Ear Medical Group in San Antonio is the first clinic in Texas to offer this new technology.

Mary Peters works at the University of Texas at San Antonio’s downtown campus, helping with small business development. She’s happy to be back to hearing the world around her in stereo after a medical crisis caused sudden one-sided hearing loss.

Last April, doctors removed a benign tumor called an acoustic neuroma from Peters’s head. She was left without any hearing on her right side.

“It’s overwhelming because everything sounds a little loud and kind of funneled into the ear that you do hear with,” Peters explained. “And then you just miss a lot.”

Peters was recently fitted for a new device called the SoundBite. It uses a device that looks like a hearing aid with a microphone on the end. That transmits a wireless signal to a device that looks like a tiny retainer or a bridge worn in the mouth.

“And it sends an imperceptible vibration so you don’t feel it at all,” said neurotologist Dr. Susan Kind. “It sends a signal through the hard bone of your teeth and your skull to the inner ear that works normally.”

The medical term for it is “bone conduction.” The vibrations travel through the teeth and jawbone to the cochlea, bypassing the middle and outer ear entirely and restoring the perception of hearing in the impaired ear.

“It is very much like the difference between listening to an AM station and then having the full robust sound of FM all of a sudden,” Peters stated.

Ear Medical Group, 21 Spurs Lane, is the first in Texas to fit patients with the SoundBite. It was cleared by the FDA three months ago for patients 18 and older.

“I think this is a great addition to what we have to offer for one-sided hearing loss,” King said.

For patients like Peters, who did not want a surgical approach, SoundBite is a welcome innovation.

“I’m very excited,” Peters said. “I think it’s going to do wonders for my quality of life.”

read more: http://www.kens5.com/news/health/Soundbite-uses-vibrations-through-the-teeth-to-help-the-hearing-impaired-139445003.html

Researchers at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Broad Institute discovered unusually high levels of a bacterium called Fusobacterium, which is associated with the development of gum disease, in bowel tumour samples.

Although further research is needed, the finding suggests that the bacterium may be associated with bowel cancer as well as gum disease.

Lead author Dr Matthew Meyerson, whose findings are published in the journal Genome Research, said: ‘At this point, we don’t know what the connection between Fusobacterium and colon cancer might be.

‘It may be that the bacterium is essential for cancer growth, or that cancer simply provides a hospitable environment for the bacterium. Further research is needed to see what the link is.’

Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, said the findings highlighted the importance of maintaining good oral health.

He noted that anyone with swollen gums that bleed regularly when brushing, bad breath, loose teeth or regular mouth infections is likely to have gum disease and should visit their dentist.

NHS figures suggest that between 50 and 90 per cent of adults in England have some degree of gum disease, which affects most people at least once during their lifetime.

Read the full article: http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/interactive/news/mouth-bacteria-linked-to-bowel-cancer-id801290965-t116.html

Since we are talking about the Show Me State, here’s our evidence: We looked at community water fluoridation (CDC), the percentage of people who saw a dentist in the past year, as well as the percentage who’ve had teeth extracted (CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System), the percentage of households using dental floss (Mediamark Research), the money spent on oral hygiene products (Bureau of Labor Statistics), and the number of dentist offices per capita (Census Bureau). After we crunched the numbers, we brushed and flossed. (Another thing we’re committed to doing for our teeth? Avoiding these

10 Worst Cities for Teeth

The Next 80

10 Best Cities for Teeth

And there’s another reason to brush your teeth every day: Examining your mouth is one of the best ways to keep tabs on your overall health.

read more:http://health.msn.com/health-topics/oral-care/the-cavity-capitals

ALOMSHIYO – A 20-year-old woman is worried about the possible implications after giving birth to a baby with teeth. 

The child has two incisors on the lower gums.

Zinto Magagula gave birth to baby boy, Alwande Lukhele on December 17 last year only to discover that he had two natal teeth. This is Magagula’s second child.

The first is two years old.

Normally, babies start teething at six months.

Alwande was born at home while means were being made to take his mother, who was already in labour, to Pigg’s Peak Government Hospital. The hospital is about 60 kilometres from where the family stays.

When the newborn let out his first cry, it was discovered that he had teeth.

The baby was thereafter taken to hospital for medical check-up. Magagula told the Times SUNDAY that she was given the surprising news by her mother that she had given birth to a baby with teeth.

“I did not believe her. I asked her to give me the baby to confirm what she was saying. When I saw the teeth, I was shocked and as a result when I got to the hospital, it was the first thing that I showed to the nurses.”

She said she got to the hospital about an hour after she had given birth and when she told the nurses that her child had teeth, they thought she was cracking a joke.

“After one of the nurses opened my child’s mouth to see if what I was saying was true, she called other nurses,” she said.

“I wanted to know how it had happened but the nurses could not help. They called one of the doctors who was on duty, who also told me that it was his first time to experience such a scenario.” Magagula said she asked the doctor and nurses to take the teeth out but they refused, saying it would be dangerous for the child.

“They felt it would be dangerous because he was still too young,” she said.

“I begged them but they said they could not help me. I went back home the next day without getting any help.”

She said one of the reasons she wanted the baby’s teeth to be taken out was that they were causing discomfort when breastfeeding.

“Each time I breastfeed, he bites me and this is causing pain as the teeth are growing,” she said.

“Given an opportunity, I would take them out so that when he is six months old, the first set of teeth comes out.” Magagula said none of her family had experienced such, which is why she wanted the natal teeth removed.

“It would have been best if someone within the family experienced this but in as far as I know, there is no one,” she said.

“I love my baby and I want the teeth to be removed because I really do not understand what they mean.”

She fears that, if the teeth are not taken out, malocclusion teeth (ticoko) would develop on the lower gums.

Malocclusion teeth are more commonly known as crowded teeth.

“I tried to explain to the doctor that I feared that my son would develop malocclusion teeth, which I do not want to see happening but they told me that they could not help me. I will continue looking for help because I want my son to be treated.”

view the full article at: http://www.times.co.sz/News/36608.html

What is the right time to brush my teeth?

Generally it is recommended that you brush your teeth after breakfast and before going to bed. The reason is that whenever you eat, there is accumulation of food debris, which needs to be removed to maintain proper oral hygiene. It will be even better if you could manage to brush your teeth in the middle of the day or after lunch.

There are various toothbrushes available in the market. Which is the best one?

There is no exact evidence of a particular type of toothbrush being superior to others, but most dentists around the

world recommend softer brushes that have a gentler impact on the gums. Bristles of toothbrushes with rounded ends generally cause fewer scratches on the gums than the flat-cut ones.

Which dentifrice (substances intended for teeth-cleaning) should I use?

Dentifrices are available in the form of pastes, powder and gels. Toothpaste contains 20-40 percent of abrasive constituents-which clean and polish tooth surfaces, but also wear off the roots and lead to sensitivity- compared to tooth powder which contains about 90 percent of abrasives. Toothpaste is therefore recommended.

How much toothpaste do we need?

Advertisements show people covering the entire surface of the toothbrush with a long column of paste, which is misguided. A pea-sized dollop is sufficient because it’s the brushing action that helps in cleaning the teeth not the quantity used.

Is there a proper brushing method?

A number of brushing techniques have been promoted but it really depends on the condition of the patients’ oral health, and one can consult a dentist to find out. Brushing methods are basically categorised according to type of motion being employed. Among the few techniques that exist, the ‘Bass Technique’ is probably the most effective and widely-accepted for maintenance of oral hygiene. The bristles are placed at approximately 45 degrees to the gums and moved in small circular motions. Strokes are repeated around 20 times, three teeth at a time. On the inner surface of the front teeth the brush is inserted vertically and the heel of the brush is used to sweep out the accumulated debris. The chewing surfaces are cleansed by pressing the bristles firmly against the pits of the teeth and then moving the brush. It is recommended to talk to a dentist first because if too much pressure is employed in brushing in the wrong

direction, it could have a bad effect on teeth and gums.

How much time I should spend brushing?

Three to five minutes of proper brushing is sufficient.

Can a toothbrush remove all the food accumulated in the teeth and gums?

Any toothbrush, regardless of whether proper brushing methods are being followed, is not capable of complete cleaning. Dental floss and interdental brushes must be used.

When should I start cleaning my baby’s teeth?

Babies’ teeth need cleaning as soon as a pearly white sprout (mostly at the age of four to five months) is seen in the gums. A piece of gauze moistened with water is enough to wipe out the plaque. But cleaning of the gum pad can be started as early as one to two weeks since birth. And once a baby has actual teeth, you might try using a small toothbrush with just two or three rows of soft bristles. A non-fluoridated toothpaste is prescribed till the age of four.

When should I replace my toothbrush?

You must change your brush once the bristles are flared. One school of thought says that you should immediately replace your toothbrush if you have suffered any viral or bacterial infection so it won’t spread to other family members. Three months would be a reasonable time to change a toothbrush.

These are a few suggestions regarding the proper

maintenance of oral health. For a complete solution, one should always consult a dentist every three months for regular oral check ups to get a better, more personalised picture.

Read more: http://www.dentistryiq.com/index/display/news-display/1578337948.html

The turtle — nicknamed “Rocky” — is on the mend at the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies in Gulfport.

Norowski tells WLOX-TV that the turtle has gone through some adversity including a boat propeller injury and a previous shark bite.

“The turtle shell is made of keratin, which is different from tooth enamel,” Norowski said.

He built a series of acrylic pieces to “get the shell to heal in a more natural, biologic way.”

Along with the dental acrylic shell sections, orthodontic appliances are also attached to allow for growth.

Wendy Hatchett, who works at the institute, has been helping treat the injured turtle.

“We realized that he had a previous injury, more than likely caused by a shark. He had only half of a fore flipper on the left side, half of a hind flipper on the left side, and a large bite taken out of him,” she said.

Hatchett said Rocky is making good progress and doesn’t seem to mind his dental acrylic shell sections.

“He has been able to regain the use of his hind legs. When he first came in, they were paralyzed. And a couple weeks ago we noticed he was able to draw them back and regain the use of his hind legs, so that was pretty exciting,” Hatchett said.

Norowski said Rocky is the first turtle he’s worked on. He found some advice on the Internet, from a dentist in Florida who had previously worked on rebuilding a turtle shell.

To view the full article: http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20120105/NEWS/120105006/Dentist-treats-injured-sea-turtle

10 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Dental Implant Doctor
The use of Dental implants to replace failing or missing teeth is becoming increasingly popular. There are many advantages to having dental implant surgery. However, as with any surgery you should take time to fully research the procedure and all of your treatment options as well as the doctor that will be treating you.
This comprehensive list of questions is designed to assist you in selecting the proper dental implant provider: 

Are dental implants the right treatment for my problem?
Am I a good candidate for dental implants?
How long has the dentist been placing implants?
What type of anesthesia will be used?
Do I have to go without teeth while healing?
What are the risks of the dental implant procedure?
What can I expect following in the hours and days following the implant surgery?
Will there be any maintenance required once I have my dental implants?
What happens if an implant fails or I need repairs?
What will be the total cost of my treatment?
How will my follow up care be handled?

It is import to get to know your dentist and surgeon to make sure that you are comfortable with them. Take your time to shop around until you find the clinic that is right for you and will provide exactly what you need.  Implant centers are popping up all over the country. Perhaps you’ve seen print ads, heard commercials on the radio and tv about how you can get a new set of teeth in just one day.  Most  use the same treatment plan for all different kinds of patients, generally a full fixed detachable denture on top of 4 implants. The reality is that each patient is unique and requires a unique treatment plan for their personal oral situation. Some cases may require more implants for optimal stability and preservation of bone resulting in a better long-term restoration.

Read more: http://www.abc15.com/dpp/lifestyle/sonoran_living/sl_sponsors/dental-implants-may-be-the-answer-for-a-great-smile#ixzz1iVBurmNs

Contact Dr. Vincent Dolce of Dolce Dental for more info on dental implants at 561.291.8291