Preventive Dentistry & Oral Cancer Screening

Periodontal disease is an infectious disease!!

There are many bacteria in your mouth. The less you brush your teeth the better the chance for bacteria to form into plaque. Plaque is a sticky film of food debris, bacteria, and saliva.
If plaque is not removed, it turns into calculus (tartar). When plaque and calculus are not removed, they begin to destroy the gums, bone, cementum, and periodontal ligament.
Not only is it the number one reason for tooth loss, research suggests that there may be a link between periodontal disease and other diseases such as, stroke, bacterial pneumonia, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and increased risk during pregnancy. Researchers are determining if inflammation and bacteria associated with periodontal disease affects these systemic diseases and conditions. Smoking also increases the risk of periodontal disease.

Four out of five people have periodontal disease and don’t know it! Most people are not aware of it because the disease is usually painless in the early stages.

After your doctor and hygienist remove the tartar you can keep plaque from forming by brushing and flossing. The gum will heal in early stages of periodontal disease.
However, if the periodontal symptoms are neglected and left untreated the disease will only progress causing the periodontal pockets to deepen and the surrounding gums and bone that hold the teeth in place to melt away. Without any pain, periodontal disease often goes unnoticed even when the infection reaches the bone. This stage of periodontal disease is called advanced stage and is characterized by bone loss and loosening of teeth.

The importance of early detection and early treatment.

First, contact your dentist to schedule a comprehensive oral examination and start treatment.
Periodontal treatment methods depend upon the type and severity of the disease. These treatments include control plaque, scaling, scaling & root planning, and periodontal surgery.
*In certain situations tooth extraction may be necessary.

Neglecting periodontal disease can lead to more serious problems.

As the number of pathogenic bacteria increases in the mouth, they can gain entry into the bloodstream by either being absorbed through the mouth or directly into the intestines by swallowing causing various problems throughout the body.
Periodontal disease has been associated with Aspiration Pneumonia in the elderly, Septicemia, Endocarditis, Premature Birth, and Low Birth Weight Babies.

It is important to have regular check ups with your dentist.

It is important to change your life style in order to prevent periodontal disease from reoccurring.It only takes twenty four hours for plaque that is not removed from your teeth to turn into calculus (tartar)! Daily home cleaning helps control plaque and tartar formation, but those hard to reach areas will always need special attention.
Once your periodontal treatment has been completed, your dentist and dental hygienist will recommend that you have regular maintenance cleanings (periodontal cleanings), usually four times a year. At these cleaning appointments, the pocket depths will be carefully checked to ensure that they are healthy. Plaque and calculus that is difficult for you to remove on a daily basis will be removed from above and below the gum line. Good oral hygiene practices and periodontal cleanings are essential in maintaining dental health and keeping periodontal disease under control!

Injuries are common in all sporting activities. Facial and jaw injuries are especially common in fast-moving contact sports such as boxing, rugby, American football, and basketball. Furthermore, people may suffer more severe injuries such as a concussion with possible long-term physical and psychological effects in their daily lives. A mouth guard is a device made of flexible materials (soft plastic) that covers your upper teeth and functions to used to protect against mouth and jaw injuries in contact sports.