gums.
 
While additional research will help identify the precise relationship between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease, recent emphasis has been placed on the role of inflammation - the body's reaction to fight off infection, guard against injury or shield against irritation. While inflammation initially intends to have a protective effect, untreated chronic inflammation can lead to dysfunction of the affected tissues, and therefore to more severe health complications.
 
"Both periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease are inflammatory diseases, and inflammation is the common mechanism that connects them," says Dr. David Cochran, DDS, PhD, President of the AAP and Chair of the Department of Periodontics at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. "The clinical recommendations included in the consensus paper will help periodontists and cardiologists control the inflammatory burden in the body as a result of gum disease or heart disease, thereby helping to reduce further disease progression, and ultimately to improve our patients' overall health. That is our common goal."
 

Velscope is one of the TOP 100 Products of 2009!

I thought you might be interested in reading this press release from Oral Health Journal. Advanced Dental has two Velscope units that we've been using for oral cancer screening for the last two years. Your health is our number one concern. Every patient should have a Velscope screening at least once a year. This is done at one of your hygiene visits. If you have any questions regarding the Velscope or oral cancer, please contact our office and we'll be happy to assist you.

 

Source: www.oralhealthjournal.com
Author: press release

LED Dental Inc. announced today that its VELscope system was named one of Top 100 Products of 2009 by Dentistry Today.
Ralph Green, D.D.S., M.B.A., president and CEO of LED Dental's parent, LED Medical Diagnostics, said, "When you consider that there are over 50,000 products in the dental industry, to be named one of the top 100 products for three consecutive years is quite an honor."

Since its introduction, over 4,500 systems have been sold worldwide, and over 4.5 million VELscope examinations have been conducted. LED Dental estimates that over 3 million examinations will be conducted in 2009 alone.

The tissue fluorescence visualization technology platform on which the VELscope system is based is the culmination of over $50 million in research funded by the National Institutes of Health and other respected institutions and conducted by such leading organizations as the British Columbia Cancer Agency and the University of Texas's M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. The VELscope system also helps clinicians discover precancerous lesions and many other types of oral mucosal abnormalities.
Independent surveys of dental practices using the VELscope system indicate extremely high satisfaction among clinicians and patients alike. Clinicians report satisfaction levels of 90% and higher for the VELscope system's ability to detect lesions that otherwise would have been missed, for ease of incorporation into the practice, and for patient comfort and convenience. Surveys also indicate that VELscope exams take only 2-to-3 minutes, and that patients appreciate the fact that no distasteful rinses or messy dyes are involved. Moreover, the exams are considered affordable by the vast majority of patients and can be financially beneficial to the practice. Said Dr. Green, "This impressive feedback is a clear indication that every dental practice should have a VELscope system." In fact, he points out, several customers have added a second system to their practice.

"Our mission is to help reduce the mortality rate of oral cancer by 70%, which is approximately the impact on cervical cancer mortality that is attributed to the Pap smear," said Dr. Green. "We have a long way to go, but with the cooperation of dental practices who are willing to step up and act as the first line of defense against this disease, I am confident that we can get there."

Thought for Apr 23...

The basic division among humans is between those who hope and those who accept the unjust status quo.

John Carmody

 

Thought for Apr 22...

Friends always answer when you call, reach out and help you when you fall; they strengthen you in times of stress and add much to your happiness.

William Arthur Ward

 

Thought for Apr 20...

You are your own greatest asset—there is nothing you cannot do.
No one can keep you from dreaming your dreams,
      and only you can prevent them from coming true.
Your achievements are not determined by your ability alone,
      but by the desire you possess to reach them.
There are no worlds outside of those you create for yourself,
      and the only boundaries are those
      you establish and choose to live within.
Never be afraid to defend your decisions, regardless.
No one can possibly know what is best for you other than yourself.

Terry Everton

HoeDown ThrowDown Video

The FAMOUS HoeDown ThrowDown spoof video that my daughter's made at their sleepover the other night. Many of you have already heard the story about how I woke up at 2am to find every light in my house on and no one around. Here's the reason why!



I have to admit...I love the video!

Headaches - The Dental Connection

Headache is one of the leading causes of physician visits by patients and accounts for an enormous annual expenditure for pain relief medications. Yet few people think of going to a dentist for headache treatment. You probably know that what we dentists call occlusion is what most people refer to as their "bite" – the way their teeth come together. What many people do not know is how far-reaching the impact of a poor bite can be.

For example, did you know that a poor bite can be the cause of pain almost anywhere in the head and neck area? Headache is a prime example. Yet, headaches in the temple region are very commonly related to the bite and, correcting the bite often does away with the headaches.

To be sure, there are other causes of headache and head or neck pain. Most patients with this type of pain have already seen a physician to rule out other possible causes such as tumors, eye-strain, etc. With the post-graduate training our staff has completed, and state-of-the art equipment that we have acquired, we are able to scientifically rule in (or rule out) your bite as a possible source of pain.

I give you this as just one example of problems that may be caused or affected by your bite – a cause that most people aren't aware of. There are many others and they are listed as symptoms on the enclosed checklist. We now routinely use this checklist with our patients to determine and record any of those symptoms that you may have. We also record what we refer to as "signs" that your occlusion may have problems. We invite you to look over this list of symptoms and see if any pertain to you – give yourself a "self-test."

If you have any of these symptoms or, if you have some of these "signs," it would be in your best interest to have your occlusion evaluated. With cosmetic dentistry so popular today, it is especially important to make sure your bite is healthy prior to proceeding. A bad bite is often the cause of poor aesthetics, and if the bite is not corrected as part of the treatment process, the cosmetic procedure may be doomed to premature failure.

I hope that you have found this information of interest. If you have questions after reading this our office would be more than happy to provide you with further information. If you have friends or loved ones that you suspect may be suffering from these conditions, you would be doing us, and them, a favor to pass this information along.

Yours for better dentistry,

Dr. Mike Maroon

Food allergies may mimic seasonal allergies

(CNN) -- Have you ever experienced itchiness or hives in your mouth
area after eating raw fruit or vegetables? Do you also have seasonal
allergies?

People with allergies to birch pollen may have associated allergies to
raw apples.

If so, you may have oral allergy syndrome, whose symptoms occur because
the proteins in some fruits and vegetables are similar to proteins in
some pollens.

"They're not identical proteins, but they're similar enough to confuse
the immune system to have these reactions," said Dr. Robert Wood,
chief of pediatric allergy and immunology at Johns Hopkins Children's
Center.

That's not to say that everyone with pollen allergies has oral allergy
syndrome. A person may sneeze all spring long and not have any obvious
food sensitivities.

But oral allergy syndrome may help explain why some people have
seemingly mysterious reactions to certain foods -- for example, raw
apples but not cooked apples. That's because there are proteins in raw
apples that are very similar to the proteins in birch pollen, experts
say. Read about pollen predictions for this season

Cooking the offending fruits and vegetables will "denature" or change
the shapes of these proteins, so people with oral allergy syndrome will
usually be able to eat them without a problem, said Dr. Stanley Fineman,
allergist with the Atlanta Allergy and Asthma Clinic.

Some people find that the peel of a fruit has more allergens than the
meat, so peeling first helps, Wood said.

Because the reaction is usually localized to the mouth area, including
lips, tongue, and throat, some people will choose to ignore the symptoms
and continue to eat offending foods, Wood said. For people with
reactions confined to the mouth, this is a "reasonable" choice they
could make. Learn more about managing food allergies »

"Patients will typically decide on their own, without any discussion
with a doctor, whether they enjoy the apple enough to put up with an
itchy mouth, or whether they hate the itchy mouth enough to avoid the
apple," he said.
-------
POLLENS AND ASSOCIATED FOODS

Ragweed: Bananas, melons (watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew), tomatoes

Birch: Apples, carrots, celery, peaches, pears, potatoes, hazelnuts

Grass: Kiwis, tomatoes

Mugwort: Apples, carrots, celery, kiwi fruit, peanuts, some spices
(caraway seeds, parsley, coriander, anise seeds, fennel seeds)

Source: The Mayo Clinic
-----
But in rare cases people with oral allergy syndrome experience
anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction that may include blocked
airways, hypertension, anxiety, vomiting and diarrhea. The most severe
reactions require the use of an injection of epinephrine to subside,
which is why many people with food allergies carry auto-injectors for
emergencies.

Over-the-counter antihistamines alleviate symptoms of reactions for some
people, experts say.

Studies have shown that some people who undergo allergy shots for pollen
allergies will experience relief in oral allergy syndrome, Wood said,
but at this point no one should get shots just for that reason, since
they don't work on most people's food allergies.

"If you are a good candidate for allergy shots otherwise, this may be a
side benefit," he said.

While other kinds of food allergies present in the first two or three
years of life, pollen allergies that contribute to oral allergy syndrome
develop more slowly, Wood said, peaking in the teenage and young adult
years. Some people may develop allergies even later in life, he said.

A person who moves to a new part of the country, having never been
exposed to the native pollens there, may become allergic to those
pollens and have some spill-over into food allergies, Wood said.

   Typically, once people start to react to some foods, they will also
react to other foods in the same group. People may find that their
allergies to raw fruits and vegetables subside during the season when
the associated pollen levels are low. For example, a person may react to
raw apples from March to October, but feel fine when eating them from
November to February, when birch pollen is low, Wood said.
advertisement

About half of people with pollen allergies have improvement from puberty
through adulthood, which correlates with associated food allergies, Wood
said.

"The better the pollen allergy gets, in most people, the less the food
allergy will occur," he said.

Denture Creams, Like Fixodent & Poligrip, Linked to Neuropathy, Zinc Poisoning & Other Side Effects

Denture Creams, Like Fixodent & Poligrip, Linked to Neuropathy, Zinc Poisoning & Other Side Effects

 

A recent study suggests that excessive use of denture creams, such as Super-Poligrip and Fixodent, may cause copper deficiency, nerve damage and a serious nerve disorder called neuropathy. The study, which was published in the medical journal Neurology, was conducted by researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas and reported on four denture-wearing patients who developed nerve damage.

 

All four patients displaying symptoms of nerve damage had abnormally high levels of zinc in their blood, accompanied by abnormally low levels of copper. Denture cream contains high levels of the mineral zinc, which, along with copper, regulates much of the neurological activity in the body. According to the denture cream study, denture wearers may absorb the zinc contained in denture cream through their gums, which may lead to zinc poisoning and copper depletion. Zinc poisoning and copper depletion can cause serious and even life-threatening nerve damage, including the permanent nerve disorder neuropathy.

 

One of the patients involved in the study suffered from nerve damage that caused weakness in the hands and poor balance. A second patient suffered from nerve damage that caused her to experience cognitive problems, urinary incontinence, and weakness in the arms and legs so severe that she was rendered wheelchair dependant. For these two patients, discontinuing denture cream use and taking copper supplements alleviated some of their neurological symptoms. Another patient, who took copper supplements but didn't stop using denture cream, experienced improved copper levels, but his zinc levels remained too high and he showed no improvement in neurological symptoms. The fourth patient, who took copper supplements and stopped using denture cream, showed improvement in copper and zinc levels but showed no improvement in neurological symptoms.

 

Although researchers say one tube of denture cream should last roughly three to ten weeks, the four patients in the study all used about two tubes of denture cream each week. Three of the four patients involved had been using "extremely large amounts of denture adhesive daily for years."  Based on the patients' denture cream use, the researchers estimate that they each were exposed to at least 330 mg of zinc daily, far more than the recommended daily allowance of 8 mg for women and 11 mg for men.   Unfortunately, many of the more than 35 million Americans who wear dentures are unaware of the link between denture adhesive creams and serious side effects, as the Fixodent and Super-Poligrip labels don't contain warnings about zinc poisoning, copper depletion, or neuropathy.   Indeed, in the case of Fixodent, it does not even identify zinc as a substance contained in the adhesive.   Currently, most denture adhesive creams are Class I medical devices and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not require denture cream manufacturers to warn the public about these potential side effects.

 

www.ConsumerInjuryLawyers.com is a consumer advocacy website that provides free information about denture cream zinc poisoning.

If you or a loved one uses Fixodent, Super-Poligrip, or another brand of denture cream and suffers from symptoms of zinc poisoning or neuropathy, you could be entitled to compensation. Find out more about denture cream zinc poisoning lawsuits.

 

Excess Use Of Denture Cream Tied To Nerve Damage

Denture Creams Such As Super Poligrip, Fixodent and Others, May Be Associated With Side Effects Such As Paralysis, Numbness, Tingling, Muscle Weakness And Other Neurological Issues.

There have been numerous reports of people experiencing paralysis, developing numbness, tingling in hands, loss of sensation or unexplained pain and muscle weakness in legs and arms, as well as numerous other neurological problems as a possible result of the zinc in Super Poligrip, Fixodent and other denture creams.

Symptoms of Zinc Poisoning
Exposure to excess zinc can cause paralysis, unexplained pain and muscle weakness, numbness, loss of sensation or other neurological symptoms. Denture cream users who experience such symptoms should consult their doctor. Typical symptoms of zinc poisoning include:

Numbness and Tingling:
Zinc poisoning can lead to conditions called paresthesias and dysesthesias. Paresthesias leads to feelings of numbness, tingling, pinching, sharp, deep stabs, electric shocks, or buzzing in the arms and legs. Dysesthesias refers to unpleasant abnormal sensations that occur when a patient touches something.

Impaired Sense of Position:
Because of the numbness in their feet, victims of zinc poisoning may lack coordination when walking.

"Glove and Stocking Sensation":
Patients may have a feeling of wearing stockings or gloves or slippers even though their hands and feet are completely bare.

Weakness in the Arms or Legs:
The copper deficiency that accompanies zinc poisoning can damage the nerves leading to the legs and arms. This can cause difficulty walking or running, and a feeling of "heaviness" in the legs. These symptoms can make walking and other daily functions quite difficult.

Scooters in the Stimulus Package!

(pictured here is the Vespa 300 Super)

 The U.S. Government's recently approved stimulus package includes tax breaks for consumers who purchase new on-road two or three wheeled motorcycles or scooters in 2009.

The law, officially designated as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, allows buyers of "qualified motor vehicles" to take a tax deduction for state or local sales or excise tax imposed on the purchase, up to $49,500 of the purchase price. The deduction applies to NEW purchases made between February 17 and December 31, 2009, and taxpayers do not need to itemize to claim it.  

Key Tax Break Points
· Vehicles eligible for the tax deduction are all on-road two and three wheeled vehicles weighing less than 8,500 pounds and is limited to the tax on up to $49,500 of the purchase price  

· The deduction applies to vehicles purchased between February 17, 1009 - Dec. 31, 2009  

· Only new on-road two- or three-wheeled motorcycles or scooters are eligible

· The tax deduction is for state or local sales or excise tax imposed on the purchase

· Single taxpayers with an adjusted gross income over $125,000 and married tax payers with an adjusted gross income over $250,000 are not eligible

· The law also includes a new 10 percent tax credit, up to $2,500 for motorcycles (two or three-wheeled vehicles) with electric motors manufactured primarily for use on public streets, roads and highways purchased by December, 2011

The best local spot to purchase new or used scooters is Vespa Hartford. Check out their website at www.VespaHartford.com. 

Four Essentials for Happiness

Four Essentials for Happiness
By: Brian Tracy

You may have a thousand different goals over the course of your lifetime, but they all will fall into one of four basic categories. Everything you do is an attempt to enhance the quality of your life in one or more of these areas.

The Key to Happiness
The first category is your desire for happy relationships. You want to love and be loved by others. You want to have a happy, harmonious home life. You want to get along well with the people around you, and you want to earn the respect of the people you respect. Your involvement in social and community affairs results from your desire to have happy interactions with others and to make a contribution to the society you live in.

Enjoy Your Work
The second category is your desire for interesting and challenging work. You want to make a good living, of course, but more than that, you want to really enjoy your occupation or profession. The very best times of your life are when you are completely absorbed in your work.

Become Financially Independent
The third category is your desire for financial independence. You want to be free from worries about money. You want to have enough money in the bank so that you can make decisions without counting your pennies. You want to achieve a certain financial state so that you can retire in comfort and never have to be concerned about whether or not you have enough money to support your lifestyle. Financial independence frees you from poverty and a need to depend upon others for your livelihood. If you save and invest regularly throughout your working life, you will eventually reach the point where you will never have to work again.
 
Enjoy Excellent Health
The fourth and final category is your desire for good health, to be free of pain and illness and to have a continuous flow of energy and feelings of well-being. In fact, your health is so central to your life that you take it for granted until something happens to disrupt it.

Peace of Mind is the Key
Peace of mind is essential for every one of these. The greater your peace of mind, the more relaxed and positive you are, the less stress you suffer, the better is your overall health.

The more peace of mind you have, the better are your relationships, the more optimistic, friendly and confident you are with everyone in your life. When you feel good about yourself on the inside, you do your work better and take more pride in it. You are a better boss and coworker. And the greater your overall peace of mind, the more likely you are to earn a good living, save regularly for the future and ultimately achieve financial independence.

Control Your Attention
Life is very much a study of attention. Whatever you dwell upon and think about grows and expands in your life. The more you pay attention to your relationships, the quality and quantity of your work, your finances and your health, the better they will become and the happier you will be.

Action Exercises
Here are three things you can do immediately to put these ideas into action.

First, take time on a regular basis to think about what would make you really happy in each of the four areas.

Second, set specific, measurable goals for improvement in your relationships, your health, your work and your finances and write them down.

Third, resolve to do something every day to increase the quality of some area of your life - and then keep your resolution.

 

Stress leads to teeth clenching

Dentists: Stress leads to teeth clenching
The daily grind-ing

By Jessica Fargen Monday, March 2, 2009 http://www.bostonherald.com Hard Times

The sinking economy, joblessness and 401(k) crashes have created so much stress that some Bay State dentists say teeth grinding and clenching is at an all-time high, keeping people up at night and taking a bite out of their wallets.

“This is by far the worst I have ever seen,” said Dr. David Harte, a 30-year Milton dentist who has seen a threefold increase in teeth grinding and clenching. “People are under so much stress with job situations and finances and retirement funds tanking that they are just clenching and grinding. People are literally snapping off corners of the teeth.”

Dentists at Varinos Dental Associates in Peabody are fitting more patients with mouthguards to stop the painful practice, and many blame household finance stress, said office manager Nancy MacDonald.

“They are waking up with headaches and jaw pain,” she said.

Stress is one cause of teeth grinding and clenching, and can result in worn-down teeth or chipped teeth, tender gums, headaches, severe jaw pain, neck aches and muscle spasms.

Fixing the problem can be costly. A new crown on a fractured tooth can cost hundreds of dollars, and a dentist-designed mouth guard run as much as $600.

Holistic Technologies in Arlington, which sells a $395 biofeedback headband that reduces grinding, has seen sales double in recent months.

“When people get more stressed, they tend to clench more,” said CEO Lee Weinstein.

Wendy, a Quincy mom of two teens in college, said worries about her boyfriend’s job security exacerbated her teeth grinding. Now she wears a nightguard.

“It just got progressively bad because of all the stress going on,” said Wendy, who didn’t want her last name used to protect her privacy. “I’d wake up in the middle of the night with the grinding. I’d wake up totally unrested.”

One Dartmouth dentist says he worries more that cash-strapped families will skip dentist visits and procedures to save money - a decision that will cost more in the long-run.

“In dentistry, when you don’t have things fixed, they don’t get better, they get worse,” said Milton A. Glicksman, president of the Massachusetts Dental Society. “You’ll find people who feel they cannot afford to go to the dentist, and that’s where you’ll find the biggest impact.”

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/hard_times/view.bg?articleid=1155597

Watch Seal teeth

MMaroon@AdvancedDental.com wants to share this video with you:

Personal Message
Even seals need fresh breath!

Seal teeth

Video:
(Boston Globe) Video by David L. Ryan; produced by Chona Camomot, Globe Staff
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1119284117/bctid10122749001