·
HYGIENE
Our dental team can meet the needs of today’s informed dental patient.
A thorough dental cleaning does not have to be uncomfortable. A complete hygiene visit for a patient with
dental needs may include:
- A full set of digital computerized
images (no more old fashioned x-rays! )
- Prophy-paste to gently and safely
remove all stains
- Discuss
what toothpaste, rinses and aids really work based on scientific research and
what popular items are ineffective.
- Periodontal
probing to see where you are on a periodontal disease scale
- In-office Fluoride treatment (kids
and adults)
- Soft-tissue management program to maintain your oral health
Soft
Tissue Management Program
(click) Periodontal Disease affects 4 out of 5 adults. It is caused by bacterial plaque buildup that attacks the periodontal (gum) tissue, which can destroy the tissue and the bone that supports the teeth. Typical inflammation is observed by tender, red, puffy gums, bleeding, and ultimately loosening of the teeth. Eventually, teeth can be destroyed, be cause they lose the supporting tissue and bone.The solution is relatively simple. Mechanically remove the early buildup of plaque.
By completing our SOFT TISSUE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM you will, hopefully,
accelerate healing of gum tissue. It will also enable you to develop and
maintain solid dental hygiene habits. If maintained, you will enjoy fresher
breath, healthier gum tissue, stronger bone, and reduced dental bills.
This program combines dental education, dental cleanings as needed, and
new preventive homecare techniques, including the use of a revolutionary rotary
hygiene device. The Sonicare
Toothbrush was designed specifically to reduce plaque and
permit healing of gum tissue while providing an easy, pleasant, and convenient
way to clean teeth.
A. Examination and x-rays as needed
B.
Periodontal charting and tissue analysis
C.
Disclosing of plaque deposits
D. Removal of calcified plaque and debris
E.
Demonstration of the Sonicare in plaque
removal
F.
Prophylaxis and Fluoride treatment as needed
TOP
Please note: without the benefit of a dental examination, review of medical history and any necessary dental x-rays or other diagnostic aids, no attempt will be made to provide specific diagnosis or recommended courses of treatment. If a topic has not been included that you feel desires special mention, please call to schedule an appointment so we may answer all your questions and provide you with a comprehensive examination you deserve.
- It is a gum infection that can damage
the tissues and bone around the teeth
- If left untreated, it can lead to tooth
loss.
- After age 35, about 3 out of 4 adults
are affected by some form of the disease.
- The main cause of gum disease is a sticky,
colorless film, called bacterial plaque, that constantly forms on teeth.
- If not removed, plaque can turn into a hard material called calculus.
What is Gum disease?
The Link Between Gum Disease and Health Concerns
Stages of Periodontal Disease
Gum disease or periodontal disease as it is also called is the number one cause of tooth loss today. The reason you loose teeth from gum disease is because this disease attacks the gums as well as the bones, which are the foundation in which your teeth rest. As the bone literally dissolves away from around your teeth, your teeth become loose and eventually fall out.
Anyone at any age is susceptible
to gum disease. Gum disease is caused by plaque. If the plague is not removed
on a daily basis it will form calculus, which
is the breeding ground for the germs which cause gum disease. Bleeding gums
are the first sign that there may be a problem with the gums. Puffy, tender
red gums are also a sign that there is an infection present. Bleeding gums
however are not always present even in severe cases of gum disease.
A crowded tooth - when a
tooth is observed as "pushed-out - this should be corrected by orthodontics
("braces") to not only help enhance your smile but to prevent the
development of periodontal disease in this area.
Routine and regular visits to your dentist are the best way of catching gum disease in its early stages before too much damage has been caused. Gum disease will not go away by itself or with improved home care. The only way of removing plaque deep under the gums is with professional cleanings. Once you have had a gum problem you will always be susceptible to recurring problems, so be sure to see your dentist on a regular basis - every three to four months, unless he or she recommends otherwise.
WARNING SIGNS:
The following signs may give a clue
to having gum disease. If you have any of them, call your dentist right
away.
- Bleeding from your gums when you brush
- Red, swollen, or tender gums
- Bad breath or bad taste
- Gums that have pulled away from your teeth
- A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite down
- Push in-between your teeth and gums when you press down on the gums
- Any changes in the fit of partial dentures
It is possible not to have these
warning signs and still have gum disease. Also, most people do not feel
pain with the disease. This is why regular checkups are important.
Research studies
show there may be a direct link between periodontal disease and heart disease!
Please note: without the benefit of a dental examination, review of medical history and any necessary dental x-rays or other diagnostic aids, no attempt will be made to provide specific diagnosis or recommended courses of treatment. If a topic has not been included that you feel desires special mention, please call to schedule an appointment so we may answer all your questions and provide you with a comprehensive examination you deserve.
The Link Between Gum Disease and Health Concerns....
The oral bacteria that is
found in patient's with periodontal disease can enter into the the blood
stream. From here the bacteria can travel throughout the body. Inflammation
sets in, but your body's immune response sometime falls short . . . These
bacterial colonies can cause serious problems such as:
- Stroke - a new study of fatty deposits lodged in carotid arteries of stroke sufferers shows that 70% contain bacteria - and 40% of that bacteria comes from the mouth.
- Heart Disease - Studies have found the incidence of heart disease is about twice as high in people with periodontal disease. Bacteria get mixed up with blood-clotting cells called platelets, forming a clump that travels through the blood vessels. These clumps of cells and bacteria irritate vessel walls and may promote formation of heat stopping blood clots. The inflammation also produces a protein that can irritate the interior of blood vessels, creating sites where fatty deposits can form.
- Infective Endocarditis, a potentially fatal disease in which the inner lining of the heart becomes inflamed.
- Diabetes - Studies have shown that diabetics with gum disease were three times more likely to have heart attacks than those without gum disease.
- Spontaneous pre-term births - women with gum disease are 7 to 8 times more likely to give birth prematurely to low-birth-weight babies. Researchers believe that the low-grade infection causes damaged cells to release inflammation causing substances that have been linked with pre-term births.
- Lung Infections in people with chronic lung diseases.
- A weakened immune system that can slow wound healing and diminish a person's response to hepatitis B and flu vaccines.
· Tooth Loss
Please note: without the benefit of a dental examination, review of medical history and any necessary dental x-rays or other diagnostic aids, no attempt will be made to provide specific diagnosis or recommended courses of treatment. If a topic has not been included that you feel desires special mention, please call to schedule an appointment so we may answer all your questions and provide you with a comprehensive examination you deserve.
Periodontal disease begins when
the bacteria in the plaque around your teeth produce toxins (or poisons) that
irritate the gums, causing infection. These toxins can lead to destruction
of the tissue and bone around the teeth. When this happens, the gums
separate from the teeth to form a pocket (called a periodontal pocket).
As more tissue and bone are destroyed, the pockets get bigger and the teeth
may loosen.
- Healthy Gums - Healthy gums are firm and pink
- Gingivitis - This is the earliest stage of gum disease. The gums are red, swollen, and bleed easily.
- Mild Periodontitis - The gums begin to separate from the teeth, forming pockets which fill with plaque.
- Moderate Periodontitis - Deeper pockets form as more bone and tissue are lost.
- Severe Periodontitis - Teeth may become loose because a large amount of bone and tissue have been lost.
- Tooth Loss
Please note: without the benefit of a dental examination, review of medical history and any necessary dental x-rays or other diagnostic aids, no attempt will be made to provide specific diagnosis or recommended courses of treatment. If a topic has not been included that you feel desires special mention, please call to schedule an appointment so we may answer all your questions and provide you with a comprehensive examination you deserve.