Concussions in Young Athletes:
Slower Recovery Suggests Different Treatment
Report on the 28th Annual Academy for Sports Dentistry (ASD) Symposium in Washington, D.C. June 24-26, 2010. I recently returned from a great ASD meeting in our nation’s capital. In attendance were many of the dentists who work with athletes from across the entire spectrum of sport. There were many presentations reporting on the latest research on sports dentistry.
Some of the meeting highlights which I will write about in more detail in future blogs and the Vail Daily include:
1. The difference in how we now look at concussions in children.
Here is an interesting article I came across on the internet today about how gum disease can make you look old. While I usually do not put other people's work on my blog, I thought this was a very interesting topic. It is amzing how much money is spent each year in the United States on beauty products when something as easy as taking care of our own health will work better. Not only does gum disease lead to a whole host of other medical problems, this article makes a good point that we look older as well. Please enjoy:
I am gearing up to attend the 28th Academy for Sports Dentistry meeting next week in Washington, DC. The meeting is comprised of team-dentists from all areas and levels of sport. I will be there representing the US Ski and Snowboard Teams as well as Ski and Snowboard Club Vail. I am really looking forward to sharing conversation with some of my colleagues from who work with athletes from other sports, especially college and NFL football so that we can further explore some of the recent developments concerning concussion research.
Second Impact Syndrome: The Real Fear of Concussions
According to a study done by the National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury’s, 55 college and high school football players have died since 1995 from brain injuries. Many of these are believed to involve athletes who suffered Second Impact Syndrome (SIS). SIS occurs when an athlete is still suffering lingering symptoms from one concussion and has a second concussion, even a mild concussion.
Xylitol: A Sweetener that Prevents Tooth Decay
Xylitol is a naturally occurring sweetener that is produced by the human body, found in many fibrous fruits and vegetables and commercially grown in the birch tree. It was originally discovered in 1891 by a German chemist and then rediscovered after World War II when Finland was faced with a cane sugar shortage. The FDA approved its use as a sweetener in 1963 and at least 35 other countries have done the same.
Here is an interesting article I came across today which will tie in well with our next article in the Vail Daily on the use of Xylitol Chewing Gum. The daily use of xylitol, usually through gum but also toothpaste, mouthwash and some hard candies has been proven to eliminate Strep Mutans from the dental plaque. This is the bacteria responsible for the acid attack when sugar and carbohydrates are consumed...enjoy the article and keep an eye out for our much more detailed article on this topic in the Vail Daily.
Dental Implants for a Natural Looking Smile
A growing number of people are turning to dental implants to replace missing teeth. Dental implants are simply a titanium screw placed into the jawbone to simulate a tooth root so a crown, bridge or denture can be attached. Dental implants produce beautiful results and the procedure involves little pain.
After 40-year Decline, Dental Decay on the Rise
When today’s Baby Boomers were children there was very little in the way of preventative dentistry. Then, it was not uncommon for children to have a dozen or more teeth with decay that required fillings. And this initial decay would lead to a lifetime of dental care for a tooth, with costs ranging into the thousands.
The key to TMJ/Myofacial pain
Computer Diagnostics, Attention to Detail, Skill and Knowledge
The key to our success is in “the Neuromuscular Approach” we take. Consistent predictable results is what allows our patients to experience the long overdue relief from their agonizing pain.
