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Linda Purser
This month we'd like to recognize Linda Purser as our featured staff member!
Linda Purser is our Dental Office Manager and a member of AADOM (American Assoc. of Dental Office Managers). She is a 1990 graduate of Hackleburg High School and has lived in Marion County all her life. She began her career with the clinic in 2004. Soon after, Linda finished her schooling as an LPN. She received her Licensed Practical Nursing degree from Bevill State Community College in Hamilton, AL in 2005. Linda has continued her training over the years through reputable courses that include Hubbard Management, LVI, and Cerec Training.
She currently resides in Hamilton, AL with her husband Danny and their four children (Drake, Collin, Summer, and Haley). She is also a new grandmother due to the birth of her first grandchild in April 2011. Linda is a loyal member of Kemp Baptist Church, where she finds joy and contentment through their ongoing missions program. Linda is a valued member of our Dental team and we recognize her for her dedication to our clinic. | |
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Root Canal Therapy |  |
Root canal therapy is designed to correct disorders of the dental pulp -- the soft tissue inside the tooth that contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. Teeth with abscessed, or infected, nerves were once removed with corrective therapy. But now, in 95 percent of these cases of pulpal infection, the natural tooth can be saved through modern endodontic procedures.
What causes pulpal nerve damage?
The most common causes of pulpal nerve damage are:
*physical irritation - generally brought on by aggressive tooth decay (cavity) reaching down to the nerve or through deep fillings, which allows harmful bacteria to reach the nerve resulting in infection and decay
*trauma - a blow to a tooth or the jaw can cause damage to sensitive nerve tissue within the tooth.
What are the symptoms of pulpal nerve damage?
The following are the most common symptoms of pulpal nerve damage. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
*pain in the tooth when biting down
*tooth pain while chewing
*oversensitivity of the teeth with hot or cold drinks
*facial swelling
The symptoms of pulpal nerve damage may resemble other oral health conditions. Consult a dentist, or other oral health specialist, for diagnosis.
Why is root canal therapy necessary?
Without treatment, the infection of the dental pulp will spread to the bone around the tooth, making it not longer able to hold the tooth in place.
What does the root canal procedure involve?
Treatment begins with the initial removal of the tooth crown, or top, to allow access to the pulpal tissue. Once the affected pulpal tissue is exposed, the affected area is removed. The area surrounding and containing the pulpal tissue is carefully cleaned, enlarged, and shaped to provide a clean, bondable surface for filling with a permanent filler to prohibit any further infection and discomfort. After filling, a crown is fabricated to complete the rescue and restoration of the natural tooth. | |
For more information or to schedule your root canal, call our office at 205-921-0893. |
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 Hello friends! Here we are in the month of May! Memorial Day is coming up and we'd like to take this opportunity to honor our military service men and women. It is important that we express our gratitude to all those brave hearts who laid down their lives to safeguard our nation. Their tireless efforts have kept our country in times of war and times of peace. To all those who served, and are serving still, thank you. Thank you for selflessness, valor and compassion, to give what could not be purchased to those who could never repay you. We honor you! |
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National Stroke Awareness Month
Learn how to raise stroke awareness during
National Stroke Awareness Month
in May and throughout the year. Public knowlege of stroke is low, and although stroke can happen to anyone, certain risk factors can increase chances of a stroke. However, studies show that up to 80 percent of strokes can be prevented by working with a healthcare professional to reduce personal risk. It is important to manage personal risk and know how to recognize and respond to stroke signs and symptoms.
Warning Signs of Stroke:
NOTE THE TIME WHEN ANY SYMPTOMS FIRST APPEAR.
If given within three hours of the first symptom, there is an FDA-approved clot-buster medication that may reduce long-term disability for the most common type of stroke. There are also two other types of stroke treatment available that might help reduce the effects of stroke.
Stroke symptoms include
- SUDDEN numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg - especially on one side of the body.
- SUDDEN confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
- SUDDEN trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
- SUDDEN trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
- SUDDEN severe headache with no known cause.
Act fast and call 9-1-1 at any sign of stroke.
Stroke Prevention
Controllable and preventable stroke risk factors include: High blood pressure, Atrial Fibrillation, High Cholesterol, Diabetes, Athersclerosis, Circulation Problems, Tobacco use and smoking, Alcohol and drug use, Physical inactivity, and Obesity.
Uncontrollable risk factors include: Age, Gender, Race, Family History, Fibromuscular Displaysia, Hole in the heart, or Previous stroke.
Lifestyle risk factors can often be changed, while medical risk factors can usually be treated. Both types can be managed best by working with a doctor, who can prescribe medications and advise on how to adopt a healthy lifestyle.
For more information on Stroke prevention, click here.
Know the signs and syptoms. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. About 137,000 Americans die of stroke every year. Educate yourself and those around you. It could save a life.
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Benefits of a Gluten-free Diet
Gluten is the complex protein found in wheat, barley, rye and some oats.
New evidence suggests that as many as 1 in 7 are gluten sensitive, or gluten intolerant. Many chronic illnesses are associated with gluten intolerance: Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disorder, and diabetes. It is also thought to be the cause of infertility in some women. Gluten intolerance should not be confused with the less common and more severe auto-immune disorder, Celiac Disease.
Many are unable to digest these gluten proteins properly. That headache you experience after a meal of pasta may be an indicator that you are gluten intolerant. If you feel sleepy and lethargic after a French toast breakfast, your body may be having too hard a time trying to break down the food you are consuming. The symptoms you are experiencing may be an adverse reaction to the foods you eat. Let's look at how gluten intolerance may affect certan chronic illnesses.
Celiac Disease
Celiac disease, also known as gluten intolerance, is a genetic disorder that affects at least 1 in 133 Americans. Because of the broad range of symptoms celiac disease presents, it can be difficult to diagnose. The symptoms can range from mild weakness, bone pain, and aphthous stomatitis to chronic diarrhea, abdominal bloating, and progressive weight loss. If a person with the disorder continues to eat gluten, studies have shown that he or she will increase their chances of gastrointestinal cancer by a factor of 40 to 100 times that of the normal population. It is therefore imperative that the disease is quickly and properly diagnosed so it can be treated as soon as possible. The only acceptable treatment for celiac disease is strict adherence to a 100% gluten-free diet for life. An adherence to a gluten-free diet can prevent almost all complications caused by the disease. A gluten-free diet means avoiding all products that contain wheat, rye and barley, or any of their derivatives. This is a difficult task as there are many hidden sources of gluten found in the ingredients of many processed foods. Yet there are many resources available to help you learn how to shop for and live with Celiac disease. If you are worried you may miss your favorite gluten based foods too much, don't. With growing recognition of gluten intolerance comes a growing variety of substitutes and options.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Certain types of arthritis, especially rheumatoid arthritis, are the result of an autoimmune disease, where your body's immune system attacks your own body. As counter-productive as it sounds, autoimmune diseases are relatively common. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, the autoimmune disease associated with it attacks the joint lining and cartilage, causing pain and deformation of the joints.
The average American diet includes cereals, breads and pastas, typically made with wheat, rye or barley. These grains usually contain high levels of achidonic acids.This acid is a forerunner of cytokines, which cause inflammation. By eliminating foods containing this acid, which aggrivates swelling, you may be able to alleviate associated pain and suffering related to rheumatoid arthritis.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. Researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your brain processes pain signals. While not all fibromyalgia patients are gluten intolerant, a large number of them find that eliminating gluten from their diet relieves their fibromyalgia symptoms. If you suspect you may have Celiac disease (gluten intolerance), talk with your doctor. Blood tests are often used to determine whether or not your symptoms are gluten related.
Cons of the Gluten-free Diet
Following gluten-free diet for long can result in several deficiencies in body. Eating a gluten-free diet means you are not eating some healthy natural foods rich in required nutrients. Some of the gluten free foods are not fortified and do not have a variety of nutrients. These foods are low in folate, fiber and iron. In addition, gluten-free foods are always not available so, patients do not get to consume the minimum recommended amount of the grains.
In closing, a gluten free diet isn't for everyone, but if you are suffering from a condition that may be gluten related, talk with your doctor about testing. With proper diagnosis, a gluten free diet could significantly improve your quality of life.
Additional Resources:
Gluten free Diet
Gluten Intolerance Group
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I sing of brooks, of blossoms, birds, and bowers:
Of April, May, of June, and July flowers.
I sing of Maypoles, Hock-carts, wassails, wakes,
Of bridegrooms, brides, and of their bridal cakes.
Robert Herrick |
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