MI Paste – by Kevin M. Boehm, DDS
How Smoking Affects Your Teeth – by Kevin M Boehm, DDS
What is a Root Canal? – by Dr Andie T Pearson
Temporal Mandibular Joint Disorders, Hypersensitive Teeth and Bite Problems – by Raymond G. Hatland D.D.S.
How to Get a Pain-Free Experience at the Dentist – by Raymond G. Hatland, DDS
Holistic Dentistry – by Mladen Kralj D.D.S.
7 Steps To A Great Smile – by Claudia Anderson, DDS
Dental Anxiety – by Claudia Anderson, DDS
Feldenkrais And The Dentist – by Raymond G Hatland, DDS
Smoking Cessation & Migraine Management – A Dental Perspective – by ORA Oral Surgery and Implant Studio
Orthodontics / Orthopedics – by Dr Kevin Boehm
How Good Dental Health Can Ward Off Winter Sickness – by Andie T Pearson, DMD, CCST
The Three Essential Steps to Healthy, At Home, Eco-Friendly Dental Wellness – by Dr Steven Koos, D.D.S., M.D. & Ashley Daniels R.D.H.
Aging And Dental Care – by Dr Kevin Boehm
How Does The Health Of Your Mouth Affect The Overall Health Of Your Body? – by Dr Diane Meyer

I was recently asked by a patient if there’s a difference between smoking and chewing tobacco in regard to relative safety. Unfortunately, the several hundred toxins or heavy metals present in tobacco products are found in both and don’t take vacations, making the answer academic. If you need another excuse to rid yourself of tobacco products, let me provide you with several consequences.


Tobacco affects the teeth themselves mainly from the unsightly stains it leaves behind, but tobacco also causes temporary salivary reduction or dry mouth conditions. Saliva contains large numbers of decay fighting substances. If a patient is taking a large number of prescription drugs, which also have saliva reducing properties in many cases, in combination with tobacco usage, a marked increase in decay may occur.


Most of tobacco’s issues for the oral environment concern the risk of cancer. The floor of the mouth, especially the area under the tongue, is a highly vascular area and will absorb substances through the mucosa quite readily. This is an open invitation for tobacco’s toxins to travel throughout the body and do damage elsewhere. With chronic tobacco exposure these toxins can stimulate cellular changes leading to irreparable cancerous areas. Oral cancer is now #8 on the most common occurring cancer list with over 30,000 new reported cases in 2007.


The last major impact from tobacco involves gum disease. Tobacco products have a number of chemicals present that reduce blood flow especially to the soft tissues of the mouth. Individuals with gum disease need nutrients delivered to the affected tissue to re-establish health in a big way. If their blood vessels are constricted and won’t allow proper blood flow, a gum disease sufferer has next to no chance to heal or improve his or her condition.


With prolonged usage of tobacco the potential for destruction is high, but with cessation and proper nutrition, plenty of healing may come in the end. The key to success is obviously to lose the habit.

A root canal is a process of removing the nerve inside the tooth in order to keep or preserve the tooth after various types of trauma. After nerve removal , it is necessary to sterylize and shape the inside of the roots. The tooth is then filled with a biocompatible material.


There are many forms of trauma that can lead to root canals. The most common ones are sports injuries, tooth decay, dental work, occlussal trauma, orthodontics, and accidents involving the head and neck area.


The best way to avoid root canals is through prevention. When playing any type of sport the best preventive method is to wear a mouth guard. You can buy one at a sports supply place or have your dentist make one for you. A root canal can also be prevented by good homecare technique along with regular visits to the dentist. The dentist will check for weak areas or early decay at each cleaning. If decay is caught at an early stage, the filling will remain small avoiding invasive and traumatic dental work which could lead to future death of the nerve. The dentist will also look at the way your teeth bite together. If your bite is in a traumatic or harsh occlusion, over time, the nerve could die due to prolonged exposure to the occlusal stress. If the stress in your bite is from grinding your dentist will possibly recommend a soft lower guard to protect your teeth. If heavy crowding is part of the occlusal problem, you may need braces.


This brings me to the last area of the most common causes of root canals. Sometimes during the process of straightening the teeth, the nerve can be damaged and die. This usually occurs when the teeth are moved too quickly or if the tooth is in a very difficult spot and the process of getting it into alignment causes the trauma.

Approximately 80% of all people, have some kind of occlusal (bite) discrepancies. Because of these occlusal problems about 70% of these patients will have destructive, oral habits or compression disorders such as clenching, bruxing or grinding their teeth together.


These oral habits are the main reason patients get headaches, and injure the jaw joints known as the temporal-mandibular joint. Oral compression habits are the second most common reason for having pain in the teeth or cold sensitivity.


If these oral habits, which may be unknown to the patient, are stopped or at least greatly reduced and weakened, the damage to their temporal mandibular joints will stop and many times a healing process begins. The patient can save their teeth and dental work from further chipping, fracture, or excessive wear. Also, many. periodontally weakened teeth caused by untreated gum disease can be saved and stabilized.


The great majority of patients have no idea they have a bite problem or clench or brux. Most patients and humans in general have discounted any signs or symptoms because of well-developed coping mechanisms and lack of awareness. Also there are differences in the degree of force and frequency that patients use with compressive habits that affect the awareness or severity of symptoms.


How do I know if I have a bite problem, and/or a compression disorder such as clenching or bruxing?


Signs and symptoms to look for:
1. Hyper sensitive teeth
2. Headaches more than once a week.
3. Enlarged jaw muscles
4. Keeping your teeth together for long periods during the day.
5. Waking up with pain or stiffness in your jaw.
6. Difficulty sleeping and waking up two or three times during the night.
7. Mild to moderate, wear facets on your teeth (this usually takes a dentists to see)
8. Clicking or popping sounds in your TMJ when you open or close.
9. Grating sounds, called crepitus, in your TMJ when you open or close
10. Chronic necktension or low back pain
11. Unable to hold a chiropractic adjustment or manipulation
12. History of trauma to the head or jaw from a car accident or fall

The next most common cause is trauma to the head, neck and jaw due to an accident or fall. Auto accidents are major causes of whiplash injuries to the jaw joint as well the head and neck. The resultant bleeding inside the temporal mandibular joint capsule can create adhesions to the articular disk that eventually prevent the coordinated movements of the mandibular condyle and the internal fibrous disc.


This creates clicking and popping sounds in the joint. Early joint therapy and the use of a proper oral appliance, that is precisely modified to your ideal bite, can prevent this from happening and speed up the healing process.


What can you expect on your first examination appointment?
Everyone gets a thorough examination. Along with an examination of your teeth, soft tissue, gums, x-rays, aesthetics and health history, I will examine and test your bite relationship and TMJ and look for signs or symptoms of destructive oral habits. If this is the main presenting problem, a more comprehensive and detailed health and dental history is needed along with possible TMJ x-rays.


Many patients need an intraoral appliance to get out of pain or to stop nighttime grinding. When the bite on this appliance is perfect, my patients usually experience a rapid shift in their symptoms. Pain and tension in the head, jaw and neck melts away. It’s almost magical. The natural jaw relationship usually shifts to its most desirable, most relaxed, unstressed, comfort promoting and life energy enhancing position. I call this discovering the truth about your bite which was previously hidden by chronic muscle tension.


If this is an incidental finding, further consultations will take place, to determine its importance to you and any treatment that is needed. For example, since I do not place Mercury fillings, large composite fillings are not tolerated well if there is considerable clenching or grinding activity.


I try to make the examination time with me interesting, informative and pleasant and a chance for us to get acquainted. Most patients learn something they never knew before. You’re welcome to make an appointment or get more information from our website.


What is occlusal equilibration?
Occlusal equilibration is the precise and expert reconturing of the occlusal i.e., chewing, surfaces of a tooth or teeth, so that the teeth can function in harmony and ease with each other. OE is one of the most comfort promoting and/or pain relieving procedures I do. It can be one of the most critically important procedures to be done for the ultimate and lasting success of the treatment program and stability of the bite.


There are two basic forms, limited or complete. Limited OE involves one tooth or more in one local quadrant. Complete occlusal equilibration involves the reconturing of any teeth necessary to bring both upper and lower arches into perfect functional and harmonious relationship, and may require multiple appointments to finish.


Just a note if you clench and grind your teeth on a daily basis, you are also performing occlusal equilibration procedures on yourself. However, it is not a professional or intelligent way to equilibrate your teeth, and there are no health benefits or end to it.


Expertly done equilibrations will eliminate or at least greatly reduce the unconscious desire to grind or clench your teeth together, also it will have a stress reducing effect on the muscles of the neck and back.

Millions of people go to the dentist every week. For many I’m glad to say this is a relatively pleasant experience. However for many going to the dentist or, for that matter, thinking about going to the dentist is a frightful and anxiety provoking experience. If this is true for you, take heart for you can change this state of mind and make your trip to the dentist a positive one.

There are 2 main reasons people have painful and unpleasant experiences at the dentist.
1. The dentist did not do enough to put the patient at ease, avoid aggravating and/or not anesthetizing painful areas to be treated.

2. The patient has an excessive amount of apprehension, anxiety, ongoing or worsening pain and/or has a history of painfully unpleasant dental experiences.

People fear going to the dentist because they remember some traumatic experience/s, consciously or unconsciously, that are associated with dentistry (though it doesn’t have to have been at the dentist). These memories activate the defense mechanisms in our brain i.e. the fight or flight response, and the adrenal glands produce their stress hormones (cortisol, epinephrine etc.) and we get those anxious, queasy or downright scared feelings. Unfortunately, instead of getting prepared for your dental experience constructively, we are in worse shape and thinking of ways to avoid it. If we are in this state of high anxiety, while dentistry is being done, we become far more sensitive to anything. This will actually increase our pain and cause us to over react to the mildest of pain signals.

What can be done?
1. Find a dentist that will be sensitive to your special needs, phobias and fears.

2. Find out what the dentist offers you to put you at ease i.e. nitrous oxide analgesia, tranquilizing medication, or alternative non drug techniques that can reduce and eliminate your excessive anxiety and pain such as (acupuncture, homeopathy, breath techniques, hypnosis, herbs, and therapeutic energy treatments and therapy).

3. Have an introductory appointment to get a sense that you and he can work together to solve your special problems.

4. Make sure the dentist has had positive results with his methods and is willing to take the extra time needed to deal with special needs.

5. Take some positive personal steps for yourself. For example
TRY THIS: Focus on breathing with your belly in a steady continuous manner during an appointment. This will ground you and greatly help you to regain control of your fear reactions like it has for my patients.

6. Sometimes a professional is needed such as psychologist or therapist trained in energetic techniques to support you and lower your anxiety. The energy system is a major player and controller of pain and anxiety.

There are many effective ways to overcome or eliminate pain and even extreme anxiety. Don’t let fear stop you from getting your needed dentistry.

Holistic & Cosmetic Dental Care…Yes, its possible

o There is no set criteria for practicing “holistic” dentistry, It is not a sub-specialization of general dentistry, rather the holistic concept is interpreted by practitioners in a variety different ways.

o At ORA Dental Studio we do not distinguish between general (holistic) dental care and cosmetic services – they are intertwined as every patients has specific needs to improve or maintain proper oral health.

o A healthy, attractive smile not only looks good but actually functions better. When your teeth are properly aligned and have their natural anatomy, they function more effectively, less susceptible to wear, easier to clean and maintain. To us restoring a single tooth or full mouth makeover to its natural anatomy is one and the same. A single filling or crown should not be noticeable, it should look like a tooth, not a dental restoration.

o What is holistic and cosmetic dental care?

o Holistic dental care is the philosophy and approach to dentistry that promotes oral and overall health and wellness instead of just the treatment of oral disease. A holistic dental practice can become the first line of defense for preventative medicine. This is because a holistic dental practice sees the patient before they are obviously ill, periodontal diagnosis & systemic diagnosis are now intertwined, and on a yearly basis a dental hygienist spends 4 times as much quality time with the patient than their physician.

o This approach to dentistry encompasses modern science, technology and natural healing. It is sometimes called “Biological” dentistry or “Biocompatible” dentistry. Holistic dental care acknowledges and deals with the mind, body, and spirit of the patient, not just his or her “teeth”.

o The basic principles of holistic dental care is:

o Comprehensive diagnosis and treatment planning
o Patient education and nutrition counseling for the prevention and reversal of degenerative dental disease (tooth decay)
o Prevention and treatment of gum disease at its biological basis.
o Prevention and treatment of dental malocclusion and bruxism (grinding/clenching). Bite problems can lead to tension headaches, migraines and physical imbalance.
o Avoidance and elimination of toxins from dental materials (ie. mercury, lead)
o Minimally invasive treatment through early diagnosis to preserve as much of the natural tooth structure and dentition.

o At ORA Dental Studio we have taken the principals of holistic dental care one step further and introduced the concept “eco-friendly dentistry.” We have created an environment that is non-toxic to the patient, team, and doctor.

o Holistic dental care takes a full body wellness approach towards oral health care.
o Holistic dental care should be minimally invasive; mercury and metal-free free; use only biocompatible composite resin or pure porcelain restorations; recommend a dental implant over the more invasive dental bridge, etc
o We have eliminated many of the known toxins from the practice environment such as mercury, lead, VOC, PVC, PBA, x-ray processing solutions, etc

o What is Cosmetic dental care?

o Many people feel that cosmetic dental care is only about vanity, wanting to look better. While that statement is true to a degree, you need to understand the power and importance of an attractive healthy smile.
o Your smile is the first thing people will notice about you, it is a fundamental element of your natural beauty – a reflection of your spirit, your essence. A sparkling smile that is in perfect harmony with the lips and face crowns the splendor of your character.
o A healthy attractive, smile is an important facet of life – it can have an impact on your personal, social, and professional relationships. When you are pleased with your smile you radiate confidence and positive energy.
o Cosmetic dental care can range from minimally invasive treatment such as whitening, laser gum and tooth contouring, and Invisalign clear braces to straighten teeth to replacing old dental restorations and crowns, porcelain veneers, and smile makeovers.

o How is holistic & cosmetic dental care different from traditional dental care?

o Unfortunately there are still too many dentists that see themselves as only “tooth doctors” and treat only tooth symptoms once they present themselves
o Holistic dental care that incorporates cosmetic procedures requires comprehensive diagnosis and treatment planning that are intended to provide improved long-term oral health, thus improved overall wellness. Emphasis is on:
o Early diagnosis and prevention
o Patient education to the systemic link between healthy mouth and healthy body
o Advanced technology and minimally invasive techniques

o Example: Oral Cancer screenings – something as innocuous as a symptom free small red or white lesion on the side of or underneath the tongue could be a sign for oral cancer. We implement the VELscope system, an immunofluorescence device that detects suspicious (dyplastic) tissue below the mucosal surface before it can be seen by the naked eye. If biopsied and determined to be cancerous it is often at the early stage and highly treatable.

o Why would a patient choose holistic care over traditional care?

o I believe when given an option, and properly informed, patients will understand and appreciate the benefits of holistic care versus traditional care. A holistic approach strongly believes in using advanced technology for early diagnosis, patient education, prevention, and minimally invasive treatment. The benefits to the patient are shorter, more comfortable visits, less costly treatment, longer lasting restorations, and preservation of natural tooth structure, soft tissue (gums), and hard tissue (bone).
o For example, let’s take something as simple as tooth decay.
o In traditional care a dentist will diagnose a cavity once it is visible to the naked eye, soft to the touch, large enough to be seen on an x-ray and/or the patient complains about tooth sensitivity or pain. The tooth is then treated with a moderate to large sized amalgam (silver/mercury) or white composite resin filling. The “life cycle” of that first dental restoration then follows the path of replacing the filling again with a much larger one, eventually followed by a crown, and chance of a root canal due to tooth pulpal death, eventual loss of tooth if the root canal fails, followed by a bridge or dental implant.
o A progressive, technology oriented holistic dentist will diagnose that same cavity much earlier with a laser detection device called a DIAGNOdent, remove the decay with anesthetic or drilling by using air abrasion. The result is a very small, minimally invasive filling that can last a lifetime, or need to only be replaced once.
o From a financial perspective in the traditional model the cost of maintaining that tooth over 30 years is around $10,000. In the holistic, minimally invasive model the cost of maintaining that tooth is only $500 over 30 years.
o At ORA Dental Studio we have introduced Ozone Therapy as a completely non-invasive way to treat incipient dental decay. Our CMU3 unit by Lime Technologies pumps ozone into a tooth, immediately destroying 99% of decay causing bacteria. Through the use of rinses and a patient’s own saliva the tooth naturally remineralizes the affected tooth structure. Ozone Therapy is the future of treating dental decay. (this would make for a great article in itself)

o Please provide tips (products to use that are natural, natural tips for taking care of your teeth, gums, tongue, etc.)

o Periodontal (gum) disease prevention, fresh breath

o Proper daily brushing with an electric toothbrush such as Sonicare will remove plaque and stains much more effectively than a manual toothbrush
o Use tongue scarper to remove plaque from the back of the tongue
o Professional cleanings and bitewing xrays twice a year to check for early signs of periodontal disease and bone loss.
o Use Natural Tooth Tonic and Toothpaste (Dental Herb Company) available through your dentist only – I found this to be most effective for healthy gums

o Tooth wear prevention

o Many Americans exhibit signs of bruxism (night time grinding/clenching) causes wear, tooth movement, loss of enamel, chipping, etc. This is typically due to stress.
o A simple custom made thin nightguard called the NTI will help prevent tooth wear and damage, and reduces the intensity of the grinding habit.
o The NTI has also been proven effective in reducing/eliminating tension headaches and migraines that are often associated with bruxism.

1.) BRUSH REGULARLY – It is recommended that we brush our teeth twice a day and for TWO MINUTES at each brushing.


2.) FLOSS DAILY – Flossing helps to remove the plaque between the teeth that the toothbrush can not get to and this helps to prevent gum disease.


3.) VISIT YOUR DENTIST – Visiting us for the recommended twice yearly checkups will help to find tooth decay, gum disease and oral health potential problems.


4.) EAT A HEALTHY DIET- Including plenty of dairy or calcium rich foods like sardines or kale in your helps to maintain strong bones and teeth. Avoiding sticky sugary foods is also very important. Make sure to drink water throughout your day as well.


5.) DON’T SMOKE OR USE SMOKELESS TOBACCO- People who smoke are four times as likely than nonsmokers to have gum disease. Using smokeless tobacco increases the risk for oral cancers including lips, tongue, cheek and gums.


6.) WHITEN TEETH- You may think that the benefits of whiter teeth are only cosmetic but not only are the whitening products offered by our office safe and effective – patients who whiten their teeth are more apt to take care of their new pearly whites and so oral hygiene can improve.


7.) CONSIDER COSMETIC PROCEDURES- Your smile is the first thing that people see when they meet you. Having stained, crooked or broken teeth can affect your level of self confidence. We have made so many great advancements in dentistry that it is possible to fix most cosmetic problems. Talk to us at FAMILY DENTAL CARE about your cosmetic concerns and we will be there to help you.

For some people, the fear of seeing the dentist far outweighs the pain of a toothache. About 8-15% of Americans avoid going to the dentist because of fear. The problem is that not going to the dentist almost always leads to more advanced oral health problems and perhaps, lengthier and more complex procedures. Fortunately, advancements in techniques, anesthetics and equipment over the years means that even the most fearful of patients can rest assured that their visit to our office will be relaxed and comfortable.


Topical anesthetics are given prior to the injection to significantly reduce the discomfort of the needle. The topical gel is applied to the gum and left in place for about 2 minutes to numb the tissue in the area where the injection will be given.


Local anesthetic is given once the tissue is numb. It is given with a very thin needle to reduce the discomfort of the injection. The medication takes effect within a couple of minutes and will last for about three hours.


Guided imagery is a successful alternative therapy for anxiety. Guided imagery takes your mind off of what is happening in your mouth by visualizing a pleasant, restful scene. Concentrating on this pleasant image allows your mind to be transported into that place. By breathing slowly and deeply and focusing on your chosen image,you can control your thoughts and feelings about what is happening around you. Practicing guided imagery prior to a dental appointment will help with the success of this technique.


Relaxation exercises can also decrease any stress you may have associated with dental visits. Techniques such as breath focus, progressive muscle relaxation and meditation can slow your heart rate and bring about a state of restfulness. At Family Dental Care, we try to do our part to provide a calming and serene environment with aromatherapy and tranquil music to enhance your ability to relax.

For many years I suffered from chronic low back pain that would come and go but always seemed to be worsened while I was working on patients or sleeping. Though my yoga practices helped me to alleviate this pain, I continued to create tension and pain in my low back area on a daily basis without knowing why.


As a holistically oriented dentist I attract many alternative minded patients, and one of them who happened to notice a pained expression on my face mentioned the Feldenkrais Method as something that had helped her. I went to a group meeting, liked what I heard and decided to get some individual therapy. What I learned was not only extremely helpful with eliminating my back pain, but I also found out that I had unknowingly been using Feldenkrais methods and philosophy with my TMJ patients for many years with great success.


Moshe Feldenkrais was a brilliant physicist who worked with the world-famous physicist, Enrico Fermi. After he was told he needed surgery on both knees with an 80% chance of not being able to walk afterwards, he decided to take a couple years off to find out what he could do for his knee problem. As a result of his own research and testing on himself, he was able to heal his degenerated knees and never had an operation on them for the next 50 years until his death. Other suffering people were interested in how he accomplished this feat of healing, and teaching and treating them eventually became his life’s work.


The Feldenkrais method is essentially achieving health and flexibility through awareness training. The gentle exercises and techniques are designed to wake up the body’s natural ability to heal and regenerate in areas that have been chronically controlled by tension and the stress response. Wherever we have chronically tensed areas in our body there is a withdrawal of awareness, natural control and coordination. Using Feldenkrais methods natural control, functional coordination, a sense of internal easeness and comfort come in to the body.


My Feldenkrais therapist, Harvey Arkin, helped me become aware of frozen areas around my low back that I never knew existed. The gentle techniques he used began to unlock these frozen areas painlessly and the pain that I was so used to living with began lessening and eventually went away. I found out that the painful area was only the tip of the iceberg of frozen muscles. He also helped me become aware of my poor posture and walking habits that were contributing to my chronic pain. H also gave me ways to correct these stress-producing habits.


In my dental practice I treat many various TMJ disorders. The group of symptoms ranges from a low-level of tension and discomfort to sharply acute or chronic pain and dysfunction of the jaw. Almost always my patients had occlusal compression habits such as daytime clenching or night time bruxing. I soon realized that I treated my patients with a similar approach to chronic pain and tension. I wake up my patients awareness on what they do that brings on the chronic head pain and tension in their jaw muscles using gentle manipulations and testing. Precise occlusal appliances are sometimes needed that automatically turn off the desire to clench or brux. Also, simple exercises are also given that weakened the power of bad habits and increase the healing potential of each patient.


These realizations have helped to reinforce the wisdom of using gentle and “ soft”, techniques to release patients from the grip of chronic and painful tension states. I have added other holistic treatment techniques over the years that have increased my ability to help more patients, but my fundamental philosophical approach has remained constant and very much in the spirit of Feldenkrais.


TRY THIS:
1. If you wake up in the morning with low back pain, try rotating your pelvic area in a horizontal fashion. If you’re back has been rigid for a longtime do this exercise very slowly and gently. You can use a towel and place it behind your back and swing your arms while holding the towel creating a rubbing sensation. There is a natural tendency to rotate your pelvis slightly in the opposite direction while the towel moves side to side. Within a minute you will start to feel a release in your low back area. A horizontal movement of half an inch will have a wonderful effect.


2. Many people walk in a fashion that creates a lot of tension and strain in the low back area. The pelvis and back remain rigid while walking. A simple and not always easily learned way to walk out of back pain is to make sure your hips are rotating horizontally forward and backward while your shoulders rotate in the opposite direction as you swing your arms freely. Though it may take some practice, this loosening of the upper back and lower back while walking will release the frozen low back muscles and give pain relief in minutes.

Smoking Cessation
Smoking is not only dangerous to your overall health but also specifically for your teeth and gums. Smoking can cause periodontal disease, and as a result may lead to tooth loss. Periodontal disease is a condition where the tissues that support the teeth – the gums and the bone – slowly deteriorate, and the teeth become loose and finally fall out. Anyone can suffer from periodontal disease, but smoking increases the risk significantly. Heavy smokers are six times more likely to suffer from periodontal disease than non-smokers. Smoking delays the healing of wounds, reduces your sense of smell and taste, and stains the teeth, gums and fillings. The worst and most grave consequence of smoking is the increased risk of oral cancer. If you smoke, the risk of contracting cancer of the mouth is four times higher than for a non-smoker.


We know quitting is not easy and that some people try several times before succeeding. There are many ways to quit smoking. Some people stop abruptly, while others benefit from step-by-step manuals, counseling, or medicines and products that help reduce nicotine addiction. At ORA Studios we can help empower you and find the best way for you to take control of your addiction and successfully quit.


Migraine Management
The pathophysiology of migraine is a condition of abnormal responses to normal sensory inputs. Current therapeutic modalities for migraine simply stipulate this fact, and embark on altering the nature of neurotransmitter activity, either preceding the event (preventive medications), or during the event (abortive or “rescue” drugs).


What has been generally overlooked is the etiology/cause of the abnormality of the sensory modulation. Namely, how it got that way and how it stays that way. Let the doctors at Ora treat the cause of many migraine attacks and evaluate you for the revolutionary NTI device. The NTI device (Nociceptive Trigeminal Inhibition), has been fully approved by the FDA for the prevention of medically diagnosed migraine pain and temporomandibular disorders. In fact amazingly, 82% of migraine patients reported a 77% average reduction of migraine events within the first eight weeks of use. In addition, the duration and intensity of migraine attacks were similarly reduced.

The science of orthodontics actually has two separate components: orthodontics and orthopedics. Orthodontics involves straightening teeth, while orthopedics involves manipulation of the bones of the maxilla, mandible and/or their relationship to each other.


Orthodontics has traditionally been known for brackets and wires performing the rotation and straightening of malpositioned teeth. However, Invisalign TM and related products are able to perform similar movements as well. For minor tooth movement spring retainers with moveable parts are able to perform desired tooth movement.


Orthopedics is heavily used elsewhere in the world, but America has had an increasing number of practitioners embrace its usefulness. Orthopedic appliances help expand or widen dental arches (jaw bone structure) to help reduce the number of extractions that were formerly needed prior to the increased utilization of appliances. They come in several hundred different designs with a host of different indications for each individual design.


Orthodontics benefit the very young and a great number of adults of all ages in many useful ways. Certainly straight teeth are easier to take care of hygienically, which may lower your risk of periodontal disease and tooth decay. Straight teeth masticate, or chew food, much more efficiently, and straight teeth are more esthetically pleasing to the eye. Some individuals actually find that a straighter and more functional set of teeth lessens the number of headaches from which they suffer, especially if they had a moderate to severe malocclusion issue prior to treatment. Some patients with a very narrow maxilla, categorized by a high palatal vault and a potential crossbite, benefit greatly from expansion of the palate. As the maxilla is gradually made wider by an active appliance, it helps increase the volume of space within the nasal cavity above it making it easier to breathe through the nose. The TMJ’s, or Temporo Mandibular Joints, can become another big winner from successful orthodontic/orthopedic intervention. If a patient has headaches or muscle spasms due to their malocclusion or malalignment, successful treatment may often correct skeletal imbalance, which is often times the source of the patient’s discomfort.


A lot of parents ask about early intervention of malocclusions and what benefits could be gained. In the past it was quite common in some malocclusion cases of moderate/severe crowding for permanent teeth to be extracted. It would indeed alleviate crowding issues, but may not be the greatest for overall TM Joint health. Interceptive orthodontics, or early intervention, in the case above might consist of any number of expansion appliances, which overtime and through adjustments widen the arches. This eliminates most of the need for extraction of perfectly healthy teeth by creating more available space. Certain problems do benefit from using orthopedic appliances to move either bony structures or teeth prior to braces. It often leads to terrific changes to a prior condition so that when children are ready for braces they spend significantly less time in braces. This greatly reduces their risk of developing decay or hypocalcified “white” spots, which come from lack of adequate plaque removal around the orthodontic devices. Let’s face it, sometimes children’s hygiene is fair at best while they’re in braces, and less time in braces in general can be a fabulous benefit.


In the orthodontic/orthopedic world material choices are somewhat limited but there are far more available now than in prior decades. Stainless steel comprises most of the bracket and wire portion of the equation. Stainless steel generally has a very low amount of nickel in its composition, but materials testing can certainly identify potential allergy complications. Some newer wires have primarily nickel and titanium which can allow enormous flexibility in the wire along with slow, consistent movement. Tragically, however, the nickel content can be high. A simple materials test can tell you what to avoid if nickel allergy is suspected. In the world of appliances stainless steel and acrylic are the dominant players. Clear acrylic is generally best, due to potential for metals in the colored or tinted plastics. Most plastics are bis-phenol A free in this arena, but again, testing is available if you or your child have a potential conflict with a proposed material. Invisalign ^TM and similar products, are comprised mainly of clear resin. While these options are metal-free, complex orthodontic problems may not be able to be solved through Invisalign ^TM alone.


When looking for a provider, choose one you feel comfortable communicating with, first and foremost. I would also look for a practitioner with an open mind who solves problems with creativity and imagination. I’m not a fan of extraction methods of orthodontics. Appliance therapy solves most of those former problems, and only on rare occasions should extraction be necessary. If you or your child has a great alignment without crowding and a healthy TMJ/muscle complex, you may not need orthodontics. In the event treatment would benefit you, remember there are ways to check for material allergies or sensitivities so that safety is not compromised. The same principles apply for brushing and flossing well during treatment to reduce your risk of tooth decay. If instructed to do so by your dentist, the use of floss threaders or proxy brushes can prove extraordinarily useful in decay/gum disease prevention during treatment.


Generally, having your child evaluated around the age of 6 or 7 years can identify certain problems which would benefit from early intervention. Less severe situations can often be solved with less time spent in treatment when the children are between 10 and 13 years old. Just ask your local dentist for options when your children are of age, or if you would like to discuss options for yourself. Today’s orthodontic options are not just for kids anymore.

The holidays are finally here, and so are the illnesses of winter. Not many people can afford to be home with a cold or the flu during this season, so it is important to prepare the body for combating viruses. ChicagoHealers.com Practitioner Dr. Andi Pearson, DDS, explains that something as simple as good dental health can actually help protect against sickness.


“Not many people realize that dental health is connected closely with other areas of human health,” says Dr. Pearson. “The mouth is where the digestive system begins and is the gateway for most nutritional processes. It is the starting place for keeping bacteria out and letting essential oils in.”


Both the American Medical Association and the American Dental Association have done recent studies that illustrate the link between dental health and diseases like diabetes and heart disease. If oral health is not maintained well, the endocrine and immune systems have to work harder to break down foods during the digestive process or fight harmful bacteria, leading to compromised or incomplete efficiency. Dr. Pearson provides the following tips for keeping your dental defense strong during the winter months:


- Brush with Essential Oils – Add a drop of cinnamon oil and a drop of myrrh oil to your toothbrush before brushing. Both oils are antibacterial and antiviral, which can prevent infection and provide extra defense against cold and flu bacteria.


- Get the Whole Mouth Involved – Do not underestimate the power of dental homecare. Make sure to brush at least three times a day to wash away daily bacteria. Also, brush into your gums, tongue and cheeks at the end of a brushing cycle to build resistance against daily illnesses floating around the office and home.


- Keep It Extra Clean – There is nothing more effective than a professional deep clean. Consider seeing a dentist for a cleaning every 3 months in the winter to proactively combat hard-to-reach bacteria. Also, dentists check for gum disease, which can weaken the immunity towards illnesses.

STEP 1: Choose Natural, Eco-Friendly Oral Hygiene Products
Growing evidence supports the idea that what goes in your mouth stays in your body, even after you brush and swish. Your mouth and gums absorb ingredients, and act as an entry point into your system. As a result, your choice of oral products is as important as the food you eat, what you put on your skin, and all the other products you choose for a healthy home environment. Small changes made to our daily habits can really add up. Some examples of natural and eco-conscious oral care products:

STEP 2: Reduce Water Waste And Your Carbon Footprint During Oral Hygiene Practices
Did you know the average person wastes at least 90 glasses of water every day by leaving the tap running while they brush their teeth? That means in the United States alone, we’re literally pouring down the drain 27 billion glasses of clean, drinkable water every day, just brushing our teeth. In addition to just water waste, when you crunch the numbers – the carbon footprint involved in processing and distributing that quantity of tap water translates to about 4,200 tons of CO₂ per day, which is an astounding 1,553,000 tons of CO₂ emissions annually just in the U.S.! The simple solution – turn off your faucet.

STEP 3: Seek Out An Eco-Friendly Dentist, Who Embraces A Holistic Approach To Oral Wellness And Takes It To The Next Level – Overall Planetary Health.
Your “green” home dental care routine (brushing, flossing, rinsing), works in conjunction with a customized dental program to provide you with the necessary professional cleanings, annually screenings for oral cancer, and prevention and treatment of decay and disease – but accomplished in an eco-friendly way. A dentist is an essential extension to your at-home overall oral health and wellness. So find a dental practice that is authentically “green” and that you love. Dentistry is a healing profession. It’s important to have a satisfying relationship with your dental wellness team, and to know they share your values for wellness of people and planet. For Chicagoans, ORA Dental Studio^TM is exactly such a place, and actually is the first and only green group dental practice in the nation! It is a healing facility that was not only designed from the ground up as a sustainable green project, but also to comprehensively deliver green healthcare. For more information about this unique and earth-loving dental practice, visit www.oradentalstudio.com, call 312-328-9000, or visit them in person at 1827 South Michigan Avenue Chicago, IL 60616.

How would I advise patients to care for themselves differently as they age is a rather interesting topic. As we age a vast number of changes occur metabolically, hormonally, and nutritionally. When you add various prescription medications into the mix, you introduce untoward side effects which quite often cause deleterious changes within the oral cavity.


When we start out as children our bodies know how to care for themselves inherently. For example, when we get cuts and scrapes, we produce enough enzymes to break down excess scar tissue so we heal more quickly and completely. However, with the passage of time, our bodies produce less and less of our own enzymes, nutrients, and energy. To that extent we need more supplementation to gain what our bodies require.


Classically, what happens orally as we age? Most people need more and more fillings due to caries or their fillings deteriorate and need replacement. Once fillings get too large the risk becomes fracturing of the teeth, which results in onlays, crowns, or extractions, if the teeth cannot be repaired. Clenching and grinding the teeth only worsen the risk of damage to the teeth. Not only does gum disease become more prevalent with age as well, but also gum recession worsens with age. More individuals are being placed on heart, depression, cancer, and diabetes related prescription drugs than ever before, and seemingly at earlier ages than before. A staggering number of these prescription drugs have side effects, the worst of which is salivary reduction as far as the oral environment is concerned. Saliva has sodium bicarbonate, antibodies, and needed minerals/vitamins which help prevent decay and gum disease. Let’s take a patient on anti-depressants and anti-hypertensive medications for example. Now let’s also throw clenching/grinding and arthritis, which affects her hands, into the mix. Clenching causes gum recession; arthritis makes it difficult for optimal home care to occur. Her medications cause dry mouth symptoms. The recipe for exposed root surfaces in addition to decreased salivary flow is one for massive root caries. Enamel of the teeth is fairly acid resistant, while the root surfaces are most definitely not acid resistant. Another simple example is how stress hormones affect gum disease. When individuals are stressed, our adrenal glands increase hormonal output to help the body compensate and deal with stress. However, the gum disease producing bacteria living below the gum line are stimulated by these same increased hormonal levels leading to a worsening of the gum disease state. Suffice it to say, if there is a way to reduce or eliminate your prescription drug intake, do so. If you cannot eliminate prescription drugs, you must be doubly careful about your home care.


On the hygiene front, switch to an Oral-B electric toothbrush or one of similar effectiveness. Obviously, floss your teeth, and possibly more than once daily. Rinse 1-2 times daily with an effective gum disease reducing, alcohol-free mouth rinse. Your frequency of dental check-ups may need to increase depending on your situation due to periodontal disease or decay risk. If you have extensive dental work such as fixed bridges or partial dentures, consider using super floss, which looks like a pipe cleaner, and proxybrushes for more effective cleaning around your bridges, etc. Also consider waterpiks or hydroflossers, if your manual dexterity is affected by arthritis and flossing is difficult for you. To prevent root decay, use MI paste, Soothe-Rx, or similar product. These products contain the beneficial mineral components that your tooth structure contains and are eliminated by caries producing bacteria during the decay process. The natural sugar substitute xylitol may also help reduce your decay risk factors.


Dietary issues to remember would be to limit, or better yet, eliminate your sugar intake. It is hard on your pancreas, your adrenal glands, and your immune system. Increase your CoQ10 intake through supplements. This vital nutrient is beneficial to your cardiovascular system and your gum tissue through its antioxidant properties. Increase your protein intake unless you suffer from kidney problems and have been advised to avoid high protein intake. Healthy gums also rely heavily on optimal vitamin C levels which are much higher than the USRDA of 80 mg/day. And for most individuals, their vitamin D levels tend to be low in our northern climate. Vitamin D is quite important in the fight against osteoporosis in relation to its unique ability to assist in calcium absorption and utilization within the body, which especially means the mandible and maxilla in our discussion. A simple blood test can help you determine how much supplementation of vitamin D you require.

Gum Disease:

Brushing, flossing and disinfecting your mouth as well as seeing a dentist regularly can help to ward off Gum Disease:

– Gum disease is actually a systemic disease.
– Studies have shown an increase risk of:
– Heart attacks
– Strokes
– Respiratory diseases
– Pancreatic cancer
– (www.Periopro.com)

Dental Materials:

The dental materials that are chosen by the dentist to replace the decayed or broken portion of the tooth, as well as missing teeth, are an area of much debate. What is best for each individual person is best revealed by an allergy test, in my opinion.


Toxic metals such as mercury, and copper, used in the so called silver fillings are highly toxic. Metal for crowns, bridges, braces and partial dentures contain Nickel.


Mercury has been known to cause:

– Tremors, observed in fine voluntary muscle
– Depression ,fatigue, increased irritability, moodiness, nervous excitability – especially when criticized
– Inability to concentrate, loss of memory
– Loss of appetite
– Insomnia
– Kidney disease
– Nausea and diarrhea
– Pneumonitis
– Swollen gland and tongue
– Dark pigmentation of marginal gingival and loosening of teeth
– Birth defects
– Passes in breast milk
(www.toxicteeth.org)(www.atsdr.cdc.gov)

Nickel has been known to cause:

– Known carcinogen (causes cancer)
– Known allergen, 10-20% of the population.
– If it is in direct contact with skin it has been known to cause sensitization. What this means is you can develop an allergy to it. A rash does not always appear at sight of contact, but as rashes elsewhere on the body or causes asthma symptoms.
– Passes through placental barrier
– Passes to infants in breast milk
– Is used to make stainless steel, jewelry
( www.atsdr.cdc.gov)