Here is the link and some comments below from a great article in WSJ on 12/27/11 about the systemic link between teeth and your overall health.

http://online.wsj.com/article/health_journal.html

“We have lots of data showing a direct correlation between inflammation in the mouth and inflammation in the body,”

Some 20 million Americans—including 6% of children and 9% of adults—saw a dentist but not a doctor in 2008, according to a study in the American Journal of Public Health this month

Dr. Ushma Patel – Center for Advanced Dentistry 770-623-8750 www.johnscreeksedationdentist.com in Johns Creek, Suwanee GA

If Your Teeth Could Talk

A generation ago, only people in the public eye had “movie star” smiles, but all that has changed. Today, the procedure is quite easy, inexpensive and within the budget of most working people.

The most commonly used procedure is called bleaching. This can be done either in the dentist’s office (chair side bleaching like Zoom), or after an initial office visit, at home by the patient (night bleaching). For most patients a combination of both procedures is recommended for optimal results.

In either approach, a bleaching agent is carefully applied to the teeth (at home, the patient uses a custom fitted mouth guard) until the teeth achieve the desired amount of whiteness. Teeth whitening doesn’t remove any of the tooth’s structure and even teeth that have had root canals can be easily whitened.

I’ve researched various options and of course, as a dentist, many companies try to engage me in offering their products. But the one I feel is not only the safest, but the most effective and beneficial to my patients is the Zoom!™ Teeth Whitening System. The process is painless and occurs in one visit, generally in less than 90 minutes. Teeth appear six to ten shades whiter (and sometimes more), and patients notice the results instantly. Even if you have highly sensitive teeth, ask me about products that are formulated to minimize sensitivity so you, too, can enjoy the benefits of a whiter brighter smile.

A bright, gleaming smile can go a long way to improve your appearance. The results can be dazzling! As always, happiness is spread with a smile, make yours one you are proud to share! Patients who have Zoom! are so astounded by their instant and noticeable results that they can’t resist admiring their smile in their car’s rear view mirror after they leave the office. For more information and a complimentary consultation on the latest advancements like Veneers or Six Month Smiles Cosmetic Braces System call Dr. Ushma Patel at 770-623-8750 or visit her at www.JohnsCreekCosmeticDentist.com.

Mention this article for a $199 TEETH WHITENING SPECIAL (Regular $299) for Take Home custom fitted whitening gel trays and professional strength gel. $400 for Zoom In Office Teeth Whitening. For the best results a combination of both is recommended. (Special Price of  $500 for both, expires 11/30/11)

We are extremely happy to announce the our office has invested in a Digital Panoramic X-Ray machine that is used on patients as they come in for their dental check up. It is also used to check orthodontic status, tooth alignment, abnormalities in both adults and children, oral cancer, as well as screen for correct development of the jaw and teeth in children.

Dr Ushma Patel – Center for Advanced Dentistry

Did you know you can use your HSA savings (pre-tax dollars) for qualified medical expenses like dental work that you might need.  It can also be used for a variety of other medical related expenses like vision; out of pocket prescription costs etc. Click here for the IRS Publication 502 for details.

End of Year Insurance Benefits Remaining

The end of the year, as you know, is fast approaching. And, with the end of the year, comes the end of your yearly insurance and flexible spending plan (cafeteria) benefits. For those of you that are fortunate to have these benefits please remember that this plan is a “use it or lose it” plan.  This means that any dollars left in the flexible spending plan on December 31 will be forfeited. Please check for flex plan rules and dates with your HR.  In order to avoid this forfeiture be sure to get all your medical related claims and receipts submitted by the effective year end date.

Also each year, your insurance company allots you a certain dollar amount of coverage for dental procedures that we offer here in the practice from routine exams to more complex, long-term procedures.

We want to make sure that you take full advantage of any remaining benefits. Many times, you may be able to save money by completing your treatment before year’s end and avoid paying a new deductible next year, depending on your insurance.

If you have any questions about how much actual coverage remains on your insurance benefits, please call our team at 770-623-8750, so that we can check on that for you. At that time, we can schedule you in at the earliest available appointment to ensure you take full advantage of all the insurance and/or flexible spending plan benefits you have paid for! Also get free laughing (nitrous) gas when you visit in September.

Best Regards,

Ushma Patel, D.M.D. – Center for Advanced Dentistry

P.S. If you have any friends or family members who you feel could use our services, please don’t hesitate to have them call us. We are never too busy to help them. We’ll be sure to take good care of them. And don’t forget with our new “Referral Program” both you and your friend get a $100 Dental Credit.

• Further spread of infection
• More tissue damage
• Surgery
• Loss of teeth

• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Diabetes
• Pre-term, low birth-weight babies

Source: http://www.myarestin.com/

To schedule an appointment in the Atlanta area of Suwanee, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Duluth, Cumming, for a dental check-up call Dr, Ushma Patel’s dental office Center for Advanced Dentistry at 770-623-8750, visit http://www.johnscreeksedationdentist.com/ for more information.

And the good news about sedation dentistry is that it allows those who have been neglecting their oral care to make major advances in the health of their mouth and smile in just one visit. With sedation dentistry, I can perform complex dental treatments in one appointment where it would have taken multiple visits to achieve the same results in the past.

So how do you decide if sedation dentistry is right for you? If you feel anxious about coming to the dentist, have sensitive teeth, suffer complex dental problems, or have an easily triggered gag reflex, talk to us about sedation. Or if you know anyone like this, help them by referring them to us. Call 770-623-8750 or visit www.JohnsCreekSedationDentist.com.

>>> this morning on “today’s” health, cutting your risk for heart disease. about 80% are preventable, but despite that it’s still the number one killer of both men and women in the u.s. so what should we be doing to keep our heart’s healthy? dr. kerry peterson is an internist and contribute to “women’s health” magazine. a lot of us have heart disease in our families. is genetics the whole ball game? is that true or can we really change our behaviors and make a difference?

>> genetics play a role but of course there are things you can do. if you’re a child of a parent who has heart disease you’re more at risk, especially if your dad had heart disease before age 55 or mom, before age 65.

>> the first thing we recommend is people people have heard before, exercise. the single most important lifestyle change you can make.

>> that’s correct. for both men and women, regular exercise, first off, work out the heart muscles so it works more efficiently and it reduces the likelihood of developing all the specters for heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes.

>> how much do you have to do?

floss everyday to prevent gum disease

Center for Advanced Dentistry - Dental Office Team

Urvashi, Joy, Susan, Michelle, Tawny and Dr. Ushma Patel with their beautiful smiles. Team photo taken at the office in the front lobby against the window treatments.