Continuing Education in 2010

Regardless of your career, continuing education is always important. Learning new skills, techniques and abilities, can help you advance in your job and improve the quality of your work. In dentistry, this is no different, and we spend many hours each year in ongoing continuing education courses to improve and expand our services to give our patients an even better dental experience.

We've been quite busy with CE in 2010. Below are a few highlights:

October will mark Dr. Marie Stiles' induction into the International College of Dentists at the annual American Dental Association national conference. The ICD is a worldwide organization of dentists working to share and contribute advances in the field of dentistry. Dr. Marie will join Dr. Dennis as a fellow of the ICD, an honor only extended to dentists for significant contributions to their profession. Dr. Marie Stiles will also be attending a sedation dentistry conference to further expand her expertise in this area.

Dr. Dennis Stiles has spent time in continuing education for a variety of specialties, including Implant Dentistry (38 hours), Prosthodontics (16 hours), as well as a 16 hour course on the brain and learning. Interestingly enough. its been found that some conditions related to the brain, such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can have an affect on sleep patterns and sleep disorders. Dr. Stiles' specialties is in customized sleep apnea devices, which may be prescribed by a sleep specialist to treat this disorder.

It is our goal to pass the value of continuing education courses like these to our patients, in the form of effective and long lasting dental health!

What do you love about Stiles Dentistry?

From your very first visit to our Kentlands dental practice, our doctors and team strive to provide superior treatment in a pleasant, friendly atmosphere. We thought we’d ask you, our wonderful patients: How have you enjoyed your experience? Did our team go out of their way to make your day? Are you in love with your new smile?

Whether you’ve just come in for a consultation or your family has been visiting our office for years, we’d love to hear your feedback. Or, you can tell us by posting on our Facebook page or by giving us a call!

Thank you,
The Stiles Family Dentistry Team

September is National Gum Care Month

Gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease, can be difficult to recognize. Ma”ny people do not recognize the warning signs - bleeding and swollen gums - as a precursor to gum disease. This month, a national campaign is underway to raise awareness about gum health and periodontal disease, and we at Stiles Dentistry wanted to do our part to help spread the word!

Early recognition and action are the most important steps to health gums, and ultimately a health body too! Studies are published every year linking oral health, including the gums, to the health of other areas of the body, such as the heart. One of the most important steps to improving the care of your gums is recognizing the warning signs for gum disease. These can include:

• Gums that appear red or swollen
• Gums that feel tender
• Gums that bleed easily (during brushing or flossing)
• Gums that recede or pull away from the teeth
• Persistent halitosis, or bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Any change in the way teeth come together in the biting position

If you notice any of these signs, schedule an appointment with our office as soon as possible. We can take proactive steps to prevent gingivitis and gum disease, while showing you how to improve gum care in your daily oral hygiene habits.

Omega-3 may combat mouth bacteria, boost oral health

Recently, an article was published on the dental health benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids of marine and plant origin. A new study from the University of Kentucky reveals that all types of food-borne omega-3 fats (like tuna, walnuts and spinach) cut the numbers of oral disease bacteria by half or more.

The study found that "the dental health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids of marine and plant origin have been found to have strong anti-bacterial activity against a range of oral pathogens and "may include anti-bacterial effects, extending the benefits beyond inflammation." The doctors involved in the study said that they planned to conduct further studies needed to prove that omega-3s acids work to benefit oral health. While this is encouraging news, we wanted to remind you that diet, hygiene, and other factors, are key to improving your oral health. Remember to consult us at Stiles Dentistry if you have any questions about your diet and the effect it can have on your oral health.