Sjogren’s Syndrom link to dentristry and additonal information
Dry Mouth (Sjogren’s Syndrome)
Sjögren’s syndrome is a chronic inflammatory disease in which the mucous membranes, especially the eyes and the mouth, become extremely dry. Primary Sjögren’s occurs alone with no other associated conditions, while secondary Sjögren’s is often accompanied by other autoimmune disorders such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
Dental Patients with Sjögren’s Syndrome
You may already know that you have Sjogren’s syndrome when you visit us at Johns Hopkins. Or, you may have symptoms of dry mouth and are not sure what to do. We may begin your evaluation, but will probably send you to a rheumatologist for confirmation of the diagnosis.
Sjogren’s Syndrome Symptoms
Dry eyes
Dry mouth
Swollen salivary glands under the mouth or behind the jaw
Dry cough
Fatigue
Sjogren’s Syndrome Diagnosis
Your doctor will do a complete clinical exam and ask for a thorough medical and family history. He or she will probably order:
Blood tests to see if any of the markers of Sjögren’s are present in your blood
Eye tests to see if the dryness in your mouth also occurs in your eyes
Chest X-ray to examine your lungs for any sign of inflammation caused by the syndrome
Salivary exams, to closely examine the functioning of your saliva glands
Sjogren’s Syndrome Treatment
From a dental standpoint, your dentist will want to carefully monitor your oral health if you are diagnosed with Sjogren’s syndrome. Because the condition causes reduced saliva in the mouth your chances of developing dental cavities increase. Our team of dentists will work closely with you and your doctor to help with your symptoms and manage your oral care. Our dentists will probably recommend more frequent cleanings to maintain your oral health.
For more information please visit www.sjogrens.org
Dental Insurance, Who Knew?
It always surprises me how little information is communicated between employees and employers about their insurance, especially about their dental insurance. Usually once a year you are handed a booklet or sent an email giving you an overview of what plans are available to choose from along with a chart indicating what your costs are. And let’s be honest, for most of us our eyes automatically jump to the least expensive plan. A lot of times there will be a snazzy looking graphic showing the cost of a routine dental visit or simple filling and a column indicating your out of pocket expense. In bold numbers there will be a minimal fee or even better yet $0.00. Sounds awesome?! Well, maybe.
We are all familiar with the saying if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. This is the point where you need to look for some additional information. There are some key questions I think are important when choosing a plan:
- Where can I receive care?
- Do I get to choose my own dentist or do I have to choose from a list of their dentists?
- What kinds of treatment are covered?
Dental plans are kind of like cars, you can buy your basic transportation, the sports car you’ve always dreamed of or something in the middle. What it boils down to is what are your needs, how much can you afford and are you comfortable seeing any dentist? In future blogs I’ll be expanding on these topics.
Do you have question about dental insurance? Please feel free to post it, email me insurance@drjeart.com, or even call the office (586)939-8800.
Dr. John Artemenko, Sterling Heights MI
Batter Up!!
I am writing this on “Tiger Opening Day”. The sun is shining, no prediction of rain and it seems the Tigers are everybody’s favorite to win this afternoon. I plan to listen to the game on the radio, especially to find out just how good our new acquisition Prince Fielder is going to do.
As a dental hygienist I have a particular interest in another aspect of the game. Would you believe I often look to see which baseball players have the signs of using smokeless tobacco? You know the stuff that comes in the small metal cans or pouches. They place it between their cheek and gum causing a bulge in their cheek or often spit out the tobacco juice, even on the field. Quite disgusting! However, I’m wondering what is going on inside their mouth.
There is a lot of information for public consumption regarding the hazards of nicotine whether in cigarette or “chew” form. Smokeless tobacco is not considered a safe alternative to cigarettes. One can of snuff per day delivers as much nicotine as 60 cigarettes and many users find that when they want to quit, they can’t. Smokeless tobacco is much harder to give up. Long-term users have a 50% greater risk of developing oral cancer than nonusers because the nicotine in tobacco contains cancer-causing agents. It is unfortunate that using chew because some athletes do is the reason for many people to start this habit. According to a recent report, of all the players using the stuff, more than a third reported sores, white patches, or gum problems.
The bulge in the cheek is only what’s going on outside. On the inside, most chewers and dippers get irritated gums and many develop painful sores in the mouth from regular use. When you keep a pinch of tobacco in your mouth, a white leathery patch may form. This rippled area by be a sign of a developing precancerous area. Unfortunately many users think this cannot happen to them, but it can.
I could go on and on about other changes this nasty stuff can cause, including gum disease, tooth loss and mood changes with accompanying headaches but right now the game is about to begin. I’ve got to get my Tiger T-shirt on, cross my fingers and PRAY for a Tiger win. Let’s talk about more on this topic or any subject of your choosing at your next preventive appointment. Looking forward, as always, to seeing you soon.
Kathy
Safe, Secure and Backed-up
In the age of electronic records and digital x-rays, have you ever wondered what would happen to your dental records if our building in Sterling Heights burned down or our computers crashed? Well you can put your mind at ease. Our entire network is continuously backed-up throughout the day by an external hard drive connected to our server. Additionally, each evening another separate encrypted back-up is run and stored securely off site. Dr. Artemenko also has a “if everything else fails” back-up that is run manually on a workstation. All back-up logs are checked daily for errors or problems and each quarter our fabulous technology specialists (Phillips Consulting) come on-site to verify all systems are working and properly maintained. Technical Support is available to us 24/7 in case of emergency or disaster.
Stay Connected!
Want to check your facebook page? Need to check your email or get directions to your next shopping destination in Sterling Heights or Troy? You can now stay connected even in the dental chair. We now have a free Wi-Fi connection in our office. Just select the “drjohnart” wireless network and you can stay up to date with your friends or keep working while taking care of your teeth too!
I’m not in pain! Why should I fix my tooth?
- Robin – Clinical Assistant
That’s a great question! We get this question a lot from patients. Especially when we see an infection in the nerve of the tooth. I have to admit I would question why I would need to spend a $1000 on something that didn’t even hurt. There are two main diseases we treat everyday that almost never have any symptoms and never heal on their own. It’s one of the good/bad things (depending on how you look at) about dentistry. We can diagnose several health problems before you ever have any sensation. Decay can be present in a tooth for a very long time before you notice anything. You can have periodontal disease without having any of the obvious indicators. This means that by the time you start to feel something, most likely that feeling will be PAIN.
PAIN= $$$$$, time and inconvenience
So the next time you’re in the dental chair and the dentist tells you he/she can repair a problem you didn’t even know you had, it’s to save you from the unexpected hassle of a painful and expensive trip to the dental office. Prevention is the best insurance around. Being proactive about dental care helps minimize long-term costs.
It’s also important to realize there are many factors that play into your oral health; lifestyle, habits, overall health, diet and genetics. For some people the realities are they will always need more professional assistance than the next guy, but regular hygiene visits and good homecare habits can help you be in control of your oral health and dental future. Can we help you? Come visit Dr. Artemenko in Sterling Heights!
WANTED: New Patients!
Are you tired of being talked at? Do you feel like you have no voice or say in your dental care? Or like you are a part on an assembly line, not a name or face, just a number? Do you work or live close to the Sterling Heights area? If so, we want the opportunity to meet and get to know you.
We are interested in you and what brings you to our dental office. So, your initial appointment may be a bit different from what you have experienced in the past. We will review in depth your medical and dental history, previous dental experiences, lifestyle and your expectations for your oral health. Additionally we will perform the following diagnostics:
A thorough gum screening and evaluation of periodontal conditions
- Complete set of x-rays
- Oral cancer screening
- Jaw joint and bite evaluation
- Assessment of any existing dental restorations for wear or breakdown
- Examination for any current decay
This will help us determine your present level of health as well as any immediate problems. If necessary, we can then create a comprehensive restorative blueprint.
We want you to know, in our opinion; you should expect and receive the best treatment and advice that contemporary dentistry has at its disposal. An open mind and continuous exchange of information about your dental circumstances are key components. You are entitled to an explanation of the availability and intricacies of advanced dental treatment and discussion of the investment of time and money of such treatment.
Please feel free, at any time, to ask questions about our recommendations or to make any suggestions. We believe an informed patient is highly motivated, which results in optimum care.
If you have financial help in the form of dental insurance, we are happy to assist you to receive the maximum benefits available. We also offer outside financing with interest free periods and extended fixed payment plans, please see our financing page. If you have dental insurance we ask that you come ready to handle any co-pays and/or deductibles that may apply to your visit. If you do not have any dental coverage we ask that you are prepared to pay for the services we provide at your visit.
Some people are fortunate to be in the group of people that only need regular preventative (cleaning) appointments and an occasional simple restoration. Some people are in need of more comprehensive dental work. In either case, we would love for you to come and visit us!
If you are coming to us for the first time with a dental emergency, you are welcome too! We will help you with your immediate concern and then schedule you another time to come back for the red carpet treatment.
Call us at (586)939-8800 or email us at: generalinfo@drjeart.com
John Artemenko Dds, Sterling Heights MI
Which type of toothbrush should I use?
The brand of the toothbrush is not as critical as the type of bristle and the size of the head. A soft toothbrush with a small head is recommended because medium and hard brushes tend to cause irritation and contribute to recession of the gums, and a small head allows you to get around each tooth more completely and is less likely to injure your gums. It’s unnecessary to “scrub” the teeth as long as you are brushing at least twice a day and visiting your dentist at least twice a year for cleanings.
This message brought to you by your dentist in Sterling Heights, Michigan, Dr. John Artemenko.
