It’s that time of year again. We’ve pulled out the sunglasses and sunscreen and traded in our hot tea or coffee for the iced version. This is a good time to review some of the symptoms of dehydration and low electrolytes, especially for those who participate in sports activities. For those of us who may not be used to exercising in the heat, you should know that we tend to lose twice as much sodium through sweat than fit individuals.

Watch for these symptoms:

• Tired
• Bloated
• Nauseated
• Headaches

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms it may mean you have low levels of sodium in your body. Some people may experience swollen hands and feet, confusion, disorientation, decline in coordination and wheezy breathing as well. If sodium levels drop  extremely low it can be dangerous. If you feel chronically fatigued or have headaches, you may be chronically dehydrated, ( now is the time to make a conscious effort to drink plenty of fluids) which is more likely to happen during summertime hot spells. Dehydration stresses your body. When you are dehydrated, your body temperatures rises, your heart rate increases, and your brain has trouble concentrating.

Stay hydrated to avoid heat illness—- Warning signs include:

• Muscle cramps
• Nausea, vomiting
• Headaches, dizziness, confusion, disorientation
• Weakness
• Inability to concentrate
• Irrational behavior

Staying hydrated is important!. Drink plenty of fluids and remember, water is always best. If you experience any of these symptoms be sure to contact your doctor. What tips do you have?   How do you stay hydrated when it’s hot?

 Is this natural sweetener healthier than table sugar? Natural sweeteners are gaining popularity as fears about white sugar and high-fructose corn syrup sweep across America.  Agave is one natural sweetener that has been generating a lot of buzz with health conscious consumers and natural cooks. The truth is that agave is processed just like other sugars–and is no better for you. Don’t be dazzled by the word “natural”, U.S. food regulators do not legally define the term, so it’s left up to manufacturers.

What is Agave?  More than 300 species for agave plants grow in the southern United States, southern South America and parts of Mexico. Agave nectar has been used for centuries as a folk remedy for it’s medicinal properties. Most agave sweeteners are produced from the blue agave plant. The core of the plant contains “honey water” the substance used for syrup production (and when fermented, tequila). Although  agave starts out as a natural elixir from Mother Nature, the form we can buy has been processed into a syrup or nectar.

Processing yields a product of light colored nectar resembling honey, but with a more delicate taste, which made this a popular choice to sweeten tea, energy drinks, and more. The amber colored agave nectar tastes similar to carmel and can be used like maple syrup on pancakes. Agave has about 60 calories per tablespoon compared to 40 calories for the same amount of table sugar. But because the agave is sweeter you may use less of it, which means you can achieve the same sweetness for about the same number of calories.

Is Agave Healthier Than Sugar? The bottom line is that refined agave sweeteners are not inherently healthier than sugar, honey, high fructose corn syrup or any other sweetener. Experts agree: the American diet contains way too much sugar. One of the simplest ways to improve the healthfulness of your diet is to reduce the amount of all simple sugars. It’s better to satisfy your sweet tooth with whole fruit than with any other kind of concentrated sugar product.

 Here are several medical conditions that during your regular dental exam, Dr.Shlafer may see signs of a health problem.

• Oral Cancer:  Dr.Shlafer can screen for precancerous changes in the oral tissues. This type of early detection of oral cancer(using ViziLite Plus)  can result in successful treatment. Even better, oral cancer can be prevented if found and treated in the precancerous stages. About  25% of  people diagnosed with  oral cancer (the 6th most common cancer in the U.S.) have none of the traditional risk factors associated with the disease, such as the use of tobacco products.
• Pregnancy Complications: Infants born prematurely in the U.S. account for 6%-9% of all births, but 70% of all prenatal deaths. The National Institute of Health  reports  that as many as 18%  of the  250,00 premature low-weight infants born in this country each year may be the result of inflammatory gum disease. Studies show that pregnant women with severe gum disease have 7 times the risk of delivering a low-birthweight baby.
• Heart Disease:  Studies have shown that people with severe periodontal disease, are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease than those without gum infection.  A study released  in February of 2005 shows that older adults who have higher proportions of periodontal disease causing bacteria in their mouths also tend to have thicker carotid arteries, a stronge predictor of stroke and heart attack.
• Diabetes: Many people with diabetes may not know they have it. Dr.Shlafer can play an important role in discovering oral symptoms and help with the management of it. Diabetics tend to get periodontal disease at a rate of 3-4 times higher than people without diabetes. Other oral problems diabetes can cause is  dry mouth, burning of mouth or tongue, a fungal infection, or a distinct breath odor.

It makes sense to safeguard your general health through  proper oral health care. Call us today with any health concerns you may have.

The condition of  your mouth mirrors the condition of your body as a whole. Dr.Shlafer may be the first health care provider to see the signs of a health problem.  If something  out of the ordinary is discovered, a follow up with your physician may result in early detection and treatment of a medical problem.

How can Dr. Shlafer find illnesses like heart disease and diabetes? He wouldn’t diagnose these illnesses, but may find oral symptoms that could relate to problems that may affect the rest of your body.

Shouldn’t I count on my physician to find any health problems? Yes, that is part of your strategy. Your oral health is an important part of your overall health and Dr.Shlafer is a key member of your personal health care team. The lips, tongue, gums, salivary glands and oral tissues can all warn of trouble with your general health and what Dr.Shlafer sees in your mouth may reveal the first signs of systemic disease, or a disease that affects your entire body.

Good dental health goes hand in hand with regular medical check ups.  Regular dental exams, just like your annual physical is an important part of  health care. Regular dental examinations allow Dr. Shlafer to keep your mouth in first class shape and watch for any changes or signs that may indicate problems elsewhere in your body. A dental exam also picks up on poor nutrition and hygiene, growth and developmental problems, as well as improper jaw alignment. Tomorrow more on medical conditions and their oral symptoms.

We take pride in our ability to offer our patients the most advanced dentistry in a warm and caring environment. We are here to help!

 Do you know what’s lurking on your toothbrush?

Your toothbrush is loaded with germs. Researchers  have found that one uncovered toothbrush can harbor more than 100 million bacteria! Don’t panic, your mouth wasn’t exactly sterile to begin with. The problem starts when there is an unhealthy balance of bacteria in your mouth. It is important to remember that plaque–the stuff you are brushing from your teeth–is bacteria, so in essence you are putting bacteria back on your toothbrush every time you brush your teeth.

What can you do?

• Don’t brush where you flush! Many bathrooms may be small and every toilet flush sends a spray of bacteria into the air. Make sure you store your toothbrush loosely covered or in a cabinet.
• Keep your toothbrush rinsed, wash it thoroughly with tap water every time you use it.
• Keep it dry. Bacteria loves a moist environment.Make sure your brush has a chance to dry thoroughly between brushings.
• Keep it upright, rather than laying down.
• Keep it to yourself. Do not share toothbrushes. Don’t store them side by side or in the same cup with other family members. Whenever toothbrushes touch, they can swap germs.

When to toss your toothbrush.

• The best way to limit the amount of bacteria on your toothbrush is to replace it on a regular basis.
• The American Dental Association recommends throwing out your toothbrush every 3-4 months. If the bristles become frayed, you are sick, or have a weakened immune system, throw it out even more often.
• If you use an electric toothbrush, throw out the head as often as you would discard a disposable toothbrush.

Every time you are tempted to skip brushing and flossing your teeth, remember how many bacteria lurk in your mouth! Dr.Shlafer wants all of his patients to have healthy mouths and beautiful smiles.

Cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving the appearance of a person’s teeth, mouth, and smile. As an added bonus, by enhancing your smile you can create a more youthful appearance. Cosmetic dentistry may also provide restorative benefits. For example, dental fillings are a common procedure used to treat decayed teeth, years ago your only option may have been an amalgam filling (which left visible dark spots on the teeth). You can now select fillings made of resin material that closely matches the color of your teeth, thus maintaining the natural appearance of your teeth and smile.

Technological advancements in natural looking, tooth colored dental materials make today’s cosmetic dental treatments more durable and predictable than in years past. Dr.Shlafer has always used a more conservative cosmetic dentistry technique, this allows him to preserve as much of your natural tooth structure as possible. All of the cosmetic treatments that Dr.Shlafer provides can be done in our office, usually without the need for referrals to a specialist. Let’s take a look at some of the cosmetic dental treatment that are available:

• Teeth whitening: Whitening is perhaps the most commonly requested cosmetic procedure. Teeth are often stained from smoking, food, coffee, tea, red wine or poor oral hygiene. There are generally two options for bleaching: a 2 hour appointment with several applications of bleaching material or a tray bleaching system which can take 2-3 weeks to complete. A complimentary bleaching consultation will evaluate you as a candidate and help you decide which system is best for you. Bleaching your teeth can enhance the appearance of your smile.
• Bonding: Chipped, broken, discolored or decayed teeth may be repaired or have their appearance altered using a bonding procedure. A dental composite material with the look of enamel is applied to your tooth, it is then sculpted into shape, contoured and hardened with a high intensity light. The end result is a restoration that blends invisibly with the surrounding tooth structure.

Tomorrow:  CEREC®, Veneers, Implants

Other Summer Safety Tips

To continue summer safety let’s discuss how to  reduce the risk of dental injury by watching out for situations that commonly lead to injuries.As you enjoy more time outdoors, be on the look out for uneven ground that can lead to trips and falls. Remember never to open bottle caps with your teeth,and always use caution at water fountains. Protect your teeth with a mouth guard when participating in any sports activity. If you have a dental emergency and chip a tooth or a child’s tooth is knocked out make sure to contact Dr.Shlafer.

Some additional safety tips:

• Use insect repellents when necessary and do a daily tick check if you have been outdoors or camping in a wooded area.
• Remember protective gear, such as helmets, elbow and knee pads.
• Keep your kids safe around fireworks this July 4th.
• To avoid food poisoning, watch for picnic foods that have been left out for more than an hour.
• Teach everyone in the family to recognize and avoid poison ivy.
• Childproof hotels if traveling.

Enjoy an active and safe summer! Be sure to check out tomorrow’s blog , where I’ll share with you an easy recipe to take advantage of some the healthy produce available this summer. We’d love to hear from you. What’s your favorite summertime recipe?

Warm temperatures, kids out of school, more time spent outdoors can create a safety and health risk for families.  The most obvious hidden danger in the summer simply has to do with the heat and can include:

• To combat heat stress and heat stroke,be sure to keep well hydrated, take frequent breaks, and watch for  symptoms such as thirst, cramps, fatigue, nausea, headaches and fever.
• To avoid sunburns, make sure to apply plenty of sunscreen, repeating  applications several times throughout the day. (sunburns are still common)

Many families try to escape the summer heat in a pool or nearby lake. To keep everyone safe around the water be sure to:

• Childproof your pool by enclosing it in a fence with self latching gate.
• Always have others around, don’t swim alone.
• Always have everyone wear a life vest when on a lake or in a river, even if you know how to swim.
• Take your kids to swimming lessons around the age of 4 or 5 years old.

Don’t forget dental emergencies. The most common dental emergencies include:

• Teeth that have been knocked out due to trauma
• Teeth that have been chipped as a result of an accident

Time is the enemy when a tooth is knocked out. Dr.Shlafer should see you within 1 hour after an accident, chances are signifiantly improved that the tooth may be saved. If a child has knocked out a baby tooth, remember to rinse the tooth off and place it in a cup of milk.

With a chipped tooth the situation may be more complicated, you may be experiencing pain or sensitivity. Again it would be important to contact Dr.Shlafer as soon as possible.

Tomorrow we will discuss more details regarding what to do during a dental emergency and cover some other summer safety tips.