Tag: periodontitis

smoking and tooth loss

Can This Habit Make You Live Without Teeth?

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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 

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The Nitty-Gritty of Gum Disease!

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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 disease

Laser Treatment for Gum Pockets

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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

5 dental symptoms not to ignore farmers branch champion dental clinic best dentist dallas fortworth texas

Which 5 Dental Symptoms You Should Never Ignore?

Posted on | by mel | Leave a Comment on Which 5 Dental Symptoms You Should Never Ignore?

It could cost you more than you think

5 dental symptoms not to ignore farmers branch champion dental clinic best dentist dallas fortworth texas

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?

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Periodontal Disease- The ‘Silent Killer’

Periodontitis gum disease farmers branch texas champion dental clinic

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 

 

gum disease diagnosis test dfw tx

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

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Can Gum Disease Be Prevented with a Test?

gum disease diagnosis test dfw tx

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 

Periodontitis linked to many diseases

The Surprise Condition That Is Linked to 50+ Diseases

Posted on | by mel | 5 Comments on The Surprise Condition That Is Linked to 50+ Diseases

The close relationship between oral inflammation and your general health

Periodontitis linked to many diseases

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 gums recede dfw tx

Why Your Gums Are Receding

Posted on | by mel | 7 Comments on Why Your Gums Are Receding

The real reasons that you may not even think of

why gums recede dfw tx

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 dfw tx

Bone Grafting: the Solution You Need for Severe Gum Disease

Posted on | by mel | Leave a Comment on Bone Grafting: the Solution You Need for Severe Gum Disease

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. 

Periodontal Gum Disease | Snowmass Village Dental | Snowmass Village Colorado

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 | by mel | 5 Comments on Gum Grafting: A Solution to Receding Gums

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.

Gum Disease Is Most Often Behind Receding Gums

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. 

Gum Grafting Can Restore Receding Gums

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.