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The Offices of Stephen Schoen

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Denture Awareness

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We’re writing to all the adults in our community to raise denture awareness. If you or someone you care about is a denture wearer, there’s a social phenomenon we want you to know about.

Are you a denture wearer who’s afraid to be seen in public because you think your denture is unattractive? Do you find yourself eating alone because you can’t eat certain foods gracefully? Do you wear your lower denture in your pocket?

Did you know that even if you wear dentures you should be seen by a dentist at least once a year to have your dentures evaluated? At our office dentures are evaluated for cracks, lose or broken teeth, overall fit, and cleaned professionally.

Ill-fitting dentures that slip can cause embarrassment, of course. But if you can’t trust your denture, you may become susceptible to social isolation. Maybe you feel uncomfortable out and about or live in fear of a denture accident in the company of friends and family. Some people give in to the real desolation of life with a bad denture.

Well, don’t do it. Start fresh. Dr. Schoen is a  denture specialist that can help you regain function, comfort, and a natural appearance by replacing or refitting your denture. In fact, with the right fit, most denture wearers can eat anything that’s put in front of them, and look good doing it.

In the best of all possible worlds, a denture lasts forever. But in fact, over time, the tissues in your mouth change, and even the best denture won’t fit as well as it once did. The preferred remedy–a new denture–is not always feasible. That’s why there are denture relines.

If you recognize reclusive behavior in yourself or a friend, please call our office at (864) 627-9111. We’ll evaluate your denture and find a way to make it work again–so you can get on with life.

We look forward to hearing from you!

 

 

How Oral Health And Heart Disease Are Connected

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It’s increasingly common to hear that oral health is vital for overall health. More than 80 percent of Americans, for example, are living with periodontal or gum disease, which often goes undiagnosed. This may be because the patient’s teeth feel fine, so he avoids going to the dentist, and visits to the physician rarely focus on oral health.

According to Delta Dental, however, there is now evidence of two specific links between oral health and heart disease. First, recent studies show that if you have gum disease in a moderate or advanced stage, you’re at greater risk for heart disease than someone with healthy gums. And second, your oral health can provide doctors with warning signs for a range of diseases and conditions, including those in the heart.

Why Are These Things Related?

Oral health and heart disease are connected by the spread of bacteria – and other germs – from your mouth to other parts of your body through the blood stream. When these bacteria reach the heart, they can attach themselves to any damaged area and cause inflammation. This can result in illnesses such as endocarditis, an infection of the inner lining of the heart, according to Mayo Clinic. Other cardiovascular conditions such as atherosclerosis (clogged arteries) and stroke have also been linked to inflammation caused by oral bacteria, according to the American Heart Association.

Who Is at Risk?

Patients with chronic gum conditions such as gingivitis or advanced periodontal disease have the highest risk for heart disease caused by poor oral health, particularly if it remains undiagnosed and unmanaged. The bacteria that are associated with gum infection are in the mouth and can enter the blood stream, where they attach to the blood vessels and increase your risk to cardiovascular disease. Even if you don’t have noticeable gum inflammation, however, inadequate oral hygiene and accumulated plaque puts you at risk for gum disease. The bacteria can also migrate into your bloodstream causing elevated C-reactive protein, which is a marker for inflammation in the blood vessels. This can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Symptoms and Warning Signs

According to the American Association of Periodontology (AAP), you may have gum disease, even if it’s in its early stages, if:

  • your gums are red, swollen and sore to the touch.
  • your gums bleed when you eat, brush or floss.
  • you see pus or other signs of infection around the gums and teeth.
  • your gums look as if they are “pulling away” from the teeth.
  • you frequently have bad breath or notice a bad taste in your mouth.
  • or some of your teeth are loose, or feel as if they are moving away from the other teeth.

Prevention Measures

Good oral hygiene and regular dental examinations are the best way to protect yourself against the development of gum disease. The American Dental Association (ADA) Mouth Healthy site recommends brushing your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled brush that fits your mouth comfortably, so it reaches every tooth surface adequately. It also recommends that you use an ADA-accepted toothpaste such as Colgate Total® Advanced, which is proven to increase gum health in four weeks. You should also floss daily and visit your dentist for regular professional cleanings.

By being proactive about your oral health, you can protect yourself from developing a connection between oral health and heart disease, and keep your smile healthy, clean and beautiful throughout your life. Our qualified team is here to help you establish a plan to help you achieve a healthy smile you will have for the rest of your life! Call us today at (864) 627-9111. We look forward to hearing from you!

Frequently Asked Questions

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dental care and cosmetics

 

1) What are Immediate Dentures?

Immediate dentures are dentures that are placed immediately after teeth are extracted. They allow the restoration of the patient’s smile on the same day that the deceased teeth are extracted.

 

2) How are Immediate Dentures and Conventional Dentures Different?

Conventional dentures are usually made to replace a previous set of dentures that have become worn out from use.

 

3) When do dentures need to be relined?

All dentures need to be relined periodically because the contours of the mouth change over time. Conventional dentures need to be relined every 3 to 5 years. Immediate dentures need to have a soft chairside reline placed early and sometimes frequently during the healing process. They will need a laboratory reline completed within 6 to 9 months after surgery.

New Year’s Resolution

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While you’re making fitness resolutions for the new year, don’t forget about your teeth! Try these five ways to keep them healthy in 2018 and beyond.

1 – Brush with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristle toothbrush at least two times daily.

2 – Limit sugary drinks. Swish your mouth with water after drinking a sugary beverage.

3 – Treat acid so that acid does not harm enamel.

4 – Eat calcium-rich foods.

5 – Schedule to see us at least once a year for a checkup.

Meet former Lt. Col. Dr. Schoen

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Did you know that Dr. Schoen practiced dentistry for 13 years in the USAF? For the first 9 years he practiced as a General Dentist, then was accepted into and completed a Prosthodontic residency at the Medical College of Georgia. Dr. Schoen completed thirteen years of service in the USAF and achieved the rank of Lt. Col.

To show appreciation for your service:

To all U.S. active duty military personnel, National Guard members, Reservists, veterans, retired personnel, we truly appreciate the sacrifice’s you have made for our country. As a token of our gratitude, we would like to offer a 15% discount on all of your dental treatment.

If you’re active, retired, or veteran military and looking for dental care, take a look at what we offer. Call our office to schedule an appointment at (864) 627-9111 – just let us know your “Military” status when you come in to see us.