Happy New Year!

Hoping everyone is enjoying a wonderful season of rejuvenation and good cheer. We had a fun visit with my family in South Florida and a visit with Mickey Mouse for a couple of days. Great chance to catch up and laugh with my wife and daughters.

While exercising over the holiday break, I happened to listen on my Ipod to a great audio podcast from one of my favorites, Zig Ziglar’s “Inspiring Words of Encouragement” that you can download by clicking the above hyperlink or from I-Tunes.

In his folksy fashion, Ol’ Zig talks about how important regular laughter and smiling is to your relationships and health. Here are a few of his comments:

-Laughter is the second most important emotion we can express-love is number one.

-It can help manage depression ,stress, and worry, as well as, lower blood pressure ( see medical documentation).

-Regular laughing is like “internal jogging”-it increases respiration and oxygenates your tissues while relaxing tense muscles.

-It’s low calorie, caffeine free, has no salt or preservatives.

-Although its it contagious, humor won’t make you sick.

-One size fit all.

-Best of all–laughing cost you nothing and its non-taxable.

This is an easy New Years resolution that solves alot of problems. Feel free to download this to your Ipod and send to a friend.

Let us know how my staff and I can help you smile more.

Keep smiling right,

Hugh

Mouth Body Connection, smile makeover cosmetic dentistry, effects of laughter, FlaxDental, laughter, marriage success, new years resolution, podcast, professional success, words of encouragement, Zig Ziglar

Today I’m at an anti-aging conference in Provo , Utah. There are many beautiful healthy people at this meeting. It reminded me that you don’t need to be a celebrity these days to have a beautiful smile. However, you should pick wisely in who helps you get those pearly whites that give you confidence.

Over the years, in my journey towards excellence as an esthetic dentist and educator, I have been mentored by many talented teachers. One of them is Dr. Gary Radz, of Denver, Colorado, who wrote a terrific article in 2007 for dentists about doing great veneers. He graciously has given me permission to share some of these ideas with our bloggers in a consumer focused manner.

1.  Make sure the gums are symmetrical and not excessive–a gummy smile or one in which the tissue surrounding the teeth are not balanced will not be pleasant to look at.
2.  Preview your smile with “lab waxup”-see a “blueprint” of your potential results in 3-D before treatment is started.
3.  Be sure to have an experienced ceramist. Cosmetic dentistry is an art and a science that requires talents not only in beauty but understanding materials and bioengineering. That does not come cheap.
4.  Look at the entire smile when setting goals–especially when it comes to whiteness. Be careful of not falling into a trap of treating too many or not enough teeth. The final result should be a smile that is consistently beautiful with no dull spots that are hard to do any touch up bleaching if needed.
5.  Staining under cosmetic dentistry-often beautiful bonding or porcelain is plagued by a gradual increase in black or brown discoloration. While often this is caused by redecay ( or “microleakage” ), the stains can be related to drying agents used when the gums are irritated and/or bleeding. It’s important to not only keep your gums healthy by flossing regularly, but also that the dentist uses the correct astringents that don’t contain iron.
6. Photography is critical to planning your new smile, as well as communicating to the ceramist or a surgeon, if necessary. Digital documentation helps everyone collaborate before and after your smile is created and eliminates many mistakes in achieving your goals.It never hurts to see the photography of the dentist. Are the photos of their own patients?
7. Using 3 dimensional impressions throughout your treatment helps communicate information that is critical for ideal results. The seal around the edges of veneers, as well as, essential contours of the teeth and gums, should be done to”perfection”.
8. Spending the time to communicate your goals and aspirations for your new smile. What are your concerns? What are the limitations that may require orthodontics or surgery? No excuses for skipping this step or not getting fully informed.
9. A balanced and collaborative “triad” between you, the dentist, and a ceramist will create the best possible result. If there is no rapport, trust, and teamwork at the beginning or during treatment, there will be breakdown in communication,alot of unnecessary frustration, and wasted time/ money. Be sure that you have the “right team” from the start.
10. Training and certifications assure you that your dentist has gotten the education and experience to help you. While weekend continuing education courses are great for staying current, the journey of becoming a thoroughly seasoned cosmetic dentist takes years and often is best done through a formalized credentialing program like the one taught at the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

Recently, we published an article that exemplifies our “Top Ten List”.

I hope the above information helps many people get the “winning grin” they have always wanted–with out having to have an “extreme re-makeover”. Use the list above as a checklist in your pursuit of a smile that brings you confidence ,comfort,and security for many years to come.

Keep smiling right,

Hugh

smile makeover american academy of cosmetic dentistry, anti-aging, cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Gary Radz, smile make over

The recent events of this past year have caused higher levels of stress than most of us have been accustomed to in quite a while. Our practice has observed an increase in cracked, more sensitive teeth, more complaints of headaches, and elevated occurrences of mouth ulcers.  Without a doubt, mental stress increases your chances of cardiovascular problems and causes undesireable weight gains due to higher levels of cortisol. Even worse, weight gains may cause one to try dangerous fad diets or even contemplate “purging” to lower calorie intake. This anxiety can lead to bigger eating disorders like bullimia or anorexia nervosa. 

Furthermore, the stress ultimately takes a toll on your appearance beyond just a bulging waistline:

• Your Skin-redness, psoraisis allow the skin to become less effective a barrier against harmful chemicals. The skin becomes more prone to dehydration and release of free radicals causing more wrinkle on the surface. The muscles of the face (from frowning,etc.) create deeper changes.
• Sleep Deprivation from worrying or depression makes you look tired ,as well as, leading to decreased heart and immune function. This is a vicious cycle that must be rectified.
• Your Smile certainly feels the effects from the weight of concerns, a depressed ego and possibly finances. Beyond the psychology, there is the physiologic clenching and grinding of the teeth which usually leads to headaches, cheek biting, and/or even worse, permanent damage to the enamel. Not only do your teeth wear down, get shorter, begin to yellow, but your bite begins to suffer. Furthermore, a bad bite starts to show up in your face because your facial muscles are stressed to compensate for your bite.

HERE’S THE GOOD NEWS!

You can do something about it!

Here’s a few suggestions from:

• Improve Yor Emotions With Motion–exercise will make you breathe more ( help you relax), lose wait, and improve your self esteem
• Laugh More–the power of laughing is magical. Don’t listen to the news–unless it’s good or you’re in it. Listen to satellite radio comedy channels in the car or watch a fun comedy. Those happy feelings conquers the anxiety and soothes alots.
• Meditate
• Renew Yor Skin—Follow Dr. Amy Wechsler’s 7 Habits of Healthy Skin to improve your appearance from the inside.
• Sleep On It–Get some great tips from Dr. Oz. Imagine dreaming more and waking up refreshed and less stressed.
• Don’t Fight Your Bite –relaxing yourself is a great start. Prevention is the best medicine. However, if there are cracks or wear and tear in your mouth , don’t wait to repair them to avoid even more costly discomfort, costs, or effects on your appearance.

I know it’s a tough world out there. But taking care of yourself and addressing the stress will help you feel and look better.  That new and improved attitude will also allow you to attract better solutions and opportunities to make your life better again.

Let us know if we can help.

Keep smiling right,

Hugh

Dental Health, Mouth Body Connection Amy Wechsler, better bites, cracked teeth, Dr. Oz, effects of stress, headaches, laughter

 

Last week I was engaged in the AACD’s Fall Board Meetings in which we plan educational content for the Academy over the next 12-36 months. It is very inspiring sitting with dentists from all over the world and exchanging ideas on how to treat patients with the highest levels of excellence, but also how to teach that to other dental teams.

Always the thinker and a consumer advocate, I was reminded of a quiz I had recently seen on Helaine Smith’s Blog about “Is Your Dentist A Modern Dentist?”

As a result, at the meeting, I started an informal survey of not just best practices, but better practices to best serve patients and then combined it with Dr. Smith’s version. So here it is:

Give a “zero” for each “no” answer and a “one” for each “yes” answer.

1. Does your dentist have a clean office?

2. Does he/she take at least 30 hours of continuing education per year?

3. Does he/she have modern equipment such as digital radiographs (xrays) and paperless charting (digital charts)?

4. Does your dentist discuss implants as an option to missing teeth?

5. Is he/she involved with a study group?

6. Does he/she or the hygienist use a periodontal probe to measure your gums to evaluate the health of your gum tissue?

7. Does he/she offer an oral cancer screening test using a light?

8. Does he/she offer sedation for procedures to reduce anxiety?

9. Does he/she use ultra-modern reinforced ceramic restorations?

10. Does he/she use non-metal fillings?

11. Does he/she consistently use magnification with illumination to check your teeth and/or treat them?

12. Does he/she use a laser to check natural teeth for decay or cracks?

13. Is there an intra-oral camera available to monitor the status of old fillings and other dental conditions?

14. Does he/she understand the new theories and research on tooth decay?

15. When treating teeth, are cavity detection dyes used to remove only decay and preserve tooth structure?

16. If he/she says they are a cosmetic dentist, has a recent course about it been taken?

17. Does he/she have photos of their own work to show?

18. Is your bite checked to help avoid cracks in your teeth, chips on the edges, or increased muscle tension?

19. Does he/ she keep you informed about the connection between dental problems ( e.g. gum disease) and the rest of the body?

20. Does he/ she do a panoramic xray every 3-5 years to check for cysts, etc. that are normally not found on “checkup xrays”?

Rate your Dentist
15 – 20 — Your Modern dentist is Jetson-like. Good job!
10 – 14 — Your dentist could definitely improve some things. Just ask.
0 – 9— Your dentist may be working in the Flintstone-era.

Hope this helps keep your dental health and it’s care at it’s finest. As always, I look forward to your comments.

Keep smiling right.

Hugh

Dental Health, Mouth Body Connection digital radiographs, intra oral camera, magnification, Microscopes, oral cancer screening

As a parent, you hope that one day that your child will meet the right guy or gal and “live happily ever after”. What if the way they smile when you say “Cheese!” can help their marital prospects?

According the latest issue of Scientific American Mind , researchers are finding that exuberance and joy in a child’s smile can affect their marital bliss.

“Pictures of grinning kids may reveal more than childhood happiness: a psychological study from DePauw University shows that how intensely people smile in childhood photographs, as indicated by crow’s feet around the eyes, predicts their adult marriage success. According to the research led by Matthew Hertenstein PhD, people whose smiles were weakest in snapshots from childhood through young adulthood were most likely to report being divorced in middle and old age. Among the weakest smilers in college photographs, one in four ended up divorcing, compared with one in 20 of the widest smilers. The same pattern held among even those pictured at an average age of 10.”

“The paper builds on a 2001 study by psychologists at the University of California, Berkeley, that tracked the well-being and marital satisfaction of women from college through their early 50s. That work found that coeds whose smiles were brightest in their senior yearbook photographs were most likely to be married by their late 20s, least likely to remain single into middle age, and happiest in their marriage; they also scored highest on measures of overall well-being (including psychological and physical difficulties, relationships with others and general self-satisfaction).”

This research makes a whole lot of sense because:

• One of my favorite authors, Malcolm Gladwell discussed “thin slicing” behaviors in his book Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking. Observing small hints of someone’s behavior or traits can be instinctively predictive of someone emotional disposition and what they are truly thinking. Using our “gut feelings” more often, we are able to rely on our “adaptive unconscious”–a 24/7 mental valet–that provides us with instant and sophisticated information to warn of danger, read a stranger, or react to a new idea.
• Just looking at someone’s ability to grin can give us “rapid cognition” about their positive emotions,  how they respond to others, and ultimately ,according to Hertenstein, “making that individual more open and likely to seek out situations conducive to a lasting, happy marriage”.

 

It’s gratifying to see that science continues to bolster what we’ve known intuitively for many years. Building a child’s ( and even an adult’s) self esteem has a dramatic impact on their future relationship and career success.

It’s a wonderful gift to see a smile. My Flax Dental staff and I have a greater appreciation of the “ripple effect” in helping others Look Better, Feel Better, and Live Longer.

That new smile warms up not only your appearance, but the instant minute by minute perceptions that people have of you. It becomes a window to your soul.

Hope this helps you and others in making all of your or your children’s lives much happier. Feel free to comment and share.

Keep smiling right

Hugh

Mouth Body Connection, smile makeover anti-aging, cosmetic dentistry, FlaxDental, Malcolm Gladwell, marital satisfaction, marriage success, Matthew Hertenstein, middle age, professional success

One of my regular treats in life is indulging myself at Whole Foods after “getting my hair processed”. While I was in the checkout line I came across the August edition of Ode Magazine, an international magazine intelligent optimists. What struck me was the title of the issue, since we’ve had recent blogs and discussion about The Power of Laughing-the medical benefits of humor.

Of course, I couldn’t resist buying the issue, not only because I’m an optimist, but I spend most of my day either laughing or trying to help others do the same with something funny or helping them look better and feel better. Worth the whopping 5 bucks ( you get it for free by clicking the link above…call it part of your “stimulus package”).

Here’s some great highlights:

• “A laugh a day keeps the doctor-and the cardiologist and the psychiatrist-away”  In an article about Medicinal Mirth, Dr. Michael Miller, director of the Center for Preventive Cardiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore, investigated the link between humor and heart health in 2005. Miller says mental stress is associated with damage to the endothelium, the inner lining of blood vessels. Eventually this damage encourages inflammation and plaque buildup on the endothelium, which, with the resulting arterial stiffening, can lead to a heart attack.”Our studies found a direct effect of laughter on the endothelium, and recent studies in Athens found improvements in arterial stiffness following laughter,” Miller says. The studies, performed at Athens Medical School and Hippokration Hospital and published last May in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine, confirmed the detrimental effects of stress and beneficial effects of laughter on arterial stiffness in a group of volunteers who alternately watched upsetting and funny videos. Unlike more elastic arteries, stiff-walled arteries increase the risk of stroke and heart attack. “Laughing 15 minutes daily, or more, may be another important therapeutic lifestyle measure for maintaining vibrant heart health,” Miller says.
• Just a spoonful of laughter helps your sugar go down. Evidence from Japanese investigators shows that laughing may help people with diabetes stabilize their blood sugar levels, especially the spikes that commonly occur after meals. The scientists, from the Foundation for the Advancement of International Science in Ibaraki and the Diabetes Center at Tenri Yorozu-sodansho Hospital in Nara, demonstrated that genes related to NK cells, which may also help regulate blood sugar levels, were turned on after patients with type 2 diabetes (the most common kind) watched comic videos, but not after they were compelled to listen to lectures about diabetes. Further, their post-meal blood sugar levels were much improved after the funny videos.
• “Laughter is the essence of life” according 70 year old Dhyan Sutorius who teaches Laughing Meditation to get not only in touch with your “inner giggler”, but also to add joy to the calming effect of meditation, which further cleanses your body of the hormone cortisol, which is a major sourse of stress causing weight gain and cardiovascular damage.
• “Laughter is universal.” says Jurriaan Kamp, the Edittor in Chief of Ode. It helps bridge the gap between cultures and experiences. In essence, when people are laughing together, they recognize they are not alone.

 

 

Mark Twain said ” The human race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter”

With that kind of attitude, there could be better health and peace in our world.

We all need a good chuckle. Please share a good joke, a humorous cartoon, what makes you laugh or even a link to your favorite funny video.

Looking forward to reading and seeing them, as well as sharing them with others.

Keep smiling right

Hugh

Moth Body Connection dr michael miller, effects of laughter, funny videos, heart health, preventive cardiology

Just got back from the International Federation of Esthetic Dentistry Meeting. Quite a learning experience meeting and listening to dentists from throughout the world. It’s amazing the level of interest and talent from places near and far. Can’t wait to visit my new friends in the future.

I received an email recently from my friend David Merriman Scott. We were comparing notes on dentistry and he mentioned a great E-Book called Healthy Mouth, Healthy Sex by Helaine Smith DMD of Boston, MA.

Of course the title is very intriguing. What I really love about it is the focus of dental care at different stages in life. Dentistry is truly becoming a resource for long term health but also an important link to enjoying life more fully.  You and others should find this information to very helpful.

Please share your comments or share with others.

Keep smiling right,

Hugh

Comfortable Dental Care, Dental Health, Mouth Body Connection David Merriman Scott, Esthetic, Helaine Smith, Sex

Hello again….time really does fly! Between taking care of my family and our wonderful patients, filming a video, as well as lecturing in Las Vegas and Hawaii ( mostly work folks) and assuming my new role as President Elect of the AACD, I’ve had a full plate for someone who is trying to diet.  For the many who have enjoyed the insights and insider information into dentistry and anti-aging, I promise to catch up as well as get back on schedule .

Recently, I came accross a terrific article in Scientific American that shows psychological and medical evidence demonstrating the benefits of smiling.  It has been well known in the literature from Norman Cousins, as well as Sigmund Freud, that humor relaxes you when you are anxious and makes you psychologically more resilient.  However, there has been no scientific evidence to show improvements in curing disease. New research is showing a better correlation. According to the article, “laughter does produce short-term changes in cardiovascular function and respiration, boosting heart rate, respiratory rate and depth, as well as oxygen consumption.” Furthermore, the article reports that laughing at a funny film or TV show demonstrates a decrease in blood concentrations of “cortisol” which is well known for increasing LDL ( the “bad” cholesterol) and weakening the immune system.

In addition, in a recent study by researchers , Lee Berk, DrPH, MPH, a preventive care specialist and psychoneuroimmunologist, of Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, has paired with Stanley Tan, MD, PhD,  an endocrinologist and diabetes specialist at Oak Crest Health Research Institute, Loma Linda, CA. After prescribing a daily “dose” of humor–30 minutes of a funny sitcom or video–to diabetes patients ( who were standardly medicated) and not doing so with a control group , they are reporting 26% increase in HDL levels ( “good” cholesterol) and a 66% decrease in C-reactive protein -both well known markers in heart disease. The control group showed only 3% and 26% improvements respectively. Given the strong relationship of cardiovascular problems with diabetes, they are anticipating the use of humor in creating enhancements in the care of both diseases from an emotional and biochemical point of view.

What a difference it would make if laughter could be used to prevent and treat two of the biggest killers in our society!

It’s exciting to know that there are plenty of healthy medical reasons to smile. Could this be a small key to the fountain of youth? It is starting to look that way.

By the way, if you need some humorous reasons to laugh , go watch a funny movie or an old rerun of the Honeymooners or Seinfeld. Also, there is great article on the Art of Smiling by Tina Su , who has a great blog worth subscribing to.                                                           

Of course, if you or a friend need some help with your smile or your giggle, the Flax Dental team is always at your service. According to he latest  research, it could help save your life.

Keep smiling right,

Hugh

Mouth Body Connection american academy of cosmetic dentistry, anti-aging, c reactive protein, CRP, Flax Dental, loma linda university, norman cousins, Seinfeid

My apologies for taking a few weeks off as I was helping plan my daughter’s Bat Mitzvah and two dental meetings. I promise to catch up on my writing over the next few weeks.

While assisting my daughter with last minute details, I was shocked by a very common occurence while walking through three different Atlanta shopping malls -Dental Whitening Kiosks that look like mini-dental offices!

I’ve always been a believer and practitioner of whitening smiles since 1987.  Britesmile had always held a spot at one of our malls, but it was staffed by professionals who had some basic training and provided a reasonably good service.

What is very sad to see is the gross commercialism by opportunists who feel they can provide a “cheap service” to an unknowing consumer in order to make a quick buck. The potential for harm is great:    

• Lack of training in smile treatments and that existing fillings will appear dark after any whitening care
• Poor sterilization techniques or cross contamination
• Undiagnosed dental problems like cavities, cracks, or abscesses that are the reason for a discoloration in the first place       
• Possibility of a dental injury from a burn on the gums or oversensitivity ( who will actually treat it ?)

Basically, the “mall techs” are practicing dentistry with out a license which is outlawed in all 50 states.

Fortunately, the Georgia Board of Dentistry is cracking down   to regulate this abuse of public trust and possible mistreatment.

Bottom line: Your smile and dental health are very precious. Having the advice of a properly trained dental professional ( especially if they have credentials from groups like the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry ) can help you see the “big picture” and avoid a harmful experience. Be sure to take a “smile test” before having any cosmetic enhancement to your pearly whites. All it takes is one bad experience create a bad memory or expensive mistake.

 

Keep smiling right,

 

Hugh

smile makeover american academy of cosmetic dentistry, Dental Kiosks, FlaxDental

Years ago ER was “must see TV”. With George Clooney’s return on tonight’s episode of ER, I took a surf of the blogosphere and of found this tidbit on The Blogodontist.

Not that he needed alot of help in being more attractive, Hollywood heartthrob George Clooney , who is rated a “10″ by most women, had a smile makeover in the past year that makes him look more energetic and more youthful. 

Worn, shorter and yellow teeth shown in the photos below gave George ( a.k.a. Dr. Doug Ross) a more aged appearance. Without a doubt his improved smile is a great accessory to his image.

Usually when a smile ages like this, it is a sign of bite imbalances and/or the effects of grinding. Looks like George got some excellent help rebuilding the edges of lost enamel with porcelain veneers or crowns, possibly some laser care for his gums, and hopefully treating the cause first with some bite therapy.

 

 

Certainly ER becomes more important with Dr. Doug on the show tonight–giving all of us (especially George Clooney) plenty of more reasons to smile.

Keep smiling right,

Hugh

smile makeover Blogodontist, dental makeover, dr. doug ross, Flax Dental, George Clooney, porcelain veneers, smile makeover, yellow teeth