According to WebMD health experts, you can improve everything from your vision to your oral health by changing one simple thing in eight crucial areas. If you’re ready to boost your personal health while maintaining an aura of relaxation this summer, follow these 8 simple tips:

1. Eat More Berries: I bet you didn’t expect the road to good health and fitness to start with “Eat more,” but in this case, eating more berries can improve your health in a number of surprising ways…
2. Get Dirty: Getting your hands dirty – whether that means playing in the sand at the beach or planting a garden in your backyard – is a great way to relieve stress.
3. Floss! I’m not just throwing this one in there because I’m your dentist. Flossing daily not only improves your oral health, but it improves your overall health as well. I’m not kidding…
4. Exercise: I know what you’re thinking – you thought I said 8 simple tips, and I plan to say true to my word. “Exercise” doesn’t always mean hit the gym and run five miles—sometimes it can mean simply getting out doors and stretching those muscles.
5. Protect Your Eyes: Wear sunglasses – not only does this help preserve your vision, but it reduces wrinkles as well.
6. Take a Vacation: I’m serious – your mind needs the occasional break or two. Don’t believe me? Check out my blog post, “7 Reasons You Shouldn’t Deny Yourself a Vacation This Summer.”
7. Alcohol: No, not the hard stuff. Skip the liquor and go for something lite, like sangria or a nice wine. When you stick to the light stuff, you’re actually doing your heart a world of good.
8. Get Your Sleep: Yes, school is out, and you’re tempted to stay up with your kids, or until long after the sun sets at least, but in the interest of good health, I would suggest keeping the same schedule you do all year long. Just because you feel more relaxed doesn’t mean your body doesn’t require the same amount of rest.

These are my 8 simple tips to staying healthy this summer (and all year long if you so choose!). To see why following these 8 tips work, read on to see what the experts have to say: http://women.webmd.com/features/8-summer-steps-for-healthy-living?page=2.

When individuals enter the world of entrepreneurship, and when they get their own business up and off the ground in much the same way that I was able to get my practice up and running, they feel obligated to stick around month after month, year after year, denying themselves the very benefits they offer their employees, one of which is paid vacation. Too often, I see fellow dentists, physicians, shop owners and business owners forgo a family road-trip so that they can “oversee the family business,” while the rest of their team members run off to exotic places like Playa Del Carmen, Mexico and Miami Beach, Florida. When their staff come back, they’re tanned and relaxed, while they themselves are stressed out, rundown and pale with worry. They tell themselves “all my hard work will pay off in the long run,” but they fail to consider the value of their current happiness.

It’s so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind – and it’s so easy to justify the extra-income on top of saved vacation expenses – but in the long run, your health, relationships and work performance will suffer if you don’t give your mind an occasional break. According to About.com’s contributing health writer, Elizabeth Scott, M.S., vacations promote creativity, stave off burnout, keep us healthy, relieve stress and promote overall well-being. And, she states, “Increased quality of life can lead to increased quality of work on the job.” I can attest to that: Once I got back from a few days in the sunshine state, I was rejuvenated, excited about my work once again and more than ready for what the ensuing months might throw my way.

It’s so easy to skip the year’s vacation when you work for yourself, and I understand—after all, you went into business for yourself so that you could make your own rules, create your own hours and answer to one person and one person only – you. However, when you started your business, you didn’t realize that you would become your toughest boss to date. This summer, give yourself a much needed break – check out this article to see the seven reasons that a vacation could be the best thing for you, your family and your business: http://stress.about.com/od/workplacestress/a/vacations.htm.

Tulsa, Oklahoma dentists puts 7,000 patients at risk for HIV and other infections. http://abcn.ws/10hZ7Qm

Irresponsible “dentist” forces jaw out. http://bit.ly/10qX5yo

Thai dentist ignores patient’s screams of pain. http://bit.ly/10Pto9c

I don’t mean to terrify you – in fact, terrify you is the last thing I want to do – but after reading these headlines, I hope you see the value in trusting your health care professionals with your wellbeing – your dentist especially. As you can attest to after reading these stories, there are some very dishonest individuals in the world – (granted, there are just as many noble individuals as well: Kids save the planet one idea at a time, http://bit.ly/1245g6d, One individual helps fellow tenant make rent, http://n.pr/11uD8Q) – and the last thing you want to do is unwittingly submit yourself to their astonishing acts of terrorism. In my dental practice, everything we do is done to prove to you that not only are we trustworthy, but we go to extreme measures to provide you with the best, safest and most effective dental care possible.

My team and I believe in helping you out with all of your dental problems, large and small. We want you to trust us to make you feel comfortable, and to know that when you’re under our care, you’re in good hands. From the comfortable feel of our office, to the specialized training of our staff and I, to the open communication we encourage between our staff and patients, we strive to convey trust in every aspect of our practice. There is a lot of dishonesty in this world, but then again, there’s a lot of good – we’re part of the greater good, and want you to trust us enough to prove it to you.

If you have any questions you want answered or concerns you want put to rest – and if you’re looking for a dentist that you can trust completely, check out our website at http://www.dentistwarrenohio.com.

There are several ways in which health professionals can sedate their patients: Inhaled (laughing gas), oral, IV or deep sedation. At our office, we offer the sedation solution that is proven to be both highly effective and non-threatening: Oral Conscious Sedation. With oral sedation, I can sedate the patient either very minimally or moderately, depending on the dose. Though there are recommended levels of sedation for certain treatment times, I always leave it up to the patient to decide how deeply they want to be sedated. But, no matter what level of relaxation the patient wants to reach, the process remains the same: They take a pill.

Oral conscious sedation is a favored method because to the patient, it’s no different than taking an aspirin or other pain reliever. Plus, the patient has control over what and how much they’re putting in their body. In this instance, they’re not taking an Advil or Tylenol, but a Halcion, which is a member of the same drug family as Valium. The sedative will make them drowsy, but they’ll be able to remain alert and conscious the whole time—they just won’t be reactive to “outside” stimuli; they’ll be blissfully unaware of everything from the sound of the drill to the bright lights to the pain. Depending on the size of the dose, sedatives can even produce a sort of “Amnesic” effect – meaning that when the patient leaves the office, they will have virtually no recollection of the treatment process at all.

Though sedation dentistry is great for extending treatment (because of the amnesic effect, we can get much more work done in a single visit, as opposed to having to split up the treatment into several appointments), and though it is most appropriate for people with a real fear or anxiety of the dentist, it is also helpful for people who:

• have a low pain threshold
• can’t sit still in the dentist’s chair
• have very sensitive teeth
• have a bad gag reflex
• need a large amount of dental work completed

At LaFuria Dental, we combine sedation dentistry with cosmetic dentistry so that you can have that bright, dazzling, straight smile you have always wanted, without all the stress and fear you may have experienced during past visits. To reserve your appointment now, call Dr. LaFuria today or visit http://www.dentistwarrenohio.com/sedation-dentistry/.

Motivation is the key to any treatment, and without it, you’re dead in the water. In my practice, I want nothing more than for my patients to trust me enough to let me help them move forward, which is why, when I integrated sleep apnea treatment into my practice, I made sure that I had only the best equipment for increasing airflow for sleep apnea patients. By graphing out the positive progression this particular patient would see with an oral appliance, I encouraged him to let me run a test of my own. So, that night I sent the patient home with a device that would measure his breathing…

The Results: He suffered from Hypoxemia – When oxygen levels are considerably lower than they should be

When the patient returned with the readings, I was astounded (even more so than when he told me his results from the doctor’s test). Not only did he have sleep apnea as I suspected – and not only was he stopping breathing more than is healthy as a result of his sleep apnea –but his oxygen levels were below 90%—or, in other words, they were at a critical level.

For those of you who don’t know what low oxygen levels entail, exactly, I’ll briefly explain hypoxemia to you: Healthy blood oxygen saturation levels are roughly between 95 and 100% – people who suffer from hypoxemia, as our patient did, have oxygen levels dipping below 90%. Among many ensuing health problems, individuals who suffer from Hypoxemia initially experience the following:

• Confusion, memory loss and lack of concentration
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Headaches

But the initial conditions are nothing compared to the health problems that can arise if not treated…

• High Blood Pressure occurs when there are sudden drops in blood oxygen levels because, during sleep apnea, the cardiovascular system is straining to get oxygen to your lungs. As your blood pressure increases, the more severe your sleep apnea becomes, and the greater your risk for stroke, cardiac arrest or other heart problems.
• Daytime fatigue is one of the greatest indicators of sleep apnea. The repeated awakenings associated with sleep apnea make normal, restorative sleep impossible. As a result, you will feel just as tired – and as moody – as if you didn’t sleep at all.
• Liver problems are more common in people with sleep apnea than in those without.
• Sleep deprived partners come with the territory as well – loud snoring, as you may know, can keep those around you from getting a good night’s rest, and therefore, disrupt your relationship (because now not only are you tired and moody, but your partner is as well).

The Cause

So what causes sleep apnea? Well, it’s important to understand that anyone can develop sleep apnea, at any time in their life (even children). But, there are certain factors that will put you at risk, including the following:

• Excess Weight: Fat deposits around your upper airways, which could contribute to obstructed breathing. BUT, being thin doesn’t automatically eliminate you from being at risk either.
• Neck Circumference: People with thick necks have narrower airways, which could contribute to the disorder.
• Narrowed Airway: Some people have naturally narrow airways, without having a thick neck.
• Being Male: Men are twice as likely to have sleep apnea as women. However, women increase their risk if they’re overweight; risk also rises when women hit menopause.
• Age: Unfortunately, sleep apnea appears more often in adults older than 60.
• Family History: Though not genetic, if a family member suffered from sleep apnea, you be at increased risk.
• Use of Alcohol, Sedatives or Tranquilizers: These substances relax your throat muscles.
• Smoking: Smokers are three times as likely to have sleep apnea than non-smokers, because smoking increases the amount of inflammation and fluid retention in the upper airway.

The Solution:

The CPAP is the first line of defense that I offer my patients because it is 98.5% effective in restoring proper breathing function, and therefore, in restoring health. HOWEVER, there is a catch: The appliance is not easy to deal with – in fact, over 60% of people cannot adjust to the CPAP machine. Here’s why:

The CPAP, or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy, is a machine that requires you to wear one of the following every night – for the rest of your life – in order for it to be effective:

• A mask that covers your nose and mouth.
• A mask that covers your nose only (the nasal continuous positive airway pressure, or NCPAP0. This type of mask is most common.
• Prongs that fit into your nose.

On top of having to wear a mask of some sort or another for the rest of your live-long-days, the machine is noisy. But it works, and better than any other oral device out there.

My goal is to make sure that my patients are healthy, are breathing, and that their apnea is reduced as much as can be – if they accept the CPAP way of life, great – if not, there are still plenty more options out there, and I won’t rest until I know that we’ve found the solution that is right for them.

If you suffer from headaches, daytime fatigue or any other common side effects of sleep apnea, trust me to find the solution that is right for you – give me a call today at 330-856-4214 or visit us at http://www.dentistwarrenohio.com.

The next step is to find a source of suitable cells that would make this method clinically realistic. To quote a recent article:

“What is required is the identification of adult sources of human epithelial and mesenchymal cells that can be obtained in sufficient numbers to make biotooth formation a viable alternative to dental implants.”

Click here to read the full article and learn more about this interesting technology: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/257480.php

You can begin mouth care with your baby by rubbing a damp washcloth over their gums. This helps keep bacteria away. As teeth begin to come in a soft bristled toothbrush can be used to gently scrub the teeth. Around age two, children can begin brushing and spitting for themselves with supervision until about age five when they can start brushing unsupervised.

Even babies can develop tooth decay if the teeth aren’t properly cared for. Learn more about these conditions and how to avoid them in this article: http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/teeth/healthy.html

My team and I are dedicated to supporting our patients by honoring their individual needs with compassion and encouragement. Prior to starting any dental work we get to know a patient. We sit and talk with them in order to establish common ground, find out what they really want and determine the best way to help them. We are a patient focused practice. To us success means happy smiles from happy patients!

I find that when I am able to establish trust with a patient I am better equipped to help them reach the solution they most desire. When they trust me, I can help them figure out what they really want even if they aren’t sure at first. I invite you to meet with me and see if we are a good fit to work together towards achieving your best smile! 330-856-4214 http://www.dentistwarrenohio.com/services/

Obviously, with any type of cancer early detection is key in fighting the disease. Before the days of tools like Identafi, cancer in the mouth would have grown fairly large before being discovered. As the mouth is one of the “gateways” to the rest of the body, if the cancer gets too big the outlook for recovery is not as good. Cellular changes occur with cancer that cannot be seen with the naked eye. By the time it is visible to the eyes it has grown very large.

Many scientists and companies of manufacturing equipment have researched and discovered that when cells undergo a change, those nuclei become darker and can show up under different kinds of light. In this way the Identafi light wand can detect these cells much earlier and help us get the patient diagnosed earlier. Call us today to schedule your initial consult. 330-856-4214 or visit http://www.dentistwarrenohio.com/find-us/

For classes that have a large number of children I find it more efficient to make up an informational packet for the teachers. Then these teachers can go over the material with their students.

In 2003 the American Dental Association started the Give Kids A Smile Day campaign. This program provides an opportunity for ADA members to join with others in their community to provide dental services to underserved children. Initially the program was a single-day event in February. Over the years local areas create their own events throughout the year. Here in Warren, our Give Kids A Smile Day is during the first week in March. We use space at a local dental hygiene school that is part of Choffin, a tech school in our area that trains dental assistants. We have the children bussed in and we provide dental treatments for them. We clean their teeth, apply protective sealants if needed, etc. Sealants are one of the greatest inventions of modern dentistry. Although fluoride does a great job at keeping cavities at bay, it does little to protect the natural grooves in the teeth. Sealants remedy this problem because the plastic coating keeps plaque-building bacteria and food debris from getting stuck in the grooves of the teeth.

I also travel to different schools and inform the children of good dental habits and I also got to speak at the event hosted by Coryeon Palmer Dental Society. They bus in kids mostly from the inner city areas. My hope is to inform and encourage and remind kids about oral health, especially if they are not getting reinforcement at home.

Healthy baby teeth are important. They allow a child to eat and chew properly. They help a child communicate clearly with proper annunciation. Baby teeth shape a child’s face and guide adult teeth into place. When children have dental problems it can affect their overall health and happiness. Cavities are painful and can interfere with the ability to eat properly. I think it is important to get in on the ground level by speaking with our community’s young ones. I do my best to juggle my schedule so I can give time to this worthy cause each year. At LaFuria Dental, we believe in not only helping the patients that come into our office, but also in playing an active role in our community. Learn more about us and our friendly amazing staff! http://www.dentistwarrenohio.com/about-us/