Our goal is to develop a strong partnership with every patient. When you understand the importance of your dental health, we can help you maintain a healthy mouth, as well as treat the causes and symptoms of any dental condition.

Welcome to our latest newsletter ! We hope that you enjoy the features on recent developments in dentistry and our office news.

We invite you to read our quarterly newsletters and to check out our website often for new information, or contact our office with any questions or concerns.


Office News

Welcome to our website!

Thank You for visiting our website.We hope that you find it informative and helpful. Please feel free to share this site with your "cyber-friends" and send us your comments.

Welcome Shannon !                                                                                                                                      
We are happy to announce that we have a new addition to our office family. Shannon Flinn is a Registered Dental Hygienist who has joined our team and will be working on Wednesdays. She has two children-Abbie, age 8 and Braydon, age 5. She likes scrapbooking, bike riding and working out. Shannon started working with us when she filled in for Heather after Heather dislocated and fractured her ankle. 

We Are On Facebook 

 For those of you who are currently members of Facebook, you can "friend" us now. For those of you who aren't members, you can still see our Facebook page via our website. On the far left-hand side of the web pages is the "find us on Facebook" logo, which has a direct link to our Westshore Family & Cosmetic Dentistry Facebook page. Just click on the logo and it will take you to our page even if you are not a Facebook member.  

More Great Reasons to Floss and Brush

Aside from the obvious benefits of a clean and healthy mouth, there are also a multitude of other reasons to take great care of your teeth and gums. More and more evidence shows a link between oral inflammation and overall health risks such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and cardiovascular disease. 

In a recent study given at the American Heart Association's annual meeting, it was presented that the risk of heart attack can be reduced by 24 percent when routine scaling (dental cleanings) are performed at least once every two years. The risk of having a stroke was shown to be decreased by 13 percent for those who had regular professional scaling done.

The study was conducted by Zu-Yin Chen, MD a cardiology fellow at the Veterans General Hospital in Taipei, Taiwan.

The association between atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and periodontal (gum) disease is that both share the common element of  inflammation which has numerous ill effects on the body. Atherosclerosis is a known causative factor for stroke and heart attacks.

Twice per year visits to a dental professional for preventative cleanings and exams help to prevent periodontal disease, which is a definite cause of inflammation in the body. Less inflammation equals better health for the mouth as well as the whole body.

Source : Wineinger, Joanne, RDA. Healthbeat. The Dental Assistant. March/April 2012. Vol 81, No. 2. Pg 44.

                                                                                                                                             

Gift Certificates Available 

FYI: Our office offers gift certificates for procedures such as teeth whitening via ZOOM Whitening or home tray whitening. 
Kathleen, our on site Licensed Massotherapist, also offers gift certificates for massages. Gift certificates make great gifts for the holidays!


Dr. Mizumoto Joins Study Club

Dr. Mizumoto is excited to be one of six general dentists on the west-side to be invited to join The Spear Study Club, a special group of dentists dedicated to furthering their education in comprehensive treatment planning and advanced dental techniques.The group was founded by Dr. Everett Wu, a periodontist in Fairview Park. They meet once per month for an in depth discussion of advanced clinical cases, and will be traveling to Arizona in March 2012 to attend a course dealing with the treatment of worn down teeth.

When asked about his study club, Dr. Mizumoto states "I am excited about the opportunity to surround myself with such a talented group of clinicians. Being able to meet with a periodontist, orthodontist, and several well respected general dentists once per month will undoubtedly improve my ability as a clinician , and will help my patients to achieve their oral health goals."

More Good News for Chocolate Lovers

In an article on Medscape.Com, Troy Brown discusses a recent study conducted by researchers at the University of California, San Diego (Dr. Mizumoto's Alma mater for undergraduate studies) in which data collected from 1017 patients showed that those who reported consuming chocolate more frequently per week had a lower body mass index (BMI). 

When age, gender, activity level, calorie level, and mood were added and subtracted as factors, the association still remained the same between lower BMI and higher chocolate consumption.

The study authors write that "The connection of higher chocolate consumption frequency to lower BMI is opposite to associations presumed based on calories alone, but concordant with a growing body of literature suggesting that the character-as well as the quantity- of calories has an impact on metabolic syndrome {MetS} factors."

With regard to how often the study participants reported their chocolate intake per week, a mere two times per week was the average amount. Just consume that beneficial chocolate in one sitting and then brush your teeth so as to avoid any risk of cavities.

Source: Brown, Troy. Frequent Chocolate Consumption Linked to Lower BMI. Accessed April 18, 2012. Available at: www.medscape.net

Lisa and the Tooth Fairy AKA Ashley Visit a Local Preschool

Lisa and Ashley went to a local preschool in March to teach students about how to take good care of their teeth and to educate them about what a visit to the dentist's office entails. They also provided each child with a new toothbrush and a cute rinsing cup. This is a photo of the Tooth Fairy on her visit to the preschool with Lisa.

 
Kathleen and Colleen Celebrated Children's Dental Health Month In February

Kathleen and Colleen went to two local preschools in February to celebrate Children's Dental Health Month. Kathleen and Colleen had a great time teaching the children about their teeth and how to take better care of their teeth at home and at their dental visits. The Tooth Fairy enjoyed lots of hugs and compliments about her pretty gown. 

Below is a photo of the Tooth Fairy at one of the school visits. What a disappointment it is to the Tooth Fairy that Kathleen wasn't in the photo as well! :)

Sunstar G*u*m Introduces Two New Periodontal Health Care Products

Sunstar G*U*M has developed two new periodontal health care aids. One is PerioShield, an innovative new mouth rinse that breaks down plaque to make it easier to remove, and coats teeth and gums to prevent new plaque from adhering. According to their research studies, it is clinically proven to reduce plaque buildup and bleeding gums by up to 36 %. It is not an antimicrobial rinse though, so it does not kill germs. Therefore, an antimicrobial rinse may still be necessary for some individuals.

THe second product is called PerioBalance. It is a mint flavored probiotic lozenge that is used once per day to help balance the oral environment so as to  reduce bad breath, fight plaque and improve oral health. According to G*U*M , clinical research showed positive changes in gum health as well as overall oral health after 28 days of usage.

We normally wouldn't suggest where to purchase something, but thus far the only store to offer these products is CVS. Colleen checked the CVS on Detroit Road in Westlake and they had both products in their oral health care isle.