Diabetes and Dentistry: Any Relation?

There is a ton of information out there about diabetes. Most people understand that it is a serious disease that can make a huge impact on someone’s life. Recognizing and diagnosing this disease as early as possible may make the difference in one’s future. Some of the early signs and symptoms of diabetes often show up in people’s mouths first.

Periodontal disease or “gum disease” is often associated with diabetes. There is a two edged sword with patients who have diabetes and periodontitis: both make each other worse. It is known that diabetes may make a person have a difficult time healing from infections. If a diabetic patient begins having gingivitis and early stages of periodontitis, their body’s immune system may not be able to heal in a proper way. The gum disease may get worse and cause major damage to their mouth. On the other edge of the sword is the impact on diabetes that gum disease plays. Periodontal infections that are not treated may make it more difficult for someone’s blood sugar levels to be controlled. Periodontitis is often a chronic disease that floods the body’s blood system with toxins from the bacteria involved in the infection. This presence of infection could make it very difficult to keep a proper blood-glucose balance in diabetic patients.

It is highly recommended to see your dentist for regular exams so that we can check for any signs and symptoms of gum disease. Before the fight against diabetes begins it must first be diagnosed. Seeing your dentist could be a first step toward a diagnosis of diabetes.

For more information about diabetes visit these sites:
American Diabetes Association
The American Dental Association

Early Smiles: what it means to you

Many people are still completely shocked that our office offers babysitting in our building during dental visits.  We love explaining to folks that this is a full service, staffed room where they can drop off their kids during their appointment.  Parent’s reaction to this service is even better once they grasp the reality of what we are doing.

Early Smiles started from a string of frustrations in our family and difficulties finding childcare.  In 2009 my lovely wife came home from a routine doctor’s visit with the kids in tow.  Any parent knows that a wait in the waiting room and then a sometimes longer wait in the “small” room with young children will not ever make anyone’s bucket list.  We wanted to make our office different, but we didn’t yet have a strong idea how.  Soon after this incident my wife and I wanted to go out for a date night.  For some reason we really had a hard time finding a babysitter and we almost cancelled dinner and a movie.  We pressed on however, found a sitter and made the movie.  When we walked into this brand new theater in Southlake, Texas we noticed they had a child care room.  This was simply an awesome idea and I knew at that moment that I wanted child care in our new dental office.

 Like most business ventures out there-someone has already done it and I wanted to learn how it worked for them.  While trying to find a dentist that has in-office free babysitting I continually came up with nothing.  Fear starts to creep in at this point. We figured that there must be some big reason why this isn’t offered anywhere-once again we came up with no reason. It was apparent that this was a completely original idea and something extraordinary that we could offer to our patients.

I brought this idea to my dad, Dr Roger Bohannan and he looked at me kind of funny (I thought all chances were gone) and then he came up with the name: Early Smiles.  Dad was in and the project was started!  After a year of enjoying our new office we are thrilled to have free childcare available in our office.  Patients love it and some literally look forward to coming to see us.  Children love playing the Wii, and exploring our jungle-themed room.

Early Smiles is one way we can positively affect your visit to our office.  We feel like we offer the highest quality care available…now you can enjoy it!

http://bohannandentistry.com/earlysmiles.php

This Dentist Loves Candy!

Dental offices around the nation are raiding their weapons closets,  drawing lines in the sand, and preparing for the great annual fight  against Halloween candy.  After the glorious battle is fought many offices will see their pillages of war pile up as candy is brought in for exchange for “incentives” or sometimes cash.  We salute those who have fought bravely but sadly year after year…..they lose.  That’s right, despite our best efforts the children of this country consume “tons” of candy every Halloween and they will have the cavities (battle scars) to show for it. (more…)

Oral Cancer – Why We Check

There are very few things that can happen in your mouth that will threaten your life.  Dental infections and uncontrolled gum disease can make you very sick and lower your quality of life, but your body can heal with proper treatment and care.  Oral cancer, however, is a killer.  Studies have shown that the mortality rate of oral cancer is around 50%.  This number is high due in part to late diagnosis.  Cancer in the mouth is often found in the late stages when symptoms have arisen and the lesion is substantial size. (more…)

Making You Feel At Home

There is a distinct difference between walking through the front door of your house and stepping into a dental office.  Certain comforts go along with home like warmth, relaxation and safety.  When I go home my guard can go down and I can truly enjoy my environment.  I can kick off my shoes and sit in “MY” chair or couch.  Although there is no substitute for home, we have tried our best to create a home-like feel in our office. While designing the space for our new office we intentionally focused on comfort and warmth. (more…)