If you have bleeding gums you may have gum disease.  This can cause many problems including heart disease and increased risk of cancer.  However for pregnant women the effects can be deadly for their unborn child.  Scientists have linked a stillborn child to gum disease and the associated bacteria, as reported by MSNBC.  Even if you are an expecting father, you need to be careful because you can spread gingivitis to the mother of your child, potentially harming your family.

Bleeding gums, tooth pain, sore gums, and gum disease can be treated with a proper plan and you need to be proactive about the health of your mouth.  Regular checkups and screening are very important.  Please contact an experienced and caring Michigan  dentist today if you have any of the symptoms or have not had a dental checkup in the past 6 months.

Of all major cancers, it has the worst five-year survival rate...only 54%, and is the 7th most common cancer among males. Most lesions grow slowly; however, some double in size within a few days or a week.

WARNING SIGNS OF ORAL CANCER ARE:

* A sore in the mouth that bleeds easily and does not heal.
* Pain, burning sensation, or numbness in the tongue or other areas in the mouth
* Change in texture of the mouth
* Sore throat or feeling there is something stuck in the throat
* Change in voice or hoarseness
* White or red patch on tongue, gums, or tonsil
* Brown color bordering the lip
* Lump, ulcer, or swelling of jaw, neck, or oral tissues
* Thickening of soft oral tissues

Early detection is vital, with survival rates as high as 81%. Late intervention is 17% or less. Most dental check-ups include an oral cancer screening. The process is painless and takes minutes. Don't wait until it is too late. Visit our team in our Michigan Cosmetic Dental Office for more details.

It also halts the production of dextran, which the bacteria excrete in order to adhere to tooth surfaces. “It appears there is an enzyme in honey that produces hydrogen peroxide, giving honey an antimicrobial property,” states Dr. Barbat. Clinical research has also shown the effectiveness of honey in treating inflamed or infected wounds. Unlike antiseptics, honey is gentle on tissues and helpful in treating swelling and pain. It also stimulates cell growth that repair tissues damaged by infection.

For more on this research and other dental news, visit the web site of the American Dental Association: www.ada.org or come visit us at our Shelby Township Michigan Dental Office.

These days, toothbrushes come in many shapes and sizes.Some have angled heads, raised bristles, and handles that change colors with use. While each claims superiority, there is no evidence that one is etter than another. Most important is that you brush long enough to thoroughly remove cavity-causing bacteria. Although most brush for less than a minute, brushing two to three minutes is advised.

What Is The Best Choice Of A Toothbrush?
The toothbrush head should be approximately one-inch long and a half-inch wide for easy access to all areas. Our preference is soft nylon bristles with rounded ends.

Should I Use An Electric Toothbrush?
Electric toothbrushes cover tooth surfaces faster using bristles that stimulate gums as they clean teeth. These are particularly helpful for those with limited manual dexterity as well as those in orthodontic treatment. Use light force and slow movements as the bristle action does the work. Be sure to supervise children under 10 who use electric toothbrushes.

How Often Should I Change My Toothbrush?
Toothbrushes are less effective once the bristles become splayed and frayed. Too, toothbrushes used longer than three to four months may harbor the bacteria that contribute to gum disease. If you have had an illness, replace your toothbrush at the onset and again when you are well.

How Do I Brush?

With the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle, gently rub back-and-forth. Brush outside the teeth, then inside, giving particular attention to chewing surfaces, between teeth, and the surface of the ongue. Brush at least twice a day and floss daily to maintain good oral health between your hygiene visits.

At our Metro Detroit Cosmetic Dental office we want to make sure our patients know the best way to keep a healthy smile.

• 10% of the U. S. adult population are missing all of their teeth (accounting for 18 million)
• 63% of adults are missing more than one tooth; for those over age 65, this jumps to 98%
• People without teeth die at an age that is ten years younger than those with teeth

Periodontal (gum) disease is the number one cause of adult tooth loss in the country. The bacteria build-up of gum disease enters the bloodstream, activating white blood cells to release harmful clotting factors and proteins. Research has linked gum disease bacteria with heart disease, diabetes, stroke, preterm babies, and memory loss. It also indicates 30% of the population may be genetically susceptible to gum disease.
Findings show the bacteria which causes periodontal disease can be passed from one person to another through saliva. This means infected adults can transfer the bacteria to a mate or child by kissing or sharing food or beverages.

Like other diseases that form in the body, gum disease begins silently.

When symptoms become obvious, they include bad breath,bleeding gums, soreness in the mouth, and gum recession. Often, symptoms are assumed to be temporary, enabling the disease to progress. If you know someone who has symptoms or may need evaluation, please urge them to contact us at our Metro Detriot Cosmetic Dental Office at their earliest convenience.

The journal: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention, the study included 207 control subjects & 266 patients with cancers of the head or neck treated from 1999 to 2005.

Dr. Mine Tezel, The State University of New York, Buffalo, & his colleagues noted: “Alveolar bone is the ridge of bone that surrounds the roots of the teeth, holding them in place. Loss of this bone is typically seen with severe periodontal disease.”

The report indicates every millimeter of alveolar bone loss increases the risk of head and neck cancer more than 4 times. (One millimeter is about the size of a pinhead.) This was also noted in subjects who never used tobacco or alcohol.

We aren’t just Cosmetic Dentists but here at Dr. Ban R. Barbat's Dentist office we’re committed to go above and beyond in periodontal health. We want our patients to live a long and healthy life. By helping a small problem now you can avoid a lot of trouble in the future. Promote your overall health. It’s the time

We want to make you aware of this very important study. If you do not take care of your gums, you are not just harming you mouth but your entire body.  Make sure to brush, floss and have regular checkups.  You may say "I don't have the time" but think of all of the time and money one of these horrible diseases will cost you.

*SOURCE: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention, September 2009.

There will be LOTS to share!  So, please stay tuned as we get the ball rolling...

Until then, please feel free to catch up with previous newsletters or our Facebook page.

Ban R. Barbat, DDS

The regular price for this procedure is $399.  For a limited time, you can get "Zoomed" for $99; that's a savings of $300!!  This great deal is available to any new patient who has completed a new patient visit (which includes an exam, x-rays, and a cleaning).

Are you a patient of record wondering how you can get this great deal?  Just refer a new patient to use and we'll extend to you the special price of $99 for Zoom.

This offer is available through October 15^th, 2008.  So, call us soon 586-739-2155 or contact us via our website.

Ban R. Barbat, DDS

We use the K7 Evaluation System to help us treat patients with Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) pains such as migraines, headaches, facial pain, as well as head and neck pain.  Many of our patients who have undergone treatment with the K7 tell us that their headaches and pains are greatly reduced and/or eliminated.  Let me share some patient testimonials with you.

This testimonial was posted on Dr.Oogle (a website for patients to post reviews) no 7/26/08:

"After years of battling headaches & migraines and spending thousands in medical doctors & testing, my 16 year old son finally found relief with Dr. Dan Barbat. Her advanced training in neuromuscular dentistry quickly diagnosed & treated my son for a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. Every week following Dr. Barbat's TMJ procedures , my sons headache pain has reduced. I can't thank Dr. Barbat & her staff enough for giving my son's life back!"

This testimonial was mailed to us on 11/28/07:

Dear Dr. Barbat:

I just wanted to thank you for all your time and services to help relieve me of my migraine headaches.  I have been suffering with migraines for over 10 years, averaging a headache at least 5 times a week.  The orthotic that you recommended has truly been a blessing.

Thank you again for all that you did...

It is very gratifying for me to help my patients in this manner.  If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact us at (586) 739-2155 or on the web.

Together with my caring team, I’ve recently completed special training to update our skills to allow us to treat these fearful people. Using a small pill, people can now have their dental care accomplished while they are totally relaxed and absolutely comfortable.

Since I started offering sedation about 8 years ago, I have learned that building trust takes more than a pill though.  You have to work with your entire team to be very sensitive to patients with high fear and apprehension.  It’s unfortunate that so many good people are avoiding needed care due to fear. I hope that these people learn about this safe and wonderful technique of anxiety-free dentistry.

I’ve been a member of the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation (DOCS) since 2000.   The purpose of DOCS is to provide the education necessary for dentists to provide needed care to the large population of people who are avoiding the dentist and to improve their lives with better dental health.

Dentistry is very high tech today with all sorts of gadgets that get the job done better and quicker.  With anxiety-free dentistry, I can bridge the gap between technology and comfort. You should see the look on the faces of my patients when they complete their care and they have a healthy mouth - there aren’t words to describe it! That look is why I love dentistry. I helped to change someone’s life.

We are proud of this commitment to our community.

To experience serene care, call us soon 586-739-2155 or contact us via our website.

Ban R. Barbat, DDS