Many medical professionals consider obesity to be a chronic disease. It is well understood that obesity is on the rise in the United States, and that younger and younger members of our community are becoming obese due to poor nutrition and eating habits. Research has demonstrated that obesity will increase the risk for hypertension, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, CVD, respiratory problems, and endometrial, breast, prostate, and colon cancers.1 It has also been demonstrated in a recent research study that obesity also increases the risk for periodontal disease, and it may be insulin resistance that regu¨lates the relationship between obesity and periodontal disease.1  It has also been found that individuals with elevated body mass indices (BMI) produce a higher level of inflammatory proteins.1 The classifications of being overweight and obese can pertain to more than 60 percent of American adults. It is even higher for some high-risk populations, such as African-American women, placi...

Below is an excerpt from an article found on Colgate.com that was written by Katriena Knights Enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, and is therefore vital to the health of your teeth. Not everyone's is the strongest, though, and still others have teeth without enamel at all. Without enamel to protect the softer interior parts of your teeth, they can't stand up to the stress of natural biting and chewing. These abnormal developments require special care and treatment. Enamel Hypoplasia Teeth can come in without enamel as a result of inherited issues or because of exposure to certain substances while the teeth are erupting. Baby teeth and permanent teeth can both emerge with enamel that is weak, improperly formed or missing altogether. One of these conditions is enamel hypoplasia, which literally means "underdeveloped enamel." A disorder that causes the teeth to develop with thin, deficient enamel, it sometimes manifests as a pit in the tooth ñ or eve...

The Importance of Hygiene Visits   Participating in regularly scheduled cleanings done by a professional hygienist is one of the best ways to increase your chances for excellent health. Plaque clings in the hard-to-reach places of your mouth. Even with methodical brushing, some of it will remain in the grooves and pockets of your teeth and gums. If it’s permitted to stay, plaque hardens into tartar, which is outside the scope of your typical toothbrush and floss to remove. Tartar accumulates below your gum line as well as on the enamel of your teeth, forming a serious threat that invites decay and even gum disease to occupy your mouth. Recent research shows a clear link between untreated gum disease and other life-threatening illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Which means having your teeth cleaned is one of the most essential reasons to visit your dentist! Cox Family Dentistry     James T. Cox, III, DMD     Dallas J. Kunkel, DMD   ...

The Primary Cause of Lost Teeth Periodontal (gum) disease is a slowly advancing, nearly painless affliction that loses people more teeth than any other cause. In fact, you may not even know your gums are infected until after your teeth are permanently damaged. Have you noticed these symptoms: bleeding gums when you brush or floss, loose teeth, or shifting teeth? If so, your teeth are at risk, but it’s not too late. Even if you’ve been told that you require gum surgery, we can help. Up-to-date dental treatments have made it possible to control gum disease with a variety of non-surgical procedures. Cox Family Dentistry     James T. Cox, III, DMD     Dallas J. Kunkel, DMD     101 Perpetual Square Drive   Anderson, SC 29621     (864) 226-4300     CoxFamilyDentistrySC.com