Medical

When patients lose teeth, their ability to chew food and speak distinctly is significantly degraded.  Many people are uncomfortable with dentures, as they do not replace the quality of function of natural teeth.  More dentists and patients are considering implants instead of dentures.  A study indicates that natural teeth can withstand biting pressure of up to 540 pounds per square inch.  With dentures, after years of deterioration of the supporting tissues, many people can apply only 50 pounds per square inch. 

The chances are that you or someone you know currently has or has had lower back pain.  This debilitating condition is not only common but can have long lasting effects on one’s health, as well as a drain on your finances.

If you have gone to your family or company medical doctor complaining of low back pain, your doctor may have told you, “You’re probably suffering from a sprain or strain, and some medication will take care of it.” 

I have a plan to help rid you of unwanted fat and re-shape your body. Currently, I am the only doctor of Eastern Medicine with this new technology in the Santa Clarita Valley. I am introducing Lipo-Derm technology into my personalized comprehensive weight loss program. It’s the fat-loss tool of the future. It’s here, today. And it works!

Orthodontic treatment can be a rewarding experience with life-changing benefits.  Many factors can affect a treatment’s success. Following the doctor’s recommendations, maintaining proper oral hygiene and a good diet, and keeping up all the appointments are some of the things that can help the doctor achieve the best treatment in the fastest time.  One of the biggest challenges I face as an orthodontist is teaching my patients the importance of proper oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment. Making teenagers understand the benefits of braces can be a difficult task.

I once had a patient who was blind from cataracts in both eyes.  Her vision had gradually deteriorated to the point where she could no longer recognize faces.  She was told that she’d had cataracts but was too afraid of surgery to going through with it.  Slowly over the years, she lost her ability to function.  When I saw her, she was led in by her daughter.  Fifteen years had passed since it had been recommended to her that she have her cataracts removed. 

There are types of minor skin cancers, and one major type.  The minor skin cancers are known as basal cell and squamous cell cancers.  The major skin cancer is melanoma.  Almost all skin cancers are due to sun exposure.
Basal cell is the most common type of skin cancer, and approximately two million people develop one each year. 

Many patients tell me they would love to have whiter teeth, however, in the past, after a whitening procedure they experienced quite a bit of tooth sensitivity, which is the main reason why whitening is no longer an option for them. The question then: “Is there a way to get whiter teeth without the sensitivity?” 

Q. Who can perform acupuncture?
A. Acupuncturists who maintain a valid license issued by the Acupuncture Board and physicians licensed by the Medical Board of California. A dentist or podiatrist licensed in California may also practice acupuncture, only within the scope of their respective licenses and if they have completed the necessary training required by their respective licensing board.

Bones are meant to carry weight and move — if you don’t use them you will lose them. Osteoporosis, “porous bone,” is characterized by low bone mass.  The rate of loss is greater than the production of new bone, resulting in greater risk of fractures.  The most common sites of fractures are in the spine, wrist and hip.

The Autumn Equinox, which falls on September 22, marks the beginning of the fall season.  Autumn is when things begin to shed and the energy moves inwards and downwards. During this time of year, Nature illustrates this beautifully in the leaves falling away from the trees. Just as the squirrel stores his harvest of nuts and twigs, we too fortify our energy reserves to sustain us through the resting winter months until the rebirth of spring.

In our orthodontic practice, we pride ourselves on using the highest quality and most up-to-date orthodontic appliances that are available.  This is because we are committed to delivering extraordinary results to our patients and to doing so in the most efficient, comfortable and convenient manner possible.

Beginning Monday, September 14, medical Qigong therapist, Carol Benitez will offer classes from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. that teach techniques to promote healthy living, vitality, and speed recovery from illness.  Pronounced “chee-gung,” the phrase means loosely “practicing with life force.”

As your dentist, my biggest concern is your dental health. Teeth are a priceless possession. Maintaining them should never have to take a back seat to details like treatment costs or insurance coverage.

Is there a website that helps me locate inexpensive health care?

You may want to consult the HHS Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) directory of health centers at http://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov - these health centers provide care on a sliding fee scale so it is affordable for anyone.  You can receive care even if you are uninsured or cannot pay.  Search the directory by zip code to find the centers nearest you.

Oftentimes in my office I get to know my patients rather well through conversations as the patient is being treated. As a result, I also learn about their children and their children’s athletic ventures. But I am shocked when patients look at me with a surprised face when I mention that I work on children, especially those who play sports and suffer from sports-related injuries. I find myself explaining to patients the benefits of chiropractic for children, and especially children who are athletic.

Orthotics are shoe inserts that are intended to correct an abnormal, or irregular, walking pattern. Orthotics are not truly or solely “arch supports,” although some people use those words to describe them, and they perhaps can best be understood with those words in mind. They perform functions that make standing, walking, and running more comfortable and efficient by altering slightly the angles at which the foot strikes a walking or running surface.

If you are like most people who want to lose weight, you are probably very confused with the numerous options of programs that typically contradict one-another, all claiming to have found the cure for obesity.    One of the most popular diets to hit the scene and influence countless people to ban bread is the infamous high protein diet.  Recently one of our patients, who had some success with a high protein diet in the past, asked us to explain the difference between this diet and the Bali Nutrition program.  We’re glad to help!

Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital and Superior Life Support offer free adult CPR classes on the third Thursday of each month. The class provides instruction on how to perform CPR in adults and how to help a choking adult.