Is Gum Disease Reversible?

Is Gum Disease Reversible?

Is Gum Disease Reversible?

Is Gum Disease Reversible?

Gum disease, or periodontal disease, affects millions of people in the United States every year. It can cause bad breath, loose teeth, and even tooth loss if it is left untreated. But the good news is that gum disease is reversible if caught in its early stages. Here’s what you need to know about gum disease and how to reverse it.

What Causes Gum Disease?

Gum disease develops when plaque builds up on teeth and gums, not effectively removed by regular brushing and flossing. The bacteria in the plaque irritates and inflames the gums, leading to infection. Untreated, this infection can worsen and spread to other parts of your mouth and jawbone. This can lead to more serious dental problems such as tooth decay or even total tooth loss.

Reversing Gum Disease

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reverse gum disease before it becomes a bigger problem. Start by practicing good oral hygiene: brush for two minutes twice a day and floss at least once daily. Regular dental check-ups ensure professional cleanings to remove any built-up plaque since your last visit. At these visits, your dentist may recommend treatments like scaling and root planing to remove deep-seated plaque below the gumline.

In more severe cases of gum disease, a periodontist—a specialized type of dentist near you—may recommend surgical options such as pocket depth reduction or flap surgery to remove infected tissue from around the teeth or gums. These procedures help reduce bacterial buildup so that healthy tissue can start growing again in its place.

Contact Green Dental Care Today!

With proper care, gum disease can be reversed before causing severe damage like tooth loss or decay, offering a positive outcome. At Green Dental Care here in Parker CO we believe prevention is key when it comes to reversing gum disease which is why we always stress regular dental checkups so we can spot any potential issues early on and treat them accordingly before they become larger issues down the road. If you think you may have an issue with your gums don’t hesitate – contact us today! We’re here to help!

Gum Disease: What You Need To Know

Gum Disease: What You Need To Know Parker CO dentist

Gum Disease: What You Need To Know

Gum Disease: What You Need To Know Parker CO dentist

Periodontal disease, often known as gum disease, is a bacterial infection that affects the gums and, in rare cases, the bone that surrounds a tooth. Gum disorders affect a single tooth or a group of teeth and often need to be treated by a dentist in Parker CO. Symptoms can vary from irritation (gingivitis) to severe infection (periodontitis) (periodontitis). It’s crucial to pay particular attention to your gums. Dr. Green and his dental office Parker CO cannot stress the importance of gum health enough.

What You Should Know About Gum Disease

In honor of Gum Disease Awareness Month, your Parker CO Dentist shares information on both standard and severe gum illnesses below.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis, diagnosed by dentist 80134, is the most common and mild type of gum disease, characterized by redness and swelling of the gums.

Chronic Periodontitis

Next, the most prevalent of the full-fledged gum illnesses is chronic periodontitis. Gum recession and the creation of pockets between the gums and the teeth are the most common signs.

Aggressive Periodontitis

Although gum disorders are uncommon in children, some children, and adults, even if otherwise healthy, develop aggressive periodontitis. Children as young as three years old, and occasionally even younger, may develop aggressive periodontitis. 

Periodontitis Necrotizing

This may be the most serious of all gum disorders. Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis is a disorder that may cause tissue, ligament, and bone destruction in the mouth. People who smoke, are malnourished, or have illnesses that damage their immune systems, such as HIV/AIDS, are more likely to develop necrotizing periodontitis.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is gum inflammation caused by a buildup of plaque on the teeth. Gums that are red, swollen, or bleed readily when you wash your teeth are signs of gingivitis. Be that as it may, it’s the mildest kind of gum disease, and since it’s so widespread, you may not even realize you have it.

Periodontitis

Advanced periodontal disease is referred to as periodontitis. Periodontitis is a condition in which the gum tissue pulls away from the teeth, leaving pockets where bacteria may accumulate and cause illness. Continued red, swollen, or bleeding gums, discomfort while chewing, poor tooth alignment, receding gums or spaces between the teeth and gums, ulcers on the inside of the mouth, and loose or sensitive teeth are all signs of potential periodontitis.

Gingivitis and periodontitis are both included in periodontal disease, a more broad term for gum disease.

Gum Disease Signs and Symptoms

Gum disease may vary in severity from gingivitis to a more severe infection. When gingivitis progresses to periodontitis, the signs of gum disease aren’t usually visible. Gingivitis is a condition that happens when plaque and tartar buildup on the teeth, causing irritation around the tooth. Periodontitis is caused by poor dental hygiene, and it is most common in individuals aged 30 and over.

Symptoms of gum disease include:

  • Pain
  • Gum Swelling
  • Foul Taste and Smell
  • Spacing in teeth
  • Gum Bleeding
  • Gums that slide away from the teeth

Your dentist will check your teeth and gums to confirm the diagnosis if you have signs of gum disease. However, if gum disease signs are detected early enough, therapy may be as easy as a thorough dental cleaning and a change in your at-home oral hygiene regimen.

Causes of Gum Disease

Because many gum disease symptoms don’t surface until the illness has progressed, it’s crucial to be aware of some risk factors. Identifying risk factors and maintaining good oral hygiene may help you detect gum disease signs early and schedule an appointment with your dentist. A buildup of germs surrounding the gums is one of the primary causes of gum disease. Every day, harmful bacteria accumulate on the teeth and around the gum line. Gum inflammation and gingivitis may develop if tooth and gum germs aren’t eradicated by brushing and flossing regularly. If left untreated, it may lead to periodontitis, a more severe condition.

Gum disease is linked to the following:

  • Smoking
  • Genetics
  • Hormones
  • Medical Problems
  • Stress
  • Medications
  • Treatments for Gum Disease

Gum disease may be treated surgically or non-surgically, depending on the severity of the illness and the preferences of the patient states our friends at Easton PA dental practice.

Antibiotics and tooth scaling and root planing, a non-surgical deep-cleaning process that eliminates tartar and plaque below the gum line, are two non-surgical treatments for gum disorders. Although some limited research shows that lasers may be used in addition to tooth scaling and root planning to increase the effectiveness of the process, there is insufficient data to propose a particular wavelength or kind of laser for the treatment of gum diseases.

So, regular dental examinations and thorough oral hygiene practice are essential for the effective treatment of any gum disease. Also, if you smoke, give it up. Tobacco smoking may stymie gum disease healing and increase the likelihood of recurrence.

What Can You Do To Prevent Gum Disease?

While you may be aware that poor dental hygiene is a common cause of gum disease, you may not know how to treat gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease. However, it is pretty straightforward to help cure and prevent it if identified early by putting your dental hygiene practice back on track.

Did you know that one out of every two people in the United States has gingivitis? Learning how to avoid gingivitis and disseminating this knowledge may reduce the incidence of gum disease in the United States. Here are a few basic methods for preventing gingivitis.

  • Brush Twice a Day
  • Every Day Flossing
  • Quitting smoking
  • Regular Dental Exams
  • Healthy Eating

Contact Green Dental Care for Gum Disease Treatment

Finally, by maintaining regular oral hygiene practice, you may help prevent gum disease from developing. To learn more about gum disease contact our office today!

The Best Dental Tools for Seniors

best dental tools for seniors

The Best Dental Tools for Seniors

Facts About Older Adult Oral Health

After age 50, your dental care needs change and the tools you used during your younger years may no longer cut it. For this reason, the doctors at Green Dental Care in Parker CO have come up with the following recommendations of appropriate dental-care tools to use once you enter your fifties.

Teeth Whitening Products

The passage of time takes its toll on your teeth leading you to notice that they aren’t as bright as they once were. Whether it is those cups of coffee you sipped on the daily or the wearing down of your tooth enamel, discoloration is likely going to occur. However, the right whitening products can help you to have a brighter smile.

Dr. Andrei Ionescu, a dentist in Parker CO, suggests that you get toothpaste that contains hydrogen peroxide. This toothpaste will gradually whiten your teeth. Alternatively, you can opt for a mouthwash whose ingredients list includes hydrogen peroxide. This mouthwash will also slowly whiten your teeth and prevent new stains from setting.

Your Manual Toothbrush

You should never use a toothbrush for more than three months. More than replacing it quarterly, pay attention to two key attributes of any manual toothbrush that you buy. First, Dr. Christopher Green recommends that you only buy a toothbrush if its bristles are soft or extra soft. These will do a good job of cleaning your teeth without harming your gums and enamel. Secondly, select a toothbrush whose bristles are angled or multileveled. These do a better job of removing plaque when compared to flat bristles.

Electric Toothbrushes

Various clinical studies have confirmed that electric toothbrushes are better than manual toothbrushes at removing plaque. Green Dental Care also recommends that you select an electric toothbrush that has an oscillating head rather than one with a vibrating head. The oscillating version does a superior job of preventing gingivitis and getting rid of plaque.

Mouthwash

Selecting the best mouthwash from the huge variety available can be daunting. To ease this task, Dr. Beth Herko, an experienced dentist in New Providence NJ, recommends that you pick a mouthwash that has chlorine dioxide, chlorhexidine, menthol, essential oils, and thymol among its ingredients. These ingredients will help kill oral bacteria decrease the chance of bad breath.

If plaque and gingivitis have been giving you the runaround, then Dr. Andrea Ionescu recommends that you select a mouthwash having chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride among its ingredients. Fluoride also increases the germ-killing power of the mouthwash.

Toothpaste

Not any toothpaste will do if you are a senior, says Dr. Christopher Green. He recommends that if you have noticed bleeding from your gums, then a toothpaste with stannous fluoride is the best for you. If your main concern is tooth sensitivity, then a toothpaste having potassium nitrate will ease your symptoms over time.

You may have heard about charcoal toothpaste or different forms of natural toothpaste. The experts at Green Dental Care warn against these products since they may be either too abrasive or ineffective at removing plaque from your teeth.

Dental Floss

Dental floss sticks have become increasingly common, but Dr. Andrei Ionescu warns against them saying that they are less effective than traditional string floss. This is because the sticks don’t wrap around your teeth well. Additionally, the floss sticks aren’t eco-friendly because they increase the amount of plastic discarded in the environment.

When shopping, select thicker floss strings rather than thinner ones. The thin ones can easily slip between your teeth, but they don’t do a good job of removing the plaque and food particles trapped in those gaps.

If you would like to use a water flosser, find one that can deliver water at a pressure between 50 and 90 psi. This amount of pressure is sufficient to clean between your teeth without putting undue stress on your gum tissue.

With those six tips for selecting the basic dental hygiene products, most of your bases will be covered. All that is left is for you to pay Green Dental Care a visit. One of our exceptional Parker CO dentists will assess your oral health periodically so that timely treatment can be provided should anything go wrong. Like fine wine that gets better with age, you too can enjoy superb dental health for a lifetime!

Treatments for Gum Disease

Periodontics-Gum-Disease-colorado

Treatments for Gum Disease

Periodontics-Gum-Disease-colorado

Gum disease refers to gum inflammation that gradually progresses to a level where the bone and other support tissues around your teeth become affected. Gum disease is identified by three clearly distinct stages (gingivitis, periodontitis and advanced periodontitis). Research done by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) found that nearly half of all Americans aged 30 and above suffer from periodontitis. While the disease may be common, the doctors at Green Dental Care assert that the progression of this disease can be arrested at any stage. The following are some of the available treatments for gum disease.

Nonsurgical Treatment for Gum Disease

The first way to treat periodontitis involves a nonsurgical approach called scaling and root planing (SRP). This conservative treatment can be done by a hygienist at Green Dental Care or by either Dr. Christopher Green or Dr. Andrei Ionescu. 

The process entails scraping the surface of the teeth and the roots in order to remove any calculus (tartar) and plaque that has accumulated there. After scaling, the treated surfaces are smoothened so that there are no rough spots where bacteria can thrive.

Dr. Christopher Green, an experienced dentist in Parker CO, explains that more than one visit is normally needed to complete the SRP treatment. Have no worries about pain; a local anesthetic will ensure that you will hardly feel any discomfort while you are being treated.

After a few weeks, the Parker CO dentist will examine you to see how well you are healing. If everything is okay, no further treatment will be recommended. If you aren’t healing as expected, then additional SRP may be done or another treatment option may be tried.

Pocket Reduction Surgery

After scaling and root planing, if deep gingival pockets (the gaps between the gums and the teeth) remain, another step that may be taken is to schedule pocket reduction surgery. Dr. Andrei Ionescu, a dentist in Parker CO, explains this process. The gum tissue is folded back so that the bacteria hidden behind the flap is removed. The sections of the bone damaged by bacteria are also smoothed so that your gums can reattach to your teeth again.

Gum Graft Surgery

When periodontal disease advances, it can cause gum recession that makes the roots of your teeth to be exposed. Sensitivity and other problems result from this exposure.  To fix this situation, the team at Green Dental Care may perform gum graft surgery.

Dr. Kacos a dentist in Shreveport LA, explains that the gum tissue will be taken from elsewhere, such as from your palate, and placed on the most affected roots of your teeth. Your teeth will no longer be sensitive and root decay will be arrested by this surgical intervention.

Preventing Dental Problems

preventing dental problems - Green Dental Care

Preventing Dental Problems

preventing dental problems - Green Dental Care

Clichés may be tired and overused, but there is often an element of truth to them. This is particularly true when considering “prevention is better than a cure.” When it comes to dental problems, there are certain treatment solutions for each issue. However, preventing dental problems from becoming an issue in the first place could save you a significant amount of time, money, and discomfort.

At Green Dental Care, we are always happy to offer you the best treatment solutions for any number of dental concerns. Dr. Christopher Green and Dr. Ionescu offer a compassionate touch that will help to put you at ease while restoring your beautiful smile. They also offer some great handy tips on preventing dental problems.

Don’t Forget to Brush Your Teeth

It should go without saying that brushing your teeth is one of the most effective tools you have to combat tooth decay and gum disease. You should be brushing your teeth at least twice a day, to help get rid of the food debris and bacteria that are responsible for decay and disease.

Our friend, Dr. Kristina Neda, a dentist in Georgetown, KY, suggests using a toothpaste that contains fluoride, as it can offer added protection for fighting bacteria. She says that people who use fluoride toothpaste see an improvement in their overall oral health. 

Wait To Brush After Drinking Coffee

We need that cup of java to get our day started off right. However, it’s suggested that you wait at least 30 minutes after drinking your coffee before you brush your teeth. This is because coffee is very acidic and could result in damage to the teeth if you brush too soon after drinking that cup of joe. Of course, you should also avoid brushing after drinking orange juice too, but that’s only because of the shudder-inducing taste combinations.

Don’t Forget to Floss

Everyone knows that they should be brushing and flossing daily. But many simply skip the flossing part for one reason or another. Flossing is so important, however. It can help to remove food that gets stuck between your teeth, while also helping to remove buildups of plaque between the teeth and along the gum line. Brushing will get most of this, certainly. It won’t be able to get it all, however. 

Flossing, combined with a good brushing routine and the use of a good mouth wash will go a long way towards ensuring good oral health.

Considering the Foods You Eat

No matter how good your daily oral hygiene routine is, there are some foods and drinks that can contribute towards the breaking down of the enamel on your teeth. This can result in tooth decay, and may even result in the loss of teeth. Some of the things that you should skip or at least enjoy only in moderation include the following.

  • Sugar-filled sodas, as they can lead to excess acid that can impact the enamel. Even diet sodas are a concern.
  • Candy and other sugary treats aren’t the best in choice if your ultimate goal is to ensure a healthy mouth. There’s no need to avoid them completely if you want to indulge, but try to avoid candies that are sticky and chewy, as they can stick to your teeth much longer than other sweet treats. This can give the acid and bacteria more time to wear down your enamel.
  • Wines, both red and white, can have an impact on your teeth. Red wine, along with coffee and tea, can stain your teeth. White wine is much more acidic and can contribute towards the breakdown of the enamel. 
  • White bread, pasta, and other starch-filled foods can prove to be damaging due to your saliva breaking them down into sugars that can stick to your teeth. Whole wheat products are often the better option if you’re needing your carbs.

Keep your teeth healthy scheduling your dental appointments with the best dentist Parker CO. At Green Dental Care, we offer restorative solutions, cosmetic dentistry options to include veneers and teeth whitening. To learn more about our dental services, contact our dental office in Parker, CO.

 

Must-Knows About Periodontal Disease

Periodontics-Gum-Disease-colorado

Must-Knows About Periodontal Disease

Periodontics-Gum-Disease-colorado

What You Should Know About Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is a common infection which damages the gums and alveolar bone surrounding one’s teeth. If left untreated, the condition can worsen and cause you to lose the affected teeth, in addition to causing other systemic health problems, such as heart disease. At Green Dental Care, we take this infection very seriously and take the following measures to address it.

The Preliminary Examination

As soon as you come in with a suspected case of periodontal disease, Dr. Green will take some gum measurements to ascertain the size of the gingival pockets. Gingival pockets are the gaps between one’s teeth and gums. If this pocket measures 3mm or less, you are regarded as normal. Bigger pockets which are 4-5mm wide signal gingivitis (the initial stage of periodontal disease). If your dentist in Parker, CO finds that your gingival pockets exceed 5mm, you will be categorized as someone suffering from periodontal disease and in need of urgent treatment.

Another step taken during your initial assessment entails getting intraoral images using a camera. These images reveal where plaque and calculus (tartar) have accumulated around your teeth.

Dr. Chris Green will also order dental x-rays in order to view the condition of the teeth beneath the gumline. The roots of your teeth have soft bone coverings called alveolar bone. Periodontal disease gradually eats away at this bone tissue in an irreversible process. The x-rays help to show to what extent this damage has occurred.

Treating Periodontal Disease

Once all this information has been gathered, Dr. Chris Green will design an appropriate treatment plan to address the specific magnitude of the gum disease. The following are some of the steps taken to treat periodontal disease at Green Dental Care in Parker CO.

Root Planing and Scaling: Root planing and scaling refers to the process by which a dental scaler or ultrasonic instrument is used to remove bacterial pockets and plaque or tartar from beneath the gumline. The objective is to prevent periodontal disease from getting worse. Scaling smoothens the surfaces from which bacteria has been removed so that further colonization doesn’t take place. This treatment procedure is done after administering a local anesthetic to deal with any pain triggered during the procedure.

Medication: Your dentist in Parker, CO may also opt to use medication alongside root scaling and planning as a way to treat periodontal disease. The medications range from prescription antibiotics, antibiotic gels, and prescription mouthwashes and rinses. These target the microorganisms in your gums and teeth in order to bring down inflammation and allow the gums to heal.

Surgery: Some severe cases of periodontal disease may require surgical intervention in order to treat the infection. For example, the professionals at Green Dental Care may recommend flap surgery as the only feasible way to remove the bacteria which is lodged deep within your gum tissue. Flap surgery can also be performed to remove a section of the gum so that what is left fits optimally on the tooth affected by periodontal disease. Tissue and bone grafts may also be performed to cover the parts of roots which have been exposed as a result of periodontal disease.

Regardless of the treatment option selected, Dr. Chris Green will advise you to pay additional attention to your oral care at home. This added vigilance is necessary to prevent recolonization by bacteria.

Your treatment may also require several visits, especially if the problem was extensive. If one visit is enough, another follow-up visit may be scheduled after three months to clean out the gingival pockets and to monitor how well you are healing. Don’t miss this follow-up visit because you will not know whether additional treatment is required or what you received was sufficient.

As already mentioned, the initial stage (gingivitis) of periodontal disease can be reversed by paying more attention to your oral hygiene. As the disease progresses, it causes damage which is irreversible. Contact Green Dental Care and schedule an appointment as soon as you suspect that you could be having periodontal disease. The sooner you commence treatment, the higher the chance that the disease will be stopped before it causes extensive damage to your oral health.