Patient Appreciation BBQ & Carnival Event!

Posted on 05. Aug, 2010 by Aurora Orthodontics & TMJ in Blog

Come and join us as we celebrate our 2nd year anniversary in Southlands Shopping Center.  We will have a Bounce House, Dunk Tank, Food, Games and Prizes.  Everyone is welcome!

When: Saturday, August 21st 11am-3pm

Another Reason to Stay in Shape – Healthy Teeth and Gums

Posted on 05. Aug, 2010 by Aurora Orthodontics & TMJ in Blog

The health complications of being overweight, such as increased risk of heart   disease, Type 2 diabetes and certain cancers, have long been reported. Health care professionals often urge patients to manage their weight and strive to get physical exercise each day to achieve and maintain overall health. And now, researchers have now uncovered another benefit of maintaining a fit lifestyle: healthy teeth and gums.

In a study published in the August issue of the Journal of Periodontology, researchers found that subjects who maintained a healthy weight and had high levels of physical fitness had a lower incidence of severe periodontitis. Using body mass index (BMI) and percent body fat as a measure of weight control, and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) as a measure of physical fitness, researchers compared subjects’ weight and fitness variables with the results of a periodontal examination. Those with the lowest BMI and highest levels of fitness had significantly lower rates of severe periodontitis.

Periodontitis, or gum disease, is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the supporting bone and tissues around the teeth. Gum disease is a major cause of tooth loss in adults, and research has suggested gum disease is associated with other diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Samuel Low, DDS, MS, Associate Dean and professor of periodontology at the University of Florida College of Dentistry, and President of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), says that research connecting overall health and periodontal health should motivate people to maintain a healthy weight and get enough physical fitness.

“Research continues to demonstrate that our overall health and oral health are connected,” says Dr. Low. “Weight management and physical fitness both contribute to overall health; and now we believe staying in shape may help lower your risk of developing gum disease. Since gum disease is related to other diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes,” continues Dr. Low, “There is even more reason to take care of yourself through diet and exercise.”

Dr. Low also encourages comprehensive periodontal care through daily tooth brushing and flossing, and routine visits to a dental professional, such as a periodontist, a specialist in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of gum disease.

To assess your risk for periodontal disease, or learn more, visit perio.org.

About the American Academy of Periodontology

The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) is the professional organization for periodontists – specialists in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of the teeth, and in the placement of dental implants. Periodontists are also dentistry’s experts in the treatment of oral inflammation. They receive three additional years of specialized training following dental school, and periodontics is one of the nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association. The AAP has 8,000 members world-wide.

American Academy of Periodontology

Courtesy of www.lef.org

www.aotmj.com

Dirty teeth linked to heart disease

Posted on 01. Jul, 2010 by Aurora Orthodontics & TMJ in Blog

People with poor oral hygiene are more at risk of heart disease compared with counterparts who brush their teeth twice a day, according to a Scottish study released on Friday. University College London researchers looked over data from an investigation into 11,000 people in Scotland, covering their medical history, family records of disease and lifestyle. Seven out of 10 reported they brushed their teeth twice a day, and six out of 10 said they visited the dentist every six months. Those who were less frequent in their brushing, though, had a 70 percent extra risk of heart disease. They were also likelier to test positive for protein markers for inflammation, which pays an important role in clogged arteries.

These results were unchanged when risk factors such as social class, obesity, smoking and a family history of heart disease were taken into account. The overall risk, though, is low, the paper stresses. In addition, it is unclear whether poor dental hygiene is the cause of heart disease or simply an indicator of risk. The paper appears in the British Medical Journal.

Agence France-Presse

05-28-10

Enlarged Tonsils Can Cause Serious Side Effects

Posted on 30. Jun, 2010 by Aurora Orthodontics & TMJ in Blog

Years ago, it was common for children to have their tonsils and adenoids removed at a young age. Today, however, many doctors believe that these surgeries are unnecessary and risky procedures. Since these masses contain lymphatic tissue, the theory is that their removal could result in the immune system being compromised.

The problem is that enlarged tonsils and adenoids can be a major factor in a child developing problems with facial and jaw muscles, as well as crowded teeth and a poor bite. They can also create an obstruction compromising the ability of a child to breathe properly through their nose.

When this happens, it can lead to serious side effects. The tongue drops lower to help the child breathe through his mouth, which creates a pressure imbalance with muscles in the cheeks, causing a constricted development of the upper jaw.  This then causes crowding of the teeth and a retrusion of the lower jaw, which can lead to TMJ problems and even neck and back problems. It can even contribute to other problems such as chronic ear infections.

Fortunately, with a proper evaluation by an orthodontist or an otolaryngologist, these problems can be avoided. If the child consistently breathes through his mouth or develops a snoring problem, this evaluation should occur by age 7 or earlier.

For more information on tonsils and adenoids, contact Dr. Kent Lauson at Aurora Orthodontics & TMJ in the Southlands Shopping Center, 24301 E Orchard Road, Aurora, Co 80016; 303-690-0100; info@aotmj.com

Visit our site  for more information.

http://www.aotmj.com

Dr. Kent Lauson

303-690-0100

8 Keys to Lower Facial Harmony & Proper Bite

Posted on 30. Jun, 2010 by Aurora Orthodontics & TMJ in Blog

Key # 1  Upper Jaw (Maxilla)

The upper jaw holds the key in many ways to facial beauty and proper function of the lower face and teeth.  It should be wide and full to accommodate all normal 14 teeth in proper alignment, provide proper lip support and when the patient is giving a full smile not expose ‘dark triangles’ between the teeth and the cheeks or show an excessively ‘gummy’ smile.

Key # 2   Nasal Passageway

The ability to properly breath (without obstruction) through their nose is critical in many ways to a person’s health and vitality.  Obstructions for whatever reason need be evaluated and eliminated.  Without elimination of the obstruction, mouth breathing can result and lead to many unnecessary problems including poor facial and dental development.

Key # 3   Lower Jaw (Mandible)

The lower jaw should be in balance with the upper jaw.  The most common imbalance is retrusion of the lower jaw created by a trapping of it by an overbite or a narrow upper jaw.  With balance, teeth can be positioned ideally and facial harmony can be established.

Key # 4   TMJ Function

The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) is the joint on each side of the face in front of the ears.  It is used for speaking and eating and is the most complex joint in the human body.  The TMJ’s becomes dysfunctional when they become strained because the positions of the teeth are forcing the lower jaw out of alignment and into a pathologic position.  The TMJ’s are the cornerstone of a proper bite and must be corrected if dysfunctional.  If not, a myriad of symptoms, such as headaches, facial pain, clicking jaw joints and problems with the eyes and ears will appear and worsen over time.

Key # 5   Head Posture

Proper head posture is very important concerning a person’s neck and back health.  Teeth and jaw positions profoundly influence head posture.  If proper balance is achieved with the first four keys above, then head posture can be positively influenced.  Further care from a neck and back doctor or therapist also can be made much more effective.

Key # 6    Elimination of Adverse Habits

Youthful habits such as thumb or finger sucking, nail or pencil biting or anything putting adverse pressures in the mouth need to be eliminated.  These can not only lead to adverse tooth movements requiring orthodontic treatment, but can have other health consequences.

Key # 7  Avoidance of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a serious medical problem affecting as much as 20% of the population.  It can lead to heart disease and even to premature death do to strokes, heart attacks or choking in the night.  OSA is a cutting off of airflow while a person is sleeping.  This causes a person to stop breathing during an Apnea event.  The most common reason for OSA is for the lower jaw to be too far back (retruded).  Another common contributor to this problem is a narrow upper jaw.  By properly following the first 6 Keys listed, in all likelihood OSA can be avoided.

Key # 8   Proper teeth positioning

Crowding or spacing of front teeth is the most obvious that untrained eye can easily see.  However, for the trained orthodontist or dentist, problems that are less obvious also need to be addressed.  These can be things like crossbites, overbites, underbites, in addition to the crowding or spacing previously mentioned.  Proper positioning of the teeth and jaws, through orthodontic/orthopedic treatment, if necessary, can assure that the first 7 keys are achieved and maintained.  Decades ago Andrew’s 6 Keys to Normal Occlusion” established a guideline for dental specialists to use regarding this key.

Visit our site at http://www.aotmj.com for more information.

Dr. Kent Lauson

303-690-0100

The Dental Connection to Sleep Apnea

Posted on 30. Jun, 2010 by Aurora Orthodontics & TMJ in Blog

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) can cause more than just loud snoring that keeps you and your spouse from getting a good night’s sleep. It can cause heart stress leading to heart attacks, strokes and even death.  So for those who suffer from OSA, getting proper treatment is critical.

But before we can understand how to treat it, we first have to understand what OSA is and why it occurs. When someone sleeps on their back, the tongue rests too far back in the throat area. This can cause a collapse of the person’s airway, which leads to the choking (apnea) response.  This restriction results in a lack of oxygen to the brain and usually causes the person to either wake up briefly or shift so that the blockage is relieved and air can again flow.  In an extreme case the person can literally choke to death in their sleep.

OSA starts as a mild obstruction and generally is accompanied by snoring.  If left unattended, the obstruction can progress into a moderate or even severe problem. The most common treatment is the use of a CPAP machine, which forces air into the lungs by pushing it past the obstruction.  Although a lifesaver for many, some find the machine too obtrusive.  In mild to moderate cases, a dental appliance can be effective. It pulls the lower jaw forward while sleeping, relieving the airway obstruction, which relieves the choking and snoring.  It is usually worn for life.

For many years, I’ve had success with another approach, which can provide a permanent solution to OSA without the use of machines or appliances. It is called Dentofacial Orthopedics.

Two decades ago, I wrote an article outlining how the position of the teeth can cause the lower jaw to retrude, or go back too far when closing.  This causes problems with the jaw joints (TMJ), which leads to painful headaches and other symptoms of the jaws, eyes and ears. Retrusion of the lower jaw causes the head to move forward, which leads to strain in the neck. It can cause a degeneration of the normal curvature of the neck and a restricted ability to do normal movements. Retrusion can also result in Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

We can prevent these kinds of chain reactions from happening with a proper evaluation that includes traditional orthodontic exams and a thorough evaluation of the jaw joints (TMJ’s), the ability to properly breath through the nose, and even a person’s posture.  For example, a person with a developing overbite and small upper jaw will be more likely to develop the type of problems we’ve described.

The good news is we can avoid these problems by enlarging the constricted upper jaw and freeing up the lower jaw to come forward into the ideal position. And we do not have to remove permanent teeth to accomplish this.

Dentofacial Orthopedics, combined with an oral appliance, can permanently move the lower jaw forward to relieve OSA. It can also widen the upper jaw, improving nasal airflow.  Then we can use orthodontics (braces) to move the teeth into the right position, relieving overcrowding and correcting bite problems.

I’ve successfully treated thousands of patients using this approach. It frees them from chronic headaches and neck pain, and allows them to sleep through the night for the first time in years. No machines, no lifetime of oral appliances. Just welcome relief for you and your spouse.

For more information on dentofacial orthodontics or sleep apnea, contact Dr. Kent Lauson at Aurora Orthodontics & TMJ in the Southlands Shopping Center, 24301 E Orchard Road, Aurora, Co 80016; 303-690-0100; info@aotmj.com

http://www.aotmj.com

Dr. Lauson on Tom Martino TV!

Posted on 09. Jun, 2010 by Aurora Orthodontics & TMJ in Blog

Recently Dr. Lauson of Aurora Orthodontics & TMJ was on Tom Martino TV.  Tom Martino hosts a daily TV show on upstanding businesses in Colorado.  Dr. Lauson was featured talking about his techniques for creating beautiful smiles without teeth extraction.  Dr. Lauson also specializes in TMJ disorders and treatment without surgery.  Take a look at the show below.

Dr. Lauson on Real Mom TV Network

Posted on 26. May, 2010 by Aurora Orthodontics & TMJ in Blog

Dr. Lauson of Aurora Orthodontics & TMJ made another appearance on the Real Mom TV Network last week and was interviewed by host Annie Foonberg.  Real Mom TV is an online TV show catering to moms all over the country.  Dr. Lauson talks about how he can help children and adults achieve a beautiful smile without the extraction of teeth or surgery.  He also talks about how orthodontics and the removal of tonsils and adenoids can be an alternative treatment to ADHD.  Take a look at the video below to learn more.

Thank You For Attending Our Finger Print Event!

Posted on 23. May, 2010 by Aurora Orthodontics & TMJ in Blog

Special thank you to everyone who joined us for our first Finger Print Event on Saturday May 1st, 2010.  Along with the Police and Sheriffs Association, it was a privilege to do our part in protecting the children in our community.

Along with free Finger Printing for the kids, we had fun Face Painting, a raffle with exciting gifts from local merchants, yummy and healthy supplements from Juice Plus, and safety packets for parents.  Sign up here for our mailing list to receive information and updates on all of our upcoming events!

1st Annual Finger Print Event

Posted on 26. Apr, 2010 by Aurora Orthodontics & TMJ in Blog, Events

Please join us!

Saturday, May 1^st 11-3pm

Aurora Orthodontics & TMJ, along with The American Police and Sheriffs Association are proud to host the 1^st Annual Finger Print Event in our area. This event is to help protect the children in our community through a Children’s ID Program. We believe we can help create a safer living environment for our entire community doing this cooperative event with local law enforcement.  Along with free fingerprinting and safety tip sheets, we will have fun stuff for the kids including face painting and many prize drawings as well!  Please do come with your family. This community outreach event is located at:

Safety Tips

How parents can protect children from abduction

• Know where your children are at all times and who they are with.
• Never leave your child alone in a public place, stroller or car.
• Always accompany younger children to a public restroom.
• Teach your children not to accept rides and gifts from strangers.
• Always accompany your child on door-to-door activities, i.e. Halloween, school fundraising campaigns, etc.
• Establish a routine for picking your children up from school or other events.
• Agree on a simple code word for emergency situations. A trusted adult who knows the code word can pick up your child if necessary.
• Make sure your child knows their full name, address and phone number.
• Teach your child how to reach you (home, office, mobile)
• Teach your child how to call the police.
• Have a plan in case your child gets separated from you in public.
• Teach your child to stay in groups of friends when going anywhere .
• Tell your children about child abductions in simple and easy to understand terms. Awareness can help them protect themselves.
• Avoid clothing and toys with your child’s name on it. A child may not fear someone who knows his/her name.
• Promote an environment in which your child feels free to talk to you.
• Let your child know that you will pick them up at any time, any place.
• Listen closely when your child talks about friends or acquaintances they spend time with in your absence.
• Check all potential babysitters and older friends of your child.
• Teach your child to recognize suspicious behavior and collect descriptions.
• Urge your child to think escape / survival if he or she were ever abducted.
• Speak to your local law enforcement agency to find out about neighborhood watch.
• Get to know your neighbors and the children in the area. Make sure your child’s friends know your house is safe and they can seek help from you.
• Check with your local law enforcement to find out if there are sexual offenders in your area.
• Use a system such as KidSave to organize your child’s photo and child ID card with pertinent descriptive data.
• Keep up-to-date medical/dental history and finger print cards.
• Teach your child that there is always someone to help them, and they have the right to be safe.