Periodontal Disease Prevention

Lubbock Periodontics

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is caused when bacteria in plaque builds up between the gums and teeth. When the bacteria begin to grow, the gums surrounding the tooth can become inflamed.

If left untreated, this inflammation can cause the gums and supporting bone structure to deteriorate. This can lead to gum recession and even tooth loss. In addition, research has shown that gum disease may be associated with other diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease. 

Thankfully, periodontal disease can be prevented. Adding these habits to your daily routine can help.

• Brush your teeth. Brushing after meals helps remove food debris and plaque trapped between your teeth and gums. Don’t forget to include your tongue, bacteria loves to hide there. 
• Floss. Flossing at least once a day helps remove food particles and plaque between teeth and along the gum line that your toothbrush can’t quite reach. 
• Swish with mouthwash. Using a mouthwash can help reduce plaque and can remove remaining food particles that brushing and flossing missed. 
• Know your risk. Age, smoking, diet and genetics can all increase your risk for periodontal disease. If you are at increased risk, be sure to talk with your dental professional. 
• See Dr. Lisa Wentz. Get an annual comprehensive periodontal evaluation Dr. Lisa Wentz at Lubbock Periodontics. She will look at your teeth, plaque level, gums, bite, bone structure and other risk factors for periodontal disease. 

Identifying symptoms of gum disease early is key to protecting your teeth and gums.

Am I at Risk for Periodontal Disease?

Lubbock Periodontics

The term "periodontics" refers to the dental specialty that pertains to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease that affects the gums and jawbone. The gum tissues serve to surround and support the teeth and the underlying jawbone anchors teeth firmly in place.

Periodontal disease is a progressive condition which begins with mild gum inflammation called gingivitis. Periodontal disease is typically signified by red, swollen, painful, or bleeding gums, but in some cases has no noticeable symptoms. Periodontal disease generally begins when the bacteria living in plaque cause an infection in the surrounding tissues of the teeth, causing them to become irritated and painful. Eventually, this infection will cause the jawbone to recede and the teeth to become loose.

The best way to prevent periodontal disease is to take good care of your teeth and gums at home. This includes brushing your teeth after every meal and before bedtime, flossing at least once each day, and seeing Dr. Lisa Wentz for regular exams twice a year.

Periodontal disease is often silent, meaning the signs and symptoms may not appear until an advanced stage of the disease. However, you should still be on the lookout for the signs and symptoms, which include:

• Red, swollen or tender gums or other pain in your mouth 
• Bleeding while brushing, flossing, or when eating certain foods 
• Gums that are receding or pulling away from the teeth, causing the teeth to look longer than before 
• Loose or separating teeth 
• Pus between your gums and teeth 
• Sores in your mouth 
• Persistent bad breath 
• A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite 
• A change in the fit of partial dentures

If you notice any of these symptoms, be sure to contact Lubbock Periodontics right away.

Can children be at risk for developing periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease is rarely found in children, and only sometimes found in adolescents. However, children should still learn the importance of keeping their teeth and gums healthy to prevent periodontal disease in the future. Children should brush their teeth twice a day and learn how to floss properly. As a parent, you should also be aware of the warning signs of periodontal disease, which include red, swollen, bleeding gums or bad breath that won’t go away. If your child develops any of these symptoms, tell your child’s dentist right away.

Cleanings and Prevention

At Wentz Periodontics, our goal is that you smile with confidence! We want to ensure you are living your best life, and showcasing the world your beautiful smile.

We believe that the best way to continue to have a healthy beautiful smile before and after your visit with us is preventative care. Having a preventive program is a cooperative effort by the patient, dentist, and dental staff to preserve the natural dentition and supporting structures by preventing the onset, progress, and recurrence of dental diseases and conditions.

Preventing dental disease starts at home with good oral hygiene and a balanced diet. It is continued in the dental office by the efforts of your dentist and dental hygienist to promote, restore, and maintain your oral health.

A good oral hygiene routine is simple to follow if you already know how to properly clean your teeth. A good effective oral hygiene routine involves, brushing your teeth, using mouthwash and flossing correctly. This also includes knowing when you should come into a dentist or periodontist office. Knowing when to aski questions regarding your health and scheduling a cleaning.

Prevention helps avoid serious and costly dental problems and is the key to having a healthy, confident, beautiful smile.

Gum Disease Awareness Month

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, half of adults age 30 and older suffer from some form of gum disease. Gum disease comes with silent symptoms that often are easy to overlook. February is National Gum Disease Awareness Month. An important reminder to ensure your gums are healthy and that we are taking the necessary precautions to ensure our gums are in the best health possible.

A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the soft tissues of the mouth and the underlying jawbone which supports the teeth. A dentist must first graduate from an accredited dental school before undertaking an additional three years of study within a periodontology residency training program, in order to qualify as a periodontist.

So if your wondering, when you see a periodontist and how a periodontist can help your smile, consider if you have or are experiencing one of the following symptoms.

• Red, swollen or tender gums or other pain in your mouth
• Bleeding while brushing, flossing, or eating hard food
• Gums that are receding or pulling away from the teeth, causing the teeth to look longer than before
• Loose or separating teeth
• Pus between your gums and teeth
• Sores in your mouth
• Persistent bad breath
• A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
• A change in the fit of partial dentures

How Often Should I Floss?

We all know the importance of brushing our teeth, getting checkups and taking care of our gums, yet there is one thing most people lack in, flossing. It’s time for a new year, new habits and new resolutions. January is the perfect time to create new habits that are healthy and that your teeth will thank you for in the future.

According to the American Dental Association, “The American Dental Association recommends cleaning between your teeth daily with an interdental cleaner (like floss).” Cleaning between your teeth is essential for removing plaque, which can lead to tartar around your teeth or lead to bacteria that can cause tooth decay.

So how often should you floss? You should floss once a day, either in the morning or the evening. According to the Journal of Periodontology, “flossing first and then brushing is more effective at removing plaque between the teeth and at maintaining the concentration of fluoride on the tooth enamel.”

If flossing is not part of your routine, you may want to start flossing for a healthier smile. Cleaning the visible surface of your teeth is effective with brushing your teeth, but for the places in between your teeth and for the health of your gums, flossing an important step in your oral hygiene routine.

Is there a Link Between Heart Disease and Gum Disease?

Research studies have shown that there is a strong association between periodontal disease and other chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, pregnancy complications, and respiratory disease.

Periodontal disease is characterized by chronic inflammation of the gum tissue, periodontal infection below the gum line and a presence of disease-causing bacteria in the mouth. Halting the progression of periodontal disease and maintaining excellent standards of oral hygiene will not only reduce the risk of gum disease and bone loss but also reduce the chances of developing other serious illnesses.

There are several theories that explain the link between heart disease and periodontitis. One such theory is that the oral bacteria strains which exacerbate periodontal disease attach themselves to the coronary arteries when they enter the bloodstream. This, in turn, contributes to both blood clot formation and the narrowing of the coronary arteries, possibly leading to a heart attack.

A second possibility is that the inflammation caused by periodontal disease causes a significant plaque buildup. This can swell the arteries and worsen pre-existing heart conditions. An article published by the American Academy of Periodontology suggests that patients whose bodies react to periodontal bacteria have an increased risk of developing heart disease.

If you have any questions or would like to set up a consultation, request an appointment here.

Smoking and Gum Disease

Your smile is the extension of who you are, the first impression for mosts. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, half of the adults age 30 and older suffer from some form of gum disease. Gum disease comes with silent symptoms that often are easy to overlook.

It’s no secret the health benefits of quitting smoking and not smoking at all. Smoking increases an individual's risks of various types of cancer, such as cancer in our lungs, pancreas, stomach and anywhere else in our bodies. Smoking also can lead to respiratory diseases and other different health factors. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Cigarette smoking harms nearly every organ of the body, causes many diseases, and reduces the health of smokers in general.” It contributes to causing more than 480,000 deaths each year in the United States. This is nearly one in five deaths.

By quitting smoking, not only does your overall health can improve, your smile and gums benefit as well. Here are a few reasons why smoking impacts your gums, teeth and overall smile in a negative way.

• Stained teeth and tongue
• Slow healing after a tooth extraction or other surgery
• Difficulties in correcting cosmetic dental problems 
• Gum disease
• Oral cancer

If you have any questions or would like to set up a consultation, request an appointment here.

3 Unusual Gum Disease Risk Factors

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, half of adults age 30 and older suffer from some form of gum disease. That is 1 in 2 people suffer from gum disease. Gum disease comes with silent symptoms that often are easy to overlook. “The main cause of periodontal (gum) disease is plaque, but other factors affect the health of your gums,” according to the American Academy of Periodontology.

Gum diseases are caused by lack of oral hygiene, not flossing or brushing your teeth. However, there are other factors that may increase your risk of gum disease. Here are three unusual gum disease risk factors to look out for.

1. Stress
Stress can cause various health problems and one of those is gum disease. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, “research demonstrates that stress can make it more difficult for the body to fight off infection, including periodontal diseases.” Stress may cause gum disease to go away, once you have it.

2. Teeth Grinding
Grinding your teeth or clenching your teeth puts force on your gum tissues supporting your teeth and can cause gum disease to accelerate. Not to mention, the negative impacts this has your teeth itself and your jaw.

3. Medications
Different types of medications can cause various side effects to our oral health, such as a dry mouth and others. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, “some drugs, such as oral contraceptives, anti-depressants, and certain heart medicines, can affect your oral health.”