Better Health - June 2022

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Better Health D

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| SUNDAY, JULY 24, 2022

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Maxillofacial Surgeons attend to a variety of conditions and injuries that affect the head, neck, mouth, jaw and face.

(PHOTO COURTESY OF ISTOCK)

By CORI URBAN

treat facial pain, facial injuries ple School of Dentistry and beneath the surface, while wisdom teeth is impossible, Special To The Republican and fractures.

Yale New Haven Hospital for others do not develop third however prevention of pain, Maxillofacial surgeons oral and maxillofacial surgery. molars. dental caries (cavities) and Maxillofacial surgeons, are medical doctors who are Hundreds of patients come Wisdom teeth may get infection are preventable by sometimes called oral and impacted against other teeth timely removal of teeth.” maxillofacial surgeons, attend trained in the field of maxillo- to him each year for the if there is not enough space Problems arise when there to a variety of conditions and facial surgery. Because of the removal of third molars due focus on the oral area, typito pain, swelling, infection/ for them to come through is inadequate space for injuries that affect the head, cally maxillofacial surgeons discharge and pressure. normally. Impacted wisdom eruption of third molars and neck, mouth, jaw and face.

There are three on staff attend dental school first for A third molar, commonly teeth might become decayed inability to achieve proper four years after receiving their called a wisdom tooth, is a if oral hygiene is difficult. dental hygiene due to orientaat Maxillofacial & Implant Surgery of Western Mass in East Longmeadow, and they provide services that include tooth extractions, dental implants, bone grafting, jaw surgery, oral pathology, pre-prosthetic surgery and treatment of facial injuries as well as treatment of TMJ disorders, obstructive sleep apnea and corrections of cleft lips and palates. Facial cosmetic surgery includes scar revision and lesion removal, skin cancer removal, laser skin resurfacing and earlobe repair.

According to Dr. Steven D. Nguyen, Maxillofacial & Implant Surgery of Western Mass surgeon and co-owner who specializes in oral and maxillofacial surgery, the three most common concerns Left: Dr. Max Kernizan of Maxillofacial Surgery in East Longmeadow. Right: Dr. Steven D. Nguyen of Maxillofacial Surgery in East Longmeadow. (PHOTOS COURTESY OF HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN) treated there are impacted wisdom teeth, replacing missgrinding tooth at the back of ing teeth with dental implants bachelor’s degree.

Wisdom teeth that are partially tion of the third molars.

Nguyen attended dental the mouth. Usually people Whether there is a problem and removal of non-restorable erupted through the gum may teeth. also cause inflammation and with the third molars or other school at Tufts University have first and second molars School of Dental Medicine in each quadrant: upper right, infection in the surrounding problems, if a patient has He and the other doctors and medical school at Albert upper left, lower right and unbearable pain or a sore or practice a full scope of oral gum tissues. lesion in his or her mouth for and maxillofacial surgery that Einstein College of Medicine. lower left. Third molars, at “Unfortunately, wisdom One of his colleagues, Dr. the back of the mouth, often more than a week or two that includes techniques designed teeth are the third and last emerge through the gum hasn’t improved, he or she to rebuild bone structure with Max Kernizan, Maxillofacial adult teeth to erupt in the should see a dentist first for minimal surgical intervention & Implant Surgery of Western tissue at about age 17. Some mouth, usually around patients have third molars evaluation. “Their dentist can and optimal patient comfort. Mass maxillofacial surgeon ages 14-18,” Kernizan said.

They can also diagnose and and co-owner, attended Tem- that remain in the gum tissue, “Prevention of the growth of then refer the patient to an

oral and maxillofacial surgeon if necessary,” Nguyen said.

He noted that technology is changing the way oral and maxillofacial surgeons treat patients: “We have in-office scans which allows us to plan surgeries in 3D and create surgical guides to improve accuracy and shorten surgery time.”

According to Kernizan, oral health is an important aspect of one’s overall health as it is responsible not only for the esthetics of a person and their smile but also for speaking, chewing and facial expressions.

In addition, poor oral health “can often contribute to cardiovascular disease, stroke and even bacterial pneumonia,” he said. “Often, diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and respiratory diseases can exacerbate and cause inflammation of the gums/ gingivitis and bone loss/periodontal disease.”

Persons can achieve exceptional oral health by consistent visits to a general dentist every six months and dental specialists as needed, he added.

Maxillofacial & Implant Surgery of Western Mass is at 382 North Main St., Suite 202, East Longmeadow.

For more information, call 413-525-0100, email info@miswm.com or go online to miswm.com.

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D2 | SUNDAY, JULY 24, 2022

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Bad Breath

The hows and whys What to know about

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nyone who bites into a big chunk of garlic bread knows that lessthan-fresh breath is a likely outcome of such an indulgence. But for some people, halitosis, otherwise known as bad breath, is something they regularly confront regardless of what they eat.

Functional dentist Dr. Steven Lin indicates around 50 million people suffer from chronic bad breath. Halitosis often is a highly preventable condition, provided an individual can discover the root of the issue, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.

It’s important to note that while halitosis may be an oral condition, it also may be indicative of other health problems. That’s why it is vital to determine what’s behind bad breath.

and periodontitis, which also can exacerbate bad breath.

Dry mouth

When dry mouth, or xerostomia, occurs, salivary glands cannot make enough saliva to keep the mouth moist, states Harvard Health. Saliva helps flush away bacteria and food particles. Without saliva to wash them away, bacteria and debris can start to break down, leading to odor.

Certain medications may cause dry mouth. Chewing sugar-free gum and using dry mouth aids can help moisten the mouth.

Food

Tobacco products

Tobacco can cause unpleasant mouth odors, says the Mayo Clinic. Smokers and oral tobacco users also are likely to have gum disease, which contributes to bad breath.

Sleeping with mouth open Like other causes of dry mouth, sleeping with one’s mouth open dries out the mouth and can lead to what’s often referred to as “morning breath.”

Sinus illnesses or infections:

Small stones covered in bacteria can form in the tonsils and produce odor.

Infections, chronic inflammation of the nose, throat or sinuses can contribute to Poor oral postnasal drip, which also causes bad breath. hygiene: Anyone with concerns Dirty dentures Bacteria reside in the about chronic bad breath should speak to his or her mouth on the teeth, tongue, False teeth, such as dentures and bridges, can coland other tissues. Failing dentist about their condition. lect bacteria, food and fungi If the cause cannot be traced to floss and brush regularif not properly cleaned. ly may lead to increased to oral hygiene, an individual Improper cleaning can con- may be referred to a general bacteria growth, resulting tribute to bad breath. in bad breath. Poor oral physician for a physical to rule out other issues. hygiene may lead to gum diseases, such as gingivitis Certain foods are linked to bad breath. Notably, garlic, onions and some spices are absorbed into the bloodstream and have the potential to affect breath until they leave the system.

dental cleanings while

Wearing Braces

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races are used to correct any number of dental issues that affect both children and adults. The Canadian Association of Orthodontists says more than four million Canadians and Americans wear braces and are in the care of orthodontic specialists. The reward for wearing braces is straighter teeth that are less vulnerable to decay and injury. A beautiful smile also may boost self-esteem.

While patients’ specific needs will determine how long braces must be worn, the average time spent in braces is

anywhere from 18 months to three years. During that time, patients must maintain optimal oral health.

Cleaning one’s teeth while braces are on can be tricky but it’s highly necessary. Failure to clean teeth effectively while braces are in place can cause white spot lesions, which are white stains around the brackets caused by decalcification. This is just one reason to stay on top of oral health. Here’s how to do it successfully.

Consult with your dentist

Dental hygienists and dentists are experienced at

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cleaning teeth that have braces. Typical visits for routine cleanings will not be much different than visits without braces. The staff will take X-rays and conduct a thorough examination of the teeth. Hygienists know how to manipulate cleaning tools around braces to clean effectively. Very often, cavities can be filled and even root canals performed with braces on teeth, so there’s no need to worry. Should braces be in the way, the dentist can work with the orthodontist and have a bracket temporarily removed and replaced to facilitate treatment.

Clean at home The Baltimore-based Orthodontic Associates advises braces wearers to purchase a high-quality toothbrush. Ask the orthodontist for a recommendation. While brushing, hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle. Brush the outer surfaces of the teeth and braces, remembering to scrub around each bracket.

Use the same angle to brush the backs of the teeth. Pay special attention to the molars and the gumline where tartar builds up.

Special “pipe cleaner” brushes can get in between the wires and brackets, pushing out any food particles that are missed by larger toothbrushes. Floss can be snaked under wires to get in between teeth as well; it just requires some finesse.

Waxed floss generally is easier to use as it less likely to get stuck.

Some orthodontists recommend brushing three times per day instead of two while wearing braces. The extra time comes after eating lunch. A water flosser also may be a handy investment.

Water flossers are easier to use than traditional floss while wearing braces and they can remove food particles and plaque effectively.

Individuals who wear braces should bring any cleaning or oral health concerns to their dentists’ or orthodontists’ attention.