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    We don't know about you, but there is a lot of hesitation about rolling into 2021. There is no doubt that 2020 has been a test and challenge for the entire world. We all learned things about ourselves that, I am confident, we wouldn't have learned any other way.

    We are grateful to see for the most part that families have been strengthened by the increased association during the pandemic. We know this is not the case for everyone. We also know millions of lives have been affected by this virus whether it be physically, emotionally, temporally, or spiritually.

    So as we bid farewell to 2020, what takeaways do you bring with you? What did you learn about yourself that you want to carry into your future? And what did you learn about yourself that you want to change? That is the beauty of progression. None of us needs to stay where we are in life. Tomorrow is a new day. We have the power to be the change we want to see in the world. 

    We look forward to associating with you in the coming year. We appreciate your patronage, friendship, and patience with all of the changes. 2021 - we welcome you, and your lessons for each of us.

Photo Source: https://pixabay.com/images/search/2021/

Preventive Strategies for Gum Disease

 Preventive Strategies

The best way to prevent periodontal disease is to brush and floss your teeth effectively every day. Regular dental checkups and professional cleanings every 3 or 4 or 6 months are also an important part of maintaining periodontal health; the instruments and techniques used in these cleanings can reach into areas that your toothbrush and floss can't.

It is also possible to detect early forms of gum disease by evaluating your gingival (gum) tissues, both visually and by examining their attachment levels to the teeth. And the health of your tooth-supporting bone can be assessed by taking dental radiographs (x-rays pictures).

There are other steps you can take: Eating right, reducing stress in your life, and giving up unhealthy habits like smoking will also help ensure that you keep your teeth for a lifetime.

Dr. Clark and our team look forward to helping you instigate and follow-through on a great oral hygiene plan. There are many wonderful things you can do to ensure your smile stays healthy and strong. If you have any concerns about your oral health care routine let us know. We want to help you be the best you that you can be!

5 Steps to a Flawless Floss

We know we should floss at least once a day, but not everyone knows the right way to do it. Use this step-by-step guide to find out how to properly floss your teeth:

	Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty.
	Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.
	Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums.
	When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.
	Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up and down motions. Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth. Don’t forget the back side of your last tooth.

Once you’re finished, throw the floss away. A used piece of floss won’t be as effective and could leave bacteria behind in your mouth. 

Talk to your dentist about what types of oral care products will be most effective for you. Look for products that contain the ADA Seal of Acceptance so you know they have been evaluated for safety and effectiveness.

Gum Disease Treatment Options

 Gum Disease Treatment Options

All periodontal therapy starts with the evaluation of your oral hygiene techniques and instruction for improving them, followed by the mechanical removal of plaque and any calcified deposits (tartar or calculus) that are present on the root surfaces. This is accomplished with a cleaning technique known as scaling, root planing or debridement using hand instruments and/or ultrasonic (high frequency vibrational) instruments. Locally applied antimicrobial products or antibiotics might also be recommended during various parts of periodontal treatment to assist in healing and pocket-depth reduction, hopefully eliminating the need for periodontal surgery. Sometimes surgical procedures may be necessary to remove the deep pockets that form between inflamed gum tissue and teeth. There are many different types of surgery to handle a variety of problems. And many times, combinations of procedures are used to attempt to reduce the number of surgeries as well as the cost of treatment.

Periodontal Disease & Your Overall Health

Periodontal disease starts in your mouth but has actually been linked to more serious conditions, such as cardio-vascular disease (CVD), diabetes and preterm births. Research has suggested two plausible mechanisms for how gum disease and these other serious medical concerns could be related: moderate to severe periodontal disease increases the level of systemic (bodily) inflammation — a characteristic of all chronic inflammatory diseases. Also, the same bacterial strains that are commonly found in periodontal pockets surrounding diseased teeth have been found in blood vessel plaques of individuals with CVD. Therefore, it may be helpful to reduce periodontal inflammation to reduce systemic inflammation.

Dr. Clark and our team can successfully reverse gum disease - even bone deterioration if a treatment plan is started soon enough. His LANAP - or laser therapy has revolutionized gum disease treatment and effectiveness. Please don't let another day go by - call us today!

Signs and Symptoms of Periodontal Disease

  

Signs and Symptoms of Periodontal Disease

It's important to understand that you can have periodontal disease with no obvious symptoms, especially if you are a smoker (nicotine reduces blood supply preventing bleeding and swelling of the gum tissues). Still, there are some important things to look for:

• Bleeding gums — Some people think that when their gums bleed, it simply means they're brushing too hard. While brushing too hard is bad for the gums, it should not cause bleeding. Any bleeding of the gums should be considered a warning sign of gum disease.
• Bad breath — It's very easy for plaque to collect in the spaces between the teeth, creating the perfect living conditions for bacteria that produce odorous, sulfur-containing compounds, resulting in bad breath.
• Redness or swelling of the gums — Inflammation of the gums is usually the first visible sign of periodontal disease.
• Receding gums — If you notice that your teeth look longer than they used to, it may be that your gum tissue has receded (away from the enamel), exposing some of your tooth roots.
• Sensitivity — If there is gum recession, the exposed roots may become sensitive to hot or cold.
• Periodontal abscess — Bacteria can become enclosed in a periodontal pocket and the area will fill with pus, becoming swollen and painful.
• Loose teeth — When periodontal disease results in bone loss, teeth can become loose or migrate. Tooth loss can result and may be accelerated if you are applying excessive biting forces from clenching or grinding your teeth.

If you have any signs of gum disease, give us a call for a consultation today. We can put a treatment plan in place before the damage cannot be reversed. 

Periodontal (Gum) Disease

While you may think that some loss of teeth is inevitable with aging, it is actually possible for all of your teeth to last a lifetime. One of the ways you can achieve this goal is to avoid periodontal disease (“peri” – around; “odont” – tooth), which is caused by bacteria that attack the tissues around the teeth. Unfortunately, you may not even realize you have gum disease as the signs and symptoms are not always as apparent to you as they are to a dental professional.

Nearly all people who do not maintain good daily oral hygiene will develop gingivitis. If left untreated, this bacterial gum infection can progress from gingivitis (“gingival” – gum; “itis” – inflammation) to periodontitis, which results in bone loss around your teeth. As the bone tissue is lost, the gum tissues detach from the teeth and form little pockets that provide an even better place for bacteria to live — where your brush and floss can't reach. As periodontal disease advances leading to more bone loss, tooth loss can result. Part of this has to do with genetics, as periodontal disease tends to run in families. The good news is that periodontal disease can be controlled, even at more advanced stages. 

Please contact our team if you have any concerns about gum disease. Early intervention is always the best strategy. Dr. Clark has several options to treat your gums before you lose your teeth.