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Gum Disease

What Does Periodontal Scaling Involve?

Bright red gums that are swollen and tender, a receding gum line, and loose teeth are all symptoms of periodontal disease, otherwise known as gum disease. The disease itself can be mild, moderate or severe and is found amongst 47.2% of Americans, meaning nearly half of the U.S. population is in need of care or treatment. The most severe form of periodontal disease is periodontitis, while the mild form is known as gingivitis.  During routine cleanings, dentists scale teeth to prevent gum disease. However, if you have advanced signs of gum disease the dentist will perform periodontal scaling, which includes [...]

Why Your Routine Professional Cleaning Involves Teeth Scaling

What is Teeth Scaling? Do you ever wonder exactly what your dental hygienist is doing during a routine cleaning? Of course, they floss and polish your teeth as the last step but what about when they use the tool with the metal hook to scrape the bottoms of your teeth near the gum line? They also use compressed air and water to help get the job done. This process is referred to as teeth scaling, a crucial step in deep cleanings that can help prevent and treat periodontist (gum disease) by removing built-up plaque and tartar. A study by the [...]

Heart Health and Your Teeth

February is American Heart Month, which is a very important month to recognize. According to the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. Every year, 1 in 4 deaths are caused by heart disease. However – the good news is that making positive, impactful decisions involving your day-to-day health can prevent heart disease. Additionally, it’s important to know about the potential link between gum disease and heart disease. Many health experts attest that healthy gums have various ramifications on a healthy heart, and vice-versa, most notably in the similarities between [...]

2018-09-25T22:22:20+00:00Tags: , , |

The Effects of Poor Oral Hygiene on your Health

Poor oral hygiene can lead to other problems throughout the body.   Many people see the mouth as a part of the body that is fairly isolated from health problems that may plague our other organs. In fact, it’s probably commonplace to feel that way. We visit the doctor for checkups and any bodily problems we may be having, be they sickness or disease, and we see the dentist for checkups on the state of our teeth and gums. Rarely is there an overlap in appointments. However, as the “gateway” to the rest of our body, our mouths can often [...]

2018-05-02T15:18:40+00:00Tags: , , |

How does pregnancy affect your oral health?

Pregnancy presents a unique set of challenges affecting oral health. If you are considering getting pregnant, we highly recommend seeing your dentist for a teeth cleaning and exam in advance. However, if you are already pregnant, the second trimester is the best time to receive routine dental care, but you should wait until after the baby is born to have any major procedures or oral surgeries. It is important to take good care of your teeth and gums while pregnant as the hormonal changes increase the risk of developing gum disease due to the body’s response to plaque. Pregnancy does [...]

Which Cleans Better: A Manual or Electric Toothbrush?

If you’re in the market for a new toothbrush you may be asking yourself if it’s better to stick with an old-fashioned manual toothbrush or if it’s time to upgrade to an electric one. The American Dental Association states that you can effectively clean your teeth with either, so long as you are using the correct technique. This means the decision really comes down to personal preference. Before deciding between an electric or manual toothbrush, here are some things to consider: Electric toothbrushes can be easier for people who have arthritis or other difficulties moving the brush across their teeth. [...]

What You Need to Know About Gum Disease

Have you ever wondered why dentists are so keen on brushing and flossing twice each day? The answer is to get rid of plaque. Plaque is a sticky, colorless substance that is continually growing on and surrounding your teeth.  If not removed, the bacteria in plaque will start to infect the teeth, gums, and eventually the gum tissue and bone supporting the teeth. When it comes to your oral health, the best cure is prevention, so it’s important to understand the risks and symptoms. While the main cause of gum disease is plaque, there are some other risk factors that affect [...]

The Perils of Plaque

What is Plaque When food and saliva combine in the mouth they create a soft deposit called plaque, a sticky, colorless film that is constantly coating the teeth. Plaque contains millions of bacteria, and when you consume foods and drinks that have sugars and starches the bacteria uses it to create acids that attack the enamel surrounding the teeth. Because plaque is so sticky, these acids can stay on the teeth for long periods of time if you do not floss and brush frequently. Over time, allowing plaque to build up on the teeth can lead to tooth decay [...]

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