Good dental health is vitally important to your overall health and the quality of your life.

Neglecting your dental health can result not only in the loss of your teeth, but in many other serious and preventable health problems. Taking good care of your teeth and gums, regular, proper brushing and flossing and scheduled checkups and professional dental care are an investment that will yeild rewards all the rest of your life.

Abscessed Tooth

Periapical (root-tip) Abscess

A periapical (root-tip) abscess is a pocket of infection at the base of a tooth's root. The tooth becomes abscessed after the pulp (nerve) of the tooth becomes infected. A periapical abscess is usually caused by deep decay or an accident (trauma to the tooth involving nerve damage). A periapically abscessed tooth will require either Root Canal Therapy or an Extraction. In some cases an antibiotic will also be prescribed.

Lateral Abscess

A lateral abscess is similar to a periapical abscess, but develops along the lateral surface of the tooth's root. In this case, the infection comes from outside the tooth instead of from within. A lateral abscess can either be gingival (located near the gum line) or periodontal (located deeper in the periodontal tissues). Since most cases of lateral abscess are due to periodontitis (gum disease), treatment is part of an overall periodontal (gum) treatment program.

All Abscesses

An abscessed tooth is usually sensitive or painful. The discomfort is what normally alerts the patient to the problem. Occasionally, an abscess may be detected on an x-ray and treated before the patient experiences any discomfort. Left untreated, an abscess may compromise the immune system and in some cases may become life-threatening.

Bad Breath (Halitosis)

halitosis Many times bad breath is caused by the bacteria in the mouth and on the tongue. Sometimes it can be an indication of gum disease. Either way, your first stop to address persistent breath problems should be our office, because if gum disease is present, it must be treated promptly to avoid tooth loss. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults!

Possible causes for halitosis are:

Tooth Decay
Periodontal (Gum) Disease
Inadequate Oral Hygiene (not brushing and flossing)
Odor-causing foods
Use of Tobacco Products
Sinus or Respiratory Infection
Continued Mouth Dryness (Xerostomia)
Some Medical Disorders
Some Medications

Your dentist can help you determine the cause, and if the cause is an oral condition, a treatment plan can be developed to combat this common source of embarrassment.

Bleeding Gums

flossing Healthy gums do not bleed.

Healthy gums do not bleed.

Healthy gums do not bleed!

Bleeding gums are a sign of infection. Healthy gums do not bleed. Brush and floss the area well. If bleeding persists, contact your dentist immediately for an appointment.

Infection can lead to Gum Disease and tooth loss. Bleeding gums can often be your first indication of infection. Early stages of Gum Disease are rarely painful, so bleeding gums may be your only indication of Gum Disease! Healthy gums do not bleed.

So what's the moral here? Healthy gums do not bleed!

Cavities

Tooth Decay begins when the protein of your saliva combines with the sugars and carbohydrates of food particles left on and between your teeth. This combination creates bacteria-laden plaque, from which acid is produced that eats away at the hard enamel shell around your tooth. Left unchecked, a hole will be created in the enamel and a cavity will rapidly form in the softer dentin which lies under the enamel. If the cavity is caught in time, usually a filling will correct the problem. Larger cavities may require an Onlay or a Crown. However, if nothing is done and the decay spreads, the sensitive pulp (nerve) may become involved, often causing an Abscess, and Root Canal Therapy or Extraction may be required.


No cavity on first x-ray.	Months later, cavities that start between the teeth can't be seen by visual examination, but they can be detected on an x-ray.

This cavity was detected and filled before the patient felt any discomfort, and before the nerve became infected or the tooth became abscessed.

Gum Disease

What is Gum Disease?

According to the American Dental Association, at least 60% of adults in the United States have moderate-to-severe gum disease! No doubt, you've heard some of the terms: Plaque, Tartar, Calculus, Gingivitis, Periodontitis, Pyorrhea, Periodontal Disease, Gum Disease. But what does it all mean? Quite simply, Gum Disease (Periodontal Disease) starts when plaque and tartar (calculus) are allowed to accumulate at the base of your teeth. The bacteria in the plaque leads to an infection in the gums (gingiva) called Gingivitis. Left untreated, the infection spreads to the tissue and bone that holds your teeth in place, a condition called Periodontitis (Pyorrhea). Because of the bacterial infection associated with Periodontitis, tooth abscesses are also common.


This patient has Periodontitis. Notice the bone deterioration and uneven level of bone.	Healthy gums and bone.

What are the Signs of Gum Disease?

Gum Disease is rarely painful, especially in the early stages. Although there may be no visible signs, some of the common indications of Gum Disease are:

Gums that bleed when you brush or floss (healthy gums will not bleed)
Gums that are red, swollen, or tender
Gums that have pulled away from the teeth (receded)
Pus (infection) between the teeth and gums
Loose permanent teeth or separating (drifting) teeth
Changes in the way your teeth fit together when chewing
Persistent bad breath

What are the Dangers of Gum Disease?

Gum Disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults. More importantly, the infection releases toxins into the bloodstream leading to serious health risks:

diagram of Gum Disease dangers

Sources: National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research
and American Heart Association

Is There a Cure?

Gum Treatment can effectively be used to treat and control even advanced cases of Periodontitis (Pyorrhea), but the more advanced the disease, the more likely it will lead to tooth loss. Prevention and Early Detection are your best defenses against Gum Disease. It is critical to catch and treat Gum Disease early before destruction of bone and tissue has compromised your oral health.

How Can I Prevent Gum Disease?

The best "brushers" in the world will naturally build up tartar on their teeth. Even patients with "healthy" gums and teeth should see their dentist regularly to remove the build-up of tartar and check for the formation of new cavities. Patients with Gum Disease, or patients that build up large amounts of tartar, may need to have their teeth cleaned frequently to help control the amount of bacteria in the mouth. At your regular recall appointments (Cleanings), we always evaluate the condition of your gums.

A thorough exam, which includes x-rays, visual inspection, and an analysis of hard and soft tissue, helps determine the health of your gums.

If you have any specific questions about Gum Disease that weren't answered here, or if you would like an appointment for a Gum Disease screening, please contact us.

Worn Teeth

When the enamel of a tooth is worn away, the tooth often becomes sensitive and is more susceptible to decay. Advanced cases often require crowns to save the teeth.

Tooth enamel may be worn away in several ways. One or more of the following factors may cause premature wear:

Attrition

Attrition is the gradual loss of enamel through "wear". A small amount of attrition may be caused by normal speaking and eating, but this typically doesn't produce excessive wear. More extreme cases of attrition are typically caused by Bruxism, the grinding of teeth against teeth. Bruxism typically occurs at night while the patient sleeps, so often the patient is unaware of the grinding or enamel loss.

Abrasion

Abrasion is the wearing away of tooth enamel by a foreign object. Common causes of abrasion are:

Brushing too hard or too long
Fingernail biting, chewing on pens or pencils, holding needles or pins between the teeth, etc.
Oral jewelry - Patients with pierced lips and/or tongue often wear away the enamel on adjacent teeth

Erosion

erosion Erosion is the chemical wear of tooth enamel. Typically this kind of wear is caused by an acid. Citric acid is one of the most common agents. Citrus fruit (lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruit) contain citric acid, as do most soft drinks and citrus juices (like lemonade). Some candies also contain citric acid. Many soft drinks contain additional harmful acids. Coffee and tea also contain corrosive acids. Bulimic individuals (people who intentionally and repeatedly induce vomiting) also expose their teeth to very strong stomach acids.

Occasional exposure to most dietary acids is rarely a problem, but repeated exposure to high levels of these acids can cause premature wear. Some common habits to avoid are:

Regularly sucking on lemons or limes
Regularly eating or sucking on candies, especially "sour" candies as they often contain sugar and citric acid!
Drinking several soft drinks daily, even "diet" soft drinks
Drinking several glasses of lemonade daily
Drinking several cups of coffee or glasses of tea daily

Even if you only occasionally eat or drink highly acidic foods, it's a good idea to at least rinse your mouth with fresh water when you are finished in order to reduce the amount of time the acids have to work on your teeth.

If you would like us to examine your teeth to determine whether or not there is premature wear of enamel, please contact us for an evaluation. It is possible that a mouth guard can be fabricated to control or prevent the enamel loss.

For your information, here are links to explanations of some common dental health topics. We may not offer