We are pleased to offer a full range of dental care services in Meriden CT 06450. Our dental services include: children's, cosmetic, general, family, implant and sedation dentistry.
Showing posts with label gum disease treatment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gum disease treatment. Show all posts
Below is an article written by by Tracey Sandilands and found on Colgate.com Antimicrobial therapy is a form of oral treatment used to eliminate or reduce the development of bacterial infections in the mouth. The therapy aims to prevent periodontal diseaseresulting from infections, which can cause painful, bleeding gums and loosening of your teeth. Preparation and Treatment If your dentist decides you will benefit from antimicrobial treatment, they will likely start with scaling and root planing. This process removes plaque and calculus (tartar) from the sulcus area around the teeth using either a scaler or instruments as well as an ultrasonic scaling device. In severe cases where there are periodontal pockets greater than 5-6 mm deep, the dentist may recommend that the patient be seen by a periodontist to evaluate the area with deeper pocketing and determine if gum surgery may be necessary. The scaling and root planing and gum surgery treatments require local anesthesia to reduce the patient's discomfort. The dental hygienist performs the scaling and root planing procedure. During gum surgery, the periodontist makes an incision into the gum tissue, flaps the tissue back and cleans and scales the surface of the affected teeth and bone to remove the diseased tissue and infection. The gum tissue is then put back in place and sutured and the gum tissue will heal, and the periodontist will check the area a week or so after surgery. The use of an antiseptic mouthwash or antibiotic medication may be recommended for the next seven to 10 days. Antiseptic Mouthwashes Mouthwashes containing antiseptic ingredients help control the reproduction of the bacteria, which grow on the gum tissue in the mouth, and help to clean out the pockets around the individual teeth. The ingredients in antiseptic mouthwashes may include chlorhexidine, essential oils, and metal salts Sn11 and Zn11 to help control dental plaque and halitosis. To read the entire article visit Colgate.com The remainder of the article details the following:
You know good dental
habits can help prevent things like cavities and gingivitis, but you may not
know what conditions like these really look like or how they can affect your
mouth. Use this visual guide to learn more about some of the most common dental
health issues, symptoms to watch for and the potential treatments that are
available. Please note: This content is
for informational purposes only. Only a dentist, physician or other qualified
health care professional can make a diagnosis. Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the earliest stage
of gum disease, an infection of the
tissues around your teeth caused by plaque. If you have gingivitis, your gums
may become red, swollen and bleed easily. You may also
experience bad breath. Because gum disease
is usually painless, you may not know you have it.
You are more likely to develop gum disease if you skip brushing and flossing, use tobacco, have crooked teeth
that are hard to keep clean, are pregnant, have diabetes or take certain
medications. When in its early stages, the disease is still reversible and your
gums can be returned to good health with a professional cleaning from your
dentist, along with daily brushing and flossing. Periodontitis
Periodontitis
is the more advanced form of gum disease, a major cause of
tooth loss in adults. According to the CDC, nearly half of U.S.
adults suffer from it. The disease can be reversed in early stages, but damage
may be permanent the longer it goes untreated. Although you may not be aware of
the gum disease in your mouth, abscesses can develop which
usually painful. Symptoms include bleeding, swollen gums,
persistent bad breath or bad taste, loose
permanent teeth and a change in bite. Your teeth may appear to become longer as
gums and bone recede. There are many treatments available, including deep cleanings known as scaling and
root planing. Talk to your dentist to find out what’s best for you. Thrush
Thrush is a yeast infection
that looks like white film in your mouth. You’re more likely to get thrush if
you have an illness that affects your immune system. This includes people with
HIV/AIDS or cancer, as well as people
using steroids to manage their asthma. People with untreated or uncontrolled diabetes are also susceptible
because sugar in saliva encourages yeast to grow. Thrush is also common in
people who wear dentures. If you have
symptoms, see your dentist. After a scraping to confirm you have thrush, your
dentist can prescribe medicine to clear it up. To read the entire article visit MouthHealthy.org.
Many medical professionals consider obesity to be a chronic disease. It is well understood that obesity is on the rise in the United States, and that younger and younger members of our community are becoming obese due to poor nutrition and eating habits. Research has demonstrated that obesity will increase the risk for hypertension, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, CVD, respiratory problems, and endometrial, breast, prostate, and colon cancers.1 It has also been demonstrated in a recent research study that obesity also increases the risk for periodontal disease, and it may be insulin resistance that regu¨lates the relationship between obesity and periodontal disease.1 It has also been found that individuals with elevated body mass indices (BMI) produce a higher level of inflammatory proteins.1 The classifications of being overweight and obese can pertain to more than 60 percent of American adults. It is even higher for some high-risk populations, such as African-American women, placing these individuals at greater risk for diabetes and cardiovascular dis¨ease. Some authorities estimate that two out of three Americans are overweight or obese, and projections of obesity trends for the future indicate an increase in the incidence of obesity in the general population.1 It is very critical for individuals to understand the obesity epidemic and to take proactive steps in addressing this issue with themselves and family members who are obese. Good nutrition and exercise should be stressed and individuals should be educated on the role that obesity may play in the development of diabetes, CVD and cancer. The dental professional will take a thorough medical history and review any medical issues which may point to the cause for the obesity and refer the patient to his/her physician for evaluation. The oral health status will also be evaluated and treatment rendered based on the diagnosis. Emphasis will be placed on the reduction of the plaque and accompanying inflammation, both above and below the gumline. Home care should be reinforced, and patients should be encouraged to floss regularly and to brush twice daily with a toothpaste that offers antibacterial protection. To read the entire article visit Colgate.com.
What Is Gingivitis? Gingivitis is an early stage of gum disease caused by the buildup of plaque bacteria on the tissues that surround the teeth. Plaque, a naturally occurring biofilm containing bacteria, can lead to gingivitis if not removed by daily brushing. Who Can Get Gingivitis? Gingivitis is quite prevalent. But while almost 80% of adults will experience some symptoms of gingivitis, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s inevitable. It’s important to note that occasionally there might be no noticeable pain or apparent signs, leaving people unaware that they have it. That’s another good reason to schedule regular checkups with your dental professional every six months so he or she can identify it and suggest treatment options. Gingivitis Symptoms Some symptoms of gingivitis include red, swollen, and bleeding gums. Chronic gingivitis can lead to periodontitis and chronic bad breath. If these symptoms persist, it's important to talk with your dental professional to determine the best treatment. In the meantime, learn what you can do to protect against gingivitis. To read the entire article visitOralB.com.
The association between gum diseases and heart disease is not a secret anymore. It has always raised a question in my mind if maintaining good oral health can help me achieve good overall health. Well, the answer is “yes.” Maintaining good oral health can save us from spending thousands of dollars on preventing heart diseases. We can say that proper brushing and flossing can help us maintain a healthy heart. According to the American Academy of Periodontolgy, people with gum diseases are twice as likely to develop coronary artery disease, one of the leading causes of heart attacks. Atherosclerosis also known as “hardening of arterial wall” is one of the major etiological factors of heart disease. This occurs due to deposition of plaque (formed by accumulation of fat and other blood substances on the arterial wall). This can eventually clog the artery leading to complete blockage of coronary arteries precipitating into stroke. To read the entire article written by Swati Yadav, please visit ASDABlog.com
Gum disease is not that common On the contrary, gum disease is extremely common. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, half of adults age 30 and older suffer from some form of gum disease. Gum disease, an infection of the tissues that surround and support your teeth, is caused by plaque, the sticky film of bacteria that is constantly forming on our teeth. Plaque that is not removed with thorough daily brushing and cleaning between teeth can eventually harden into calculus or tartar. The above article is from: MouthHealthy.org Dental Group of Meriden-Wallingford 298 Broad Street Meriden, CT 06450 Phone: (203) 235-5588 DentalGroupCT.com
Plaque is a sticky, colorless deposit of bacteria that is constantly forming on the tooth surface. Saliva, food and fluids combine to produce these deposits that collect where the teeth and gums meet. Plaque buildup is the primary factor in periodontal (gum) disease, including gingivitis.
How to Get Rid of Plaque To help prevent plaque buildup, be sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day with an anti-plaque toothpaste such as Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste for around the clock protection against plaque buildup, and floss once a day.
Adding a mouth rinse such as Crest Pro-Health Multi-Protection Rinse to your routine can help against plaque buildup, without the burning sensation of alcohol. Eating well-balanced meals and brushing after snacks will reduce the formation of plaque. Visit your dental office regularly for oral exams and cleanings, during which your dental professional will scrape away any accumulated plaque with a special instrument.
Painless Protection from Tooth
Loss
Decay is – surprisingly to some people – not the main reason for
tooth loss. In truth, periodontal disease, also known as gum
disease, is the main culprit. Our office is pleased to offer
ARESTIN™ to our patients. This powerful weapon against gum
disease comes in powder form, containing microspheres that are
so small they can’t be seen by the naked eye. These microspheres
deliver a time-released antibiotic directly to the spaces
between the gums and teeth, where the bacterial infection that
causes gum disease festers. ARESTIN kills this bacteria, saving
your teeth without pain!
Bleeding or sore gums can be a sign of gingivitis, an early and reversible stage of gum disease, or simply the result of brushing too hard or starting a new flossing routine. If your gums bleed regularly, or enough to worry you, make an appointment with your dentist or physician, it could be a sign that something else is wrong. Above article from: MouthHealthy.org Dental Group of Meriden-Wallingford 298 Broad Street Meriden, CT 06450 Phone: (203) 235-5588 DentalGroupCT.com
Gum
Disease Can Mean Lost Teeth
Often tooth loss is due to gum disease. Gum disease can be
completely painless in the early stages. Symptoms include
bleeding gums when you brush or floss and loose or shifting
teeth. If you’ve been told you need gum surgery, you will be
glad to know that it’s possible to control gum disease with a
variety of non-surgical methods.
Gum Disease Can Contribute to
Heart Disease and
Even Stroke
The statistics are staggering. The American Dental Association
estimates that 8 out of 10 Americans have periodontal (gum)
disease. At that rate, afflictions such as AIDS or tuberculosis
would be considered epidemic. Most dentists do, in fact,
consider gum disease at an epidemic level. But the biggest
consequence was believed to be lost teeth. Hardly pleasant, but
not life threatening. Or is it? Recent medical research has
linked gum disease, stroke, and heart disease. Since heart
disease can be fatal, gum disease is obviously a serious matter.
The American Academy of Periodontology reports: “studies found
periodontal infection may contribute to the development of heart
disease, increase the risk of premature, underweight births, and
pose a serious threat to people whose health is already
compromised due to diabetes and respiratory diseases.”
Periodontal disease is characterized by bacterial infection of
the gums. These bacteria can travel into the bloodstream –
straight to the heart.
The
Truth about Losing a Tooth
Even though losing a tooth isn’t directly life threatening, a
single missing tooth can still cause many problems. The other
teeth try to fill in the gaps, which can mean tilting and poor
alignment. This interferes with chewing and your ability to
absorb nutrients from your food. For some patients, the change
in appearance can be even worse. With no teeth to support your
face, it can gain a sunken look and make you look older. It can
make talking difficult, and the inability to chew in those
spaces can cause you to favor softer foods and more
carbohydrates, often leading to weight gain.
So Let’s Hold on to Those
Teeth
With gingivitis and mild periodontal disease several highly
effective non-surgical procedures can virtually halt the spread
of the disease. It starts with prevention and the best oral
hygiene. Our team of hygienists at the Dental Group of
Meriden-Wallingford will work with our patients and their
periodontal issues. Deep cleaning includes scaling and root
planing, procedures that remove plaque and tartar at and below
the gumline. Patients who need it are also given
ARESTIN™, an antibiotic that is delivered directly to the
pockets in the gums, where it can kill the bacteria that causes
gum disease.