Health Hints
Food processors not only use far too much sugar in
manufactured food items, they use some rather devious techniques
to hide the fact from you. The law requires that the ingredient
list on packaged foods list the contents in the order of
quantity. The first ingredient is the one the "food" contains
the most of, last listed is the least. Since manufactures don't
want you to know how often sugar is the major ingredient, they
may use several different sugars and list each one separately.
One "breakfast cereal" label was found to contain 7 different
names for sugar. Protect yourself against trickery by reading
the ingredient listing required on all packaged food, and by
being familiar with some of the names used for sugar. Here are
some names copied from various labels:
Corn syrup, corn syrup solids, corn sugar, natural sugars,
dextrose, maltose, maple syrup, raisin syrup, malt syrup,
molasses, grape sugar, grape sugar solids, honey, fructose,
xylitol, sorbitol, manitol, glucose, fruit sugars, natural fruit
sugars, cane sugar, beet sugar, natural and artificial
sweeteners, partially digested food starch; and or course,
listed so that you will recognize it somewhere; sugar.
All refined sugars (yes, this includes honey) are to be avoided.
Even if some sugars do not promote tooth decay, they distort
body chemistry, creating imbalances and digestive by products
that must be detoxified by the liver and kidneys. A good policy
is to not buy any product in which a sugar is listed as one of
the first 5 ingredients.
Chronic symptoms of the head and neck can often be attributed to:
• Headache -- the temporalis muscle (it closes and clenches the jaw)
• Sinus pressure and pain -- the lateral pterygoid muscles (it moves the jaw side to side and/or forward)
• Neck stiffness and pain -- trapezius muscle (it stabilizes the skull during jaw clenching and grinding)
Dental offices have treated and helped more and more people with their headache problems. For years, we assigned all of these names to headaches, like muscle tension headaches, neuralgia, migraine and so on, and it seems that many headache patients share one very common trait- They clench or grind their teeth at night!
Most medical research has shown that headaches, even people with classical migraine headaches, have no physical reason, no vascular problems and no neurological problems; in fact their physician's exam will give no physical reason for the pain. Many patients have had CAT scans and MRI's that were negative, and find that drugs really don't help their problem; instead the medication makes them groggy and "drugged out."
What we have discovered is that people who can control their nighttime clenching and grinding will get tremendous relief for their headaches and neck aches. Many people do so much unconscious clenching of their jaw muscles that when they wake up, their teeth are sore, their muscles are already tired, and they are set up for the beginning of a headache from the start of the day, if they don't wake up with one.
One effective treatment utilizes an NTI appliance (short for nocioceptive trigeminal inhibition), a dental device that fits between the upper and lower front teeth. (Detailed information can be gotten from the website at http://www.headacheprevention.com/ ) The simple fact is that this device reduces the intensity of nighttime parafunction by 70 percent immediately, which can explain why so many patients wake up feeling better very quickly.
A traditional dental mouthpiece, or splint, reduces the resistance to side-to-side movement, thereby, reducing the effort and resultant strain to the jaw joint and sinuses (so long as clenching intensity isn't too intense). However, the same splint also provides an ideal clenching surface, where maximum clenching intensity may increase and/or allow jaw joint problems to perpetuate.
Many patients run the gamut of the medical world's attempts to control their headaches- with multiple drugs, injections and so on, without ever thinking that the pain might be muscular in origin. But just like back pain is often muscle spasm, the pain we call TMJ, as well as headaches of many sorts are very much caused by overuse of the muscles of closing the jaws.
We would recommend that if you or a loved one has chronic headache problems, that you go to the web site, or give us a call and let us take a look. It can do no harm, and it might very well make a huge difference in your lives!
Its No Laughing Matter - Or is it?
Dentists often hear, "Don't take this
personally, but I don't want to be here." Or, "I'd rather give
birth than go to the dentist." Dental visits are anxiety
producing for some individuals and result in uncomfortable
stressful situations. The good news is that we have the "cure."
It's been used safely for over 100 years and goes by many names
such as Nitrous Oxide, Tranquilizing Air and Laughing Gas. The
bottom line is that this sweet smelling blend of nitrous oxide
and oxygen reduces anxiety, minimizes an overactive gag reflex,
raises your pain threshold and helps make your dental visit
pleasant and comfortable with its calming effect.
Nitrous Oxide is non-addictive, predictable, and reliable and
is, perhaps, the safest sedative in dentistry. During the
treatment, you remain fully conscious and have all your natural
reflexes. Both adults and children can use it. In fact, 85% off
all pediatric dentists use "laughing gas" with their patients.
You quickly recover in about 5 minutes after the nitrous oxide
is turned off, and you are switched to pure oxygen to breathe.
It is safe to drive and return to your normal activities after
the visit.
The nitrous oxide is administered through a "mask" or nosepiece
that fits snugly over your nose. The amount you receive can be
individually adjusted to satisfy your personal needs. A euphoric
effect is produced that may be accompanied by a tingling in the
hands and feet. Some report feeling giddy - thus the name
laughing gas. The most common response we hear is "I'm aware of
what is happening, but it doesn't bother me."
Contraindications to the use of nitrous oxide are pregnancy, if
you are uncomfortable with something around your nose or if your
have a respiratory condition that makes breathing through the
nose difficult. It is recommended to refrain from eating for
about 2 hours before treatment. Nitrous oxide is excellent for
patients with a history of heart problems because it reduces
tension and provides 2-3 times more oxygen than breathing normal
air.
Nitrous oxide does not numb teeth, so most patients use it in
combination with a local dental anesthetic. However, after being
placed on nitrous oxide for several minutes, many patients
report, " I hardly felt the injection."
Call our office to find out how nitrous oxide can dramatically help you.
Athletic Mouth Guards for Protection and Performance
A mouth guard is a flexible plastic appliance that is worn during recreational and athletic activities to protect the teeth from trauma or loss and to prevent jaw fractures, neck injuries and concussions. It has been estimated that wearing a mouth guard will reduce concussions by 50%. Mouth guards also minimize lacerated and bruised lips and cheeks by keeping these soft tissue areas away from the teeth. This is especially true for youngsters with orthodontic braces. The mouth is the most injured area of the body during contact sports. Wearing mouth guards is highly recommended for those participating in boxing, basketball, field hockey, football, ice hockey, lacrosse, martial arts, soccer, wrestling, water polo and rugby.
The American Dental Association for those partaking in acrobatics, gymnastics, volleyball, handball, racquetball, skiing, skydiving, squash, surfing, weightlifting, shot putting and discus throwing also suggests mouth guards. Participants in recreational activities such as skateboarding and bicycling should wear mouth guards, especially in competition. An effective mouth guard should remain in place during the activity while not interfering with speech or breathing. It should provide maximum protection while being comfortable to wear. There are three types of mouth guards from which to choose:
• Stock (Ready-made) Most sports stores carry these, and they are the least expensive. They are available in various sizes and shapes, but cannot be adjusted to fit your mouth. Often, they are loose and bulky and may interfere with speaking or breathing. These are the least desirable.
• Mouth-formed ("Boil &
Bite") These are available in most sports stores and are
relatively inexpensive. The plastic mouth guard shell is boiled
in water for 10-45 seconds, cooled under tap water and molded
and adapted directly in the mouth. Compared to custom-made
guards, the fit is not as accurate, and it may not last as long.
• Custom-made This type is highly recommended
and the most effective. We make them at our dental office from a
cast of your teeth. While they are a little bit more expensive
than the store-bought variety, they provide the greatest
protection and comfort. We know it’s well worth your safety and
peace of mind.
Like any other sports gear, mouth guards can wear out and lose
their effectiveness. They may have to be replaced after each
sports season. However, proper care will increase their
longevity. Heat is bad for mouth guards, because it may cause
them to deform. Keep them out of direct sunlight and never leave
them in a closed car. Rinse them under cold water with each use,
and occasionally use soap and cold water to clean them. When not
in use, either store your mouth guard in a well-ventilated
plastic box or in a container immersed in water. Don’t handle or
try to wear someone else’s mouth guard.
Cranberries Have Unique Benefit For Women
A recent study at Rutgers University, and published in
Phytochemistry, confirmed a long-held theory that ingestion of
cranberries is helpful in protecting against harmful bacterial
in the urinary tract. This is due to one of its natural
compounds called proanthocyanidin [PAC's], and its anti-adhesion
effect.
The anti-adhesion property of cranberries prevents bacteria from
sticking to the urinary tract, which is one of the most common
regions for a woman to develop a bacterial infection. Half off
all women will experience at least one urinary tract infection
in their lifetime. E. coli, bacteria that cause urinary tract
infections, are becoming increasingly resistant to common
antibiotics. The study concluded that 80% of the
antibiotic-resistant bacteria were prevented from sticking by
the anti-adhesion property of cranberries. There is some
conjecture that PAC's found in cranberry may minimize stomach
ulcers and gum disease by the same mechanism.
This study compared the action of PAC's in cranberries to those
in other foods such as grape and apple juice, dark chocolate and
green tea. Apparently, not all PAC-rich foods have the same
success or offer the same protection. By means of comparison,
one eight-ounce glass of cranberry juice has the equivalent
PAC's as a cup of frozen or fresh cranberries, 1/3 cup of
sweetened dried cranberries or 1/3 cup of cranberry sauce. Both
this study and earlier research show that the benefits of one
glass of cranberry juice kicks in about two hours after
consumption and lasts for about 10 hours. So, it is recommended
that you drink one glass of cranberry juice in the morning and
one in the evening for the maximum protection. Remember,
cranberry is a food and not a treatment. Keep in mind that
anyone who suspects an infection should consult the appropriate
health care practitioner.
A Bite Out Of History
People of ancient times believed that the stabbing pain of a
toothache was caused by a toothworm, which either had appeared
spontaneously or had bored its way into the tooth. If the tooth
pain was severe, it meant that the worm was thrashing about, but
if the aching stopped, then the worm was resting. Cultures all
over the world, many of whom had no contact with each other,
held stubbornly to this myth. The folklore of the toothworm
persisted from ancient times to the beginning of the eighteenth
century.
Folk Cures
• Bee: Honey: a product of bees, was used to coat an infected
tooth in the Middle Ages. People smeared their aching teeth with
honey and waited all night with tweezers in hand, ready to pluck
out the toothworm.
• Donkey: In ancient Greece, donkey’s milk was used as a
mouthwash to strengthen the gums and teeth.
• Frog: Besides spitting in a frog’s mouth for toothache relief,
these web-footed creatures were applied to a person’s cheek or
to the head on the side of the ailing tooth.
• Onion: In the Middle Ages a slice of onion was applied to the
ear on the side of the aching tooth.