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Posts Tagged ‘Periodontal disease’

Dental Implants vs. False Teeth

As high end procedures lower in price many patients are frequently using dental implants to repair damages, rather than using more traditional treatment methods such as dentures. But what exactly are dental implants? And what makes them so different from false teeth? Here are some answers on the differences and what may help in making your decision for achieving the perfect smile.

DentalImplantsWhile many people continue to wear dentures with comfort, implants are now considered the preferred treatment for replacing lost teeth. The procedure is also pretty straightforward. A Gentle Dental oral surgeon places a titanium screw in the jaw bone, and prosthetic teeth are secured to the implant. It takes five to eight months to fix the prosthetic tooth onto the implant.

Dentures on the other hand take several appointments over the course of three to six weeks. In the first appointment, impressions of the jaw and tooth structure are taken. Wax or plastic molds are then created and tried on before a final cast is made.

Over time dentures are likely to loosen as your gums and jaw structure change with aging. This can cause the denture to move as well as cause clicking sounds when you eat or speak. The ability to chew is also greatly reduced compared with natural teeth.

 Dental implants, on the other-hand are very stable thanks to their root-like portion which fits into the bone socket. People who have implant-supported artificial teeth can chew efficiently and very rarely need the implants replaced. With proper care, they can last a lifetime.
 
From reading the above you would think it is a “no brainer”, that the choice would be implants over dentures. But that isn’t always the case. Diabetics and smokers are usually recommended alternative treatments to implants as osseo-integration can take longer. That is because many of these types of patients are likely to have a weak jaw line needed to support them.
 
Dentures may also be the preferred treatment when a patient has lost many or all of your teeth, and are considered a more affordable alternative for patients suffering from tooth decay, periodontal disease, ageing or tooth damage.
 
To help determine which method is the right one for you to achieve your perfect smile, call your local Gentle Dental office at 1-888-513-7436.

 

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Dental Checkups Can Help Determine Early Detection of Diabetes

Most people go for a dental checkup for the simple reason of getting their overall oral health looked at and perhaps a professional cleaning done. But did you know, that by getting a dental checkup, can also tell you if you are becoming a diabetic? Well it can! A recent study by Columbia University College of Dental Medicine found that a pre-diabetes determination can be made by simply going to the dentist. Dental Check up

Columbia’s study looked at approximately 530 adults with at least one diabetes risk factor (family history of diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, or obesity). Each patient received a periodontal examination and a finger-stick, hemoglobin A1c test. Patients later returned for a fasting plasma glucose test, to show whether they have diabetes or pre-diabetes.

Researchers found that a basic algorithm of only two dental parameters (the number of missing teeth and percentage of deep periodontal pockets) was necessary to identify patients with unrecognized pre-diabetes or diabetes. The addition of the hemoglobin A1c test further improved the algorithm’s performance.

This study will vastly improve the prevention of Type 2 diabetes.  Periodontal disease, which is an early complication of diabetes can be identified by a simple Gentle Dental checkup. To make an appointment today, call 1-888-513-7436.

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How To Get Rid Of That Annoying Plaque!

Plaque, the annoying word everyone hates when they think of their teeth and constantly having to maintain it. Plaque is the major culprit for gum disease, which later on can lead to permanent tooth loss. Besides visiting your Gentle Dental dentist twice a year for cleanings,  plaque can become like pesky fly and almost never go away. Here are a few ways to fight back and destroy plaque on your teeth that can cause so many problems:

Use a Good Toothpaste – and make sure to use it every day, twice! Certain toothpastes contain abrasive ingredients which can help scrubbing away plaque deposits from the teeth. plaque

Use Dental Floss – Plaque is not sticking only on the back or front side of your teeth, but plaque forms easily in between the teeth. Make sure to use the floss after brushing your teeth, in order to eliminate the harmful formations.

Use Xylitol – This antibacterial sugar – alcohol sweetener is a common ingredient in many chewing gums and mouthwashes. Xylitol is a very powerful ingredient that is able to fight plaque.

Use An Electric or Sonic Toothbrush – These toothbrushes are much more powerful and can get in areas manual toothbrushes can’t when it comes to removing plaque.

Using one or more of these methods will definitely help in defeating the annoying “plaque attack” that is constantly occurring in our mouths everyday after we eat. If we follow these methods, we should be able to keep and save our pearly whites for years to come. For more information on plaque formation, other techniques to try and to make an appointment for a checkup or cleaning call your local Gentle Dental office at 1-888-513-7436.

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Oral Bacteria Can Cause Hip & Knee Joint Failures

New research has found that hip and knee joint failures can be caused from bacteria that reside in the mouth. In the study researchers have found that DNA in the bacteria that was found in the lubricating fluid of the joints is the same type of DNA that is existent in the plaque formed on the teeth. The interesting connection between the two is that the examined dental plaque was coming from patients diagnosed with a certain form of gum disease, and most of these patients were waiting for joint replacement. It seems when dental/oral bacteria enter the bloodstream, they start causing different general health complications including issues in the hips and knee joints.

knee painThe study involved 36 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, and the participants had both artificial joints and natural joints. Synovial fluid has been extracted from the joints, and since most of the patients were struggling with periodontal disease, the researchers also took dental plaque for further tests and evaluation.

The bacteria that cause the plaque buildup actually start breaking down the pocket walls (soft tissue) around the teeth. This is how the bacteria enter directly the bloodstream and start causing inflammation in other parts of the body including the hip and knees.

In 14% of the patients in the study, there was a direct link between the bacteria was found in the synovial fluid and the oral bacteria from the plaque. The researchers will continue developing this study, mainly because they will learn that  if by treating properly and in time periodontal disease, they can actually save the patient from a painful and costly joint replacement.

For more information on periodontal disease and how to properly treat it contact your local Gentle Dental office at 1-888-513-7436.

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Dental Tips For Diabetics

If you live with diabetes you need to give extra special attention to your oral health. Periodontal disease is the number one risk for patients with diabetes. Periodontal or Gum Disease destroys the gums and bones that keep teeth in place. If those gums and teeth aren’t healthy there is a good possibility that tooth loss could occur.

Other oral health complications and side effects that diabetics might develop include infections in the mouth, dry mouth syndrome, and elevated levels of glucose in the saliva.

If  you are a diabetic you should follow typical dental hygiene practices including controlling your blood glucose regularly, floss & brush your teeth every day, and of course visit the dentist regularly. All these practices should help in preventing gum disease complications. diabetes

If you are a diabetic and experience an oral health problem, you should contact your Gentle Dental dentist immediately and inform them about the complication. You should also contact your Gentle Dental dentist if you experience sore gums or if your dentures begin to not fit properly.

Additionally when you brush your teeth, and if you notice that your gums are bleeding, that might be a first sign of gingivitis. If left untreated, a relatively common condition might turn into a severe gum disease complication.

To make an appointment with your local Gentle Dental dentist call 1-888-513-7436.

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Caring For The Elderly

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There are many unique needs and challenges when it comes to senior adults and oral health. There is a big connection between a healthy body and a healthy mouth. If you want to feel good, stay healthy, and look great throughout life, seniors have seen what a difference a healthy mouth makes. By adopting healthy oral habits at home, making smart choices about diet and lifestyle, and seeking regular dental care at a young age can help natural teeth last a lifetime. elderly

Many people think that conditions such as toothaches, tooth loss and dry mouth happen naturally as you grow old. The truth is, most of these conditions result from not taking care of your teeth when you are younger more then just being a certain age. We can all keep our teeth longer by maintaining good oral health.

The reasons the elderly may experience more dental health can vary. From poor diet to side affects of medications are just two of the factors that can lead to a variety of oral problems including periodontal disease.

If you are elderly you should drink water and use toothpastes and rinses that have fluoride in them. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss daily and definitely stay away from all tobacco products.

To make an Oral Cancer Screening appointment or to make an appointment for a checkup and cleaning call your local Gentle Dental office at 1-888-513-7436.

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Gum Disease Can Cause Breast Cancer

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A recent study conducted at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, found that women with gum disease which had advanced to the stage of losing teeth had a much higher chance of  being diagnosed with breast cancer. In this prospective clinical research study, 3,273 women between the ages of 30 and 40 years were evaluated between 85 and 2001.  Young women in this study who had documented chronic gum disease, or who had lost one or more molars due to gum disease, were more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer when compared to women without periodontal disease. gingivitis

The exact mechanism whereby chronic gum disease increases cancer risk is unknown at this time but some experts have proposed that bacteria from chronically inflamed gums may enter into the bloodstream, and induce an inflammatory response that, in turn, causes cancer formation.

The good news is that daily flossing, along with regular professional cleanings can protect your health and prevent gum disease. If you experience red, swollen, sore, or bleeding gums, or premature tooth loss you may have periodonal (gum) disease and should see your Gentle Dental dentist immediately.  To make an appointment for a checkup or cleaning call 1-888-513-7436.

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Diabetes And Your Teeth

Diabetes affects about 23.6 million Americans. This is 7.8% of the population with 1.6 million new cases diagnosed each year in people over the age of 20. Diabetes can cause problems with your eyes, nerves, kidneys and heart but it can also cause problems with your teeth. It is important to let your Gentle Dental dentist know if you have been diagnosed with diabetes and if you have the disease under control. You also want to let them know of any specific prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs you are taking.

Since diabetes reduces the body’s resistance to infection, the gums are among the tissues likely to be affected. This can lead to Gum (Periodontal) Disease. Patients with inadequate blood sugar control appear to develop periodontal disease more often and more severely, and they may lose more teeth than people who have good control of their diabetes.

To help prevent oral health problems including Gum Disease caused by Diabetes you should go for professional dental cleanings on a regular basis at your local Gentle Dental office. Regular dental checkups and periodontal screenings are also important for evaluating overall dental health and for treating dental problems in their initial stages. To make an appointment with your local Gentle Dental office call 1-888-513-7436.

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What Exactly Is Deep Planing & Scaling?

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease is the major cause of about 70 percent of adult tooth loss, affecting three out of four people at some point in their life.  Warning signs of gum disease include red, swollen or tender gums, bleeding while brushing or flossing, gums that pull away from teeth, loose or separating teeth, puss between the gum and tooth, persistent bad breath, change in the way teeth fit together when you bite down, and a change in the fit of partial dentures.

Early stages of periodontal treatment, includes deep planing & scaling. This procedure done right from a Gentle Dental office involves removing plaque and calculus around the tooth and smoothing the root surfaces. Deep planing and scaling  is a very thorough cleaning done under anesthesia, so the dentists can aggressively get under the gum line and into the deep pockets in an attempt to clean out as much of the plaque, calculus (tarter), toxins, and bacteria as possible. Scaling removes the deposits from tooth and root surfaces and planing smooths the surfaces to allow gums to heal properly around the cleaned teeth. Scaling-Root-Planning

If you feel you have any of the above conditions mentioned above, call your Gentle Dental dentist immediately by calling 1-888-513-7436. You may be a candidate for a deep planing and scaling.

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Poor Dental Care Can Get You Sick!

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Flossing and brushing your teeth on a regular basis may not only benefit your teeth but your overall body health. Not only can bacteria in your mouth caused by lack of teeth brushing and flossing lead to periodontitis (gum disease) and bad breath but it can lead to serious health problems.

Gum Disease, for example can impact your heart. People with periodontitis are twice as likely to get coronary artery disease. Bacteria spreads in the bloodstream to the heart and causes clots which can than trigger a heart attack. Research also suggests that people with poor oral health have an increased risk of dementia, or memory loss. Oral bacteria has the ability to spread to the brain through cranial nerves that connect to the jaw or through the bloodstream.

These are just two of the many issues that can come from poor oral health.  Other areas that are affected from lack of dental care include a higher risk of diabetes and respiratory infections. Women with teeth and mouth issues may also have a harder time getting pregnant.

Generally you know you are in good oral health if your gums don’t bleed and you don’t have any sharp pain to your teeth. You should also have good breath for at least a few hours after you eat breakfast in the morning. If you have any of these symptoms there is a chance you have some oral health problems and should see your Gentle Dental dentist.  You also want to make sure you floss before you brush your teeth and use a soft or extra soft bristle tooth brush. If you have any questions and to make an appointment with your local Gentle Dental call 1-888-513-7436.

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