Who ARE those people? They’re old! Oh wait-they’re our classmates. . . hmmm. 

Bill (Dr. Viglione) and I recently traveled to Richmond for our 40^th Dental Class Reunion.  I say we because we were married the summer before he started Dental School.  We had both just completed college and it was our plan for me to work and support us while he completed his education.  I found a job teaching in a Catholic School and we settled down for the 4 years the program would take.

Very few of the students in Bill’s class were married when we started dental school but by the last two years a number of his classmates had met their mates and had also married.  Some of these became close friends and we supported each other through the final years of school, residency, and then setting up practice.  It was fun to see them again.  Although we still keep in touch, for children’s weddings, etc., years can pass without us getting together.

This reunion was different.  We were no longer talking about our practices, homes, or children.  The topics were more along the lines of retirement, downsizing, illness, and what medications we are taking.  In some ways, it was a sobering event.  Somehow, we had missed that we were aging. Bill has loved dentistry and continues to flourish and grow with all of the technological advances. Our children and grandchildren are close by and live full and active lives in which we are included.  We have been blessed with health and wonderful friends. Retirement is still a distant thought.   

Life has certainly presented challenges but, all in all, we feel fortunate to have chosen this profession and settled in this beautiful area.  We are in no hurry to move on.  Life continues to be very good and we are grateful.

According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, 100 people in the US alone are diagnosed everyday with oral cancer.  While early stage oral cancer is highly treatable, most are only discovered in late stages where the mortality rate is high.  Sadly this is not because it is difficult to diagnose but primarily because people are not being screened. This is yet another important reason to visit your dentist regularly.

Dentist and hygienists are trained to look for signs of oral cancer.  They are your first line of defense against this disease.  Early stage oral cancer may not be detected by an individual because it often causes no obvious symptoms or discomfort. The primary predictors of oral cancer are tobacco and alcohol use.  A second, more recently identified, source is exposure to the HPV-16 virus also known as the human papilloma virus. This is the same virus that is responsible for the majority of cervical cancer in women. (For more info about this http://oralcancerfoundation.org/hpv/index.htm)

While the rate of oral cancer has increased yearly over the last five years, early diagnosis is key.  If discovered while the cancer is localized, the rate of survival is 80-90%.  If the cancer has metastasized (spread) the prognosis is much worse. 

If you or someone you love hasn’t been to the dentist for a while, make that phone call today and schedule an appointment for a checkup.  It may be the most important phone call you ever make.

So you just found out you are pregnant and have started to share the news with family and friends.  There are so many things to think about and plan for.  Have you thought about your teeth and gums?

When you are pregnant, you are at increased risk for gum disease.  This is due to the higher levels of progesterone.  Although you may be taking the same care of your mouth and following your regular routine, you may find that you develop gingivitis during your pregnancy.

So what’s a woman to do?  First, make sure that your dentist is aware of your pregnancy. Try and see him/her early in your pregnancy.  If you are noticing any sign of gum disease such as increased bleeding or puffy gums, schedule an appointment immediately. Your dentist may recommend additional cleaning appointments during your pregnancy.

 Finally, as in all matters related to pregnancy, a healthy diet is also a predictor of healthy gums.  Pay special attention to your intake of Vitamins A, D, & C, as well as calcium and protein. Not only will this benefit you but your baby as well.  A baby’s teeth begin to develop between 3 and 6 months of pregnancy.   Resist the urge to snack on carbohydrate rich foods.  This is an added invitation for tooth decay. 

Be especially vigilant about caring for your teeth and gums during your pregnancy.  Brushing and flossing have never been more important.  If at all possible, brush after each meal and floss at least once a day. Use a soft bristle brush and be gentle on those sensitive gums.  You may find that a toothpaste for sensitive teeth is helpful.

Keep smiling and happy mothering!

One staff member, “Bootsie” (nickname) Childress has been with our practice from the beginning, over 25 years.  She also worked with Dr. Haines before he joined Dr. Viglione in 1985.  Her official responsibility is working in our onsite lab.  She is a master dental lab technician.  Her presence allows for immediate repairs of dentures and partials while most practices require that they be sent out to a lab.  It also allows for consultation directly with the patients in addressing individual needs and preferences. 

But if we were to talk about Bootsie’s dental expertise only, we would be telling just part of her story.  She has been and continues to be the “glue” that makes us a team.  Her gentle and sage guidance is readily and frequently sought.  As she works behind the glass walls that separate the lab from the rest of the office, her presence brings calm and comfort to the staff.  She’s never too busy to stop and listen when there is a question or concern-from patients, Doctors, or staff.   When she meets with patients, they are immediately aware of her caring nature and leave her feeling like family. She is a treasure.   

Recently Bootsie announced her retirement to spend more time with her family and to care for husband.  Retirement to Bootsie just means coming in fewer days.  She still works regularly and is always here when she’s needed.

We really cannot imagine our team without her.  So we will happily go on “pretending” that she is retired. 

There are many factors that may influence how you choose your dentist.  Some start their search by looking at convenience.  Location that is close to home or work may factor into the decision.  But that should not be the limiting factor.  We have patients that come from as far away as other states and plan their visits to the area around their dental appointments.  Once they developed that all important relationship with their dentist, they wanted to continue under their care even after moving from the area.

The primary way most patients come to us is through referral of someone they know and trust.  After they have asked their friend or co-worker, the next thing we would recommend is that they do an internet search for the dentist and check their background and affiliations.  Most dentists who are current in dental technology, which is what you should be looking for, will also have informative websites.  This will provide you with a chance to look them over for yourself.  Take time especially to look at patient testimonials.  Also, look for actual pictures of their office space.  The facility should above all appear clean, up to date, and show evidence that they are practicing proper infection control. 

Dental specialists and medical doctors are excellent resources for referral.  Specialists work with many general dentists and are good judges of the quality of dentistry that they see.  Further they will know how accommodating their offices and staff are in working with patients. 

Ultimately your goal is to find a dental home where you are comfortable and you “partner” with the dental professionals to achieve optimal oral health.

It is usually recommended that an infant visit the dentist six months after the first tooth is visible or at one year if that is sooner. “Baby teeth” or primary teeth, the front ones, are used by the child for about 5-7 years before they are replaced by permanent teeth. Primary molar teeth, toward the back of the month, are used until about 11-13 years of age. Over those years, they serve many important functions. Teeth, “baby” or “adult” are important for chewing, speaking, supporting facial features, and smiling-an important part of social interactions. Primary teeth have the additional job of holding space so the permanent teeth can have room to erupt.

Important preventive care can take place even before that. So what should you know about caring for your new baby’s mouth. In the early months use a damp washcloth or piece of gauze to gently rub your infant’s gums. This will clean the formula/breast milk residue and help establish the routine of daily oral care. Continue using the damp washcloth or gauze as the baby is teething. Your dentist and/or dental hygienist will then guide you on the transition to using a toothbrush.

Equally important is to establish good eating habits. Never put sugary drinks such as sodas, Kool-aid, or tea in baby’s bottle. Use the bottle only for formula, milk, or water. Never put your baby to bed with a bottle of anything other than water. Your baby can begin drinking from a cup at age 6-8 months. Fruit juices should be real juice (100% juice on the label), not juice beverages, such as Hawaiian Punch or Hi-C. Overall juice consumption should be limited to 4oz per day and preferably at mealtime.
The frequency of visits to the dentist for your child will be determined by your dentist and dental hygienist. This will be based on such factors as home care, diet, fluoride availability and use, and history of decay.

Early care will affect life-long habits of dental care and contribute to your child’s overall good health.

So I began to ponder this thought. And really, I suppose most of us CAN relate. There are the days when we roll out of bed and somehow over the night, the “zit fairy” payed a visit, our hair is frizzy from the day before when we were caught in the rain, and the scales tell us that we ate too much over the last few days. Maybe it would be best to just crawl back in bed and hide under the covers. On the other hand-there are days when things seem to miraculously fall in place, good hair days, the perfect outfit, skin glowing from a weekend in the sun and the person looking back at us in the mirror is more than okay.

So what is this thing called “self image” and how realistic is it after all? Most of us know what things we like about our appearance/body and likewise those things that we don’t. Important in this process is determining what things we can change and what things we must accept and even embrace i.e. our height.

One of the most important features of our appearance is our teeth. Thankfully, technological advances in the last years have made it possible to make major changes in the appearance of our teeth in a short period of time with little to no discomfort. Lives are transformed because real or perceived flaws are erased and replaced with movie star smiles.

What a wonderful business to be in-one that not only helps folks to maintain good overall health but also makes them want to smile!

This past Saturday we once again worked with the Free Clinic and the local Dental Hygiene Organization to provide cleanings to patients who were on a long waiting list for care. With the help of our dentists, hygienists, staff and along with volunteer hygienists and dentists from throughout the area, we were able to provide prophylactic treatment to over 70 members of our community. The Free Clinic serves low income and working uninsured adults and their families. These are folks who value good dental care but simply do not have resources to do it on their own. By providing preventive treatment, the risk for future dental problems is diminished and their overall health is improved.

Our staff was very struck by the gratitude of those receiving the care. But let’s be clear. They were also grateful to have served. We were reminded of the adage, “you always get back more than you give”. Although it was a long and physically demanding day, everyone left the office feeling a “good tired”. There is no greater gift than to know that you have truly been of service and hopefully made a difference.

We really try to incorporate this sense of service into everything we do with our own patients on a daily basis. While in theory we are a business, we are after all, in the business of serving.