Understanding Gum Disease

Gum disease is an infection of the tissues that surround and support your teeth. It is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Because gum disease is usually painless, you may not know you have it. Also referred to as periodontal disease, gum disease is caused by plaque, the sticky film of bacteria that is constantly forming on our teeth.

Here are some warning signs that can signal a problem:

• gums that bleed easily
• red, swollen, tender gums
• gums that have pulled away from the teeth
• persistent bad breath or bad taste
• permanent teeth that are loose or separating
• any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
• any change in the fit of partial dentures

Some factors increase the risk of developing gum disease. They are:

• poor oral hygiene
• smoking or chewing tobacco
• genetics
• crooked teeth that are hard to keep clean 
• pregnancy 
• diabetes 
• medications, including steroids, certain types of anti-epilepsy drugs, cancer therapy drugs, some calcium channel blockers and oral contraceptives

See your dentist if you suspect you have gum disease because the sooner you treat it the better. The early stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. If you have gingivitis, your gums may become red, swollen and bleed easily. At this stage, the disease is still reversible and can usually be eliminated by a professional cleaning at your dental office, followed by daily brushing and flossing.

Advanced gum disease is called periodontitis. Chronic periodontitis can lead to the loss of tissue and bone that support the teeth and it may become more severe over time. If it does, your teeth will feel loose and start moving around in your mouth. This is the most common form of periodontitis in adults but can occur at any age. It usually gets worse slowly, but there can be periods of rapid progression.

Aggressive periodontitis is a highly destructive form of periodontal disease that occurs in patients who are otherwise healthy. Common features include rapid loss of tissue and bone and may occur in some areas of the mouth, or in the entire mouth.

Research between systemic diseases and periodontal diseases is ongoing. While a link is not conclusive, some studies indicate that severe gum disease may be associated with several other health conditions such as diabetes or stroke.

It is possible to have gum disease and have no warning signs. That is one reason why regular dental checkups and periodontal examinations are very important. Treatment methods depend upon the type of disease and how far the condition has progressed. Good dental care at home is essential to help keep periodontal disease from becoming more serious or recurring.

Remember: You don’t have to lose teeth to gum disease. Brush your teeth twice a day, clean between your teeth daily, eat a balanced diet, and schedule regular dental visits for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

 

Source:
"Gum Disease.". Mouth Healthy. 17 December 2013. http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/g/gum-disease

Professional Teeth Whitening with Boost!

Whiten your smile today!

It's that time of year again. The time for glittering holiday parties and annual family photos in front of the tree. Having that brighter, whiter smile you've always wanted is easier to achieve than you might think!

Many factors make teeth lose their luster. Genetics is one factor; some people just have whiter teeth. Other factors include cigarette smoking, dark foods and beverages (including coffee, soda, tea and red wine), age, medications, and tooth trauma.

Opalescence is a professional whitening treatment, so powerful and effective it is only dispensed by dentists. Proven successful at providing dramatic, long lasting results, it has received many awards in the dental world.

For a brighter, whiter smile without the wait, choose Opalescence Boost, an in-office, chemically activated whitening treatment that offers results in less than an hour. It's ideal for people who want instant whitening gratification or those who have that special event, like that company holiday party, coming up that requires a bright, white smile.        

• Opalescence Boost contains PF (potassium nitrate and fluoride). Potassium nitrate has been shown to help reduce sensitivity. Fluoride has been shown to help reduce caries (cavities) and strengthen enamel. Together they help to improve the overall health of the teeth.                
• Boost is chemically activated, so there's no hot, uncomfortable light needed.
• Dentist-applied treatment.
• Provides dramatic results in about an hour!

You may be asking yourself a few important questions. Some of the most frequently asked questions include:

Q. Will bleaching weaken my teeth?
A. No, bleaching will not weaken your teeth. In fact, Opalescence contains a patented concentration of potassium nitrate and fluoride designed to strengthen enamel and prevent cavities. Bleaching will not weaken existing fillings or cements either.

Q. Will bleaching cause tooth sensitivity?
A. Some people experience sensitivity while whitening, but many do not. Sensitivity does not mean damage has been caused to your teeth. It is temporary and typically disappears within a few days.

Q. How long do whitening results last?
A. Bleaching results typically last several years. If your teeth start to discolor again over time, you can simply repeat a whitening treatment.

Don't wait any longer to get the smile you've always wanted. Give us a call today and speak with one of our dental professionals about Opalescence Boost In-Office Whitening Treatment!

CEREC

What is CEREC? 

In 1985, Sirona Dental Systems changed the face of dentistry by creating CEREC dental restorations. To date, CEREC is the only method that offers single-visit chair side restoration. All-ceramic crowns are fabricated and placed in one easy dental appointment! CEREC is fast, safe, and provides a natural-looking restoration that will stand the test of time.

CEREC does more than just crowns – this revolutionary system is also used for:

• Inlays and onlays
• Veneers for chipped or discolored front teeth
• New fillings
• Replacing old amalgam fillings

Why choose CEREC?

A significant benefit of CEREC is that it's healthier than other restorative options. In the past, almost all restorations were done with gold, amalgam, or other metals. CEREC uses all-ceramic material that is durable and biocompatible with your teeth. In other words, it is safe and is resistant to wear.

CEREC also allows your dentist to save more of the healthy tooth structure. Teeth that would have previously been lost can now be restored with CEREC inlays and onlays. This is because CEREC's state-of -the-art bonding requires only a small amount of tooth structure to restore the tooth to it's full function. In addition, CEREC is used to create beautiful veneers, restoring chipped or discolored front teeth.

Another advantage of CEREC is that the entire procedure is done in one visit, from start to finish. This means less time is spent at the office, in the chair, getting shots, and having your teeth drilled! Before, getting a crown meant two visits to the dentist. First you had to go in to have the tooth prepared, an impression taken, and a temporary crown put on. Sometimes this temporary would fall off in between appointments, which meant an extra visit to have it put back on. Then you had to return a few weeks later to have the temporary removed and the permanent crown cemented into place. Thanks to CEREC, multiple trips to the dentist are no longer needed to achieve beautiful and long-lasting dental restorations.

How does CEREC work?

First your dentist will examine your teeth to determine what type of restoration is best for you. After tooth preparation an optical impression of your teeth is taken using a special 3D camera. The image is transferred to the computer, where your restoration is fashioned using computer aided design (CAD). This technology takes every clinical detail of your case into consideration, creating the most precise restoration. Next, these exact specifications are sent to our in-office milling machine. In a mere 20 minutes, this state-of-the-art device fabricates your custom, color-matched restoration.

Finally, your restoration is fitted, polished, and bonded in place. The entire process only takes 1-2 hours, depending on the extent of your dental work. Today, more than 20 million CEREC restorations have been completed worldwide, and this number keeps growing. CEREC remains one of the most trusted methods of restoration within the dental community, and for good reason!

Do you live in or around Orlando? Call East Orlando Dental today to find out more about CEREC single-visit restorations.