Gum Disease Archives - Champion Dental

Can This Habit Make You Live Without Teeth?

Posted on May 30, 2023 | by mel | Leave a Comment

Smoking causes gum disease leading to ultimate tooth loss

Smoking is still very popular today and it does not look like it will go away anytime soon. While the warnings of cancer have been touted for a long time, many people are not yet aware that another one of the dangers of smoking is that it will also cause them to lose their pretty smile. It will cause smokers to lose teeth.

The Statistics

If you smoke, there is twice as much risk that you will lose more teeth than a non-smoker. Non-smokers tend to lose teeth at a rate of 1.3 teeth every 10 years. Smokers lose teeth faster – at a rate of 2.9 teeth every 10 years. This rate is true of men and women. Once an individual quits smoking, the risk of losing teeth will decrease.

The Reason

Teeth are lost as a result of smoking because of the effect that nicotine has on the gums. It is believed that nicotine reduces the flow of blood into the gums by restricting the blood vessels. This affects the gums in two ways. First, it means that the gums will receive less oxygen; and secondly, it means that as a result, the gums will also receive fewer nutrients.

With less oxygen and nutrients, your gum’s immune system cannot be as effective. In fact, the cells in the gums will start dying off causing them to recede. The weakened immune system cannot fight off infection as effectively, which means that when you receive any dental treatment or other injuries to the gums that it will take longer to heal. You also become much more susceptible to gum disease.

Gum Disease

Gum disease starts by irritation of the gums from the bacteria naturally found in your mouth and from the acid it produces. The bacteria get into the gums and it starts an immune reaction. The only two symptoms that will be seen at first are inflamed gums and gums that bleed. This is gingivitis.

With the lower resistance from your immune system, the gum disease will quickly become periodontitis. Before long the immune system starts to attack your gums, the ligaments that support your teeth, and your jawbone. Periodontitis will spread fast and become worse than in a non-smoker.

As the attack continues, your teeth will start to become loose. Gum disease is largely painless until your teeth start to get loose. At that point, it will be painful to bite down with that tooth.

Men vs. Women

Men who smoke are typically going to lose teeth faster than women. Men who smoke are 3.6 times more likely to experience tooth loss, but women are 2.5 times more likely to lose teeth.

Hiding Gum Disease

One of the gum disease symptoms is bleeding of the gums. Since smoking reduces blood flow, you may not notice early on that you have gum disease. This will enable it to do more damage to your gums and jawbone.

Your dentist may also not notice that you have gum disease. This could lead the dentist to not realize how serious the problem is, which may mean that treatment may not be given – leading to worse problems and greater tooth loss.

Other Potential Risks

In recent years, researchers have discovered that there is yet another nasty side to gum disease. They have found that the damage from gum disease can affect all of your organs. Once the bacteria and inflammation get into your gums, it has access to your bloodstream. Now it can go anywhere in your body.

As it travels through your bloodstream, it tends to build up in your blood vessels and various organs. This buildup can cause many serious illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, heart attacks, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, dementia, several types of cancer, and many more.

Cancer Risk

Another one of the risks of smoking is that of developing oral cancer. The weakened immune system cannot fight cancer cells as easily as they would in a healthy mouth, possibly leading to oral cancer. This type of cancer normally spreads fast and they are not always easily detected. Early detection is important to increased survivability rates.

Reversing the Risk

Studies have discovered that the more you smoke, the more teeth you are going to lose. Those who smoke heavily are going to lose more teeth than those people who smoke less. Once you stop smoking, your risk can decrease rather fast, possibly even reducing your risk to the same level as someone who never smoked – but reaching that level could take ten years.

If you are a smoker and are looking for gum disease treatment for periodontitis, as well as help with cavities, you can get help from Champion Dental Clinic, Farmers Branch, Texas

The Nitty-Gritty of Gum Disease!

Posted on May 19, 2023 | by mel | Leave a Comment

Your gum disease is incredibly more complex than you think

Many people tend to think of gum disease as bleeding gums after brushing or flossing. They do not realize that this symptom indicates that a potentially terrible disease is already present in their gums. Others have learned the hard way that letting this disease go untreated leads to severely damaged gums, bone loss in the jaw, and lost teeth. Periodontitis remains the number one reason Americans are losing their teeth today.

What Is Periodontal Disease?

The initial stages of gum disease are called gingivitis. While in this stage, the symptoms are rather mild, but damage may be occurring elsewhere. Along with the bacteria that cause gum disease, inflammation is occurring at the same time. A strong connection has been found to occur between the inflammation caused by the bacteria that cause gum disease, and major health issues.

Complications of Periodontal Disease

The health issues caused by the inflammation from periodontal disease include cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, problems with pregnancy, and many more. Having this gum disease raises your risk of cardiovascular disease by 19 percent, but it is increased to 44 percent for those 65 or older. People with diabetes have an increased mortality risk that is 3.2 times greater than those without the disease.

How Periodontal Disease Works

The bacteria that produce gum disease are naturally found in the mouth. In a healthy mouth, they are kept in control by the many good bacteria that is also present. When sugar or carbs are introduced, the bad bacteria produce an acid. The presence of the acid and the inflammation caused by it leads to a natural reaction from the immune system.

The acid and inflammation, as well as the various components of the immune system, ultimately begin to work together to bring about the destruction that periodontal disease is known for. The white blood cells start coming to the site because of signaling from the cytokines, which are proteins secreted by cells notifying the immune system of inflammation.

One particular type of white blood cells, called neutrophils, is the main kind of white blood cells in the human body. Cytokines signal for them to come to the site of inflammation. The neutrophils begin their work of attempting to curb the harmful bacteria and other agents seek to curb the inflammation.

During the process of attempting to curb the inflammation, however, some cells stop fulfilling their normal function – the fibroplasts, endothelial cells, and the epithelial cells. In the presence of certain other compounds and hormones, they are turned off. The cells that provide materials to maintain and strengthen the matrix that supports your gums and teeth cease to function, bringing about the faster destruction of it. Once the source of new structural material is turned off, the inflammation and the bacteria causing gum disease can gain free access to the site, bringing in many more reinforcements.

The Complexity of Periodontal Disease

There are many aspects of periodontal disease that are still not understood. The disease is incredibly complex and a number of factors remain unknown. Why some things occur may be slightly different for each individual. Additional factors include the strength of their immune system, their genes, and the types of bacteria involved.

This means that each person with this gum disease needs to be evaluated by a periodontist so that individualized treatment can be given. It may require genetic testing of the oral bacteria to determine which bacteria are involved, and some lifestyle changes may also be strongly recommended. Diabetes, for instance, needs to be controlled in order to control gum disease.

Periodontal Disease Treatment

Once periodontal disease has started, pockets have started to form on the gums. These provide hiding places for the bacteria that are out of reach of your toothbrush and floss. A dentist will be needed to diagnose the situation and provide treatment for it. There are several periodontal disease stages which indicate the amount of damage and more than one type of treatment may be necessary. A periodontist is necessary when serious damage has occurred.

Gum Disease Prevention

The best way to beat gum disease, particularly periodontal disease, is to prevent it from occurring at all. You can do this by brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing – preferably before you go to bed. If you have gingivitis, this will usually remove it, too, but you will need to keep up the habit to ensure it does not return.

Laser Treatment for Gum Pockets

Posted on May 11, 2023 | by mel | Leave a Comment

The New Laser Treatment Is Nearly Pain-Free!

When you have pockets forming on your gums, you already have a serious form of gum disease called periodontitis. This gum disease is the major reason for tooth loss today. The only way to stop the problem and prevent it from becoming worse and losing teeth is to get periodontal treatment. Choosing the new laser treatment to eliminate gum pockets is fast and nearly painless.

About Gum Pockets

There are more than 500 different types of bacteria that exist naturally in your mouth. Some of them will produce cavities and gum disease because they produce acid whenever they consume sugar. If you do not maintain good oral care by brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing, this bacteria will cause gum disease; first gingivitis, then it becomes periodontitis.

As the gum disease progresses and becomes periodontitis, the bacteria will hide in the tartar at your gum line. Tartar is hardened plaque. It irritates your gums, gets into them, and an immune reaction is started that will not stop unless treated by a dentist.

This gum infection will produce the pockets that form on your gums, and you will notice that your gums are inflamed and that they are pulling away from your teeth. This makes your teeth look longer and the roots of your teeth become exposed.

The bacteria and inflammation start to deteriorate your gums, the ligaments that support your teeth, and your jawbone. At the same time, the bacteria and inflammation have entered your bloodstream. Once there, it is circulating throughout your body and causing buildups in your blood vessels and organs. In recent years, researchers have discovered that these buildups often lead to serious health problems such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, heart attacks, cancer, diabetes, dementia, and many more.

Traditional Treatment for Gum Pockets

The traditional way that dentists would treat this problem was to cut open the pockets on the gums, manually scrape out the bacteria and inflammation, smooth out the rough spots on the teeth, and then stitch the gums closely to the teeth. This procedure was usually conducted while the patient was under general anesthesia – completely unconscious. Sometimes, gum grafting occurred at the same time. This process would usually require several sessions at the dentist’s office and recovery could take two to four weeks – while in considerable pain.

Laser Treatment

The development of lasers for the dentist’s office has resulted in a laser that makes a huge difference in the method of periodontal treatment. It literally makes every aspect better – including a tremendous reduction in treatment and recovery time.

Some of the benefits of laser treatment include:

No scalpel – Although diseased tissue is removed, it is done without a scalpel. The laser is selective on what tissue is removed because it can distinguish between healthy and unhealthy tissue, and it only destroys the unhealthy. This enables this process to save more healthy tissue – without the need for sutures.
Less pain – There is almost no pain at all with this procedure. The laser seals the nerves instantly. Patients may need a local anesthetic, but there is no need for prescription painkillers after the treatment. There is also less swelling.
More Bacteria Destroyed – Instead of having to physically remove the bacteria with hand tools, a very thin fiber-optic cable is inserted into the gum pockets. This will kill up to 99 percent of the harmful bacteria. An ultrasonic device will be used afterward to smooth the tooth roots to help prevent reattachment of the bacteria. After this step is completed, the periodontist will use the laser to create a seal between the teeth and the gums. This attaches the gums to the teeth closely and prevents bacteria from reentering. It also enables faster healing.
Faster Recovery – This method of gum disease treatment provides a much faster recovery than the traditional method. Instead of having to wait for days to go back to work, you will likely need only 24 hours to recover – but many patients go back to work as soon as the procedure is completed.
Reduces Risk of Infection – Lasers are able to destroy bacteria that are near the site. This greatly reduces the likelihood of infection and enables faster healing.
Speeds Healing – Laser light actually stimulates bone and gum cells to regenerate faster. This laser therapy reduces the healing time and encourages new connective tissues to the teeth, new bone and collagen.

The LANAP Laser

The one laser that is used to treat gum pockets is called LANAP for short, which stands for Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure. It has been approved by the FDA just for this procedure.

When your gums are pulling away from your teeth and receding, you will likely have pockets on your gums. You cannot treat this condition yourself and it will continue to get worse, but laser treatment can help eradicate the problem. Champion Dental Clinic Board Certified Periodontists uses the LANAP laser treatment for gum pockets and helps to stop further gum decay. Most dental health insurance plans are accepted. For a consultation or more information about periodontal treatment, you can contact us at 214-747-0763 today

Gum Disease and Your Genes - Champion dental clinic dfw tx

Gum Disease and Your Genes – How to Minimize Your Risk?

Posted on March 28, 2023 | by mel | Leave a Comment

Your Genes May Cause Gum Disease

Researchers have known for some time that there is often a connection between gum disease and your genes. The genes are not present in every case, but the presence of genes for gum disease does increase the likelihood of developing periodontitis. Genetic gum disease can also mean that periodontitis takes on a more aggressive form.

Genetically Inherited Diseases

Researchers have known for about a century that periodontitis seems to travel in families. While other people who have no family history of the gum disease do get it, there does seem to be a genetic basis for it in more than 50 percent of the cases.

It is also known that just because someone has the genes for it that it does not mean that they will get periodontitis. Although many factors are known to increase the likelihood of it, it appears that there are other factors that remain unknown. Even though it may be in your family, it also does not mean that you have the gene – but knowing whether you do or not may bring some relief.

It seems that while some genes cause some people to get the disease, there are also some genes that help to prevent it – even when they have the gene for it. This means that much more research still needs to be performed. So far, it is believed that there are more than 40 different genes involved.

Why DNA Genetic Testing Is Recommended

Periodontitis is very common among adults over 30. In fact, about half of the adults in the United States have the more serious form of gum disease. This is equal to about 64.7 million people. This gum disease is the primary cause of tooth loss today.

Periodontitis comes in two forms: chronic periodontitis, and aggressive. The chronic form spreads slowly but can be faster at times. With the aggressive form, it usually starts before the age of 30 and spreads fast. The individual with it will usually lose some of their teeth, or all of them, rather quickly.

Knowing that an individual has a strong likelihood of developing a particular disease because of genetic testing enables them to be especially watchful for its symptoms. It will also enable dentists to design a custom treatment for it.

Having the genes for periodontitis raises the likelihood of getting the disease by a factor of 20. Both early onset periodontitis and the aggressive forms are genetically based and DNA testing and customized medicines may be the cure.

Genetic Screening May Also Help Save a Life

Over the past few years, researchers have concluded that the same bacteria that cause gum disease and inflammation is also behind the development of many diseases. These diseases are very serious and include cardiovascular disease, heart attack, stroke, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, rheumatoid arthritis, and more.

This makes it even more important for an individual who may be genetically predisposed toward periodontitis to be sure to watch for it and stop its development as soon as possible. Gum disease starts slowly and most people do not realize that it is already affecting their body’s main organs.

Gum disease starts out with a milder form called gingivitis. At this early stage about the only symptoms that will be noticeable are bleeding of the gums and red or swollen gums. In most cases, all that is needed to remove it is to brush your teeth twice daily and floss.

Those who have the genes for it, however, may not be able to prevent or remove it so easily. Even in the early stages, it can be more difficult to treat. Getting genetic testing early can enable a dentist to be ready to treat the patient with a customized plan, enabling the problem to be removed sooner without unnecessary delay.

The Symptoms of Periodontitis

As gingivitis progresses, it slowly becomes periodontitis. As it does, you will notice some or all of the following symptoms of periodontitis:

Receding gums
Pus forming at the gum line
Gums that have pulled away from your teeth – forming pockets
Spaces developing between teeth
Persistent bad breath
Teeth that are becoming loose

Key Risk Factors

In addition to the possibility of a genetic reason, there are also several other risk factors that can promote periodontitis. They include:

Not exercising good oral health – this is the primary reason
Smoking or using tobacco of any kind – this is another powerful cause.
Heavy drinking of alcohol
Diabetes
Medications
Pregnancy

If you suspect that you might have genetic gum disease, you can get DNA testing for it at our Champion dental office, Farmers Branch – Texas For more information about our services, or to set up an appointment, you can call us at 214-747-0763

Periodontitis gum disease farmers branch texas champion dental clinic

What Is Periodontal Disease?

Posted on March 21, 2023 | by mel | Leave a Comment

Periodontal Disease- The ‘Silent Killer’

Gum disease is usually rather painless, but it can cause serious damage in several ways. The milder form, called gingivitis, is generally not much of a problem to your teeth and gums. Periodontal disease is an entirely different story and it needs to be brought under control quickly to avoid extensive damage to the gums, teeth, and jawbone.

Once periodontal disease gets started, it will require a dentist to get rid of it. The CDC believes that as many as 50 percent of adults 30 or older have what is called advanced periodontal disease. This is equal to more than 64 million Americans.

What are the causes and symptoms of periodontal disease?

Although there are several factors that help in the development of gum disease, both gingivitis and periodontal disease have the same root cause – bacteria. This bad bacterium is always in your mouth, but it is generally controlled in a healthy mouth. It feeds on sugar, and when it does, it produces an acid. The acid causes cavities and inflammation of the gums.

Over time, if the bad bacteria are allowed to multiply, pockets in the gums will develop and colonies of these bacteria will form inside of them. As it continues to produce acid, it begins to erode the gums, the tissues that support the teeth, and the jawbone underneath. The teeth will begin to get loose and may fall out.

There are several causes of periodontal disease, but the primary one is simply not keeping the bacteria away from your teeth. This means that you most likely are not keeping up with brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing.

Other risk factors usually play on the primary one, but they can act alone. The other factors include:

Diabetes – gum disease is hard to control with diabetes. They go hand-in-hand – you cannot control one without controlling the other, too.
Medications – some medications will promote periodontitis, but those that cause dry mouth are a special problem.
Hormonal changes in women – including pregnancy.
Some illnesses.
Smoking – or using any kind of tobacco.
Obesity
Insufficient nutrition
Genetics – about one-third of Americans have the gene, but it does not mean you will get gum disease. If you do, however, it is apt to be difficult to control.

Several symptoms will reveal the presence of gum disease and periodontal disease. The symptoms of gingivitis include infected gums and bleeding gums. If allowed to continue, gingivitis develops more serious symptoms and becomes periodontitis, with symptoms that include:

Receding gums
Bad breath that will not go away
Gums pulling away from your teeth
Inflamed gums
Pus forming along the gum line
Painful chewing
Loose teeth.
Spaces developing between your teeth

Recent research has shown that having any kind of gum disease can seriously affect your overall health. Periodontal disease causes inflammation that is now believed to spread throughout the body from the gums, causing such problems as cardiovascular disease, heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and many more.

Different Types of Periodontal Disease

There are three different types of periodontitis. They all need treatment.

Chronic Periodontitis – It is the most common kind and it affects mostly adults. It causes slow deterioration, but it may get better or worse at times.
Aggressive Periodontitis – This is a rare form but it usually starts during childhood. It is usually genetic and the destruction occurs rapidly.
Necrotizing Periodontal Disease – It involves the death of gum tissue, the ligaments that support the teeth, and the bone, causing severe infection. Most people that get it are immune system compromised.

How to Prevent Periodontal Disease

Preventing periodontal disease in most cases is rather simple. Since periodontal disease starts out as gingivitis, generally all that is needed to remove it is to brush twice a day and floss. This will take care of it in most cases.

Other things that you can do are to quit smoking, eat healthy foods to strengthen your gums immune system, consume less sugary foods, and visit the dentist to keep an eye on gum disease if it develops.

Treatments available for periodontal disease

Several treatments are available for periodontal disease. The dentist will need to tell you which periodontal treatments are needed. They include:

Scaling and rootplaning – the dentist will open the pockets and remove the bacteria. Rough surfaces on teeth will be smoothed out.
Medications – different types of medicines may be inserted into the gum pockets to destroy the bacteria. They may include antibiotics and enzyme suppressants.
Flap surgery – The gums are lifted back and then cleaned out. When completed, they are sutured to reduce pocket depth.
Bone and tissue grafts – These grafts may be necessary to replace destroyed tissue and to restore a more normal appearance. Gum grafts may be performed with a laser.

Cost of Periodontal Treatment

The cost of getting periodontal disease treatment depends on the severity of the disease and how many appointments are needed. More serious periodontal disease needs to be treated by a specialist – a periodontist. A simpler treatment such as scaling and root planing will cost between $140 and $210. The cost for more severe problems will cost around $10,000. Laser treatment will cost about $1,000 per quadrant.

If you need periodontal disease treatment and live in the Farmers Branch TX area, you can get it from Champion Dental clinic. In addition to gum disease treatment, we also offer cosmetic dentistry to restore your smile. For more information about our expert dental services, or to set up an appointment, visit our dental website

Things That Make Bad Teeth & Gums More Likely

Posted on March 7, 2023 | by mel | Leave a Comment

How to Avoid Cavities and Gum Disease

Although your teeth are very hard, there are some things that you do that can damage your teeth and gums. Some of them can lead to rapid tooth decay and dental caries (cavities). By avoiding those things, it may be possible for you to prevent dental decay.

The Cause of Dental Decay

One of the main causes of teeth problems is the bacteria in your mouth. There are more than 700 kinds of bacteria that are usually present in your oral cavity – your mouth. Some of them are good for your teeth, some do not make a difference, and some are really bad for your pearly whites.

The bad bacteria in your mouth are largely what cause tooth decay. It accumulates every day as a white film on your teeth. It is called plaque. The reason it is bad is that when you eat carbs and sugars, thistheseteria turn it into acid. The acid erodes the enamel on your teeth. It is also the bacteria that cause gum disease.

The other primary cause of tooth decay – which you control – is how much sugar you consume daily. The more sugar you eat, the more acid there will be in your mouth. If you sip sodas and specialty coffees all day, you are exposing your teeth to destructive acid all day. Some sodas have as much as nine teaspoons of sugar in each can – and their own acids.

How to Prevent Tooth Decay

Preventing tooth decay is largely in your hands. It is you that must take action to prevent it. Here are some steps that will show you how to prevent cavities.

Reduce Your Sugar Intake

Because the bad bacteria that produce the acid will always be in your mouth, you need to cut back on your sugar intake. Most Americans consume much more sugar than is healthy. Natural sugars really do not pose a problem, but the added artificial or refined sugars do. The American Heart Association (AHA) reveals that men should not eat more than 150 calories of added sugar per day (9 teaspoons), and women should not eat more than 100 calories each day (6 teaspoons).

Dry Mouth

When you have a dry mouth, this can damage your teeth and gums. The main reason is that saliva also helps to keep the bad bacteria under control. It washes some of it off your teeth and it also provides some minerals to help strengthen your teeth. A dry mouth will lead to cavities and gum disease if allowed to persist.

You can reduce your dry mouth symptoms by making sure you are hydrated, and by sipping water throughout the day. Some liquids are diuretics, which mean they help you eliminate water from your body. Coffee, tea, alcohol, and drinks with a lot of sugar in them will all have this effect. They will dry out your mouth more than if you drank regular water.

Not Eating Healthy Foods

Besides being heavy on the sugars and carbs, many foods that Americans regularly eat usually lack enough nutrients to keep family members healthy. The vitamins and minerals you gain by eating more fruits and vegetables help to stop tooth decay by ensuring that your body has enough of the right nutrients to strengthen your teeth. The same nutrients will also strengthen your immune system and help it to fight off gum disease and oral cancers.

Some foods are healthy for your teeth because they provide the nutrients your teeth need, or they help control the bad bacteria. Cheese and yogurt, apples, and leafy greens are among the most beneficial.

Lack of Proper Oral Hygiene

Developing good oral hygiene habits can help your teeth to last longer. Brushing your teeth twice a day will remove the plaque from your teeth. In order to do it right, though, you need to brush for at least two minutes each time. Flossing is also necessary because it will remove the food, sugars, and bacteria, from in between your teeth.

Proper oral hygiene can also help you prevent gum disease. It will keep the bacteria away from your teeth, and help prevent inflammation, too.

Sticky Foods

Foods that are sticky, such as candies and sweets, are also bad for your teeth. Sticky foods enable the bad bacteria to produce acid directly on your tooth’s surface for longer periods of time. These foods will also stay in between your teeth longer and they are harder to remove.

Get Regular Dental Checkups

When you want to prevent tooth decay, it is largely up to you. However, if and when dental problems do develop, you want them taken care of quickly. Regular visits to the dentist can enable problems to be spotted quickly – and treated quickly. This helps to minimize both the work that needs to be done and the cost. Letting problems become worse will only mean it will cost more to repair it.

Looking for routine dental checkup in Farmers branch, Texas? Call 214-747-0763 , Champion Dental Free First Exam + Free Whitening for Life* -* Terms & Conditions Apply

Green Tea for Long Lasting Teeth?

Posted on March 6, 2023 | by mel | Leave a Comment

Benefits of Green Tea for Gum Health

Green tea has long been praised for its many health benefits. Many have known for centuries that it has unique abilities to benefit the health of those who drink it. It is not surprising then, to find that some of the benefits of green tea also mean some excellent benefits for your mouth and teeth.

Advantages of Green Tea

Green tea has many natural attributes that make it an ideal product to benefit your teeth. Over 1,500 studies have revealed that it has benefits that are capable of helping to protect your teeth.

The characteristics that make it valuable in helping your teeth are that green tea is considered to be a natural antioxidant and it possesses antibacterial properties. Although vitamins C and E are also antioxidants, which help to destroy free radicals that can lead to heart disease and cancer, the antioxidant power of green tea is as much as 30 times stronger.

Green tea also has two compounds in it called catechins that give it anti-inflammatory power. This enables it to be effective in protecting your teeth and gums against gingivitis, bleeding of the gums, and also against gum disease.

Green Tea and Gum Health

A study was conducted in Japan at the Kyushu University and published in the Journal of Periodontology that revealed the benefit of green tea on people who had periodontal disease. The participants were men who were between the ages of 49 and 59, and they all had periodontal disease.

They were all tested using three tests to determine the extent of their periodontal disease. They included measuring the periodontal pocket depth, the attachment loss, and how much bleeding there was from the pocket probe.

The test revealed that each of the three indicators was lowered based on the number of cups of green tea the men drank. Every cup of tea that they drank reduced the amount of periodontal damage in all three categories. At the end of the study, it was determined that the men that regularly drank green tea had much better periodontal health than those who drank less tea.

General Benefits of Drinking Green Tea

The above study offers excellent value as to how drinking green tea can benefit your overall health. Recent research has revealed that the same bacterium that causes gum disease is involved in the development of many serious health conditions. There are now believed to be more than 50 diseases that have been attributed to the bacteria behind gum disease. They include cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, heart attack, stroke, diabetes, low birth weight, sexual dysfunction, Alzheimer’s, several types of cancer, and many more.

Other studies have revealed that drinking green tea can benefit bone health. This is valuable to your teeth because gum disease like periodontitis attack the jaw bone when it is not treated. While caffeine itself may be a risk factor for the loss of calcium in bones, it is believed that it is only a factor when the caffeine is not balanced by an ongoing supply of calcium in the diet. One study on women in Scotland revealed a positive connection between the intake of green tea’s flavonoids and bone strength in the hip and lumbar spine.

Protecting Your Teeth with Green Tea

The primary cause of cavities is the bacteria in your mouth. Some types of bacteria are known to produce an acid when they consume sugar. It is this acid that erodes the enamel of your teeth and causes cavities. It is these same bacteria that cause inflammation of the gums and gum disease.

One study aimed to compare the benefits of green tea mouthwash to a well-known anti-bacterial mouthwash called chlorhexidine. Chlorhexidine is often prescribed for use in combatting the bacteria found in gum disease. The study looked at the research of seven other studies.

Some of the studies showed that green tea may be a good alternative to chlorhexidine. The researchers discovered from the studies that there really was not much difference between the results when compared. Another interesting finding was that there were no adverse side effects from green tea reported during any of the studies.

Seeing the Dentist

While mouthwashes and other dental products made to help curb the effects of gum disease may be helpful, none of them can undo the damage already done to your teeth. This requires the work of a dentist to repair gum and tooth damage, and to prevent further complications and to gain better overall health.

Green tea and teeth work well together. The overall health benefits of green tea make it an ideal drink to help protect your teeth and gums – but watch how much sugar you put in it. You also need to maintain good dental oral hygiene by brushing twice a day and flossing.

Studies show that the health benefits of green tea can improve your overall health. If you need tooth decay treatment or gum treatment for dental problems that you already have, and if you live in the Farmers Branch , TX , Schedule your appointment at Champion Dental for the best affordable dental care services

What Are Bacterial Tests To Test Your Risk of Gum Disease?

Posted on February 28, 2023 | by mel | Leave a Comment

Can Gum Disease Be Prevented with a Test?

Like any disease, being able to know exactly what it is will enable medical professionals to effectively overcome the problem. When guesswork is involved, it is likely to take longer to defeat the disease – and it may not work at all if the treatment is wrong. Bacterial tests are important when it comes to understanding your risk of getting gum disease.

Periodontal Disease

When it comes to gum disease, there are two types: gingivitis and periodontal disease. Gingivitis is the milder of the two. This type can usually be eradicated simply by regular brushing twice a day and flossing each night. The early symptoms of gingivitis include red or inflamed gums and bleeding gums.

If the early stages of gum disease are ignored, the gum disease progresses and becomes periodontitis. As it gets worse, the bacteria that causes the periodontitis gets under the gums and forms pockets. From there, it multiplies faster and produces acid, which deteriorate the gums, the structures that keep your teeth in place, and your jaw bone. Your teeth will become loose, and may even fall out. Periodontal disease continues to be the number one cause of Americans losing their teeth.

Periodontal Bacteria

In the average person’s mouth, there are more than 700 different types of bacteria. Out of this number, 11 of them can cause periodontitis. While some of these are milder, four of them can cause an aggressive form of periodontitis. This means it can advance faster than other forms, and it also means that it is going to be harder to control.

Having the periodontal bacteria in your mouth does not necessarily mean that you will develop periodontitis. If you have a good regimen of oral care for your teeth and gums you may be able to avoid it.

Bacterial Tests

A dentist can provide a bacterial test that will identify which of the various periodontal bacteria is present in your mouth. This will enable the correct treatment – an antibiotic – to be given. It is a test using your saliva to detect the various types of bacteria that may cause periodontitis.

If a dentist uses the wrong antibiotics on bacteria, it can enable it to become a super bacteria – one that does not respond to normal antibiotics. A bacteria test can provide the dentist with the knowledge of the exact antibiotic to add to the mixture.

This enables the treatment to be able to deal directly with the cause, rather than with the symptoms or risk factors. As an example, smoking is a serious risk factor to getting periodontal disease, and so is diabetes, but neither one can actually cause gum disease. A bacteria test gives dentists a powerful advantage in treating, and even preventing gum disease.

Periodontal Disease and Your Overall Health

A powerful reason to get a bacteria test if you have periodontitis is to be able to put an end to the problem as fast as possible. Studies now reveal that the same bacteria involved in periodontitis are also behind the formation of many major health problems, including cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, and stroke.

The same bacteria can begin to cause these problems after it gets into your gums. From there, it gets into your bloodstream and then can go anywhere in your body.

Typical periodontal treatment is usually only initiated after you already have the symptoms of the disease. This means that some damage has already been done and it is going to be costly to repair it. The usual treatment is planing and scraping, and the use of antibiotics – unless it has already reached an advanced stage.

Bacteria Test for Prevention

Testing someone for periodontal bacteria that does not yet have any symptoms of periodontal disease can benefit someone who may have these bacteria. Testing for the bacteria can enable dentists to eliminate it before it becomes a problem. Or, it may alert the individual to be sure to have regular dental checkups to watch out for its development.

A bacterial DNA test enables dentists to be able to correctly identify any bacteria that are behind your periodontitis. The test uses paper points that are inserted under the gums for just a few seconds. This is all the time that is needed to collect a bacteria sample. Once obtained, the samples are sent to a lab that can identify the bacteria involved. This test eliminates the guesswork and lets the dentist treat the exact problem.

Periodontal Disease Treatment

When periodontal disease treatment is desired or needed, a bacteria test can help reduce the treatment time. Even though treatments may have had limited success in the past, this method can speed up the process. For people who have a family history of periodontitis, getting a bacteria test may help prevent it.

If you want to have bacteria tests to test your risk of periodontal disease, or if you want to be tested because treatments so far have had limited success, you can call Champion dental at 214 747-0763

The Surprise Condition That Is Linked to 50+ Diseases

Posted on February 5, 2023 | by mel | 5 Comments

The close relationship between oral inflammation and your general health

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research revealed that as many as 10 percent of people between the ages of 20 and 64 have periodontal disease. One of the early symptoms of gum disease is bleeding of the gums. Research from many sources now indicates that periodontitis is connected to more than 50 diseases – many of which could shorten your life.

The Connection Between Periodontitis and Major Illnesses

Researchers have suspected for some time that bacteria in the mouth are connected to major illnesses. Only recently has the discovery been made that revealed that inflammation is the key, which is connected to gum disease. The bacterium in your mouth that causes the inflammation of the gums has been found in the organs affected by the disease.

The Conditions That Threaten Your Health

It seems that the list that connects gum infection with various diseases continues to grow. At present, there are more than 50 of them. Here are some categories of health and the diseases that affect it.

The Heart: coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, stroke, and more.
The Respiratory System: emphysema, COPD, pneumonia, sleep apnea, and more.
The Liver: non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, pancreatic cancer, cirrhosis, and more.
The Digestive System: inflammatory bowel disease, abdominal pain, acid reflux, and more.
Age-related Problems: dementia, Alzheimer’s, premature aging.
Women’s Health Problems: complications with pregnancy, endometriosis, infertility, and low-birth weight.
Men’s Health Problems: impotence, erectile dysfunction, libido problems, and more.
Cancer: kidney cancer, blood cancers, esophagus cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and more.
Other Problems: retinal degeneration, obesity, diabetes, aging, rheumatoid arthritis, and more.

As you can see from this list, many diseases that were previously thought to be unrelated are now believed to have a root cause – inflammation of the gums. Treating gum disease in its early stages is one of the best ways to help ensure better health over time.

The Source of Inflammation

Although there is more than one source of inflammation, the bacteria causing inflamed gums seems to be a primary culprit. These same bacteria are found at the site of these various diseases, which causes researchers to believe that it is the key.

The bacterium that causes gingivitis and periodontitis is naturally found in your mouth. A healthy mouth has many other types of bacteria in it that normally helps keep the bad bacteria under control. Several factors can easily cause this natural balance to become unbalanced and the bad bacteria starts growing uncontrollably – causing inflammation of the gums.

Triggers of Oral Bacterial Growth

Ordinary habits of life in America are the basis for growth of these bacteria. Sugary foods and drinks provides food for the bad bacteria, which causes it to multiply faster. This includes sodas, fruit juices, and energy drinks, as well as an abundance of pastries, desserts, and candy. Eating foods with tons of calories (fast food) also provides plenty of sugar.

Lack of care of the teeth is another cause. The bacteria hide in the food particles between the teeth and at the gum line forming plaque, which becomes tartar.

As the bacteria continue to grow, it goes into the gums, where pockets are formed. These pockets become convenient hiding places for colonies to form, and their destructive work progresses. Once this stage is reached, it begins to cause damage to the structures that hold your teeth in place, even damaging the bone. Eventually, you will start to see your teeth become loose, and then start to fall out.

Once the colonies have grown, it is not long before they start to get access to your blood stream. This enables them to travel throughout your entire body, possibly leading to many diseases.

Symptoms of Gum Disease

The earliest evidence of gum disease is usually bleeding gums, which may also be inflamed. This is gingivitis. If ignored, and your teeth are not cared for consistently, it can become periodontitis, which is the more serious form of gum disease. Other symptoms include: sore gums, pus at the gum line, gum recession, the formation of pockets in your gums, and loose teeth.

Repairing the Damage from Gum Disease

Once periodontitis becomes serious, and pockets are formed on the gums, dental treatment is necessary to stop its progress. This can be very costly, and can be very involved. The less invasive treatment involves antibiotics, scaling and root planing. Surgical treatments involve the reduction of pockets, gum grafts, bone grafts, and more. Consult Champion Dental Clinic at 214-747-0763 for more information on treatment options

Reducing Inflammation for Better Health

The best time to stop inflammation of the gums for your better health is today. Start by taking a serious approach to the care of your teeth. Brush them at least twice a day, and floss at least once a day. You also want to eat healthy, in order to keep the bad bacteria at bay.

Does Smoking Vapor Harm Your Teeth?

Posted on February 2, 2023 | by mel | 2 Comments

Why It Is Still Not a Safe Alternative

Ever since electric smokers appeared on the market, people have wondered how safe they are. Everyone already knew that smoking was harmful to teeth, but they also wanted to know about vapor smoke. Vaping has become quite popular, particularly among the young, and no one really knew what the results would be. Now they know how it affects teeth.

The Harmful Ingredients

One thing that will enable people to relax a little is the knowledge that there is no tobacco in the vapor from an e-cig. This means that the 7,000 different chemicals in tobacco and its smoke identified by the U.S. Surgeon General, is not in an electronic cigarette. That’s the good news.

The bad news are that there is nicotine and other chemicals in the vaping liquid. Nicotine does come from tobacco, and many of the ingredients and flavorings are known to be harmful. According to the CDC, the Surgeon General has identified all forms of e-cigarettes (e-pipes, e-pens, e-cigars, and e-hookahs) as not safe. People are being misled thinking that the many flavors are not harmful.

Harmful to Cells in Mouth

In a study published by Oncotarget, it concluded that the various chemicals put into an e-cigarette are no less harmful to the cells in your mouth than what is found in ordinary tobacco smoke. This means that the effect on the lining of your mouth, your gums, and your teeth, may be the same – or even worse – than that caused by smoking.

One reason that an epuffer is harmful to the mouth is that the greatest concentrations of the chemicals enter he mouth first. The chemicals are also hot. Some of the toxins found in the vapor of e-cigs include a chemical found in anti-freeze (diethylene glycol), formaldehyde, and toxic metals, including lead, chromium, and nickel.

Effects

Dentists have seen patients who vape with a cough, indicating that it is affecting the lungs. Of course, many patients believe that it is harmless, which is just not true.

Inflammation of the mouth, with sores (called stomatitis), is another problem sometimes seen. It affects the mucous membrane in the mouth, the gums, tongue, and throat. Dry mouth (xerostomia) is also seen often. Another problem is that the chemicals can produce chemical burns on the tongue.

The nicotine, as well as the various flavorings, is known to damage the cells in the mouth. This can lead to mouth cancer. Nicotine is also known to promote gum disease.

Why It Is a Concern

The above effects may vary in different people. Some may have them much more pronounced than others. This is only half the story. Chemicals in the mouth and gums, as well as having dry mouth, helps to upset the balance of the good and bad bacteria.

When this occurs, the bad bacteria start to multiply and the gums become inflamed and bleed. As the bacteria multiply, they produce acid, which is destructive to the teeth and gums. Careful attention to brushing twice daily and flossing each day is necessary to control it. Healthy amounts of saliva are necessary, too.

If good dental care is not maintained, pockets on the gums will soon form, and these become places where colonies of the bacteria can grow faster. This is periodontal disease. Since it is now beyond the reach of a toothbrush, brushing and flossing will not stop it at this point. More acid is produced, the gums recede, and the bacteria destroy the support structures for the teeth, and the jaw bone. Teeth start to become loose, and some may fall out.

The Addictive Power of Nicotine

Nicotine is very addicting. This is why it is used in an electric smoker. It can lead to smoking regular cigarettes, and many people who use e-cigs use both. This means that they are getting the harmful effects of the chemicals from both, and the nicotine is likely to keep this intake of dangerous chemicals continuing.

Long-Term Effect Not Determined Yet

Because cigarettes have been around a long time, the results are in – it is not healthy to smoke. It took many years for the truth to come out, and a lot of people have died from smoking. If you are still wondering do e cigarettes cause cancer, why learn the hard way?

Unfortunately, e-cigs have not been around long enough to know all of its long-term effects. Many people still assume that it is harmless, but enough research has already been conducted to prove otherwise. Many of the vaping liquids are made in China, where careful controls of what goes into them are not regulated or supervised.

Category: Gum Disease