Volume 6, Issue 4

Compliments of Dr. Patel

News from the office of:

Dr. Nimesh Patel & Team

Welcome to our first newsletter of 2009! We hope that you enjoy this dental update.

Did you make New Year’s resolutions this year? Some of us make practical resolutions while others set goals that are a little out-of-range – but one resolution we should all strive for in 2009 is improved general and oral health.

If you have dental insurance, you should make a point of reviewing what your plan covers. Dental checkups, for example, should be scheduled on a regular basis as a preventive measure. After all, if your plan covers them, why not use your dental benefits?

We wish you all the best for the new year, and look forward to seeing you soon.

All the best,

Nimesh PatelDr. Nimesh Patel

Gum disease (or "periodontal disease") is the most common dental problem and a major cause of tooth loss in adults today. The bad news is that it usually develops without any warning signs and without causing any pain, so you may not notice anything until the disease is serious and you are in danger of losing teeth. The dangerous effects of gum disease can even go beyond teeth, as recent research suggests that there may be a link between periodontal disease and other health concerns, such as cardiovascular problems, stroke and bacterial pneumonia. Pregnant women with gum disease are also at an increased risk of delivering pre-term, low-weight babies. The good news is that with proper care, gum disease can often be prevented. Even if it does start, it can usually be treated and arrested if you catch it in the early stages.

Gum disease is caused by a clear, sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth, otherwise known as plaque. If it is not removed every day by brushing and flossing, it hardens into tartar and can lead to an infection of the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth. In the mildest form of the disease, you may not feel any discomfort but may notice that your gums are red, swollen or tender, and that your gums bleed when you brush your teeth. At this early stage of periodontal disease (known as gingivitis), your gum disease can still be reversed with stringent at-home hygiene and professional in-office treatments. If left unattended, plaque can spread and grow below the gumline, leading to periodontitis - an advanced stage of gum disease resulting in serious damage as the gums and bone that support the teeth deteriorate, leading to tooth loss.

Avoid gum disease by practicing these simple steps:

1. Floss every day. Flossing removes plaque from between your teeth and under your gumline, where your toothbrush can't reach. Floss before you brush your teeth, preferably before you go to bed at night.

2. Brush your teeth after eating. At the very least, brush after breakfast and never forget to brush before you go to bed.

3. Maintain a healthy lifestyle. That means a nutritious diet, and abstinence from tobacco, the use of which has been linked to the development of gum disease.

4. Visit your dentist regularly. Maintain your professional cleanings, where the dentist or hygienist will remove any plaque or tartar. If your gingivitis has progressed to periodontitis, you may also need gum scaling (deep cleaning of the teeth above and below the gumline) and root planing (to smooth and clean the roots of your teeth).

While achieving a healthy smile is our number one priority for our patients, we recognize that the emphasis on having a “perfect”-looking smile is also a highly desired goal for many men and women today.

Gum Disease Prevention & treatmentOf all the diseases that are within your power to control, gum disease is one that can be prevented with the simplest of efforts.

Dental2000 News

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The information contained in this newsletter is not designed as dental advice, but rather as a means to encourage interest in your dental health and communication with your dentist. Whole or partial reproduction of this newsletter is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher. © Market Connections Inc.® 2009, Phone: (800) 795-8021, Website: www.dentalhealthnews.org

Dental2000 - Creating the World's Most Beautiful Smiles

Dr. Nimesh Patel & Team

Our Services Include:• General and Restorative Dentistry • Cosmetic Dentistry• Family Dentistry• Implants • One-Hour Whitening• Porcelain Veneers• Invisible Braces• Natural-Looking Fillings • Crowns

Nimesh Patel, D.D.S.

33 Creek Road, Suite 210Irvine, CA 92604

Phone: 949-857-6757Fax: 949-857-0791Email: dental2000@gmail.com Web: www.dental2000.com

Office Hours:Mon. - Thurs.: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.Sat.: 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Anchor an Implant and Strengthen Your Jaw

Replacing a missing tooth or teeth can be achieved by means of dentures, bridges or dental implants. While all of these methods will result in filling the gap left by the missing tooth, there is only one that will actually help prevent the natural loss of bone in your jaw over time, and that’s the dental implant.

Most people are not aware that once a tooth is lost, the bone surrounding the original tooth starts to deteriorate in their jaw. Over time, the bone loss can cause facial changes, problems with eating and changes in speech. The installation of a dental implant “anchor” – an artificial tooth root placed where the missing tooth was – fills the gap left by the natural root so that this deterioration doesn’t have the opportunity to start. The jaw bone grows around this “anchor” to secure it in place, providing a firmly fixed base for your new tooth, without any of the surrounding teeth being affected.

Dental implants are ideal for people with healthy gums and bones who are looking for permanent, natural-looking replacements for one or more teeth. Please ask us to show you how dental implants work, and if they may be the solution to filling the space left by your missing tooth or teeth.

There’s an interesting theory that people can make themselves and others feel happier by consciously forcing a smile. While it may not be a scientifically proven idea, the “science of smiling” does provide food for thought. After all, who can deny that a friendly smile cast in their direction lightens their mood, and makes them want to smile too?

Of course, you have to be confident in the condition of your teeth and gums to feel secure about your smile, and that’s where you can make some dental resolutions for this year.

My 2009 Dental Resolutions:

1. I will floss every day, and brush my teeth at least twice a day for at least two minutes each time, no matter how tired or how rushed I am.

2. I will pay more attention to food, drinks and tobacco that may stain my teeth. If my teeth are already stained, I will ask my dentist about teeth whitening options.

3. I will finally get around to having my dentist fix any gaps, chips or slightly uneven teeth that have been bothering me.

4. I will consider a bridge or a dental implant to replace my missing tooth or teeth, so that I won’t have to worry about the gap ever again.

5. I will take pride in my dental health, and share my smile with as many people as possible!

smiles are contaGious!