Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Your dental health is closely connected to your overall health

At Centers for Healing, we know your dental health is closely connected to your overall health. We also know the mouth can oftentimes be the first place to indicate signs of health issues in the body. Recently, we found a helpful article that outlined Seven Warning Signs http://www.caring.com/articles/7-things-teeth-say-about-health that indicate it might be time to check in with our team.


Flat, worn teeth plus headache (sign of stress) 

Grind, grind, grind …. grind. If you live with a teeth grinder, you’re probably familiar with this unpleasant sound. Emotional or psychological stress can definitely contribute to teeth grinding. In addition, headaches, which are caused by spasms in the muscles, can radiate from the mouth and head down to the neck and upper back. Night guards, which we proudly provide, may relieve the symptoms, as well as protect your teeth.

Cracking, crumbling teeth (sign of Gastroesophageal reflux disease) 

As we age we may notice that the enamel on our teeth starts to chip at the edges of our front teeth or form hollowed out “wells” on the surface of our molars. These symptoms may be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, which is a chronic digestive disease that occurs when stomach acid—and occasionally, bile—flows back into your food pipe. Other signs and symptoms of GERD include acid reflux, dry mouth and heartburn.

Sores that won’t go away (sign of oral cancer) 

More than 21,000 men and 9,000 women are diagnosed with oral cancer annually, according to the National Cancer Institute. Those most affected include the elderly (most are over the age of 60) and smokers. The survival rate for oral cancer is 35 percent. When an open sore in the mouth doesn’t go away within a week or two, or when you experience unexplained bleeding or numbness, it’s always a good idea to visit our office so that we may rule out oral cancer. A lot of sores and ulcers may lurk underneath your tongue, where they are difficult to find.

Gums growing over teeth (sign of medication problems) 

If you notice your gum growing over your tooth, and you’re taking a prescribed or other medication, please call Centers for Healing 805-375-2233 as soon as possible. Certain medications may cause the gums to overgrow; the dosage will need to be adjusted, but it’s important we take a look.

White webbing inside cheeks (sign of Lichen planus) 

Lichen planus, whose cause is unknown, is an inflammatory skin disease that usually affects the skin, mouth, or both, according to the Mayo Clinic. On the skin it manifests with small purplish bumps while in the mouth it takes the appearance of a whitish, lacy pattern on the insides of the cheeks. The disease can’t be passed from one person to another. Lichen planus may require relatively simple at-home care or no treatment. When symptoms are severe, such as pain or significant itching, please give us a call.

Crusting dentures (sign of pneumonia) 

Older folks are known to inhale debris around the teeth and dentures, and inadvertently breathe in other materials into the lungs and airway, causing dangerous (even fatal) inflammation. Be sure to remove and wash dentures on a regular basis.


Centers for Healing

1000 Newbury Rd.; Ste. 225
Newbury Park, CA 91320
805-375-2233
805-375-4499


Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Batteries, Check! Smoke detectors, Check! Teeth, CHECK!


Batteries, Check! Smoke detectors, Check! Teeth, CHECK! 



You water the garden three times a week, you change your car’s oil every three months, and you replace the batteries in your smoke detectors once a year. Your teeth need to see your dentist on a regular schedule, too.


While daily oral hygiene habits are essential to good oral health, professional dental cleanings at Centers for Healing will insure your teeth are treated to a deeper level of cleaning. We recommend for most of our patients to have a checkup at least every six months. In addition to a thorough cleaning and polishing of your teeth, these regular visits help us detect and prevent the onset of tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease. 

During your visit, Centers for Healing Doctors will check:


  1. The health of your mouth
  2. Teeth
  3. Gums
  4. Cheeks, and tongue. 
  5. ALSO, old fillings and restorations, as these can wear away over time from constant chewing, grinding, or clenching.

If you are predisposed to oral diseases, you may need to visit Centers for Healing more often than every six months. Factors at play in these diseases include age, pregnancy, tobacco use, medical conditions (such as diabetes, dry mouth, or HIV infection), along with how well you take care of your teeth on a daily basis.


Make sure your teeth get the professional attention they deserve – If you’re overdue for your next cleaning, CALL OUR OFFICE at  805-375-2233  to schedule an appointment! Don't forget to MENTION THIS BLOG when you call! 




Centers for Healing 

1000 Newbury Rd.; Ste. 225
Newbury Park, CA 91320
p.805-375-2233



www.CentersForHeaing.net