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Today, Dr. Rick Johns and our team at Rick Johns Dental thought we would examine the relationship between osteoporosis and oral health, since 40 million Americans have osteoporosis or are at high risk. Osteoporosis entails less density in bones, so they become easier to fracture. Research suggests a link between osteoporosis and bone loss in the jaw, which supports and anchors the teeth. Tooth loss affects one third of adults 65 and older.

Bone density and dental concerns

• Women with osteoporosis are three times more likely to experience tooth loss than those without it.
• Low bone density results in other dental issues.
• Osteoporosis is linked to less positive outcomes from oral surgery.

Ill-fitting dentures in post-menopausal women

Studies indicate that women over 50 with osteoporosis need new dentures up to three times more often than women who don’t have the disease. It can be so severe that it becomes impossible to fit dentures correctly, leading to nutritive losses.

Role of dental X-rays in osteoporosis

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) released research that suggest dental X-rays may be used as a screening tool for osteoporosis. Researchers found that dental X-rays could separate people with osteoporosis from those with normal bone density. As dental professionals, our team at Rick Johns Dental are in a unique position to screen people and refer them to the appropriate doctor for specialized care.

Effects of osteoporosis medications on oral health

A recent study showed that a rare disease, osteonecrosis, is caused by biophosphenates, a drug taken by people for treatment of osteoporosis. In most cases, the cause was linked to those who take IV biophosphenates for treatment of cancer, but in six percent of cases, the cause was oral biophosphenates. If you are taking a biophosphenate drug, let Dr. Rick Johns know.

Symptoms of osteonecrosis

Some symptoms you may see are pain, swelling, or infection of the gums or jaw. Additionally, injured or recently treated gums may not heal: teeth will be loose, jaws may feel heavy and numb, or there may be exposed bone. Some of the steps you can take for healthy bones are to eat a healthy diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, regular physical exercise with weight-bearing activities, no smoking and limited use of alcohol, and report problems with teeth to our office, such as teeth that are loose, receding gums or detached gums, and dentures that don’t fit properly.

For more information about the connection between osteoporosis and oral health, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Rick Johns, please give us a call at our convenient Highland, IN office!

Do you dread the dentist? Do you hate the sound of the drill, fear anesthesia or needles, and put off your regular checkups because you dread being told you will have to undergo dental procedures? Then drill-free air abrasion dentistry is for you. Air abrasion is a drill-free technique used by Dr. Rick Johns to remove tooth decay, prepare teeth for bonding, and remove old fillings and stains. It is particularly appropriate for young children or people with dental anxiety, because it is sound- and vibration-free. It allows the creation of a relaxing atmosphere, requires less anesthesia in many cases, and involves much less noise.

How does drill-free dentistry work?

Air abrasion is like a mini sandblaster; it sprays away decay-causing tartar and plaque. Tartar and plaque is removed by a fine stream of particles, comprised of silica, aluminum oxide, or a baking soda mixture, which is sprayed toward the tooth by compressed air or a gas in a dental hand-piece. The debris is then suctioned away.

Advantages of air abrasion dentistry

• Leaves more of the healthy tooth matter
• Reduces the risk of chipping or fracturing the tooth
• Generates no heat, sound, vibration, or pressure
• Reduces the need for anesthesia
• Is a relatively simple, quick procedure
• Allows treatment of multiple teeth in one visit
• Is a relatively dry procedure, which allows for easy placement of composite fillings

Drill-free dentistry can go a long way to easing your dental anxiety. To enter Rick Johns Dental and not hear the high-pitched squealing of the drill is, in itself, a big plus. Then to know you will have to receive little or no anesthesia to have a cavity filled with air abrasion, and that this method will be a quiet, relatively pain-free procedure … can you imagine it?

Contact Rick Johns Dental at our convenient Highland, IN office to see if air abrasion dentistry is right for you!

Many people think dental fluorosis is a disease, but it’s not; it’s a condition that affects the appearance of your tooth’s enamel, not the function or health of the teeth. These changes may vary from tiny, white, barely noticeable spots to very noticeable staining, discoloration, and brown markings. The spots and stains left by fluorosis are permanent and may darken over time.

Dental fluorosis occurs in children who are excessively exposed to fluoride between 20 and 30 months of age. Only children ages eight years and younger can develop dental fluorosis. Why? That is the period when permanent teeth are still developing under the gums. For kids, fluorosis can cause significant embarrassment and anxiety about the appearance of their teeth. No matter how much they might brush and floss, the fluorosis stains do not go away.

Many well-known sources of fluoride may contribute to overexposure, including:

• Fluoridated mouth rinse, which young children may swallow
• Bottled water which is not tested for fluoride content
• Inappropriate use of fluoride supplements
• Exposure to water that is naturally or unnaturally fluoridated to levels well above the recommended levels

One way to reduce the risk for enamel fluorosis is to teach your children not to swallow topical fluoride products, such as toothpaste that contains fluoride. In fact, kids should use no more than a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste when brushing, and children under the age of two shouldn’t use fluoride toothpaste at all.

Dental fluorosis can be treated with tooth bleaching, microabrasion, and conservative composite restorations or porcelain veneers. Please give us a call at our office to learn more or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Rick Johns.

It's a new month, and we're excited to share with you August's recipe of the month! Enjoy this recipe from Mia, our lovely and talented front desk person! Here's what Mia had to say about her recipe:

I first came across a version of these while watching Giada De Laurentiis on the food network a couple years ago. Since then I've tried so many things with them. They make a lovely little addition to a brunch or you can even take them for a tailgating breakfast like my fiance likes to do. (GO BEARS)

The great thing about these little guys is you can change up the recipe so easily. For company I switch out the turkey sausage to pancetta . My fiance likes to switch the turkey sausage to chorizo and then add a little roasted red pepper to the mix for tailgating. Gives them a spicy kick.

Ingredients

• Nonstick vegetable oil cooking spray
• 8 large eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup cooked turkey sausage
• 1/3 cup of shredded cheese (I use a mix of asiago, parm, provolone)
• 1/2 cup of shredded mozzerella
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Spray 2 mini muffin tins (each with 24 cups), or 1 muffin tin (each with 12 cups) with nonstick spray.
3. Whisk the eggs, milk, pepper, salt and garlic powder in a large bowl to blend well.
4. Stir in the turkey sausage, parsley and 1/3 cup of shredded cheese mix.
5. Use the 1/3 cup to fill prepared muffin cups almost to the top with the egg mixture.
6. Use the 1/2 cup of shredded mozzerella to sprinkle lightly on top of each muffin.
7. Bake until the egg mixture puffs and is just set in the center, about 10-15 minutes. I check them with a toothpick in the center, like a cupcake. No stick? Good to go!
8. Use a spoon to to loosen the frittatas from the muffin cups and slide them on a platter. Serve immediately or refridgerate for the later!