Growing Need for Cosmetic Dentistry

                 With the constant growing phenomenon that includes social media, TV, magazines, evolution of technology, more patients think about their image. It results in an extreme desire to have great selfies and an overarching desire to look younger.

For Example when a picture is posted on any social Media, no one wants to look bad. If someone scrolls through their pictures and feels that they have some extra kilos to lose; the individual will feel more pressured and motivated to lose weight to show the world that they look better than before.

This is happening all around us and is being reinforced by the cultural and societal norms of the twenty-first century. Celebrities in magazines and on TV have the desired look of tall and slim, with beautiful features, including their teeth.

          Its said that 47% of the people notice the smile first in a photograph or while talking to a person.

When a photographer takes a photo and asks the subject to smile, people don’t want to be embarrassed or ashamed of their teeth. Nowadays, the average person is more likely to invest in teeth whiteners, as well as cosmetic dentistry for the constant search of perfection.

When someone trips and cracks a tooth, their first instinct is to go running to the dentist in order to fix the broken tooth. In addition, coffee addicts are buying teeth whiteners to remove the unwanted stains on their teeth.

Everyone wants to feel and look beautiful within the definition set by the world around them. Brushing and flossing is not satisfying anymore because individuals do not believe that it does a sufficient job cleaning their teeth. Patients want bright, white, and flawless teeth, and are willing to pay extra to get them.

          Each year, the cosmetic dental industry has an increase in patients and revenue, making it a great option for individuals who have an interest in joining the dental field.

The schooling that is necessary to become a cosmetic dentist may be long and difficult, but the success afterwards makes it worth the while. Cosmetic dentists help patients feel more confident about them, which is something each dentist should pride themselves on.

Do You Shop For your Dentist?

Almost every day my dental office gets a call from a potential patient shopping for a dentist. They ask for fees for certain procedures and often that is the end of the conversation. 

             I should note that my fees fall within the usual and customary range considered reasonable but for some persistent shoppers are too high. It seems that the internet has become the new Yellow Pages and potential patients are letting their fingers do the walking. It's not that hard calling a number of dentists and get a sense of the fees for the procedures that they will need. 

          Unfortunately, no information on the quality of the dental work can be gotten from these phone calls and shopping for dental work for some may be similar to shopping for furniture or other consumer goods. However teeth are not disposable and even implant replacements will not last forever.

         When I buy a piece of furniture, if I go to Ikea or any Local store, I expect to get a good price for what I buy, but I do not have the expectation that my purchases will last a lifetime or even ten years. It is asumed that there is a trade off involved with the inexpensive price paid but most of the time shoppers are  happy with their purchases . Many people like buying new furniture and actually like buying new pieces when they either tire of, or have to, replace them as they age.

            Teeth shouldn't be compared to furniture and restorations that are durable and preserve teeth for long periods of time are not always easily accomplished by dentists whose fees are the most reasonable. Although a higher price does not guarantee quality, it does tend to allow a dentist to to spend the time needed to create a thoughtful treatment plan and also the time to execute excellent restorative dentistry.
            I would like to quote a few examples here.. 

People dont mind paying 300 for Rs 30 popcorn in a theatre, but have reservations paying Rs. 300 consultation to a Dentist..

Also people dont mind paying 4000 bucks for a pair of jeans which shall last for 4-5 yrs and being worn for probably 100 times. While a crown of approximately the same value which you wear everyday and use it thrice daily lasts much longer than that..
             I guess the point of this post is to explain that price of services should not  be the primary method in choosing a dentist. Other attributes are quite important including but not limited to  recommendations from their patients, their skill level and their character.

Please contact me at www.facebook.com/dentistnoida
or https://plus.google.com/b/106703722934300581766

Sensitivity after a Crown placement

              There are two types of sensitivity that can commonly experienced after a crown is cemented. One is sensitivity to biting pressure and the other is sensitivity to cold (and or hot) liquids. If a patient is  experiencing either of these after a permanent crown is placed, then probably the best thing to do is to let their dentist know.

                  Sensitivity after a permanent crown is placed is not that uncommon. If a patient reports sensitivity, I check their bite, since a high bite can be irritating to the ligaments holding a tooth and can even cause pulpal sensitivity. A patient should be able to close there mouth comfortably without feeling any pain. If when they close their mouth (without chewing any food) they experience pain from a new crown, the bite should be adjusted.

              If a patient can comfortably close their mouths, but does experience pain on heavy chewing, I usually ask them to wait and see if the pain gets better with time. A crown cementation can sometimes irritate the pulp and with time this irritation can diminish. This can take months to go away and if a patient is willing, its usually best to wait. If I see them at their next recall, the tooth is still sensitive to chewing or when drinking cold liquids, I take a radiograph and if no pathology is evident, I usually try to get the patient to wait longer, since the only real other options are to perform a root canal on the tooth or to cut off the crown and place a temporary crown with a sedative filling. Which of these I would choose, if I feel the need to treat the tooth, is dependent on whether I believe the pulp has a reversible or irreversible pulpitis.

              Deciding whether a pulpitis is reversible is not always easy, but the prior history of the tooth has a lot to do with the decision. If a tooth was assymptomatic prior to me working on it initially, I am more likely to choose to remove a crown and place a temporary. If a tooth had a pre-existing crack in it or was symptomatic prior to me preparing it for a crown, I am more likely to recommend the patient visiting an endodontist and have a root canal done through the crown.

               I feel that the pulp is still vital and not infected, there is usually no harm in watchful waiting, since with enough time sensitive crowned teeth can calm down. I explain this to my patient and if the symptoms are bearable we often wait for the symptoms to slowly go away. If the symptoms are worsening instead, we can always choose the root canal option.

My crown broke, What should I do?

               If your crown breaks, you should call a dentist and get an appointment as soon as you are able. Hopefully your dentist will see you within a day or two. If they can't see you within a week, I would call a different dentist or better yet ask them 'nicely' if they can refer you to a good dentist who will be able to see you sooner.

               It is best to see a dentist soon, because it is often hard for a patient to evaluate the extent of his damage. Sometimes, a patient without much pain has sustainned a significant injury to a tooth. Fortunately, most times having your crown break isn't such a big a dental emergency. Most times when the patient is seen the crown either needs to be replaced or smoothed.

                Some times the remainder of the crown is sharp and can irritate or cut the tongue.
If the underlying tooth is exposed, sometimes the tooth is sensitive to air or cold liquids. That means the pulp inside the tooth is still alive(a good thing!). Although this is anoying and can be a pain, nothing will happen to the tooth in twenty four to 48 hours. Teeth do not decay in one week. It takes time for decay to develop

               Occasionally, when a patient calls and says "my crown broke", what actually has occured is the tooth under the crown has broken off and the crown has come out. This can be a bigger emergency. When the patient does come in, the remainder of the tooth has decay and sometimes it requires endodontic treatment. Often these teeth do not hurt, since the pulp is already dead. Some teeth have sustained vertical fractures and in a worst case scenario the tooth needs to be removed.

Teeth Whitening Case

Hello,

       Well just putting out a recent case showing how easy it is to get those stains removed which stop from making us smile...

        This patient came to us quite very Unhappy about the stains that he had got from a continuous 10 yrs of smoking, paan and gutka chewing... 

        Finally after my insistence he decided to kick off this Bad habit and for this firstly for motivation he thought of getting his teeth in order.. We did a normal cleaning and polishing of his teeth and then we proceeded to get on with Bleaching to remove those stains of his teeth..

Pre - Operative Photograph

And after giving him 45 mins of a single sitting have a look of what his teeth have turned into...

Post - Operative Photograph

To Read more about what TEETH WHITENING is all about Click Here

"If nothing hurts me my mouth must be OK, right?"

               This is a line of reasoning I hear from patients at my dental office too often. The patient is usually explaining why they have waited so long to come in and they explain that they assumed nothing was wrong since they had no pain. 

              Unfortunately most dental problems don't hurt until they are rather advanced .Most often dental interventions are best performed at the beginning of the problem when they can't be taken care more easily and inexpensively. 

             Sometimes by the time the patient becomes aware of a problem it is too late for the dentist to come up with a "simple fix". If a small cavity is detected a dentist can easily repair the tooth with a small filling, but a tooth with a large cavity may require a root canal or a crown or even an extraction. 

              Early detection of dental problems is key to keeping your mouth healthy and happy and frequent cleanings and check-ups allow dentists to achieve this worthwhile goal!  

          A HEALTHIER MOUTH FOR HEALTHIER YOU!!!  


For details please go to www.dentalclinicnoida.in   

BAD TEETH RUNS IN FAMILY

            Patients commonly explain that 'Bad teeth run in the family" and also they say that Since childhood their teeth condition has been very bad…  The implied message is that they themselves are not to blame for the state of their mouths.

To be very blunt, "bad teeth" are almost always a result of bad habits..

              My grandmother & grandfather wore two full dentures by the time they were middle aged… Although I do not know for sure, I believe the choices they made and maybe their lack of a good dental IQ are the reasons for their extensive tooth loss… And my parents do have some problems, but now since they have been under my strict care, things are better..

                 Although I am far from perfect, I do not smoke; I brush regularly with a tooth brush, floss and get regular cleanings. These habits are most likely responsible for overcoming any 'genetic predisposition' that might lead to tooth loss.

              While genetics obviously plays a role in determining the likelihood of developing all sorts of health problems, so do a person's habitual patterns of behaviour.

                 While "crooked" or misaligned teeth are most often genetically influenced, the actual health of the teeth and gums is more affected by how we take care of them, than any other factor.  Brushing at least twice per day, flossing regularly, not using tobacco products, and limiting sugar intake are key elements in oral health.  It is also generally accepted that seeing your dental professional at least twice per year for examination and cleaning is necessary to prevent dental health issues.  This routine will also allow your dentist to "catch" problems when they are small, easier to treat, and less costly in the long run.

Remember a Stitch in time saves Nine…. 

Digital Dentist

Advantages of Digital Dental Radiography

            Well, our office has been using the digital radiography since September of 2009 and I thought this topic might be good one for a blog post.

        

For sure, not having to develop film saves a lot of time every day and my patients almost universally approve of my upgrade to digital radiography. They like being able to easily view images of their teeth and are happy when they hear that the images are achieved with much lower radiation settings. This is the most obvious advantage of digital radiography; Patients receive a much lower dose of radiation(90% less) than they would from the use of traditional X ray films. I find I can produce usable images with a Tenth of the radiation that I used to produce film images.

Another feature of digital radiography is their ability to easily produce enlarged images of the teeth. In the last year I have found that found that showing enlarged images of their teeth to patients makes it much easier for them to understand my treatment recommendations and the digital enhancement features of my software program (Vatech) I use can help with the visualization of problems.

I also appreciate of the ease of emailing these images to specialists. I am able to get almost "instant second opinions" for my patients. Almost every day I send a radiograph to either my endodontist, prosthodontist or oral surgeon, in order to get their input for one of my patients. This is a great service since not only do my patients not have to pay an additional fee for the consultation, but prior to this I would have mailed their film to the specialist and I would have waited several days for the feedback.

Although I must confess that I sometimes miss the "richness" old fashioned film produced images, there is no going back for me. The advantages of digitally produced dental images far out way any disadvantages and I am fully committed to this new digital age!

Some Common Queries

Continuing with the common problems that patients have.. 

Today i have decided to come out with Root Canal Problems...

DOES ROOT CANAL HURT?

         This is the most common question that i am asked from everyone.. including Non Patients also.. and when i say it doesnt.. Patients become all the more suspicious..:)

 Root Canal Doesnt Hurt... Period... 

                  With proper anesthesia root canals can be a pain free procedure. Most teeth respond to regular local anesthesia injections. For Maxillary (upper teeth) dentists usually employ a combination of buccal infiltration and a palatal injection. For Mandibular teeth(lower teeth)a mandibular or mental block is used.

               Some teeth do seem to be hypersensitive at the time that root canal is started and patients still can report some sensitivity when a dentist attempts to access the pulp chamber. When this happens I sometimes use an additional intrapulpal injection in order to achieve complete anesthesia. Usually this injection does the trick for my patient and their endodontic procedure can be completed without further discomfort.

Can Successfully treated Root canal tooth experience occasional Pain/ Tenderness?

            Sometimes root canal treated teeth, that we consider a success, do have some "low grade inlammation ". The teeth are not infected but are not entirely without tenderness.

          Another possible explanation of continued symptoms it that some teeth have a small undetected crack and heavy chewing may cause some small movement of the the crack.

         If symptoms are disturbing sometimes a retreatment of the root canal can cause the tooth to become less symptomatic. After all, most of our check radiographs are two dimensional and do not show the root canal system as it acutally is. Small discrepencies in the 3-D fill also may be responsible for symptoms.

          Also for these types sometimes we do have an additional sitting or two.. But normally Root Canals are generally done in single Sittings.

Do ask me If any query on Dental problems is there... Would like to help it out.. 

Gum Disease and Human Health

             This post is a result of a sad news I heard on twitter in the morning that a middle aged man had a sudden heart attack and he couldn't survive that. 

             Now we all know of the common reasons of why we have BP, Heart problems, Diabetes and we all so much take care of the reasons and feel happy of taking low fat Ice creams, Diet coke, Exercising, Yoga, Meditation and what not. But there's some other major reason which i thought we should all know bout.

             So i decided to shed some light on the relation of Dental problems and in particular Gum Problems with our very common diseases that we so so commonly see now a days.

There's a whole new subject on this now, calling it Periodontal Medicine which deals with the inter relationship of Dental problems with the other chronic disease of the body.

  

Gum Problems and Diabetes

                                         Too much glucose in the blood for a long time can cause diabetes problems. This high blood glucose, also called blood sugar, can damage many parts of the body, such as the heart, blood vessels, eyes, and kidneys. Heart and blood vessel disease can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

                                          Tooth and gum problems can happen to anyone. A sticky film full of germs, called plaque, builds up on your teeth. High blood glucose helps germs, also called bacteria, grow. Then you can get red, sore, and swollen gums that bleed when you brush your teeth. People with diabetes can have tooth and gum problems more often if their blood glucose stays high. High blood glucose can make tooth and gum problems worse. You can even lose your teeth

                                          Gum Problems have been listed as a Side effect of Diabetes long ago and they are interrelated in both ways. Uncontrolled Diabetes leads to higher rate of gum problems and more gum diseases leads to Uncontrolled Diabetes.

Gum Problems and Heart Disease

                                  Gum disease and heart disease appear to be related, thanks to several extensive studies in the early 2000s which suggested that people with periodontal disease were twice as likely to also have coronary artery disease, along with other heart-related health conditions.

                    People with severe gum disease often experience bleeding gums, and nicks and cuts in the gums can provide a way for bacteria to enter the bloodstream. If the bacteria is not attacked by the immune system in time, it can reach the heart and may cause an infection such as endocarditis or damage other organs.

                     In addition, some oral bacteria appear to secrete sticky proteins which can allow them to adhere to the walls of the arteries, rather than being swept away by the flow of blood. As the bacteria accumulate, they contribute to the narrowing of the arteries called Atherosclerosis also called "hardening of the arteries," develops when deposits of fats and other substances in your blood begin to stick to the sides of your arteries. These deposits, called plaques, can build up and narrow your arteries, clogging them like a plugged-up drain. If these plaques ever block the blood flow completely, you could have a heart attack or stroke, depending on the location of the blockage.

                     So now it comes down to How do u prevent it...  Well Prevention is as simple as maintaining a good 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.

Other Problems which are affected by Dental Problems and have been conclusively established

Pregnancy -  The birth weight of the baby gets affected and the mother can go for a Pre term labor because of the Gum Disease

Osteoporosis - Because Gum Disease can cause loosening of teeth and also resorption of bone around the teeth it also can result in increase in osteoporosis specially for females.

Respiratory Disease - Bacterial respiratory infections are thought to be acquired through aspiration (inhaling) of fine droplets from the mouth and throat into the lungs. These droplets contain germs that can breed and multiply within the lungs to cause damage.

Some Common Queries

I have decided to post some of the common queries which are regularly asked by the patients and also they get confusing answers while they keep asking the general population...

So lets get started.

What does it mean when someone says "I never have any cavities"? 

                    As a practicing dentist I sometimes encounter new patients, who have loved their previous dentist and are especially proud of how their teeth 'never need work'. 

                   I often hear this remark with a sense of dread; Although it can mean they have great teeth, it sometimes can be a tip off that their prior dentist was not detecting some dental problems. In such a situation, It can be awkward telling them the bad news, and I am always concerned that my potential new patient will not believe me If it turns out that they do have a number of dental problems.

                   After all they trusted and loved their old dentist and I am the 'new dentist in the area'. Often patients do not want to believe bad news and seek a second and third opinion ( often from their friends and family) before having a unwanted dental procedure.

Should Wisdom tooth ever get a Root Canal Done.?

                  The answer is sometimes. If a wisdom tooth has a deep cavity and has a pulpal exposure it can be a good candidate for endodontic therapy if it has erupted in a cleanable position and is in good function. Like other posterior teeth, after having a root canal wisdom teeth should be crowned. In my practice I recommend full metal crowns for wisdom teeth(and second molars), since the chewing pressure they can experience can make porcelain breakage more likely when porcelain fused to metal is used.

                If the wisdom tooth is not fully erupted or difficult for the patient to clean, then root canal is not the best option for dealing with a compromised pulp. Instead extraction is the best option. In this event, often the opposing wisdom tooth is extracted as well, since without an opposing tooth present, it may extrude over time.

Hope these are helpful for you... any more queries or any comments on these are surely welcomed...

Every day i shall be trying to post some query or other.. so Follow this blog regularly and follow the good dental habits too... 

Happy New Year! Some Dental Resolutions for the New Year!

Happy New Year to everyone! May it be happy, healthy and prosperous!

Just wanted to give some dental resolutions that could be implemented with a little effort to ensure a great smile for the New Year:

1. Brush 2 minutes twice a day...yes, I said 2 minutes (not 1 minute or 30 seconds or once a day). It really does take that long to clean the majority of surfaces your mouth decently.
2. Floss...yes, I know you tend to do it before dental appointments. However, 40% of your teeth are not being cleaned if you don't do it and a substantial percentage of cavities start in those areas
3. Clean your tongue. I would say 95% of patients don't do this. A couple of quick swipes on the tongue is usually enough.
4. Reduce your intake of candies/sweets: it will reduce the incidence of cavities, improve your blood sugar and weight.
5. Drink more water. In moderation, this a great thing, especially after staining drinks like coffee, tea and wine. Want to reduce all that coffee/tea stain between hygiene appointments? Take a sip or two of water after you finish your drink.
6. Regular maintenance appointments. Seeing your Dentist for a checkup and scaling is truly the dental version of the oil change. Prevention is always the best option.
7. Get things fixed while they are small (don't procrastinate). Dentistry seemingly operates on an exponential cost scale as things get more involved and complex. Getting a restoration that costs a couple of hundred rupees  is much better for you and your pocket than letting it turn into a multi-thousand rupees root canal/core/crown or implant

Why Regular Teeth cleaning is Important....

A simple talk with a friend of mine led me to write this for all of you... 

               The most important problem in the field of dentistry is the lack of awareness combined with the high costs... I cannot reduce the costs and believe me theres a direct relation between the quality of the treatment and the costs.... This blog and this article is a simple effort to explain why teeth cleaning and a regular dental check up is important...

            Practically every one of us wants to maintain great and wholesome teeth. Nevertheless, we still can’t evade oral plaque buildup and tartar regardless of how great we’re in taking good care of out oral and dental care wellness. Should you still feel that you simply teeth are not that clean in spite of typical brushing, you can always seek for a Professional Dental Check up. Professional dental practitioners use several methods to make sure that the teeth are in leading shape.

           Teeth cleaning could be regarded as as one of the most well-liked procedures becoming performed in a dental care clinic. Should you be doing the simple dental care care like teeth cleaning and flossing, it does not mean that you are already safe. If your teeth are misaligned, there are probabilities that there are corners, spaces and parts which can’t be gotten to by the bristles of a tooth brush.

            Teeth cleaning process is very crucial and very simple and should be performed following the assistance of a dentist. Generally, there’s seated oral plaque buildup as well as other food debris which can’t be removed when you brush. These, together with bacteria as well as other harmful pathogens can cause gum troubles and swollen gum around tooth. Gum and teeth troubles should be minimized and treated as soon as achievable to prevent larger troubles. 

          Also If you can get your regular teeth cleaning done you can actually save yourself from almost 75% of the dental problems... and so please go in for a regular dental check up every 6 months and also dental cleaning of teeth atleast once in a year... 

        Teeth cleaning is often performed to folks with poor oral wellness. If the dentist sees that you simply have the possibility to create periodontal(gum) diseases, teeth cleaning will probably be very much required.

What to Eat After Dental Surgery?

                   Good diet and nourishment is of utmost significance especially when a person is recuperating from a dental surgery. If one knows what to eat and eats the appropriate diet, it guarantees quick recovery and also reduces the possibility of excessive dry socket and blood loss. Post oral surgery phase is a very critical stage and must not be managed without the supervision of dental specialists. In case the patient has been prescribed some antibiotics, he may have to exclude dairy products from his diet chart. In fact, for a couple of days following the surgery the patient should go in for either drinking beverages such as tea or water or foods that are soft.

• In the post dental surgery period, a person needs to know what to eat and must include sufficient amount of fibre and protein in the diet. Liquids should also form a predominant part of the diet. Good dietary liquids include nourishing fruit and vegetable juices, milkshakes, energy drinks, instant breakfast drinks and fruit smoothies.
• Immediately after oral surgery, oatmeal, soft scrambled eggs, soft fruits, well cooked rice and cream of wheat should be included in the diet of the patient.
• Avoid carbonated or aerated beverages, hot fluids and spicy food after oral surgery.
• The patient must eat those food items that do not cause irritation to one’s surgery spot. Foods such as puddings, yoghurt, custard, vegetable broth, ice-creams, applesauce, cream soups, and mashed potatoes are soothing to the spot of surgery.
• Anything that needs to be sucked should be stringently avoided as this can hinder the blood clot formation in the mouth, resulting in excessive bleeding.
• Though meat and the dairy products are an excellent source of protein and energy, they need to be avoided. Instead, you can eat mashed potatoes, soft cheeses and tofu. Moreover, food items including canned fish, poached fish, hummus, meat loafs, mashed pinto beans and shredded meat are supposed to be included in the diet as they do not require much of chewing. Peanut butter, seed and nut oils are also recommended.

What to eat after dental surgery is an important query that needs to be addressed to every patient. The latest innovations in the field of medicine and pharmacy have made the surgical methods and process less agonising and more tolerable on the part of the patient. As the patient is under the influence of medication when he returns home, he must ensure that he sticks to the prescribed painkillers and must not eat anything without the approval of the doctor.

Implant case

Hello Guys.... Just posting a Implant case with gr8 results....

         Pt with Lower Molar missing and replaced with implant and crown.... Its been 5 yrs now that the implant has been placed...

DENTAL ONE liners.....

Dentists are incapable of asking questions that require a simple yes or no answer.

Did you hear about the dentist who planted a garden?
A month later he was picking his teeth

What does the dentist of the year get?...A little plaque

What game did the dentist play when she was a child?...Caps and robbers

What does a dentist do on a roller coaster?...He braces himself

What did the dentist see at the North Pole?...A molar bear

What was the dentist doing in Panama?...Looking for the Root Canal

GUM DISEASE

Gum (Periodontal) Disease
Periodontal disease (infection of the gum tissue and bones surrounding teeth) is an increasing health risk which will not go away by itself, but requires professional treatment.

What Is It?

Gum (periodontal) disease is an infection that is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Because gum disease is usually painless and develops slowly, a person may not be aware that the infection exists.
Gum disease is caused by plaque, a sticky film of bacteria (germs) that constantly forms on the teeth. These bacteria create toxins that can eventually damage the gums and the bone surrounding the teeth.

Bleeding Gums Are Not Normal!
In the early stage of gum disease, called gingivitis, the gums become red, swell, and bleed easily. The disease is still reversible at this stage, and can usually be eliminated by careful daily brushing and flossing. In the more advanced stages of gum disease, called periodontitis, the gums and bone that support the teeth become seriously damaged. If the disease is left untreated, it can eventually lead to loss of teeth.What are the signs of gum disease?
Any of the following conditions may indicate the presence of gum disease, and a dentist or dental specialist called a periodontist should be consulted.

If the gums:
· bleed when brushing teeth
· are red, swollen or tender
have pulled away from the teeth
Or if one of the following conditions is present:
bad breath that doesn't go away
pus between teeth and gums
loose teeth
a change in the way the teeth fit together when biting
a change in the fit of partial dentures
Remember that pain usually is not present in the early stages of gum disease.

Other Risk Factors for Gum Disease
Although bacterial plaque is the primary cause of gum disease, other risk factors can affect the health of gums and increase the chances of contracting the disease. Some of those factors include smoking, stress, certain medications, diabetes, poor nutrition, clenching or grinding teeth, hormonal fluctuations, and a genetic pre-disposition. Regular check-ups with a dentist and/or consultation with a periodontal specialist are especially important if any of these risk factors are present.

How to Prevent Gum Disease:
Gum disease can be prevented by taking good care of teeth and by having regular dental checkups that include a periodontal examination. A little time invested in prevention of this disease can improve dental and general health and can help minimize dental expenses.

Here are some suggestions to help keep teeth, gums and supporting bone structures healthy:
1. Brush teeth thoroughly twice a day. This removes the film of plaque (germs) from the teeth. Be sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush that is in good condition and anti-plaque toothpaste. Rinsing will not remove the sticky bacterial plaque.
2. Clean between teeth every day. Cleaning between teeth with floss or interdental cleaners removes bacteria and food particles from between the teeth where a toothbrush can't reach. Early gum disease can often be reversed by daily brushing and flossing.
3. Eat a balanced diet. Choose a variety of foods from the basic food groups, such as breads, cereals and other grain products; fruits; vegetables; meat, poultry and fish; and dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yogurt. Limit between-meal snacks and candy. Avoid excessive use of sweetened soda pop.
4. Visit the dentist regularly. It is important to have regular dental checkups, which include a thorough periodontal exam. Professional cleaning is essential to prevent periodontal diseases. Once you have been treated for periodontal disease, these maintenance visits are especially important.
5. Avoid use of tobacco. Tobacco use can inflame gum tissue and aggravate existing periodontal disease.

Treating Gum Disease
Periodontal Scaling:
Once gum disease has begun to destroy the gum and bone around teeth, an ordinary cleaning will not be enough to stop the progress of the infection. A procedure called periodontal scaling, which is more extensive and time-consuming than routine cleaning, becomes necessary. It removes plaque and tartar that are causing the infection below the gum line. Root planing smoothes the root surfaces, which allows the gum tissue to heal and to reattach to the tooth.

Other Surgery: When deep pockets of infection persist after periodontal scaling, corrective surgery or other treatment may be needed. Surgical treatment is designed to correct defects by reshaping or by regenerating new, healthy bone and gums.

After treatment, it is critical that patients practice good oral hygiene and that they seek regular professional maintenance care in the dental or periodontal office.

Health Note: Gum disease has been linked to heart disease, low birth weight in babies and other health problems, so it is a condition that should be taken seriously.