Diamons

Patient Education

Photography by Dr. Padval

Alcohol and Your Health…

Just the Facts There's so much conflicting information regarding drinking alcohol blasting at us these days. A glass of red wine is good? Is even drinking at all a good idea? It's a matter of proportion. The facts are these. First, alcohol affects women more than men. Because men tend to be heavier in muscle mass, their bodies can process slightly more alcohol with fewer negative consequences than women's. But there's something else: the amount of an enzyme known as gastric alcohol dehydrogenase that's [...]

By |2017-03-14T00:00:35-07:00March 14, 2017|Patient Education|

These are Times that Stress Kids’ Mouths

What does a student facing exam pressure have in common with a World War I soldier—or an 18th-Century British sailor? More than you might think. Kids surviving on junk food and stress are at risk of two retro tooth-and-gum woes: trench mouth and scurvy. Trench Mouth (named for the soldiers) is better known today as ANUG, or Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis. While it's similar to periodontal disease, what sets ANUG apart is its immediate onset. Suddenly the mouth is sore, gums bleed easily, and…bad [...]

By |2017-02-21T00:00:06-08:00February 21, 2017|Patient Education|

Diabetes

The first clue to diabetes may be in your mouth! In many cases it's the dentist–and not the physician–who has the first opportunity in the early detection of diabetes, because diabetics are especially prone to dental problems. Swollen, tender, bleeding and receding gums, loose teeth, and a sore tongue may not just be signs of poor dental health. They may be danger signals for diabetes, too. If you have any of these symptoms, you may be one of the millions of Americans who has diabetes. [...]

By |2017-02-14T00:00:46-08:00February 14, 2017|Patient Education|

How to Dispel Dental Anxiety

Of course, we do what we can to make your visit with us as comfortable as possible. But there are also ways to help yourself deal with any anxiety you may have while anticipating treatment. Positive self-talk. Tell yourself, "I can handle this well." Make other positive self-statements, especially about tense situations similar to this with which you coped well. Make positive statements about the dental personnel. You're in good hands. Remind yourself that the doctors and staff are highly qualified, well-trained, and "know what they [...]

By |2017-01-10T00:00:35-08:00January 10, 2017|Patient Education|

Tongue Piercing

A Bit on Body Art In every big city—and down on a lot of farms—"body art" is all the rage. While we begged our parents for discreet earrings, our children are piercing various body parts in surprising places. Lips, tongue, cheeks, even the uvula (the dangling thingie in the back of the throat) are fair game in and around the mouth. Aesthetics aside, how dangerous is piercing, really? First, the downside Piercing usually happens at a salon or, more often, a tattoo parlor. Though [...]

By |2016-12-20T00:00:29-08:00December 20, 2016|Patient Education|

Do You Commit Tooth Abuse?

Especially for Braces Wearers Do you absent-mindedly commit Tooth Abuse? These are habits definitely off limits for the health of your teeth: Don't chomp on a toothpick—it can wear teeth down and get caught in your braces. Stop chewing your nails, pens and pencils—it's hard on teeth and gums. Leave the ice in your drink? Chewing ice can crack teeth and fillings, and pop wires in braces. Don't consume something very hot just after something very cold. The rapid expansion and contraction can crack [...]

By |2016-12-13T00:00:29-08:00December 13, 2016|Patient Education|

Impression Material

What is that goo? Whether you need a new denture, braces, or a single inlay restoration, you'll encounter the "goo" dentists use to make an impression - the first step to a perfect likeness of your mouth. In effect, the material you bite into registers a "negative" image, like a photograph. To make a positive model, a plaster-like "stone" is poured into the impression and allowed to set. And there you are. Impression material, to work properly, must reproduce oral structures accurately, and be [...]

By |2016-12-06T00:00:52-08:00December 6, 2016|Patient Education|

Watch Your Mouth

Self Examinations can Spot Signs of Trouble Through the day, you check the mirror—your hair, your collar, your hem. Ever open your mouth to see what's inside? You should, and not just when you feel pain or find blood on your toothbrush. You should routinely examine your oral orifice for any changes. Watch for red or white spots or other discolorations and small sores or swellings. Most of these oral lesions, as we call them, are harmless and easily explained. A tortilla chip or [...]

By |2025-08-23T14:58:05-07:00March 10, 2016|Patient Education|