Princeton's Ask The Doctor March-April 2019

QUESTION: When I smile, I show a lot of “gum tissue”. What can be done to improve my smile? This condition is what dentists call the “gummy smile” There are different causes for this condition, such as osseous (bone) conditions, excessive gingival tissue (gum tissue) covering the teeth, and or excessive muscle action. It is important to understand that this is not a pathological condition, but for many it is an esthetic concern. Prior to treating, a thorough examination should be performed followed by an accurate diagnosis.

David P. Young, DMD, DICOI

Treatment for this condition can vary depending upon the patients long and short term goals. In some cases treatment can include oral surgery, orthodontics, or periodontal treatment. In addition to the above mentioned invasive procedures, the use of “Botox” can be utilized to relax a group of muscles thus allowing the upper lip to be slightly relaxed and then allowing it to cover the excessive gingival tissue. One of the biggest advantages to the use of Botox is the ease and convenience. The results are quite esthetically pleasing and you do not need to undergo extensive oral surgery or orthodontics. The disadvantage is that Botox lasts about 3-4 months and then needs to be re-injected. The administration of Botox takes no more than 10 minutes and the effects are noticed within a short period of time. The use of Botox is a fabulous alternative to surgery for many people. It may be the answer that you may be looking for. If you have or know someone that has a gummy smile, let them consider a consultation with me to see if this conservative procedure can address their concerns.

4432 Route 27, CN-201, Kingston, NJ 08528 Phone: 609.497.0808 www.David YoungDMD.com

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Allergies, Sensitivities, Imbalances, Oh My! The Answer Isn’t Always Cut and Dry. ll i , I ’ l You’ve heard of gluten, the protein found in wheat, rye, barley and other grains that acts as the glue that holds certain foods together and helps them maintain their shape. And you’ve probably heard of celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that causes damage to the small intestine when gluten is eaten. Symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating and weight loss, but celiac disease can also lead to skin rashes, infertility, nerve damage and bone weakness. But you may not have heard of gluten sensitivity/intolerance, where celiac disease may not show up in a blood test, yet you don’t feel right after eating gluten. After a few hours or even days, you might experience headaches, brain fog, joint pain or numbness. However, damage to the small intestine is minimal. An allergy is an immune response to a food, chemical or environmental substance. Allergic reactions can vary from person to person. An imbalance can occur when energy channels in the body become blocked. This affects your ability to break down, absorb and remove a substance from the body, which makes it difficult to function at an optimal level. In other words, you develop a sensitivity to the substance because your body’s energy is out of sync. The worse the imbalance gets, the more sensitive you become. Perhaps the liver isn’t filtering substances properly. The problem might not be liver disease or an allergy, but an energy imbalance. Most people assume that if they’re allergic or sensitive to a substance, they have no other recourse but to avoid those substances or deal with the consequences. That’s not true. In fact, restoring energy balance in the body could be as simple as reprogramming how the brain responds to certain allergens so the body can function properly. In the next article, I’ll introduce you to Nambudripad’s Allergy Elimination Technique (NAET), a drug-free, non-invasive approach to diagnosing and addressing sensitivities, imbalances and allergies. IN GOOD HANDS CHIROPRACTIC CENTER, LLC • 609-924-9331 330 N. Harrison Street, Suite 6 • Princeton, NJ 08540 Allison J. Scharf, DC

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