A New Conversation with Your Patient

Posted on October 21, 2016May 12, 2021 by Richard H. Nagelberg, DDS

How do we introduce the idea of salivary testing to our patients? As is the approach with every dental procedure or service we recommend for our patients, the primary consideration is excellent communication. Some recommendations are routine and no explanation is necessary, including fillings and fluoride, among many others. When we introduce new procedures or services to our patients some explanation is appropriate. DNA salivary testing for bacteria is a good example. So what should we s...

As Seen in The Washington Post

Posted on October 14, 2016May 12, 2021 by Richard H. Nagelberg, DDS

An October 2016 article in The Washington Post newspaper had the following title; Does gum disease have a link to cancer, dementia, stroke? The article discussed some statistics on periodontal disease prevalence and had this notable statement; “While not definitive, the links between gum disease and diabetes, at-risk pregnancy, heart disease and stroke have been so consistent that some insurers offer extra preventive periodontal care at little or no cost to people with those conditions.” The...

Periodontal Disease, Perio Pathogens and Rocket Science

Posted on October 7, 2016May 12, 2021 by Richard H. Nagelberg, DDS

Risk factors for heart attack include; age, tobacco, high blood pressure, lipid profile, diabetes, family history of heart attack, lack of physical activity, obesity, stress, illicit drug use, history of preeclampsia, history of autoimmune condition such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis and so on and so on. Why have all these risk factors been identified? Because it is better to prevent a heart attack than it is to have one. Risk factor identification and modification is the cornerstone of p...

What is the Cause of Periodontal Disease?

Posted on September 30, 2016May 12, 2021 by Richard H. Nagelberg, DDS

If you could test to determine the cause of a person’s diabetes, wouldn’t you do it? If you could get at the root of a person’s atherosclerosis, wouldn’t you test for that as well? If you could take a test sample to diagnose the type of kidney disease, wouldn’t you do it? Hypertension? Ulcers? Pneumonia? Peripheral vascular disease? Rheumatoid arthritis? Crohn’s disease? Acne? Anorexia? Asthma? Bipolar disorder? Breast cancer? Epilepsy? Myocardial infarction? Headache? Of course you would...