Jan. '10 New Year's Resolution?

New Year's Resolution?
Getting Healthy Starts With Your Smile!

The New Year is here, and you know what THAT means - Resolutions! Every New Year, many people make the resolution to get healthy. They are determined to eat better, get to the gym and exercise, quit smoking and more.

This year, if you've made the promise to yourself to get healthier, why not try something different? Why not start with a dental appointment?

Surprised? You shouldn't be.  Reports are emerging at an increasing rate that directly link your oral health to your overall health. It's true.

How does your oral health affect you from head to toe? In a variety of ways!

TMJ Pain

Let's start with TMJ. TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder) can cause a variety of painful symptoms including:

• Headaches and migraines
• Unexplained loose teeth
• Worn, chipped or cracked teeth
• Cracking, chipping or breaking dental restorations
• Pain or soreness around the jaw joints
• Pain in teeth that seems to move around
• Neck, shoulder or back pain
• Facial pain
• Clicking or grating sounds in the jaw joints
• Limited movement or locking jaw
• Numbness in your fingers and arms
• Congestion or stuffiness of the ears

Many suffer the debilitating pain of these chronic problems, never associating them with their mouths! People go to their family doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists, massage therapists and other specialists to get relief, but any cessation of pain is temporary.

Through neuromuscular dentistry, any problems with your TMJ can be accurately diagnosed and gently, non-surgically corrected.

I have treated numerous patients who suffered by TMJ. They call this treatment life changing. Neuromuscular dentistry has given them their lives back. Here is the story of just one of my patients:

Joy Zeiders -  Customer Service

"I suffered for over a year with dizzy spells, vertigo problems, nausea, ringing in my ears, and I even lost hearing in my left ear. I saw three medical doctors and they all said that I had Meniere's disease. It was so bad that when I had an attack I had to immediately stop whatever I was doing and lie flat on the ground. Sometimes the attacks lasted for hours! I started avoiding certain things that I enjoyed - going to church, social situations, even swinging on the swing in my yard. I wondered how I could live the rest of my life like this. Finally, my daughter, who works for Dr. Winans, convinced me to come in for an evaluation.

"I began the process of full mouth rehabilitation. It was incredible! Immediately after placing my temporaries, all symptoms vanished except my hearing. That will never come back. I have been symptom-free since October 2004. I never thought a dentist could help what three other doctors couldn't. What can I say but thank you! I have my life back; I can swing on my swing again."

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal (gum) disease is another threat to your health.  We have long known that the bacteria associated with periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss. But recent studies have linked this disease to even greater health risks, including an increased risk of:

• Heart Disease
• Stroke
• Certain cancers, including pancreatic cancer
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Complications controlling blood sugar levels in diabetes
• Low birth weight babies
• Premature birth

Regular check-ups and cleanings are essential to keeping periodontal disease at bay. If periodontal disease is detected, we offer advanced treatments to remove any dangerous bacteria, restoring your gums to health.

The good news is periodontal disease is treatable, even reversible,  and can help keep you and your teeth healthy.

Oral Cancer

According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, more than 34,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer this year. Of those 34,000 newly diagnosed individuals, only half will be alive in 5 years. This number has not significantly improved in decades.

The good news is that most cancers of the mouth can be cured if caught early.

We conduct oral cancer screenings at every regular exam and recommend that you conduct monthly exams at home. If you detect any of the following signs or symptoms on your mouth, tongue or lips, please contact us immediately:

• White or velvety red patches that will not rub off or heal.
• Sores or swelling that last longer than 2-3 weeks.
• Repeated bleeding with no apparent cause.
• Numbness or pain in any area.
• Difficulty in chewing, swallowing, or moving your tongue or jaw.
• A mouth sore that bleeds easily, or fails to heal.

Risk Factors:

• Smoking
• The use of smokeless tobacco (especially when used in combination with alcohol).
• Gender. Oral cancers are about twice as common in men as in women.
• Ultraviolet light (cancers of the lip.)
• Poor nutrition. Studies have linked a diet low in fruits and vegetables with an increased risk or oral cancers.
• HPV (human papilloma viruses)

The New Year is here and now is the perfect time to get back to health. Start with your smile! To schedule a check up or regular cleaning, call my office at 524-4454.

For more information on any of these treatments as well as patient testimonials, visit my website at www.DrWinans.com

Happy New Year!
Larry Winans, DMD