Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Thursday, January 3, 2013
HEALTHY MOUTH, HEALTHY BODY (The Insider Magazine)
HEALTHY MOUTH, HEALTHY BODY
Your eyes
may be the window to your soul, but your mouth can often tell your dentist what’s
going on with the rest of your body.
The links
between oral health and overall health are many , dental and other experts now
concur.
That’s especially
true if you’re an aging baby boomer who may be susceptible to serious health
problems such as heart disease and diabetes.
Over the
years, dentists have changed the scope of their exams partly to catch such
diseases in their early stages, says Dr.
Dora Skoura - director of SkourasDent. A look in the mouth by a dentist, she says,
can yield a lot of valuable health information.
However,
many people aren’t taking advantage of this knowledge, according to a recent
survey of nearly 500 Greeks, aged 45 to 64, that was commissioned by the
practice. While 78 percent of those polled say dental care is a vital part of
preventive health care, 49 percent admitted they don’t visit the dentist every
six months as recommended. And 31 percent are in the “kicking and screaming “
category - - either they go to the dentist if they have an emergency, such as a
terrible toothache, or they never go.
These
lapsed patients may be surprised to find out that the modern dental exam has
changed quite a bit.
“The exam
has changed mainly because of two things”, Dr Skoura says. One is more
awareness of cancers of the mouth, which dentists now screen for. Another is
the growing consensus that a good
dentist can help you keep not only your teeth but your overall health in good
shape ,she says.
“We are
asking more questions of our patients”, Theodora says.
Many
dentists now ask about your saliva quality, what medications are you on, the
date of your last physical, and other questions that may not seem to have
anything to do with your teeth. From the patient’s answers, and their own
observations, dentists can piece together conclusions about the patient’s
overall health- - and perhaps suggest that a physical exam is also in order.
Dora often
hears from her boomer patients , for instance , that they have a burning or
sour taste in their mouth. After investigating further ,she often suspects they
have gastroesophageal reflux disease ,or GERD, in which stomach acid
splashes back up, and refers them to a
doctor. The condition can be treated with medication.
Bad breath
or bleeding gums can be a symptom of adult onset diadetes. So can dry mouth and
receding gums.
Dentists
can also tell if you are stressed by examining the mouth, says Dr. Skoura. One
telltale sign of stress is bruxism,the grinding or clenching of your teeth,
says Dora, who tries to educate the public about the oral health-overall health
link.
“Occasionaly,
the tissues of the mouth will change. Patients may have red spots on their
tongue, which can point to immune-related disorders” ,she adds.
Oral
inflammation that doesn’t subside is another red flag ,Dora says. ”If you are
immunosuppressed, have leukemia or AIDS, you will have things in the mouth
that don’t look right, such as
ulcerative lesions or gum inflammation”, she says.
What about
the gum disease – heart disease debate?
“There’s been
a lot of controversy ” Dora says. Some research says the two are linked ,while
other studies refute the association. “My feeling is ,if someone is not taking
good care of their mouth they will have gum disease and they are probably not
taking good care of the rest of their body, either,” she says.
A dental X- ray can even alert a dentist to possible
osteoporosis, Dora says. “If I see bone loss on the X-ray of a tooth, it could
be they have plaque around the tooth. But bone loss could be the result of
osteoporosis. If so, I send them in for a bone density test.”
And as
saliva production decrease with age- - and it begins Dora says,around age 50- -
the incidents of cavities around the roots of teeth increase, setting up some
boomers for a whole new round of cavities.
It’s easy
to put off the routine trip to the dentist every six months. But dentists urge
their patients to think of it not just as a drill-and-fill appointment, but a
health check-up.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Teeth whitening
A NEW SPECIAL WHITENING TECHNIQUE
In recent
years teeth bleaching has become a huge
phenomenon. More and more people are opting for teeth whitening to improve
their smile. After looking at near perfect teeth of Hollywood celebrities and
models, men and women of all ages are now using different methods available for
teeth whitening.
It is no
mystery that whiter teeth give a more youthful appearance. It is important to
get the right information before opting for any kind of teeth whitening.
There is a lot of confusion about which
products to use, how to use, where to buy, consulting a dentist etc. There are
also a lot of products on the market that are ineffective and costly. Many
people are also unaware of the implications of teeth whitening.
The
controversy: Some dentists believe that tooth bleeding is more effective with the
use of lasers and other sources of light, while others are of the opinion that
the effect of tooth bleaching remains the same, with or without the use of
lasers or lights.
The light
aids the bleaching process by quickly converting the peroxide into the reactive
oxygen free radicals. The effect speeds up the bleaching process and also makes
it more intense giving better whitening results.
With the
lights, all the ‘teeth fluids’ could be moving out of the teeth. So, bleach
will have to go against the flow to get into the teeth. This could make for a
very inefficient technique as the bleach is always fighting against the
current.
The final
result of this may be that the teeth lose water or dehydrate and appear whiter
for a temporary time, usually around 72 hours. After that they begin to recover
and absorb water from the saliva, much like a sponge and they turn dark again.
There are a
number of factors that determine the end results of any tooth whitening
products. One of the most important factors is the present state of the teeth.
In general patients having a darker set of
teeth show better results than lighter teeth. Also the degree of relapse of
tooth whitening achieved will vary from patient to patient.
Some
patients are able to sustain their results for longer time than others.
As a matter
of fact, even the different teeth in a patient’s mouth show different results,
despite using the same product.
Teeth
whitening , like any other treatment or surgical operation, needs to be done
under the supervision of an expert.
Side effects
The high
hydrogen peroxide concentration was related to increased sensitivity in teeth
to hot and cold. Gum irritation was usual and the risk of ingesting the product
overnight causing nausea, vomiting and a burning sensation.
No Limitations
NO
limitations for pregnant women, women with nursing children and people suffering
from gum diseases, patients with cavities, crowns, white fillings or veneers
Not just for
natural teeth.
·
Grayish
teeth don’t respond as well
·
Brownish
teeth respond better
·
Intrinsic
staining –antibiotics, genes can improve
·
Home
bleaching kit
·
Drink
cola by straw , drink wine, coffee and then apply it
·
Whitening
toothpaste as an adjunct not as a main depends on the teeth responsiveness
·
System -Applicator with brush tip
-No uncomfortable trays and strips
Touch ups-mini ampoules as a 3xday
2xday for 7 days serum that you mix by squeeze the ampoule and turn it
upside down. 1 minute to apply. Safe and effective. Free oxygen molecules and
hydrogen peroxide.
Monday, December 17, 2012
SkourasDent, the Dental Practice
THE DENTAL PRACTICE
SKOURASDENT
The Insider
magazine explores the innovative world of cosmetic dentistry at SkourasDent
Well-established
dentist Dr. Theodora Skoura knows a thing or two about beautiful people.
After all,
as one of the VIPs’ favourite dentists, she has contributed to some of those
glamorous smiles which grace the silver screen and the high class receptions.
Situated next to the luxurious Hilton hotel, her practice has been at the
forefront of the cosmetic dentistry for many years
.
A dental
appointment here is an altogether pleasant experience. A strong emphasis is placed
on personal attention: this practice treats people rather than mouths.
Dr. Theodora Skoura believes that each individual
has different needs as regards dental health and she makes sure these are met.
A good listener, she is committed to the well-being of her patients.
Using the
most modern technology in a comfortable and soothing environment means that
treatment, routine or cosmetic, is completely anxiety-free and, the practice’s
no-waiting policy ensures that clients are seen on time and at their
convenience. The experienced practice hygienist helps patients to keep breath
fresh and gums in first class condition.
Fortunately
for most, top quality dentistry is no longer just for film stars of the rich
and famous, but available to virtually everyone. These innovative dental
techniques undoubtedly create a more youthful and attractive appearance, and
they are perfectly safe and healthy.
Veneers, for instance, can correct
damaged, discoloured or crooked teeth, and implants, which are neither as
painful or as complicated as they sound, often offer a comfortable and reliable
alternative to dentures or missing teeth. Crowns and bridges, too, have come a
long way over recent years, latest porcelain enable them to be stronger and
more natural looking. White fillings have replaced the old mercury ones making
them indistinguishable from the tooth.
Dr.
Theodora Skoura takes pride in saving teeth whenever possible and in giving her
clients the confidence that goes with the fresh breath, strong gums, healthy
teeth and a young and beautiful smile.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Το επίσημο website του SkourasDent είναι εδώ!
Πατήστε τo παρακάτω link για να μεταφερθείτε:
www.skourasdent.gr
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