Dental Health Care - Heart Disease and Gum Disease

Is There a Link Between Gum Disease and Heart Disease?
Overall the data indicates that chronic gum disease may contribute to the development of heart disease, the nation's leading cause of death in both men and women.

How does this happen? Gum disease is a bacterial infection that can affect conditions outside your mouth. In heart disease, one theory is that gum disease can cause bacteria to enter the bloodstream where they attach to the fatty deposits in the heart blood vessels. This condition can cause blood clots and may lead to heart attacks.

If I Have Heart Disease, Are There Special Requirements to Maintain Proper Oral Health?
To maintain the best oral health, you should:

• Establish and maintain a healthy mouth. This means brushing and flossing daily and visiting your dentist regularly.
• Make sure your dentist knows you have a heart problem.
• Carefully follow your physician's and dentist's instructions, and use prescription medications, such as antibiotics, as directed.

Am I at Risk if Dental Procedures are Performed?
If you have certain preexisting heart conditions, you may be at risk for developing bacterial endocarditis — an infection of the heart's inner lining or the valves. Anytime there is bleeding in the mouth, certain oral bacteria can enter the blood stream and may settle on abnormal heart valves or tissue weakened by an existing heart problem or heart condition. In these cases, the infection can damage or even destroy heart valves or tissue.

There are precautions you need to take if you have any of the following conditions:

• Artificial (prosthetic) heart valves
• A history of endocarditis
• Congenital heart or heart valve defects
• Heart valves damaged (scarred) by conditions such as rheumatic fever
• Mitral valve prolapse with a murmur
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Be sure to tell your dentist if you have a heart condition, and what, if any, medications you are taking for it. Your dentist will record important health information in your record and coordinate treatment with your physician.

Above article from:  www.colgate.ca

Cosmetic, Sedation & Family Dentistry
Chandler Park Dental Care
Tel: 270-282-4777
1857 Tucker Way
Bowling Green , KY 42104
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Gum Disease Treatment Bowling Green KY

Gum Disease - Gingival Recession
Watch the video below to learn more about gum disease. 

Above video created by:  ToothIQ.com

Preventive & Restorative Dentistry 
Chandler Park Dental Care

Tel: 270-282-4777

1857 Tucker Way

Bowling Green , KY 42104

USA

Gum Disease Treatment Bowling Green KY

Preventing and Treating Gum Problems

Healthy teeth depend on healthy gums. Gums protect the base of the teeth, where connective tissue anchors them to bone. Left untreated, gum problems can lead to tooth loss. Fortunately, there’s plenty you can do to keep gums healthy.

2 Types of Gum Disease

Gum disease takes two forms: gingivitis and periodontitis.

Gingivitis occurs when bacteria collect in tiny pockets at the gum line, causing inflammation. The most common symptoms are bleeding when teeth are brushed and persistent bad breath. Gingivitis accounts for about 70% of gum disease. Periodontitis makes up the other 30%.

If gingivitis goes untreated, the inflammation can invade connective tissue and even bone. This causes periodontitis.

Symptoms of periodontitis include:

• Receding gums
• Visible pockets of inflammation along the gum line
• Gum pain
• Unusual sensitivity to temperature changes.

Eventually, even the healthiest teeth can become loose and even fall out.

The Role of Dental Exams in Preventing Gum Disease

“Unfortunately, by the time most people notice any of the warning signs of periodontitis, it’s too late to reverse the damage,” says Sam Low, DDS, professor of periodontology at the University of Florida and president of the American Academy of Periodontology.

That’s why regular dental checkups are so important, according to Low. Dentists spot trouble in the form of pockets of inflammation or places where gum tissue has eroded slightly, exposing the root of the tooth.

• With regular checkups, the condition of your gum tissue can be compared over time. Any erosion that has taken place is noted. Dental X-rays can reveal early signs of gum disease.
• During the exam, the dentist carefully measures the depth of gum pockets around a selected number of teeth. This exam should be repeated every 18 to 36 months, according to Low.

Unfortunately, not all dentists check carefully enough for gum disease.


“We estimate that only about one-third of general dentists really take the time to really look for gum disease,” says Low.

The American Academy of Periodontology works closely with professional dental groups to encourage better detection of gum problems during dental checkups.

Catching signs of gum disease early may be far more important than previously thought, experts say. Advanced periodontal disease can cause tooth loss. But it may also cause other health problems.

Above article from www.webmd.com

Visit our main website to learn more about our gum disease dental treatments in Bowling Green KY.

Chandler Park Dental Care

Tel: 270-282-4777

1857 Tucker Way

Bowling Green , KY 42104

USA

Gum Disease Treatment Bowling Green KY

Dental Health: Laser Use in Dentistry
Laser technology had entered the field of dentistry by 1994 itself. The lasers used for dental treatment are not the cold lasers, which are used for treating inflammation, headache, and pain, and also used in phototherapy. Though it is useful in treating many dental problems, laser is yet to be fully accepted by the American Dental Association. The treatment mode does have FDA’s acceptance, but not that of ADA, whose standards appear to be more exacting. ADA is still not fully convinced of the efficacy and safety of using lasers for dental treatment.

However, the technology is being used by some in treating the following problems:

-Tooth decay. Lasers are useful in removing the decayed portion from the tooth and readying the remaining enamel for the fresh filling. It is also useful in hardening the filling.
-Gum problems. For removing bacteria during a root canal treatment, and reshaping gums, lasers are useful.
-Biopsy. For removing a lesion, or any tissue from the mouth, lasers are used. Tissue removal sometimes becomes necessary for cancer testing. Lasers are also effective in the treatment of mouth ulcers.
-Teeth whitening. Some teeth whitening procedures nowadays employ lasers. Whitening is basically done by the application of a bleaching solution on the surface of the teeth, but the action of this peroxide solution is enhanced by employing lasers.

The Working of Lasers

All forms of laser appear as light and provide energy in the way in which it is required for different operations. When used for hardening the tooth filling, the laser binds together the filling and the tooth. During teeth whitening, it acts as a source of heat which increases the activity of the whitening agents. In surgical use, sometimes it functions as a vaporizer for annihilating tissues. At other times it functions as a cutting implement.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Lasers


Advantages


Lasers have the following advantages over the conventional dental drill:

It is often less painful and so reduces the need for administering anesthesia.
Some people are afraid of the conventional drill. They are more at ease with lasers.
When soft tissue is to be handled, lasers lessen swelling and bleeding.
During cavity treatment, lasers help to retain more of the tooth that is in tact.
Disadvantages

Lasers have the following drawbacks:

-When a tooth has already got a filling, it is not possible to use a laser there.
-The treatments for which lasers can be used are very limited. They can’t be maneuvered around cavities which are between two teeth or bigger cavities that need to be fitted with a crown. Nor can they be used where there are old fillings, or to remove silver fillings, or with damaged crowns. Laser technology is also not helpful in preparing teeth for receiving bridges.
-Even where a laser is utilized, the conventional drill is still required for bite adjustment, and for shaping and polishing the filling.
-Though laser could reduce the need for administration of anesthesia, it cannot eliminate it totally.
-Above all, the treatment does not come cheap. As against a conventional drill that may cost about $600, lasers may cost anything from $39000 to $45000.

Above article from: DentalHealthSite.com

Cosmetic, Sedation & Family Dentistry
Chandler Park Dental Care
1857 Tucker Way
Bowling Green, KY 42104
(270) 282-4777
Web: http://chandlerparkdentalcare.com/