Exercise appears to protect White Blood Cells

German researchers are in the process of publishing a paper in the journal Circulation that endurance athletes appear to be able to live a longer healthier life than healthy non smoking adults who did not exercise regularly. This fact may be due to the enhancement of white blood cells which have elongated telomers.  When telomeres get t9o short they stop dividing and you begin to show signs of aging. Dr. James and Candace DeLapp are Highlands Ranch and Denver dentists who also serve patients in the Lone Tree, Castle Pines, Parker, Aurora, Centennial, Ken Caryl and Greenwood Village areas of Colorado.

to view our dental practice video click the f0llowing link Highlands Ranch and Denver Dentists

The role of white blood cells

The role of white blood cells role was primarily thought to be to fight off infections but more recent studies have shown that white blood cells can also seek out abnormal cells growth associated with cancers. One speculation is why we become more susceptible to cancers as we age “may” be that the white blood cells themselves age and become less effective in removing cancerous cells.

New advances also state that a healthy mouth improves overall health Denver Dentistry

Numerous studies have shown that periodontal disease adversely affects your overall health.  A chronic infection decreases you bodies over all ability to fight aging and effects your risk of heart attack and stroke.

Call our Denver Dentists today

Please feel free to call out Denver and Highlands Ranch dentist today and schedule an appointment.  They can be reached at (303) 694-9740.

Thanks to Scott and Matt of US Web Central for their help with our Blogs.  They can be reached by clicking on the following link Denver Web Design and SEO.

Antibiotic Prophylaxis and Dental treatment of Patients with Joint Replacement

In the winter edition of the Journal of the Colorado Dental Association (2010) Thomas Greany DDS discussed antibiotic coverage for patients with total joint replacement. Denver Dentists Dr. James DeLapp and Dr. H. Candace DeLapp are seeing more and more patients in their practice who have had joint replacement.  What the “potential” worry is about is bacteria in the blood stream of a dental patient can infect the joint complicating its function. Their dental practice serves the Greater Denver area including Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Castle Pines, Parker, Ken Caryl, Aurora, and Greenwood Village areas

to view our dental practice video click the following link Denver Dentists dental practice video

Recommendation from 2002 for antibiotic coverage for dental treatment Denver Dentistry

In 2002 a panel of dentists, infectious disease specialists and surgeons reviewed literature to see if antibiotic prophylaxis in needed to prevent infections of prosthetic joints.  This panel concluded that prophylaxis is not indicated for patients with:

• Pins
• screws
• plates
• “most” (but not all) with total joint replacement

Recommendations for antibiotic pre-medication for joints include:

• All total joint patients during the first two years following replacement
• Immuno-compromised
• immuno-suppressed
• Co-morbidities
• Previous joint infections
• malnourishment
• Hemophelia
• HIV
• Type ! diabetes
• Malignancy

“New” Changes in the wind for antibiotic premedication?

The 2010  Greany  article sites a new opinion by Oswald and Gould in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (2008)  that stated there is “no evidence to link prosthetic joint infections to dental procedures and none to prove that antibio0tic prophylaxis is effective” The question that needs to be asked is …what to do? Currently our Denver dentists will be following the ADA and American Academy of Orthpaedic Surgeons recommendations until they are updated by these groups. What we wish our patient to understand is the recommendation for antibiotic coverage for joint replacement “may” in time change.

Call our Denver dentists today and make an appointment

Please feel free to call and make an appointment with our Denver and Highlands Ranch dentists today.  The can be reached at (303) 694-9740

Thanks to Scott and Matt of US Web Central for their help with our Blogs.  They can be reached by clicking on the following link Denver web design and SEO

Gum disease and Heart disease Dentist Highlands Ranch

Highlands Ranch dentist Dr. James DeLapp and Dr. H. Candace DeLapp know the importance of healthy gums to your overall health An article in the Journal of Periodontology (2009) discusses how gum treatment can reduce the “C-reactive protein (CRP)” , “IL-6″ and fibrinogen (clotting factor). The article by Figueredo et al discuss how gum therapy reduced the levels of of the aforementioned. The net result from this decrease “may” be a decrease risk of cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular disease leading killer of men an women in the US Dentist Highlands Ranch

In these studies a chronic inflammatory disease that destroys bone and sum tissue affects a majority of citizens.  As a result of this and other studies,Cardiologists are evaluating the patients mouth and gum tissue as another adjunct to treatment.  At this time is is thought that periodontal disease has an increased risk for cardiovascular disease due to the overall inflammatory response.

to view our Highlands Ranch dentist dental practice video click the following link Dentist Highlands Ranch

Health gums… healthy heart Dentist Highlands Ranch

In reality there can be no downside to having health gums and teeth.  The interest in a possible link between gum disease and should emphasis how your oral health can affect  your overall health

Call today

Please call today our Highlands Ranch and Denver dentist and make an appointment.  We can be reached at (303) 694-9740

Thanks to

Thanks to Scott and Matt of US Web Central for their help with our web sites and Blogs.  The can be reached by clicking on the following link Denver SEO

Oral cancer Examination Lone Tree Colorado

Our Lone Tree Colorado dentist, Dr. James DeLapp and Dr. H. Candace discuss the value of periodic dental examinations and oral cancer.  Some of this information comes from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) evaluation of dental patients.  The earlier you dentist can identify lesions as a general rule… the more favorable the prognosis.  Early detection is the key. Dr’s DeLapp serve dental patients in the Denver, Highlands Ranch, Parker, Centennial, Greenwood Village, Castle Pine, Englewood, and Ken Caryl area of Colorado

to view our Highlands Ranch and Denver dentist dental video please click the following link

Dentist Denver

Overview of CDC recommendations for oral cancer examination in dentistry

According to the CDC 12% of all dysplasias will become cancer within five (5) years.  A dysplasia is unorganized tissue that can be difficult to detect at times. Environmental and genetic issues include but are not limited to:

• Family History of cancers of various types
• Alcohol use
• Smoking
• Chewing tobacco
• Sun exposure
• Other

Diagnosis is made by biopsy

In evaluation areas in your mouth for cancer (or anywhere else on your person) is only accurate if a biopsy is taken.  Once a biopsy is taken a pathologist evaluates the cell types and looks for evidence of cell change to a cancerous type of cell. Various tissues can look very similar with the naked eye but under a microscope the differences become evident.

Early Detection Saves Lives

Our Lone Tree Dentists stress the value of the periodic oral evaluation.  In addition, you should be aware of any lump.. bump… or discolored tissue and bring that to the attention of your dentist or physician.  As a general rule of thumb if an oral lesion does not heal in 10-14 day you should have this evaluated.

Additional Dental information

Our office also has dental information of a variety of dental topics and a companion web site.  If you would like to view other information please click on the following link Lone Tree Colorado dentist dental library.

Please feel free to contact our Lone Tree Colorado dental office by calling (303) 694-9740. If you prefer correspondence by e-mail please feel free to contact the following link Lone Tree Dentist.

 Smoking and Periodontal Disease Highlands Ranch Dentistry, Denver Dentistry.

It is generally assumed that everyone knows that smoking is hazardous to your health.  The risks of cancer, heart disease and premature death are well established in the medical community. Dental implications of smoking are also significant. Today, one of my long-term patients had another tooth extracted for periodontal reasons. Yes, he had been a long-term smoker. In my Highlands Ranch dental office patients, who smoke have the greatest number of teeth lost due to periodontal disease.  Highlands Ranch Dentists Dr. James DeLapp and Dr. H. Candace DeLapp treat patients with periodontal disease. Dr’s DeLapp also see dental patients from Parker, Denver, Castle Pines, Lone Tree, Douglas County, and Ken Caryl areas of Colorado.

Periodontal disease (gum idsease) is an infection of the gums and bone and it is the bone that holds your teeth in.  It is caused by the bacteria that are responsible for plaque and calculus (see our other blog postings).  Your body tries to fight this foreign body (plaque and calculus) and in doing so… ends up destroying itself (the bone).

Smoking and periodontal disease (gum disease)

Smoking helps cause periodontal disease several ways and include but is not limited to:

• Reduces your body’s ability to fight infection
• Reduces the production of saliva (see our Blog on dry-mouth destruction posting)
• Increases staining, which allows plaque to adhere more easily to the teeth and under the gums.
• Causes a micro-circulatory problem (the gums become less oxygenated e.g).
• If combined with other systemic diseases can cause gum disease to worsen.
• Combining with high sugar intake can be devastating
• Smoking reduces the success of dental implants
• Smoking increases the risks of dry socket infections after surgery
• … and much more. (more…)

Candidates for dental sedation. Many Highlands Ranch dental patients have a strong aversion to the dentist and dental treatment in general. It appears that dental anxiety is the most likely culprit for these delays.  When you delay treatment simple problems can, it time, become major dental problems with significant consequences. With the popularization of sedation dentistry, we can offer you treatment designed to reduce your fear of dental treatment. With sedation dentistry we are able of treat larger number of teeth and hopefully get more treatment done in one visit.  The choice is yours.  Please feel free to contact our office and discuss with Dr’s DeLapp your barriers to treatment.

Indications for sedation dentistry.  Indications for sedation dentistry include but are not limited to:

• Mild dental anxiety
• Moderate dental anxiety
• Severe dental anxiety (most likely hospital anesthesia case)
• Difficulty getting numb
• History of difficult dental procedures
• Difficulty controlling movements (cerebral palsy or Parkinson’s disease etc.)
• Complex dental treatment
• Fear of needles
• Fear of the “drill”

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Types of Dental emergencies

There are many causes of dental emergencies.  Some are purely dentally related while  others are medically related (or a combination of both).  Our Highlands Ranch dental office of Dr. James DeLapp and Dr. H. Candace DeLapp need to see you to determine what type of dental emergency you are having

When a patient presents with a chief complaint of dental pain… we need to make a determination as to its source.  When you describe the pain we term this the “subjective” finding by the patient.  As Highlands Ranch and Denver area dentists, we need to determine the “objective” findings before we can render a diagnosis (opinion).  Pain many be due to one cause or from multiple sources.  We describe these different causes of your subjective pains as a Differential Diagnosis.

Purely dental causes of tooth pain can be due to any or a combination of the following:

• Dental decay or Cavity
• Gum disease (Periodontal disease)
• Cracked tooth
• Missing filling
• Cracked tooth “syndrome” (sometimes difficult to diagnose and treat)
• Infected tooth (root canal or extract)
• Other or a combination of several of the above causes or…. some listed below)

“Medical” or “other” cause of “upper” jaw pain

• Clenching and grinding (origin of the masseter muscle)
• Sinus problems (roots of teeth can sit in the maxillary sinus)
• Myo-facial pains (of differing types)
• Tumors
• Other

“Medical” or “other” causes of “lower” jaw pain

• Clenching and grinding (insertion of the masseter muscle)
• Tumors
• Heart related problems (angina to heart attack)
• Myo-facial pain (of differing types)
• Tumors
• Other 

Very unusual cause of dental pain

I had a classmate from dental school who was working at an inner city hospital and a heavily bearded homeless man complained of lower jaw pain.  When taking an x-ray of the area there was a radio opaque area that looked like a bullet.  Yes, indeed, he had been shot in the face and did not remember it (or was unconscious when it occurred).  Note to everyone… don’t drink so much that you do not remember getting shot in the face.

Dr. James DeLapp and Dr. H. Candace DeLapp are Highlands Ranch Dentist who also treat dental patients living in Denver, Ken Caryl, Douglas County, Arapahoe County, Lone Tree Castle Pines and Parker Colorado area. Please feel free to contact their Highlands Ranch Dental office for an appointment at (303) 694-9740.

Techniques to reduce gagging during dental appointments for dental patients in Highlands Rach

Gagging during dental visits is a problem for a few patients but for those who suffer, it can be  significant. Here are a few techniques that may help you to get through your next visit.  One of the most difficult appointments appears to be the taking of dental x-rays (dental radiographs).  Manipulation of the tongue and placing the dental sensor seems to cause problems for many dental patients. Our Highlands Ranch Dentists are dedicated to providing our Highlands Ranch Colorado dental patients as well as patients living and working in Denver, Parker, Centennial, Castle Pines and Lone Tree with individualized family dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and other customized dental services.  Dr. James DeLapp and Dr. H. Candace DeLapp are family and cosmetic dentists who strive to meet your specific dental needs and working to reduce gagging is one of them.

our dental practice video (click here)

Techniques for “decreasing” gagging during dental appointments include but are not limited to:

• Temporal Tap- lightly tap on your temples.
• Pressure point on your hand.  Firm pressure between the thumb and first finger.
• Guided Imagery- thinking about something else!
• Nose breathing!
• Salt under the tongue (we don’t know why this works but it “may”).

Contact us (double click on the link below)

www.cottonwooddentalgroup.com/html/contactus.html

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• Health Risks from Dental Amalgam FDA position statement (silver fillings)

Over the years there has been much controversy regarding the safety of dental amalgam or what you know as silver fillings.  This controversy revolves around the fact that dental amalgam is made by combining silver and mercury.  The concern or issue of this dental material revolves around the inclusion of the mercury in its formulary.

The position of the American Dental Association has been that it is a safe material and is extremely cost effective and readily available The U.S. Food and Drug administration June 2008 opinion basically states that mercury from dental amalgam “may” be toxic to children and developing fetuses.  Many dental experts have weighed in on this subject and half say that there is no proof that silver dental fillings cause harm to consumers.  However, they also say there is no proof that the fillings (which are approximately one-half mercury by weight) are entirely safe.

The FDA web site states, “Dental amalgam (silver fillings) which contain mercury, may have neurotoxic effects on the nervous systems of developing children and fetuses”.

 In addition the web site states that “pregnant women and persons who may have a health condition that makes them more sensitive to mercury exposure, including individuals with existing high levels of mercury bioburden, should not avoid seeking dental care, but should discuss options with their health practitioner”.

Contact us (double click on the link below)

www.cottonwooddentalgroup.com/html/contactus.html

(more…)

Bacteria causes tooth decay

Bacteria in your mouth contain several different species of bacteria with many being beneficial for the mouth.  Dentists call this the bacterial flora of the mouth.  If the mouth becomes free from bacteria, yeasts and fungi can overtake your mouth and can cause dental discomfort and dental problems. Streptococcus mutans  (a species of bacteria) causes the most of the damage. It produces acid after it attaches to your teeth in the form of plaque. It is these acids that cause the demineralization that eventually leads to decay (cavities).

Our dental practice video (click here)

Dr. James DeLapp and Dr. H. Candace DeLapp are Highlands Ranch, Parker, Lone Tree, Castle Pines and the Greater Denver area dentists who strive to improve your dental health through education seen in this Blog. We want you to appreciate the significance of bacteria to the dental decay process.

Your mouth contains many different kinds of bacteria with some being beneficial for the mouth. These helpful bacteria help control destructive bacteria, fungi and yeasts.

Contact us (double click on the link below)

www.cottonwooddentalgroup.com/html/contactus.html

(more…)