periodontist Archives - Champion Dental

What Can a Dentist Learn About Your Non-Dental Health?

Posted on April 10, 2023 | by mel | Leave a Comment

Your Mouth Is Telling on You

It is common to think that your mouth and body are two separate entities. In reality, they are two parts of the same body. This means that what affects the body will, in some way, affect the mouth, too. Your oral health and overall health are connected. The opposite is also true. This is why a dentist can look in your mouth and detect signs of some diseases that you may not even know that you have.

Non-dental Problems the Dentist May Find

As the dentist looks into your mouth, they may discover several health problems. These problems may include:

Diabetes

One of the most common non-dental problems that will be evident in your mouth is diabetes. This health problem is widespread and as many as 7.2 million people have it but do not yet know it. When diabetes is present there could be several symptoms that can affect your dental health. They include:

Gum disease
Dry mouth
Oral thrush.

Gum disease needs to be controlled at the same time as diabetes. They interact with each other, but controlling gum disease will reduce the symptoms of diabetes. Uncontrolled diabetes may also cause frequent gum abscesses, a lot of bone loss, and swelling rather quickly.

GERD

If your teeth are eroded and pitted, it means that you have GERD or acid reflux. When you sleep, the acid enters your mouth and can sit behind your lower front teeth for long periods. This erodes the enamel on those teeth and the dentist will easily notice it.

Osteoporosis

This health condition makes the bones get thinner and typically affects women after menopause. The usual symptoms are a stooped posture and back pain because of a collapsed vertebra. This medical problem can be detected by dentists because of loose teeth that are not caused by periodontal disease and if the individual maintains good oral health.

Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is a serious problem that may be detected in your mouth by the dentist during an oral exam. Oral cancer cases are increasing due to the spread of the human papillomavirus – HPV. It can lie dormant for decades. When oral cancer does appear, treatment is needed quickly because it can spread fast. More than 53,000 people will be diagnosed with it this year and about 10,000 will die from it.

Kidney Disease

When your kidneys are working correctly, they will help your body remove waste products. If not, there will be a buildup of toxins in your body and in your mouth. The buildup may also affect your breath, which could give it a sweet smell or make it smell like urine. It can also cause you to have dry mouth – which could lead to gum disease.

How Poor Oral Health Affects the Rest of Your Body

When you do not take good care of your teeth, there will be a buildup of bacteria on your teeth called plaque. The plaque will soon form tartar if it is not removed often. As tartar is formed, the bacteria that can cause gum disease hides in it. Since tartar forms above and below the gum line, the bacteria will easily get access to your gums; and once there, it has access to your bloodstream. The bacteria produce acid and toxins that will irritate the gums, which will lead to gum disease.

In recent years it has been discovered that there is a strong connection between having gum disease and other severe health problems. Once in the bloodstream, it will result in buildups of bacteria and inflammation throughout your body and organs.

This can lead to many serious health conditions. It includes such problems as cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, stroke, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, dementia, early births, and many more. It is known that many patients (91 percent) that have heart disease also have periodontitis.

If you are wondering what a difference it makes to keep your teeth clean and free of gum disease, there are some statistics you should consider. People with periodontitis have a:

65 percent higher risk of developing dementia
53 percent greater risk of having a heart attack.

Periodontal Treatment

If you already have periodontal disease, it is best to see a dentist right away. It is not going to go away by itself. The CDC says that about 50 percent of adults over 30 have it. The dentist, or periodontist, will need to provide you with some treatments to remove it. In addition to medications, you will likely be given a non-surgical treatment called scaling and root planing. With the right treatment, periodontal disease can be eliminated, but some repair work may also need to be done.

If you have been avoiding the dentist for some time, it may be a good idea for a visit. This will enable you to get your teeth cleaned, checked for gum disease, and get a check on your overall health. You can get a dental checkup to ensure you have good dental health and non-dental health from Champion Dental Clinic, Dallas Fort Worth, Texas. We provide a wide variety of dental services and most dental insurance plans are accepted. To set up a consultation or to get more information about maintaining good oral hygiene for better health, you can contact us at (214) 747-0763.

Periodontitis gum disease farmers branch texas champion dental clinic

What Is Periodontal Disease?

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

Periodontal Disease- The ‘Silent Killer’

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

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

What are the causes and symptoms of periodontal disease?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Different Types of Periodontal Disease

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

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

How to Prevent Periodontal Disease

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

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

Treatments available for periodontal disease

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

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

Cost of Periodontal Treatment

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

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

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

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

Can Gum Disease Be Prevented with a Test?

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

Periodontal Disease

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

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

Periodontal Bacteria

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

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

Bacterial Tests

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

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

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

Periodontal Disease and Your Overall Health

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

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

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

Bacteria Test for Prevention

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

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

Periodontal Disease Treatment

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

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

The Surprise Condition That Is Linked to 50+ Diseases

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

The close relationship between oral inflammation and your general health

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

The Connection Between Periodontitis and Major Illnesses

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

The Conditions That Threaten Your Health

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

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

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

The Source of Inflammation

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

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

Triggers of Oral Bacterial Growth

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

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

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

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

Symptoms of Gum Disease

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

Repairing the Damage from Gum Disease

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

Reducing Inflammation for Better Health

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

Why Your Gums Are Receding

Posted on January 27, 2023 | by mel | 7 Comments

The real reasons that you may not even think of

When you have receding gums, it is often an indication that there is a problem. It reveals that your gums are not as healthy as they should be, and your oral health is declining. Healthy gums are necessary to help protect your teeth.

Symptoms of Receding Gums

Looking over your gums, there are some easy-to-spot symptoms that will help you know whether or not they are healthy. Some symptoms that reveal that your gums are in the early stages of gum disease include:

Bleeding gums
Bright Red Gums
Bad Breath
Swollen gums
Increased sensitivity

Why You Should Stop Gum Decay

A receding gum line is often just the early steps to periodontitis. Unless it is treated and action is taken to stop it, it will gradually become worse. With the right conditions, it can quickly become serious.

Gum decay is caused by bacteria in the mouth that is out of control. Normally, the good bacteria, a healthy diet, and saliva keep it under control. As the bad bacterium multiplies, it produces an acid that starts to work on the gums and teeth. Brushing and flossing your teeth regularly can remove the plaque (the bad bacteria) that forms on your teeth.

Without the proper dental care, pockets will begin to form on your gums before long. This provides the perfect hiding place for the bacteria to grow colonies – and produce more acid. This is called periodontitis. As the pockets become larger, it starts to break down the structures that hold your teeth in place, and the bone, and your teeth start to become loose and will eventually fall out.

As your gums recede, it exposes the roots of your teeth. Prior to receding, the gums offered some protection for the roots, but as they recede, cavities can form on them and they become more sensitive.

Inflammation and Other Disease

Researchers now know that the inflammation caused by gum disease is behind many potentially serious health problems. It can lead to heart disease, diabetes, respiratory disease, a stroke, and many more.

Causes of Receding Gums

Before you can start to treat gum disease, you need to know what may be the cause of it. Some causes include:

Poor care of your teeth – A lack of regularly brushing your teeth and flossing will lead to gum disease.
Grinding your teeth – If you grind your teeth (bruxism), you have an increased chance of developing gum disease.
Brushing too hard – Brushing vigorously can wear away your gums, leading to gum recession. Using a toothbrush that has hard bristles can do the same thing.
A gum injury – Trauma to your teeth can also help promote gum disease.
Hormonal changes – Changes in the level of female hormones can help gums to be more likely to develop a disease of the gums.
Illnesses – Various diseases can lead to the faster growth of the bacteria that causes gum disease. This includes diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS, and leukemia.
Genetics – It is possible that your genes may actually make you inclined to gum disease. WebMd says that as much as 30 percent of the population may be in this category, and how well you take care of your teeth may not prevent it.
Misaligned teeth – When your teeth are not aligned properly, it makes cleaning them more difficult. This often results in leaving food particles between your teeth – allowing bacteria to multiply and cause decay.
Poor nutrition – Vitamins and minerals are necessary for the strengthening of your teeth and gums. Eating or drinking a lot of sugary foods provides food for the bacteria that causes gum disease.
Obesity – Being overweight makes it harder to control gum disease.
Medications – Some medications will cause dry mouth, which encourages bacterial growth.
Drug abuse – Drug abuse generally promotes gum disease because the acids in them are strong, and those on drugs rarely take care of their teeth.

Types of Gum Treatment

If you have a mild case of gingivitis, you can probably get rid of it by brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing. You will need to do it regularly to succeed.

If you already have pockets forming along the gum line, you will likely need to see a dentist for treatment. Periodontal treatment will be needed to stop it and repair the damage. Remedies include:

Non-surgical: medications, scaling and root planing.
Surgical: flap reduction surgery, gum grafting, soft tissue grafts, and bone grafting.

Preventing Receding Gums

The best way to prevent your gums from receding is to carry out a regular program of brushing for about two minutes at a time – twice a day, and flossing. This will usually eliminate the early stages of gum infection.

If you are staying in and around Farmers branch , do call our clinic Champion Dental at 214-747-0763 for more information on gum disease treatment, and treatment for receding gums

Tag: periodontist