Take a minute to think about your experiences at the dentist when you were a child. You may remember the loud sound of the dental drill, x-rays that the dentist had to put up to a light to view, a cuspidor to "spit into," and a dentist who used no gloves or masks during treatment. Quite often it was not a pleasant experience and you never heard of anyone falling asleep in the dental chair.
Today is a much different story. About 15 years ago digital x-rays began to be incorporated into the dental office. As everyone knows, x-rays are a necessary tool to diagnosis decay especially between teeth and in the crevices of molars where they cannot be easily seen. However, the radiation that is emitted when taking these films is not good for the patient or the dental team. With digital x-rays, the exposure to radiation is about 90% less than using standard x-ray films. With digital x-rays we no longer have to take time away from you, our patient, to develop the film and we do not have to use harmful chemicals that are considered hazardous to the environment.
We are hearing a lot about "Swine Flu" in the media. As with all infections, it can be prevented with proper procedures. As with any infection, we use infection control technology to protect your health as well as our own. Heat sterilization is the gold standard for instruments that are used in the mouth. This is combined with the use of barrier and disposable products as well as chemical disinfectants (when necessary) for your protection and worker safety. Today, you do not need to be concerned about passing colds, flu, etc. to the dental team or being exposed to any infections from anyone else. With effective control technology measures, the dental office is a very safe place.
Lasers were first used on teeth in 1966, and gained FDA approval in 1990. Lasers have changed the standard of dental care. In the past, dental instruments were used to detect cavities along with x-rays. This process worked well on most teeth. However, the pits and fissures in molars often hide decay that cannot be reached or detected with any dental instrument. Today, a special cavity detecting laser is used. Lasers use light energy which can shine into these fissures to detect cavities. Now all the decay is detected and removed before sealants or restorations are placed. No longer do you have to be concerned that your tooth may decay from the inside thus causing the possible need for a root canal at some time. Another type of laser called a "Healing Laser" is also used in the office. This laser reduces sensitivity in affected teeth and Dr. Jim always uses it after extractions to promote faster healing. Look for more information about this laser in future articles.
Another type of laser is used to prepare teeth for restorations (fillings). When a tooth does not have a metal restoration, Dr. Jim can use this laser for removing decay. Drills are known for their loud whining sound and they have a lot of vibration which causes more of the tooth structure to be removed. This laser makes a soft clicking sound and the light energy can be used to remove the decay. Thus more of your tooth is left intact. Most patients do not even need an injection when this laser is used. Children have a much better experience as well as they do not have to have the "shot" and they can leave without a "fat lip."
The "Velscope" was introduced into the practice last year. Oral cancer is an extremely aggressive and deadly form of cancer. Oral cancer hides beneath the surface and by the time it a health provider can see it, it is often in a late stage. The Velscope is able to detect changes in oral tissue before these changes can be seen with the naked eye. Again, it uses light energy to help detect abnormal tissue changes. Thus we are able to refer you to a specialist so that abnormal findings can be diagnosed early and proper treatment, if any, can be prescribed. Since oral cancer has not had this available technology until recently, treatment has often been very invasive in the past. Now, health care providers are able to treat this problem early and save many more lives in the process.
A laser is also used as the one of the main instruments in our non-surgical periodontal therapy program. At one time, periodontal surgery was the only method for treating this disease. Surgery was performed on the gum tissue and would alleviate the problem for a while. However, periodontal disease tends to return when the cause is not also treated. With laser therapy, the laser kills the bad bacteria that live under the gum tissue. Therapy for this disease combines traditional methods and adds high tech laser treatment along with supplements, dentist prescribed toothpaste and rinse to provide effective treatment. Research shows that periodontal disease has been linked to heart disease, stroke and diabetes along with other serious illnesses. With proper treatment, technology and your cooperation with home care, we are able to stop this disease and help you achieve a healthier life.
Dr. Jim and his team are happy to offer you these technological advances in the field of dentistry. We believe that your health is a priority and we want to work with you to develop a program that helps you achieve improved health and the smile that you desire.
Our digestive systems do an incredible job. However, today's modern world has exposed us to an alarming amount of toxins, from the air we breathe to the food we eat. Over time this starts to slow down and overburden the digestive system, causing a wide variety of health conditions.
ReNew Life is one of the leading digestive health products available in any one of the four Health Hutts, producing the finest-quality supplements for all of your healthy digestive, cleansing and probiotic needs. They focus on five key digestive categories: Cleansing and Detoxing, High Fiber Foods, Omega-3 Oils, Probiotic Supplements and Digestive Enzymes. Also, some loving focus on Natural Pet Supplements, providing dogs skin care and relief from dry skin, rashes and hot spots.
When you are feeling bloated, over tired, occasional stomach upset, heartburn, constipation, indigestion, gas or flatulence, dairy or lactose issues, candida, diarrhea, over-weight, and more, you may need some help with these issues to gain control and feel your best again!
ReNew Life has come out with a new STOP line that is very good quality at an everyday low price: Heartburn STOP, Constipation STOP, Indigestion STOP, Gas STOP, Lactose STOP and Diarrhea STOP. Each one describes the health benefits to which it is named. Lactose STOP is for those who may eat dairy such as milk and cheese and find they get gassy, bloated and other discomforts. This may help get your body back to feeling good again.
Of course, all of these products and so much more you can find at any one of the four Health Hutt locations with the best everyday low price!
Screenings are offered as an efficient, accurate and inexpensive way to indentify Carotid artery disease, Abdominal aortic aneurysm and Peripheral arterial disease.
Carotid Artery Disease - According to the American Stroke association someone in the U.S. has a stroke every 45 seconds and someone dies every three minutes. Stroke is a major health care problem that can be prevented when simple preventative measures such as screenings are done. Stroke is the primary cause of disability, responsible for half of all nursing home admissions, one of the largest expenditures for Medicare and the third leading cause of death. Carotid artery disease, atrial fibrillation and hypertension in order are the leading causes of stroke and are silent in 80% of patients before the stroke.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) - It is estimated that over one million people are living with an undiagnosed abdominal aortic aneurysm. AAA's can be permanently cured with early diagnosis, but left untreated can rupture and in most cases the person dies before they reach the hospital. Risk factors include smoking, hypertension, family history of AAA and people over the age of 55.
Welcome to Medicare - On February 8, 2006 a law came into effect stating that as a part of the "Welcome to Medicare Physical" there would be a one time AAA screening for at risk beneficiaries who have been referred by a physician or other qualified practitioner. This must be completed within the first six months of the individual's Part B coverage period.
PVD Screening - Although peripheral arterial disease is not as life threatening, early detection allows for proper management to prevent progression of the disease. Early symptoms may include discomfort or pain in the legs after walking a certain distance and goes away with rest. It may not always feel like pain; instead it may be a tightness, heaviness, cramping and/or weakness in the legs with activity.
Thousands of Americans ages 55-plus suffer from potentially life-threatening problems and don't know it. At The Vascular Lab of West Michigan, we provide tests that can identify these health problems. Vascular screenings are simple, inexpensive, and completely painless. To learn more or to schedule a screening call the Vascular Lab of West Michigan at (231) 739-1931.
Since then, Lance has expanded the company's services to the community to include Kohley's Superior Propane. With a home office at 2404 Glade St. in Muskegon, the company has grown to include offices in Fremont, Cedar Springs, Casnovia, Kent City, Grand Haven, Rockford and Fremont.
Free water sampling, testing and analysis is done in homes by Kohley's EcoWater certified water consultants, Lance explained. "We test for evidence of man-made contaminants such as pesticides, mercury, arsenic and petrochemicals, then we recommend the right equipment to address it." Lance said he is often surprised by water conditions in many of the homes his company tests. "Hardness, clear water iron, tannic acid, folic acid, sulphites like hydrogen sulphite, which you find a lot in groundwater situations, you may have nitrates that need to be treated, choloforms."
Kohley's Ecowater Systems offers several whole house systems - refiners, water softeners or water conditioners - but the best water filtration system for high quality, worry-free drinking and cooking uses reverse osmosis, said Lance. The reverse osmosis system runs through a permeable membrane filter and traps contaminants, water hydraulics running through a three stage filtration system. The reverse osmosis system can be remoted downstairs and brought up to a faucet at the sink area. Maintenance is minimal and includes a yearly filter change.
As the country moves more toward holistic health practices an awareness of the basics, like water purity, are following. Lance said Kohley's EcoWater will be there to help. "When you consider that our bodies are about 60% water," said Lance, "you see how important clean water is to our health."