Healthy Gums May Lead to a Healthier You!

Maintaining good oral hygiene is one of the most important things you can do for your teeth and gums. Healthy teeth not only enable you to look and feel good, they make it possible to eat and speak properly.  Good oral health including daily preventive care and regular visits to the dentist are important to your overall well-being.  Research has linked periodontal (gum) disease to complications for heart disease, stroke, diabetes, preterm birth and other health issues.

Healthy Gums May Help Reduce the Risk of Pre-term Birth

People with advanced gum disease may be more likely to have heart disease than those with healthy gums.  Bacteria and their byproducts from the gum tissues may enter the blood stream, causing small blood clots that may contribute to the clogging of arteries. Clots in the coronary arteries can lead to heart attacks.  A blood clot in the brain can cause a stroke.  Bottom line: care for your gums, and they may help guard your heart!

Those with diabetes may have more complications with gum disease.  Why?  As a general rule, diabetics have a tougher time healing.  And research shows they suffer greater tooth loss than patients without diabetes.  One study found that when diabetic patients' gum infections were treated; they found it easier to manage their blood sugar.  Good dental health may be linked to a reduced risk of diabetic complications!

Mom’s gum disease may increase the probability of a pre-term birth.  Pregnant women with chronic periodontal (gum) disease during the second trimester are up to seven times more likely to give birth prematurely.  It’s recommended that pregnant women should focus on brushing and flossing and getting regular dental checkups.  This possible link between gum disease and preterm birth is another reason to protect your dental health!...

DEEP CLEANINGS, ROOT PLANING AND DEEP SCALING                   (NON-SURGICAL GUM TREATMENT)

Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums and this sometimes silent infection occurs when harmful bacteria grow beneath the gums and create "pockets"-spaces or gaps in the gums around the teeth. Left untreated, periodontal bacteria can lead to bone and tooth loss that can threaten your foundation-and overall health.

The gums, ligaments, and bone around the teeth form the foundation for teeth. All structures are also referred to as the periodontium. When the periodontium is not healthy, it jeopardizes the teeth just as a bad foundation would threaten the stability of a house.  Signs of unhealthy periodontium include: gums that are red and bleed easily, persistent bad breath, gums that are pulled away from the tooth, loose teeth, and changes in the position or bite of the teeth.  With proper gum treatments, it may be possible to return gum tissue to a healthy state.  If you're having a problem, come in and see us so we may treat it right away. The treatment usually involves a deep cleaning or root planing done under a local anesthetic, along with local antibiotic agents.  It is important to have gum problems checked promptly, as gum disease left alone may eventually need treatment through surgery or extraction. Back to top 

ARESTIN

ARESTIN^® (minocycline hydrochloride) Microspheres, 1 mg is an effective antibiotic treatment that comes in powder form. This powder is placed inside infected periodontal pockets just after our dental professional finishes the deep cleaning procedure.  This non-surgical gum treatment provides a localized antibiotic treatment over a 21 day period and does not require any removal.  For more information on this treatment, click here.

PERIODONTAL MAINTENANCE

Maintenance or supportive periodontal therapy is an ongoing program designed to prevent periodontal disease from recurring in patients who have undergone periodontal treatment. This ongoing phase of treatment will allow your dentist to assess your periodontal health and make sure infection stays under control. During maintenance therapy, your mouth is examined, new calculus and plaque are removed, and, if necessary your teeth are polished and your bite is checked. Back to top

SEALANTS

Sealants are used to fill narrow grooves in a tooth that cannot be adequately cleaned by brushing.  In some cases, the tooth structure has fine grooves or pits which accumulate plaque, not because the person doesn't brush, but because they're too narrow to allow even one bristle into them.  To avoid cavities developing over time, the dentist will brush on a coating that seals the grooves and pits, making it possible to brush off all the plaque and keep your teeth healthy.  Back to top

Our state of the art early detection equipment allows the doctor to see lesions that may be in the early stages and could otherwise go undetected.  This simple procedure may be the one to save your life! Back to top

ORAL BREEZE

Oral Breeze oral irrigators are an easy to use rememdy for the prevention and treatment of gum disease and gingivitis.  If you suffer from bleeding gums or periodontitis and are looking for an affordable home dental remedy, look no farther.  The ShowerBreeze, RediBreeze and QuickBreeze are a great solution! 

The oral irrigator simply connects to your shower head or to your faucet.  Just click here to order yours today.