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Ronald Watkins, DDS, MS has created this informative blog to help educate the community.
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What is Periodontal Disease? |
Posted on 2/22/2021 by Ronald Watkins |
Do you want a bright and healthy smile? To look and feel your best when smiling, it is important to adopt effective dental hygiene practices. By taking daily care of your gums, you can be assured of healthy and strong teeth. Why Should You Take Care of Your Gums? Periodontal disease is a type of bacterial infection, and it affects the gum and bone around the teeth, making them weak. It is also known as “periodontitis,” and it causes inflammation of the gums and other symptoms. These include plaque build-up on the teeth and sensitive or bleeding gums. The plaque that builds up forms tartar that can only be removed professionally by our dental team. Studies have shown that if left untreated, periodontal disease can often lead to tooth loss. You are more at risk to get a gum infection if you smoke or have illnesses such as diabetes, HIV, and cancer. Because of this, treatment of the bacteria may be less effective. The Importance of Good Gum Care Good oral hygiene can go a long way in preventing dental bacteria from harming your gums. Flossing after every meal allows you to remove small food particles and the bacteria that can get trapped and cause bad breath. One of the best ways to deal with gum disease is maintaining clean teeth. To avoid plaque build-up, brush your teeth at least twice a day or after every meal. Make sure your toothbrush has soft bristles that are safe for sensitive gums. Using a toothpaste that targets plaque bacteria on the gum line can reduce bad breath. Going for regular dental checkups at our office can help in detecting disease-causing bacteria that are often found in the mouth. We can carefully examine your mouth during your appointment to help detect any issues before they become worse. Please visit us at our dental clinic for more tips on maintaining good oral hygiene and preventing gum disease....
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How Do You Develop Plaque? |
Posted on 2/8/2021 by Ronald Watkins |
Bacterial plaque is oftentimes the main reason for gingivitis and, consequently, for periodontal disease. They are conditions that, if worsened, could cause the loss of one or more of your teeth. Because of this, it is especially crucial to know how and why it is formed so you can be able to take adequate measures to help prevent it. What Is Plaque? Dental plaque is a film that can cover your teeth. It is a colorless or with a yellowish tinge, of sticky consistency, and is formed by bacteria and glucose. This buildup can be located on the surface of our teeth and gums. There are two types of plaques. The first type is supragingival, which is the main cause of cavities. The other type is subgingival, which is more dangerous, as it can cause periodontal disease. What Causes Bacterial Plaque? In general terms, this plaque is produced by the constant accumulation of food on the surface of our teeth and gums. If it is allowed to remain there due to inadequate hygiene, it can cause bacteria to proliferate on the teeth. This plaque tends to form faster at night due to the low production of saliva favors bacterial growth. How Can I Fight Plaque? Prevention is the best way to combat plaque. This is because once it is settled, we can only opt for much more aggressive treatments to control its complications. Prevention is managed by proper and disciplined oral hygiene. After each meal, you must brush our teeth to avoid as much as possible that food remains on our teeth. Your toothbrush must also be changed every three months. You must use dental floss and mouthwash to ensure effective cleaning, as well. In our offices, we will give you all the instructions you need to care for your teeth to avoid bacterial plaque and have a beautiful and healthy smile. To learn more, please contact us today....
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What is Trench Mouth and How Is It Treated? |
Posted on 1/25/2021 by Ronald Watkins |
According to the Mount Sinai medical website, Vincent's stomatitis is an oral infection that causes inflammation and swelling, including ulceration in the gingivae or gums. The term for the medical and dental condition comes from the First World War. During that period, the condition was common among the soldiers who served in the trenches. What Causes Trench Mouth? A painful type of gum swelling or gingivitis, trench mouth occurs in the mouth when there is an excess of pathological bacteria. In turn, the gums become infected, developing a series of painful ulcers. Viruses may also worsen the condition. Certain conditions will increase your risk of trench mouth. Some of these conditions may be related to emotional stress, smoking, a weakened immune system, mouth or tooth infections, poor nutrition, and poor dental hygiene. The Mount Sinai website adds that trench mouth is a rare condition, and often affects younger people from 15 to 35 years old. Symptoms of Trench Mouth Trench mouth is marked with very pronounced symptoms, including bad breath, fever, and crater-like ulcerations between the teeth. A patient may also experience a foul taste in their mouth or suffer from a fever. The gums appear swollen and red and a grayish film often appears on the gums as well. The gums will bleed excessively if they are irritated or any type of pressure is applied. An oral infection, if it is not treated, is never good. If you have any type of gum infection, give us a call immediately. Infections can lead to life-threatening events, so they should be treated and arrested as soon as possible. We are always here to answer your questions about periodontal disease and the resulting infection. Tell us about your gum health so we can help you find the right solution for your dental problem. Again, call us now to arrange a comprehensive periodontal examination....
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