periodontitis Archives - Champion Dental

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 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 | 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.

Why Your Gums Are Receding

Posted on January 27, 2023 | by mel | 3 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

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 | 3 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.

How Gum Disease Can Affect Your Lungs

Posted on November 22, 2022 | by mel | 1 Comment

The Surprising Connection Between Your Mouth and Respiratory Diseases

It may be difficult to realize that there is a connection between something like gum disease and what happens in your lungs. Gum disease is made up of very small bacteria but it can have a powerful and negative influence on your lungs and your body as a whole.

About Gum Disease

Gum disease is caused by certain bacteria (Porphyromonas gingivalis) normally found in your mouth that gets out of control when an imbalance of some kind occurs. In a healthy mouth, the more than 500 other kinds of bacteria will usually keep it under control. Things like a lack of proper oral care, consuming a lot of sugary products, and smoking can produce the imbalance and promote gum disease.

The bacteria irritate the gums because it produces acid whenever you consume sugar or carbs. After a while, you will see inflammation on your gums and they may bleed when you brush or floss them. This is the first stage of gum disease called gingivitis. By brushing twice a day and flossing, you can usually eliminate it at this stage.

How Gum Disease Progresses

If you do not eliminate it soon, it will progress to become periodontitis. Once it has reached this stage, you cannot remove it. You will need to contact a dentist for help and it will continue to get worse.

After it gets into your gums – through the tartar on your teeth, it also has gained access to your bloodstream. Everywhere the bacteria travels, it will trigger an immune response. Along with your platelets, it becomes stuck to the walls of your blood vessels and in your organs. This narrows the vessels, restricting the flow of blood, oxygen, and nutrients to your lungs.

Gum disease

How Bacteria Gets Into the Lungs

The harmful bacteria are in your mouth all the time. It is always continuing to multiply, and as it does, it forms plaque on your teeth. Saliva will normally help to wash it off your teeth and gums. As the bacteria become out of balance and there are more of them, they can be inhaled on drops of saliva.

In a healthy person, your lungs can usually defend themselves against invaders from this type of bacteria. In people who are not healthy, or who have a weak immune system, it can cause serious problems. It can make existing problems, such as asthma and COPD worse. It can also cause pneumonia, which could be fatal in someone with a weak immune system.

One recent study involved 200 participants that were between 20 and 60 and had at least 20 natural teeth. Half of them were in a hospital because of respiratory illnesses that included COPD, pneumonia, and bronchitis. The rest of the participants were healthy and did not have any background history of respiratory illness. The study found that the hospitalized group all had worse periodontal disease than the healthy group.

Pneumonia

One study conducted at the Yale University School of Medicine discovered that changes in the oral bacteria occurred before pneumonia developed. This connection indicates that there is a possibility that brushing your teeth and flossing more often may be able to reduce the likelihood of getting pneumonia. Knowing this can be very valuable to help protect the health of seniors and young children. It also helps to know that you may be able to ensure their health in a rather simple way.

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung disease that currently has no cure. It is presently the third most prevalent cause of death in the United States. It is likely that gum disease is also behind the formation of this disease. When you have this disease, an increase of the harmful bacteria in gum disease can cause flare-ups. If you have periodontal disease and you are in contact with other lung irritants, such as from smoking or smog, it can increase your risk of COPD.

Why Dentures May Be a Problem

If dentures are not cleaned regularly, the harmful bacteria can also build upon them, and then it can be breathed into your lungs. Dentures should be cleaned daily to reduce the bacteria and to keep your breath fresh.

Seniors at Greatest Risk

Seniors living in a nursing home or other close facility such as long-term care institutions are at a greater risk of developing lung problems. This is especially true if oral health is not maintained. Health issues such as pneumonia are also contagious, making this environment a potential health risk.

senior citizen gum disease

To get more information about gum disease or periodontal treatment, you can contact Champion Dental clinic office at (214) 747 0763 and book a free consultation.

Dental Health for Young Adults

Posted on November 7, 2022 | by mel | 3 Comments

Why young adults need ongoing dental care

People of every age have certain dental needs and each group requires some unique dental care. The nature of the oral cavity changes over the years. For young adults between the ages of 19 to 24, who has just left home to live on their own, or are in a college dorm or military barracks, you should know that if your teeth are going to stay healthy, you need to be aware of those changes and the dental care needed to meet them.

Dental care for young adults

Developing Good Oral Hygiene Habits

Failing to take care of your teeth properly can ruin your smile quickly. Not only will it lead to cavities, but it will also lead to gum disease – which can be costly to repair. A lack of good oral hygiene is the main cause of the development of gum disease. You can help prevent dental problems by developing a habit of brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time and flossing – preferably before you go to sleep.

After you eat sweets or anything with sugar or acid in it, you should rinse your mouth out with water afterward. Avoid brushing your teeth after consuming these foods for at least 20 minutes because the acid softens your enamel and brushing them too soon can cause tiny pieces of enamel to break off.

Cavities

Cavities are caused by the acid that is naturally found in your mouth. While still small, getting a cavity filled is a simple task – and inexpensive. If not treated, it will lead to a sensitive tooth, and then it may require a dental crown or you may need a tooth extraction. If it is extracted, it will require a dental implant and a dental crown, or a dental bridge, replace it – very expensive.

You have several choices of materials when you get dental fillings. White fillings are very popular today because they help your teeth to look healthy and no one will know you needed one. They will last between five to seven years. Amalgam fillings are cheaper but they will last a long time.

Wisdom Teeth

You can expect your wisdom teeth to come in between the ages of 17 and 25. They may or may not be a problem, but having a dentist check your wisdom teeth and their position is a good idea. An x-ray will need to be taken and the dentist will be able to tell if they can be left alone or if one or more should be removed. Wisdom teeth can come in sideways, be impacted (buried in bone), and cause other problems such as developing an infection or gum disease. It is best, and safer, to have a wisdom tooth extraction before age 25 because it becomes more complicated as you get older.

Gum Disease

Gum disease is a problem that starts small but can quickly become a very big and expensive dental problem. The first symptoms of gum disease are gums that are inflamed and bleed when you brush or floss them. With regular daily brushing and flossing, you can eliminate it at this stage.

If your oral hygiene does not improve, it will become periodontitis – a much more serious problem. Gum disease is caused by bacteria in your mouth that get out of control. It gets into your gums through the tartar (hardened plaque) on your teeth. The acid irritates the gums and starts an immune reaction that will not stop until treated by a dentist.

The symptoms of periodontitis include receding gums, spaces developing between your teeth, pus at the gum line, pain when you bite, loose teeth, and your teeth may even fall out. These symptoms occur because your immune system attacks your gums, the support structures for your teeth, and the jawbone.

Eating for Healthy Teeth

It can be easy to live off of fast food between these ages. If you are in college, you naturally want something easy to fix or obtain because time is always an issue. The problem with this is that your teeth need healthy foods to be able to fight off gum disease and cavities.

Several types of food will ruin your teeth quickly. If you eat a lot of foods that are high in sugar, it will promote the growth of the bacteria in your mouth that cause cavities and gum disease. Since the bacteria feed on sugar, drinking sodas and specialized coffees all day will quickly make the matter worse.

In addition to sugar, sodas and fruit juices also contain acid. Along with the acid from the bacteria, it will erode the enamel faster and cause cavities sooner. The acid also demineralizes some of the minerals out of the enamel. Eating a healthy diet helps to remineralize your teeth with the needed minerals and keeps them strong. If you have spots on your teeth that are chalky white, your teeth are demineralizing faster than they are remineralizing. which means tooth decay has started.

Smoking

Lighting up that cigarette is going to do more than stain your teeth. Nicotine also reduces the flow of blood in your gums, which also reduces the effectiveness of your gum’s immune system to fight off gum disease and oral cancer. Many people who smoke or use tobacco products have gum disease and they have it worse than people who do not smoke.

Smoking and Teeth

Alcohol

Alcohol will also hurt your teeth. Red wine will stain them, and alcohol, in general, will dry out your mouth. Your saliva will normally help to reduce the acid and bacteria on your teeth, but a dry mouth enables more bacteria and acid to develop above normal levels in your mouth.

Women’s Issues

When young women are going through their period or are pregnant, there are changes taking place in the hormone levels that will affect their teeth and gums. You may develop gum disease during these occasions and dental visits are recommended (especially when pregnant) to keep it under control.

dental surgeon for young adults

Tag: periodontitis