How To Prevent Gum Disease

Gum disease, or periodontal disease, describes the growth of bacteria that sets processes into motion that eventually destroy tissue surrounding the teeth. Seventy-five percent or more of Americans over 35 have some degree of gum disease. At later stages of gum disease, tooth loss is a frequent consequence. Additionally, gum disease can impact far more than dental health. According to the American Dental Association, “There is evidence that bacteria in the mouth which are associated with gum disease may be linked to heart disease, artery blockages and stroke.”

Signs and Symptoms of Gum Disease

Gum disease symptoms can be are subtle, but warning signs are usually present. They include:

· Bleeding gums during and after brushing teeth

· Red, puffy or sore gums

· Receding gums

· Bad breath or bad taste in the mouth

· Deep pockets between teeth and gums

· Shifting teeth or loose teeth

Preventing Gum Disease

The following steps are key to avoiding gum disease:

1. Brush your gums – Massage your gums daily in small circles where each tooth is embedded in the gum to promote circulation and remove bacteria. Finish by lightly brushing the top and bottom gums, both on the inside and outside, with your regular fluoride toothpaste.

2. Rinse with a fluoride rinse – If you’re drinking water contains fluoride, you can skip this step. If not, rinse for one minute with a fluoride rinse. The rinse will help reduce the number of bacteria present.

3. Floss every day – Even though you sometimes can’t see the particles in and around your teeth, flossing gets rid of them, and serves to prevent infection. Measure out about 18 inches of floss, wrap the ends around each forefinger and grasp with the thumb. Push it up and down between teeth and along the sides of the teeth. Slide into a clean section of floss with each tooth you clean.

4. Rinse with a quality mouthwash — Ask your dentist to recommend a low-alcohol, non-irritating brand. High alcohol can aggravate the mouth, and some believe it leads to oral cancer. A good mouthwash kills bacteria in the mouth.

5. Don’t smoke or drink heavily — Higher incidences of gum disease and oral cancer exist in smokers and drinkers. Drinking and smoking can also contribute to yellowing of teeth. Chew sugarless gum instead.

6. Get routine, professional dental cleanings – Despite your best solo efforts, you can’t prevent gum disease entirely on your own. In-home dental care just can’t clean to the degree that a dental office cleaning can. Also, your dentist can spot the early signs of gum disease that you might miss and take steps to halt further progression.

Great dental care habits, such as those mentioned above, dramatically increase your chances of keeping a healthy set of teeth well into your advanced years.

If you are in the Phoenix, Mesa or Scottsdale, Arizona region, and are concerned about the health of your gums and teeth, please view the website of Drs. Lesueur and Dodaro and consider setting an appointment today by calling 480-834-6991. Dr. Lesueur and Dr. Dodaro provide thorough dental exams, professional dental cleanings and a host of other dental techniques and procedures to keep your teeth their healthiest.

 

 

About the Author

 

[mage lang="en|es|fr|en" source="answers"]Bad Breath With Veneers[/mage]

How can I tell if I have gingivitis or periodontitis (gum disease)?

Four out of five people have periodontal disease and don’t know it! Most people are not aware of it because the disease is usually painless in the early stages. Unlike tooth decay, which often causes discomfort, it is possible to have periodontal disease without noticeable symptoms. Having regular dental check-ups and periodontal examinations are very important and will help detect if periodontal problems exist.

Periodontal disease begins when plaque, a sticky, colorless, film of bacteria, food debris, and saliva, is left on the teeth and gums. The bacteria produce toxins (acids) that inflame the gums and slowly destroy the bone. Brushing and flossing regularly and properly will ensure that plaque is not left behind to do its damage.

Other than poor oral hygiene, there are several other factors that may increase the risk of developing periodontal disease:

•Smoking or chewing tobacco – Tobacco users are more likely than nonusers to form plaque and tartar on their teeth.
•Certain tooth or appliance conditions – Bridges that no longer fit properly, crowded teeth, or defective fillings that may trap plaque and bacteria.
•Many medications – Steroids, cancer therapy drugs, blood pressure meds, oral contraceptives. Some medications have side affects that reduce saliva, making the mouth dry and plaque easier to adhere to the teeth and gums.
•Pregnancy, oral contraceptives, and puberty – Can cause changes in hormone levels, causing gum tissue to become more sensitive to bacteria toxins.
•Systemic diseases – Diabetes, blood cell disorders, HIV / AIDS, etc.
•Genetics may play role – Some patients may be predisposed to a more aggressive type of periodontitis. Patients with a family history of tooth loss should pay particular attention to their gums.
Signs and Symptoms of Periodontal Disease

•Red and puffy gums – Gums should never be red or swollen.
•Bleeding gums – Gums should never bleed, even when you brush vigorously or use dental floss.
•Persistent bad breath – Caused by bacteria in the mouth.
•New spacing between teeth – Caused by bone loss.
•Loose teeth – Also caused by bone loss or weakened periodontal fibers (fibers that support the tooth to the bone).
•Pus around the teeth and gums – Sign that there is an infection present.
•Receding gums – Loss of gum around a tooth.
•Tenderness or Discomfort – Plaque, calculus, and bacteria irritate the gums and teeth.
Good oral hygiene, a balanced diet, and regular dental visits can help reduce your risk of developing periodontal disease.

Q: Why is it important to use dental floss?

A: Brushing our teeth removes food particles, plaque, and bacteria from all tooth surfaces, except in between the teeth. Unfortunately, our toothbrush can’t reach these areas that are highly susceptible to decay and periodontal (gum) disease.

Daily flossing is the best way to clean between the teeth and under the gumline. Flossing not only helps clean these spaces, it disrupts plaque colonies from building up, preventing damage to the gums, teeth, and bone.

Plaque is a sticky, almost invisible film that forms on the teeth. It is a growing colony of living bacteria, food debris, and saliva. The bacteria produce toxins (acids) that cause cavities and irritate and inflame the gums. Also, when plaque is not removed above and below the gumline, it hardens and turns into calculus (tartar). This will further irritate and inflame the gums and also slowly destroy the bone. This is the beginning of periodontal disease.

How to floss properly:

•Take 12-16 inches (30-40cm) of dental floss and wrap it around your middle fingers, leaving about 2 inches (5cm) of floss between the hands.
•Using your thumbs and forefingers to guide the floss, gently insert the floss between teeth using a sawing motion.
•Curve the floss into a “C” shape around each tooth and under the gumline. Gently move the floss up and down, cleaning the side of each tooth.
Floss holders are recommended if you have difficulty using conventional floss.

Daily flossing will help you keep a healthy, beautiful smile for life!

Q: How can cosmetic dentistry help improve the appearance of my smile?

A: If you’re feeling somewhat self-conscious about your teeth, or just want to improve your smile, cosmetic dental treatments may be the answer to a more beautiful, confident smile.
Cosmetic dentistry has become very popular in the last several years, not only due to the many advances in cosmetic dental procedures and materials available today, but also because patients are becoming more and more focused on improving their overall health. This includes dental prevention and having a healthier, whiter, more radiant smile.

There are many cosmetic dental procedures available to improve your teeth and enhance your smile. Depending on your particular needs, cosmetic dental treatments can change your smile dramatically, from restoring a single tooth to having a full mouth make-over. Ask your dentist how you can improve the health and beauty of your smile with cosmetic dentistry.
Cosmetic Procedures:

Teeth Whitening: Bleaching lightens teeth that have been stained or discolored by age, food, drink, and smoking. Teeth darkened as a result of injury or taking certain medications can also be bleached, but the effectiveness depends on the degree of staining present.
Composite (tooth-colored) Fillings: Also known as “bonding”, composite fillings are now widely used instead of amalgam (silver) fillings to repair teeth with cavities, and also to replace old defective fillings. Tooth-colored fillings are also used to repair chipped, broken, or discolored teeth. This type of filling is also very useful to fill in gaps and to protect sensitive, exposed root surfaces caused by gum recession.

Porcelain Veneers: Veneers are thin custom-made, tooth-colored shells that are bonded onto the fronts of teeth to create a beautiful individual smile. They can help restore or camouflage damaged, discolored, poorly shaped, or misaligned teeth. Unlike crowns, veneers require minimal tooth structure to be removed from the surface of the tooth.

Porcelain Crowns (caps): A crown is a tooth-colored, custom-made covering that encases the entire tooth surface restoring it to its original shape and size. Crowns protect and strengthen teeth that cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations. They are ideal for teeth that have large, fractured or broken fillings and also for those that are badly decayed.
Dental Implants: Dental implants are artificial roots that are surgically placed into the jaw to replace one or more missing teeth. Porcelain crowns, bridges, and dentures can be made specifically to fit and attach to implants, giving a patient a strong, stable, and durable solution to removable dental appliances.

Orthodontics: Less visible and more effective brackets and wires are making straightening teeth with orthodontics much more appealing to adult patients. Also, in some cases, teeth may be straightened with custom-made, clear, removable aligners that require no braces.
Thanks to the advances in modern dentistry, cosmetic treatments can make a difference in making your smile shine!

Q: What are porcelain veneers and how can they improve my smile?

A: Porcelain veneers are very thin shells of tooth-shaped porcelain that are individually crafted to cover the fronts of teeth. They are very durable and will not stain, making them a very popular solution for those seeking to restore or enhance the beauty of their smile.
Veneers may be used to restore or correct the following dental conditions:
Severely discolored or stained teethUnwanted or uneven spacesWorn or chipped teethSlight tooth crowdingMisshapen teeth Teeth that are too small or largeGetting veneers usually requires two visits. Veneers are created from an impression (mold) of your teeth that is then sent to a professional dental laboratory where each veneer is custom-made (for shape and color) for your individual smile.

With little or no anesthesia, teeth are prepared by lightly buffing and shaping the front surface of the teeth to allow for the small thickness of veneers. The veneers are carefully fitted and bonded onto the tooth surface with special bonding cements and occasionally a specialized light may be used to harden and set the bond.
Veneers are an excellent dental treatment that can dramatically improve your teeth and give you a natural, beautiful smile.

Q: What can I do about stained or discolored teeth?

A: Since teeth whitening has now become the number one aesthetic concern of many patients, there are many products and methods available to achieve a brighter smile.
Professional teeth whitening (or bleaching) is a simple, non-invasive dental treatment used to change the color of natural tooth enamel, and is an ideal way to enhance the beauty of your smile. Over-the-counter products are also available, but they are much less effective than professional treatments and may not be approved by the American Dental Association (ADA).
As we age, the outer layer of tooth enamel wears away, eventually revealing a darker or yellow shade. The color of our teeth also comes from the inside of the tooth, which may become darker over time. Smoking, drinking coffee, tea, and wine may also contribute to tooth discoloration, making our teeth yellow and dull. Sometimes, teeth can become discolored from taking certain medications as a child, such as tetracycline. Excessive fluoridation (fluorosis) during tooth development can also cause teeth to become discolored.

It’s important to have your teeth evaluated by your dentist to determine if you’re a good candidate for bleaching. Occasionally, tetracycline and fluorosis stains are difficult to bleach and your dentist may offer other options, such as veneers or crowns to cover up such stains. Since teeth whitening only works on natural tooth enamel, it is also important to evaluate replacement of any old fillings, crowns, etc. before bleaching begins. Once the bleaching is done, your dentist can match the new restorations to the shade of the newly whitened teeth.
Since teeth whitening is not permanent, a touch-up may be needed every several years to keep your smile looking bright.

The most widely used professional teeth whitening systems:
Home teeth whitening systems: At-home products usually come in a gel form that is placed in a custom-fitted mouthguard (tray), created from a mold of your teeth. The trays are worn either twice a day for approximately 30 minutes, or overnight while you sleep. It usually takes several weeks to achieve the desired results depending on the degree of staining and the desired level of whitening.
In office teeth whitening: This treatment is done in the dental office and you will see results immediately. It may require more than one visit, with each visit lasting 30 to 60 minutes. While your gums are protected, a bleaching solution is applied to the teeth. A special light may be used to enhance the action of the agent while the teeth are whitened.
Some patients may experience tooth sensitivity after having their teeth whitened. This sensation is temporary and subsides shortly after you complete the bleaching process, usually within a few days to one week.

Teeth whitening can be very effective and can give you a brighter, whiter, more confident smile!

About the Author

Richard J. Healy D.D.S. – Dr. Healy graduated from U.C. San Francisco School of Dentistry in 1982. Upon graduation, he joined in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and served as a volunteer dentist in the central valley of California, for a very rewarding year.

After this service was completed, he moved to the Central Coast and Santa Maria has been his home since 1983. His wife, Dana, and he have been married since 1988 and have two children, Andrew who is attending Cal. State Univ. Channel Islands in Camarillo, CA and Clare who is in high school.

Dr. Healy’s family practice is concentrated on general and complete care with an emphasis in aesthetic dentistry.

Free time leaves him involved in soccer, basketball 2-3 days a week at the YMCA, church activities at St. Louis de Montfort, backpacking, hiking, time at the beach and just spending time with family.

www.drrhealy.com

Roles Of Veneers In Dentistry

There are many factors that can have an adverse impact on the quality of your smile, from tooth crookedness to discoloration to unsightly gaps. Whatever the cause, a less-than-perfect smile can dramatically affect your self-esteem, personality, and ability to communicate with others.

For many, dental veneers (often referred to as porcelain veneers) provide an ideal solution. Formed from ceramic, these custom-made, eggshell-thin coverings are designed to mimic the look and feel of natural enamel. They are placed over the surface of teeth to conceal chips, gaps, cracks, or other problems that can jeopardize dental health or aesthetics. Dental veneers can provide an easy, painless way to achieve a bright, confident smile.

Problems Addressed by Porcelain Veneers

There are several different conditions that can be quickly and painlessly solved by veneers:

Chipped Teeth: Teeth can chip for a variety of reasons, including stress-induced grinding, an accident or trauma, using your teeth for purposes they are not intended for, or a fracture that causes a gradual weakening. Regardless of the cause, chipped teeth can detract from the appearance of your smile while increasing the risk of discoloration, sensitivity, and decay.

Crooked Teeth: In addition to affecting the appearance of your teeth, crookedness can cause dental pain and inhibit good oral hygiene. Those who leave the problem untreated are more prone to tooth decay, tooth loss, and bad breath. It can also be difficult to chew properly with crooked teeth, increasing the chances of jaw misalignment.

Discolorations: The most obvious effect of discolored teeth (a wearing-down or dulling of surface enamel) is a dirty appearance, creating the implication of poor dental health. Noticeable stains on the surface of your teeth can make you look older than your age, while drawing more attention to other issues, such as gaps and crookedness. Varying degrees of discoloration can be caused by numerous factors:

Genetic predisposition

Prolonged exposure to certain foods or drinks such as coffee or tea

Ingestion of or contact with of certain medications

Smoking cigars or cigarettes

Nerve damage to a tooth during an accident or fall.

Gaps: Anyone who’s ever had extra space between their teeth knows that gaps can have a dramatic impact on self-esteem. Those born with gaps often notice the problem worsening with age. They wonder if people are staring at the gap in their teeth or they find themselves reluctant to talk or smile. In addition to affecting your confidence, the condition can also make it difficult to chew or speak.

Misshapen Teeth: Even if you have perfect dental health, just one misshapen tooth can cause your smile to look flawed or unhealthy.

All of the above: Many folks don’t have a single dental affliction.  A combination of genetics, lifestyle choices, and normal wear and tear can create a set of unique circumstances.

In most cases, depending on the severity of these conditions, smiles can be aesthetically and functionally enhanced with the use of porcelain veneers.

Benefits of Dental Veneers

Porcelain veneers offer a number of advantages to today’s dental patients:

A more natural look: With today’s enhanced dental technology, ceramic veneers offer a high degree of translucence, making them virtually indistinguishable from your natural teeth.

Custom design and creation: Porcelain veneers are custom-matched to the color of your teeth.  If you desire a whiter smile, veneers can be used in conjunction with whitening to create a dazzling smile. Veneers are designed specifically for your mouth, your lifestyle and your individual circumstances.

Quicker results: Unlike straightening with braces, tooth whitening systems, or complex dental bonding, veneers can be applied in just one or two visits, immediately achieving a bright, even smile.

Lower cost: Veneers are typically less expensive than other, multi-step, more complex

treatments including surgery.

Long-term protection: In addition to looking good, veneers are durable enough to strengthen weak or damaged teeth, potentially eliminating the need for a bridge, crown, or other, more invasive procedures. Also, if properly maintained, veneers can last several decades.

There are several different options and brands available for dental veneers, such as Lumineers. Before making a decision about what type or brand of veneer is best, contact a Cosmetic Dentist who is experienced in placing porcelain veneers.  Ask the dentist to see examples of their work, such as before and after photographs where porcelain veneers were used. Ask if the dentist offers a no-fee consultation, and never be rushed into making a decision about your smile.  You and the dentist should work collaboratively to come up with a treatment that fits your oral health needs, lifestyle and budget.

About the Author

Dr. Mark Kleive is a Cosmetic Dentist in Minneapolis and has been named Top Minnesota Dentist for the third consecutive year. He will handle any dental problem you’re suffering to give you back your smile. Please visit http://www.markakleivedds.com/ for more information and details.

[mage lang="en|es|en" source="answers"]Bad Breath With Veneers[/mage]

 Mail this post