Prescott Dentist, Kevin Shuster's website

NEWS in Dentistry

As a Prescott dentist, I felt it was important to offer lumineers as one of our veneer choices. First thing in 2010 I was invited (and tuition paid by the company) to take a hands on certification course in Lumineers case design and success. Which I did. Lumineers are the specialty veneer that you don't have to trim or shape teeth very much for.

I just got back (11-12-09) from 3 days of intensive classes on how gum infection, is linked to diseases of heart, brain, and other organs. We now have the ability to do DNA testing on your saliva (sample easily taken in our office) to determine which bacteria and in what amounts you have in your mouth. SOME OF THESE MICROBES ARE BAD NEWS AND SHOULD NOT BE IGNORED. Everyone has bacteria in their mouths (about 300 different common species) and most are not harmful. But many are pathogenic (disease causing)....In particular there are about a dozen species that are just not compatible with living a normal life. Including 3 species of spirochetes.

Oral spirochettes are like Microscopic snakes, we beleive they cause disease that eminate from the mouth and may cause diseases in your body far from your mouth. Many respected health care researchers beleive that as many as 100 million americans have this infection, and that it can be transmitted from person to person. Credible health care researchers believe these worm like invaders are causitive organisms for heart attack, stroke, brain anuerisms and symptoms that are like late stage syphilis and end stage Lyme disease. All three diseases are caused by spirochetes.

If you notice bleeding gums, bad breath, or color and texture changes to your gums that arent healthy please get tested, and if need be treated. These spirochetal invasions and infections can be treated effectively when caught early.... Like so many diseases, oral spirochetes are best treated in early stages. You may be interested in learning more by looking at movie clips of oral spirochetes. Go to "YouTube" and search "Dr. Nordquist" (one of our guest speakers) or search for Oral Spirochetes.

These infections are transmitted human to human, and most husbands and wives share the organism.... it is likely that families are sharing this infection via spoons, bowls etc even in households with a hot dishawasher.

We had representatives from American Diabetes association they are convinced these oral bacteria are contributing to type II diabetes. Similarly American Alzhiemers asscoiation is concerned that these organisms found in brain tissue are contributing to Alzheimers. The American Cancer Society was present at our meeting and they said they are aware of research that demonstrates that 50% of cancer is either viral caused or viral mediated. Oral cancer is on the rise and one of their researchers told me.... he expects by the time the results are tallied they expect that viral infection will be implicated in a whopping 80% of oral cancers! and contribute to about 50% of all cancers. As the spirocheets squirm their way through otherwise healthy parts of the body they drag viruses along with them.

Action steps, Ask your dentist to help you to acheive gum health. If your oral health has slipped consider getting tested for oral pathogens and treated if neccesary. (Consider having your spouse tested also). Feel free to call us at 928-776-1993 for more information. I would advise, you not to panic; but do pursue your oral health vigorously.

Here is an older article from an early version of our website , but it does provide some historical reference. We've known about a link between oral health and whole body health for many years. It makes sense doesn't it.

Poor Oral Health Can Cause Localized Hair Loss Posted: 06 Oct 2008 09:23 AM CDT Cosmetic dentistry has taken flight in recent years. Publicity from Extreme Makeover (ABC) and new technology, like CEREC for one-visit porcelain restorations, Zoom! Whitening, and Lumineers, has boosted the popularity of cosmetic dentistry. In addition, recent research has revealed a link between overall health and oral health, such as the fact that gum disease can contribute to increased risk for a number of problems, from low-weight births to heart attacks, strokes, and Alzheimer’s. We now know that oral health can contribute to a person’s appearance, outside of their smile. Image conscious patients will be interested to learn that alopecia areata, a condition of hair loss, may be connected to poor oral health. According to an article on www.plasmetic.com, bald patches sometimes occur “in a line projected from the dental infection.” The scalp, as well as facial hair (eyebrows, beard, etc.) may be affected; men and women are susceptible. Hair does regenerate, but patients can have relapses. The article suggests that patients who notice localized bald patches should visit their dentist. Findings are attributed to Professors Joe Antonio Gil Montoya and Cutando Soriano.