When you go to dentist, you get more than cleaning. If cleaning is all you can get from dentist as dental care, your dentist might be getting more than your money's worth. When you visit dentist, you actually get a full spectrum of dental care. The full spectrum includes diagnostic, preventive, and educational services specifically and individually designed to help you keep best possible smile.

The diagnostic part of dental care spectrum includes:

1. A review and update of your medical history 2. A recording of any changes in your prescribed medications and physical condition 3. X-rays for detecting decay, bone loss, and oral diseases 4. An examination of your teeth to detect decay 5. Evaluation of your gum tissues 6. Checking your biting patterns 7. Evaluation of possible cosmetic alterations which may help improve your smile

The preventive service of spectrum of dental care includes:

1. blood pressure screening 2. Head and neck oral cancer screening 3. Scaling of teeth to remove all plaque and tartar 4. Polishing of teeth to remove all stains 5. Polishing of silver crowns 6. Polishing all silver restorations 7. Flossing 8. Application of fluoride if necessary 9. Referral to a specialist for specific treatment if necessary

The educational service of spectrum of dental care includes:

1. A tour of mouth and discussion of findings 2. Tooth brushing and flossing instructions 3. Dietary discussion 4. Presentation of prescribed dental treatment 5. Updates on what is new in home care products and latest advances in dentistry

Dental care is more than brushing teeth as you have learned as you read this article. Good oral hygiene is a habit we all should get into to keep that smile a killer that will make you attractive and not scary.

Type 2 diabetes was used to be called non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or adult-onset diabetes. This form of diabetes develops slowly and symptoms are usually less severe than people with type 1 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes begins as insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a disorder in which cells do not use insulin properly. As need for insulin rises, pancreas loses its ability to produce insulin.

Recent studies have shown that genetics, fetal history, obesity, lack of physical activity, diet high in fat, and stress may influence in development of this form of diabetes. Also, genetic studies have shown that association of some genes is in fact cause of Type 2 diabetes.

Now on to most important question – is it treatable?

There is still no cure for diabetes but it can be managed. Some of ways to manage diabetes is through injection of insulin in body, careful meal planning, blood glucose monitoring, and exercise.

There are some recent medical breakthroughs that may help in curing of diabetes. One is transplantation of beta cells (the insulin producing cells) which has been successful although with some side effects. Another treatment is pancreas transplantation. This is not recommended treatment for diabetes unless there is a need for a kidney transplant as well. Another approach is genetic manipulation although this is still under study. In this particular treatment, insulin genes are inserted to cells that are not producing insulin to make them produce insulin.