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

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Does Oil Pulling for Oral Health Actually Work?

Posted on April 1, 2023 | by mel | Leave a Comment

It May Not Be as Beneficial as You Might Think

Everyone loves nice-looking teeth and no one wants gum disease that knows anything about it. Shortcuts are always being sought, and people will quickly flock to products or methods that sound like it will work to obtain these goals. Of course, new methods such as oil pulling are sought because you can do it at home and – let’s face it – dentists are not cheap!

The Coconut Oil Pulling Procedure

Coconut oil for teeth has been on the scene for a while now and using it for oil pulling is a continuing craze. People have been using this technique for centuries. It comes from an old Indian (Ayurvedic) folk remedy and it is claimed that it will pull out some of the toxins in your body, as well as destroy some of the bacteria in your mouth.

Oil pulling is a technique that involves putting a tablespoon of coconut oil (or sesame oil) in your mouth and then swishing it around for about 20 minutes. Because 20 minutes is usually too long to start with, go for just five minutes and then add a couple of minutes each time after that. After swishing it around, spit it out in the trash can because it will solidify in your pipes and can clog them. It has a melting point of 75 degrees F, which is about room temperature. Afterwards, you will want to rinse your mouth out two or three times with water, then brush your teeth.

The Claims of Oil Pulling

As you read over the claimed coconut oil pulling benefits, you will discover that there are many. They will vary from site to site, but you may find the following claims:

It helps with teeth whitening
It will reduce inflammation
It is good for treating gum disease
It helps prevent tooth decay
It strengthens your gums and jaw.

The Reality of Oil Pulling

In spite of the many claims of oil pulling, often given by famous people, there really is not any proof that it works. The primary reason is that very little research has actually been done on it. This means that there is no proof that it will actually help prevent cavities, whiten your teeth, or detoxify your mouth or body.

Because there is no official proof of its ability to improve your oral health, the American Dental Association does not recommend it for this purpose. Of course, if you wish to try it for yourself, you are free to do so, but it is advised that you do not try and use it as a substitute for brushing and flossing.

The bacterium that is in your mouth is there to stay. There are more than 500 different types of bacteria, and there are some that are considered harmful. In most people – except for those who have a weak immune system, or those who smoke or drink a lot – the bacteria is normally kept in balance in a healthy mouth. It is also unlikely that you will exterminate the potentially harmful bacteria without also destroying some of the good ones.

The Best Way to Improve Oral Health

When you want to improve your dental health, you do not want to leave out the traditional methods of brushing and flossing. Since plaque is constantly forming on your teeth, you want to be sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day. The best practice is to spend a full two minutes each time you brush to ensure a good job. You also want to floss each day, too.

Brushing and flossing are necessary because it enables you to remove the food particles, bacteria, and the acid they produce from the surfaces of your teeth. Without flossing, these three ingredients are left between your teeth, and together they make a good recipe for sensitive teeth and cavities.

Visit the Dentist Regularly

There really is no substitute for going to a dentist on a regular basis. The main reason is to ensure that your teeth and smile continue to look as good as possible. When a dental problem gets started, that is the best time to let the dentist fix it. If you wait, it is only going to cost more.

Dentists spot problems early, and this is important particularly in the areas of gum disease and oral cancer. Both can be treated from the start, and this also enables the potential damage to be minimized.

While you may want to try oil pulling for your own purposes to see if it will help you in any way, remember to take care of your teeth the traditional way to ensure that they last a long time. Your dentist can also provide you with many tips to help your oral health that are proven.

If you want proven methods for better oral health, Champion Dental Clinic, Farmers Branch , Texas can provide it. We provide a wide range of dental care services for all ages and accepts most dental health plans. For a consultation or dental checkup, you can contact our office today at 214-747-0763

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Which 5 Dental Symptoms You Should Never Ignore?

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

It could cost you more than you think

When you have dental symptoms that are not normal, it indicates that there is a potential problem. The problem may not be something to get concerned about, but, on the other hand, it could indicate a major threat to your health. It is not unusual for sores and other problems to occur in the mouth, but some indicate the need to see a dentist soon.

Oral Cancer

Every year, oral cancer continues to rise. This year, more than 51,000 people will be diagnosed with it. This cancer typically spreads fast, making the need for early detection very important.

Oral cancer is often without any pain in the early stages. This makes it hard for someone to know that they have it unless they are watching for symptoms, but a dentist can better detect them. The symptoms may also occur in the throat and may be very difficult to see.

Oral cancer symptoms may include red or white patches in the mouth or lumps in the neck or throat area. Other sores may also become cancerous. Any sore that has not healed within two weeks should be seen by a dentist. A dentist is trained to recognize cancer and other diseases, and can also take initial biopsies.

Pain in a Tooth

When you have strong pain in a tooth, it is time to see a dentist. Most likely, you already have made an appointment because the pain is almost unbearable and you want relief. If the tooth really hurts, you may also have inflamed gums and pus at the gum line. This could be an abscessed tooth.

An abscessed tooth is a serious problem. The inflammation can easily spread, especially if it is in your upper jaw, into your face and even your brain. If this happens, it could be fatal. Most likely, it will mean that a root canal is needed.

Loose Teeth

If one or more of your teeth have become loose lately, you need to see a dentist quickly. This is a symptom of advanced periodontitis, but other things can cause it as well. Gum disease is often nearly painless until it reaches the advanced stages, and you will most likely experience pain when you try to bite down on those loose teeth.

Bleeding gums are another symptom of gum disease. You will also likely have inflamed gums and pus along the gum line. Your gums will also have started receding, and you will likely have chronic bad breath.

Periodontitis is caused by an immune reaction to bacteria invading your gums. The immune reaction becomes an autoimmune reaction and it starts attacking your gums, the ligaments that support your teeth, and your jawbone.

Once your teeth become loose, it is certainly time to visit your dentist. Special gum disease treatment is needed to remove the bacteria. The longer you wait, the greater the damage. In order to remove the bacteria and inflammation, the dentist will need to give you antibiotics and may need to perform a non-surgical procedure called scaling and root planing – which removes the bacteria from the pockets that have formed on your gums.

Surgical procedures may also be needed to replace missing gum tissue. In order to replace missing teeth, bone and gum grafts may be necessary.

Dry Mouth

Having a dry mouth may not seem much like one of the dental problems you should watch for, but it really is. This problem can be serious if you are concerned about keeping your teeth looking good.

Your saliva helps keep the bacteria and acid in your mouth under control. Whenever some of the bacteria come in contact with sugar, it produces acid. The acid is what causes cavities. Without enough saliva, there is more bacteria and acid in your mouth, which leads to developing sensitive teeth and cavities sooner. It will also help to promote gum disease.

Staying hydrated will help you produce more saliva, and so will chewing sugarless gum. Stay away from drinks that are considered diuretics, which include coffee, tea, alcohol, and more. Since some medications can also cause it, you may need to talk to your doctor about changing medicines.

Tooth Sensitivity

When a tooth becomes sensitive, it is because the enamel has become thin. Because of the thin enamel, the food particles, spices, and hot or cold temperatures can penetrate it and get to the nerve inside the tooth. This causes pain.

The pain is an indication that a cavity is on the way. It already needs to be repaired. In some cases, tooth sensitivity may result from some dental treatments, but it will usually go away after a few days.

If you have any of the above dental symptoms, you can get dental treatment for all of them from Champion Dental Clinic, Farmers Branch, TX. We regularly treats dental problems ranging from oral cancer to periodontitis – and much more.

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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 dental website

Everyday Ways to Improve Dental Health

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

Protect Your Teeth While You Still Have Them

Unless you have a lot of extra money to spend, it is a good idea to protect your teeth so that you can keep them for as long as possible. As many as 30 percent of people in America over 65 do not have any natural teeth left. By taking care to improve dental health now, you may be able to keep your natural teeth much longer than that.

Start with Good Oral Hygiene

There are many kinds of bacteria in your mouth – about 500 different kinds. They are constantly forming plaque on your teeth after each meal. By practicing good oral hygiene, you can help protect your teeth from premature and unnecessary cavities. You want to be sure to brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes each time and then floss between your teeth every night before you go to bed.

The bad bacteria multiply and convert sugar and food into an acid. This acid attacks and corrodes the enamel on your teeth – leading to cavities and gum disease. With good oral hygiene, you can minimize the effect of the acid.

Be Aware of Gum Disease

If you have not taken good care of your teeth up until this time, you need to watch for symptoms of gum disease. The key symptoms include bleeding of your gums and red or inflamed gums. If you have these symptoms, it is the early stages of gum disease. It is an indication that you need better oral care. Practicing brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily will usually help you eliminate gum disease.

Gum disease is a more serious problem than many people realize. It can lead to significant health problems that could even shorten your life. In recent years, researchers have discovered that the bacteria that cause gum disease are responsible for at least other 50 diseases. The primary factor is inflammation, which this bacteria causes. The diseases include cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, stroke, diabetes, infertility, rheumatoid arthritis, aging, dementia, many forms of cancer, and many more.

Periodontitis

As gum disease progressively gets worse in the absence of good oral health, it becomes periodontitis. The CDC claims that almost 50 percent of adults over 30 have some form of periodontitis.

At this stage, pockets are formed along the gum line, and the bad bacteria produce colonies – out of reach of your toothbrush. The acid that the bacteria produce now starts attacking not only your gums, but also the structures that keep your teeth in place, and your jaw bone. If periodontitis is allowed to continue, your teeth will become loose and start to fall out. It is because of this disease – which is preventable – that so many seniors do not have their natural teeth.

Eating Right

What you eat also greatly affects the condition of your gums and teeth. The bacteria produce acid every time you eat or drink something sugary – especially soda. The acid takes the minerals out of your enamel which weakens it. Eating healthy foods helps to remineralize the enamel, making them strong. It is an ongoing process.

The right kind of foods will also strengthen your immune system, enabling it to fight gum disease. This will also make it stronger to be able to help fight against oral cancer.

Soda and other sugary drinks are also a serious problem for your teeth and gums. You can do much to improve dental health by greatly reducing the sodas and sugary foods you drink and eat. Sodas contain strong acids, too, as well as up to nine teaspoons of sugar per can.

Quit Smoking

Two-third of all cases of oral cancer is caused by smoking and other forms of tobacco. The nicotine in e-cigs is also a carcinogen. Tobacco hurts your oral health because it weakens your immune system by reducing the flow of blood in your mouth and gums.

Keep the Saliva Flowing

Another important key to having a healthy mouth is to ensure that you constantly have a good supply of saliva. It also helps to keep the bad bacteria under control. A dry mouth can be caused by diuretics such as coffee, tea, and other sugary foods. Medications can also cause it, as well as some diseases – such as diabetes. If medications are causing it, talk to your doctor about changing your prescription, because it can impact the health of your gums and teeth.

Get Regular Dental Check-Ups

Getting regular dental check-ups can also help you to have better oral health. A dentist can correct problems before they become severe – and costly.

If you live in the Farmers branch TX area, you can start to improve dental health by making a dentist visit at the Champion dental office. We perform many dental services and can help you get on the right track with teeth cleaning to avoid gum disease. For more information, or to set up an appointment, you can call (214) 747-0763.

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

How-To Guide To Healthy Teeth

Posted on February 24, 2023 | by mel | Leave a Comment

Steps You Need to Take to Keep a Beautiful Smile

When thinking about health, most people do not think much about caring for the health of your teeth. The truth is there is a definite connection between having a healthy mouth and having a healthy body. This how to guide will present an overview of what you need to keep your healthy teeth.

Brush Your Teeth

Brushing your teeth and flossing form the basic two things that serve as a starting place for healthy teeth. You need to brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time and floss them once a day – preferably before you go to bed.

Gum Disease

The bacteria in your mouth will form a film (plaque) on your teeth every so many hours. This is constantly occurring and brushing your teeth will remove it from the surface of your teeth, and flossing removes it from in between your teeth.

When you eat sweets and sugar-laden drinks, it causes the bad bacteria in your mouth to multiply. When it does, it produces an acid that starts attacking the enamel on your teeth. Without the proper care, the bacteria will continue to create dental problems. Your healthy gums will start to show signs of gum disease, which in the early stages are revealed by bleeding gums when you brush your teeth, they may possibly be inflamed, and your gums may be noticeably receding.

In more advanced stages, gum disease becomes periodontitis, which causes more adults to lose their teeth than any other cause. The same bacteria involved in the more mild form of gum disease (gingivitis) continues producing acid that destroys your gums, the structures that hold your teeth in place, and your jawbone. Only a periodontist can help restore your gums and teeth at this point – and it will be very costly.

Why Healthy Teeth and Gums Are Important

Recent research has discovered that the bacteria that cause gum disease and inflammation are also a major factor in as many as 50 different diseases and health problems. Among them are diabetes, cardiovascular disease, heart attack, and stroke. Several types of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer’s, COPD, pregnancy complications, and many more are caused by these same bacteria.

Eat Healthy Foods

The acids and sugars in many foods attack the enamel on your teeth, which leads to a process called demineralization. This means it is actually removing important minerals from your teeth, weakening the enamel and even making holes in it. By eating balanced healthy foods, your teeth can be remineralized and strengthened. Both processes are constantly occurring, but healthy eating helps ensure that the right vitamins and minerals are available.

The right kind of nutrition is also necessary to help your immune system. When healthy, your immune system can help fight off both gum disease and some oral cancers. Both of them are apt to grow faster when you do not get enough of the right kind of nutrition.

Smoking, or using chewing tobacco or even e-cigs, weakens the immune system in your mouth. This is why dental work on smokers takes longer to heal, and it is also why many smokers develop oral cancer.

Teeth Cleaning

Making regular visits to the dentist is also important to keep healthy teeth. The dentist can spot dental problems in their early stages and treat them, which could easily prevent the need for more costly treatments later on. As the dentist provides regular teeth cleaning, they can also tell you about spots you may be missing in your own dental care.

In between teeth cleanings, there may be other times when you should contact your dentist. These include occasions when you notice:

Red or tender gums that may also bleed when you brush.
Your gums are pulling away from your teeth.
Your teeth become sensitive to hot and cold.
Bad breath that you cannot prevent.
Some teeth are becoming loose.
Sores in your mouth are not healing.
Your teeth do not align the same way.
Your dentures or partials do not fit the same way.
You have difficulty when swallowing.

Be Careful of Drugs

The illegal kind of drugs can contain many harmful types of chemicals that will help destroy your teeth fast. They contain acids that will weaken your teeth’s enamel quickly, leading to serious cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss.

Even prescription drugs can harm your teeth. Some drugs, such as some antibiotics, can lead to discoloring them. If you are taking a drug that seems to be discoloring your teeth, see if your doctor can prescribe an alternative medication.

In order to maintain your healthy teeth and gums, you need the regular assistance of a dentist. If you live in Farmers Branch, TX all you need to do is call 214-747-0763 , Champion dental clinic for your regular dental check ups and affordable oral care. Make Champion Dental as your preferred dentistry for all your family dental needs.

Is It Worth the Time To Floss Your Teeth?

Posted on February 6, 2023 | by mel | 3 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.

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