Diabetes and Your Oral Health

SUMMER 2012 ISSUE NO. 3

Delaware Smile CenterDelaware Smile CenterImplant, Cosmetic & Family DentistryImplant, Cosmetic & Family Dentistry

302 - 285 - 7645302 - 285 - SMILE

We’re here to answer your questions. Give us a call, send us an email or just stop by!dscpatients@gmail.com

www.desmilecenter.com201 Carter Drive, Suite A

Middletown, DE 19709

Fthere are high levels of sugars in the blood. The effects of diabetes are far-reaching and can affect the whole body, including your mouth. Dental care is particularly important for people with diabetes because they are at a higher risk for oral health problems. If blood sugar is not well controlled, it can affect the function of white blood cells, which are the body’s main defense against infections in the mouth. People who suffer from diabetes are at a higher risk for dental problems such as dry mouth, gum disease and fungal infections of the mouth. People with diabetes who smoke are at an even greater risk. In fact, they are 20 times more likely than nonsmokers to develop gum disease!

It’s that time of year again...Although there is no cure for diabetes, thankfully it can be managed by implementing healthy lifestyle changes such as eating a proper diet low in sugars and exercising regularly. Take care of your teeth and gums by brushing and flossing regularly and keeping your six month check-ups. To prevent fungal infections, make sure your blood sugar levels are controlled and avoid smoking. Good blood glucose control can help relieve dry mouth caused by diabetes. Finally, don’t forget to keep us updated on any changes in your condition and any medications you might be taking.

or nearly 24 million Americans, living with diabetes has become a reality. Diabetes is a lifelong disease in which

During the last 20 years, American women increased their consumption of soft drinks by 61%, while children and adolescents more than doubled theirs. At the same time, the incidence of diabetes in adults increased by 80% and even more in children. Coincidence? Probably not. When your body digests sugar, your pancreas releases insulin to help convert the sugar into energy. Too much sugar will wear out the pancreas. Soft drinks are a major source of sugar, with some cans containing more than 40 grams per serving - that’s equivalent to 10 packs of sugar! You wouldn’t eat 10 packs of sugar...so why drink them?

The Sugar Connection

Healthy Advice for Diabetic Patients

If you’ve been in to see us recently, you may have noticed a new gadget in our hygiene room. The Spectra Caries Detector is a digital imaging device that does exactly what you think it does - it aids in the detection of cavities.

Despite a decline in dental caries over the past 40 years, oral health is still a prevalent issue and dental decay is a major public health concern. In the past, it was quite common for dentists to take a “let’s wait and see” approach in treating cavities. This delay in treatment would often result in larger fillings and possibly root canals for many patients. Dentistry’s focus today has shifted to the prevention and early detection of cavities so that small, minimally invasive fillings can be done.

In a typical dental exam the doctor will rely on his vision as well as his

sense of touch to find cavities. We wear glasses with high-powered magnifying lenses that enlarge the pits and grooves of teeth to check for stains and discoloration. We also use special hand instruments to check for soft spots on enamel. Digital x-rays are vey useful because they show us where cavities form in between teeth. Surprisingly, with all of these tools, we find that some cavities still go undetected.

When used in conjunction with digital x-rays and a thorough clinical exam, the Spectra Caries Detector provides us with additional information we can use to accurately diagnose dental decay, allowing us to detect cavities earlier. Early detection helps us practice conservative dentistry because the earlier a cavity is found,

the smaller the filling will be. A smaller filling preserves more structure, thus avoiding the need for larger restorations such as crowns and root canals.

The key to how the Spectra works is in its hand piece. Approximately the size of an electric toothbrush, the Spectra identifies decay causing bacteria by emitting a blue LED light. Our teeth contain many pits and grooves where bacteria hide. When the Spectra light is projected onto these grooves, healthy enamel fluoresces green. Waste products of decay causing bacteria cause the light to fluoresce red. A digital image of the tooth with the fluorescent areas is then captured and displayed on a computer monitor allowing us to see if any decay is present.

HOW THE SPECTRA WORKS

DOCTOR’S CORNER

Dr. Saqib Usmani practices general dentistry at Delaware Smile Center.

Dr. Sohaib Usmani practices general dentistry at Delaware Smile Center and is also attending faculty at Christiana Care’s General Practice Residency.

• • •

The Spectra Caries

Detector:

A Revolutionary

Way to Diagnose

Cavities

1. The Spectra’s blue LED light is shined on the tooth.

2. Under the light, healthy enamel shows up as green, while decayed

areas turn red.

3. A digital image is captured and then displayed on a computer

monitor.

by Dr. Saqib Usmani and Dr. Sohaib Usmani

Your Child’s First Visit to the Dentist

What About Braces?

Parents often wonder what age should their child start visiting the dentist. Your child’s first visit is very important because early experiences at the dentist will influence their attitude towards dental care. A positive experience can help start your child on the path towards a lifetime of good dental health!

The first dental exam should take place by your child’s 1st birthday. This is around the age when baby teeth begin to erupt inside the mouth. It is important to remember that the earlier you bring your child in, the better chance there is to prevent dental problems. Most cavities in children develop before age three!

What could be more beautiful to you as a parent than your child’s smile? An early orthodontic screening assures that your child’s smile will be healthy and look its best. The best time for a first visit to the orthodontist is by age seven.

Routine check-ups may help minimize the need for more extensive orthodontic treatment at a later date, such as extractions of permanent teeth. Early treatment can also help your child’s self-esteem - a fragile asset that’s so important growing up!

Call to set up your free Orthodontic Exam today! 302.285.7645

DELAWARE SMILE CENTER

201 Carter Drive, Suite AMiddletown, DE 19709

Ingredients:

2 cups diced cooked chicken

1 cup fresh broccoli, chopped

1/2 red bell pepper, chopped

1 clove fresh garlic, crushed

1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

1/2 cup mayonnaise

2 tsp dried dill

1/4 tsp salt

3 Tbs slivered almonds

1/4 cup onion, diced

2 packages of crescent roll dough (8 oz packages)

1 egg, beaten

Yield: 8 servings

Jeanne’s Broccoli Chicken

Braid

Scan with your

smart phone!

Jeanne’s recipe came in 1st place at Delaware Smile’s Center’s

very first potluck contest!• • •

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. In a large bowl, toss together chicken, broccoli, red pepper, garlic, cheese, mayonnaise, dill, salt, onion and 2 Tbs of the slivered almonds.

3. Unroll crescent dough and arrange flat on a medium sized baking sheet. Pinch together perforations to form

a single sheet of dough. Using a knife or scissors cut 1 inch wide strips in towards the center, starting on the long sides.  There should be a solid strip about three inches wide down the center, with the cut strips forming a fringe down each side. 

4. Spread the chicken mixture along the center strip.  Fold the side strips over chicken mixture, alternating strips from each side. Pinch or twist to seal. Brush the braided dough with the egg white and sprinkle with remaining almonds.  Bake 25 to 28 minutes, or until golden brown.