Something from Kathy
Here’s something I’d like to mention that recently caught my eye in a weekly news magazine. The article was promoting various ways to prevent heart disease and tips to protect your heart. My patients are familiar with how we talk often at your hygiene appointments about issues in your general health, not just as they relate to your mouth but to your heart and other organs. For instance, I’ll ask you how your most recent doctor check-ups have gone, latest tests results and healthy habits you are working to achieve. We check medications, rest and nutrition factors and how you handle that all-nagging stress. But did you know that by just coming in for your professional preventive appointment you are doing wonders for your heart? New research presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions in November found that people who had their teeth cleaned by a dentist or hygienist has a 24% lower risk of heart attack and 13% lower risk of stroke. One possible reason: Professional cleanings appear to reduce inflammation-causing bacterial growth that can lead to heart disease or stroke. That’s fantastic news. It’s a great motivator to keep your preventive care on schedule. So be on the look-out for your postcard, text or E-mail reminder or make that appointment ASAP. See you soon. K
More tips to protect your heart: Stop smoking, eat healthy, move more, reduce stress and limit alcohol.
Already THAT time of the year?
Hard to believe that byclosing the doors on Halloween, we are quickly opening the doors to the upcoming holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. I recently saw an interesting article on Christmas gift giving with the concept of gift giving centered on seeking out American made products or better yet, local American-run business gift certificates, IE, manicures, dance or music lessons, restaurant/meals, movie theatre or hey, here is a thought…dental procedures. Who would not like to receive a pre-paid teeth bleaching treatment or a nominal monetary gift certificate to go toward their pending dental treatment? What better way to make your “secret Santa” smile, than a thoughtful gesture to go directly toward their oral health. Supporting local business while giving the gift that keeps on giving…a dazzling smile (priceless!)
*Bleaching offer good toward currentpatients who are active in our preventive recare program.
Trick or Treat
Years ago, when my daughters were still Trick or
Treating, I suggested that perhaps, as a
change of pace from passing out the routine candy or chips, I would give out
toothbrushes or floss. You would have
thought by the look on their faces and their exasperated responses that I was obviously,
“Anti-Halloween” (which by the way, I am not, I am just practical).
I have to admit, when they came back home from their door to
door antics, I was the first one to eye-ball my favorites and somehow they
would mysteriously disappear before the final inventory was completed. After each “candy binge” I kept in mind the
parental responsibilities to encourage the kids to follow, and myself as the
parent, to remember.
1)) Three times a day, “Brush, Brush, Brush”! At the very
least, brush after breakfast and before bedtime. (Rinsing periodically with water throughout
the day, especially after meals (at school) is really beneficial too!)
2) Try to discourage over indulgence of “sticky” candies
like caramel, taffy and licorice as they are harder for the saliva in the mouth
to “wash away” their sugary effects.
3) Encourage using floss, which is especially helpful in
getting the sticky and sugary substances out from between the teeth.
4) Have your children use a fluoride mouth rinse prior to
bedtime, making sure it is an age appropriate rinse and a flavor that will keep
them coming back for more the next night.
5) Keep your children on a regularly maintained preventive
schedule with our hygienists and Dr.Artemenko. (Contact our office, we would be
happy to help you schedule the visit.)
Prevention is the best course of treatment to maintain their
smiles for years to come…and certainly for next years Trick or Treating fun.
By Carolyn
Do you think I was ripped off?
My friend and I were hanging out the other day and he asked my advice concerning his last dental visit. He has had gum
therapy in the past, what we at the dental office call “root planing and scaling” He went to another office because he had new insurance. Turns out the professional wanted to do a “deep cleaning” or root planing and scaling. That meant he would have to go through all that again? I asked him when the last time he had been to the dentist for his periodontal maintenance appointment, and it had been a while. I explained to him that once you have a periodontal condition where deeper pockets are maintained you no longer have 6 month “regular cleanings” (or prophy’s in dental talk) anymore. Shorter intervals such as 3 to 4 months are recommended. The follow through and home care is essential and necessary to the long term success of gum therapy. We have patients who dedicate sometimes 30-45 minutes between night and day maintaining oral health with home care. He told me didn’t hear any of this information when he spoke to the hygienist, and the next hygiene appointment was not even discussed. This is where I believe my friend was short changed. I’m surprised how little he knew and understood about his condition. The procedure he went through can cost over $1200.00 easy, not to mention the 2 to 3 visits to complete. The professional did the scaling therapy so you could argue he got what he paid for. What bothers me is there was no discussion of what this really means for his future and possibly losing his teeth someday if he decided to never go back. Also the success is based on return visits and maintenance. The advice I gave my friend was he should find an office that will treat you as a whole person, not an open mouth someone can remove tartar and bacteria from for money. Many services should be provided at the dental office. We understand medical and dental health are connected and should be treated as such. Dentists in the metro Detroit area are a dime a dozen. With so many choices available don’t stay because you feel you have to, even if dental benefits guide what choices you feel you have. There is more than one dentist on the list. Make them work for you! In the long run whether you were ripped off or not, if you feel you were, that’s your answer.
Robin, clinical assistant
Stepping into Fall
It’s that time of year again. Kids are back to school, college & pro football is 
dominating television and the smell of Fall is definitely in the air. There is something for you to consider now that the year is promising to wrap up as fast as it flew by…your outstanding dental treatment.
Is there an area of decay or concern that was recommended at your last visit but not yet addressed? Perhaps with the holidays around the corner, your interests are on a dazzling new smile (we can accomplish that, ask us how). And exactly HOW long has it been since your last cleaning? (Gulp!)
Many patients fortunate to have the benefits of dental insurance are also realizing to optimally utilize their annual maximums, NOW is the time to “step in to” treatment. Keep in mind that lab-times and holiday hours many times reflect on the opportunity to schedule your visit in the most time effective way possible. This is something that we take great pride in… putting you, the patient first!
Please call, email or fax our office with your request to schedule your next visit with Dr.Artemenko or one of our hygienists. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Kids: Sports and Energy Drinks, just say NO!
In previous blogs we’ve talked about how energy and sports drinks are not good for your teeth, they cause acid erosion. The high levels sugar change into acid in the mouth that eats away at the enamel of your teeth. In addition to this, the American Academy of Pediatrics is saying that sports drinks contribute not only to tooth decay, but also obesity. Energy drinks are even more harmful because they contain a number of substances that act like stimulants, such as caffeine. Caffeine has been associated with negative effects on kid’s health relating to both their neurological and cardiovascular development. 
So what’s the bottom line? For routine physical activity water is still the best way to hydrate. Hydrating should be done before, during and after sports. If it is necessary to consume a sports drink, alternate it with water and swallow it right away. Don’t swish it around in your mouth. Energy drinks are not a good idea period!
If you’re comcerned about physical activity, keeping hydrated and the health of your teeth or your children’s teeth, feel free to discuss it with Dr. Artemenko or one of our hygienists.
For more information, click on this link: http://www.ada.org/news/5970.aspx
Dr. Artemenko selected for “Champion’s” Conference
Dr. Artemenko is one of only 100 dentists from the entire United Stated chosen for Champions Conference
Many companies, manufacturers and doctors routinely make claims about benefits of products or procedures. The American Dental Association (ADA) has been pursuing ways to provide the most reliable, scientifically sound dental care for all Americans. In recent years, a program has been developed to select dentists to become involved in evaluating these claims and concepts and help other dentists in making treatment decisions.
This year the ADA accepted applications from dentists across the country for an “Evidenced-Based Dentistry” (EBD) conference in Chicago at the end of July. The goal of the conference is to recruit and train selected dentist through the United States to become “Evidence-Based Dentistry Champions” to disseminate information about EBD to their colleagues.
Dr. Artemenko was one of only 100 dentists from the entire United States invited to participate in the meetings. Both Dr. Artemenko and the rest of our staff are excited about this opportunity to continually improve the service we provide and be of service to the profession of Dentistry.
Dental x-rays
Dental X-Rays
Essential to prevent future problems, dentists employ the use of Dental radiographs. These x-rays supply information invisible at a regular exam. Without these important tools, the Dentists and hygienists may not discover the abnormalities and the troublesome areas may go unnoticed.
Revealed by Dental X-Rays:
-Abscesses/Cysts
-Bone Loss
-Cancerous and Benign Tumors
-Decay
-Developmental inconsistencies
-Poor tooth/root positions
-Problems in a tooth or underneath the gum line
When your dentist can detect dental problems earlier before they manifest into a larger issue, you can save time, money, discomfort and the use of your teeth!
You may ask, are dental x-rays safe?
Every minute of our life we are bombarded by natural radiation present in our environment. From a full series of x-rays, we receive radiation equal to that a person receives naturally in one day.
A day’s worth of radiation is a low level and considered safe. In addition, the Dentist conducts other safety measures to limit a patient’s exposure to the radiation when the x-rays are administered. Dentists do this through the use of lead apron shields that repel the radiation waves from un-necessary parts of the body and a quick film that eliminates any extra time of exposure.
Should dental x-rays be taken often?
Depending on an individual’s dental health requirement, the needs for x-rays differ. Your dentist knows what is best for you and your teeth, and he and your dental hygienist will recumbent the number of necessary x-rays after reviewing your dental and medical histories, signs and symptoms, dental exam, age and risk of disease.
For new patients, full mouth sets of x-rays are recommended. That full series is current for usually three to five years. X-rays of the top and bottom teeth together, called “Bite-wing x-rays” are taken at the check-up appointments and are recommended once or twice a year to evaluate any new dental problems.
Discover how successful dental teams are using social media or click for more dental articles.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry has been increasing in the past decade. Patients are realizing that having a beautiful, healthy smile will enhance the appearance and confidence levels of our smile. Modern cosmetic dentistry has seen many advancements that help to improve the teeth and the smile with affordable treatments that are also painless and quick.
Here are a few reasons patients choose cosmetic dental treatments:
Change the size, shape, and alignment of teeth
Fill in unattractive spaces between teeth
Improve or correct bites
Lighten or brighten the color of teeth
Repair decayed, broken, cracked, or chipped teeth
Replace missing teeth
Replace old, unattractive dental treatments
Your smile shares yourself with others, before you’ve even said a word.
Dr. John Artemenko, your friendly Sterling Heights, MI dentist
Peruse some dental articles or discover how successful dental teams are using social media.
What about silver fillings versus white fillings?
Although the U.S. Public Health Service issued a report in 1993 stating there is no health reason not to use amalgam (silver fillings), more patients today are requesting “white” or tooth-colored composite fillings. We also prefer tooth-colored fillings because they “bond” to the tooth structure and therefore help strengthen a tooth weakened by decay. White fillings are also usually less sensitive to temperature, and they also look better. However, “white” fillings cannot be used in every situation, and if a tooth is very badly broken-down, a crown will usually be necessary and provide better overall satisfaction for the patient
Discover how successful dental teams are using social media or click for more dental articles.
