Root Planing and Scaling for Gum Disease

Root Planing and Scaling is a treatment that is used by dentists to prevent the spread of gum disease, and if you are experiencing bleeding gums, you may want to schedule an appointment with your dentist who can determine if your periodontal disease can be treated with Root Planing and Scaling.

Oral B explains that Root Planing and Scaling is one of the most effective treatments to halt the progression of periodontal disease stopping it in its tracks before it becomes more severe. Root Planing and Scaling cleans between your teeth and gums down to the roots of your teeth to get rid of plaque and tartar accumulation.

When you schedule an appointment with your dentist, x-rays will be taken to determine if you are suffering from gingivitis or the more serious periodontitis. During your periodontal examination and probing, your dentist will be able to determine how healthy your teeth and gums are. This will help your dentist diagnose gingivitis or periodontal disease while also revealing exposed roots, receding gums, tooth grinding or any other problems that you may be having.

During the examination and probing, your dentist will measure the spaces between your teeth and your gums. If there are concerns regarding the health of your gums, your dentist may refer you to a specialist, or periodontist.

If your dentist decides to perform a Root Planing and Scaling, a local anesthetic may be used to numb the roots of your teeth and your gums. Once you are numb, your dentist may use a standard scraping tool or an ultrasonic tool during the Root Planing and Scaling. Antibiotic fibers may also be placed in the pockets to help speed up the healing process while helping to prevent infection. The fibers will remain for about a week before being removed by your dentist during your next appointment.

Root Planing and Scaling causes very little discomfort, although you may be a bit sore after the treatment.

Gum disease can be serious if left to its own devices causing all kinds of problems including tooth loss. If left untreated your gingivitis can progress to the more serious periodontal disease.

If you are experiencing bleeding, red or swollen gums, schedule an appointment with your dentist who can determine if you need a Root Planing and Scaling treatment.

Can Gum Disease affect Cognitive Function?

Bleeding gums are a sign of gum disease. Gingivitis, and the more severe periodontal disease should be taken care of immediately, otherwise you may eventually lose your teeth. However, what is even more shocking is that gum disease and tooth loss could also cause a decline in thinking skills, especially among people over the age of 50.  

Researchers are investigating whether people who have poor dental health also suffer from poor cognitive functions, which technically mean people who have gum disease also have problems with managing numbers, words, and memory.

Recent research indicates that that every person, whether male or female, who had a tooth removed or had lost a tooth, saw a loss in cognitive function. In fact, people who had lost all of their teeth had quite poor cognition compared with those who had more. The study also found poor cognitive behaviors in people who suffered from severe gum disease, or periodontitis.

Conducted in 1996 and lasting until 1998, the study consisted of data that was gathered from people who took part in memory and thinking skills tests. The 6,000 participants were both men and women between the ages of 45 and 64. Thirteen percent of those who took part in the study had lost their natural teeth with about a fifth of the participants having less than 20 teeth remaining. About 12 percent of the participants had deep gum pockets and serious bleeding gum issues.

What the researchers discovered was that the scores on thinking and memory tests, including number skills, word fluency and word recall, was lower in people who didn’t have teeth. People who had better oral health and more teeth had better test scores than those with severe gum disease as well.

Some researchers believe that poor dental health may reflect poor eating habits. People with tooth and gum problems may not be able to eat certain, “Brain foods,” which could contribute to poor cognitive functions. Researchers agree that it could be a contributing factor, but so could inflammation from gum disease. Inflammation, regardless of where it is located in the system can affect cognition.

So what’s the bottom line? Good oral health habits just may help you think better and remember where you put your keys.

If you would like more information regarding oral hygiene, schedule an appointment with your dentist today. 

Good Oral Hygiene can Prevent Disease

Most people are aware that poor oral hygiene can lead to dental caries and gum disease, but what most don’t know about is the mouth and body connection. Not practicing good oral hygiene causes more than bad breath and can lead to some serious health issues.

According to the Mayo Clinic, researchers from NYU, or the New York University, found a direct link between Alzheimer’s disease and gum inflammation. Although there were only 152 participants in the study that took place in a 20-year period in Denmark, it was discovered that low cognitive function was related to people who suffered from gum inflammation. The bacterium, porphyromonas gingivalis, was present in those who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, but not in those who didn’t. In a recent study, it was also discovered that gum disease bacteria could move from the gums to the brain either from the nerves that connect from the roots of the teeth to the brain or through the blood. In other words, if you have gums that bleed, the bacteria will enter your blood stream every time you brush, floss or eat.  

Pancreatic cancer has also being linked to periodontal disease thanks to a study conducted at Harvard. What the health researchers discovered was that men, who had recent tooth loss, were more susceptible to pancreatic cancer. It was also suggested that there is a direct link between carcinogens caused by gum disease and pancreatic cancer.  Although this theory is still being researched, it is just another reason to practice good oral hygiene that includes regular checkups with your dentist.

Your mouth is loaded with bacteria, which could lead to heart disease. People who do not brush and floss regularly could be at risk of heart disease. Because the bacteria from your mouth can enter your bloodstream, it can interrupt the blood flow to your heart increasing your risk of blood clots and heart attacks.

Other health conditions that can occur because of poor oral hygiene include endocarditis, an infection of your hearts inner lining, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and HIV/AIDS. Women who are pregnant and suffer from gum disease are also more likely to give birth prematurely or have low weight babies.

The best way to have a healthy mouth and body connection is to practice good oral hygiene habits that include brushing twice and flossing once each day, eating a healthy diet and seeing your dentist at least twice a year. Schedule your dental appointment today.

Gum Disease Can Be Reversed with Good Oral Hygiene

If your gums bleed when you brush or floss, you need to schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.

According to Web MD, gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss and affects billions of people all over the United States and around the world.

Gingivitis is the least severe form of gum disease. Gingivitis will cause your gums to bleed, swell, and become red. During this stage, you will have little if any discomfort. Gingivitis is usually caused by poor oral hygiene and is reversible with a deep cleaning, such as Root Planing and Scaling along with good oral hygiene.

Some contributing factors when it comes to gingivitis include smoking, diabetes, genetic predisposition, aging, systemic diseases, poor nutrition and stress. Hormonal fluctuations, certain medications, puberty, HIV infection, substance abuse, and pregnancy can also contribute to Gingivitis.

If left untreated, Gingivitis can advance to the more serious periodontal disease. Also known as periodontitis, it is caused by plaque spreading below your gum line. The toxins that are produced by bacteria will irritate your gums causing the bone and tissues that support your teeth to break down. When the gums become separated from your teeth, pockets will begin to form allowing for infection. According to your dentist, once the disease begins to progress those spaces, or pockets, will get deeper eventually destroying bone and gum tissue.

Your dentist explains that there are several types of periodontal disease with the most common being Aggressive Periodontal Disease, Chronic Periodontitis, Periodontitis manifested by systemic disease and Necrotizing Periodontitis caused by an infection of the periodontal ligament, the alveolar bone and gingival tissues.

Aggressive Periodontal Disease occurs when you are clinically healthy, but have not been practicing good oral hygiene habits including a healthy diet and regular checkups with your dentist.

Chronic Periodontitis is characterized by gap recession of the gingival tissue. Although it can happen at any age, Chronic Periodontitis is most prevalent in adults.

Periodontitis manifested by systemic disease usually starts at an early age. Systemic conditions such as diabetes, respiratory disease, and heart disease have all been associated with Periodontitis manifested by systemic disease.

Lesions that appear because of Necrotizing Periodontitis are usually observed in people who suffer from malnutrition, have an HIV infection or an immunosuppressant.

If you have Gingivitis or Periodontal Disease symptoms, schedule an appointment with your dentist as quickly as possible. Remember, it’s never too late. Gum disease can be reversed as long as you seek professional help. 

Oral Piercings May Be Cool but They Could Also Be Dangerous

These days it’s quite rare to see a teen or young adult who doesn’t have something pierced, but according to your dentist, there are some dangers that are very real when it comes to oral piercings.

According to a recent article published on the Colgate website, oral piercings can cause a number of things including infections and jewelry aspiration. Tongue, cheek, and lip piercings can also be to blame for permanent nerve damage.

The metal jewelry that is used in oral piercings comes in many styles. These include barbells, rings or hoops and studs, but unlike ear piercing, oral piercings cause a great threat to your overall health, including your teeth and gums.

Because your mouth is host to millions of bacteria, oral piercings could cause infection, not only from the wound itself, but also from the jewelry. If you or the person who is handling the stud, ring or barbell has not disinfected his or her hands you could be asking for trouble.

Serious or prolonged bleeding is another complication that can occur after oral piercing. If the person who is doing the piercing accidentally punctures a blood vessel, prolonged bleeding and extreme blood loss could be the result.

Your dentist understands that swelling and pain is expected after any type of oral or body piercing, but in extreme cases, the tongue becomes so swollen that it has actually cut off the breathing passageway severely restricting breathing.

If your teeth are exposed to your oral jewelry, you are setting yourself up for fractured teeth, chips, and damage to your caps, fillings, and crowns. 

Metal mouth jewelry can injure your gum tissue. Once this begins, it is very difficult to reverse, as your gums will begin to recede eventually leading to tooth loss. You may think that your mouth jewelry looks cool, but recessed gums are not very attractive. If the root of your tooth is exposed you are also setting yourself up for periodontal disease.

Mouth jewelry can also cause problems for oral function including your ability to speak or chew properly. Oral piercings have also been known to cause excessive saliva.

Oral piercings could be responsible for transmitted diseases including hepatitis B, C, D, and the Herpes Simplex virus.

People who have undiagnosed heart problems and decide to have their lips, cheek, or tongue pierced could be risking endocarditis, or an inflammation of the heart or heart valves if bacteria happens to enter the bloodstream.

If you would like more information regarding the dangers of oral piercings, schedule an appointment with your dentist who can help you understand the risks. 

Your Bad Oral Hygiene Could Be Making You Sick

Most people have no idea that plaque and tartar buildup could make you sick. In fact, if you suffer from gingivitis or periodontal disease your dentist will tell you that you could be setting yourself up for all kinds of problems including heart disease.

According to Web MD, that bacteria, known as plaque, will build up on your teeth unless you brush twice and floss once a day. If left to its own devices, plaque will cause your gums to bleed and be inflamed.

Recent research has indicated that periodontal disease can cause problems for the rest of your body as well. Some of the health problems include dementia, heart attacks, and even diabetes. Although scientists have been unable to establish why this happens, they have identified links between health problems and poor oral health.  

Plaque constantly forms on your teeth when you eat or drink beverages and foods that contain starches and sugars. Once the bacteria have released damaging acids, it will attack the enamel on your teeth. Plaque acts like a glue of sorts keeping the acids in constant contact with the enamel on your teeth. Over time, the breakdown of your enamel will lead to tooth decay.

If your gums are tender, swollen and bleed after you brush or floss you could have gum disease, which begins as gingivitis, leading to periodontal disease. Once the gum tissue begins to pull away from your teeth, the bacteria will start to attack the bone that supports your teeth leading to tooth loss.

Some of the diseases that scientists have linked with periodontal disease include;

• Dementia
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Heart Disease
• Premature Birth
• Diabetes 

Although experts have been unable to pinpoint the exact links, many dentists and doctors believe that it is the oral bacteria that escape into your bloodstream causing problems for your major organs.

In a paper written in 2009 by the American Academy of Periodontology and the American Journal of Cardiology, recommendations were made to encourage heart doctors to ask their patients if they have had, or still battle with periodontal disease. 

If you suspect that you may be suffering from gum disease, schedule an appointment with your dentist who will be able to get rid of your gingivitis or periodontal disease.