Serving Columbus, Dublin, New Albany, and all surrounding communities
May 17th, 2012
Dentists blame energy drinks for rotting children’s teeth; beverages akin to”bathing teeth with acid.”
Energy drinks were found to be twice as likely to destroy enamel than sports drinks.
Want to keep your teeth in good shape? Then stay away from energy drinks. Dentists are horrified at the spike in cavities in children who guzzle sports drinks.
While kids and parents may think it’s less sugary than soda, these beverages do serious damage to teeth due to the drinks’ high acidity levels, according to a recent report from the Academy of General Dentistry.
“Young adults consume these drinks assuming that they will improve their sports performance and energy levels and that they are “better” for them than soda,” says Poonam Jain, BDS,MS,MPH, lead author of the study.
“It couldn’t be farther from the truth,” said Jain.
In fact, energy drinks were found to be twice as likely to destroy enamel than sports drinks.
“Most of these patients are shocked to learn that these drinks are essentially bathing their teeth with acid,” said Jain.
These high acid levels destroy tooth enamel, causing increased sensitivity, cavities and decay.
Running for your toothbrush after chugging an energy drink won’t solve the problem either–it can worsen it.
The study recommended that patients wait at least an hour to brush their teeth after consuming sports and energy drinks or risk spreading acid onto the tooth surfaces, said Academy spokesperson and dentist Jennifer Bone.
The Academy reports that as many as 62 percent of U.S. teens drink at least one sports drink per day.
If you must drink sports drinks, Bone recommends chewing sugar-free gum or rinsing your mouth out with water afterwards.
“Both tactics increase saliva flow, which naturally helps to return the acidity levels in the mouth to normal,” bone said.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea’s Damage Evident After One Month
OSA Prevalence Expected to Rise
According to Mr. Crossland, some researchers estimate that up to 85 percent of patients with clinically significant sleep apnea have not been diagnosed. Obesity and aging are strongly associated with OSA. “As the prevalence of obesity is rising, and the population continues aging, we expect the rates of OSA to rise. It should also be noted that non-obese individuals and even children can have OSA,” he said. And while OSA is seen more often in men than in women for unknown reasons some researchers believe that the true rate in females has been underestimated.
The common signs and symptoms of OSA include: habitual snoring, daytime sleepiness, enlarged neck size, morning headache, sexual dysfunction, and mood and behavioral changes. “OSA can have a detrimental impact on a person’s body and their life. It is a serious, yet treatable, disorder that should not be taken lightly,” according to Mr. Crossland.
(Check out the entire article! CLICK HERE)
We are proud to share that Dr. Firouzian has been working closely with the medical community for over ten years in treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea when CPAP is not an option. Our office treatment follows the Academy of Sleep Medicine protocol and in doing so allows great treatment success for patients who need this treatment. Sleep Disorder is a condition which, once treated, allows a healthy quality of life. If you or someone you know is living with this condition, please consider forwarding this newsletter as you could be saving their life!
Have a great day!
F. Michael Firouzian, DDS, FAGD
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May 17th, 2012
When you bite down, your teeth and jaw should fit together in a natural position of rest. Unfortunately, for many people, this isn’t the case. When your bite (or jaw) is out of alignment, it places stress on your jaw muscles and the tendons in your face and neck, causing painful symptoms. This condition is known as TMD/TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder). Neuromuscular dentistry is the specific field of dentistry that involves the diagnosis and treatment of TMD.
Some of the most common signs of TMD include:
- Headaches
- Poppin, clicking, or pain in the jaw
- Earches or tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Muscle tension in your shoulders, back, or neck
If you suffer from any of these symptoms and your doctor has been unable to pinpoint their cause, TMD may be the culprit. Using a TENS therapy unit, our experienced Columbus neuromuscular dentist Dr. Michael Firouzian can diagnose your condition to determine whether or not you have TMD. Based on his findings, Dr. Firouzian can then develop both a short-term and long-term TMD treatment plan with you.
If you live in the Columbus area of Ohio and are experiencing symptoms of TMD, please contact the Center for Family and Cosmetic Dentistry today to schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Michael Firouzian. We can help you find permanent relief.
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May 14th, 2012
TMD/TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder) occurs when your delicate jaw joint is out of alignment. Since this joint is so closely related to the muscles, tendons, and nerves in your face and neck, it will place undue stress on these tissues if it is misaligned, causing a wide variety of painful symptoms.
The exact cause of TMD/TMJ is not clear, but several different factors are believed to contribute to the development of TMD, such as:
- Bruxism (grinding your teeth)
- Jaw injury
- Arthritis
- Stress
- Malocclusion (misaligned bite)
- Dislocated disc in your TMJ
To determine whether or not your symptoms are related to TMD, Dr. Firouzian will use the TENS therapy unit to relax your jaw and find its ideal resting position. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, treatment for TMD can take several different forms. Usually, Dr. Firouzian will focus on alleviating your symptoms first, then he will outline a long-term solution to permanently fix your jaw alignment issues. This may involve dental restorations, orthodontic treatment, or an orthotic bite guard.
If you have further questions about TMD, please contact the Center for Family and Cosmetic Dentistry today to schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Michael Firouzian. We serve patients in the Columbus, Dublin, and New Albany areas of Ohio.
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May 9th, 2012
Straight Teeth Make a Better Impression, Survey Says
We all know first impressions are important, and it turns out a straight smile plays a big role. About one-third of people say the first feature they notice is another person’s teeth. Plus, about one-fourth say a smile is the thing they remember most after meeting someone new.
Kelton Resear
ch took a survey of 1,047 Americans and asked them to give their opinions about images of people with both straight and crooked teeth. However, they weren’t told the study was focused on tooth alignment.
Overall, people with straight teeth were perceived to be more successful, have a better social life and a better personality. In fact, the study revealed that 45 percent of the people surveyed thought those with straight teeth were more likely to get a job they were competing for. Plus, they were perceived to likely be more wealthy, intelligent and healthy.
In contrast, 38 percent wouldn’t go on a second date with someone with crooked teeth, but 73 percent of people were more likely trust someone with straight teeth.
When it came to what people in the survey would trade for a nicer smile, 87 percent were willing to forego something for a year in exchange for a straight smile and 39 percent were willing to give up dessert, specifically.
Of course, teeth can be straightened in a number of ways, from traditional metal braces to plastic, clear aligning retainers (like Invisalign) and through treatments like veneers, which can address mildly crooked teeth.
Do you think the smile is a vital part of a first impression? What would you be willing to trade for a nicer smile? If this is something you have been wanting to do, don’t put it off any longer and start enjoying this so the investement will give you the greatest return! Many who have completed their treatment often say: “I only wish I had taken the leap sooner”.
Why Our Gums Deteriorate With Age
Age can be unkind, especially if we don’t maintain good health, and our gums are one of the common casualties. But why, exactly do they deteriorate? New research from Queen Mary, University of London, points specifically to a protein known as Del-1.
During a study, published in Nature Immunology, when mice had less Del-1, they were more likely to have an increase in gum disease. Del-1 is a protein that is believed to regulate white blood cells and control excessive inflammation.
The mice that had none of the protein not only experienced severe gum disease, but also had far more white blood cells and more bone loss as well.
Because Del-1 levels decrease with age, inflammation grows, leading to gum disease and a host of other inflammation-related illnesses. “Periodontitis [gum disease] is an extremely common problem and we know that the disease tends to be more common as we get older,” the researchers said. “This research sheds some light on why aging makes us more susceptible and understanding this mechanism is the first step to an effective treatment.”
Now that they have pin-pointed a pivotal protein in the development of gum disease, the next step is to create treatments that may prevent it, researchers added.
Have a great day!
F. Michael Firouzian, DDS, FAGD
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May 3rd, 2012
Diagnoses of A.D.H.D among children have increased dramatically in recent years, rising 22% from 2003 to 2007, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But many experts believe that this may not be the epidemic it appears to be.
Many children are given a diagnosis of A.D.H.D, researchers say, when in fact they have another problem: a sleep disorder, like sleep apnea. The 
confusion may account for a significant number of A.D.H.D. cases in children, and the drugs used to treat them may only be exacerbating the problem.
“No one is saying A.D.H.D. does not exist, but there’s a strong feeling now that we need to rule out sleep issues first,” said Dr. Merrill Wise, a pediatric neurologist and sleep medicine specialist at the Methodist Healthcare Sleep Disorders Center in Memphis.
(To see the entire article please CLICK HERE)
Obstructive Sleep Apnea’s Damage Evident After One Month: OSA Prevalence Expected to Rise
According to Mr. Crossland, some researchers estimate that up to 85 percent of patients with clinically significant sleep apnea have not been diagnosed. Obesity and aging are strongly associated with OSA. “As the prevalence of obesity is rising, and the population continues aging, we expect the rates of OSA to rise. It should also be noted that non-obese individuals and even children can have OSA,” he said. And while OSA is seen more often in men than in women for unknown reasons some researchers believe that the true rate in females has been underestimated.
The common signs and symptoms of OSA include: habitual snoring, daytime sleepiness, enlarged neck size, morning headache, sexual dysfunction, and mood and behavioral changes. “OSA can have a detrimental impact on a person’s body and their life. It is a serious, yet treatable, disorder that should not be taken lightly,” according to Mr. Crossland
(Check out the entire article! CLICK HERE)
We are proud to share that Dr. Firouzian has been working closely with the medical community in treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea when CPAP is not an option for over ten years. Our office treatment follows the Academy of Sleep Medicine protocol and in doing so allows great treatment success for patients who need this treatment. Sleep Disorders is a condition which once treated allows patient’s a healthy quality of life. If you or someone you know is living with this condition, please consider forwarding this newsletter as you could be saving their life!
Have a great day!
F. Michael Firouzian, DDS, FAGD
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April 25th, 2012
You’ve invested the time and money into achieving the smile of your dreams, and your new pearly whites have boosted your confidence and given you a new reason to flash that grin as often as possible. But like all good things in life, your tooth restorations may not last forever. Luckily, there are ways to ensure your smile keeps looking great for years—even decades. A dental colleague from Newport Beach, CA, cosmetic dentist Sherri Worth, DDS, shared her scoop on how to make your smile last.
“Patients should be examined by a dentist regularly, especially if they have existing restorations/conditions,” she says. “As for how often exactly, it depends on the individual patient and the overall health of his or her mouth. Regularly scheduled cleanings are essential and are a great time to have the restorations checked.” The routine care is even more critical when patients have undergone any type of medical treatment especially radiation or are on medications that cause dry mouth.
How long should some of the most common procedures last?
- Veneers are a great restorative option. They are a fairly non-invasive and conservative procedure that will last approximately 10 to 20 years.
- Bonding can be a good way to restore your teeth, but it can stain and/or break depending on the position it is in and how many dark liquids or foods you consume.
- Dental implants are the solution for missing teeth. If done properly and successfully, they can last longer than your life span and they act as bone so they prevent further bone loss in the area implanted.
- Crowns are sturdy and can last between 10 to 20 years.
- Bleaching is the least invasive and can give some of the best results. The longevity of bleached teeth depends on how much colored or dark foods and liquids you consume. One tip for keeping teeth white: Rinse or brush after dark foods or liquids are consumed, especially after consuming coffee or tea.
Problems with your teeth or restorations may arise slowly, but can lead to dramatic changes such as broken or infected teeth, periodontal disease, TMJ issues or pain, soreness in the jaw joint and/or swelling. Of course, you should see your dentist right away if any of these occur.
“The best advice to keep restorations/dental work healthy and long-lasting is with regular cleanings and exams with your dentist, coupled with excellent oral hygiene care at home, including regular brushing and flossing,” says Dr. Worth. The typical schedule is twice-a-year cleanings, but if you’re prone to problems, you may consider adding a third or fourth check-up to your annual schedule.
Much of the longevity of the treatments mentioned are improved with treatments that take into account the healthy bite that Dr. Firouzian focuses on. To have a fully functioning occlusion, one must establish a healthy balance between the jaw joints, the muscles surrounding them and the position of the teeth. As long as this is taken into account for the patient and we are able to maintain the routine appointments, each patient will benefit from the maximum health of all their teeth, whether they have been restored with veneers and crowns or not!
Have a great day!
F. Michael Firouzian, DDS, FAGD
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April 24th, 2012
U.S. Commerce Association’s Award Plaque Honors the Achievement
NEW YORK, NY, April 17, 2012 — For the second consecutive year, F. Michael Firouzian, DDS has been selected for the 2012 Best of Columbus Award in the Dental Bonding & Cosmetic Dentistry category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).
The USCA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.
Nationwide, only 1 in 70 (1.4%) 2012 Award recipients qualified as Two-Time Award Winners. Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2012 USCA Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.
About U.S. Commerce Association (USCA)
U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a New York City based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.
The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.
SOURCE: U.S. Commerce Association
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April 23rd, 2012
Early Screenings for Oral Cancer
Oral Cancer
Oral cancer is cancerous tissue that develops anywhere in the mouth and is actually part of a group of cancers called throat and neck cancers.
Risk Factors for Oral Cancer
Sometimes there is no explanation as to why one person gets oral cancer and another does not; however, below you will find factors that significantly increase your risk of oral cancer:
- Tobacco and Alcohol: The majority of cases of oral cancer are related to tobacco and alcohol use. Approximately 90% of people with mouth cancer are tobacco users. Smokers are 6 times more likely than nonsmokers to develop mouth cancer. Those who drink alcohol are also 6 times more likely than those that don’t drink to develop mouth cancer. Those that smoke and drink are 15 times more likely to develop mouth cancer.
- Sun Exposure: Exposure to the sun can give you lip cancer, although the use of sunscreens and hats with a brim are helpful in prevention. Smoking can also increase your chances of lip cancer.
- History of throat or neck cancer: People who have had another form of throat or neck cancer are more likely to develop a second cancer in the region.
- HPV (Human Papilloma Virus): The most sexually transmitted virus in the US is now one of the primary risk factors.
Importance of Early Detection
Mouth cancers have a higher percentage of deaths per number of cases than breast cancer, melanoma and cervical cancer. Overall survival rate is 50%, but survival rates within stage 1 oral cancer are 90%, thus early detection is important. Make sure you visit us regularly for check ups, especially if you have any of the risk factors.
6 Month Smiles vs Metal Braces
For many years, the favorite method of correcting teeth positioning has been to use metal braces. For some, the sight of metal glued to teeth is even less inspiring than crooked teeth themselves. Now there is a new solution to correct tooth positioning, even in adults.
Six Month Smiles does exactly what it says. In an average of 6 months, your teeth can be realigned to give you a confident and fuller smile. While metal braces use a lot of force to correct your bite, the Six Month Smiles braces use gentle forces to only affect the positioning of the teeth, causing less discomfort and less risk than traditional braces.
Six Month Smile Braces are also clear and the wires very small, so you can avoid the metal-mouthed look. Best of all, Six Month Braces are usually less expensive than their metal counterparts and most adults aged 15 and up can benefit from their use.
If you want to give your smile an upgrade without heavy metal, give us a call today!
Have a great day!
F. Michael Firouzian, DDS, FAGD
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April 11th, 2012
We wanted to follow up on the information that has been released lately in the article “Dental X-Rays with the Risk of Brain Tumor!” Hopefully, it is a comforting thought to know that for the benefit of our patients we have been completely digital in the X-rays we take for over a decade with use of the panoramic X-ray which the study specifically states as the connection. Since then, we also have fully digitized all other x-rays to become a completely digital office. This means a reduction of over 90% of the conventional levels of radiation when we take X-rays, and the frequency of taking X-rays is also less than the allowances your insurance company offers. For the youngest patients in our practice, our little ones typically do not have X-rays until they reach school age unless there is cause for concern, such as determining if treatment is necessary for decay on primary teeth.
This information has just been put out by
New Study Associates Dental X-Rays with Risk of Brain Tumor
A study published today in Cancer, a scientific journal of the American Cancer Society, associates yearly or more frequent dental X-rays with an increased risk of developing meningioma, the most commonly diagnosed brain tumor. This type of tumor is usually not malignant. The study has received widespread media coverage, and a number of the stories cite the ADA’s dental x-ray recommendations that help dentists determine how to keep radiation exposure as low as reasonably achievable. In addition, the ADA has also published in The Journal of the American Dental Association, recommendations on dental radiographicprocedures.
The ADA issued a press statement about the study, noting that the findings were based on patient recall of x-rays taken years ago and citing the ADA’s long-standing position that dentists should order dental X-rays for patients only when necessary for diagnosis and treatment. Note this quote from the study’s lead author in an MSNBC story:
This is the statement to take to heart……”Our take home message is don’t panic. Don’t stop going to the dentist,” said the lead author of the study Dr. Elizabeth Claus, a neurological surgeon at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and the Yale School of Public Health.
To see another article from MSNBC to help us to not panic…. Click here!!
In a U.S. News and World Report story, ADA media spokesperson Dr. Matthew Messina states that one of the weaknesses of the study is that people’s memories about their X-rays are unclear. “It’s difficult to pin this down,” he said, especially without dental records.
Dr. Messina added that the amount of radiation in dental X-rays has gone down significantly over the years, thanks to factors such as advancements in X-ray technology, faster speed X-ray film and the advent of digital X-rays. The study was also observational in nature, meaning it can show an association but not cause-and-effect.
“It’s always good for patients to talk to their dentists about why they’re getting X-rays and what is being done to shield the patient,” Dr. Messina concluded.
In addition to the links provided above to the ADA press statement and dental x-ray recommendations, feel free to direct patients who may ask you about the study to general information about dental x-rays posted on ADA.org
Have a great day!
F. Michael Firouzian, DDS, FAGD
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April 5th, 2012
NEWLY AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT OUR OFFICE:
We are proud to have our office one of only 5 locations in the US that this product can be purchased, get yours tomorrow!
This exciting product is based upon the science of a healthy bite which enhances the athlete’s balance, range of motion, endurance as well as strength. The above picture is of the mouthguard that is readily purchased in our office. More customized appliance can be purchased upon scheduled appointments and require longer office time. So now you can benefit from a little athletic improvement or a lot, call us to find out more.
There is a new science that everyday athletes and a university study have shown improves strength, balance, flexibility and endurance. in sports activities.
This is the science of Neuromuscular Dentistry.
“At the highest levels of physical performance, this can be the difference between making a play or not,” says
Dr. Mark Duncan, clinical director at the
Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI). “A study conducted by Rutgers University concluded the neuromuscular dentistry-based mouthguard improved vertical jump and power output in explosive, short duration bouts of exercise,” Duncan said.
(Arent, Pellegrino, McKenna, Jaouhari, Rutgers/The State University of New Jersey.)
“What we know is that if your bite is not right, it often leads to chronic discomfort and pain,” Duncan said. “Just like flexing your arm for a second is comfortable, but flexing it continuously for two to three minutes starts to hurt, a strained jaw position eventually causes discomfort.” “It’s no different for professional athletes,” Duncan said. “A misaligned bite causes unnatural tension in neck and jaw muscles — this eventually diminishes breathing, saps strength and limits flexibility.”
Neuromuscular dentistry is relatively undiscovered by the dental profession. Fewer than 5 percent of the world’s dentists are trained in this discipline. Neuromuscular concepts are often applied to alleviate pain in patients caused by temporomandibular jaw joint disorder or TMD, a condition commonly known as TMJ.
Neuromuscular dentists are trained after dental school at LVI where they master special techniques and advanced diagnostics to find a patient’s optimum neuromuscular position – where the jaw is naturally aligned and at rest. Patients can then be fitted with crowns and veneers to permanently hold the new balanced position.
CLICK HERE to see more!!!
Have a great day!
F. Michael Firouzian, DDS, FAGD
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