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, …
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 …
Periodontal Disease and COVID-19
From the beginning, doctors have known that COVID-19 is especially dangerous for high-risk groups, including older adults and people with underlying health conditions like heart disease and asthma. But research is still uncovering new risk factors, which now includes gum disease. The condition may affect up to half of American adults, and appears to be linked to a higher COVID-19 death rate, per a new study published earlier this month in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology. In the study, researchers followed 568 patients infected with the novel coronavirus, dividing them into two groups: those without major issues (mild symptoms) and those who faced complications like ICU admission and ventilation or, eventually, death. They found …
What’s the Difference Between Scaling & Root Planing?
Your dentist may recommend that you get your teeth scaled. This procedure is generally conducted along with root planning. In more common terms, these procedures are known as a “deep cleaning.” Teeth scaling and root planning helps to treat chronic periodontal disease (otherwise known as gum disease). They are more in-depth than a typical teeth cleaning. Teeth scaling and root planning often take more than one dental visit and could require a local anesthetic based on the severity of your chronic periodontal disease and if you have receding gums. Recovery from this outpatient procedure usually only takes a few days but may take longer. What is the Difference Between Scaling & Root Planing? Root planning is the process in which …
The difference between Plaque & Tarter
WE OFTEN GET THE QUESTION from our patients, “What’s the difference between plaque and tartar?” Many people think they are the same thing. There is an important difference between the two, however, and it can help explain just why a daily oral hygiene routine is so crucial, as well as twice-yearly visits to your dentist. Your teeth are tough. Covered by enamel, the hardest substance in your body, your teeth can handle a lot of wear and tear. But if you allow plaque to build up and harden, you may be at risk of developing tartar. Tartar can wreak havoc on your dental health and lead to gum disease. That’s why it’s important to know the difference between plaque and tartar, how to prevent both, and what to do if you notice buildup on …
What is Tarter?
Tartar — also known as calculus — is an accumulation of plaque and minerals from your saliva that harden. Tartar can coat the exterior of teeth and invade below the gumline. Tartar feels like a crusty blanket on teeth. Because it’s porous, food and drink can easily stain tartar. Tartar deposits, which often settle behind and in between teeth, appear yellow or brown. Tartar, and its precursor, plaque, can both wreak havoc on your dental health. Tartar and plaque can: cause bad breath, from bacteria buildup destroy enamel, the hard outer layer of teeth, which can in turn, lead to tooth sensitivity, cavities, and even tooth loss promote gum disease Stop tartar by stopping plaque Plaque can harden into tartar in a …