Cognitive decline, including Alzheimer’s disease, is a major concern of the aging population in America. It may now even be the third leading cause of death in America behind only cardiovascular disease and cancer. Although reporting numbers vary, it is safe to say that as of 2014, Alzheimer’s affects approximately 5.2 million Americans and 36…
Category: General Health
Hermey Finally Gets His Due! One of Santa’s Elves Wanted to Be a Dentist!
Just a few years ago I was enjoying a nostalgic trip back in time watching the classic animated story of Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer. I had forgotten and was amazed that Hermey, one of Santa’s elves, expressed a burning desire to become a dentist! The show is now celebrating its 50th year and believe it…
6 Reasons to Laugh
Need a good laugh? We all do from time to time, especially as we age. I was reminded of this by the unfortunate passing of Robin Williams last month. The problem is that talking or writing about the health benefits of laughter is rarely funny in and of itself! Laughter is so important that many…
Three Ways That Modern Dentistry Can Help Improve Your Love Life!
Three Ways That Modern Dentistry Can Help Improve Your Love Life! Don’t believe it? Well, it’s true. There may even be more! I can think of at least three ways that modern dentistry could change your love life. I’ve seen it happen time and again. Here are the three ways that come immediately to mind: 1. Cosmetic…
Obstructive Sleep Apnea - Can You Pass This Simple Test?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is one of the most under-diagnosed and potentially most serious of all medical conditions. If untreated, it can lead to high blood pressure, stroke, and premature death. By taking this simple test below (the “STOP-BANG” questionnaire) you can determine if you are at risk for OSA. If so, speak with your…
Mouth Guards Part 2 – It’s Not Just About Dental Injuries!
Recently I wrote a blog on mouth guards as they relate to preventing dental injuries in young athletes, and cheerleaders in particular. But there is another and possibly more compelling reason to make sure that any athlete is wearing a properly fitted mouth guard. A study on the role of mouth guards in reducing the…
Donated dental services – Lending a helping hand
Recently I received a letter from Donated Dental Services (DDS), the parent organization for the Dental Lifeline Network in Pennsylvania. The purpose of the letter was to congratulate all of the volunteers who have worked with this organization since its inception in 1986. To date, DDS has provided more than $250 million in services to…
Sleep apnea – Do you suffer from the "silent killer"?
The first time I recall hearing anything about obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was shortly after the death of former Philadelphia Eagle and NFL great Reggie White, the famed “Minister of Defense”. Coming just a few weeks after his 43rd birthday, Reggie’s passing really affected my psyche and brought national attention to the issue. After all,…
Taste Disturbances – When "It's All a Matter of Taste!"
It doesn’t happen often, but occasionally I have a patient who complains of a change or loss of their ability to taste food. I may see cases like this a few times a year and it can be very disconcerting if it happens to you! Tasteis a very complicated issue and there is not much research…
Candy and tooth decay – It’s raining candy; what’s a parent to do?
With Halloween upon us I would be remiss without making a few hopefully helpful suggestions on how best to weather the “ candy storm”! With almost $ 7 billion in sales, Halloween has somehow become the second most popular holiday in America, only outdone by the Christmas season. The Huffington Post reports about $2 billion…
