Our mouths are home to all kinds of bacteria, some helpful and some harmful. Certain amounts are helpful, as they sanitize the mouth and break down food particles; however, too much bacteria will eventually lead to decay and development of gum disease. This can result in long term damage to your oral and overall health.

When bacteria start to build up in the mouth, they create a sticky colorless substance known as plaque. If plaque isn’t removed during your daily brushing and flossing, the particles can harden and turn into tartar. This hard coating becomes more difficult to remove over time, so it’s important to maintain your oral health with a professional dental cleaning.

If plaque and tartar remain on the teeth for too long, they become even more harmful and can cause long term damage to your oral health. Eventually, this buildup causes a mild form of gum disease called gingivitis. The best way to prevent gingivitis is through routine cleanings and proper at-home oral care. When gingivitis isn’t treated, it can advance to periodontal disease, an inflammatory condition that affects both the soft tissue (gums) and the tooth. When left unchecked, periodontal disease will eventually cause teeth to loosen or fall out.

Periodontal disease can have an effect on your overall health, as well. Studies show connections between periodontal disease and such serious conditions as diabetes and heart disease. With these kinds of risks, it’s even more important that you monitor your oral health.

When it comes to gum disease, our team has solutions to help you prevent decay and maintain outstanding oral health. For any questions about gum disease, gingivitis, or periodontal disease, be sure to contact our office. 

According to The American College of Prosthodontists, 178 million American adults are missing at least one tooth and nearly 40 million have lost all of their natural teeth. 

Losing an adult tooth can have a number of negative impacts on your oral health, diet, speech, and even your self-esteem. If you’re interested in a long-term solution for tooth loss that can improve your smile, consider dental implants. Here are five ways that dental implants can improve your overall quality of life: 

1. Retain tooth positioning – Teeth that surround a missing tooth slot will eventually shift into the opening and distort the shape of your smile and bite. Dental implants will fill in the gap and prevent your surrounding teeth from readjusting.
2. Jawbone protection – Your teeth are naturally embedded into your jawbone, so when the tooth and root are missing, your jaw’s bone structure will start to deteriorate. Dental implants will preserve and strengthen the bone just like natural teeth.
3. Look younger and healthier – After you lose teeth, the skin near the gap may begin to crease or droop. Bone loss in your jaw can lead to further damage and eventually create an unnaturally aged appearance. Dental implants will restore your facial support and preserve jaw bone structure.
4. Improved speech – Gaps in your teeth often cause speech impediments that can get worse over time. With dental implants, you’ll be able to fill in those gaps and speak more naturally.
5. Brighten your smile – Gaps in your teeth can make you feel embarrassed and affect your self image. That’s why dental implants are made to look natural and can restore the beauty of your smile. Studies show that having confidence in your smile can boost your self-esteem, making you a happier, healthier and more social person. 

Contact our office to learn more about the benefits of dental implant restoration, and we’ll help you schedule an appointment.

Periodontal disease can range from mild inflammation of the gum tissues to periodontitis, a serious disease that can result in soft tissue and bone loss. Periodontitis is the leading cause of adult tooth loss in the United States. 

One of the main causes of gum disease is improper oral hygiene habits. Daily brushing and flossing and regular professional exams and cleanings are recommended to maintain optimal oral health. When these practices are not followed, plaque can form on the teeth and along the gumline. If this plaque is not properly removed, it may harden over time and become tartar. 

Another contributing factor of  periodontal disease is infrequent professional dental care. During a professional exam and cleaning, our team can remove any built up plaque and tartar to assist in the prevention of the disease. 

In early stages of periodontitis,, the gums redden, swell, and become prone to bleeding from normal activities, such as brushing or eating. Some other common symptoms include:

●   chronic halitosis (bad breath)

●   sensitive teeth,

●   difficulty or pain with chewing. 

At this point, professional periodontal treatment may be needed to prevent the gingivitis from advancing. In later stages of the disease, symptoms subside, making a self-diagnosis difficult.

When gingivitis is not treated in a timely way, it can progress and may ultimately lead to tooth loss. With periodontitis, gums begin to pull away from the teeth, creating small “pockets” along the gumline. These spaces are highly difficult to clean without professional care and can lead to rapid deterioration in overall oral health. Without prompt and thorough treatment, bone, gums, and soft tissues can be destroyed by periodontitis.

Some of the most common factors that contribute to the development of periodontal disease include:

●   Poor oral hygiene habits

●   Diabetes

●   Smoking

●   Hormonal changes in women

Our doctor has the training and experience to diagnose and treat every stage of periodontal disease. If you have symptoms of periodontal disease, contact our office to schedule a consultation.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 50 percent of Americans over the age of 30 have periodontitis,* the more advanced form of periodontal disease. In its early stages, periodontal disease is called gingivitis, with symptoms that include swollen, inflamed gums that may bleed during tooth brushing. If allowed to progress, gingivitis can turn into periodontal disease, also known as periodontitis. 

How Is Periodontitis Treated?

Depending on the severity of the disease, there are a range of options available for treating periodontitis. Initially, a deep cleaning that involves scaling and root planing may be recommended to remove the infection and allow your gums to heal. However, if the disease is more advanced, a regenerative periodontal therapy procedure may be the most effective treatment approach. 

What is Regenerative Periodontal Therapy?

A regenerative periodontal therapy procedure is used to reverse the effects of advanced periodontal disease. When the infection has already begun to destroy the underlying bone that supports your teeth, this type of therapy is recommended by our Orlando periodontist to: 

• Remove bacteria from beneath your gum line
• Regenerate lost bone and tissue 
• Reshape the bones that support your teeth
• Prevent future gum damage

Who is a Good Candidate for Regenerative Periodontal Therapy?

People with severe or advanced gum disease are usually good candidates for regenerative periodontal therapy. Common symptoms of advanced gum disease include:

• Red, swollen, or bleeding gums 
• Deep pockets between your teeth and gums
• Damaged or loose teeth
• Pain while eating and chewing
• Halitosis
• Receding gums

What to expect during regenerative periodontal therapy.

Regenerative periodontal therapy is typically performed under local anesthesia. During the procedure, the gum tissue folded back to remove the disease-causing bacteria. Depending on the degree of damage, membranes, bone grafts, or tissue-stimulating proteins can also be used to stimulate your body’s natural ability to regenerate new bone and healthy gum tissue. Eliminating existing bacteria and regenerating bone and tissue helps to reduce the pockets between your teeth and gums and restore your mouth to optimal health. 

Periodontal disease and the inflammation that it generates within your body are associated with a number of serious health issues, including diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, and even 

cancer. Because gum disease is progressive, early treatment is always best. If you have symptoms associated with periodontitis, you may be a candidate for regenerative periodontal therapy. Contact our Orlando, FL dental office today for a thorough evaluation.

If you have sensitive gums and are used to seeing a bit of blood in the sink after brushing or flossing, it may be a sign of gingivitis, a progressive gum disease. In fact, gum disease is the leading culprit behind bleeding gums; research shows that one in two Americans have some form of gum disease, and left untreated, this condition can lead to serious health concerns. The first step in bringing your gums back to optimal health is educating yourself about the symptoms and causes of gum disease. Here are some common questions we hear in our practice: 

What Causes My Gums To Bleed?

Bleeding gums are generally caused by inadequate plaque removal, which over time allows germs to attack the tissue surrounding your teeth. The tissue then becomes inflamed which causes the gums to bleed. This is considered the initial stage of gum disease, also known as gingivitis. The good news is gingivitis can be easily treated before it progresses any further. 

What Happens if Gum Disease is Not Treated?

Progression of gingivitis is known as periodontitis. Periodontitis is much more serious and has been linked to tooth and bone loss, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, heart disease, strokes and cancer. 

What Else Can Make My Gums Bleed?

Lack of vitamins (C &K) or inflamed gums due to pregnancy could also be the cause of bleeding gums. Some conditions and diseases such as thrombocytopenia, hemophilia or scurvy can also cause gums to bleed.

How Can I Stop My Gums From Bleeding?

It’s important to speak with your dentist if you’ve been experiencing bleeding from your gums. Your dentist will be able to properly assess the situation regarding your oral health and provide a solution. In addition to regularly scheduled visits to your local dentist, brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day are the easiest solutions to eliminate bleeding gums. It may take some time to see the bleeding subside as your gums continue to get healthier.

If you’ve been struggling with bleeding gums, know that it’s a common and treatable condition, but it will not go away on its own. It will take time and dedication to improve your oral health, but it can be done. In addition to working with your dentist, maintaining a proper oral hygiene routine will help your gums return to a healthy state. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, contact our periodontics office in Orlando, FL today.

The dangers of smoking have been prevalent for a very long time. Lung disease, periodontitis, and tooth loss are all but a few common side effects of this habit. For many adults who are looking to replace a lost tooth, dental implants have become a viable option. Even for those who have been life-long smokers, implants offer a cosmetic restoration to their smile. Nevertheless, if you smoke or are thinking of smoking in the future, you should be aware of the fact that this habit can cause your dental implants to require replacement sooner than necessary.

The dental implant failure rate is noticeably higher in those who smoke compared to those who do not.  In general, about one percent of all dental implants fail in those who do not smoke. Alternatively, studies show the dental implant failure ratio for those who smoke is above 15 percent.  Dental implants are made of titanium and supplementary materials that are entirely well-suited with our bodies. Titanium is known to attract bone cells which will grow and adhere to the post over time. This strengthens the implant within the mouth. However, complications arise when the patient smokes.

Nicotine adversely impacts the health of teeth through blood vessel constriction, dry mouth and pocket formation within the gums. As blood flow is reduced, the body loses its ability to fight disease and infection. Smoking decreases the rate at which bone grows throughout the entirety of the body, including the mouth and face region. Smoking also damages the mouth’s salivary glands, drying them out to the point that there is minimal fluid remaining to wash away bacteria that cause periodontal disease. Not surprisingly, most dentists believe that smoking adversely curtails the likelihood that the implants will heal properly, let alone last. The surgically impacted area simply cannot get the necessary healing nutrients it needs to recover.

Dentists offer differing opinions as to whether to fit smokers with dental implants. Nonetheless, doctors all agree that the best way for dental implants to last is for the patient to exercise good oral health. Not only will regular brushing and flossing help, but so will quitting the smoking habit altogether. Giving up smoking before your scheduled implant surgery will provide a healthy foundation for your new teeth to thrive for years to come. 

If you would like more information on dental implants, please contact our Periodontist in Orlando office or schedule an appointment for a consultation. We look forward to helping you smile with confidence again.

Lake Nona Dental Implants and Periodontics
Phone: (407) 535-9802
Url: https://www.lakenonadentalimplants.com/
9145 Narcoossee Road, Suite A-100
Orlando, FL 32827