Did you know you swallow approximately 2,000 times per day? When you swallow, the upper and lower teeth come together and some level of force is generated. People who have an unstable bite, missing teeth, or poorly aligned teeth can have trouble because the muscles work harder to bring the teeth together, causing strain. People with seemingly good teeth/bite are also susceptible. Pain can also be caused by clenching or grinding teeth, trauma to the head and neck, or poor ergonomics.

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Do you have any problems with dental decay (cavities), gum recession, and/or dental erosion (the chemical breakdown of tooth structure)? These dental problems are complicated multifactorial diseases of epidemic levels affecting both children and adults. A healthy mouth sometimes requires more than brushing, flossing, and “fillings”. With current scientific evidence and new technologies, patients and practitioners need to begin to look at these problems not just from a drilling and filling approach but also from a medical (preventive/therapeutic) approach.

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I was at a continuing education seminar last week and one of the topics being discussed was mouthguards. Although it seems basic, and you would think that everyone who should be wearing one does, this is far from the case. I still see far too many sports related dental injuries in every season which could have been prevented.

Any sport that presents the chance of contact or collision with another person, object, or surface can potentially cause injury to teeth, jaws, and oral soft tissue. These sports include, but are not limited to, football, baseball, basketball, soccer, hockey, field hockey, pond hockey, boxing, lacrosse, biking, inline skating, and skateboarding.

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The most common reason people lose teeth is periodontal “gum” disease, which is a destruction of the bone and other supporting structures. The most common way to replace teeth today is the use of dental implants. Dental implants replace the roots of the teeth and also rely on the bone as a supporting structure.

Dental implant technology has improved steadily over the past few decades as materials and the understanding of bone integration has advanced. So, when does it make sense to abandon treating a natural tooth and replace it with a dental implant?

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Thanks again to the The Town Common for another great year. At the end of each of the past 11 years, I have used this space to publish these 21 Suggestions for Success authored by H. Jackson Brown, Jr. It is the perfect time to reflect on the year past and prepare for any changes we need to make for the year to come.
How was 2016 for you? While reflecting on the past year is important, thinking forward to the year to come is even more important. The past is in the past.
I thought last year might be the final year for posting this list. However, knowing that readership continues to grow for The Town Common, and realizing how powerful these words can be, I decided to republish. So, cut this out and put it on the refrigerator. Read this list often and take these suggestions to heart. They will be sure to make your 2017 great.

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