Summer is over and the new school year is starting. With that begins a new sports season and a spike is sports related injuries. They range from dehydration, sprains, cuts, scrapes to broken bones and knocked out teeth. Many injuries can be prevented, but knowing what to do after the injury is very important for quick healing.

Dehydration
Avoiding dehydration is very important in overall health, but in also helping prevent other injuries. Staying hydrated improves performance and mental acuity. Dr. Michael Colgan suggests drinking 20 oz of water during every hour of exercise. You also should drink another 20 oz after you’re finished. Proper hydration is the key to a good recovery as well. Dr. Colgan says that a 2% decrease in hydration during an athletic event can result in a 20% decrease in performance.

Cuts and Scrapes
Every coach and parent should have a basic first aid kit available in order to treat minor cuts and scrapes. If the cut is bleeding, use a gauze pad and put firm direct pressure on the cut. Have someone call 911 if the cut is bad and stitches are needed.

Broken bones
If the athlete breaks a bone, have someone call 911 immediately. Stabilize the limb. Don’t allow the athlete to move around. Let the paramedics move the athlete safely.

Knocked out teeth
If an athlete knocks out a tooth, time is very important. You only have about 30 min to get a knocked out tooth back in place. The Academy for Sports Dentistry has made a list of things you can do to try to save a knocked out tooth:
1. Call the dentist immediately.
2. Do not handle the tooth by the root. Do not brush or scrub the tooth.
3. If there is debris, gently rinse with water.
4. If possible, try to re-implant the tooth and stabilize by gently biting down on a towel.
5. If not possible to re-implant: a) Place in Hank’s Balanced Saline Solution (Best)
b) Place in milk (2nd best)
c) Wrap tooth in Saline Soaked Gauze (3rd best)
d) Place under athlete’s tongue (4th best) Only if athlete is conscious.
Mouth guards
Mouth guards are a very important part of the athletes equipment. They can help protect the teeth from fractures or from getting knocked out. They also protect the lips from getting cut by the teeth if there is an accidental elbow or ball to the face.
Not all mouth guards are the same. There are three main categories of mouth guards listed below.

Boil and Bite Mouthguards
Boil and Bite mouth guards are the least expensive ( $5-$25)the least stable and least comfortable.
This is why you see so many athletes chewing on their guards between plays. They can’t wait to get them out.

Pressure Laminated Custom Mouthguard
These custom mouth guards fit much better than the boil and bite variety. A dentist takes an impression of your teeth and then vacuum fits the guard on model of your teeth. They are much more stable due to the material they are made with. These are the medium range of prices($75-$400). Prices vary depending on the materials and options.

Performance Enhancing Pressure Laminated Custom Mouth guard
These are the state of the art in custom mouth guards. Most of the SuperBowl Champion New Orleans Saints were wearing them last year. Gold, Silver and Bronze medal winner Bode Miller was wearing one during the Winter Olympics this year. Research has shown that when an athlete is in their most relaxed jaw position, the muscle of the face and neck relax allowing for the athlete to improve balance, flexibility and strength. Improving these areas are incredibly important in almost every sport. Due to the specification and technology involved these are the most expensive mouth guards ($600- $2500).
More information can be found on www.purepowermouthguard-ppm.com , or www.makkaradvantage.com. Also, the August Issue of “Men’s Journal” has a 3 page article on these new appliances.

• Archives

Sleep apnea is when a patient stops breathing for a moment of time while sleeping, sometimes as long as a minute. These pauses in breath occur throughout the whole night, causing discomfort for not only the patient but for loved ones.

In many cases, this is minor and your body continues to get adequate amounts of oxygen, causing little or no harm. However, it could also be a sign of “Obstructive Sleep Apnea” (OSA). In fact, 40% of snorers have been shown to have OSA. Most sleep apnea sufferers snore in between bouts of apnea, or oxygen interruption.

Common side effects of OSA include:

• heart attacks or irregular heart beats
• high blood pressure
• stroke
• more difficult to control diabetes.
• morning headaches and dry mouth
• gastroesophageal reflux disease ( GERD, or heartburn )
• depression and decreased quality of life
• impotence and/or decreased libido
• irritability and family discord
• impaired concentration and poor job performance
• and of course, chronic sleeplessness.

Our dentist office in NJ offers Sleep Apnea and Snoring Treatment, an alternative to CPAP. The goal of treatment is to keep the airway open during sleep, leading to improved sleep, better oxygenation and enhanced daytime alertness.

Many patients who suffer from sleep apnea come to our NJ dental office for help, so let us provide you with the proper information and treatment you need.

• Archives

Option #1: Do nothing.

This is the cheapest option in the short term, but it may actually become the most expensive in the long run.  Over time, the teeth next to the space shift towards the space and can cause problems with the gums, bone and the bite.  It may require braces or other procedures to correct this down the road.  Also, when the missing tooth is in the front, aesthetics becomes a big concern.  This may make this choice not so good.

Option #2: A Removable Partial Denture

This is where you have an appliance made with metal or acrylic. It stays in by clasping onto other teeth in the mouth.  A portion of the appliance fills the missing tooth area with a plastic tooth.  This option can work very well for some, but for others, food getting caught under the partial, taking the partial in and out, and aesthetics make this not a good option.

Option #3: A Fixed Bridge

This option is a good option for many people.  It is where crowns are done on the teeth next to the space.  The framework of the bridge spans across the space over to the other crown.  The lab then creates a piece that looks like three teeth.  The bridge is cemented in and is not removable.  It can look very good, be very comfortable, easy to clean, etc.  There are factors that we need to think about when deciding that a bridge is right for the patient.  Are there fillings on the teeth next to the space?   How stable are those teeth?  What does the gum look like?  How big does the patient smile? What materials will work well?  A bridge is a great option for many, but what if the teeth next to the space have bone loss or crowns with very little natural tooth left?  Will they be strong enough in the long run to support all this?  Maybe,  maybe not.

Option #4: An Implant

This option is a great option for many people.  An implant is made of Titanium and placed into the space of the missing tooth.  Once the bone around the implant grabs onto the implant (integrates), the implant is ready to restore.  This integration takes about 3 months.  During this time, a temporary of some sort is used.  There are many factors that go into making an implant successful, but they are typically very long lasting, comfortable, aesthetic, and conservative.  With an implant you don’t have to do any restorations on the surrounding teeth.  This “keeps a one tooth problem, a one tooth solution”.  If you were to ever have a problem, it is only limited to that area.  I like to think of it as having a new tooth put in.  There are factors that make an implant more difficult, such as uneven gum levels, active gum disease, tooth width, and smoking.  Many of these issues can be overcome, but it does require some pre-planning.

As you can see, there is a lot to think about.  It is best to talk over you options with your dentist before finalizing your choice.

• Archives

Your children have beautiful teeth thanks to the orthodontist. You look in the mirror and wish your teeth were straighter, but you don’t want braces.

Patients ask me all the time if there is something simple they can do to get straighter teeth without braces. The answer is Invisalign. This is an amazing procedure that can straighten your teeth with clear aligners.

How does it work?

Impressions of your teeth are made and sent to the Invisalign lab. The lab scans your impressions into a computer. The lab technician and the doctor communicate the desired result. Once approved the computer fabricates a series of clear aligners that fit over your teeth. Every two weeks you change the aligners. These aligners gradually move the teeth into the ideal position. Once completed a clear nighttime retainer is made to help maintain the position of the teeth.

Benefits of straight teeth

Straight teeth are not just for looks. Teeth that are well aligned have other benefits:

Healthier Gums – Properly positioned teeth are easier to brush and floss than teeth that are crowded, crooked, or spaced too far apart.

Easier Cleanings - With easier maintenance of good oral hygiene, plaque retention, tooth decay and gum disease risk can be reduced.

Decreased Risk of Dental Trauma and Abnormal Wear – Properly aligned teeth are less stressful on the supporting bone and jaw joints.

Smile More – Straightening your teeth can make you feel less self-conscious and more confident.

Invisalign is an amazing procedure that can help many people with their orthodontic needs. There are certain things that cannot be done with Invisalign, so treatment with standard orthodontics may still be recommended.

If you don’t have a dental home, you are welcome to call our office (732-224-1160) and schedule an appointment so we can discuss your unique situation.

• Archives

I see it all the time. There is never time for something for yourself. Children, work, family, the holidays and all of your other obligations take up all your time. People tell you to take a minute for yourself or think of yourself first for once. It’s good advice. So, this holiday season, I encourage you, even for one day, to stop and do something for yourself.

And, if that thing is cosmetic dentistry, please call or email me. I will be happy to answer all of your questions and give you my informed opinion on what are the best options and what might be the best options for you.

Why not ask? Why not take a minute and send me an email? You might be surprised where it takes you.

• Archives

There are a number of different devices that try to do the same basic thing. All of these fall under the name Oral Appliance Therapy. Snoring Snoring is caused by a partially blocked airway from the relaxed muscles and soft tissues of your throat and neck. The soft tissues begin to vibrate making a sound like a trombone or a train. There are some people who have had their snore levels measured and were found to be as loud as jet engines.

How does this affect others?  Some people’s neighbors have called the police to complain about the noise. In a study done by the Mayo Clinic, researchers found that snorers cause their partners to lose about 1 hour of sleep per night on average. Recent studies have shown that repeated breaks in sleep patterns can cause an impairment of motor skills. This can sometimes be even worse than if you were legally drunk.

Sleep Apnea Snoring can be an indication of much more serious medical condition called sleep apnea. This occurs when the person stops breathing for over 10 second at least 5 times per hour. Why is this bad? Our brain and the rest of our body needs oxygen to heal and replenish our cells. Decreased oxygen thoughout the night can lead to serious health risks including: heart disease, stroke, heart attack, high blood pressure, difficulty concentrating and poor job performance.

Treatments

The main treatment for patients with sleep apnea is a CPAP. It is a mask that goes over your nose and blows air into your airway. This allows you to breath throughout the night. While the CPAP is extremely effective, it has a relatively poor compliance rate. About 50% of patients prescribed the CPAP have difficulty using the machine to the point that they don’t use it. If you’re not using it, you won’t get any of the benefits. What are alternatives?

Oral Appliances

Oral appliances have become a first-line therapy for the treatment of snoring and mild to moderate sleep apnea according to a recent article in “Sleepmatters” published by the National Sleep Foundation. Also, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine(AASM) published new parameters in the journal Sleep in February 2006. The new parameters state that oral appliances are recommended for treatment of mild to moderate sleep apnea in patients who prefer them or do not respond to CPAP. At the same time, the AASM still recommends CPAP as first line treatment for severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea before considering oral appliances.

The advantage of the oral appliance is that they are easier to get used to and they are highly portable. What does the oral appliance do? The goal of an oral appliance is to shift your lower jaw forward in order to open your airway. This helps stop snoring and in many cases sleep apnea as well. There are many types of oral appliances. Some are better than others. The better ones allow you to find the best position to keep the airway open. They also allow adjustment so the comfort and effectiveness can be fine tuned if necessary For further information on sleep apnea and its treatment (and a great video), go to www.sleepapneanj.net or you can call our office.

• Archives

Why do some teeth whiten better than others? As our teeth are being formed in our bodies, they are affected by a number of things. Genetics plays a role, but so do environmental factors or even medications. Have you seen people with dark brown or grey banding in some or all of the teeth? This is typically from use of antibiotics during the development of the teeth (esp. Tetracycline). There are some disorders that can have a profound impact on the color and quality of the tooth structure (i.e. Dentinogenesis imperfecta or Amelogenesis imperfecta). In normal teeth however, there are some differences in teeth that make a big difference in the effectiveness of the whitening process.

People have different types of enamel (the outer layer of the tooth). Some enamel is opaque (it’s like looking through a frosted pane of glass), and some is translucent (like a clear pane of glass). Frosty enamel is typically easy to whiten. The stain that is present is usually more of a surface stain. Professional and even over the counter whitening products are great at brightening these smiles. Clear enamel is much harder to effectively whiten. You can whiten the teeth significantly, but it may take longer and our expectations may have to be changed as to how much whitening can be reasonably done. The reason is, the surface stain is removed quickly with the whitening product, but in clear enamel you can easily see in to the next layer of tooth (the dentin). Dentin shades are much harder to effect with whitening products. The peroxide based materials can break up some of the stain this deep, but it is limited. Do to the nature of how light hits our eyes, teeth with clear enamel can take on a more grey look. The color change has happened deeper in the tooth, therefore less light comes back or eyes giving they flatter look (less color saturation).

Have you ever noticed during peak fall leaf changing the colors of the trees are much more intense on sunny days than cloudy days? That is color saturation. The leaf hasn’t changed just the amount of light coming back to your eyes. As you can see there are a number of factors that influence the effectiveness of your tooth whitening. It is a safe and effective way to brighten your smile. Just be aware of its possible limitations and you will probably get a great result. For people with the deep antibiotic stains, tooth structure disorders or just cannot achieve the level of whitening they require after professional strength whitening, there are other options. Conservative porcelain veneers can give you virtually unlimited control of the color, saturation, texture and shape of the teeth. This can be a great option for many people.

• Archives

1. I snore. Could I have Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). What does OSA mean?
2. I hate my CPAP machine, what can I do?

Last month, I talked about how improper breathing as a child effects development and can lead to health issues later in life. This month, we will talk about how obstructive sleep apnea can affect you or your loved ones.

According to John Remmers MD (sleep disorder specialist), snoring is not normal and should not occur. Forty percent of adults over 40 years old snore. Of these, 60-80% have obstructive sleep apnea.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) – OSA is a sleep disorder where the person stops breathing during sleep. This causes a number of issues including lack of effective sleep and numerous health issues.

A number of studies have shown some very serious effects in patients with OSA:

1. 17% of the United States population has OSA. The problem is 95% don’t know they have it.
2. 90% of OSA patients have high blood pressure.
3. 65-80% of stroke patients have OSA.
4. The biggest of all: untreated OSA can result in a 20% shorter life expectancy.

Courtesy of Dr. John Remmers MD and Dr. David Gozal MD

Sleep Apnea in Children- OSA is present in 2-3% of all pre-school children. It may be responsible for a 10 point drop in I.Q. A study of poorly performing 1^{st graders found that the group had OSA 6-9 times higher than a normal group.}

^{Treatment-The most common treatment for sleep apnea is a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine (CPAP). This machine keeps a constant flow of air which keeps the airway open. This allows the patient to breathe uninterrupted during sleep.}

^{There are a number people that have been prescribed a CPAP that cannot get used to it. Many choose not to use their CPAP. Based on the stats above, this is a pretty risky gamble. There is an oral appliance that has been shown to help patients with their OSA. Many patients that have sleep apnea benefit from an appliance that can open their airway by bringing the jaw forward. It is important however, to verify the effectiveness of the appliance with a sleep study. This will make sure that appliance is doing what it is suppose to do.}

^{Sleep Apnea is a very serious condition, which will impact the quality and length of your life. If you think that you or a loved one has OSA, please get checked out.}

• Archives

Does he have trouble breathing through his nose?

Does she walk around with her mouth open or have an open bite?

These are signs that your child has difficulty breathing through his/her nose.  Is this important?  Yes, it is very important that your child breathe through their nose.  Breathing is one of our most basic functions.  Our bodies will do whatever it takes to get in air.  If we cannot breathe through our noses, we have to change our breathing to our mouths.  This might not seem like a major issue, but it can have a drastic effect on our growth and development.

Growth

How we breathe effects how our upper and lower jaws, nose, and teeth grow.  In normal growth, our tongue sits in the proper place, which allows for correct jaw, nose and tooth growth.  When someone “mouth breathes,” they have to lower the tongue to get air.  This makes the face muscles squeeze the jaw, narrowing the position of the teeth and nose, making breathing though the nose even harder.

The late Dr. Jim Gary (inventor of the NUK pacifier) did a study on a set of 6 year old twins who both had blocking tonsils and adenoids.  Their bites were open (teeth don’t touch in the front) and they snored.  Dr. Gary had one of the twins’ tonsils and adenoids removed.   Over the next months, he monitored the progress.   As time went on, the boy without the tonsils began to grow normally.  The open bite closed and snoring stopped while the other twin stayed the same.  This shows very clearly how breathing properly effects your development.

Health Issues

What kind of effects can this have on our lives?

Studies have shown that “mouth breathers” have higher chances of Sleep Apnea, High Blood Pressure, Asthma, Speech problems, TMJ Problems (Bite Problems), excessive tooth wear, etc.  The treatment of Sleep Apnea is becoming one of the most important aspects in medicine.  Patients are getting diagnosed earlier and earlier.  If you go back in time, it always goes back to poor breathing during growth and development.

Treatment

What can be done? Make sure your child can and does breathe through their nose.  Allergists can check for food and other allergies.  An ENT can see if the tonsils and adenoids are blocking the airway.  A sleep study can be done to rule out Sleep Apnea.  The treatment may be as simple as avoiding certain foods or taking allergy medicine or it can be as complicated as surgery (removal of the tonsils and adenoids to Jaw and nose surgery).  The earlier you address the cause, the easier the solution.

As you can see, how we breathe has a major effect on our lives and the lives of our children.  If you find you or your child have any of these problems, see a doctor or dentist trained in the management of breathing and sleep issues.  If you need help finding a doctor, please call our office and we will be glad to point you in the right direction.

• Archives

However, over fifty years ago, dentists examining people entering the military showed that the average American’s teeth were in pretty bad shape and few people took good care of them.  There were no guidelines for how often you should see a dentist, and many dental professionals focused on fixing problems rather than preventing them.

Dental and health organizations trying to set standards for preventive dentistry settled on a “best guess” recommendation of twice-yearly visits to the dentist for checkups and cleaning.  The recommendation proved to be a useful rule of thumb and has remained common.

Even if you take excellent care of your teeth and gums at home, you need to see your dentist regularly so he or she can check for problems that you may not see or feel. Tooth decay generally does not become visible or cause pain until it is in more advanced stages.

Regular visits allow your dentist to find early signs of decay and gum disease and treat problems at a manageable stage. Ask your dentist the best schedule for your routine dental visits.

Seeing your dentist twice a year may work well for some people, but for many, more frequent visits are necessary.  People with high risk of gum disease might need to see the dentist every three or four months for the best care.   Gum care is vitally important.  Recent studies show that people with gum disease may have twice the risk of having a fatal heart attack as those without it.

It is also important to know that the schedule for any person may change during a lifetime.  In times of stress or illness, it may be necessary to see the dentist more frequently than usual to help fight off a temporary infection or treat changes in your mouth.  If you take good care of your teeth and gums at home and your dentist doesn’t find any cavities or gum disease, he or she may choose to lengthen the time between visits.

So the correct answer for you is a decision that only you and your dentist can make.

Please send any questions that you would like answered in future issues or comments to me at: The Journal, PO Box 432, Colts Neck, NJ 07722 or e-mail them to me at Mike@drbixby.com Your name will not be used in the article.  This article is meant for informational purposes only.  Please contact your dentist or our office, if you desire dental advice.

How Often Should You Go to the Dentist?

Many people ask me “How often should I go to the dentist?”  The answer is not as simple as it seems.  Also, the history of the answer to this questions is interesting!  My Dad, learned in dental school, that many years ago, advertizing agencies for toothpaste, (like IPANA Toothpaste, which is no longer manufactured) created jingles in their ads and came up with the slogan: “Visit your dentist twice a year!”

However, over fifty years ago, dentists examining people entering the military showed that the average American’s teeth were in pretty bad shape and few people took good care of them.  There were no guidelines for how often you should see a dentist, and many dental professionals focused on fixing problems rather than preventing them.

Dental and health organizations trying to set standards for preventive dentistry settled on a “best guess” recommendation of twice-yearly visits to the dentist for checkups and cleaning.  The recommendation proved to be a useful rule of thumb and has remained common.

Even if you take excellent care of your teeth and gums at home, you need to see your dentist regularly so he or she can check for problems that you may not see or feel. Tooth decay generally does not become visible or cause pain until it is in more advanced stages.

Regular visits allow your dentist to find early signs of decay and gum disease and treat problems at a manageable stage. Ask your dentist the best schedule for your routine dental visits.

Seeing your dentist twice a year may work well for some people, but for many, more frequent visits are necessary.  People with high risk of gum disease might need to see the dentist every three or four months for the best care.   Gum care is vitally important.  Recent studies show that people with gum disease may have twice the risk of having a fatal heart attack as those without it.

It is also important to know that the schedule for any person may change during a lifetime.  In times of stress or illness, it may be necessary to see the dentist more frequently than usual to help fight off a temporary infection or treat changes in your mouth.  If you take good care of your teeth and gums at home and your dentist doesn’t find any cavities or gum disease, he or she may choose to lengthen the time between visits.

So the correct answer for you is a decision that only you and your dentist can make.

• Archives

The annual conference provided Dr. Michael Bixby the opportunity to learn and interact with the most progressive leaders in aesthetic dentistry and its related professions. Also, Dr. Michael Bixby was introduced to the latest techniques and materials available today.

The IACA was established to foster dental education and is steadfast in its commitment to be a progressive, non-political, dynamic organization that is always on the cutting edge of clinical, practice management and technological advances in Aesthetic Dentistry.  The organization is inclusive to all philosophies and ideas enabling professionals to determine what is best for their respective practices.

The IACA prides itself on being a scientific academy that affords its members the opportunity to become a leader in the health care community, while providing the best care possible for their patients. No other organization provides such a broad range of educational opportunities in advanced aesthetics.

This is just one of the many important ways Dr. Michael Bixby has demonstrated a commitment to provide exceptional patient care.

Please visit www.theIACA.com or call 1-866-669-4222 for more information.

International Association of Comprehensive Aesthetics
1401 Hillshire Drive, Suite 130
Las Vegas, NV 89134
1.866. NOW.IACA

• Archives

Dr Michael Bixby, dentist in Little Silver, New Jersey, is fitting athletes with a high-tech mouth guard that literally enables the body to perform at the next level.

It’s called The Edge, a technological wonder developed by a Canadian dentist. It is helping Boston Red Sox superstar, Manny Ramirez, reach baseball milestones. By holding his jaw in a position that allows his jaw and neck muscles to completely relax; The Edge is literally giving Ramirez an edge in strength, balance and flexibility.

“Incredible,” is how he describes it. “I pop this thing in my mouth before I go to the plate, and man do I feel a difference. Just like that, I feel stronger, and more relaxed. And when you’re feeling relaxed and in tune with your body, you can do some damage… I just love it.” says Ramirez.

Drs. Bixby, specially trained neuromuscular dentists who are licensed in the state of New York and New Jersey, says that years of research went into designing the mouth guard. “It begins with looking at how the body functions as a whole,” he says. “Over 90% of the population has an overbite, and one of the negative effects of an overbite is that it causes muscle tension. When the neck and jaw muscles are tense, the body can’t perform at its peak. Strength is lost and balance is diminished. So on the most basic level, what The Edge does is allow the body to perform at its absolute peak, in a purely natural way.”

To achieve this kind of efficiency, athletes who are interested in using The Edge must be fitted by specially trained and licensed dentists, such as Dr. Bixby. Bixby says that the key to getting the perfect fit is the use of state-of-the-art equipment which monitors the condition of the jaw muscles so that a dentist can determine where the optimal bite position is.

“Once we know where the optimal bite position is, we can then fit the mouth guard,” he says. “So whenever they put the device in their mouth, it will hold their jaw in the perfect position, freeing up the rest of the body to perform at it’s best.”

In the case of star slugger, Manny Ramirez, he was fitted for The Edge during spring training in Fort Myers. During a session that lasted roughly 45 minutes, a machine called the J5 myomonitor was used to induce his jaw muscles into a state of relaxation. Once his jaw could be opened into it’s most relaxed position, a mold was made.

“There are a lot of dentists throughout North America and around the world who are fitting athletes with The Edge,” says Bixby. “That number is growing at an exponential rate.”

The Edge is indeed taking off. It is part of a comprehensive mouth guard system, which includes the Pure Power Mouthguard, or PPM. The PPM protects the upper teeth, while The Edge, worn on the lower jaw, holds the jaw in optimal position. Currently, there are over 200 dentists in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Singapore, who offer the appliance to professional and amateur athletes. The list of world class athletes using The Edge is also growing.

The inventor of The Edge is Dr. Anil Makkar. Both Dr. Makkar and Dr. Bixby are alumni of the esteemed Las Vegas Institute (LVI) for Advanced Dentistry.

Another high-profile fan of the device is St. Louis Rams kicker, Josh Brown. Brown says that The Edge has allowed him to run significantly faster, which he attributes to making a number of tackles over the last season with the Seattle Seahawks. “Who thinks of a kicker making tackles?” he says. “But last season I made five or six, which is incredible for a kicker.”

Brown says that The Edge allows him to lift an additional 20 or 30 pounds in each exercise he does in the weight room.

There are currently over 150 professional athletes using The Edge, from MLB, the NBA, NFL, NHL, and UFC. This doesn’t include the list of over 1000 collegiate athletes who are embracing The Edge phenomenon.

Dr. Bixby believes that The Edge will soon be a hit with athletes of all levels of ability.

“I would encourage anyone who is interested in improving their athletic ability to talk to us about taking a short and simple test for The Edge. We all have different goals when it comes to sports, but there isn’t anyone who wouldn’t like to have an overall increase in strength, balance, and range of motion. The Edge is a great, natural way to achieve these things.”

As for Manny Ramirez’s goals? One only needs to watch him in batting practice to understand. One only needs to witness the grace, speed, and frightening power with which he swings the bat.

“This is the game I love,” he says solemnly, after knocking one over the fence in left-centre. “Better believe I’m going to make the most of it.”

For New York inquiries, please call: 888-819-6335, and New Jersey call (732) 889-1067.

32) 889-10672) 889-1067

For more information, please visit Dr. Bixby’s website: www.purepowermouthguard-ppm.com

• Archives

What do the following questions have in common?

1. “Doc, my dentist fixed this chip on my front tooth, but it keeps coming off.  Is it the Glue?”
2. “I get headaches around my temples and neck every day.  Can you help?”
3. “My teeth are getting smaller as I get older.  I am afraid they are going to wear to nothing.  What can I do?”

The answer to all three of these questions may be your bite.  The Jaw is a complicated joint that has muscles, bones, discs and is kept in balance by the position of your teeth.  A healthy joint requires a balance between all of these parts.  Think of it as a battle between the muscles of the face and your teeth.  Ideally the muscles and joint are happy and the teeth mesh nicely as you close.  The problem for many people is where the teeth mesh is not where the muscles and joints are happy.  Posture, breathing, worn out fillings and missing teeth all have an effect on your bite.

In the battle for a healthy joint, there will be a winner and a loser.  If the muscles win, you will chip teeth, break fillings, or wear down your teeth as in questions 1 and 3. The teeth are in the way, so they try to get them out of the way.  If the teeth win, your muscles have to work really hard to get your teeth to meet or they may not be able to find a comfortable spot.    This can lead to pain, headaches, neck aches, or jaw pain as is question 2.  The muscles are working really hard to go where they want, but they can’t.  This leads to tired and sore muscles.

What can we do about this?  Neuromuscular dentistry looks at all of these things and tries to get you in balance.  When you’re in balance, your teeth are no longer in the way, so your muscles don’t have to work very hard.  Your muscles don’t have to get teeth out of the way, because the teeth fit where the muscles and jaw are most happy.
If you find yourself asking these questions about your teeth, it may be your bite.

If you don’t have a dental home, you are welcome to call our office (732-224-1160) and schedule an appointment so we can discuss your unique situation.  You can e-mail me at Mike@drbixby.com

• Archives

Dr. Michael Bixby maintains a cosmetic and neuromuscular dental practice in Little Silver, NJ. He practices with his father Dr. John Bixby at the Atlantic Center for Advanced Dentistry, where they treat a wide range of patients, from general family care to complicated cosmetic or TMJ pain patients.

• Archives

New Jersey’s rates of Oral Cancer are higher than the national average.  The mission of the Drs. Bixby and the Cancer Coalition is to increase awareness, education, and access to cancer screening and care.

“Early detection saves lives.  When found early, Oral cancer is a very treatable disease.  The problem is many patients are getting diagnosed in the later stages.” says Dr. Michael Bixby.

Who may receive a screening test?

Any adult age 18 and over may receive a test free of charge.  The Monmouth Coalition particularly wants to target high-risk populations such as those who smoke or drink excessively.

For more information

Call 732-418-3219 or Visit

www.monmouthcancercoalition.org

Dr Michael Bixby can be reached at

732-224-1160 or www.cosmeticdentists-nj.com

• Archives

A few common facts you may know are that there is link between periodontal disease and heart disease. And, surely, you know that proper brushing technique includes brushing the gums and that you should floss regularly as part of your daily care for you gums.

What many people do not know is that certain conditions can increase the likelihood for periodontal disease. For instance, if you are in a high stress life style or career or if you have poor coping skills in dealing with stress, you are at higher risk for periodontal disease.

So what do you do about that? Go back to the basics in caring for your gums. Take that extra few minutes while brushing to make sure you are doing a good job on your gums, in front and behind the teeth.

And, while you are doing it, take a breather. Try to relax and take care of yourself !

• Archives

People often ask me if they really need treatment for their gum disease. “It doesn’t hurt so there probably is no real problem.” The answer of course is yes!

Gum disease is not curable. It can only be controlled. There usually is no pain involved, so it can go a long time without being noticed. As time goes on, bone is lost around the teeth. This may lead to tooth loss. It is kind of like having a house built on a swamp. You can have a nice house but the foundation stinks.

Treating gum disease helps prevent further bone loss by removing the bacterial colonies and allowing the gums to heal.

Beyond the teeth, gum disease is linked with a number of health risks:

• Heart Disease
  People with gum disease have twice the risk for a fatal heart attack and are more likely to be diagnosed with heart disease. Bacteria from diseased gums can enter the blood stream irritating the blood vessels and increasing the chance of blood clots.
• Respiratory infection
  Gum disease is a major factor for bacteria entering the lungs. This can lead to Chronic Lung disease which leads to less lung function.
• Diabetes
  A Diabetic is four times more likely to develop gum disease. Plus, having gum disease impairs the body’s ability to make and use insulin. This makes your diabetes harder to control.

The moral of the story is: gum health is a very important factor in overall health. If you have any questions about the health of your gums you should ask your dentist. It can save your life. If you don’t have a dental home, you are welcome to call our office (732-224-1160) and schedule an appointment so we can discuss your unique situation.

• Archives

The Pure Power Mouthguard is now the rave in the world of golf.  The PPM improves strength and balance and also cures aches and pains. The device accomplishes all this by correcting a person’s bite. The technology the mouth guard utilizes is the decades-old field of neuromuscular dentistry. Its application to the athletic world – as a natural performance enhancer – is new.

Scott Smith, who is the World Record Holder in Long Drive (539 Yards), has been using The PPM for the last six months. “I am seeing a higher range in motion increase, and when I am hitting balls my turn is bigger and better,” he says. “Since using the PPM, I have also noticed a big difference in oxygen flow.”

Josh Brown, former kicker for the Seahawks who just signed on with the Rams, is also using Bixby’s appliance. Brown states, “I noticed this past season that the PPM helped my accuracy, balance and strength.”

The PPM is not available at your local sporting good store; only specially trained neuromuscular dentists can fit individuals with the device through using state-of-the-art technology. “I would recommend to anyone who is serious about their athletic competition to come in and try the PPM out.”

“Everyone has different goals they want to reach, for an athlete that wants to jump higher, run faster, lift more weight, drive farther and have an all-around improvement in flexibility and range of motion – this appliance will create the edge.”

There are currently 250 professional and collegiate athletes using The PPM from the MLB, NBA, NHL, NFL, UFC, NCAA ( football and basketball ), PGA tour members, pro boxers and arm wrestlers.

• Archives

However, in the USA the use of mercury in dental fillings is still considered safe by the government and the ADA. It is only in recent years that some of the better insurance companies have approved payment for alternatives to mercury-silver fillings.

An alternative to the mercury-silver fillings is a resin or composite filling. Since these fillings are tooth colored the dental insurance companies felt they were only cosmetic and therefore not covered under the policies they had written. Resin fillings are more technique sensitive and time consuming to bond into place. But, if a person is starting to get decay around a resin filling the decay can be easily seen compared to the decay starting between a black mercury filling and the white enamel.

Porcelain inlays are another alternative to fillings. The porcelain material is harder than the resin and therefore should last longer than the resin filling. These are also bonded into place and help to reinforce the tooth for strength.

Advantages of porcelain/composite restorations:

1. The mercury-silver filling does not bond to the tooth like a porcelain/composite restorations. Hence, a mercury-silver filling weakens the teeth, making them more susceptible to breaking. Since broken teeth can be costly to restore, porcelain/composite restorations can save a lot of expense over the long run.
2. Porcelain/composite restorations restore the natural appearance of the tooth where the mercury-silver filling can easily be seen.
3. Teeth restored with white porcelain/composite restorations are less sensitive to hot and cold than teeth restored with amalgam, if correct techniques are used.
4. Mercury-silver fillings require more of the tooth structure removal than porcelain/composite restorations. Especially with new cavities, the size of the hole made for the restorations can be dramatically smaller with porcelain/composite restorations.
5. The largest advantage of a mercury-silver filling is that it is less expensive than the newer porcelain/composite restorations.

If you have mercury-silver or amalgam fillings in your mouth the chances are you will be fine. It is considered unethical for a dentist to advise a patient to have mercury fillings removed for health reasons. If a patient wants to have them removed for their own concerns or even for cosmetic reasons it is OK.

If you have questions concerning mercury fillings you should ask your dentist. If you do not have a dental home you are welcome to call our office (732-224-1160) and schedule an appointment so we can discuss your unique situation.

• Archives

Normally, you would not think of taking your migraine headache issues to a dentist. Most people go to the doctor and get medication if the need persists. Or, they just live with it and ride out the headaches. It takes some research, a heads-up referral, and often a lot of frustration before some migraine sufferers finally seek out a neuromuscular dentist.

Misaligned jaws can cause a number of issues beyond simple jaw popping and pain. This is how most people know TMJ, so to connect TMJ with migraines may seem a difficult jump to make. In truth, it is not. In layman’s terms, the muscles and nerves that surround the jaw area are affected when the bite it not right. A misaligned bite may cause localized pain at the jaw but the effects radiate out to nearby areas. Naturally, this can cause severe headaches and even migraines.

If you or someone you know has migraines, why not ask them to call my office for a TMJ test that will let them know if I can help their migraine problem. Better to treat the cause for a lifetime, than to continue to treat the symptoms for the moment with medications that may not always work.

• Archives

For years, The American Heart Association advised patients take anti-biotics just before a dental visit if they have certain heart conditions. The prevailing thought has been that doing so would prevent infective endocarditis, also known as bacterial endocarditis.

The latest guidelines published in the AHA’s scientific journal in April 2007 adjust their recommendation. In short, the AHA recommends that most patients with heart conditions not take short-term anti-biotics before a visit to the dentist as a precaution for endocarditis.

Preventive anti-biotics prior to a dental procedure still are advised for patients with:

1. artificial heart valves
2. a history of infective endocarditis
3. a cardiac transplant that develops a problem in a heart valve
4. certain specific, serious congenital (present from birth) heart conditions, including:unrepaired or incompletely repaired cyanotic congenital heart disease, including those with palliative shunts and conduitsa completely repaired congenital heart defect with prosthetic material or device, whether placed by surgery or by catheter intervention, during the first six months after the procedure

   any repaired congenital heart defect with residual defect at the site or adjacent to the site of a prosthetic patch or a prosthetic device.

Patients with congenital heart disease can have complicated circumstances. They should check with their cardiologist if there is any question at all as to the category that best fits their needs.

You can learn more about this at ada.org.

• Archives

There is an obvious, warm quality that goes along with genuine personal attention. It is our goal for our patients to experience this when they come to us for a visit. Why? It’s how we really feel. So, it is important to us that you know this.

How many times do you go to a business or a professional service and you feel like a number? You are the next one in line, so now it is your time to get your service. That is not how we operate here and, every once in a while, we like to make it a point for our team to focus on this fact.

When you visit us for your dental needs, we want you to feel our genuine interest in your care. Call it personal attention … but it is all about caring.

• Archives

Part of the continuing education I have taken courses on treating Tempromandibular Joint Disorder. Many people know this condition as TMJ, which is usually known for causing jaw pain. However, TMJ is much more complicated disorder and many people live with the pain.

Basically, TMJ is a misalignment of the jaws and it can cause a lot more than jaw pain. TMJ can manifest itself in the form of head, neck and shoulder pain in addition to jaw pain. It can also cause a ringing in the ears.

Because there are so many symptoms that are not associated directly with the jaw, it is common for people to see a doctor for their pain instead of a dentist. This is often the reason why TMJ goes undiagnosed. The sufferer complains about headaches and a battery of tests for severe headaches may not turn up TMJ unless the doctor is looking for it. This is why many TMJ sufferers have been told the pain is “just in their head” after a visit to their general practitioner.

I have learned advanced treatments for TMJ and I help people with this disorder all the time. If you are suffering from these persistent pains and just living with it because you cannot get your pain diagnosed properly, please call me or email me here. The same goes for anyone you know who might be simply living with TMJ pain. I can help.

• Archives

It’s a pretty common reaction to suddenly having whiter teeth. As a dentist, I see all kinds of teeth. All are white to some degree ( unless they are gold or are full of black filings ). Because white teeth come in so many shades, many people do not notice how everyday behaviors slowly darken and dull a smile. The process is slow and before you know it, the color of your teeth is affecting your smile and your overall appearance.

Most people know the usual suspects for this slow deterioration of color: drinking coffee, smoking and the antibiotic, tetracycline. But many people just do not realize how simple and affordable whitening can be. You can choose permanent methods like porcelain veneers that will not stain or you can opt for in-office or take-home whitening that can improve the shade of your teeth in a short amount of time. Some in-office whitening treatments take only about an hour and will last you for years.

Whitening is one of the most common request we have among patients. If the idea of whitening your smile seems like a good idea, why not call us today to learn more at 732.889.1067 . Or you can click here to read more about your options on my web site.

• Archives

Here is an interesting observation about confidence. Have you noticed people who seem so natural expressing themselves? It’s likely they are relaxed and comfortable with how they appear. That quality translates into confidence. This is one of the main reasons people seek out cosmetic dentists to enhance their smiles. We get a lot of patients who just want to let their “Real Me” out for everyone to see but won’t because they are unhappy with their smile. I think this is why we see so many dramatic changes in personality and confidence with cosmetic dentistry. It really is gratifying.

Maybe you are thinking about cosmetic dentistry for this reason. If you are, email me here and we can set up a consultation to discuss the possibilities for you.

• Archives

Sugar, saliva and bacteria can work together, leading to tooth decay that causes cavities. That is why brushing and flossing at least twice daily is important. This attention to cleaning should include between teeth and along the gumline.

You always hear about what you should do but sometimes it is important to review what happens if you don’t. In general, sucrose (which comes from sugar) and glycoproteins (a combination of a carbohydrate molecule and a protein molecule, can stick to teeth and begin the formation of plaque, which attracts bacteria.

Lactic acid is a byproduct of the bacteria when it metabolizes sugar in this anarerobic environment. It is the lactic acid that dissolves tooth enamel, leading to a cavity.

In addition to a diet that is rich in calcium and fluoride, brushing and flossing is crucial to preventing cavities. So, on Halloween, is it okay to indulge in some treats. Why not? Just make sure and brush and floss afterwards.

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