Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is an oral condition that affects the gums and supporting structures in your mouth. It is caused by the harmful bacteria trapped in plaque. As plaque hardens into calculus (tartar), the disease becomes more established in your mouth. Gum attachments begin to separate from your teeth and create pockets that harbor these harmful bacteria. If gum disease is allowed to progress without treatment, the condition may become irreversible. The gums are one of the main supporting structures of teeth, and unhealthy gums often indicate a risk of eventual tooth loss or oral infection. Periodontal maintenance appointments work to treat gum complications and help patients maintain healthy gums, …
Learn about a variety of oral health topics on our dental blog. We discuss everything from oral cancer, to how to brush, to diabetes effects.
10 Tips for Relieving Dry Mouth
What is Dry Mouth? Dry mouth occurs when you don't have enough saliva in your mouth to perform its beneficial functions. Saliva washes away food particles that may get lodged in your teeth. It also protects your teeth from the acids in foods and drinks. Without this protection, your teeth are more vulnerable to decay and gingivitis (inflammation of the gums). Dry Mouth Remedies Dry Mouth can develop for many reasons: medications, nutritional deficiencies, stress, and more. Your Beaufort dentist or physician can help you pinpoint the cause of your dry mouth and treat the cause. However, there are some easy dry mouth remedies you can do at home to help ease your symptoms. 1. Drink Water Dry mouth can occur as a result of …
The Link Between Gum Disease and Diabetes
It is well documented that people who suffer from diabetes are more susceptible to developing infections than non-diabetes sufferers. It is not widely known that gum disease is often considered the sixth complication of diabetes; particularly when the diabetes is not under proper control. Gum disease (often called periodontitis and periodontal disease) is a progressive condition that often leads to tooth loss if treatment is not promptly sought. Periodontal disease begins with a bacterial infection in the gingival tissue which surrounds the teeth. As the bacteria colonize, the gum pockets become deeper, the gums recede as tissue is destroyed and the periodontitis eventually attacks the underlying bone tissue. Diabetes is characterized …
Top 5 Signs of Gum Disease
We often don’t think about oral health beyond our teeth, yet nearly half of all adults suffer from some form of gum disease. What most fail to realize is that if gum disease is left untreated, it can negatively impact your oral health resulting in infections, gum recession, and even tooth loss. Your gums are an essential part of your oral and overall health, and they deserve your attention just as much as any other part of your body. Be on the lookout for these five signs – if they apply to you, it’s time to seek help. 1. Bleeding When Brushing and Flossing Bleeding gums are one of the earliest and most common symptoms of gum disease. While you would likely run to the doctor if you started bleeding anywhere else, many people shrug off …
Regular Teeth Cleaning vs Periodontal Maintenance
You might think that dental checkups are always the same. While both regular cleanings and periodontal maintenance are performed on a routine schedule, they differ in that one is a preventative measure, and the other is a treatment. Professional dental cleanings are an essential component of preventing gum disease, but there’s no one-size-fits-all treatment for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Different patients may require different cleaning procedures, depending on the state of their oral health. Regular Cleanings: For Patients with Good Oral Health Brushing and flossing twice a day is crucial, but even if you practice excellent oral hygiene, plaque buildup is still inevitable. If it’s not removed regularly, it can eventually …
Receding Gums: Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Gum recession is when the margin of the gum tissue surrounding the teeth wears away, or pulls back, exposing more of the tooth, or the tooth's root. When gums recede, gaps can form between the gum and tooth, allowing disease-causing bacteria to build up. If left untreated, the surrounding tissue and bone structures of the teeth can be damaged, sometimes resulting in tooth loss. Receding gums is a widespread dental condition. Most people aren’t aware that they have receding gums since it occurs gradually. The first sign of gum recession is usually tooth sensitivity, or you may notice a tooth looks longer than normal. Typically, a notch can be felt near the gum line. Gum recession is not something you want to ignore. If you think your …
What Happens if You Don’t Brush Your Teeth?
Have you ever wondered what would happen if you abandoned your toothbrush, and just said, “I’m not brushing today!” While we hope that you brush twice a day to keep your teeth and gums at their best, many individuals don’t. Whether because they forgot, didn’t have time, or simply haven’t been in the practice of brushing twice a day, not brushing can happen. But what happens if you don’t brush your teeth? What happens if you don’t brush your teeth for three days, a year, or even ten years? Most people in the dental community will urge anyone not to find out what happens if you don’t brush your teeth. The reason being is the damage will vary from person to person, and in some cases, it can have severe consequences. Does the idea of …
Why Do We Brush Twice a Day?
You have probably heard your dentist say—on more than one occasion– that you should brush your teeth at least twice a day. However, you may not know why brushing two times daily is important. Here are a few reasons for this popular dental recommendation: Plaque is continually produced. When you eat, leftover bits of food mix with the bacteria inside your mouth to form plaque. The filmy, sticky substance coats your tooth enamel and gums. Although the development of plaque is a continual natural occurrence, the substance can cause a great bit of damage to your teeth. Because plaque adheres to your teeth and gums, it places bacterial acid in direct contact with them. The bacteria within the plaque feast on the food particles in the …
Do You Really Need to Go to the Dentist Every 6 Months?
Do you really need to go to the dentist every 6 months? Some dentists recommend it, but you might feel like it’s excessive. If you don’t have dental insurance it can be costly and even if you do, it’s time-consuming. What can a dentist do twice per year that you can’t do at home? Aren’t yearly visits enough? If you want to keep your teeth in perfect condition, the fact of the matter is that twice per year visits really are going to be your best option for a happy and healthy smile. Not convinced? That’s okay. Let’s talk about it! Here are 5 reasons that you should see a dentist every six months. 1. Brushing Won’t Get Everything You might be a diligent teeth-brusher (or a more realistic one, be honest!) but brushing, or even a …
Celebrate Children’s Dental Health Month with these Oral Health Care Tips
During the month of February, the American Dental Association celebrates National Children’s Dental Health Month. This month-long national health observance reinforces the importance of oral health in children as well as helping parents with tips to keep their child’s smile on track! At Lowcountry Family Dentistry, our dentists and staff are taking this opportunity to share oral health tips and raise awareness of the importance of pediatric dental care at an early age. First Tooth, First Birthday, First Dental Visit. New parents often ask, “When should my child first see a dentist?” It’s never too early to start focusing on your child’s oral health! The American Association of Pediatric Dentists recommends that parents establish a dental …