Posts Tagged ‘Dr Bodak’

We are excited! Our Media PA dental  office has converted to 100% green energy, renewable electricity produced from the sun, low-impact water power, and wind. These forms of energy treat our planet gently, sparing the environment from the harmful effects of burning fossil fuels, such as coal and oil. Compared to fossil fuels, renewable solar, wind and water energy reduces carbon dioxide. CO2 gas can injure the ozone layer that protects our atmosphere from the harmful effects of the sun.

There are many other reasons we are smiling. Renewable energy is 100% American, produced by your neighbors. It is increasingly affordable. It is not subject to international disruptions. It cannot be exhausted because energy from sun, water and wind is unlimited.

As a Media PA dentist, I believe in gentle care for my patients, and protection of this beautiful Earth.  I abandoned dark metal fillings containing mercury in 1989. We long ago switched to compact fluorescent bulbs. We have never permitted dental waste to enter the water supply. And now, as you relax in our dental reclining chair, it is clean solar, wind and water power running our equipment.

Currently, renewable energy accounts for only 8% of our national energy production but we can do more. Is your dentist a “green” dentist? Each of us can reduce our carbon footprint by choosing more green energy options. I believe in gentle painless dental care, technical artistry and respect for every patient; I also believe that renewable energy is the right thing to do. What a great reason to smile!

If you are seeking gentle, quality dental care, and you are in the greater Philadelphia, Delaware County, Wilmington Delaware or Media PA area, please visit Media PA dentist or call Dr. Bodak’s office at (610) 565-2868.  I care about your oral health.

Dental anxiety affects almost half of us…

Fear  of going to the dentist is so common that many of us avoid dental exams for years. And then a small cavity becomes an abscessed tooth,  or advanced periodontal gum disease takes over.  When we finally do make that dental appointment, the problem has usually become painful and expensive. 

 Why do we wait? For many of us, it is fear of the dental needle, the numbing injection into our mouth.  We may have had one painful novocaine injection  20 years ago, but that memory is still vividly alive, as if it happened just yesterday. This suffering is now needless, thanks to a new technological advance in pain control.

For those patients whose oral health has been compromised by fear of a painful dental needle, there is GREAT NEWS!  A new device is now available to make oral anesthesia comfortable and painless.  The Dental Vibe is a hand held device I use for all my patients in my Media PA dental office. It is cordless, about the size of your electic toothbrush.   And like your electric toothbrush, it is comfortable and completely PAINLESS.

How does it work?  The Dental Vibe emits a series of vibrations to the tissues of your mouth.  You remain awake,  but instantly your brain can process only the vibration. The pain pathways of your nervous system cannot handle vibration and painful signals at the same time and the vibration get there first.  In our Media PA dental office, our patients report only a pleasant, mild buzzing feeling.   At that moment, the local anesthetic can be injected without any awareness, taste or discomfort from the injection. Then your dental work can begin in comfort.

You no longer need to fear your dental visit…

If the thought of the dental needle has always been too much for you, your worries are over. At our Media PA dental office, we offer pain-free injection comfort technology to every patient, along with the highest quality restorative dentisty at affordable prices.  Many of our patients have put off needed dental work, some for years, but they are now restoring their oral health. After their first Dental Vibe injection, they all say “Why did I wait so long? I worried for nothing!”

So if dental anxiety has plagued you… 

Don’t wait and worry any longer.  Ask whether your dentist uses the latest in comfort injection systems or find one who does. If you are seeking gentle, quality dental care, and you are in the greater Philadelphia, Delaware County, Wilmington Delaware or Media PA area, please visit Media PA dentist or call Dr. Bodak’s office at (610) 565-2868. The Dental Vibe comfort injection sytem is one of the many techniques we use to ensure your comfort, which is our first priority.  

I care about your oral health.

Dr. Bodak, Media PA dentist

New Study in Journal of the American Dietetic Association Indicates Link

Healthy teeth and gums improve your smile and oral health. Most adults will have gum disease at some time in their lives. You may have it right now and not know it!  Can a diet rich in foods like peanut better and salmon help? A recent study says yes!

In my Media PA dental office, I see otherwise vigorous adults with an unhappy smile due to gum disease.  Gum disease not only leads to tooth loss and premature facial aging, but it has also been implicated in diabetes, heart disease and even dementia! 

In a study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, Volume 110, Issue 11 (November 2010), Harvard researchers found that eating polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), like those found in fish oil and nuts, may help prevent gum disease.  PUFAs have anti-inflammatory properties that benefit some types of heart disease and arthritis.  This study provides more evidence that these same good foods may also lower the risk of gum disease, such as  inflammation and infection of the gums (periodontitis).  For good oral health, I recommend foods like salmon and nuts to my Media PA dental patients.

Periodontitis is a common inflammatory disease in which sensitive gum tissue shrinks away from teeth, creating open pockets. These pockets accumulate infectious bacteria that cannot be removed by simple tooth brushing.  The trapped bacteria produce toxins that lead to bleeding gums, disappearing bone and eventually, tooth loss.  In my Media PA dental office, I see patients with advanced gum disease and weakened bone. They did not realize they had periodontitis because they felt no pain until their teeth started to comes loose.  These researchers studied the effect of diet on oral health among 9,000 American adults who participated in this study.  People with low PUFA diets had three times more periodontal disease. People with high fatty acid intake, especially DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) had the lowest incidence of periodontitis.

Polyunsaturated fats are found in fish oil, fatty fish like salmon, peanut butter, certain margarines, and all types of nuts. Modest portions were enough to lower the incidence of gum disease in the study participants. As a Media PA dentist, I recommend these foods for a healthier smile.

If you are concerned about gum disease, see your dentist soon. If you live near Philadelphia or Wilmington and would like to consult with an expert, gentle Delaware County dentist to discuss all your options, please call our office so we may assist you – (610) 565-2868.

Your oral health and dental care is important to me. Life is better with a healthy smile!

Dr. L. Z. Bodak-G
Media PA Dentist

Dr. Bodak, A dentist in Media PA, asks: Do you know the leading cause of death among women?  The leading killer of American women is … heart attacks, stroke and other types of cardiovascular disease. Surprised that it is not cancer? An average American woman is 10-times more likely to die of heart disease or stroke than breast cancer!  A study of nearly 7,000 people, aged 44-88 years enrolled in the Health and Retirement Study at University of California at Berkeley, has revealed a simple method to decrease a woman’s risk of death. Women who who went to a general dentist like Dr. Bodak during the previous two years reduced their risk of cardiovascular problems by at least one-third. At our Media dental office, all our patients hear about the link between oral and cardiovascular health.

Dr. Bodak has long recognized the associations between dental care and cardiovascular disease.  According to study lead author Dr. Timothy Brown, at UC Berkeley’s School of Public Health, “general dental care leads to fewer heart attacks, strokes, and other adverse cardiovascular outcomes in a causal way.”  This study  asked whether subjects had visited the dentist and whether they had experienced a heart attack, stroke, angina or congestive heart failure during the prior two years. Deaths from heart attacks or strokes were also included in the analysis. The study included other risk factors, such as alcohol and tobacco use, high blood pressure and body mass index.

For dental care to have a protective effect in women, it should occur early in the development of cardiovascular disease.   In our Media PA dental office, we stress the importance of preventive services, such as examinations and professional, gentle cleanings at every stage of life.  Dr. Bodak recommend twice-yearly visits to to our Media dental office, as well as brushing and flossing at least twice a day. Those wearing dentures should make sure they stay clean to prevent the growth of bacteria.

So, while you are thinking about cutting down on calories, salt and fat in your diet, exercising and controlling your blood pressure to improve your heart health, don’t forget a simple tip to cut your risk of heart disease and stroke by 33% – see your dentist! And don’t forget to SMILE!

In our Media PA dental office, we know that the dental X-ray is an important tool in detecting abnormalities of the teeth, gums, bone and surrounding tissues. An X-ray can pick up hidden cavities, infections in the bone, cysts and some types of tumors, as well as teeth that have not developed normally.

Are dental X-Rays safe?
Absolutely. Every human on earth receives daily small amounts of radiation – from natural minerals in the soil, radon, and radiation from outer space. Advances in X-ray equipment, such as the state-of-the-art digital radiography we use in our Media PA dental office, ensure that you receive only a tiny amount of radiation from a dental exam. In fact, a full-mouth series of X-Rays, using today’s technology, exposes you to less radiation than a three-hour airplane flight, or about the same exposure as living 19 days on earth.

How often are X-Rays needed?
This depends on the individual patient and their oral health needs. For new patients in our Media PA dental office, we obtain digital X-rays to help determine the current condition of their mouth and to check for hidden problems. The need for periodic X-Rays is based on your age, risk for disease, and past dental history.

Do children need X-Rays?
Yes, but usually not for the first few years. Dr. Bodak, a Media PA dentist, waits until the permanent teeth have appeared, at about 6 years of age. Cavities are more common in children, and radiographs can lead to early treatment. X-rays can also detect developmental issues early, so that preventative or corrective treatment can be started, preventing bigger problems later.

Can I refuse X-Rays?
Yes, but you are removing an important diagnostic tool from your dentist’s hands. Disease beneath the surface may be present, but not visible. Your dentist may ask that you sign a form indicating your refusal, and that you have been advised of the need for diagnostic X-Rays, the benefits of radiographs and the consequences of late diagnosis.

So, in summary…?
At our Media Pa dental office,  Digital X-Rays are painless, safe, and an indispensable tool for your oral health. Today’s state-of-the-art digital radiographs pose no added risk, and they can help detect disease early, while it is still easily treatable far less costly. At MediaPADentist, we display your digital X-Rays on a large computer screen, allowing you to see and understand more than ever before about your own oral health.

So what does that have to do with a dental blog? Plenty. It is all about form, fit and function. While we all love the looks of a great smile, your teeth have an important function; they are designed to bite and chew your food for a lifetime of proper digestion.  Just as tap shoes do not transform an elephant into a tap dancer, a mouth full of malpositioned teeth, ill-fitting crowns or loose dentures will not produce an effective bite, which dentists call occlusion.  Your teeth, ligaments, nerves, muscles and bone, all working together, control occlusion. Your teeth must be in alignment to withstand the normal pressures of chewing food. 

Inch for inch, your jaw muscles are among the most powerful in the human body.  Normal chewing places about 70 lbs/sq inch of pressure on the back teeth, and clenching your teeth can increase that force to 150-300 lbs/sq inch.  Bruxism is teeth grinding, often during sleep.  The forces in bruxism during sleep have been measured at over 1000 lbs/sq inch of force, enough to crush the front end of a car.  If normal pressure is applied evenly to your teeth, the force is comfortable.  But if you have occlusal problems and all that pressure is applied to just a few spots, the teeth, ligaments and nerves can signal pain.  Over time, the tooth absorbing this punishment can fracture. 

You may have an unstable bite (malocclusion) due to missing teeth or periodontal disease, or if your teeth are worn down or out of place.  Ill-fitting crowns or bridges can also disturb your bite.  That powerful force, misdirected due to an incorrect bite, can cause pain and damage to your remaining teeth.  The upper and lower teeth should fit together well, without causing your TMJ (temporomandibular joint) to become unstable.  TMJ dysfunction can lead to pain in your jaw or face, as well as headaches and other complaints.

 If you have an unstable on ineffective bite, bruxism, misaligned teeth or TMJ pain, see your dentist and request a bite analysis. A small adjustment may be all that is needed to correct the situation and prevent problems later. A custom night dental guard can help with bruxism, and other types of dental treatment can improve occlusion. And while we can’t guarantee that a visit to our office will give you a new superpower like tap dancing, we can relieve pain, restore occlusion and allow you to chew your food comfortably again.

You and Your Family Are Eating a  Healthy Diet for life, right?

We all know the importance of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables for the health of our digestive and cardiac systems.  These essentials provide fiber, water, minerals, vitamins and phytonutrients that help protect our cells.  Dentists also recommend firm and crunchy foods, such as apples and vegetables, to stimulate the flow of saliva that helps to clean and protect our teeth.

The best food choices for the health of your mouth include cheeses, chicken or other animal protein, nuts, and milk. We believe these foods protect tooth enamel by providing the calcium and phosphorus to remineralize tooth enamel.  These minerals are removed  by acids, but can be restored by our diet.

But Here’s the Problem…

Your healthy food choices may be contaminated with tasteless, odorless chemicals like antibiotics, fungicides, pesticides, hormones and other agents that may be far from healthy.   These chemicals can run off the crops and enter our water supply, persisting for years.  Some of these compounds in higher concentrations have been linked to childhood diseases, reproductive disorders in men, and breast cancer in women.  How much is safe? We really don’t know for sure.  But we should be especially cautious regarding the diets of children and pregnant women.

So What Can We Do? 

For one thing, avoid the foods that usually test as the most heavily contaminated, the “Dirty Dozen”,  and choose the foods with the lowest tested residue, the “Clean Fifteen” .  (More to come in the next blog post about those!)  Organic foods are a great choice, because they are produced without the use of antibiotics, fungicides, pesticides, hormones and other chemicals, and have a much lower chemical residue.  Organic foods are available at local farmers’ markets; they are increasing found in supermarkets as well.  Ask where you shop and let them know you want a selection of organic foods.  

Try growing your own organic berries and vegetables.  In our backyard, we grew these tomatoes organically, along with organic peppers, lettuce, cucumber, and zucchini.  It takes about the same effort as a non-organic garden, the food is fresh and delectable, and you will be doing your body and our planet a huge favor.  Doesn’t that sound delicious?

We have all heard for many years that one small glass of red wine (3-4 ounces) each day may enhance your heart health, lower your cholesterol levels and may be associated with longevity.  Now we have see that red wine, as well as foods like grapes, apples and dark chocolate,  may have added benefit in keeping your mouth, teeth and gums healthy too.  Red wine appears to inhibit tooth decay and reduce the risk of gum disease by helping to counteract  the effect of Streptoccus mutans (S. mutans), a bacterial infection linked to tooth loss. 

Antioxidant chemicals called proanthocyanidins are found in red wine and other foods such as dark chocolate. These phytonutrients prevent S. mutans from sticking to saliva and teeth.  Italian researchers removed the alcohol from a high-quality Italian red wine. They added the nonalcoholic red wine to cultures of S. mutans in saliva, saliva-coated extracted teeth and saliva-coated calcium ceramic beads.  They found that the addition of the non-alcoholic wine prevented the bacteria from clinging to the saliva and to the teeth.  These investigators plan to extend their study to the effects of grape juice on S. mutans in the future.

Research from Cornell University and Université Laval in Quebec, Canada studied polyphenols, the chemicals in grape seeds and red wine that help neutralize the damaging effect of free radicals in the body.  Free radicals can damage our cells’ DNA.  Polyphenols from red wine also help control inflammation caused by gingivitis, or bacterial infections of the gums. Limiting inflammation may also protect against periodontal disease, a more serious form of gum disease that can lead to tooth decay or tooth loss, and has been linked to heart disease and stroke.

Unfortunately, the news is not as convincing when it comes to white wines.  White wines have lower concentrations of phytonutrients and polyphenols, and some researchers fear that the high acid content of white wine might help erode tooth enamel.

So smile tonight, when you have a small glass of red wine with your dinner and a half ounce of dark chocolate for dessert, knowing that your teeth and gums will be a little healthier. (don’t forget to brush and floss afterwards). Here’s a toast to staying healthy!

Dentures

Often time patients will visit our office and request to have a set of dentures made because they believe they are the only answer to their problem. Some believe their teeth are so broken or decayed that they are beyond repair. Others have noticed loose teeth due to untreated gum disease. Many patients are in pain and have chosen extraction rather than dental restoration.

Dentures are not inevitable! First and foremost, it is essential to commit to taking great care of your remaining teeth. Schedule an appointment with a caring, gentle dentist who can assess your situation and share the options you have for creating a beautiful and healthy smile.

Dentures may look real but they are like having artificial hands. False teeth are just that – FALSE. Having false teeth make it very difficult to chew and enjoy certain foods. Natural suction in your mouth keeps a full upper denture in place against the hard palate or roof of your mouth. But you can only apply 15% of the normal pressure used to chew food before suction is lost and the denture slips.  Denture pastes and creams are messy and do not add security in most cases. Because the palate is now covered by a denture, many complain that food no longer smells, feels or even tastes the same. Some say that their bottom dentures are so uncomfortable that they only wear them when they go out in public.

Collapse of bite due to bone resorption

Did you know that as soon as your natural teeth are removed, your face begins to rapidly age? The teeth are vital to keeping the jaw bone intact. When teeth are lost, the jaw bone begins to disappear. This process of bone resorption begins just as soon as your original teeth are extracted and never stops throughout life. As the bone that once held your natural teeth in place begins to disappear, your facial appearance begins to collapse and change. Your jaw bone will continue to shrink away, more and more each year.

What can you do to keep your teeth for life? Maintain good oral hygiene. Treat periodontal disease. See your dentist for regular dental check-ups and repair cavities before the tooth is lost to decay.  Replacing a few missing teeth can maintain a correct bite.  If you have lost your teeth and are troubled by wearing standard dentures, there are a number of options including dental implants, which look and feel like your natural teeth,, and implant-retained dentures.  Age is not a barrier to obtaining dental implants or implant-retained dentures. 

If you are considering dentures and would like to consult with a highly trained dentist to discuss all your options, please call our office so we may assist you – (610) 565-2868.

Your dental care is important to me.

Dr. L. Z. Bodak-G
Media PA Dentist

Your newborn baby already has teeth, although you can’t see them.  They are sitting just below the gum line.  These “baby teeth”, which give your infant a great smile and allow the pleasures of chewing food or speaking more clearly, also help guide the permanent teeth into place.  How soon do you need to start caring for your infant’s teeth? Just as soon as you see them!

• Start by gently cleaning your infant’s gums and tongue daily.  Use a clean wet washcloth to remove excess bacteria and formula or food residue.  This daily regimen will become comfortable for your baby and prepare him for dental exams later on.
• As you see the first teeth erupt, move on to a child’s extra soft toothbrush. Replace with a new toothbrush every few months. 
• Use water (no toothpaste) on the toothbrush in the beginning.  Children should not swallow toothpaste.  Add toothpaste, pressed firmly into the bristles of the toothbrush, once they have mastered the “art of spitting.”
• As more teeth appear, the spaces between teeth will close and it is time to begin flossing.  Make a game of it, moving the floss up and down between the teeth (not back and forth, like shining your shoes).
• Don’t send your child to bed or a nap with a bottle or sippy cup.  Sugars, found naturally in formula, milk, and juice can coat the teeth and lead to decay. 
• Once children can assist with dressing, it is time to learn how to brush their own teeth.  Make sure you know the right way to brush, and show her.  Tell him about good oral health and why we want to take care of our teeth.  Be a good role model – Make sure you brush daily after eating and floss!  Children should be supervised until they can master the job themselves, usually about age 7.
• Emphasize healthy foods, including fruits and vegetables. Your child’s developing body, including their teeth and gums, requires a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals.
• Limit sweets to mealtimes; try diluting fruit juices, and avoid sticky foods. Sugary foods, especially when eaten as snacks between meals, can lead to tooth decay.  Sugar increases the growth of mouth bacteria.  These bacteria produce acid that can damage the teeth and lead to cavities.
• Don’t forget about the tongue and gums!  Check for signs of gingivitis such as swollen, red or bleeding gums, or bad breath.  Healthy teeth and gums require a diet rich in calcium and Vitamins C and D.  If your children are not getting enough in their diet, talk with your health care provider about vitamin supplements.
• Schedule you child’s first preventive dental visit once the teeth have appeared, usually at about one year of age.  Children’s dental care can be comfortable when they are familiar with the dentist and the dental examination. 
• Please don’t wait for a toothache before visiting the dentist.  Delaying dental treatment until there is pain may lead to lifelong dental avoidance and distress.  Many adults with dental anxiety report unpleasant experiences at the dentist when they were young. You can avoid dental anxiety later on if you seek regular preventive care from a dentist who is calm, friendly, gentle and produces excellent results. 
• Should your child see a pediatric dentist (pedodontist) or a family dentist?  That depends on the dentist!  It is the skill and manner of the dentist, as well as their experience and expertise, that will help shape your child’s attitude for years to come.  If you have a good relationship with your family dentist, and he or she is comfortable with children and experienced in all aspects of children’s dentistry, your family dentist may be an ideal choice.  Seek out reviews and recommendations if you are insure, and make the first visit to the dentist a positive one.
• If you and your dentist are comfortable with this suggestion, consider bringing your young child with you to your next preventive dental visit.  You are their best role model.  When your toddler sees that your dental visits are pain-free, your child’s dental check-ups will be much less stressful.  And if your own visits are not comfortable, consider changing dentists!
• If you and your child both feel relaxed, the experience will be a positive one.  Your children will enjoy visiting their dentist and you will LOVE their smile!

Next Chapter:  Dental Health for the School Age Child