J. Peter St. Clair, DMD, PC

FREAK OF NATURE

December 25, 2018

I recently attended a dental continuing education course entitled “Hit Man or Healer?” The course was given by a well-known leader in the dental profession. The basic premise of the course was the notion that we have a lot more science, studies, and data available today to be able to make better decisions about the treatment that we dentists recommend to patients. The concept is called evidence-based dentistry.

The idea is that if a very structured examination and diagnosis is done, treatment recommendations can be made based on science. The problem is, many times the diagnosis leads to suggestions that without the proper dialogue can make the dentist look like a “hit man” (ie. patient… (Read More)

OUTSIDE THE BOX

December 17, 2018

Dentistry is one of those things in life….as with most things…. that people view in different ways. Some are interested in their appearance, some are interested in their health, some both,and others none of the above. A major role of health care providers is to make patients aware of the possibilities to improve their quality of life. When our services are perceived as a commodity, expectations are often not achieved.

Dentists play a key role in screening patients for many disorders relative to nutrition and in providing appropriate referrals into the health care system. Although the importance of integrating diet and nutrition guidance into dental care has been advocated for decades by educators, it continues… (Read More)

DEFINE THE OBJECTIVE

December 10, 2018

Gravity is precise in nature, governed by laws and formulas; it does not respond to individual circumstances or objectives. It’s easy because it always works. Clinical dentistry, on the other hand, is science for sure, but an inexact science at best. Inexact science requires the skill of an artist to create a consistent and predictable result since it is not a matter of an equation, hence the “Art and Science of Dentistry.” This inexactness is something that dentists struggle with daily.

I am currently treating a patient who presented with a bunch of broken teeth. The patient is frustrated because these teeth have been “fixed” numerous times over the past few years. His previous dentist… (Read More)

QUESTIONS ON DENTAL X-RAYS

December 3, 2018

There are very few dental practices that still use analog film and chemicals to produce dental x-rays. With digital technology around for decades, and improving along the way, there really is no excuse not to be digital.

However, patients still often express concern with overexposure from radiation from dental x-rays. While I could bore you with statistics, to put it into perspective, it would take almost 400 dental x-rays in one year to equal the amount of radiation a person picks up from background sources each year.

Here are a few questions answered about dental x-rays:

I had a dental x ray while I was pregnant. I am worried that my unborn child might have… (Read More)

Your Dentist Knows How to Avoid Emergency this Holiday Season

December 2, 2018

The holidays are a time of fun and excitement, but unfortunately the cheer and joy can sometimes get cut short by dental emergencies. Whether you’re traveling, with friends, family, or at parties, this time of the year presents a lot of opportunities for dental disaster. Thankfully, there are some easy tips that you can use to keep your teeth safe for the holidays from a trusted emergency dentist.
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THE STRESS FACTOR

November 27, 2018

Thanksgiving has come and gone and Christmas is right around the corner – Are you stressed out? This time of year always seems more stressful, but stress in general is hard to avoid. We worry about school, work, finances, illness, children, relationships, and more. Some even worry about how much they worry. Not to add to your stress, but you should be aware that all that worrying could have a negative impact on not only your general health but also your oral health.

According to an article in the Journal of Periodontology, there is a strong relationship between stress and periodontal disease (gum disease). In addition to stress, other psychological factors, such as anxiety, depression,… (Read More)

TOXIC FOR DOGS

November 19, 2018

Xylitol is a sugar substitute that possesses 40 percent fewer calories than sugar and has been shown to help decrease cavities in teeth, among other things. However, it is important to know that xylitol, even in small quantities, is very toxic to dogs.

The dental benefits of xylitol have been known since the 1970’s. Xylitol is not metabolized by the decay-causing bacteria Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), making it nonacidogenic and thus noncariogenic (not decay causing). Studies have also indicated xylitol decreases the levels of S. mutans in both plaque and saliva. As a result, patients who use xylitol have demonstrated a reduction in decay.

Xylitol is slowly absorbed by the human intestines; as a result,… (Read More)

Which Holiday Foods Should You Avoid If You Have Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea affects an estimated 22 million people in the U.S. and can have serious consequences to their overall health. In fact, researchers have found a link between sleep apnea and many serious conditions like high blood pressure, depression, weight gain, and stroke. But even if you’re getting treatment for sleep apnea, you might not know that certain foods can aggravate it. With the holiday season upon us, keep reading to learn about which foods you can safely enjoy and which ones you should avoid!

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THE SMARTEST OF TEETH

November 13, 2018

Most people who visit the dentist hope they leave the dental office hearing the final salutation from the dentist, “Everything looks great!” Teenagers who have made it without any cavities get used to hearing this…..until the wisdom teeth come into play.

Mother Nature is generous when it comes to our teeth. First, we get 20 baby teeth; next we grow 28 permanent teeth; and finally around age 16-18, we start getting our 4 wisdom teeth (unless of course teeth are congenitally missing).

There are usually 4 wisdom teeth, although some may have as few as none. The removal of wisdom teeth is usually recommended for one of the following reasons:

When the jaw is not… (Read More)

DENTURE MAINTENANCE

November 5, 2018

Contrary to what many denture-wearers believe, dentures require regular maintenance, including relines, repairs, and replacement. In fact, the average denture should be relined every two to three years and replaced every five to seven years for the most optimal fitting prosthesis. There are many reasons for this maintenance interval and for regular dental examinations, whether or not the patient perceives any problem.

The first problem has to do with the basic function of the bone surrounding natural teeth. Natural teeth are held in their sockets by thousands of “cables”, called the periodontal ligament that tug and pull on the supporting bone during function. The bone is designed to be strengthened and stimulated in this manner.… (Read More)

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