PGA Dental Associates' Blog

Here is one of my favorite and most informative hand outs, published by the Mayo Clinic! Most of you have probobly read this, but for those of you that have not, enjoy!

Healthy Hygiene, Healthy Heart
Click on the image above to enlarge it

Believe it or not, how you take care of your teeth and gums affects not only your oral health, but it impacts your cardiovascular health, too. Although scientists are not certain of the precise relationship between the heart and oral hygiene, studies consistently demonstrate a link.

It’s possible that a mouth filled with bacteria and their toxins allows a continuous stream of poisons to enter the system. If the bacteria reach your arteries, they may cause the same kind of irritation they caused in your gums and mouth. Arterial wall irritations typically result in a buildup of protective plaque, which in turn can harden, thus blocking blood flow. Without sufficient blood flow, your heart can easily have a myocardial infarction, also known as a heart attack. Furthermore, loosened arterial plaque can travel through the bloodstream, reach your brain, and cause a stroke.

Prevention & Detection
One way we can fight this situation is to use a special bacterial neutralizing rinse immediately after dental procedures to reduce the possibility of bacteria entering your bloodstream. However, healthy mouth and gums are your best defense, so keep a regimen of daily brushing and flossing and regular dental visits twice a year. Remember, gum disease and oral cancer are silent but serious problems that may go unnoticed without professional exams.

Dear Neighbor,
Are you fed up with trying to hide your teeth when you talk or smile?
Do you find yourself gazing enviously at “those men” or “those women” with perfect teeth?
Are you worried that even if a dentist could help you, it would be too expensive? Good news! We’ve helped moderately to severely smile-challenged people just like you every day for more than 20 years. So believe me when I say there’s nothing we HAVEN’T seen in this office and almost NOTHING we can’t handle!
After all, smile restoration is our specialty and making it as painless as possible is all part of the package.
How Do You Know If Corrective Cosmetic Dentistry Is Right For You?
Well, only you can say for certain but in my experience those who benefit the most are:
1) Those who have missing teeth or those about to lose teeth due to decay or fracture
2) Denture wearers frustrated and tired of the problems of full dentures and partial
dentures…sick of the goo… the pain…, the embarrassment of teeth that can literally fall out in
their plate.
3) Those with bone loss that is causing loss of support for the face or causing ugly, disfiguring appearances to the face.
4) Accident victims from motor vehicles, baseball, football, or any other sport who want to
regain function and appearance
5) Those with a mouthful of problems that just seem to get worse and worse
6) Those committed to a high level of dental health
7) Those with bad breath that won’t go away

A Consumers Guide To Big Problem Dentistry Special Report 3
Those disappointed with earlier attempts to fix their teeth
9) Those with numbness or experiencing a burning sensation
10) Those who want to recapture their youthful appearance
11) Those who have significant gum disease
12) Those people who feel they are (as several patients have put it) Dental Disasters with no place to turn.

Will “Fixing” Your Smile Really Make
That Big Of A Difference?
Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but the truth is we all have
standards. And whether we like it or not, an attractive, healthy, vibrant
appearance does matter. Not only in romance, but at work, social
gatherings and just about any other face-to-face situation you can
imagine.
Just read on to learn about these case studies for real-world proof:
Case Study #143
Judy, an unmarried and attractive woman, except for her teeth,
underwent comprehensive treatment with me to replace missing
teeth and rebuild her bite with dental implants. The result was a
gorgeous smile.
Less than 6 months later, she was dating the man of her
dreams. And a year and a half later, she married that man.
Judy attributes her lucky catch to the newfound confidence that
attracted her husband’s first admiring gaze!
Judy B.

4-15-2005
Bill Hadn’t Been
Able to Chew On
Both Sides Of
His Mouth For
20 Years!
“Everything was wrong with my teeth.
Due to bad experiences in dental offices, I had stayed away from the
dentist for years. Then the general condition of my teeth began
bothering me and I was having trouble
chewing, eating, and became very
uncomfortable.
I have had a lot of dental work done by
my dentist, including implants, bridges, and crowns. Almost every one of my teeth has needed work done to them.
I can’t say it was a pleasant experience
as there is some discomfort involved,
but it has never been painful. Dr, Ajmo has always made me feel very comfortable. He is not critical with
the patient. My teeth were so horrible, but Dr. Ajmo did not have
a hint of admonishment or sarcasm. He has always approached it from the viewpoint of “OK, here is the
situation and here is what we can do.”
– Bill Boyd
Please call for an appointment and a complimentary cunsultation with Dr. Ajmo. We look forward to meeting you!

Eco-gastronomomy. Yummy! Doesnt that sound delicious? Are you tired of life in the fast lane, and tired of eating that fast and faster food? The slow food movement was created to counteract exactly that, in the belief that the food we eat shoud taste good and be produced in a clean, enviromentally friendly way. Pleasurable dining starts with the highest standard of keeping your food prepared locally, while adhering to the art of cultural heritage and food preparation- along with oral and overall health. All of this can be obtained in Palm Beach Gardens Fl.
No wonder today, the slow food movement has spread from Italy to 132 countries. Celebrations of gastronomic and biological diversity are held in exciting and exotic centers like Turin, toronto, and San Francisco. Whether you travel the world or visit your local Farmer’s Market, please slow down and take the time to see the sights, savor the incredible aromas and flavors of just picked and oh-so-good for you slow foods.

We welcome you to our website where you will find both you and your smile is our top priority. Our entire team at PGA Dentistry is dedicated to combining the most advanced technology and the most personalized and comfortable care in the Palm Beach area.

Excellence in dentistry begins with a careful co-diagnosis and treatment plan to establish the goals we will achieve together. Communication and long-term relationships are important to us. Let us know what is on your mind and ask questions. We will help you realize an investment in yourself pays dividends for a lifetime. We are caring, skilled professionals, dedicated to simplifying what is often a very complicated and confusing area of health care. We want all our patients to be informed and knowledgeable about their dental health care, from treatment plans and services, to insurance coverage.

When you visit our office you will experience all that modern dentistry has to offer, including a comprehensive list of cosmetic and general dental services to meet the needs of the whole family. Whether your needs include a life-changing smile makeover, routine cleanings and exams or minor restorative work, our goal is to assist each patient in achieving and maintaining long term dental health and a beautiful smile. Some of the services we provide include:

Cleanings & Exams
Sealants & Fluoride
Root Canal Therapy
Periodontal Treatments
Teeth Whitening
Tooth Colored Fillings
Crowns & Bridges
Porcelain Veneers
Dental Implants

We feel that the patient must properly understand his or her condition before understanding and accepting a diagnosis and treatment plan.
Every new patient receives a digital video tour of the mouth that appears on the computer monitor.
Problems can be seen earlier, such as a cracked tooth, and treated before pain and discomfort develop.
These photos are also used to help maximize any insurance benefits due to you.

Digital radiography

Not only are digital x-rays more comfortable then the old traditional x-rays for patients, but also digital x-rays create 80% less radiation than traditional x-rays. Within seconds, the x-ray appears on a computer monitor so that the doctor can manipulate the image for clarity and diagnosis, and the patient can actually see the problems on the computer.
The radiographs can then be sent to specialists or insurance companies via the Internet. This is one of the newest technological updates to our progressive office in the last year.

We have many new upgrades we are adding to our well known and respected office, so please excuse us as we upgrade certain areas to make the experience more comfortable and pleasant for you and all of our patients.

On behalf of Dr. Ajmo and our whole staff, I personally would like to invite you to come visit our progressive office whether you are a returning patient of record, or you are a new patient looking for a professional dental practice to call home. Happy New Year!

M. Joy Loeb
Patient Coordinator

The holiday season is upon us and from the entire staff of PGA Dentistry, we would like to wish our patients a heartfelt thank you for your loyalty and friendship during the past year.
This time of year is a time to count blessings and to reflect on the values of family and community. Newspaper headlines from both near and far may have made it dificult for many of you to truely believe in the happy and good side of life. Shocking events and threats to our society seem to be endless, yet the spirit of this wonderful season should teach us that hope, faith and perseverance are still in great supply and that faith will ensure they’ll be with us always. We hope your holidays are happy, healthy, and filled with family and friends! Merry Christmas & Happy New Years!

Second hand smoke and tooth decay: According to a study by the Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality, children exposed to second hand smoke have higher rates of tooth decay than those who are not.

Smoking and Dental Implants: Research recently published in the Journal of Periodontology showed that after a 5 year period, 15.8% of implants failed in smokers where only 1.4% of implants failed in non-smokers. People who smoke are at greater risk of infection following surgery and may heal more slowly.

FOSAMAX and dentistry: The use of Fosamax, Actonel, Boniva and other bisphosphonate drugs used in the treatment of osteoporosis can cause severe bone infections (osteonecrosis) following dental surgery. Procedures at particular risk include extractions, root canal therapy, periodontal surgery and implant surgery. The half-life of these drugs is 7-10 years. So patients who have taken bisphosphonate drugs and have discontinued its use are still at risk for this severe bone infection following dental procedures. There seems to be an indication that this problem is related to IV administration of these drugs rather than the oral route of administration. However, there needs to be more studies to determine the risks.

Improving the color, shape or position of your teeth can improve the way you feel about yourself. Here at a glance are seven tips for a lasting smile that looks completely natural.

*TEETH WHITENING: Instantly brightens your smile.

*WHITE FILLINGS OF COMPOSITE OR PORCELAIN: Make tell-tell dark fillings a thing of the past.

*TOOTH COLORED BONDING: Cover deep-rooted stains, repair small crack or chips, fill in gaps, and recontour teeth.

*COSMETIC VENEERS: Conceal spaces, crooked, chipped, or discolored teeth.

*CROWN RESTORATIONS: Restore severely damaged or broken teeth.

*DENTAL IMPLANTS: Restore appearance and function.

*CROWN/IMPLANT & BRIDGE RESTORATIONS: Replace missing teeth and prevent further damage to your smile.

Is 50 really the new 40? It seems so, men and woman today feel and act 10 years younger than their biological age. Midlife is a strong, powerful time of life in every way and you can see the influence you command in the number of products tailored just for you. A prime example is the number of esthetic innovations created to enhance your smile, like beautiful natural-looking crown and implant restorations.
You’ll like them because you’re an experienced and savvy consumer, you’re health conscious, and you love to look great!
Long lasting natural looking materials resist chipping, staining, and cracks. Improvements in options and technology have made procedures more time efficient and patient friendly.
Your damaged or discolored tooth can be covered, protected, and strengthed with a single crown.
Bone loss can be prevented by anchoring a permanent new tooth into the jawbone by combining a single crown with a dental implant. Missing teeth can also be replaced with several replacement teeth attached to a secure crown or implant bridge restoration to prevent your other teeth from drifting and altering your ability to eat, speak, and socialize.
Do not let your smile give away your age. Let us give you a midlife smile with style! Call us to schedule a consultation.

You may ask yourself, do I qualify for implants? If you answer “yes” to any one of these questions, then give our office a call. Our Implant Coordinator will be happy to answer any and all questions you may have, and get you scheduled for a complimentary consultation and X-ray. Our number is (561) 627-8666

1. Denture wearers frustrated and tired of the problems of full dentures and partials.
Denture wearers who are sick of the goo, the pain, the embarrassment of teeth that can literally fall out in their plate.
2. Those with bone loss that is causing loss of support for the face or causing ugly,
disfiguring appearances to the face.
3. Those who have missing teeth or those about to lose teeth due to decay or fractures
4. Accident victims from motor vehicles, baseball, football, or any other sport who want
to regain function and appearance
5. Those with a mouthful of problems that just seem to get worse and worse
6. Those looking for treatment designed especially for your personal, unique needs in
as few visits as possible
7. Those who wish to sleep well at night, secure in the knowledge you have received
state-of-the-art dentistry based on the latest scientifically proven research.
8. Those with dentures that “float around” displacing at the worst possible times (also
known as Murphy’s Law of Denture Movement- it happens at the worst possible
time) Those disappointed with earlier attempts to fix their teeth
9. Those who want to recapture their youthful appearance
10. Those who have significant gum disease. Those people who feel they are (as several
patients have put it): Dental Disasters with no place to turn.

A toothache is a sign of not only oral health problems, but it can also be a sign of future medical health problems. Per Dr. Philippe P. Hujoel, professor at the University of Washington School of Dentistry in Seattle WA, considers the “diet of excessive fermentable carbohydrates will lead to not only dental diseases, but also to other chronic diseases.” Fermentable carbohydrates are not just sweets like cookies, cakes, and candies, but also bananas, dried fruits, rice, pastas and corn.
Here are two ideas in retrospect. A few fermentable carbs are good for your health and dental issues can be avoided by using good preventative measures at home and with your dental office, such as brushing and flossing regularly and having fluoride administered at your normal dental cleanings. Carbohydrates are noted as mostly being harmful to your every day dental health and bodily health. Both should be carefully watched and cut in our daily diets.
The bacteria that live in the mouth turn the fermentable carbohydrates into acid which dilutes the teeth. Also researches show that high-carbohydrate intake will raise the blood sugar levels. Routine visits to your registered dental hygienist and dentist can protect your oral health. Call us for your next visit regardless if you are a new patient or a patient of record.
The main debate when examining good carbs and bad carbs is that both contribute to diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cancer. For the last 20 years or so, we have been told to keep carbs in our diet because they would help prevent certain types of diseases. More recent studies show that the higher the carb count of your diet, the more susceptible you are to gum disease and cavities. In other words certain carbohydrates are beneficial for your health, but they can also be detrimental for your dental health.