Digital X-rays - A Safe and Effective Choice

Dental x-rays are an important part of taking care of your oral health.  They are the only way that your dentist can see what is going on inside your teeth, gums, and jaw.  This allows them to catch problems early, diagnose accurately, and plan treatment for the best possible outcome.  

Taking x-rays allows your dentist to see:

• Cavities, even when hidden under old restorations
• Bone loss around your teeth
• Abscesses that can cause pain and tooth loss
• The severity of damage after a fracture or accident
• Osteoporosis
• Hidden sources of pain or discomfort
• Teeth or malformations like cysts hiding below the surface

Even with all of these benefits, we know that some of you are concerned about radiation exposure with traditional dental x-rays.  This is one of the reasons that we started using digital x-rays years ago.

Digital x-rays use electronic sensors instead of film.  The images are uploaded onto a computer immediately instead of having to be developed with a chemical process. 

We believe they are the right choice for our patients because: 

• Digital x-rays use less radiation and are the safest option available.
• The high quality images are viewed on a computer screen, which allows us to zoom in or blow up the images to see even more detail. 
• They are fast.  By eliminating the film processing time you get answers more quickly and spend less time waiting in the dental chair.
• They are environmentally friendly.  Traditional film requires chemicals for processing and creates a lot of waste.  Digital x-rays are chemical and waste free.

We think you will agree that the benefits of digital dental x-rays make them an obvious choice.

If you live in the Rocklin or Roseville, CA area and would like a dental office committed to these values, please give us a call at (916) 624-3119

Just for Men: Gum Disease, Inflammation, and Your Health

It may seem unfair, but there are certain diseases that men are more likely to get and gum disease is one of them. 

Periodontal gum disease is a bacterial infection that starts in your gums, but it doesn’t stay there.  The bacteria can be absorbed through the thin tissue of your mouth or get into your blood stream when you swallow.  

When left untreated this can contribute to a chronic state of inflammation in your body and this inflammatory response is what medical researchers believe is the link between gum disease and other serious medical conditions.

According to the American Academy of Periodontology, in addition to diseases like Alzheimer's, diabetes, and cancer, there are inflammation related conditions that are specific to men. 

Prostate Health – PSA is an enzyme that increases when the prostrate is challenged by inflammation, irritation or cancer.  In cases where the person being tested also has gum disease the PSA levels are even higher, leading researches to believe the two are linked.

Cancer – Men with gum disease are 14% more likely to develop cancer than men with healthy gums.

Impotence – Men with gum disease have an increased risk of becoming impotent.  It is believed that the chronic inflammation damages blood vessels that are vital for male sexual health.

Heart Disease – Men are more likely to get heart disease than women and if they have periodontal disease, the risks are even higher.

So, gentlemen…  If you have been putting off seeing the dentist and getting professional teeth cleanings, now might be the time to pick up the phone and schedule an appointment.  The incentives for taking care of your oral health may be much higher than you originally thought.

If you are in the Rocklin, CA area – we would love to help.  Just call (916) 624-3119

Resource: American Academy of Periodontology