Utica dentist specializes in dental implants and has spoken nationally and internationally about the subject
Brian Jackson is a native of Utica. His practice is located at 2534 Genesee St., Utica.
He has been practicing dental medicine for more than 30 years providing a wide range of services.
Jackson is a national as well as an international speaker on dental implants and has been published in numerous peer reviewed journals on the topic of oral implantology. His educational background is extensive.
“I began my education at Utica College where I completed my undergraduate work then after my four years at Utica College I went to dental school at the University of Buffalo School of Dental Medicine where I spent four years obtaining my DDS. When I left Buffalo I did a one-year practice residency program at Saint Luke’s Hospital here in Utica,” he said. “When I entered into practice and after a few years, I knew I was interested in surgery but did not want to give up the reconstructive or aesthetic part of dentistry. As a result, I was admitted and spent studied as a part-time student at New York University furthering my dental medical education in their implant dental program. That education I received kind of foreshadowed my professional career which is where I am today, where most of my focus is in implant dentistry.”
Implants are an artificial tooth that is anchored in the gums or jawbone to replace a missing tooth or teeth. They’re made of titanium and other materials that are compatible with the human body. They’re surgically placed in the upper or lower jaw or both, replacing a single tooth up to replacing a full set of teeth.
Along with Jackson’s extensive education and experience he holds a number of unique credentials. He is board certified in implant dentistry. Currently there are only a thousand dentists having this credential. He is also a fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry.
“Good dental health has to start when you’re young. There is no reason today that anyone should need a dental implant. But, of course, that happens for many people for any number of reasons from poor dental care, [gum disease] also known as periodontal disease, to damaging your teeth for instance from an accident,” he said. “Young people should be able to preserve their teeth for a lifetime. So, what are you going to do? Well, basic dental care hasn’t really changed all that much in the last 20 or 30 years. You want to brush your teeth two to three times a day. You would like to floss your teeth as well. The whole concept behind brushing and flossing your teeth is to reduce the bacterium that sits on your teeth. We naturally have bacteria and we want to remove it. Of course, a good mouthwash is also very effective in reducing bacteria combined with flossing and brushing. All of these things are great at reducing bacteria which along with plaque can cause tooth decay, as well as gingivitis [gum disease].”
To further reduce the risk of oral disease the American Dental Association endorses the use of drinking fluorinated community water as a safe and effective way to prevent tooth decay. Additionally, the CDC also supports the drinking of fluorinated water. Their statistics and research point out that after 75 years of Americans drinking fluorinated water it helps keep teeth strong and reduces cavities by about 25% in both children as well as in adults.
Jackson is also an advocate for drinking water that has been fluorinated.
“Most city water has added fluorine. If you don’t live in a community that has this, then use an oral rinse such as ACT which has fluorine in it. Another disease that is often overlooked is oral cancer which is a killer. The best way to avoid oral cancer is to not smoke cigarettes; this also includes chewing tobacco and to not drink heavy amounts of alcohol,” he said.
The Oral Cancer Foundation states close to 54,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year. Of the 54,000 it is estimated that close to 10,000 will die.
“Diet also plays a key role in dental health as well as in overall health. We know that simple sugars are not good for you. For instance, if you were to drink soda it’s not good because of the sugar content and even if it is diet soda that’s not good for dental health as well because soda is very acidic and it can be aggressive at destroying your teeth,” he said. “Best to avoid eating and or drinking anything that has high amounts of simple sugars. Sugars that are good are from fruits and or vegetables. Of course, having a treat now and then like ice cream or a candy bar is alright as long as you can rinse your mouth and brush your teeth as soon as possible after consumption to avoid those sugars attaching to the teeth which attracts bacteria.”
Lifelines
Name: Brian J. Jackson
Position: Dentist at Slavin. Jackson. Burns Comprehensive Dentistry, Utica
Hometown: Utica
Education: Bachelor’s degree from Utica College, cum laude; Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at SUNY/Buffalo, School of Dental Medicine; post-graduate training at St.Luke’s Memorial Hospital Center’s general practice residency program. Completed oral implantology training at New York University, School of Dentistry.
Distinction: In 1999 was awarded the 5th District Dental Society young Dentist Excellence Award encompassing dentists in eight counties including Utica and Syracuse. Currently serves on the New York State Peer Review Committee, and is past president of the Northeast District of the AAID, as well as, past president of the Oneida-Herkimer County Dental Society.
Current: Member of board of trustee for the American Academy of Implant Dentistry and treasurer of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry Foundation. Also a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Oral Implantology.