OverlandParkSmiles.com

Oral cancer can be a devastating, and even deadly, disease. It can go unnoticed until it has progresses to the later stages. However, if it is caught early, oral cancer is one of the most curable diseases, if detected and diagnosed early. That is why the ViziLite Plus exam was developed. It uses technology that has been proven successful in identifying soft tissue abnormalities in other areas of the body. This is the leading oral cancer screening system which helps in the identification, evalutation and monitoring of abnormal oral lesions which may be suspicious of being precancerous, or cancer.

Overland Park Smiles is one of only two Certified  dental practices in tthe State of Kansas to offer ViziLite Plus technology for early detection of oral cancer. An annual Vizilite Plus exam, in combination with the regular visual examination, provides a comprehensive oral screening procedure for patients at increased risk for cancer. 

With ViziLite Plus, Drs. Willits and Woltkamp are better able to detect early stages of cancer. Please call,email or come into the office to schedule your appointment.

Recently, your Overland Park dentists found out that a tooth belonging to John Lennon was sold at an auction for about $31,200. Now, this is a tooth that is over 40 years old, and has a sizable amount of decay to it!!! How much do you think your tooth, in perfect condition, is worth?

Well, unless you are someone famous, it may not be worth much at all. However, possessing healthy teeth is very invaluable! Not only do you get to have a beautiful smile, but you also look happy, and most of all, you will enjoy eating all the foods that are healthy for you, and improve your overall health.

So, while your perfect teeth are not worth the same as a decayed, 40 plus year old tooth, when it comes to your overall health, they are priceless!!!!

Many parents often wonder at what age should they first take their child to the dentist. Many are very surprised that pediatricians suggest that the first visit should be by the first birthday!! The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that the first dental visit should be scheduled between the eruption of the first tooth, and the first birthday.

Since national studies are showing that cavities are increasing in pre-school children, it is important, now more than ever to start early preventive methods to avoid cavities. The developing teeth of infants are affected by pacifiers, teething, bottles, feeding methods, thumb sucking, gum cleansing, and also flouride levels in the mouth. That first visit is important not only for the child but as an education session for parents to be more effective in promoting good dental health for thier child.

During the first dental visit, the child's teeth, jaw and gums are examined. Parents are shown proper positioning for child to do a thorough cleaning, and cleansing procedures are demonstrated. The dentist would look for any potential problems and the overall oral growth and development of the child will be checked and assessed. Also, the child's medical history will be reviewed and any preventative measures necessary wil be discussed with parents.

It is a good idea to have dental visits scheduled before problems develop. That way, they can be kept short and that will help with the child becoming more relaxed in the dental environment.

This video gives the basics of what to expect during the common procedures of fillings, crowns and root canals.

Found this simplified video about the dental implant procedure. Implants restore your smile by replacing your missing teeth, allowing you to talk, eat and smile. If you are considering dental implants, please feel free to come in for a consultation and we will help you decide on what's best for you.

There are many people who believe that all dental procedures should be avoided during pregnancy. This is, in fact, a dental myth. Not only is it not true, but, it is recommended that during pregnancy, preventative dental and regular exams not be put off.

It was very important for pregnant women to take care of their dental health during pregnancy. As a result of the hormonal changes taking place in a woman during this time, there is an increased risk for developing gum disease, which has been been known to affect the health of the developing baby. Ideally, it would be in a woman’s best interest to visit her dentist and have her gum tissue carefully examined, and have any oral health problems treated before pregnancy. However dental care during pregnancy is not forbidden.

It is recommended that any necessary dental procedures during pregnancy be avoided during the first trimester and the second half of the third trimester. These periods are critical times in the development of the baby’s growth and development. However, routine dental care is encouraged during the second trimester. Dental exams should not be skipped during pregnancy. During this time, more than ever, it will be very important to ensure that your have good dental health, especially your gums. Dental work such as fillings and crowns should be treated to reduce the chance of infection. Elective dental procedures, like teeth whitening and other cosmetic procedures,  should be postponed until after the pregnancy. Also, dental x-rays during pregnancy should be avoided, unless it is a dental emergency.

Maintaining healthy oral health is absolutely necessary during pregnancy. Continuing a healthy oral regime during your pregnancy will help in reducing the risk for any dental problems.

Recently, Dayton Ohio congressman, Mike Turner announced a new bill that would make unsanitary dental practices a crime.  This new bill was prompted by recent allegations at the Dayton VA Center, against VA dentist, Dwight Pemberton:

Bill would make poor sanitary practices a crime: wdtn.com

Receding gums, to most people is a vanity issue. They worry about what their smiles are going to look like, and how others will look at them. However, it becomes much more than that when the causes and possible outcomes are brought to light; it can be a serious health risk.

Causes of receding gums
In many cases, receding gums, also known as gingival recession, refers to the exposure of the roots of the teeth due to the loss of gum tissue. The most common cause for the loss of gum tissue, is gum disease , or periodontitis. This begins when plaque, formed by bacteria,  accumulates on teeth and gums. When plaque is not removed daily, it produces toxins that irritate the gums. Eventually, these toxins destroy the tissues of the gums, causing them to separate from the teeth (recede) and form spaces called pockets.

Progression of receding gums
The loss of gum tissue is more common in adults, but often begin the early stages as teenagers.

Healthy gums are usually pink, tight to the teeth, and has a scalloped or curved appearance. The early stages of problem is characterized by red or swollen gums that are tender and bleed easily when brushed. At this point, it is reversible and can be detected by your dentist during regular checkups. As the disease progresses, it can destroy the bone and soft tissue supporting the teeth. The teeth may become loose and have to be removed by a dentist. When the disease get to the advanced stage of peridontitis, there is usually a sever case of bad breath, inflammation of the gums which may contain pus, and the teeth get so lose that they fall out.

Dangers of receding gums
While the most obvious danger of having receding gums is the eventual loss of teeth, there are many more serious health risks that can be associated with this.  Receding gums is known as the “Silent Killer” because is the gateway of serious afflictions, such as periodontal disease which has been proven to be linked to much more serious conditions. Among these are heart disease, heart attack, stroke, respiratory disease, diabetes, and even  premature and underweight babies. Taking care of receding gums, and getting treatment in the early stages is extremely  important in helping to maintain the overall health of your body.

Treating receding gums
It has been said that the best treatment to any condition is prevention. However, many are not aware of  the risks of receding gums, until they are already affected. Regular dental checkups help with early detection, and further recession can be preventeed by regular flossing and brushing. However, it may be too far gone where this will help. Depending on the stage of the disease, gum recession can be treated by  surgically moving healthy gum tissue to the areas where the gum has receded. This procedure is usually done in the dental office with local anesthetic.

Your Overland Park Dentist is dedicated to providing the best dental care. Fell free to drop in at our office to discuss further treatment options that may be available for you.