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 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

What  is the best way to fight this fight effectively? You should first know that This Dentist Loves Candy, so you will not see any candy refunds going on at our office, no wood chippers in the parking lot, or candy bonfires occurring here.   We believe that the best weapon against candy overload is good parent involvement and boundaries set with your kiddos. Below are several suggestions the American Dental Association has published to better educate the public on candy consumption.

1. Consume Halloween candy and other sugary foods with meals.
   Saliva production increases during meals and helps neutralize acids produced by bacteria in your mouth and helps rinse away food particles.
2. Avoid hard candy and other sweets that stay in your mouth for a long time.
   Besides how often you snack, the length of time food is in your mouth plays a role in tooth decay. Unless it is a sugar-free product, candies that stay in the mouth for a long period of time subject teeth to prolonged acid attack, increasing the risk for tooth decay.
3. Avoid sticky candies that cling to your teeth.
   The stickier candies, like taffy and gummy bears, take longer to get washed away by saliva, increasing the risk for tooth decay.
4. Drink more water.
   Consuming optimally fluoridated water can help prevent tooth decay. If you choose bottled water, check the label for the fluoride content.
5. Maintain a healthy diet and make sure the meals you eat are nutritious.
   Your body is like a complex machine. The foods you choose as fuel and how often you “fill up” affect your general health and that of your teeth and gums.
6. Avoid beverages with added sugar such as soda, sports drinks or flavored waters.
   When teeth come in frequent contact with beverages that contain sugar, the risk of tooth decay is increased.
7. Chew gum that has the ADA Seal.
   Chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after meals has been shown to reduce tooth decay, because increased saliva flow helps wash out food and neutralize the acid produced by dental plaque bacteria.
8. Brush your teeth twice a day with an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste.
   Replace your toothbrush every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. A worn toothbrush won’t do a good job of cleaning your teeth.
9. Clean between teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner.
   Decay-causing bacteria still linger between teeth where toothbrush bristles can’t reach. Flossing helps remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line.
10. Visit an ADA-member dentist for more information on maintaining your oral health….. That’s us!  Happy Halloween from Bohannan Dentistry

There are certain risk factors that predispose people to having a higher incidence of oral cancer.  These include regular use of tobacco products and alcohol abuse.  The combination of the two habits increases one’s probability of developing oral cancer significantly.  During the time of a regular exam in our office, we will look for any signs of tissue irregularity or swelling in our patient’s mouths.

Symptoms or signs of oral cancer may be a red or white ulcer like sore that is not healing.  There may also be a bump that forms and cause pain.  Early detection is one of the biggest factors that help people beat oral cancer.  We strongly recommend routine dental exams for many reasons. 

The oral cancer screening is a great way we can combat the mortality rate of oral cancer in this country.  Our office is dedicated to your oral health as well as your overall health – that’s why we check.

Please see the following resources for more information on oral cancer:

http://www.ada.org/3016.aspx?currentTab=1

http://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/topics/cancer.htm

The other comfort our office provides is in the actions and behavior of our staff.  I’ll bet you have never gone over to a friend’s house for dinner and the host yelled out your name from the kitchen when it’s time to come in.  Our staff will greet you with a personal touch, and when it is time for your appointment they will come to you with a personal greeting – inviting you into the office.  We don’t stand at the door and yell your name from a clip board like an order of bacon and eggs at Waffle House.

We will strive to make you feel at home throughout your entire visit – from the moment you enter our office until you leave, we hope you can feel more at home than ever before.  So we are excited to welcome you as a guest in our office, just try to keep your shoes on.

Our office is on the move this week. We have shut down the Bedford location and started the process of moving. The entire staff is involved in preparing the new office for patients starting Monday the 23^rd. The new office is certainly beautiful and impressive. We are continually receiving positive comments on the building and location.

The new location will feature the Early Smiles childcare center. This is a free babysitting service that we offer to our patients with children during their dental appointment. We know that it is difficult to find childcare during short dental appointments, so we decided to add this service at the new location. Children in Early Smiles will be able to explore the jungle themed room, play the Wii, or create a craft. We have brought on board a new staff member to work in Early Smiles. Judy has extensive experience in the childcare business. We are looking forward to your children meeting Judy and having fun in Early Smiles!

Our new contact information:

8237 Mid Cities Blvd

North Richland Hills, Tx 76182

Ph: 817.485.1144

http://bohannandentistry.com/location.php

When you walk though the front door, you will not really feel you are in a dental office. We want you to feel at home, and we are taking drastic steps to create the warm environment that home brings.

The inside of the office is where the majority of the current work is taking place. There are crews there daily installing cabinets, light fixtures, and dental equipment among other things.  This area is constantly buzzing with the sounds of construction and installation.

The waiting room of the new office will feel like a living room.  We have no desire to have our patients sitting in a cold hard environment that is often common in the healthcare industry.  You should enjoy your SHORT wait in comfort.

A friend who recently visited the new office noted that the office felt like a house, and this is exactly what we love to hear.  As you walk down the hallways, there are warm wall sconces in between the arched openings leading to the dental chairs. The interior walls are all rounded at the corners instead of straight angles. This is commonly found in custom homes and adds another friendly element to the office.

In the next few weeks there will be more steps taken toward the completion of the office. Watch for the front sign to go up, and check this blog for more updates and exciting announcements.  As we move closer to wrapping up the project, we will let you know when the move will take place. We look forward to seeing you there!

It is for these reasons that I take great pleasure in announcing that our office utilizes digital radiography when taking dental X-rays. This is a computerized X-ray system that replaces standard film and its processing. This advantages to our patients are many:

Substantial Reduction in Radiation – Computerized X-rays utilize sensors rather than film; these sensors require less radiation to yield an image.

A Comfortable Sensor – The DEXIS system uses a patented sensor with rounded, comfortable corners that make the process of taking X-rays easier, more efficient and far more comfortable, even for gaggers and children.

Instant Developing – You will be amazed! As soon as the X-ray is taken, it appears immediately on the computer monitor. This results in less chair-time and more rapid treatment. You will be in and out of the dental chair in less time than it took in the past, something I am sure you will appreciate!

Enhanced Diagnosis – Digital X-rays, like most other forms of computerized information, provide enhancements by using sophisticated tools during the examination and diagnosis process.

Increased Communication and Understanding – Due to the enlarged and enhanced view of the X-ray images, you will, for the first time, actually be able to see the condition of your own mouth. You will be able to easily visualize and understand the diagnosis and proposed treatment plan so that you can better participate in your own dental health.

As you can see, digital radiography has truly become an exciting addition to the Bohannan Dentistry office. Our staff is well-trained, and now looks forward to providing you with the latest in dental technology.

Now you can get on with your day after routine dental procedures thanks to a new product that reverses the effects of local anesthesia. This new measure of comfort is for patients who dislike the lingering numbness that can last for 3-5 hours after leaving our office.

To deliver superior care, Bohannan Dentistry is always finding better ways to ensure your comfort and improve your dental experience. OraVerse is the first and only product proven safe and effective in accelerating a return to normal sensation and function after a local anesthetic containing a vasoconstrictor has been used. So now in about half the time, you’ll be talking, smiling and drinking just like normal.¹ And OraVerse can benefit nearly any patient, but is not recommended for children under 6 years of age or weighing less than 15 kg (33 lbs).

We want you to have the most comfortable experience possible. It’s a commitment that begins when you walk in the door and extends long after you leave. So if you’re among the many patients who dislike lingering numbness and its limitations, let’s discuss whether OraVerse is the right choice for you during your next dental visit.

The FDA requires me to post the following safety info when we talk about a new medication. Remember that OraVerse is extremely safe however.

Important Safety Information

Tachycardia, bradycardia, and cardiac arrhythmias may occur with the use of phentolamine or other alpha-adrenergic blocking agents. Although such effects are uncommon with OraVerse (phentolamine mesylate), clinicians should be alert to the signs and symptoms of these events, particularly in patients with a history of cardiovascular disease. Following parenteral use of phentolamine at doses between 5 to 15 times higher than the recommended dose of OraVerse, myocardial infarction, and cerebrovascular spasm and occlusion have been reported, usually in association with marked hypotensive episodes producing shock-like states.

We all ate dinner together and then went to a concert at the Levitt Pavilion in Arlington to see our patient, BJ Thomas, perform. We had a wonderful time and BJ is such a great entertainer.

Here are some pictures of our staff at dinner and the concert.

Marguiett and Farah

Farah, Dalana, and Samantha

The men

The ladies