Why does Grove City Dental focus on 100% Healthy mouth?

The mouth-body connection: Healthy smiles support healthy bodies

When you’ve got the daily dental hygiene basics down, you’ve got a great foundation for a beautiful, healthy smile. Maintaining a million-dollar smile is not just about looking great and helping to prevent bad breath and cavities. Growing scientific evidence shows that neglecting your smile could lead to serious health issues as well.

5 reasons you need to take care of your smile

1. Protect against heart disease

According to the American Heart Association, dental infections are linked to heart disease — the leading cause of death in North America. What you may not know is that gum disease is caused by plaque buildup and affects an alarming 75 percent of adults. How does that affect your heart health? When bacteria from infected gums dislodges, it can enter the bloodstream, attach to blood vessels and increase clot formations. These clots decrease the blood flow to the heart and can increase your chances of a heart attack.

2. Lower your risk for diabetes

If we neglect proper dental care, bacteria that enters the bloodstream can activate our immune cells. These activated cells produce inflammatory biological signals that have a destructive effect throughout the entire body. In the pancreas, the cells responsible for insulin production can be damaged or destroyed. Once this

happens, you could face serious consequences, including Type 2 diabetes — even in otherwise healthy individuals with no other risk factors for diabetes. Unfortunately, having diabetes makes it more difficult to keep your mouth healthy.  You are fighting dry mouth which lowers your body’s natural defense system against bacteria.  This makes your more susceptible to cavities, gingivitis and periodontal disease.

3. Reduce the threat of respiratory disease

Scientists have found that bacteria growing in the oral cavity can be secreted into the lungs and cause respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, especially in people with periodontal disease. This discovery leads researchers to believe that these respiratory bacteria can travel from the oral cavity into the lungs to cause infection. Further damage to the tissue and working function of the lungs can be prevented by eliminating oral bacteria through proper dental care. But already damaged tissue cannot be restored.

4. Protect against osteoporosis

Researchers at the University of Buffalo reported that people diagnosed with periodontal disease may be at a higher risk of underlying osteoporosis. The study, published in the Journal of Periodontology, is the first large-scale assessment of the relationship between bone metabolism and oral health. The results indicate a very strong relationship between the advanced form of gum disease — a cause of bone loss, gum-attachment loss, tooth loss — and osteoporosis.

5. Support a healthy social life!

The old saying is true: You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Picture yourself meeting someone for the first time.  They approach you smiling (studies show that an attractive smile is one of the first things people notice about you) but then they open their mouth to speak and you are blown away!  Not by their speaking skills but by their bad breath.  Bad breath goes hand in hand with gingivitis (gum disease) and periodontal disease.  We all want a healthy smile, yet dental disease, a sign of oral neglect, is the most prevalent disease Americans suffer from. And it doesn’t discriminate. While the risks grow as we age, people from all ages are afflicted. And the most ironic part? Dental disease is entirely preventable by following a good dental hygiene program! 

Make an appointment with our dental team at Grove City Dental so we can make sure you achieve a 100% Healthy Mouth!

614-801-1000 

When considering dental implantation as a restorative cosmetic option for tooth loss, it is important to choose an exceptionally qualified prosthodontist and not just any general dentist for this complicated and delicate surgery.

Dr. Scott Schumann and his Grove City Dental staff are well known for their love of helping patients achieve the smile they have always dreamed of. Highly trained in the most advanced dental implant techniques and Columbus sedation dentistry, Dr. Schumann is licensed and accredited with: The Columbus Dental Society, Ohio Dental Association, American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentists, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentists and The American Dental Society of Anesthesiology.

Sought after as a teacher of the latest Columbus prosthodontic procedures, Dr. Schumann has taught advanced cosmetic, implant and hospital dentistry to dental residents at the Advanced Dentistry Clinic at Ohio State University for the last ten years.

A Simple Remedy With Proven Results

Those who have suffered the trauma of tooth loss know firsthand the physical pain and self-consciousness they experience during the simple tasks of eating and chewing, and natural reactions of smiling and laughing.

Some of the most common reasons for tooth loss are:

1. Trauma to the mouth
2. Excessive wear and tear
3. Congenital defects
4. Tooth decay
5. Root canal failure
6. Gum (periodontal) disease

Dental implants in Columbus have proven to be the most functionally effective and durable restorative option for missing teeth and their supporting structures. Implants are used harmoniously with other restorative procedures – supporting crowns and bridges that replace missing teeth – and benefiting denture-wearers with reduced gum irritation and increased stability. All types of dental implants are virtually indistinguishable from other teeth because of the structural connection between the dental implant and the living bone.

Which Implant Is Right For You

The three most advanced types of dental implant techniques are:

• Osseointegrated implants
• Implantation for recently extracted teeth
• Mini implants

1. Osseointegrated implants are the most successful and commonly used implants.  Osseointegration is the direct anchorage of a dental implant root and the jaw bone.  The implant is commonly composed of a titanium metal screw and crown.  A small-diameter hole is drilled in the vacant tooth area, guiding the titanium screw which will hold the dental implant in place. In order to avoid damage to vital jaw and face structures, great skill and expertise is demanded of the prosthodontic specialist while drilling the pilot hole and sizing the jaw bone.

To allow for placement of the implant screw, the pilot hole is slowly widened. A protective cover screw is placed on top, allowing the implant site to heal and the dental implant to anchor. After several months the cover screw is removed and a temporary crown will cover the dental implant. The gum begins to grow and shape itself around this template. The temporary crown will eventually be replaced with a permanent crown.

2. Implantation for recently extracted teeth is a breakthrough technology, which speeds up osseointegration by placing dental implants into locations where teeth have been newly extracted. This new strategy can shed months off of treatment time, but candidacy is dependent upon anatomical factors of the extracted tooth site.

3. Mini implants are revolutionary for implant placement within narrow spaces. Only highly trained dentists may perform this procedure. Advantages of narrower implants are: stabilization of pre-molar teeth and lower jaw dentures, and replacement of a missing tooth located in a narrow area. Mini implants are not fully submerged during the implant procedure, and grafting is not necessary should implant failure occur. This type of implant is half the width of its traditional counterpart and has proven to be less costly. Even though they do not contain a screw, these implants are solid.

Willing To Work With You

Costs for implant procedures range between $1,000.00 and $5,000.00. Full mouth reconstructive implant costs range between $24,000.00 and $100,000.000. Grove City Dental never downgrades to the least expensive clinically acceptable level of treatment, but focuses on best-option long term dentistry in Columbus. This professional prosthodontic team is happy to discuss a workable payment plan and determine acceptance with any insurance – including self-insurance plans. It is never too late to begin realizing the dream of a beautiful smile. Dr. Scott Schumann has dedicated himself to helping hundreds of his patients live the reality of LOVING their smile!

Referred to by his clients as “fun!” and “cool!”, Dr. Schumann’s highly trained Grove City team was recently awarded the “Best Dental Team in the Nation” distinction out of 1200 dental offices competing.

Beloved and admired, the clients of this Columbus dental expert often look forward to dental visits, because of his dedication to the newest techniques in relaxing and anxiety-free Columbus sedation dentistry.

Dental Phobia

Thirty percent of the American population avoids seeing a dentist regularly because of fear and anxiety. According to the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation, this increasingly common dental phobia prevents dental patients from receiving the most routine dental care – creating drastic oral health problems that require drastic measures. Measures easily avoided when dentists are seen on a consistent and/or periodic basis.

Fear alerts the release of adrenaline in the brain, lowering the pain threshold. “Fight or flight” instincts are triggered, causing muscle anticipation tension. Even though this anticipation can be sub-conscious, post-operative and post-treatment soreness is elevated through this fear. Sedation virtually eliminates apprehension and hyper-sensitivity, reducing the severity of post-operative discomfort.

Used to establish a relaxed and calm state through the use of sedatives, sedation dentistry is administered through a variety of methods for Columbus dental implants and cosmetic surgery.

Medication Treatment

Benzodiazepines, taken in small prescribed doses, are highly effective in relieving agitation, anxiety, muscle spasms and seizures. The most common sedation drugs used in a treatment plan are: Valium, Ativan, Vistaril and Versed.

Valium and Ativan are the most commonly prescribed anxiety medications with amnesic properties. Valium is used when complex dental procedures require hours to perform, giving the comparative impression that only minutes went by. Ativan is a sedative with desirable amnesic properties – intended for appointments generally lasting longer than two hours.

Classified as an antihistamine, Vistaril is shown to have anxiolytic, (anti-anxiety) effects. Having no amnesic properties, Vistaril works in harmony with other benzodiazepines. Versed is ideal for short appointments and simple procedures. Because of its duration, Versed is less commonly used.

Traditional Pain Sedatives

Dr. Schumann is a highly qualified and trained professional who administers traditional sedation with the most advanced techniques available. Highly sought after in his role as teacher in the Advanced Dentistry Clinic at Ohio State University for ten years, Dr. Schumann excels in assisting his medically compromised patients.

Traditional modalities of inhalation and intravenous sedation are enhanced with the latest dentistry developments feasible. Intravenous sedation is delivered via injection into the arm or hand blood vessels, creating a comfortable visit where the patient has little to no memory of the procedure. Nitrous oxide gas is a conscious sedation technique in Columbus significantly raising the pain threshold, but most dental treatments will still require a local anesthesia to be injected into the mouth – even when sedation dentistry is performed.

Dedicated to Your Comfort

“Your comfort is our top priority. We’ll do everything we can to make your visit to our office as painless as possible.”

This is Dr. Scott Schumann’s testament to any and all of his valued patients. Since 1992 Dr. Schumann at Grove City Dental has offered the newest technological advancements available for the physical and psychological relief necessary during dental procedures.

Helping his patients achieve the smile they have always dreamed of, Dr. Scott Schumann and the “Best Dental Team in the Nation” are Number One when providing a relaxing and anxiety-free dental experience!

Do you frequently experience pain in your jaw while eating, suffer with headaches and ear pain or hear a clicking sound when you speak or move your mouth? Then you may be one of over 10 million Americans who suffer from Temporomandibular Joint Disease (TMJ). Don’t let this annoying problem stop you from enjoying life! Find out more information about TMJ here, compliments of Columbus dentist, Dr. Scott Schumann at Grove City Dental, who can help you find ways of eliminating the symptoms of TMJ.

What is Temporomandibular Joint Disorder?

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder or TMJ as its abbreviated, is a condition of the temporomandibular joint, or jaw joint which connects the lower jawbone to the skull. In patients with TMJ, this joint stops working correctly and becomes distorted or inflamed. This causes pain and irregular movement of the jaw, which can lead to other problems such as frequent jaw locking, pain, ear infections and irregular tooth wear. If not treated. TMJ can get worse leading to tooth loss and other complications of the jaw and skull.

Causes and Symptoms of TMJ

While there is no one cause for TMJ, most physicians agree that symptoms develop over a period of time for one or more the following reasons:

• Misaligned bite – If the teeth of the upper and lower jaw do not meet correctly, the jaw bones do not open and close properly, leading to TMJ symptoms such as pain and strain of the ligatures of the face and inner ear pain.
• Cartilage wear and tear – When the cartilage that pads the jawbones becomes worn or displaced due to a misaligned jaw, this can cause painful grinding of the jaw bone. This can lead to painful eating and jaw locking.
• Jaw clenching and grinding – Habitual clenching and grinding of the teeth, particularly during sleep or times of stress, can place pressure and strain on the joints and is one of the most common causes of TMJ disorders. You may be suffering from ear and head pain on a regular basis as a result.
• Dislocation of the jaw– This painful condition is characterized by popping and cracking noises when the jaw is opened or closed. This can be caused by injury or in children, as a result of a difficult birth process.
• Inflammatory Disease – If you have Arthritis, Lupus, Fibromyalgia or another form of inflammatory joint disease, you will be more prone to TMJ. This can make it hard to open and close your mouth without severe pain.

Diagnoses and Treatment of TMJ

If you have been experiencing any of the above symptoms, it’s wise not to try and correct TMJ on your own. Take the time to make an appointment with a qualified oral health care specialist and get evaluated for TMJ as soon as possible. You will be surprised to find there are several treatment options for TMJ to make your life bearable again. Your Columbus orthodontist or dentist can fit you with a special mouth guard which you can wear when you sleep at night to reduce TMJ symptoms. In addition, you can undergo special TMJ therapy to help you learn to bite down without pain with a series of exercises designed to improve your bite. Or you may want to consider some form of oral surgery in Columbus to improve the alignment of your teeth.

How Grove City Dental Helps TMJ Sufferers

Don’t suffer with Temporomandibular Joint Disorder. Get the help and support you need to stop the symptoms of TMJ and start living a pain-free life again by making an appointment with Dr. Schumann at Grove City Dental.

Did you know that eating healthy is important to the overall health of your smile? Not only is it good for your body to eat foods high in nutrition, but it makes your teeth and gums healthier. If you’ve wondered if the diet you are eating on a regular basis has an effect on your overall health, including the way your teeth and gums look, then you will want to read on to learn more from your Columbus Dentist, Dr. Schumann, on how diet affects oral health.

How Diet Affects Oral Health

The old saying goes “ You are what you eat” and it’s never been truer than when compared to the way diet affects oral health. The most common problem seen in dentistry today is the presence of many fast-foods that are high in fructose sugars, fats and acids. In addition, many of the popular foods found in grocery stores contain too many preservatives and artificial ingredients that can lead to the deterioration of gums and tooth decay. Believe it or not, the foods you choose to eat on a daily basis can have a large impact on the health of your mouth and your teeth.

Nutritional Tips for Good Oral Health

Before you go out and completely change your lifestyle, it’s important to learn more about what foods are healthy to eat and what foods and dietary habits can lead to problems with your oral health. The secret to good oral health is choosing foods that are high in nutritional value. These good foods include:

• · Green vegetables – a source of vitamins and calcium that add to the value of your teeth and gums.
• · Dairy products – which provide the calcium needed to keep teeth and bones healthy.
• · Meats and Fish – contain protein which gives your body lasting energy and helps you avoid unhealthy sugary snacking.
• · Water – not only is it good for your body as it flushes out harmful toxins, but it’s great for your teeth as it keeps gums clean and rinses away built-up sugar and acids which can degrade sensitive tooth enamel in between meals.

In addition, you can keep a healthy smile by following the advice of Dr. Schumann, an expert in preventative and cosmetic dentistry in Columbus and always brushing your teeth following every meal to remove the plaque producing food particles left behind. Use your floss at least once per day to get all those little bits of food that your toothbrush may not reach and rinse with a dentist approved mouth wash.

Foods to Avoid for a Healthy Smile

A great way to promote healthy teeth is by avoiding dietary items that don’t add value to your overall health. Keep in mind that anything that is high in sugars, salts or fruit acids will do damage to your teeth enamel and encourage bacterial growth in your mouth. Over time, foods and beverages like soda, coffee and fruit juice can create havoc on your teeth—causing gingivitis and other periodontal diseases which can ultimately lead to oral dental surgery. This can cost you your beautiful smile so be sure to limit these kinds of foods for optimal oral health.

The Key to Prevention is Regular Dental Care

The secret to having a great looking smile, healthy gums and excellent oral health is by visiting your dentist. In Columbus, Grove City Dental is available to provide you with excellent oral health care and preventative maintenance to help you look your best and lead a healthier lifestyle.

If you are concerned about your overall health, then oral health should be at the top of your list. Good dental hygiene is a leading factor in keeping your body healthy. Patients of Columbus dentist, Dr. Scott Schumann at Grove City Dental know that he cares about helping you with your oral health, which leads to a lifetime of health benefits.

Oral Health: Why it’s so Important

Not only is having a healthy oral hygiene routine great for sparkling teeth and robust gums, but good oral health is also vital to the overall well-being of the human body. Studies by the Mayo Clinic have suggested that good oral health can extend the average human lifespan by as much as ten years. In addition, having a healthy mouth can help prevent heart disease, stroke and even cancer. That’s good news for the patients of Grove City Dental who get expert dental care from Dr. Schumann and his team of caring dental technicians.

How to Maintain Oral Health

It’s easy to maintain good oral health, even for the busiest person. Taking time to get regular dental care is number one for maintaining a healthy smile and preventing disease. In addition, brushing the teeth and gums after every meal will clear out any food particles and reduce plaque, which is a leading cause of tooth decay and gum disease. And don’t forget your tongue – an area that can harbor a great deal of bacteria, especially after a recent illness or a big meal.

In addition, following up with a daily tooth flossing and then using a dentist-approved mouth wash will flush out the additional particles that the brush cannot reach. Prevention is key to maintaining oral health, so be sure to mention to Dr. Schumann if you are experiencing any problems, such as sensitivity to hot or cold, pain or bleeding when you eat, drink or as you brush your teeth. Taking care of these issues now will save you a lot of trouble and help you maintain good overall health.

The Oral Health – Body Health Connection

The medical community has been actively proving the connection between oral health and the body for years. Harvard University’s Assistant Professor of Health Policy & Epidemiology, Dr. Athanasios I. Zavras, has concluded that “Vascular diseases and cancer have both been linked to oral health. Preventing oral disease often seems to prevent diseases in other organs or systems. The importance of maintaining good oral health is seen under a new prism. The oral cavity is often the mirror of the body.” That means the first signs of illness often present themselves in the mouth – an early indicator that something worse is on its way in the body. So, for you that means you can prevent illness by keeping those appointments with your sedation Columbus dentist, Dr. Schumann.

Your Columbus Dentist Can Help You With Maintaining Oral Health

In order to keep your teeth and gums in optimum condition, as well as your body, you can schedule a visit to your Columbus Dentist at Grove City Dental. In addition to providing you with regular care, Dr. Schumann’s team wants to help you prevent illnesses so that you can enjoy a long healthy life, free of worry.

For years, you’ve probably been told that fluoride treatment helps prevent tooth decay, but do you know how? When used in moderation as part of regular dental routines and by drinking fluoridated city water, fluoride can strengthen the tooth enamel and provides protection for your smile. Read on to learn more about the role of fluoride and how it’s helping millions of people of all ages have healthier teeth.

The Role of Fluoride in Preventing Tooth Decay

Fluoride is a natural chemical that has been shown by researchers to have the ability to improve and restore tooth enamel. Since it was first introduced into public drinking water and toothpaste in low doses in the United States over 65 years ago, consumers have seen dramatic improvement in their overall dental health, including a reduction in tooth decay. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the fluoridation of water is known to prevent tooth decay and is considered to be “one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century”. Fluoride essentially is the building block of good teeth enamel and a healthy mouth.

Benefits of Fluoride

There are many benefits of using fluoride as a preventative measure in dental care. This is particularly true for younger consumers who are in the formative years with their teeth and need the extra protection that fluoride provides to teeth. Your Columbus dentist, Dr. Scott Schumann is happy to explain to you in person why fluoride is so beneficial for your teeth, but here are some of the top benefits from the Office of the US Surgeon General:

• Fluoride works by stopping or even reversing the decay process. It keeps tooth enamel strong and solid and leads to a brighter smile.
• Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste is an easy way to prevent tooth decay at home, year round.
• Communities with fluoridated drinking water in the United States, Australia, Britain, Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand show striking reductions in tooth decay—those with fluoridated drinking systems have 15–40 percent less tooth decay.
• Nearly all tooth decay can be prevented when fluoridation is combined with dental sealants and other fluoride products, such as toothpaste.
• Because older Americans are now keeping their teeth longer, fluoride will continue to be important for preventing tooth decay. Older Americans are especially susceptible to tooth decay because of exposed root surfaces and mouth dryness that may result from many medications.

Choices in Fluoride Treatments

Fluoride treatments should be a regular part of your children’s care, in addition to regular brushing and tooth flossing. In addition, anyone with weak tooth enamel can benefit from regular fluoride treatments offered in a variety of ways. Fluoride treatments are normally conducted in your dentist’s office using a tray and fluoride gel method. This painless procedure takes minutes and can be performed at your bi-annual checkup. In addition, you can purchase toothpaste that contains extra fluoride and provide fluoride treatment at home under your dentists’ guidance. If you have tooth veneers you may want to check with your dentist first on available fluoride treatment options.

Get Fluoride Treatments with Your Columbus Dentist

The best way to get a fluoride treatment and keep teeth looking their best is to get one at your Columbus dentist. Ask about the benefits of fluoride treatments the next time you visit Dr. Schumann and his caring team of dental professionals at Grove City Dental.

Want straighter teeth but don’t want to walk around with a mouth full of metal? Then Invisalign may be the solution for you. Invisalign is perfect for young people and adults of all ages who want a removable orthodontic treatment that fits in well with a busy lifestyle. Invisalign is one of many procedures that Grove City Dentistry can offer you to get your smile looking better.

Information About Invisalign

Back in 1999, Invisalign was invented as an orthodontic treatment by Align Technologies to improve the way misaligned teeth can be improved. This method is based on time-tested methods of improving challenging dental conditions like overbite, crooked, poorly spaced and crowded teeth.

What makes this form of cosmetic dentistry so popular is the fact that the Invisalign trays are custom fit to meet the needs of each patient individually and can be removed for activities like eating, sports, oral care or public speaking. Invisalign is the number one method for improving the appearance and spacing of teeth for millions of people around the world.

How Does Invisalign Work?

Invisalign works by using a set of customized clear trays made of a moldable plastic material, in which teeth are gradually straightened until the optimum look is achieved. Patients who choose to try Invisalign can expect to have their teeth and jaw carefully inspected by X-rays, and then fitted for their own unique Invisalign trays.

Over time, typically twelve to eighteen months, teeth shift into a more normal alignment, vastly improving the appearance and health of their mouth. The entire process is pain-free and convenient, especially when managed by the capable hands of Dr. Scott Schumann at Grove City Dental.

Who Can Get Invisalign?

The great thing about Invisalign is that anyone can get this treatment. Anyone with healthy teeth, from pre-teen to adult age, can benefit from getting Invisalign. Teeth are amazing in that they can be easily moved gradually and carefully using the Invisalign process. Be sure to check with your dentist in Columbus, Ohio before deciding if Invisalign is right for you, because some extreme cases of orthodontic misalignment are best treated with wire-type orthodontics.

The Cost of Straight Teeth: Invisalign vs. Braces

The cost of Invisalign is actually much less than you may expect. While the cost of traditional dental braces and Invisalign treatments will vary by region, dentist and degree of treatment, it is becoming an affordable choice for many patients. In addition, your insurance plan may cover a large portion of the cost of cosmetic dentistry, which can include fees for consultation, full x-rays and preparation of your teeth. Be sure to contact the dentistry professionals at Grove City Dental for a quote on Invisalign and ask about financing options. You’ll soon be on your way to having the smile of your dreams.