Friday, August 8, 2008

Nutrients and Dental Health

Diets low in certain nutrients reduce resistance to oral and dental infections, that is, periodontal disease (gum disease) and decay. Drs. Jason and Jamie Sands feel a healthy immune system is essential to controlling periodontal disease. Counseling in the Four Basic Food Groups will improve dental health and general health. The consumption of sugar, especially in sticky forms or in a baby bottle while sleeping, contributes to the rapid development of dental decay. The trace nutrient fluoride, may not be adequately supplied by bottle or municipal water supplies throughout the Valley Village area. Supplementation with oral tablets and topical application will reduce the incidence of dental decay by more than 60%. Together, a balanced diet, daily use of fluoride, effective brushing, and sensible eating habits can reduce the risk of, or even prevent, infectious dental disease. Please don't hesitate to call Smiles By Sands at 818 766-6121 if you need more information on diet or fluoride supplementation and its relationship to dental health.

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Thursday, August 7, 2008

Dr. Jamie Sands in the News !

http://www.thenewsroom.com/details/2724446

White tooth fillings to replace silver fillings

Many people in the Valley Village area have had silver fillings placed into their teeth because they had "cavities". These silver fillings are called amalgams. Amalgam fills the space where the decay in the tooth has been removed.

However, over time, the amalgam corrodes and leaks which blackens the silver, and many times the tooth. This is easily seen as soon as a patient opens his or her mouth and is usually a source of embarrassment for the patient.

At Smiles By Sands we can provide you with composite fillings that are made of a porcelain-like material that actually bonds to the tooth for a tight seal. They are strong and stain-resistant, and they are color-matched to the natural tooth, making them "invisible".

Composite fillings also lack the sensitivity that is often associated with silver amalgam fillings. They are especially suited for smaller cavities and for patients who may be allergic to metal fillings.

Please don't hesitate to call Smiles By Sands at 818 766-6121 with any questions you may have about the benefits of replacing silver amalgam fillings with invisible composite fillings.

Visit our website at: http://www.smilesbysands.com/smilesbysands-maps-hours.html

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

LOUD Snoring

Sleep apnea is a potentially dangerous disorder in the Valley Village area with fairly benign symptoms such as loud snoring at night, and morning headaches or daytime bouts of sleepiness. The cause? Intermittent periods throughout sleep when you actually stop breathing.

Breathing cessation, or apnea, lasts from seconds to nearly a minute. When breathing resumes, the brain senses lack of oxygen and wakes you up. The snoring is loud, sometimes explosive. (Call us at Smiles By Sands for complete details.)

In the morning, the build-up of carbon dioxide in the blood causes headaches. And the lack of deep sleep can leave one drowsy and usually grouchy, during the day.

During sleep apnea, the upper air passages in the mouth and throat are obstructed (no one is sure why, even Drs. Jason and Jamie Sands). One form of treatment that has proven successful is wearing an acrylic appliance during sleep to keep air passages open. It's comfortable and easy to use.

For more information regarding sleep apnea please call Smiles By Sands at 818 766-6121.
Visit our website at: http://www.smilesbysands.com/whatweoffer.html

Lost Tooth ?

In the past, even in the Valley Village area, the loss of teeth (edentulism) was dismissed as a natural part of the aging process, and dentures were considered a normal sign of old age.

While such ignorance is rapidly becoming a thing of the past in Valley Village, there is still not a general awareness of the seriousness of edentulism. Multiple tooth loss is most commonly caused by periodontal disease, i.e. gum and bone disease. At Smiles By Sands we know that periodontal disease has a high statistical correlation with chronic debilitating diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and arthritis.

So it is not very surprising that studies now show a shortened life expectancy by as much as 10 years for persons who have lost their natural teeth, when compared to those who have kept their teeth.

In addition to longevity, quality-of-life differences are just as significant. The functional efficiency of dentures has been measured to be only 20% of that of natural teeth. Drs. Jason and Jamie Sands feel that there cannot be any doubt that nutritional deficiencies will be much more prevalent in those without their natural teeth.

Loss of teeth often causes a feeling of loss of wholeness and a sense of deterioration and aging. Given these factors, we feel at Smiles By Sands that preservation of the natural teeth is integral to whole-person wellness.

Visit us at our website: http://www.smilesbysands.com/ask-seniors-toothloss.html

Friday, August 1, 2008

Dr. Jamie Sands recommends...

Crest Pro Health (ARA) - Whether you've noticed the signs of aging in family and friends, or acknowledged how it affects your own mind and body, getting older is an unavoidable part of life. And while Ponce de Leon never found the Fountain of Youth, daily preventative measures can be taken to help you age beautifully both inside and out.

The most frequently recognized signs of aging include extrinsic indicators such as gray hair and wrinkles. But have you ever stopped to think about other factors that influence how young we feel and how young others perceive us to be? Here are some tips on how to take aging in stride and help you look and feel your youngest:

* Heart-felt: Choosing a heart-healthy diet may not only lengthen your lifespan by helping to reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes, it will also help you age healthier. The FDA recommends eating well-balanced meals low in saturated fat, cholesterol and salt. Additionally, heart-friendly foods, especially those high in fiber, such as salmon, soy protein, oatmeal and spinach, will help you stay "young at heart."

* Smile On: Tooth stains and red gums can age the appearance of your smile and impact its health. In fact, gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease that affects one out of every two adults, can be a major cause behind prematurely aging smiles. "The good news is that it's preventable," says Dr. Jamie Sands, D.D.S. "I recommend using Crest Pro-Health toothpaste, which helps stop gingivitis before it starts and protects all these areas dentists check most -- plaque, cavities, tartar, sensitivity and stains and a power toothbrush, such as Oral-B Vitality Precision Clean, which reduces up to two times more plaque than a manual brush."

* Work It: No one is too old to reap the benefits of exercise. Regular physical activity provides endless advantages -- from reducing the risk of osteoporosis to increased energy and feelings of well-being -- even a brisk 20-minute walk several times a week can improve your overall health.

* Skin Deep: Although genes are a major factor in how skin ages, a great deal of visible aging also stems from environmental factors. Just a few minutes of sun exposure a day can cause noticeable changes to the skin, such as freckles, age spots, spider veins, fine wrinkles, and of course, skin cancer. To maintain your youngest-looking skin, avoid deliberate sun exposure, wear protective clothing such as a wide-brimmed hat, and apply sunscreen, preferably SPF 15 or higher, year-round.

* Thought-provoking: Studies suggests that people who engage in logic-based activities, such as crossword puzzles and games that involve strategy like Scrabble or chess, are less likely to develop memory loss. Not only will these hobbies keep your vision and hand-eye coordination sharp, but such challenges also help to keep your mind active.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Friday, July 11, 2008

Plaque is the Enemy

Dr. Jason and Jamie Sands hope that you find some helpful information here and that you are inspired to forward it on to friends and family! We love referrals and some of our best patients refer some of our best patients! We wish you brighter smiles and greater overall health.


Snacking and Tooth Decay

If Fluoride is one of the best ways to protect against decay then I would say frequent snacking can be one of our teeth's biggest enemies. Every day, children face snacking challenges. The truth is when it comes to dental health what your child eats is not as important as when and how often they snack! It all has to do with the "plaque reaction"– and this is how it works:

The Plaque Reaction


Everyone has plaque bacteria in their mouths. But when these plaque bacteria meet up with the sugars and starches that are found in snacks such as cookies, candies, dried fruits, soft drinks, or even pretzels or potato chips, the plaque reacts to create acid, and a "plaque attack" occurs.
The fact is most snacks that you eat contain either sugars or starches that give plaque this opportunity to make acid. And each "plaque attack" can last for up to 20 minutes after you have finished your snack. During this period, the plaque acid is attacking tooth enamel, making it weak. That's when cavities can start!

Fighting Back Against Plaque!

The good news is you can help your child take a stand against plaque! By brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and by reducing the number of times they snack each day.

When it comes to snacking, your child should try to choose something nutritious and to snack in moderation. It is also better to eat the whole snack at one time! Here's why: eating five pieces of a snack at one time exposes your teeth to possible tooth decay one time — for approximately 20 minutes. Nibbling on those same five pieces at five different times exposes your teeth to possible tooth decay for approximately 100 minutes. What a difference!


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Monday, July 7, 2008

Dental Implants By Dr Sands

Dental implants are the most natural replacement for a missing tooth.

A dental implant is an artificial root which replaces the natural root then a crown is placed on top of the new artificial root. Several types of dental implants are available. A titanium screw is placed into the jaw bone by a surgeon then Dr. Sands restores the area with a crown or a bridge.

This forms a structural and functional connection between the living bone and the implant. The bone takes two to six months to heal after the surgery. The process of Osseo integration occurs when the bone around the implant fuses to the implant. This process takes from two to six months depending on the area of the mouth.

Once the healing phase is complete, the implant or titanium screw is used to anchor the crown, bridge or dentures.

For more information call us at 818- 766-6121.

Visit our website:
http://www.smilesbysands.com/dental-implants.html

Gum Disease and Your Heart !

Can Gum Disease affect your Heart??

Did you know that over 75 percent of Americans over the age of 35 have some form of gum disease?

Gum Disease and Gingivitis — What are They?Gum disease — also known as periodontal disease — is a form of inflammation and infection that occurs in the mouth.

Gingivitis - an early phase of gum disease and the easiest to treat — is an inflammation of the gums caused by the accumulation of plaque, a soft, sticky, colorless film of bacteria above the gum line.

Plaque provides a shelter for over 400 species of bacteria and other microorganisms to grow and proliferate. If not routinely removed by proper brushing and flossing, plaque can build up on teeth and gums and lead to gingivitis. Fortunately, gingivitis can be treated, which can help prevent it from developing into periodontitis, a more serious and damaging stage of gum disease.
Recent research indicates that gum disease and or periodontitis is associated with the development of heart (cardiovascular) disease. There are several theories as to how periodontitis may have an impact on heart health. One theory is that bacteria may enter the bloodstream through the mouth and have the potential to attach to fatty deposits in the blood vessels, which may contribute to heart disease. Another theory is that the inflammation associated with periodontitis may play a role. A recent study examined the presence of bacteria known to cause severe chronic gum disease and the thickening of the blood vessel wall commonly seen in heart disease. After examining over 650 subjects, the investigators concluded that there was an association between an increased level of blood vessel thickening and the presence of the bacteria found in dental plaque known to cause periodontitis.

Other recent studies have demonstrated there is an association between periodontitis and certain systemic diseases, such as stroke, diabetes, and heart disease, which remains a leading cause of death in both men and women. More research is needed and is underway to better understand the exact nature of this association and the potential impact serious gum disease may be having on these systemic conditions.

How Do I Know if I Have Gingivitis? Classic signs of gingivitis include red, swollen and tender gums that may bleed when you brush. Since some symptoms of gingivitis are not painful, the disease may remain untreated for many years.

Signs of periodontitis, a more advanced stage of chronic gum disease, include the presence of gum ulceration, gums that have receded or pulled away from your teeth, permanent teeth that are loose or separating, any change in the fit of your teeth when biting and recurring bad breath and/or an unpleasant taste in your mouth.

How Can I Help Prevent Gingivitis? The key to preventing gingivitis is to remove the plaque and bacteria that accumulate on your teeth. Regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings are extremely important. Good at-home oral hygiene is also crucial.

You can help stop gingivitis before it develops by:

· Brushing and flossing to remove plaque and
· Eating right to ensure proper nutrition for your jawbone and teeth
· Avoiding cigarettes and other forms of tobacco
· Scheduling regular checkups with your dentist

So…..Brushing your teeth may be more important than you think.

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Thursday, May 22, 2008

Welcome

Welcome to our Blog, we would like you to visit our website for futher information.
www.smilesbysands.com/index.html