OCT 2019
The Undisputed Tooth
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The Relationship BetweenMedical and Dental Connecting the Dots
Dentistry has come a long way over the years. A typical dentist appointment 30 years ago may have only consisted of a quick search for cavities, but this is no longer the case. As technology advances and our understanding of the dentistry field grows, we’re becoming more and more aware of how essential oral health is. When our patients come for an appointment, they will experience a thorough examination, helping to ensure they are completely healthy. It’s critical to understand the connection between dentistry and medicine. In our last edition of the newsletter, I wrote about the importance of our newest medical division, LV Sleep Solutions, and how it benefits patients who suffer from sleep apnea. For this edition, I want to explain why we look at how the teeth are positioned in the mouth in addition to checking the airways of our patients. People may not realize how detrimental crooked teeth can be for their overall health, but oral health significantly affects the body. Research shows that many health problems, including cardiovascular diseases, relate to gum disease, which causes inflammation and infection in the mouth. In particular, someone who has misaligned teeth may face physical and emotional health problems throughout their life.
The proper alignment of teeth is critical to a person’s health. I’ve seen many patients who come into my dental office with severely misaligned teeth who either haven’t been chewing properly for years or don’t know how to chew at all. Your teeth are designed to break down food, and if they’re not positioned in their intended places, they won’t function as they’re supposed to. Food that isn’t broken down correctly will have a considerable effect on the body’s digestive system. Without the proper chewing ability, food will enter the digestive tract in larger sizes, and even the sulfuric acid in the stomach will be insufficient to break it down. The larger particles that are left exit the stomach, entering the small intestine, which is when damage occurs. At this stage, these large particles will be absorbed directly into the bloodstream. This includes any toxins that would otherwise be expelled from the body. The end result is inflammation being spread throughout the body that can lead to organ failure and even heart attacks. Misalignment can also cause the edges of teeth to break and wear down prematurely, which can lead to fractures and abscesses in the root canals. However, these aren’t the only issues people with misaligned teeth will have to face. Someone who has crooked or worn teeth may also lack self-confidence and self-esteem. Individuals with poor teeth may be afraid to smile, which can make it difficult to connect with an authority figure during job interviews, make good impressions on a first date, or look comfortable in family photos.
Invisalign enables us to straighten teeth without the uncomfortable effect of hard, steel braces, as it uses flexible and comfortable aligners. They’re completely removable, making it convenient when a patient needs to brush and floss their teeth or when they’re at a social gathering. This is one part of a much larger picture of why oral health is so crucial to the entire body. We hope to continue providing you with useful information about the dentistry field with our monthly newsletter. Dr. Mike Petrillo
There are several methods to correctly realign teeth, and one of the most popular is Invisalign.
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What You Can Do to Protect Yourself From Phone Scams and Robocalls
Two of the most common scams are phone scams and robocalls. These calls are incredibly annoying and can trick you out of valuable information if you’re not careful. While it might seem like these scams are inescapable, there are some precautions you can take to avoid their traps.
There are also a number of call-blocking apps available on Android and Apple devices, but if you subscribe to a blocking service through your phone provider, these apps are unnecessary. Finally, you can sign up for the Federal Trade Commission’s “Do Not Call” program (DoNotCall. gov). While the Do Not Call program can help cut back on calls, this list is largely ignored by scammers. If you’re getting a ridiculous number of robocalls every day, signing up can offer you some brief respite. Thankfully, Congress is already attempting to fix this problem by making it harder for scammers to call you. But until they are able to pass tough, effective legislation, it is up to us as consumers to remain vigilant and do what we can to keep our personal and financial data safe and secure.
GIVE THEM THE SILENT TREATMENT. One thing you can do to avoid these fraudulent, time-wasting calls is to simply hang up. If possible, it is best to not answer at all. It’s always good to have a list of numbers you can reference, so you never have to guess who is calling. Think of it as going one step beyond caller ID. In some cases, answering and then hanging up can actually do more harm than good. Answering the phone gives the scammers confirmation that the number works and that they should try again. Once your number is confirmed as active, it often gets put on an
“active number” list that can then be sold to other scammers who market in these types of phone numbers. If you can’t verify who is calling without picking up, don’t answer. Let it go to voicemail. If it’s important, the person will leave a legitimate message and you can respond afterward. PUT UP SOME DETERRENTS. You can even go a step further and block the calls. Many phone service providers offer call-blocking options, including AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon. You can sign up for this service in-store or on your service provider’s website. Each service costs about $4 per month.
SMILE VIEW Preview Your New Smile with This App!
Want to see what your new smile would look like? It’s easy! Just take a selfie and use the QR code below to see how Invisalign can:
See your new Invisalign ® in seconds. Scan the QR code to see your smile transformation.
smile
CONGRATULATIONS! WINNER!
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BUILD CONFIDENCE ENHANCE SELF ESTEEM IMPROVE COSMETICS
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Aldonsa N. Winner of the Summer Refer-A-Friend Contest She won a $300 Visa Gift Card
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PATIENT SPOTLIGHT Music Teacher, Keith Quelet
For this month’s patient spotlight, we’re happy to introduce Keith Quelet, who has been coming to our offices for over 30 years. Keith is a music teacher at East Hills Middle School, and he is very dedicated to his career. He teaches his students a variety of instruments, including the guitar, which is his favorite to play. In addition, Keith is also a talented singer, which is another part of music he enjoys teaching to his students. Keith walked into our offices after talking with his sister-in-law, who worked with Lehigh Valley Smile Designs at the time. “I’ve been coming here since I married my wife,” he remembers. “My family started going there because my wife’s sister had nothing but good things to say about the staff. After seeing and experiencing firsthand how much they care about their patients over the past 32 years, I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else.” “The staff at Lehigh Valley Smile Designs really cares about their patients. I’ve been pleased with everything the entire time I’ve come here,” Keith says. “Everyone here is very friendly and professional. They’re one of the friendliest staffs I’ve ever
encountered, and that’s not happenstance. Dr. Michael Petrillo has done a fantastic job training everyone there.” Dr. Michael Petrillo also helped Keith when he was facing one of the most stressful treatments he had to go through. “It happened almost 30 years ago, about the time I started coming here,” he remembers. “It was one of the most traumatic events that has ever happened to me. I was involved in a car accident, which was sort of a pivotal point for me. I was coming back from playing at Nazareth, Pennsylvania, when the accident happened. It really shook me up. I ended up in intensive care, but only for a few days.” As a result of the accident, Keith needed to have a root canal treatment. “Dr. Michael did that for me, and it’s a treatment I still remember vividly. He was very caring and professional about the whole incident.” Everyone here at Lehigh Valley Smile Designs wants to say thank you, Keith! We are very humbled at your kind words and appreciate you for choosing our services these past three decades.
SUDOKU
GRILLED HALIBUT
Inspired by Bon Appétit
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
1. Lightly oil grill grates and heat grill to medium. 2. Grate 1 tsp lemon zest onto halibut fillets. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. 3. Grill halibut, turning just once, for about 5 minutes on each side. 4. In a mixing bowl, combine tomatoes, hearts of palm, juice from lemon, and remaining oil. Season with salt and pepper. 5. Garnish salad with basil. Spoon salad over grilled halibut. Serve.
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1 lemon
4 boneless, skinless halibut fillets, about 5 oz each 1/4 cup olive oil, plus extra for drizzling Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
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2 lbs mixed tomatoes, sliced 1/2 cup hearts of palm, drained Basil leaves, for garnish
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
610-868-7601 www.drpetrillo.com
2019 Industrial Drive Bethlehem, PA 18017
Dr. Mike Petrillo, DMD
Dr. Bernhard E. Kabitzke, DMD
Dr. Patrick A. Petrillo, DDS
Inside This Issue
Connecting the Dots
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How to Best Protect Yourself From Scam Calls
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Keeping Track of Your Treatment
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Meet Our Wonderful Patients
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Grilled Halibut
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The Many Wonders of Omega-3s
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THE MANY WONDERS OF OMEGA-3S
One Little Pill That Can Do Your Body Good
Because fish oil is said to improve everything from heart health to chronic dry eye, it may sound a bit like, well, snake oil. But this brilliant little
WHICH OMEGA-3 SUPPLEMENT IS RIGHT FOR ME? If you eat fatty fish several times a week every week, you may already get enough omega-3s, but it can be difficult to get a therapeutic dose of fish oil from food alone on a regular basis. A fish oil supplement can provide additional fatty acids. Look for an ingredient list that specifically shows EPA and DHA; some brands use misleading labeling that only shows the total amount of fish oil rather than the actual omega-3s. Recommendations vary, but most sources indicate that a dosage of 1,000–2,000 milligrams (1–2 grams) of combined EPA and DHA provides benefits. If the smell or “fish burps” bother you, choose enteric-coated capsules, which dissolve in the small intestine rather than the stomach. Omega-3 caps also come in vegan options sourced from seaweed and algae.
supplement packs a big punch, especially for older adults.
HEART HEALTH BENEFITS The omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) have been shown to support heart health in multiple ways. The Mayo Clinic cites research suggesting that higher levels of EPA are associated with a reduced risk of congestive heart failure in older adults. Studies also report that people with moderate to severe hypertension typically see a positive effect on their blood pressure if they regularly take omega-3s. JOINT AND EYE BENEFITS Omega-3 fatty acids can reduce pain, stiffness, and swelling associated with osteoarthritis and other joint
disorders by lubricating the joints and acting as an anti-inflammatory. As we age, our ability to produce tears diminishes. Fish oil’s lubricating and anti-inflammatory properties also make it a great treatment for and defense against chronic dry eye. COGNITIVE FUNCTION BENEFITS Several studies have concluded that regularly consuming omega-3 fatty acids can help maintain cognitive function. While research shows no cognitive recovery in extremely elderly subjects who already suffer from dementia, evidence indicates that taking fish oil on a regular basis may prevent or postpone the onset of cognitive decline. Omega-3 consumption may also improve the quality of life for individuals suffering from depression or anxiety at any age.
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