Periodontal disease is an infection and inflammation of the gums that damages the soft tissue between the teeth. If left untreated, this condition can cause teeth to loosen or lead to tooth loss. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 47.2% of adults aged 30 or older and 70.1% of adults aged 65 or older suffer from periodontal disease.

While periodontal disease is common, it is preventable through proper oral hygiene and treatment. By having regular dental checkups, you can prevent periodontal disease from affecting your oral health.

Are there any long-term effects of periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease begins with gingivitis. The gum tissue might look red and swollen, causing bad breath. If left untreated, it can lead to mild to moderate periodontitis, characterized by infections and bleeding gums.

As periodontal disease progresses, tartar and bacteria get deeper into the gums and damage the bone and ligaments underneath. Eventually, this results in receding gums, bone damage, and tooth loss.

Periodontitis affects more than just your oral health. As bacteria and tartar grow in your mouth, they can enter your bloodstream and travel throughout your body, causing health problems such as arthritis, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Periodontal disease should be treated before it negatively affects your overall health.

Common causes and risk factors

You are at a higher risk of gum disease if you have the following factors:

• Poor oral hygiene
• Poor nutrition, including a lack of vitamin C
• Medication that causes dry mouth or affects the gums
• Having a family history of periodontitis
• Clenching and grinding your teeth on a regular basis
• Tobacco use, whether smoking or chewing
• Hormonal changes
• Avoiding routine dental examinations and cleanings
• Conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, asthma, or kidney disease.
• Cancer treatment, leukemia, and HIV/AIDS can decrease immunity.

Periodontal disease prevention tips

• Brushing: Brushing your teeth after meals helps remove plaque and food particles that have accumulated between your teeth and gums. You should also brush your tongue, as food particles and bacteria can settle there. Make sure your toothbrush is soft-bristled.
• Floss: Be sure to floss between your teeth and gums at least once a day to remove food particles and plaque.
• Mouthwash Rinse: Rinse your mouth with mouthwash to keep it fresh and germ-free.
• Diet: Sugary foods and drinks can cause your mouth to produce acids. Avoid sticky foods that promote bacterial growth.

It is recommended that you see your dentist at least twice a year. You should not wait more than six months between visits. They will examine your teeth, gums, bone structure, and any symptoms or risk factors associated with periodontal disease. Early diagnosis and treatment are the keys to reversing gum disease and preserving your oral health.

Periodontal disease does not have to lead to tooth loss. With the proper care, you can make them last a lifetime. Our periodontist will create a treatment and care plan to treat any periodontal problems you may have. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Keeping good oral health is as easy as daily brushing and flossing and twice-yearly checkups at the dentist, but many people believe that the worst consequence of letting oral health slide is a cavity or two. A cavity is indeed serious enough to require dental intervention, but it is only one of many negative outcomes. One of the worst is periodontal disease, which, if left untreated, can lead to tooth loss and other health problems.

What is periodontal disease?

When teeth and gums are not properly brushed and flossed, bacteria flourish, and plaque and tartar build-up create a serious gum infection. Gum disease, which is also known as periodontal disease, can also be caused by smoking. Furthermore, medical conditions that reduce saliva flow, such as diabetes, pose a significant risk. Of the four stages of periodontal disease, only the first can be reversed—the rest will require advanced treatments with a periodontist.

Gingivitis

Gum disease is caused by plaque buildup around the teeth, causing swelling and redness, bruising when you brush or floss, and bad breath. At this stage, the infection is mild and has not attacked the tooth root or bones, which means it can be reversed. It’s just a matter of brushing and flossing more thoroughly and getting a professional cleaning from your dentist. 

Early Periodontitis

Periodontal disease that progresses beyond gingivitis might not be reversible, but it can still be managed. By this stage, the infection has spread to the bone and is attacking bone tissues with stronger, more aggressive bacteria. An increase in swelling or redness of the gums and bleeding during brushing or flossing may indicate slight periodontal disease. This stage of the disease can be diagnosed by your dentist by probing the space between your gums and teeth. A depth of four to five millimeters indicates the presence of mild periodontal disease that will require specialized cleaning procedures.

Moderate Periodontitis

Symptoms of moderate periodontal disease are similar to those of slight periodontal disease, though probing depths are deeper, between six and seven millimeters. The deeper the pocket between your teeth and gums, the more bacteria attacks your teeth and jawbone. The bacteria can also enter your bloodstream and immune system at this stage. Stages 2 and 3 are treated in the same way through scaling and root planing, which are intense deep cleaning procedures that remove bacterial deposits below the gumline. 

Advanced Periodontitis

When you ignore the symptoms of earlier stages of periodontal disease, you will move on to stage 4, which threatens irreversible bone loss. Symptoms of this stage include red, swollen gums that ooze pus, painful chewing, extreme cold sensitivity, severe bad breath, and loose teeth. At this point, the only solutions are to undergo periodontal surgery or periodontal laser therapy, which will clean out the deep pockets of bacteria and allow the gums to heal.

The best way to prevent periodontal disease and the associated symptoms and complications is to brush and floss daily. However, if you do have symptoms of gum disease, you should see a dentist or periodontist as soon as possible.

Our periodontist office specializes in treating issues related to gum disease. Please contact us today to schedule an appointment.

In the United States, the incidence of liver cancer has tripled since 1980, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). According to the ASCO, liver cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer death among men. Research indicates that it is more likely that you will develop this type of cancer if your oral health is poor.

It is well documented that certain conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, can be aggravated by an unhealthy mouth. This fact has been reaffirmed by a large-scale study conducted in the United Kingdom that found that people with poor oral health (sore and bleeding gums, loose teeth) had a 75% higher risk of developing liver cancer. 

Conducted by Haydee Jordao, the study analyzed the effects of oral health on several digestive system cancers, including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, pancreas, and of course, the liver. They found no link between oral health and the overall risk of gastrointestinal cancer.

However, their study found a strong correlation between liver cancer and cancers of specific organs. The researchers are still unsure of why this may be the case. This could be explained by the liver’s role in eliminating bacteria from the body. Perhaps diseases such as cancer impair the liver’s ability to function. In addition to decreased oral health, poor nutrition can lead to obesity and other health problems that stress the body. 

We place a great deal of importance on your oral health, and we think you should too. Contact our dental office to schedule your next appointment. Your oral health may save your life.

When the sun is shining, the world seems to smile. All the extra sun may be beneficial for your gums as well. But how? Our team is happy you asked. Let’s find out.

Sunlight is the primary source of vitamin D. Despite this, nearly one billion people worldwide lack adequate levels of vitamin D. Apart from keeping bones and teeth strong, vitamin D also supports a healthy immune system, making it a crucial component of our health. When the immune system is weak, many health problems can occur, including gum disease. Inflamed or sore gum tissue can cause loose teeth, painful gums, and even tooth loss.

You may notice a difference in your immune system if you get more sunlight. Although it doesn’t replace your daily oral hygiene routine, that extra bit of sun could keep your gums healthy and happy. But the fascinating part is that sunlight is free.  So why not take advantage of it?

Enjoy your outdoor fun while knowing that your oral health and overall health are being taken care of because of the sun. Contact our office to schedule your next appointment and avoid gum disease.

No matter how busy your life gets, the importance of your oral health and wellness cannot be underestimated. Keeping that in mind, here are three tips that will keep you out of the dentist’s chair and allow you to enjoy your life with healthy teeth. 

Moderation is vital. 

We can’t wait to try all of the delicious foods in the world. However, some of them may negatively affect our teeth and gums. Soft drinks that contain acids and sugars, such as lemonade, sweet tea, soda, and alcoholic beverages, can harm your teeth. Corn on the cob and bones in meat damage teeth and cause them to stick between them. It would help if you always had floss on hand. Although avoiding all sweets isn’t fun, neither is suffering from a toothache, so be sure to limit your consumption. 

 It is not recommended to open bottles with your teeth. 

Almost everyone has seen someone open a bottle with their teeth or has done it themselves. Your teeth are used in your haste to get back to the celebrations, so you struggle to open a bottle. However, teeth aren’t intended for such tasks. This may result in a broken or painful tooth. Though it may seem like the quickest and easiest solution, it is not the smartest thing to do. Remember that your teeth are precious; don’t abuse them.

Always put safety first!

Help prevent injuries to your mouth by wearing a mouth guard when necessary while participating in sports.  According to the American Dental Association, mouthguards prevent more than 200,000 oral injuries each year. Whether you’re a professional athlete or play recreationally, you should wear the proper mouth protection to protect your teeth.

Keeping up with your regular oral hygiene routine is the best thing you can do for your oral health. Maintain healthy teeth and gums by brushing two to three times a day, flossing daily, and scheduling your next visit with our periodontist.

The idea of a healthy smile is often associated with perfectly aligned white teeth. Many people are unaware that an unhealthy mouth and body are linked. As the foundation for a healthy mouth, gum and periodontal health should not be taken lightly. With proper oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist, you can help maintain your oral health.

When your gums are healthy, your teeth are healthy.

Teeth are held in place by the gums, making chewing and biting possible. Healthy gums attach to the root of the tooth and the socket where the tooth is placed. Healthy gums protect the teeth and jawbone from physical damage and disease.

Periodontal disease can lead to serious systemic problems.

It’s essential to take care of your mouth. It is also possible to contract diseases in other parts of the body if you have a persistent infection in your mouth. Infections in the mouth are linked to heart disease, diabetes, and stroke in some cases. Professional periodontal care is critical if you are experiencing symptoms of gum disease. 

 What are the signs that your gums are healthy?

Gums that are in good health are pink and adhere to your teeth. Flossing and brushing them properly shouldn’t cause them to bleed. Please contact our office with questions about your gums, teeth, or oral health or if you would like to make an appointment, give our dental office a call.

When buying a toothbrush, listening to dental advertisements,  or when coming in to our office, you often hear the word “plaque” associated with the health of your teeth. Plaque is one of the main reasons why it is so important to keep up with a daily oral hygiene  routine that includes brushing two times each day for at least two minutes, and flossing regularly as well. Here’s what you need to know about plaque and what it can do to your smile.

What Is It Exactly? 

If you haven’t brushed your teeth in a while, you might feel a film-like, sticky buildup on your teeth. By the end of the day you most likely start to feel your teeth getting “fuzzy”.  This layer is plaque, a bacteria layer that grips onto and grows on your teeth. There isn’t anything you can do to stop plaque from forming, but brushing and flossing, as well as keeping up with regular dental visits, are your best defenses for cleaning plaque off of

your teeth.

Why Is Plaque So Harmful?

Without regular brushing and cleaning, plaque builds up and multiplies. As plaque is left

untreated, it hardens to form tartar (also known as calculus). Plaque also leads to decay, as it produces an acid that damages your teeth. When you come into our office for a dental examination, we thoroughly clean your teeth to ensure that any buildup is taken care of. Tartar can cause staining on your teeth and gum tissue inflammation if left untreated. Plaque is the leading cause of gingivitis, causing your gums to swell and become red or bloody.

How To Keep Plaque Away

The most important step in keeping plaque at bay is to stick to a daily brushing routine. This means brushing twice each day, for two minutes each time, and flossing at least once daily. Plaque occurs naturally, and when you come into our office for a complete examination, we work with you to clean off any build-up. Maintaining regular visits to our office is one way to ensure tartar build-up is minimized and managed. It is particularly important that you are brushing your teeth all the way to the gum, because the gum line is an area that is prone to plaque buildup. Brush gently, as vigorous brushing will only do more damage than good, especially to your gums.

Sticking to your daily brushing and flossing routine will help keep your teeth free of plaque build-up. Make sure you are brushing in the morning and before bed. If you don’t brush before bed, bacteria and plaque will build up throughout the night.

Schedule a visit to our office so our experienced, professional dental team can clean your teeth, giving you a smile you can be proud of.