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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

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Pinhole Surgery – Everything You Need to Know

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

Looking for a Non-invasive Way to Get Gum Surgery?

When you have receding gums because of gum disease, a new non-invasive technique called pinhole surgery can give you beautiful gums again. The procedure is fast and requires very little downtime. You also will not need to worry about stitches and it is not considered to be painful.

What is Pinhole Surgery?

Pinhole surgery is a rather new way to provide receding gums treatment. Invented by John Chao, DDS, MAGD several years ago, it is becoming the increasingly popular way to treat gum recession.

Periodontal disease causes recession of the gums, as well as erosion of the jawbone. Treating the disease often still leaves the gums unattractive. Up until recently, the most common way to treat the gums so that their natural and healthy appearance is regained is through gum graft surgery – with or without a laser. This older type of surgery requires the use of stitches and is rather painful.

The new pinhole surgery technique is revolutionary in that no stitches are required, and it is much less painful. It is also scalpel-free. After making a small hole in your gums above the teeth, special tools are inserted into the hole that enables the surgeon to gently lift the gums off the teeth and slide them down – covering the exposed roots and restoring the natural gum line.

Although no stitches are used, oral surgeons will likely place collagen strips under the gums to provide support and keep them in their new position. Some surgeons will also place platelet-rich fibrin membranes under the gums, but this is at their discretion.

An additional advantage of pinhole surgery for gum recession is that it is fast. Dental surgeons can correct the gums over many teeth at one time – often in less than an hour. Patients get to see immediate results.

There also is very little post-operative pain. It is also long-lasting. Patients can expect there to be little or no downtime, and they are able to eat a normal dinner the same evening.

Who Can Go for Pinhole Surgery?

Most anyone is a good candidate for pinhole surgery. You need to be in rather good health and have moderate to severe gum recession.

Patients that have rampant gum disease will need to have it treated prior to the pinhole surgery. This helps to ensure that the surgery’s effects will be longer lasting. It also ensures that your gum disease is still not causing further damage to your gums and jawbone.

Pinhole Surgery Aftercare

Once the surgery has been completed, there is little aftercare needed. The patient will need to return to the surgeon’s office for a checkup after a couple of days to ensure that there are no problems.

The success of the surgery will partly depend on the patient following the advice of the surgeon after the surgery. This includes not brushing aggressively once given clearance to brush. Patients who grind their teeth (bruxism) may need to wear a dental appliance to prevent damage to the gums.

Advantages and Complications of Pinhole Surgery

The pinhole surgery technique puts gum treatment on a whole new level. It is much faster than traditional gum surgery, and it is usually completed in an hour or less. Once completed, you can also leave the office right away, because there is no need for a period of recovery.

Patients also do not need to put up with a lot of pain in the roof of their mouth, which is usually where the material for the new gums is taken from in a gum transplant. You also do not need to be concerned about a special diet during recovery time. Pinhole surgery is considered non-invasive, and patients can see the results immediately.

With normal gum grafting procedures, which uses cutting and stitches, patients can expect healing to take between 14 to 21 days. The pinhole surgery method enables patients to go back to work immediately.

In addition, gum grafting may require multiple surgeries, especially when there is more extensive damage. It can take up to a year to complete one person when several surgeries are needed.

Although there are a few possible complications with pinhole surgery, they are much fewer than might be experienced with traditional gum grafting. Since there is no cutting, there is a much smaller risk of infection, even though a few tiny holes will be made. These holes heal quickly, which reduces the risk of infection considerably.

Cost of Pinhole Surgery

The pinhole gum surgery cost is similar to regular gum graft surgery. The advantage in cost is that you do not need to return for multiple treatments, and it is often completed in one appointment.

If you live in and around Farmers Branch TX area and need receding gums surgery, you can contact Champion Dental Clinic specialists for pinhole surgery. We perform pinhole gum surgery and regularly treats patients for periodontal disease. For more information about our dental services and offers, or to set up an appointment, call us at 214-747-0763

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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 website

How to Treat a Stubborn Toothache?

Posted on February 7, 2023 | by mel | 3 Comments

Tired of Toothache Pain?

A toothache can be a painful thing to have to put up with for any length of time. Finding a good toothache remedy when you need it is more than helpful – it will make your whole day better.

The Causes of Tooth Pain

The best way to treat tooth pain is to understand what is causing it. This may let you deal directly with the cause rather than just dealing with the symptoms. You may be able to treat some possible causes yourself. Some causes include:

A build-up of food particles between your teeth
A sinus infection that feels like the pain is in your teeth
A cavity
A fracture in a tooth
Teeth that are erupting but lack room

Here are some remedies that will help you cope with tooth pain.

Using Benzocaine for Tooth Pain Relief

Over-the-counter medications containing benzocaine have been proven effective for pain relief. It is an antiseptic, but care needs to be given as to how it is used. You should never use more than the recommended amount, and it should never be given to children under two years old. ToothHQ warns that benzocaine has been responsible for some deaths by decreasing the amount of oxygen that the blood can transport.

Home Care Tips for Toothache Pain

Pain from a toothache could be caused by food particles caught between the teeth. The bad bacteria feed on food particles and sugar and it could be causing inflammation of the gums. You may be able to get pain relief simply by brushing and then flossing your teeth to remove the food particles.

Rinse Your Mouth

Oftentimes, things like sweets can irritate an existing tooth problem. Simply swishing some salt water around your mouth can dissolve the substances causing the severe toothache. Spit it out after swishing it around for about 30 seconds. It can also reduce swelling.

Take Over-the-Counter Medications

Taking an aspirin or other common pain relievers can help provide some relief. Some medications are better than others. Be sure not to put the medications directly on your gums as this may burn them.

Desensitizing Toothpaste

If your teeth are sensitive and things like hot and cold, or sweets, cause pain, you might want to try a toothpaste that will desensitize your teeth. You might need to brush your teeth two or three times to help reduce the pain.

A dentist can give you desensitizing toothpaste that is stronger than what you can get over the counter. This prescription fluoride toothpaste is five times stronger.

A Gum Disease

Gum disease comes in several stages. In the early stage, your gums will bleed when you brush or floss. Regular brushing, twice a day, and flossing once a day, will usually get rid of this problem.

In the next stage, pockets begin to form on the gums, and this becomes the perfect hiding place for the bacteria causing it. They produce acid when they multiply, which starts dissolving your gums, tissues that support your teeth, and the jaw bone.

What you need to know is that this causes inflammation, and so does other teeth problems. Inflammation has now been linked to more than 50 major health issues, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, heart attack, and stroke. It is also connected with several types of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, infertility, ED, and more.

Children and Tooth Pain

When children are suffering pain from a toothache, you may find that they do not want to brush their teeth. Eating may also be painful. Getting them to a dentist will enable the problem to be found and treated.

When to Call the Dentist

Some pain symptoms indicate that you need dental care quickly. Dental problems can degenerate into serious conditions if ignored. When the following symptoms are present, make an appointment with the dentist quickly.

Fever
Signs of an infection (swelling, pus, pain when eating, inflamed gums)
Difficulty swallowing or breathing.

While you may be feeling the pain of a toothache, it may be a much larger problem. A tooth could be cracked; you could have problems with gum disease, a deep cavity, or an infected tooth. All of these should be evaluated by a dentist because they are not likely to get better on their own.

Getting the Toothache Relief You Need

Toothache pain always has an underlying problem behind it. Solving this problem will prevent you from having to try and find temporary solutions that may not even work in your case. A good capable dentist can solve the real cause, which will put an end to your tooth pain. Besides that, letting a toothache go on is only likely to mean a greater cost in getting it fixed.

When you need a toothache remedy for tooth pain that does not go away, you can contact Champion Dental clinic at 214-747-0764. Our team of expert dentists can help you get the immediate pain relief you need

Is It Worth the Time To Floss Your Teeth?

Posted on February 6, 2023 | by mel | 2 Comments

Does Flossing Teeth Really Make a Difference?

While it is certain that daily brushing your teeth is valuable to help protect them, regular daily flossing teeth is just as important. The benefits of flossing add to what your toothbrush does because it lets you reach into areas that your toothbrush cannot touch.

The Importance of Flossing

Flossing is important because it enables you to remove particles from between your teeth that a toothbrush cannot reach. This helps prevent bacteria from building up between your teeth and damaging them and your gums.

The bacteria that need to be removed will grow in the presence of food and sugars between your teeth. It becomes plaque every day, but it is brushed off with a toothbrush when you brush your teeth. This does not happen between your teeth, though, which is why flossing is necessary.

Although there was some debate recently about the value of flossing, the American Dental Association, the Surgeon General, THE CDC, and other health groups still say it is important. Not only does it help your teeth to continue to look clean, but it also helps you to avoid gum disease.

Gingivitis

Gum disease often starts when proper care is not given to the teeth – you are not flossing. Food particles collect between the teeth and the bacteria hides in it. This enables them to multiply, and when they do, they produce acid. The acid begins to erode the enamel on your teeth and it also begins to work on your gums. This leads to gingivitis.

When you have gingivitis, your gums will bleed when you brush your teeth or floss. They may also appear red and inflamed. Healthy gums do not bleed. At this early stage, if you brush your teeth twice a day and floss everyday, you can usually get rid of gingivitis.

Periodontitis

If you let the gingivitis go, and do not start taking better care of your teeth, periodontitis is the next step. At this stage, pockets will begin to form on your gums at the gum line. The pockets are where the bad bacteria in your mouth are forming colonies – and producing more acid. Soon, you will see pus oozing out of the pockets at the gum line.

The acid now will slowly begin to do some serious damage. It starts destroying the gums, the structures that hold your teeth in place, and the jaw bone. After a while, your teeth will start to become loose, and some may even fall out.

Treating Periodontitis

Once the pockets have formed, it is out of your hands. A toothbrush or floss will not reach into the pockets, so dental care becomes necessary. Only a dentist can help you now.

Treatment for periodontitis depends on how serious it has become. There are four phases of this gum disease and treatments involve both non-surgical and surgical methods. While medications may help treat it in the early stages, further development may require gum and bone grafts, and tooth replacement – all of which can be very expensive.

Avoiding Gum Disease

The best way to prevent and to stop gum disease, if you do not already have it, is to brush and floss your teeth every day. Some people have a genetic tendency toward gum disease, but regular dental care will help prolong its development, but may not ultimately stop it.

Periodontitis develops slowly in most people. While it continues to be the primary cause of tooth loss in the United States, it does not have to affect you. The primary cause is a lack of consistent brushing and flossing, says the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Best Time to Floss

Bacteria are always growing in your mouth. Because of this, it is best to floss at night before you go to bed because it will remove the bacteria from your teeth before you sleep. This way, you do not let the acid continue to destroy the enamel for the eight or so hours while you sleep.

More Tips to Reduce Gum Disease

Taking care of your teeth involves more than just brushing and flossing, although those things may be the most important. Other things include cutting down on sugary drinks and foods. The bad bacteria in your mouth feeds on sugar, which makes it even more important to rinse your mouth out with water after consuming sugary foods, and brushing and flossing.

Avoiding tobacco of any kind is also important, and cutting down on alcohol will help as well. Seeing your dentist regularly will also help protect your teeth because a dentist can see spots you have missed, as well as treat any cavities that may be developing before they become significant problems.

Flossing your teeth regularly is part of good oral health care. If you live in the Farmers Branch TX areas, Champion Dental clinic expert Periodontists can help you maintain healthy teeth, or treat gum disease when needed. To make an appointment for a consultation, call our office today at (214) 747-0763.

The Surprise Condition That Is Linked to 50+ Diseases

Posted on February 5, 2023 | by mel | 3 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 | 1 Comment

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.

Bone Grafting: the Solution You Need for Severe Gum Disease

Posted on December 29, 2022 | by mel | Leave a Comment

How Bone Grafts Can Restore Your Appearance

Periodontitis is a serious gum disease. Over time, if not treated, it will cause your gums to recede and your teeth may become loose and possibly even fall out. The erosion of your gums will certainly change your smile and make it less attractive and you will appear older. The good news is that your smile can be restored and missing teeth replaced with bone grafting.

About Bone Grafting

Dental bone grafts can be used to replace missing or lost bone in your jaw. It can also be used to prepare your jaw for dental implants, enabling your smile to be restored. An oral bone graft can also help to restore a more youthful look.

Periodontitis Destroys Bone

Gum disease starts as gingivitis, which is rather mild. There is very little physical damage taking place at this stage. The bacteria that cause gingivitis can usually be removed by brushing twice a day and flossing.

If oral care does not improve, it will become periodontitis. This means the bacteria that cause gum disease has gained entrance into the gums and an immune reaction has started. The immune system starts to attack the bacteria and the gums, along with the support structures for your teeth, and your jawbone. It will slowly erode them away and it will not stop until the bacteria are removed by a periodontist. Once the bacteria are removed and the gums properly treated, the bone loss will stop – especially with the presence of a dental implant.

Bone Graft Surgery

Oral bone grafting is a method that is used to build up the bone that has been lost to periodontitis. There are two ways that it might be used. The bone graft types include:

Bone block – a small block of bone can be taken from another place, such as from a hip or chin. The block is shaped as needed and then screwed into place.
Bone powder – processed bone is mixed into a paste and then shaped and applied as needed. On some occasions, tooth extraction and bone graft will take place at the same time. The powder or paste may be inserted into the socket immediately after extraction to help ensure that the bone retains its height while waiting for the dental implant.

After a bone graft, the original bone cells will mix with the new bone. Over time, your new bone cells will increase and they will eventually replace all of the bone graft material completely. This will leave you with only your bone once it completely heals.

When Bone Grafting May Be Used

Bone grafting is primarily used to restore bone that has been damaged or lost. The jawbone is normally partially reabsorbed into the body under any tooth that has been extracted. A bone graft for implant is often conducted to raise the height of the lost bone so that it matches the surrounding bone.

On some occasions, periodontitis can erode enough bone away from the jaw that it changes the shape of the face. A bone graft may be used to reshape the jaw so that the face’s original shape is regained.

Materials Used in Bone Grafts

The materials used in a bone graft will vary. The choice will depend on the periodontist’s choice (he or she may have a preference), but the patient may also have a preferred material.

Your bone tissue (autograft) – Bone can be taken from your hip, legs, ribs, or chin.
Donor bone material (allograft) – Bone may also be obtained from a donor (cadaver) at a tissue bank.
Bone from an animal (xenograft) – Bone is obtained from an animal, such as a cow.
Synthetic bone (alloplast) – It is becoming more common to use artificial bone material for a bone graft. The graft is often made of a combination of calcium, phosphorus, and a plastic called hydroxylapatite.

The Bone Graft Procedure

The periodontist will start the procedure by giving you local anesthesia, but stronger anesthesia can also be used if desired. The next step is to remove any gum disease. The gums will be opened and folded back to expose the bone and tooth roots (if you still have teeth). Bacteria and inflammation will be manually removed, along with any infected gum tissue and bone. In order to help prevent bacteria from reattaching to the teeth, the tooth roots will be smoothed. The process is called scaling and root planing.

After the dental cleaning, the periodontist will place the bone graft material where needed and shape it. Along with the bone graft material, a process called guided tissue regeneration (GTR) may also be used. It involves using a specially treated mesh, usually with growth factors, which aids healing and prevents other tissue from mixing with it.

Recovery and Healing

Depending on the severity of the bone loss from periodontitis, the process can often be completed in 45 to 90 minutes. Patients can expect their gums to heal within two weeks. The bone graft, however, will need between three to six months to heal, and some may take longer. This will depend on:

The bone material used
The procedure used and the complexity
How well the patient follows instructions
The location of the graft – upper or lower jaw.

There should be very little pain after the surgery, but a little soreness may be expected. Over-the-counter pain medications should be sufficient. Antibiotics may also be given to help prevent infection. An ice pack may be used to help with swelling if present.

Qualifications for Candidates

Bone grafts can be used in many types of problems. They are used to prepare the jaw to replace missing teeth, to repair trauma to the jaw, and to reconstruct the jaw after a tumor or cyst has been removed. Candidates need to be free from problems such as diabetes, which can hinder or slow healing. The bone that will be around the bone graft needs to be healthy and have a sufficient number of osteoblasts present because this is what will produce the new bone material.

If you are in Farmres Branch, Texas and looking for Bone grafting, Contact Champion dental clinic Board certified Dental surgeons today.

Gum Grafting: A Solution to Receding Gums

Posted on December 6, 2022 | by mel | 4 Comments

How to Get Your Gums Looking Good Again

When your gums are healthy, it helps to give you a great smile and you will be glad to show it off. If you have receding gums, your teeth will appear longer, making you look older. You may try to hide it because it makes you self-conscious. You can get your gums restored and look younger through a procedure called gum grafting.

Why Gums Recede

There are several reasons for gum recession. Knowing what they are can help you find a solution and possibly prevent further recession. Some of the reasons are:

Using a toothbrush with hard-bristles
Brushing too hard
Dentures that do not fit correctly
Tobacco use.

The above reasons for gum recession are only some of them. The primary reason is periodontal disease and about half of the adults over 30 have it. This disease is also the main reason why adults lose their teeth.

Why Gum Recession Is a Problem

When you have gum recession, it indicates that there is a problem – and it tells you that a worse one is on the way. It is bad because it exposes the roots of your teeth. Since they have less enamel on them than the crowns of your teeth, it exposes them to develop cavities quickly. Also, your gums will not grow back, so it will likely become costly to treat them.

The worse problem is that it likely indicates that you have periodontal disease, which is serious gum disease. Although there are several stages, you will need to have it removed by a periodontist as soon as possible. This will help to prevent serious damage.

About Gum Disease

Gum disease starts as gingivitis. This stage is relatively harmless, but your gums will look red and inflamed and you will have bleeding gums when you brush or floss your teeth. If you keep up the habit of good oral hygiene, you can usually get rid of gingivitis by brushing twice a day and flossing.

If you do not get rid of it, it will become periodontitis. This is when it starts to become nasty. You can no longer get rid of it yourself. It has moved into your gums and you will need the help of a periodontist to eliminate it.

As the bacteria that cause gum disease get into your gums, your immune system will seek to prevent the invasion. In the process, it will also attack your gums, the ligaments that support your teeth, and your jawbone. Over time, it will destroy them and your teeth will become loose and then may fall out.

Eliminating Periodontitis

A procedure called gum grafting or gum graft surgery is the solution you need to reverse receding gums. You will first need to have the bacteria removed from the pockets that have formed on your gums. This procedure is called scaling and root planing and it involves removing the bacteria and inflammation from the pockets. A laser may also be used for this process.

Gum Graft Surgery

Repairing your gums and giving them a more youthful appearance is often conducted using a gum transplant . The gum graft surgery may be conducted in one of three ways:

Connective tissue grafts – This gum recession treatment involves taking some tissue from the roof of your mouth. The periodontist will first cut a flap in the roof of your mouth and then remove tissue under that layer. The tissue will then be stitched to your gums to cover up the tooth roots, and the flap will be stitched closed.
Free gingival grafts – This procedure is similar to connective tissue grafts except that no flap is cut. Tissue is taken directly from the roof of your mouth and then stitched to cover your tooth roots. When people have thin gums, this method is the one that is preferred.
Pedicle (lateral) grafts – This method of receding gums surgery uses thick gum tissue that is beside the place where it is needed. The tissue is cut from over a neighboring tooth but leaves one side attached. Then, it is pulled over where needed and stitched in place.

Another Gum Tissue Source

The best source for obtaining gum tissue is to use the patient’s own tissue. Tissue may also be obtained from a tissue bank, which enables the patient to have one less surgical wound – and less pain during recovery. Some oral surgeons prefer this method. Depending on how many teeth may need their roots covered, the average treatment time is about an hour-and-a-half.

Recovery

After the gum graft surgery, you will be given special instructions about how to take care of your mouth as it heals. The healing on the gum surface should take a maximum of two weeks, but tissue underneath may take more than a month. After two weeks, you will be able to brush and floss again. A follow-up appointment will be necessary to ensure proper healing.

Benefits of Gum Grafting

The gum graft procedure has several benefits. They include:

It stops gum recession
It improves your appearance and smile
It protects your tooth roots
It reduces tooth sensitivity
It gives you a more even gum line
It improves your self-confidence

If you have a receding gum line and are interested in learning more about gum grafting, Call Champion Dental office at +1 214-747-0763 for a quick consultation . Most dental insurance plans are accepted.

Category: Periodontitis