Siletz
Community
“Cha-may weeya”
Health
Clinic
Medicine Talk
Tooth Talk
by Linda Kreutzer
Dental X-Rays
X-rays are a very necessary and
important part of the dental examination.
Your dentist determines how many
radiographs (X-rays) are needed. Modern
dental X-ray equipment is designed for
safety. Minimal amounts of radiation are
emitted thanks to special filters and the use
of ultra-fast film.
What do X-rays show the dentist?
Here are the most common uses of
dental X-rays:
1. Tooth decay. It’s best to discover decay
early, before it begins to hurt. X-rays
show decay not visible to the naked eye.
2. Toothache. X-rays help the dentist
understand why a tooth (or gum) hurts.
A dentist can recognize an infected
(abscessed) tooth in an X-ray.
3. Gum Disease. It’s amazing that gum
disease doesn’t hurt. Most people do not
realize that they have periodontitis
(pyorrhea). X-rays tell the dentist if you
have it or not.
4.
Dental staff and students from OHSU conduct a successful sealant clinic in April.
Those involved include students (I to r) Nicole Thompson, Sara Wilcox, and Becky
Rooney; dental staff members Jessica Parr, Stefanie Miller, Linda Kreutzer, and Dr.
Grayson Pierson; and (front) Kyle Wallace, Carolina Vera-Simmons, and David
Edwards, who got their teeth checked and sealed. Dental staff not pictured include
Noani Loveall and Sharmaine Scott.
Stress Effects
How Your Body Reacts
to Stress
Stress is the response of your body to
all demands made upon it. Understanding
these demands and their effects can help
you learn to recognize your own “stress
response” as well as ways to counteract
distress to lead a healthier life.
Basic Stress Response
Eruption Process. This dental term
means the process of losing baby teeth
as they are replaced by permanent teeth.
Your dentist needs to check your child’s
teeth to see if they are coming
in correctly.
5. Cancer Detection. X-rays show the
dentist if any cysts or bone abnormalities
exist that may (or may not) be
cancerous.
6. Wisdom Teeth. Where are you? X-rays
show the dentist if wisdom teeth are
there, as they usually are hidden well
below the gums. Look for wisdom teeth
at age 15 to 21.
Your body responds to all stress, both
positive and negative, by trying to get back
to normal. Depending on the stressor
(whatever causes the stress response),
hormones, like adrenaline, may surge. Your
heartbeat and blood pressure will probably
increase. Your blood sugar rises. These
physical responses helped prehistoric
humans survive by helping them run away
faster or fight harder. By the time they were
done, their bodies had discharged the
tension of the moment and their stress
response was followed by relaxation.
X-rays were discovered in 1895 and
revolutionized both medical and dental care
forever. Physicians and dentists could finally
“see" into the body with a wonderful new kind
of vision. The benefits resulting from the
intelligent use of X-rays far outweigh any
possible negative effects.
Today, we experience stressors that
are very different from those early survival
ones. Yet positive stressors such as getting
married, or negative stressors such as
family conflicts, still cause the same
physiological fight or flight response. If a
stressful situation goes on for too long
without any relief, you might experience
20
Physical Effects
diseases and disorders, such as colds,
ulcers, asthma, heart attack, or stroke. You
may feel tired, irritable, depressed, or
anxious. You may have trouble with sleeping,
eating (either too much or too little), drinking,
and smoking.
Mind-Body Connection
Your mind and body are connected.
When your mind is healthy, your body can
resist illness better. When your body is
healthy, your feelings are more positive.
During stressful times, take care of both for
maximum health and satisfaction.
Minimize the Effects
There are many ways to keep all the
negative effects of different stressors to a
minimum, including:
> Take time for yourself to relax each day.
+ Exercise regularly, after getting your
doctor’s okay.
4 Learn to “let go” of things that are outside
of your control. Leam to adapt to changes.
4 Leam to take action when you can make
a difference.
♦ Avoid excessive alcohol, caffeine, fats,
and sugar. Don’t smoke.
4 Give your time to something or someone
you believe in.
♦ Go away for the weekend.
© 1995 PARLAY INTERNATIONAL