Friday 28 October 2011

Gum Disease and Your Overall Health

Facts About Gum Disease That May Surprise You

Often taken for granted, the monotonous task of brushing and flossing our teeth daily has never been more important in order to avoid gum disease and the risks gum disease place on our overall health. It has been estimated that 75% of Americans have some form of gum disease, which has been linked to serious health complications and causes various dental problems that are often avoidable.
What is Gum Disease?
Periodontal disease, also called gum disease, is mainly caused by bacteria from plaque and tartar build up. Other factors that have the potential to cause gum disease may include:

  • Tobacco use
  • Clenching or grinding your teeth
  • Certain medications
  • Genetics

Types of Gum Disease Include:

Gingivitis - The beginning stage of gum disease and is often undetected. This stage of the disease is reversible.

Periodontitis - Untreated gingivitis may lead to this next stage of gum disease. With many levels of periodontitis, the common outcome is chronic inflammatory response, a condition when the body breaks down the bone and tissue in the infected area of the mouth, ultimately resulting in tooth and bone loss.

Signs of Gum Disease Include:

  • Red, bleeding, and/or swollen gums
  • Bad breath
  • Mobility of the teeth
  • Tooth sensitivity caused by receding gums
  • Abscessed teeth
  • Tooth loss
Recent studies suggest gum disease may contribute to or be warning signs of potentially life threatening conditions such as:

Heart Disease and Stroke - Studies suggest gingivitis may increase the risk of heart disease and stroke because of the high levels of bacteria found in infected areas of the mouth. As the level of periodontal disease increases, the risk of cardiovascular disease may increase with it. Other studies have suggested that the inflammation in the gums may create a chronic inflammation response in other parts of the body which has also been implicated in increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Diabetes - People with diabetes often have some form of gum disease, likely caused by high blood glucose, according to the CDC. People with diabetes need to take extra care to ensure proper brushing and flossing techniques are used to prevent the advancement of the gum disease. Regular check-ups and cleanings with your dental hygienist should be followed.

Chronic Kidney Disease - A study, conducted by Case Western Reserve University, suggests that people without any natural teeth, known as edentulous, are more likely to have chronic kidney disease (CDK), than people with natural teeth. CDK affects blood pressure potentially causing heart disease, contributed to kidney failure, and affects bone health.

Preterm Birth - Babies that are born premature -- before 37 weeks of gestation -- may face numerous health complications. Research indicates that women with periodontal disease are three to five times more likely to have a baby born preterm compared to women without any form of gum disease. Women are more susceptible to gingivitis when pregnant and should follow their regular brushing habits, and continue with dental cleanings and examinations.

Treatments for Gum Disease
Depending on the type of gum disease, some of the available treatment options are:

  • Removal of plaque and calculus by way of scaling done by your dental hygienist or dentist.
  • Medications such as chlorhexidine gluconate, a mouth rinse prescribed by your dentist or hygienist to help kill the bacteria in your mouth, along with frequent cleanings.
  • Surgery may be necessary in certain cases to stop, halt, or minimize the progression of periodontal disease. Surgery is also used to replace bone that was lost in advanced stages of the disease.

What Can I Do to Prevent Gum Disease?
Proper brushing and flossing is the easiest way to reduce and prevent gum disease, but regular cleanings with your dental hygienist or dentist are necessary to remove calculus and treat advanced gum disease. If you are concerned that you may have gum disease, contact your dentist.

Above article from www.Dentistry.About.com


Dental Hygiene & Preventive Dentistry Dallas
Energy Square Dental
Bill Blandford, DDS, PC
(214) 369-9966
4849 Greenville, Suite 173 • Dallas, TX 75206

Thursday 27 October 2011

Dental Hygiene Care - Preventive Dentistry

Top 10 Reasons to Have a Dental Cleaning
Good oral hygiene is important, not only for looks, but for general health as well. Poor oral hygiene can lead to a variety of dental and medical problems such as gum disease, infection, bone loss, heart disease, strokes and more. Regular check ups and cleanings can prevent these problems as well as provide you with good oral hygiene.


1. To Prevent Oral Cancer
According to The Oral Cancer Foundation, someone dies from oral cancer, every hour of every day in the United States alone. When you have your dental cleaning, your dentist is also screening you for oral cancer, which is highly curable if diagnosed early.

2. To Prevent Gum Disease
Gum disease is an infection in the gum tissues and bone that keep your teeth in place and is one of the leading causes of adult tooth loss. If diagnosed early, it can be treated and reversed. If treatment is not received, a more serious and advanced stage of gum disease may follow. Regular dental cleanings and check ups, flossing daily and brushing twice a day are key factors in preventing gum disease.

3. To Help Maintain Good Physical Health
Recent studies have linked heart attacks and strokes to gum disease, resulting from poor oral hygiene. A dental cleaning every 6 months helps to keep your teeth and gums healthy and could possibly reduce your risk of heart disease and strokes.

4. To Keep Your Teeth
Since gum disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults, regular dental check ups and cleanings,brushing and flossing are vital to keeping as many teeth as you can. Keeping your teeth means better chewing function and ultimately, better health.

5. To Detect Dental Problems Early
Your dentist and hygienist will be able to detect any early signs of problems with your teeth or gums. Early detection of cavities, broken fillings and gum disease are easily treatable. If these problems go untreated, root canals, gum surgery and removal of teeth could become the only treatment options available.


6. To Maintain Good Oral Health
Your dental hygienist will help to ensure that you are maintaining your good oral health by visual examination and comparing your previous dental check ups. If you are falling off track with your oral hygiene he / she will help put you back on the right path.


7. To Use Your Dental Insurance Plan
Dental insurance plans usually pay for all or most of the cost of dental cleanings and check ups every six months. Take advantage of this and save a lot of money in the long run by avoiding costly dental procedures that can result from poor oral hygiene.


8. To Create a Treatment Plan
If your dentist diagnoses any problems in your mouth, he /she will most likely give you a treatment plan. This treatment plan should have the cost of each procedure that you will need, so that you can discuss financial arrangements with the front office.

9. To Have a Bright and White Smile
Your dental hygienist can remove most tobacco, coffee and tea stains. During your cleaning, your hygienist will also polish your teeth to a beautiful shine. The result? A whiter and brighter smile!


10. To Prevent Bad Breath
Dental studies show that about 85 percent of people with persistent bad breath, also known as halitosis have a dental problem that is to blame. Good oral hygiene is essential in preventing bad breath. Regular check ups and cleanings are the best way to make sure that you are maintaining good oral hygiene.


Above article from www.Dentistry.About.com

Dental Hygiene & Preventive Dentistry Dallas
Energy Square Dental
Bill Blandford, DDS, PC
(214) 369-9966
4849 Greenville, Suite 173 • Dallas, TX 75206

Wednesday 26 October 2011

Smile Makeovers - Dental Bonding

Dental bonding can fix minor cosmetic problems with your teeth, like staining, small gaps, chips, or cracks. It uses a plastic resin that is bonded to the teeth after they have been prepared by a mild etching solution. Several coats of the resin are applied to the teeth and hardened. After all the coats are applied, the teeth are polished and shaped to give one a very pleasing, white, beautifully sculpted smile.

The length of time it takes to undergo the procedure is about two hours. It is quite an expensive procedure which can cost anywhere from $300 to $600 per tooth. The good news is that some dental insurance plans cover dental bonding under certain conditions. Check with your insurance provider, if you are not sure whether it is covered or not. The results last about 10 years, making it a long-term investment.

Sometimes dental bonding is used instead of silver fillings. It gives you a very natural appearance, unlike mercury fillings. They can be put in small cracks without drilling too much of the healthy tooth away. There are a few different colors to choose from, so that it can match your skin tone and other teeth well.

For small fixes like fillings, your dental bonding can be done in one sitting. If you are opting to do a relatively large area, a mold may need to be created to help the dentist sculpt your teeth with the bonding. In that case, it will take two appointments and bit more time to complete the process. While bonding is far more expensive than conventional silver fillings, people appreciate the fact that their smile is left looking better than when they first came in, instead of adding metal to it. The bonding is also said to expand with your teeth better, which is why they do not crack as easily as silver fillings.

Above article from www.Teeth-Whitening.com

Smile Makeovers Dallas Texas
Energy Square Dental
Bill Blandford, DDS, PC
(214) 369-9966
4849 Greenville, Suite 173 • Dallas, TX 75206