Latest News

From Dr. Keith A. Hoover

STRESS AND DENTAL TREATMENT

June 3, 2024Health

Q: With the stress in my life, I just can’t think about the dentist right now. Is that okay?

A: Economic downturns, work pressure, family uproar, all these things can bring added stress into a person’s life. These factors can force lifestyle changes. But if one or more of these pressures is forcing you to drop something, don’t let it be the regular visits to your health care providers. In fact, increased stress — whatever the cause — can manifest itself in health problems, including some in your mouth.

Stress causes surges of energy, which the body uses to fuel its fight-or-flee mechanism. Stress takes a toll on your body and can take a toll on teeth, as well. Stress can contribute to a condition called bruxism, excessive clenching, and grinding of teeth. It’s an activity your body will engage in at night to burn off the excess energy generated by the stress. Bruxism can result in cracked or worn-down teeth, jaw pain, and headaches. Normal chewing can put pressure of 20 to 40 pounds on each tooth. Bruxism can put as much as 250 pounds of pressure on a tooth.

If you, your family, or friends need dental care, we would be honored to provide you with state-of-the-art dental care in our modern dental practice. Refer someone you love to someone you trust!

Presented as a service to the community by Doctors Hoover and Yanda,

39 Milford Drive, Hudson, Ohio 44236. 330-650-0360.

www.drshooverandyanda.com

THE ROLE OF SALIVA

May 27, 2024Uncategorized

Q: What role does saliva play in your mouth?

A: Saliva is a mixture of water, mucous, protein, and enzymes. It is the lubricant for your mouth and as such performs a variety of roles. One of its main roles is to aid our nutrition. It moistens and begins to break down the starch in food. It also helps bind chewed food into a ball, so you can swallow it.

Saliva also plays a role in our sense of taste. Taste buds do not respond to dry food. Three major pairs of salivary glands and numerous smaller glands in your cheeks and lips generate saliva. The glands generally secrete a small but steady amount of saliva constantly. The presence of food will trigger a heavier flow. Sometimes, particularly when you’re hungry, just thinking about food can trigger a heavier flow, hence the term “mouth-watering” in relation to a particularly good meal. Saliva also washes away particles of food that may be left in the mouth after eating, thereby helping you avoid tooth decay.

If you, your family, or friends need dental care, we would be honored to provide you with state-of-the-art dental care in our modern dental practice. Refer someone you love to someone you trust!

Presented as a service to the community by Doctors Hoover and Yanda,

39 Milford Drive, Hudson, Ohio 44236. 330-650-0360.

www.drshooverandyanda.com

DON’T RUSH THE BRUSH, BRUSH TO THE BEAT!

May 20, 2024tooth brushing

Despite the variety and advancements in toothbrushes today, people don’t brush long enough to get the best results, reports the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). Brushing teeth for three to four minutes is necessary for a thorough cleaning, but the average person brushes for less than a minute. This is not long enough to reach all areas of the mouth and scrub off cavity-causing bacteria.

Since many people brush during the morning or at night with the radio on, one piece of good advice is to brush for one song. That’s about three minutes—the right amount of time to get the best results from brushing.

Generally, a toothbrush should have a long, wide handle and soft bristles. Be sure to brush both sides of the teeth and the tongue. Change toothbrushes every three to four months before their bristles become frayed. Toss the toothbrush after an illness to avoid harmful bacteria harbored in the bristles.

If you, your family, or friends need dental care, we would be honored to provide you with state-of-the-art dental care in our modern dental practice. Refer someone you love to someone you trust!

Presented as a service to the community by Doctors Hoover and Yanda,

39 Milford Drive, Hudson, Ohio 44236. 330-650-0360.

www.drshooverandyanda.com

DENTAL OFFICE CONCIERGE PLANS

May 13, 2024Services

While we certainly have many patients who have traditional dental insurance plans, there is a new method of paying for dental services that is becoming very popular. A Concierge Plan is an in-office plan that helps patients afford their needed dentistry. It is not traditional dental insurance, but rather a “membership plan”, very similar to plans like Costco, Amazon Prime, Sam’s Club, etc. For one very affordable annual fee, a patient in our office receives a comprehensive exam for new patients, two professional clean

ings and two periodic exams per year, an emergency exam if needed, a full-mouth series of x-rays every five years, one set of bitewing x-rays per year, two fluoride treatments per year if needed and 15% off any other dental treatment they have done within that year. There is no limit on how much dentistry can be received. We have other plans too for families and for periodontal patients who need more frequent cleanings.

These are obvious benefits for patients who do not have dental insurance. But many people who have dental insurance have found that our in-office Concierge Plan works better for them…less out-of-pocket expense for many, no yearly cap, no insurance company dictating what treatment they will pay for, or which doctor you’re allowed to see. There is no deductible. No Claim forms to submit. No pre-authorizations are required. No restrictions for pre-existing conditions. Free consultations. No waiting periods. No interference with the doctor-patient relationship. Quite a few advantages over traditional dental insurance…might be worth comparing with your dental insurance plan.

If you, your family, or friends need dental care, we would be honored to provide you with state-of-the-art dental care in our modern dental practice. Refer someone you love to someone you trust!

Presented as a service to the community by Doctors Hoover and Yanda,

39 Milford Drive, Hudson, Ohio 44236. 330-650-0360.

www.drshooverandyanda.com

BENEFITS OF EARLY DETECTION

May 6, 2024Health

Q: If my teeth feel and look fine, do I still need to see a dentist?

A: If you want to keep your teeth feeling and looking fine, the best way to do it is to visit your dentist every six months. And should an issue develop in your mouth — a cavity, say, or gum disease — it won’t have the chance to develop into something serious (and expensive!) if it’s nipped in the bud at a regular visit. Spending a relatively small amount on regular maintenance of your oral health is a lot better than having to pay later for a major problem.

As education and the techniques of dental care have improved over the decades, the incidence of decay is down. However, the incidence of gum disease, called periodontal disease, is up. Even if your teeth appear to you to be sound, they can be undermined by gum disease. Gum disease can erode both the tissue and the bone that support the teeth. And the early stage of gum disease is not something you’re going to notice at home. It takes a dental exam.

The rule of thumb is that you should see your dentist for a checkup twice a year. But only your dentist can determine what the proper schedule is for your situation. So, visit a dentist soon, even if your mouth feels fine.

If you, your family, or friends need dental care, we would be honored to provide you with state-of-the-art dental care in our modern dental practice. Refer someone you love to someone you trust!

Presented as a service to the community by Doctors Hoover and Yanda,

39 Milford Drive, Hudson, Ohio 44236. 330-650-0360.

www.drshooverandyanda.com

WHITER TEETH

April 29, 2024teeth whitening

Q: How can I make my teeth whiter?

A: The market is loaded with offers that claim to be able to give you a whiter smile if only you would buy and use their miracle product! So, the first step to take in your quest for the perfect smile is to talk with your dentist and find out about the legitimate products and treatments that are available.

For instance, whitening toothpastes that carry the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of acceptance have been tested and approved for what they claim to be. The ADA also approves of bleaching, which can be effective in some cases, although not all. For instance, if you have bonding or tooth-colored fillings placed in your front teeth, those materials will not whiten and may stand out.

If bleaching is an appropriate option for you, your dentist may do it for you in the office or recommend to you an ADA-approved home-bleaching kit. In most cases, teeth that have yellowed will respond well to bleaching. Those that have gone brownish may not improve noticeably and those that have turned gray may not improve at all. In some cases, veneers or bonding may be the only way to substantially change the appearance of a tooth. As mentioned above, talk with your dentist about options right for you in pursuit of the best smile.

If you, your family, or friends need dental care, we would be honored to provide you with state-of-the-art dental care in our modern dental practice. Refer someone you love to someone you trust!

Presented as a service to the community by Doctors Hoover and Yanda,

39 Milford Drive, Hudson, Ohio 44236. 330-650-0360.

www.drshooverandyanda.com

SOME GENERAL MOUTH CARE TIPS

April 22, 2024Hygiene

Q: Do you have any general advice on keeping my mouth healthy?

A: Try to brush and floss after every meal, and even after snacks during the workday. Keep a brush, toothpaste, and floss at work, if possible. If for some reason it’s impractical to brush and floss after a meal, rinse your mouth out with water to flush out any particles of food that may be left.

Your floss should be good quality and shred-resistant so that it doesn’t bunch up between your teeth and do any damage when you’re tugging it through. Check to make sure the toothpaste you’re using has fluoride in it. Not all do.

Also, visit your dentist at least twice a year, or on the schedule that you and the dentist have established for your needs. Watch your diet. High-fiber greens like spinach, lettuce, and broccoli can contribute to whiter teeth. Carrots, apples, oranges, and celery are also good for your smile because they require lots of chewing, which in turn generates lots of saliva and keeps cavity-causing bacteria from settling in on your teeth. Try to avoid sugary drinks and food. The bacteria that live in plaque, the filmy substance on your teeth, interact with sugar to produce the acid that starts the decay process.

If you, your family, or friends need dental care, we would be honored to provide you with state-of-the-art dental care in our modern dental practice. Refer someone you love to someone you trust!

Presented as a service to the community by Doctors Hoover and Yanda,

39 Milford Drive, Hudson, Ohio 44236. 330-650-0360.

www.drshooverandyanda.com

NATURAL CHANGES IN THE MOUTH

April 15, 2024Health

Q: Will proper dental care prevent changes in the mouth?

A: A good regimen of dental care will keep your mouth healthy, but certain natural changes are going to occur, regardless of the quality of dental care. Teeth, for instance, can darken over time because the enamel on the crowns of the teeth becomes thinner and more transparent and reveals more of the dentin underneath.

The longer we live, the more we wear down our teeth. Chewing, for instance, wears down the biting surfaces. This type of wear is called attrition. Abrasion is the wear that occurs just below the enamel of the crown, in the cementum, which is the substance that covers the tooth’s root. Abrasion is more likely to occur in older people whose gums have pulled back or receded, from the tooth. When gums recede, they leave the top of the root exposed and more susceptible to decay.

Another unavoidable development is the wrinkling, or pursing, of the skin around the mouth. Older cells simply contain less fat and water. People who have lost some or all their teeth are also more likely to experience bone resorption or dissolution. Another natural part of aging is increased dryness in the mouth. But mouth dryness can be caused by other conditions as well. So, talk with your dentist if you are experiencing dryness, and talk with your dentist in general about your mouth and the natural process of aging.

If you, your family, or friends need dental care, we would be honored to provide you with state-of-the-art dental care in our modern dental practice. Refer someone you love to someone you trust!

Presented as a service to the community by Doctors Hoover and Yanda,

39 Milford Drive, Hudson, Ohio 44236. 330-650-0360.

www.drshooverandyanda.com

ORAL MICROBIOMES

April 8, 2024Health

The gut microbiome dominates the headlines, but it’s not the only collection of tiny organisms that live inside you and affect your health. The oral microbiome — which populates the mouth and connects with the sinuses, larynx, trachea, and lungs — harbors more than 700 species of bacteria. How do those bacteria get there, what do they do, and why should you be glad they mostly survived COVID-19?

Where do the bacteria in the oral microbiome originate? Many of the organisms have been with you since you were a young child. Food is a factor, but there are many others: the people you kiss, the stuff you touch before bringing your hand to your mouth, and the strains that grow on your old lip gloss. Nearly everything that enters your mouth has bacteria.

Why don’t toothpaste and mouthwash kill the oral microbiome? You can kill surface bacteria with a thorough brush and gargle, but bacteria lodged deep in the gums, tongue and other soft tissue survive to replace them, which is why you go to bed minty and wake up with morning breath. And that’s OK. Those good bacteria are vital to maintaining oral health and for the health of the lungs.

How does that bacteria get from the mouth to the lungs? You inhale small amounts of saliva throughout your day. While this sounds unpleasant, it isn’t necessarily bad. While we don’t fully understand the impact on health, we do know the bacteria that enter your lungs impact your immune system, sometimes detrimentally but sometimes beneficially.

If you, your family, or friends need dental care, we would be honored to provide you with state-of-the-art dental care in our modern dental practice. Refer someone you love to someone you trust!

Presented as a service to the community by Doctors Hoover and Yanda,

39 Milford Drive, Hudson, Ohio 44236. 330-650-0360.

www.drshooverandyanda.com

AN INFECTED MOUTH COULD LEAD TO A BROKEN HEART

April 1, 2024Hygiene

Brushing and flossing regularly can keep your smile shining as brightly as ever, but did you know that it could also help protect your heart? Now, researchers in Japan report that an infected mouth could lead to a broken heart.

In a study published last month in the International Journal of Oral Science, researchers from Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) have revealed that a common oral pathogen can stop cardiac muscle cells from repairing themselves after a heart attack caused by coronary heart disease.

Heart attacks occur when blood flow in the coronary arteries is blocked, resulting in an inadequate supply of nutrients and oxygen to the heart muscle, and ultimately death of cardiac muscle cells. To prevent this, cardiac muscle cells use a process known as autophagy to dispose of damaged cellular components, keeping them from causing cardiac dysfunction. The oral pathogen inhibits the heart muscle cells from this necessary repair.

If you, your family, or friends need dental care, we would be honored to provide you with state-of-the-art dental care in our modern dental practice. Refer someone you love to someone you trust!

Presented as a service to the community by Doctors Hoover and Yanda,

39 Milford Drive, Hudson, Ohio 44236. 330-650-0360.