Our 3rd annual “Dentistry From the Heart” event was another huge success. With a team of 6 dentists and 12 hygienists and 10 assistants, we were able to help over 80 patients smile again. Thanks to everyone for their help. This event is a highlight of the year for us, and we look forward to another year of service for our Orlando community. Video and photos from the event will be posted soon.

At CHEST 2009, the 75th annual international scientific assembly of the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), new research has shown that golfers with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)who received nasal positive airway pressure (NPAP) improved their daytime sleepiness scores and lowered their golf handicap by as much as 3 strokes. This research suggest that the possibility of improving your golf game may be motivation to improve NPAP compliance rates within the golfing community. Study resultes showed that the best golfers, defined as HI <12, had the most substantial improvements in their game. Within this group, the average HI dropped from 9.2 (+/- 2.9) to 6.3 (+/- 3.0); the SQ score from 10.8 (+/- 1.9), to 2.8 (+/- 2.6).

“The biggest handicap improvements occurred in the lower handicap, often older golfers. This group typically would be expected to trend in the opposite direction due to age-related deterioration in strength and endurance,” said Mr. Friedman. “The drop in handicap among the better golfers probably reflected that the major limiting factor was not golf skill but cognitive compromise that improved when the sleep apnea was treated.”

“OSAS can lead to daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and cognitive impairment, all side effects which can negatively impact a person’s ability to golf to the best of one’s ability.” said Marc L. Benton, MD, FCCP, Atlantic Sleep and Pulmonary Associates, Madison, NJ. “As any golfer knows, when your ability to think clearly or make good decisions is compromised, the likelihood of playing your best is greatly diminished,” said Dr. Benton. “Through treatment with NPAP, we can improve many cognitive metrics, such as attention span, memory, decision-making abilities, and frustration management, which may, in turn, positively affect a person’s golf game.”

Science says a dentist can improve your golf game. Dr. Zachary Hodgins of The Dentist Studio in central Florida is ready to help you improve your golf score and help you feel alive during the day. If you are having trouble sleeping or never feel rested there is a possibilty you could be suffering from OSA.

Heart Disease. Who knows if you are at risk? Several studies conducted by Cardiologists, and by Periodontists (gum disease specialists) now suggest that there are various connections between dental health and heart disease. If you have gum disease, false teeth, or rotting teeth you are have a higher risk of heart disease. These studies suggest that keeping your mouth healthy is one of the keys to having a healthy heart.

One of the most common was periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is a large amount of bacteria that is in the mouth. Many studies reveal that people who need heart transplants, suffer heart attacks, or need heart surgery were more likely to have dental problems. You can’t get by with normal brushing and flossing because the gums can bleed and let the bacteria into the blood stream. This can cause bacteria to line up on the walls of your arteries, which leads to atherosclerosis and artery blockage. It can also cause bacterial endocarditis, which is a form of strep bacteria that causes vegetative matter to grow in the valves of your heart.

Dental health and heart disease have a large connection to each other. People who have had surgeries, especially surgeries that used artificial valves, conduits or stents absolutely need antibiotic treatment prior to receiving any type of dental treatment, even a teeth cleaning. Its very important to talk to your dentist about heart conditions or surgeries you’ve had.  Your cardiologist will know if you need what are called prophylactic antibiotics prior to seeing the dentist. This large single dose of antibiotics taken an hour prior to dental work does prevent the greater risk of developing bacterial endocarditis.

Prevention is the key. This means flossing regularly & getting two teeth cleanings a year. If you have been diagnosed with gum disease, you should check with your Dentist about antibiotic mouthwashes that can help remove bacteria from your mouth before flossing. In Orlando and Central Florida Dr. Zachary Hodgins at The Dentist Studio can help keep your heart healthy and prevent future health risks.

My wife and I ran the Chicago Marathon on October 11th, 2009. The weather was perfect for running, around 33 degrees at the start. It sure was a nice change from the sweltering heat that we were training in here in central Florida.
34,000 runners started the race, and I must say that it was an amazing experience to share with everyone. It was my fourth marathon, and i’m planning on doing the Goofy race in January 2010. The race is held on Walt Disney World property here in Orlando,FL. It consists of running a half marathon (13.1 miles) on Saturday, and then a full marathon (26.2 miles) on Sunday. Hence the name Goofy, because you have to be a little goofy to run that far in 2 days! It should be fun, and i’ll keep you posted.

Dr. Zach Hodgins and Wife Brittany after finishing the 2009 Chicago Marathon