October is National Dental Hygiene Month: Celebrity Dentist Dr. Catrise Austin Encourages A Dental Visit This Month
October is National Dental Hygiene Month, a time for all to reconsider their oral health habits. The truth is, early gum disease is silent and painless. If left untreated, early gum disease can lead to bad breath, tooth loss, and other health problems. The purpose of this release is to urge readers to take charge of their smile this month by visiting their local dentist for a check up and cleaning.
New York, NY (PRWEB) October 9, 2006
October is National Dental Hygiene Month, a time for all consumers to reconsider their oral health habits, and to consider enhancing their smiles through cosmetic dentistry by visiting their dentist.
Today’s dental hygienists no longer solely clean patients’ teeth. A contemporary hygienist is responsible for detecting oral cancer, examining cracked crowns, and promoting the benefits of cosmetic dentistry to the patient before the dentist ever looks in the mouth. Dr. Catrise Austin of VIP Smiles located in New York City has a trained staff that goes the extra mile when it comes to dental hygiene and is always ready to serve not only her clients, but the community at large by speaking to the public about oral health and the importance of a beautiful smile.
Regular professional visits are important because gingivitis, the early stage of periodontal disease, is usually painless and patients may not be able to detect it on their own. “Don’t ignore the warning signs of gum disease” say Dr. Austin. “Red, swollen or tender gums; Gums that bleed with brushing; and recurring bad breath are all key signs of gum disease. In my practice, 75% of my new patients have gum disease and didn’t have a clue until we assessed the health of their gums!” Dr. Austin takes the time to perform a 4 step gum evaluation on each and every patient in her practice.
Step 1, Dr. Austin does a thorough evaluation of each tooth checking for cavities, defective fillings, and tooth mobility. Step 2, she checks the gum tissues for redness, swelling, abscesses, as well as for oral cancer lesions. Step 3, x-rays are taken to detect hidden tartar and bone loss due to gum disease. Step 4, Dr. Austin measures the spaces between your teeth and gums (these are called “pockets”) to see if the pockets are shallow, cleansable, and do not bleed upon touch (healthy) or if the pockets are deep, traps food/bacteria, and bleed upon touch (unhealthy).
Based on the results of her examination, Dr. Austin is then able make an accurate diagnosis of her patients’ gums and customize a professional gum therapy plan that individual patient. Fortunately, early gum disease such as gingivitis is completely reversible with professional treatment and oral home care. “Brushing frequently and most importantly flossing are the habits that I teach my patients to do at home between visits” say Dr. Austin. “Once my patients are educated on the importance of keeping their pockets cleaned by flossing at home, I usually see a major improvement when they return for check up visits”. Visiting a dental hygienist and dentist team, every six months or as scheduled, is vital in maintaining healthy teeth and gums. If left untreated, early gum disease can lead to a more serious form of gum disease called periodontitis which can result in tooth loss and other life threatening health problems!
In addition to daily care and visiting a dentist-hygienist dental team, total oral health requires proper nutritional habits. Several foods that help build healthy teeth and gums include:
-Dairy products provide calcium and vitamin D that strengthens teeth and bones
-Breads and cereals supply B vitamins for growth and iron for healthy blood, a key contributor to healthy gum tissue.
-Fruits and vegetables contain vitamin C and other important vitamins, which are essential to maintaining healthy gum tissue.
-Meat, fish, poultry and beans provide magnesium and zinc that strengthen teeth and bones.
If you’ve been guilty of putting off your next dental exam and professional cleaning, consider visiting your dental hygienist and dentist team during this National Dental Hygiene Month for a beautiful Fall smile.
Dr. Catrise Austin is a Cosmetic Dentist practicing at VIP Smiles located at 119 W. 57th Street, New York, NY 10019. She has an impressive loyal following, including some of the warmest smiles in the entertainment industry: America’s Next Top Model Eva Pigford, The Apprentice’s diva Omarosa, R & B singer Toni Braxton, music legend Isaac Hayes, Broadway sensation Sara Jones (Bridge and Tunnel), and Grammy Award Winning rappers Missy Elliot and Common have all placed their teeth in her capable hands. For more information about cosmetic dentistry and oral hygiene, contact Dr. Catrise Austin at 212-262-6054.
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