Westchester Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery & Implantology's online newsletter for October 2018
2975 Westchester Avenue, Suite G02, Purchase, NY 10577
• www.oralsurgeryofwestchester.com
How We Deal With Fear WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF?
It’s October, and the month of Halloween is all about fear. Plenty of people will line up for a haunted house or break out some classic horror movies with the goal of scaring themselves silly. This can seem counterintuitive, considering that most of the time we want to avoid things that scare us, but there are times when fear has its benefits.
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Fear and anxiety can be a healthy motivator. Our fears help us avoid or navigate dangerous situations and drive us to succeed. But fear is only useful if kept in check. Paralyzing fear does no good. Learning to manage and cope with it is not easy and is a constant process.
EVERYBODY HAS FEARS. FROM AN EARLY AGE, ONE
OF MINE HAS BEEN PUBLIC SPEAKING.
common in any medical field. Also common in any medical field are patients who fear the cost of procedures. In both cases, I’ve found the best way to help patients alleviate these fears is by giving them the information they need to understand the necessity of the procedures, what goes into the surgery, and what to expect during the recovery process. Everything is discussed and reviewed with our patients at their consultation appointment, and any insurance or financial arrangements are made prior to their procedure. When patients feel knowledgeable and prepared for their procedure, they tend to experience less fear in the process. It’s worth noting that hours of research and information gathering does not guarantee your fears will vanish. Sometimes you’re faced with a looming fear and all you can do is deal with it to the best of your ability. When I encounter fears today, I try to rationalize the fear, figure out precisely what is bothering me, and then cope with it. In the end, though, my anticipation of the event is often far worse than the actual event, something our surgical patients can certainly attest to. –Dr. Harrison Linsky Westchester Office • 914-251-0313
Everybody has fears. From an early age, one of mine has been public speaking. I still do not relish the thought of speaking in front of a large crowd, and I suspect this fear is rooted in my struggles in school. As a child, I was not the best reader and consequently not the best student. I was never diagnosed with a learning disability as a child, but now that I have a son who has been diagnosed with dyslexia, I can see I have the same tendencies. I can’t help but imagine how different my school experience would have been had I known there was a reason behind my struggles. When we’re afraid of something, it’s not uncommon to seek out information about the things we fear. Someone who is dreading a plane trip may look up safety stats about flying, or an adult getting their wisdom teeth out later in life might frantically research their risk of suffering a worst-case scenario. This isn’t a sign that someone is obsessing over their fears. In my experience, educating yourself on your fears is one of the best ways to overcome them.
Fear often comes into play at our office. Patients come in who are seriously afraid of the pain that may come with surgery, which is
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If Sharks Can Do It, Why Can’t We? GROWYOUR OWN TEETH
The Idea Behind It Sharks and snakes are constantly losing and regrowing teeth. These two animals first inspired scientists to investigate whether they could develop the technology to replicate this evolutionary benefit for humans. The ability to regrow teeth so quickly after an old one has fallen out or broken off is due to the genetics of these animals. To grow teeth properly, two types of cells are required: epithelial cells and mesenchymal stem cells. One type of cell functions as a messenger to the other, instructing it to form tooth buds. For both cells to function, they must be given the correct mixture of growth hormones and nutrients, and they must be grown on a “scaffold,” an environment that closely mimics embryonic tissue.
Future Possibilities What’s catching the attention of the public is how quick and easy this method could potentially be. Instead of undergoing serious dental surgery, patients would only need a routine operation for the tooth bud to be placed. However, researchers and scientists still face several hurdles. For example, the epithelial cells seem to respond to gum tissue after this kind of surgery, but the mesenchymal cells don’t. Though it’s rumored that human trials will begin in 2019, it’s likely to be some time before this technology becomes common practice. Still, it’s interesting to imagine a future in which growing teeth would be as easy for humans as it is for some of our sharp-toothed animal friends.
The dental industry is teeming with new, exciting technologies that provide more realistic results when it comes to tooth implants. Perhaps the most exciting new development is the ability to grow teeth in a lab. When biology and dentistry combine, the possibilities are endless. HowCanYou GrowTeeth? Scientists have discovered a way to regrow teeth using stem cells taken from the pulp of a healthy adult tooth. The pulp is isolated and coaxed into forming new dentin and eventually a tooth bud, which can then grow into a mature tooth. PamYelick, a professor in the department of orthodontics at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, and her team have spent years researching this new technology and continue to perfect it. Their goal is to create an implant that is nearly identical to a real tooth in function, feel, and appearance.
“My 7-year-old son went to see Dr. Graffeo to have a frenectomy procedure done. Dr. Graffeo was amazing with my son. He made him feel at ease and comfortable the whole time. My son’s procedure was quick, and the results are great. Dr. Graffeo “Great doctors and staff. After speaking with Dr. Linsky about my procedure, I felt at ease that I was in good hands. He made it as quick and painless as possible, and I wouldn’t hesitate to go to him again.” –Brian K. OUR PATIENTS SAY IT BEST “Dr. Graffeo is the winning combination of the highest quality in surgery AND patient care. We had the best experience anyone could
hope for. Dr. Graffeo went above and beyond in his compassion and accessibility pre- and post-surgery, and the procedure was seamless in execution and recovery. Doesn’t get any better from a medical- experience standpoint!” –Jill N.
was very thorough, and the office was extremely clean. I would absolutely recommend Dr. Graffeo to anyone.” –Danielle F.
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We need coffee to survive.
In addition to its cavity-fighting prowess, coffee might even be effective in fighting oral cancers. Researchers from the American Cancer Society noted a correlation between coffee drinkers and a lower risk of cancer-related death. On average, subjects who consumed more than four cups of caffeinated coffee a day had a 49 percent lower risk of death from oral/ pharyngeal cancer than individuals who did not drink coffee. This research is certainly promising, but no matter the small benefits, coffee still wreaks havoc on your teeth. The tannins leave unsightly stains, the drink sticks to your tongue and causes bad breath, and the acidity erodes tooth enamel. The solution? Stop drinking coffee. Of course, no one wants to be the dentist who tells their patients they can’t drink coffee anymore. Instead, you can help your patients lessen the damage of coffee by advising them to choose smaller cup sizes, cut out the sugary toppings, and ask the barista to use less syrup when making their favorite drink.
This is pure hyperbole of course, but it can certainly feel like coffee is the only thing that helps you survive the morning after your alarm goes off. And who can deny the perks of an afternoon pick- me-up? While we can thank the caffeine in coffee for getting us through the day, the energy boost may not be the only benefit of coffee. Research published in the Journal of Conservative Dentistry (JCD) found that people who drink black coffee tend to suffer from fewer cavities. Researchers studied a random sample of 1,000 individuals who visited the Out-Patient Department of KLE Society’s Institute of Dental Sciences. The Decayed/Missing/Filled Surface (DMFS) score for control subjects who did not drink coffee was 4. Meanwhile, the DMFS score for subjects who preferred black coffee was much lower at 2.9. Coffee contains polyphenols that break down plaque-causing bacteria. Researchers believe these polyphenols are the reason some coffee drinkers report fewer cavities. However, these positive effects disappear when sweeteners or creamer are added to the morning brew. The JCD study found the DMFS score of subjects who drank coffee with additives was 5.5, almost double the score of those who drank black coffee.
The Impact of Coffee on Cavity Rates and Oral Cancer
Coffee is here to stay, and if we drink it responsibly, that might not be such a bad thing.
Spiced Pumpkin Seed Crunch
Have a Laugh
INGREDIENTS This recipe combines pumpkin seeds, a seasonal favorite, with cashews, sunflower seeds, and spices. It’s a perfect homemade snack for the fall. DIRECTIONS
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● 1 large egg white
1. Heat oven to 300 F.
● 1 teaspoon light agave syrup ● 1/2 teaspoon garam masala or curry powder ● 1/4 cup shelled pumpkin seeds ● 1/4 cup shelled sunflower seeds ● 1/4 cup raw cashews, coarsely chopped ● 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper Nonstick vegetable oil spray ● 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.
3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together egg white, agave, salt, and spices. Add nuts and seeds and toss until evenly coated. 4. Using a slotted spoon, strain spoonfuls of mixture over bowl and transfer to baking sheet. Discard excess egg white mixture.
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5. Bake 20–25 minutes, tossing once.
6. Let cool and serve.
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Westchester Office • 914-251-0313
2975 Westchester Avenue Suite G02 Purchase, NY 10577
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
914-251-0313 www.oralsurgeryofwestchester.com
INSIDE This Issue
PG 1
On the Topic of Fear
PG 2
A Futuristic Way to Replace Missing Teeth?
Our Patients Say It Best
PG 3
The Positive Effects of Coffee on Oral Health
Spiced Pumpkin Seed Crunch
PG 4
3 of the Weirdest Cryptids in Pseudoscientific History
The Monsters Some Believe Are Real 3 of the Weirdest Cryptids in Pseudoscientific History
There are people who would have you believe that monsters live among us all year long. These individuals, referred to as cryptozoologists (or just “wishful thinkers” by their skeptics), believe a hidden animal kingdom exists just beyond the edge of mainstream biological science. Here are three of the weirdest, almost-certainly imaginary “cryptids” to ever capture the human imagination. The Jersey Devil According to legend, the 1.1 million-acre Pine Barrens of southern New Jersey are home to more than just birds and deer. The story goes that when one Jane Leeds gave birth to her 13th child, she was dismayed to add yet another kid to her responsibilities. She cried out, “Oh, let this one be the devil!” Shortly after the child was born, the boy was transmogrified into a twisted creature with the malformed head of a goat, leathery wings, and a thrashing, forked tail. After slicing the midwife with its ragged claws, the beast flew up the chimney and fled into the trees. Hundreds of years later, the beast is still said to creep the backwoods on its cloven hooves, glowering from the blackness with shining, red eyes. The Bunyip When European settlers began edging into the territory of Aboriginal Australians, they heard whispered, frightened tales of a man-eating “water spirit” that lived in the lakes and rivers of the area. Descriptions
of the creature varied wildly. The monster was alternately described as an enormous starfish, an alligator-like creature with the head of an emu, or a massive bulldog-faced beast. But accounts held one thing in common: The monster claimed the lives of any who dared camp near its watery domain. The Loveland Frog One night, near Loveland, Ohio, a man reportedly beheld a trio of bipedal frog-people slapping their webbed feet along the side of the road. If that wasn’t enough, one even had a magic wand, which shot sparks as the man ran off. Apparently, not all mythical beasts are bloodthirsty monsters; some are a little more Kermit than Cthulhu.
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