The Wellness Window

February 20, 2009
The Ammonoosuc Times
21
The Wellness Window
Qigong and Taiji classes in
Franconia, NH
Health and Wellness Massage Therapy Reiki Treatments
10 years experience in Therapeutic Massage
Certified Life Coach
PAMELA ALBERTS
NH State Licensed Massage Therapist
Located at The Tannery Marketplace
Second Floor, Studio 7
111 Saranac Street Littleton, NH 03561
Please call 603-616-9984 to schedule your appointment
22
The Ammonoosuc Times
DOGGIES
Name: SOPHIE
Pedigree: MIX
Age: 7 years
Companions: Wody Robertson
Dog is happiest when: Exploring
Dog says: Unfortunatly can"t talk....
Why I love my dog: Wonderful personality
– Mickey de Rham
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IN
OUR WINDOWS
February 20, 2009
The Ammonoosuc Times
February 20, 2009
A Dentist’s Point of View
Hygiene – It's Not Just a Cleaning
by
David A. Taylor, DDS
I'd better start out with an apology, because I am sure to step
on some toes this week. I don't mean to upset anyone, but I think
this is important, so here I go. I have to call it as I see it.
One of the most common requests of new patients in my office
is for "just a cleaning". Oh boy, if it were always that simple!
Since every patient presents with a
different set of concerns and problems, a successful hygiene visit may
include any or all of several different
treatments. A skilled hygienist can
perform a variety of services - custom tailored to the patient's unique
needs. Let's look at them.
I would estimate that at least onehalf the new patients seen by my
hygienist have never received care
equal to their needs. It's remarkable
in this age of mass communication
how many people remain unclear
about the real causes of dental problems, especially decay and gum disease, and what they can do about it. Therefore, education
becomes a staple of the hygienist's day. Most dental problems
can either be prevented or controlled with good daily hygiene,
proper diet and quality care.
An experienced hygienist is remarkably knowledgeable about
all dentistry, and they are excellent at finding problems and discussing treatment. This is particularly so regarding periodontal
(gum) disease in all its many forms. Hygienists may perform a
wide variety of diagnostic tests, but the standards for diagnosing periodontal disease still include observation, probing (measuring the depth of the crevice between the tooth and gum), and
x-ray evaluation.
While there are a lucky few who only require evaluation, education, and a polish, most adults need more. Calculus (tartar) is
common to a greater or lesser degree in most people. If calculus
is limited and above the gum, it can be removed fairly easily and
comfortably. If there is a lot and it is below the gum, or even
worse, deep into "pockets" far below the gum in more advanced
cases, that is a completely different story. Calculus is tough to
remove; teeth are close together, the gums are usually very sore
and bleed very easily when diseased, and roots are seldom
smooth, flat surfaces. Thorough cleaning in these cases usually
requires multiple visits and anesthesia (numbing). Great results
are only possible if the hygienist is well trained, skillful, thorough, persistent and patient! This is hard work! Without anesthesia, most patients simply cannot tolerate the process and significant problems remain untreated. These problems generally
become worse over time.
Once you have been diagnosed, educated, and fully cleaned
up, a knowledgeable hygienist is not nearly through. Areas of
recession may be sensitive, especially to cold and sweets. There
are medications and special toothpastes on the market to help.
Persistent areas of inflammation may respond to the newest
antibiotic therapies, which are generally placed into deeper
pockets under the gum by the hygienist after a thorough cleaning. Oral rinses can also be utilized at home. Lasers may prove
useful in removing diseased tissue and killing bacteria under
the gums.
Sealants are flowable fillings used to close deep groves in the
teeth before they decay and are a wonderful preventive service
that your hygienist may perform. Sealants and proper instruction in correct brushing and flossing technique are especially
valuable with younger patients.
Periodontal disease and decay are the two major problems for
most dental patients. Regular visits allow the hygienist to both
find and treat problems early as well as refer the patient to the
dentist for repair of decay, poorly contoured fillings or crowns
that are irritating the gums, diagnosis and treatment of missing,
loose, or poorly positioned
teeth.... So, the next time you
ask for “just a cleaning”, be
aware that there is a great
deal more your hygienist can
do for you!
I would be happy to answer
any questions. Please feel free
to contact me using any of the
links listed below.
Be well - Be informed!
David A. Taylor, DDS
110 W. Main St.
Littleton, NH 03561
(603) 444-7761
E-mail: taylorsmiles@adelphia,net
www.davidtaylordds.com
23
HARLAN HERR, MD
RADIOLOGIST JOINS LRH
Littleton Regional Hospital
and its diagnostic imaging
services team welcomes Harlan G. Herr, MD to the hospital’s medical staff.
Dr. Herr joins LRH with
more than 25 years experience in diagnostic radiology.
Dr. Herr earned his medical
degree at the University Of
Arkansas
School
Of
Medicine in Little Rock, AR.
He completed his Rotating
Internship at Naval Hospital
in Portsmouth, VA and Student Flight Surgeon training
at the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute in Pensacola, FL.
He completed his Diagnostic
Radiology Residency at
Bethesda Naval Hospital in
Bethesda, MD. Dr. Herr is
Board Certified by the American Board of Radiology.
Dr. Herr holds professional
memberships with the Amer-
Casella Waste Management
ican Medical Association,
American College of Radiology, Society of Nuclear
Medicine, Radiological Society of North America and
American Roentgen Ray
Society.
Dr. Herr served over 24
years on active duty with the
United States Navy. He relocated to Tampa, Florida upon
retiring from the Navy in 1999
where he served as Diagnostic Radiologist at Radiology
Associates of Clearwater,
Westcoast Radiology Clearwater, Westcoast Diagnostic
Imaging
Centers
and
Advanced Imaging Centers,
Leesburg, FL. Dr. Herr comes
to LRH from Brandon
Regional Hospital, Brandon,
FL where he served as Diagnostic Radiologist, providing
evening coverage at 4 facilities in the Tampa area.
Dr. Herr will lead the diagnostic imaging services at
LRH. LRH’s diagnostic imaging services team provides a
wide variety of leading technological imaging services
including the new state-ofthe-art 64-Slice CT Scan,
Bone Density Scan, 3-D Ultrasound Imaging, MRI and
Multi Slice Spiral CT Scanner,
Mammography, and iCAD
Second Look Mammogram
For more information about
programs and services at
LRH visit www.littletonhospital.org or to contact LRH
Diagnostic Imaging Services
call (603) 444-9536.
Littleton Area
Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 105
32 Main St., Suite 108
Littleton, NH 03561
(603) 444-6561 ext.# 11
Fax (603) 444-2427
Chad Stearns, Chamber Services Coordinator
www.littletonareachamber.com
[email protected]
C U LV E R T
PLASTIC & STEEL
DELIVERED TO YOUR JOBSITE
•Repair Welding
•Fabrication
•Drilling
•Plasma Cutting
•Bending
WOLF MOON – Here is how Mickey de Rham saw it.
800-227-7045
PO Box 548 Montpelier VT 05601
•Shearing
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•On-Site Welding
•I-Beam Delivery
and setting
•Structural Steel•Specialty Items•Culvert•Re-Bar•
•AWS Certified Welders•Machine Shop•
WILCO DIRECT INC.
STEEL FABRICATION & SALES
991 UNION STREET, LITTLETON, NH 03561
(603) 444-5008
24
The Ammonoosuc Times
February 20, 2009
Over 1400 window treatments, styles, colors and sizes in stock
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