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More and more often, we find ourselves reminding our patients that they need to take out their oral piercings before surgeries or before an x-ray. This got us thinking…do these young girls and boys understand that these foreign appliances and jewelry is bad for their oral health, and that, maybe not now, but in the future there can be some serious consequences?

Dr. Largey wants all of his patients to be informedabout the problems that coincide with their decision to pierce their tongue, lips, uvula and cheeks. We encourage our patients to ask their general dentists to inform them about this growing topic as well.

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), oral piercings can cause a multitude of oral problems including:

  • Excessive drooling
  • Infection, pain, and swelling
  • Chipped or cracked teeth
  • Injuries to gums
  • Damage to fillings
  • Increased saliva flow
  • Hypersensitivity to metals
  • Scar tissue (known as second tongue)
  • Nerve damage

All of these problems can happen during, soon after, or long after the piercing procedure is performed.

Oral piercings (especially tongues) carry potential risks of endocarditis (also known as inflammation of the heart valves or tissues). Bacteria is no stranger to your mouth, there are 600 known species of bacteria that inhabit your mouth, and for every inch of saliva filled space lies approximately 2.5 billion (with a B) unwanted organisms. These bacteria can enter the bloodstream through the piercing site in your mouth and travel to the heart, where it can colonize on heart abnormalities. This is a great risk for people with heart conditions and in worse cases it can result in death.

Tongue piercings can cause the tongue to swell; sometimes severe enough to block the airway/ Nerve damage is also possible during the piercing procedure. If this happens you may encounter “numb-tongue”, which is sometimes temporary, but can be permanent. This injured nerve can affect your sense of taste, how you move your mouth, and affect your speech. Damage to the tongues blood vessels can cause serious blood loss.

The hepatitis foundation identifies piercing as a way of contracting Hepatitis B,C,D, and G. The National Institutes of Health has identified piercing as a vector of disease transmission of Hepatitis B, Tetanus, and Localized Tuberculosis.

Ohio State University conducted a study in 2003 where they took 58 young adults, 29 with lip piercings, and 29 without lip piercings. The 29 adults who had lip piercings were found to have significantly greater recessed gums (41.4%), whereas among the group who did not have lip piercings were at 6.9%. The group of young adults who had a lip piercing had an average recessed gum depth that was more than double those without a lip piercing.

Athletes who wear mouth guards for sports are also at a risk of medical and dental related injury since the tongue and lip jewelry will often interfere with the placement of the mouth guard.

If you had an oral piercing and are seeing recessed gums, contact your general dentist, and if needed they can refer you to us for gum grafting.

Our colleagues in other dental offices help spread the word by informing their patients at their routine exams about the harmful short term and long term effects of oral piercings. So, for more information, talk to your general dentist and check out this link to webmd for more info.

NSTPAccording to the NSTEP (National Spit Tobacco Education Program) there has been an alarming rise in the use of smokeless tobacco among high school boys and Little League players in the United States.  According to the Center for Disease Control, the use of smokeless tobacco has increased by 36 percent since 2003.

Here at Dr. Largey’s office we want our patients to know the harmful effects of smokeless tobacco on you and your family’s oral health. Communication about smokeless tobacco in your family can be difficult; however, the NSTEP is holding a slogan contest to start the conversation. To enter into the contest Little League players will make up a ten word phrase that portrays why spit tobacco is dangerous and deadly. Not only will this help your Little Leaguer understand why spit tobacco is not good for your oral health, but it will also allow you to talk with them openly about all tobacco products.

To enter the contest, visit http://oralhealthamerica.org/uncategorized/the-2012-nstep-slogan-contest-is-here/

The most creative slogan will win an all expenses paid trip to the Little League World Series in Pennsylvania, and $500. Oral Health America will also donate $500 dollars to the winners Little League Organization.

all about wisdom teethHere in our office that means we are all gearing up to make sure that everyone can get scheduled for their oral surgery before they head back to school in the Fall. We know how important it is to get things done during this season so everyone can be ready to concentrate during the school. One of the procedures we do the most of in the summer time is wisdom teeth removal. Summer is a really good time to address this for a couple of reasons–you’ll have the time to recover without worry of missing any school and you will be around to see us for a follow up check up too.

The first step will be a consultation, so it is best to schedule early in the season for your first appointment with us. We will go over all the details of your health history, evaluate your panoramic x-ray and Dr. Largey will talk to you about the pros and cons based on your particular examination. He will also discuss with you the anesthesia options available.

For more information on wisdom teeth check out the detailed information on our website. www.drlargey.com Scroll down a little lower on our blog site to see how we work with your insurance.

And, of course, call us! We are here to answer any of your questions. 207 942 6620

improve life with dental implants adOur patients often ask us who is a candidate for dental implant treatment. And, the answer is, nearly everyone who is in general good health. There are a few medical conditions that can undermine the success of implant treatment—such as uncontrolled diabetes. But, there are very few other conditions that would keep someone from having implant treatment all together.

The quantity and quality of available bone for implant placement is more often a factor in qualifying for dental implants—rather than a medical condition. Even folks who have lost a significant amount of bone can qualify for dental implant replacement with additional procedures to add bone or create new bone. Advances in this type of treatment have made it possible for so many people to have successful implant treatment.

And, really you are never too old to consider implant placement! Your overall health and a desire to improve the quality of your life are much more important considerations than age. Today, many patients well into their nineties have had dental implant treatment with no problems.

Learn more about implant replacement at our website www.drlargey.com and www.missingteeth.org or give us a call! We love to talk to patients about the benefits of dental implant treatment.

We’re pleased to offer our patients CareCredit, North America’s leader in patient payment plans.  CareCredit lets you begin your treatment immediately – then pay for it over time with low monthly payments that fit easily into your monthly budget.

Your healthcare credit card.

CareCredit is the credit card exclusively for healthcare services.  With no up-front costs and no pre-payment penalties, CareCredit lets you pay over time and frees up cash and credit cards for the other things you want or need.  CareCredit offers low monthly payment plans for healthcare procedures not commonly covered by insurance, including dental treatments.  Plus, you can use your card again and again to pay for additional treatment for yourself or family members in any CareCredit practice.

  • Low minimum monthly payments
  • No up-front costs, no pre-payment penalties

Learn more by visiting carecredit.com or contacting our office at 942 6620. Ready to apply? Apply online for your CareCredit card today.

Dr. Largey's team

Dr. Largey's Sharp K9's!

Well, the weather didn’t really cooperate, but we had a good time and raised some money for a very good cause! Eve came out to walk with her good buddies Samson and Harvey, Sharon brought her grandchildren and family pooches C.J. and Cody, Dr. Largey and AnneMarie brought their golden retriever Garth out for the festivities. It was really amazing how well behaved all the dogs were! And, the turn out was really good despite the rain. We were very lucky to do the walk without rain, but as soon as it was over, the rain came back as a very heavy down-pour. All in all, it was a success for the Bangor Humane Society–they raised $15,000 more this year than last year, so that is great. We were all happy to participate. Come join us next year!

And, check out this video from the event, if you watch to the end, you will see Eve’s little pug Harvey in his “Bad Dog” costume!

http://blip.tv/bangor-daily-news/18th-annual-paws-on-parade-in-bangor-5605328

Check out our Team Page: Dr. Largey’s Sharp K9s

paws on parade team

AnneMarie and Big, Eve and Sampson, Sharon and CJ, Carol and friend!

Now in its eighteenth year, Paws on Parade is Bangor Humane Society’s annual fundraising event and celebration of pets to benefit the animals at the shelter awaiting forever homes.

Over a mile long, the route runs from the Bangor Waterfront through Downtown Bangor and meets back by the water. Walk with your dog or with a human companion, or simply sponsor a Paws participant, preferably one of us!

The Bangor Humane Society is a donor supported, private, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. BHS is Maine’s oldest and largest animal care and adoption facility. BHS cares for approximately 5,000 owner released and stray animals each year. We serve over 200 communities in Maine, including eastern, coastal, down east, and parts of northern Maine.

The majority of our annual revenue -56 percent — comes from donations and supporters like you!

Sign up as a team walker by September 1 and receive a free T-shirt!

Visit our donation web page to join our team or donate to this very special cause. We will keep you posted about our fundraising progress on our Facebook page. And, of course we will post photos of the walk!

Our Team name: Dr. Largey’s Sharp K9s

Click here to go to the Paws on Parade Web site. 

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