Better Health - July 2021

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Better Health D

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TRAVEL: A tale of two islands: Capri and Procida, D3 SPRINGFIELD PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY: Exhibit on display in the Community Gallery of the D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts, D8

| SUNDAY, JULY 25, 2021

Oral HEALTH

If you haven’t gone to a dentist in many years, Dr. Bryan Kasperowski of Kasperowski Family Dentistry has some simple advice: “Go!”

By Cori UrBan Special to The Republican

Dr. Bryan Kasperowski is one of three dentists at the practice at 79 Broad Street in Westfield. “Preventive care has always been a focus as the best treatment is no treatment,” he said. “In my almost 20 years of practicing, I have seen a tremendous growth in the utilization of technology to allow better, safer and more efficient treatment.”

Though all patients require different intervals of “routine care,” he recommends seeing a dentist twice a year as “a good baseline.”

But just as it affected so many other areas of life, the COVID-19 pandemic affected dentistry in that all practices in Massachusetts had mandated shut downs for three months in the early part of the pandemic, regardless if they had the necessary planning, personal protective equipment and facility safety changes in place, Kasperowski pointed out. “Some offices closed permanently while the rest have been trying to catch up.”

Kasperowski Family Dentistry follows infection control recommendations by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, Occupational Safety and Health Administration and The American Dental Association.

According to the CDC:

• The three oral conditions that most affect overall health and

quality of life are cavities, severe gum disease and severe tooth loss.

• By age 8, 52 percent of children have had a cavity in their primary (baby) teeth.

• Low-income children are twice as likely to have cavities as higher-income children.

• Adults aged 20 to 34 have more untreated cavities in their back teeth than any other age group. As a result, young adults may benefit from dental sealants.

• On average, 34 million school hours are lost each year because of emergency dental care.

• More than $45 billion in U.S. productivity is lost each year due to untreated dental disease.

The CDC offers recommendations for oral health that include: • Drink fluoridated water and brush with fluoride toothpaste.

• Brush teeth thoroughly twice a

disease.

• If your medication causes dry mouth, ask your doctor for a different medication that may not cause this condition.

• See your doctor or a dentist if you have sudden changes in taste and smell.

The colgate.com website provides tips for keeping your smile bright. These include: • Use proper brushing techniques.

• Brush for at least two minutes each time you brush.

• Use a brush with a soft bristle and small to medium size head.

• Floss properly.

• Use a mouthwash.

• Rinse your toothbrush after using it and let it air dry. Avoid covering or sharing it to avoid breeding and spreading bacteria.

• Replace your toothbrush every three to four months and after recovering from an illness.

• Use a tongue scraper to rinse

personal experiences, “this seems to be a problem across the board in healthcare,” he said. “I am grateful and blessed to have an outstanding team here at Kasperowski Family Dentistry” to address any situation.

Patients of Kasperowski Family Dentistry placed trust in the safety precautions the practice implemented at the beginning of the pandemic, and “for the most part, they have been back since we re-opened last June,” said the dentist who is trained in the management of medically compromised patients.

A general practice dentist, Kasperowski specializes in comprehensive treatment including preventive care, restorative, endodontic, fixed prosthetics, implants, Invisalign, removable prosthetics and cosmetic treatments.

Asked if there is more interest in cosmetic dental work today than in previous years, he said it is similar in terms of the amount of interest: “The difference has been the motivating circumstances. People are seeing

of missing teeth or entire arches in various ways. “Huge advances (have been made) in materials, implant design, prosthetic materials and technology workflows,” Kasperowski said. Though they are not for children, “most healthy patients are candidates.”

Improving one’s dental health can have a significant impact on one’s overall well-being and self-confidence. “Functional and emotional components are obvious, but the connection between periodontal disease and resultant inflammatory response has been implicated in many systemic disorders,” said the dentist who also screens for mouth/ tongue cancers and does full head and neck palpations to identify abnormal masses and/or swellings.

He noted that diet does impact oral health. It is “just one of a myriad of contributing factors. Teeth and soft tissue must deal with a complex combination of microbiological, chemical, muscular and anatomic factors on a daily basis.”

The dentists at Kasperowski Family Dentistry have over 65 years of combined practice experience:

Dr. Alan Kasperowski, DDS

is a graduate of the University of Maryland, School of Dental Medicine.

He has 45 years of experience.

Dr. Bryan Kasperowski, DMD, FAGD, graduated from Boston

University Goldman School of Dental Medicine and has been practicing for 19 years.

Dr. Meghan Kelley, DMD, is a graduate of Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and has been practicing for two years.

Dr. Bryan Kasperowski and team at Kasperowski Family Dentistry in Westfield. (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN)

day and floss daily between the teeth to remove dental plaque.

• Do not use any tobacco products.

If you smoke, quit.

• Limit alcoholic drinks.

• If you have diabetes, work to maintain control of the disease.

This will decrease risk for other complications, including gum

away excessive oral bacteria.

The American Dental Association reported an almost 50 percent increase in emergency visits during the past year for various reasons. “We are all trying to manage the backlog as best as we can,” Kasperowski said.

Yet, from his conversations with other practice owners and through

themselves on their screens in these online meeting rooms spurred by the pandemic.”

Dental implants are another of the services provided at Kasperowski Family Dentistry. These are titanium fixtures that integrate and fuse to jaw bone. They can be used to replace missing individual teeth, large spans

Their goal is to help patients achieve optimal oral health by providing comprehensive examination and diagnosis along with a strong emphasis on preventative care and education.

For more information on Kasperowski Family Dentistry, go to drkasperowski.com or call 413- 213-2386.

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D2 | SUNDAY, JULY 25, 2021

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Breathe

easier concerning bad breath Digging into a bowl of pasta topped with a garlicky scampi sauce certainly may fill the belly, but such a meal also can lead to bad breath.

Halitosis, or bad breath, is often the catalyst for jokes.

But for many people, bad breath is no laughing matter.

Many things may contribute to bad breath, and some causes may signal serious underlying health conditions.

Strong foods

Foods with strong odors, such as onions or garlic, tend to contribute to bad breath. That’s because the foods are initially broken down in the mouth, but then they have to travel through the digestive system until they are passed through the body. These odoriferous foods may leave their mark in the mouth, get carried to the lungs through blood in the circulator system and then be excreted through the pores on the body. Some may even linger on the skin after washing. Avoiding these types of foods can

prevent bad breath, as brushing or rinsing one’s mouth may only temporarily staunch their power.

Poor oral hygiene

Food and beverage particles can linger on the teeth and gums if proper dental hygiene is not practiced.

The Mayo Clinic says that a colorless, sticky film of bacteria can form from the breaking down of food particles, which can cause tooth decay, periodontal disease and possibly bad breath. Daily brushing and flossing as well as routine dental cleanings are necessary components of proper oral hygiene.

Dehydration

Failure to drink enough water can cause food - and the bacteria that feed on it - to stay in the mouth much longer. Drinking water helps flush away food particles. Similarly, dry mouth can contribute to bad breath. Saliva works all day and night to wash out the mouth. The American Dental Association says inadequate saliva production can cause bacteria to multiply.

Gastrointestinal distress

The Journal of Medical Microbiology says that bad breath may originate in the gut. Bad breath may be a symptom of gastrointestinal reflux disease, or GERD, ulcers or other conditions of the stomach and intestines. If persistent bad breath is accompanied by heartburn and stomach pain, it’s worth a consult with a doctor.

Oral infections

Surgical wounds from oral procedures like tooth extractions can become infected and produce bad breath. Gum disease and mouth sores also may be to blame. A dentist or doctor can rule out infections as a cause for halitosis.

Tobacco

Smokers and oral tobacco users often have bad breath. Quitting smoking or oral tobacco can be an easy way to freshen up one’s breath.

Disease

The gases that are excreted through the mouth and causing bad breath may be tied to everything from liver and kidney damage to Sore throat disease Diseases of the throat, diabetes to asthma, say researchers at the University such as strep or tonsillitis, may cause bad breath. The of Colorado at Boulder. same bacteria that can Bad breath is more than cause halitosis may also in- just a nuisance. In fact, bad fect the tonsils and throat, breath may indicate the causing the foul aromas, presence of a serious health advises the American problem.

Academy of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery.

Make the dentist

a fun experience

for children Visits to the dentist for periodic cleanings and checkups are an important component of oral hygiene.

Dentists also may be the first people to identify potential issues that can affect health elsewhere in the body.

from personal fears or perceived reactions by children.

Primary teeth may eventually fall out, but they shouldn’t be ignored. They save space for permanent teeth and serve other functions. Therefore, parents should begin to acclimate children to the dentist at a young age to make the experience fun and even enjoyable.

Lead by example

to expect the next time around in a no-pressure situation can make the process much easier for everyone involved. The dentist may be able to also give a test ride on the exam chair, moving it up and down, as well as showing off the water fountain and oral irrigator.

Avoid giving false hope

Children who witness their parents putting off going to the dentist or being apprehensive about visiting the dentist may develop their own fears. Always paint the dentist in a positive light and keep appointments.

Do not tell a child that “everything will be OK” at the dentist’s office. If a child needs treatment that may be uncomfortable, he or she may not trust you the next time a dental visit is scheduled, according to Joel H. Berg, D.D.S., M.S., Director of the Department of Dentistry at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Avoid words like “shots,” “pain,” “hurt,” or even “cavities.”

Dentists, particularly pediatric dentists, may have their own vocabulary that can assuage fears and seem less alarming to kids.

Focus on the good aspects Talk up all the benefits of going to the dentist, such as having a squeaky clean and fresh mouth. Many hygienists will hand out small toys after a successful visit, or at the least a great new toothbrush and other fun products to try.

Many people are unaware that children should visit the dentist early in their lives.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a child should visit the dentist by age one or within six months of the eruption of his or her first tooth. However, many parents wait until much later age two or three - to take kids to the dentist, offers Delta Dental Plans. Hesitance to visit the dentist may stem

Get a tour of the office Ask the staff if your child can get a special tour of the office with explanations of all the tools and equipment. Understanding what

Over time, dental visits can become an easy routine with children, setting them up for a lifetime of healthy mouths and teeth.

Oakdale Dental Associates, P.C. Mental Health | Addiction | Crisis | BHN TeleCare

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Call BHN today at 413-BHN-WORK (413-246-9675) 24-Hour Crisis Line: 413-733-6661 bhninc.org

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