Patient Education

Periodontal disease and related medical conditions

What is Periodontal disease?
The main cause of periodontal disease (gum disease) is bacterial plaque. This bacteria, left untreated on your teeth, causes damage to the gums and the bone that supports your teeth; this can lead to premature tooth loss.
According to the American Academy of Periodontology, other factors also affect the health of your gums. The following are a list of factors to look for:

• Smoking/ Tobacco use
  Recent studies have shown that smoking is one of the most significant risk factors in the development and progression of periodontal disease. If you are a smoker, you must be evaluated by a periodontist regularly.
  
• Diabetes
  According to the American Diabetes Association, approximately 15 million Americans have diabetes. Diabetics are more prone to developing infections, including periodontal disease.
  Furthermore, recent research shows that the connection between diabetes and periodontal disease goes both ways. Periodontal disease may make it more difficult for a diabetic patient to control their blood sugar level. So, diabetics who have periodontal disease should be monitored and treated to eliminate the periodontal infection.
  It is important to see a periodontist on a regular basis if you are a diabetic patient.
  www.diabetes.org
  
• Heredity
  Studies show that over 30% of the population may be genetically predisposed to periodontal disease. Therefore, the American Academy of Periodontology recommends that if one member of a family has lost his/her teeth early in life, or has been treated for periodontal disease, all other family members should be evaluated as well.
  
• Stress
  Stress has long been linked to many serious conditions such as cancer and hypertension. Now, research confirms that it is also a major risk factor for periodontal disease.
  
• Heart disease and Stroke
  Researchers have found that people with periodontal disease are twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease as those without periodontal disease. Additional studies have proven that people who have suffered from a stroke were more likely to have periodontal disease.
  www.americanheart.org
  
• Pregnancy and periodontal disease
  It's possible that if you have periodontal disease and are pregnant, you may be seven times more likely to have a premature, low birthweight baby.
  The American Academy of Periodontology recommends that women who are considering pregnancy or are pregnant, to have regular periodontal evaluations.
  
• Medications
  Some drugs such as oral contraceptives, antidepressants, anti-seizure medications and certain heart medications can affect your oral health. If you have noticed any changes in your mouth, such as dry mouth, bad breath, swollen or bleeding gums, and you take medications, consult a periodontist for a complete evaluation.
  
• Respiratory and periodontal disease
  Growing research suggests that if you have periodontal disease, you may be at increased risk for respiratory disease. If you think you are at risk or have a respiratory condition, see a periodontist for an evaluation- because healthy gums may lead to a healthier body.
  
• Clenching or grinding your teeth
  Do you think you grind your teeth? Is your jaw sore from clenching your teeth during the day? Clenching or grinding your teeth puts extra pressure on teeth and can accelerate periodontal problems.
  If you notice soreness in your facial muscles or joint, a clicking sound when opening and closing your mouth, along with discomfort, you may also be suffering from TMJ disorder.
  Consult a prosthodontist for an evaluation and possible treatment of TMJ disorder.

Patient Education/Ask your Questions

Ask your questions about periodontal disease

Dental Implants
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed into the jaw to hold a replacement tooth or teeth. Dental implants are an ideal method of tooth replacement for people in good general health who have lost a tooth or teeth due to an accident, periodontal disease, severe decay or some other reason.
Here are some major advantages of dental implants over a bridge or removable dentures:

1. Esthetics
   Dental implants can look and feel more like your own teeth.
2. Confidence
   Dental implants allow you to speak, eat and smile in comfort and confidence; they offer freedom from dentures and pastes.
3. Tooth-saving
   Neighboring teeth are not altered to support dental implants, so you don’t need to sacrifice the quality of your adjacent teeth. This is a significant long-term benefit, as more of your natural teeth are left untouched.
   Are you a candidate for implants?

Crowns and Bridges
A crown is a restoration that covers a tooth. Crowns are ideal restorations to create a smile that is beautiful, comfortable and natural. The are placed for a variety of reasons:

• To restore broken teeth for optimum function
• Protect weakened teeth from fracturing (e.g. teeth after root canal treatment)
• Cover dental implants
• Alter the appearance of discolored or badly shaped teeth
• Attach bridges

A bridge spans the space where one or more teeth are missing. Missing teeth are detrimental for a number of reasons:

1. Missing teeth can cause your mouth and cheeks to sag, therefore making your face look older
2. Missing teeth create gaps that adjacent teeth can drift into, altering your natural bite
3. Losing teeth can affect your chewing and may even hamper speech
4. Missing teeth create unattractive gaps in your mouth

If you want to feel confident in your smile, you need healthy and attractive teeth.

Porcelain Veneers
Contact us to see if porcelain veneers are right for you

TMJ Disorders
“TMJ” stands for Temporomandibular joint, or the jaw joint. Approximately 10 million people in the U.S. suffer from TMJ problems.
www.tmj.org
TMJ disorders are a complex and poorly understood set of conditions, that are best diagnosed and treated by a Prosthodontist, who has had specialized training in this field.

Here are the some symptoms of TMJ disorder:

• Facial Pain- the jaw joint and surrounding muscles and ear ache.
• Headaches and migraines
• Head, Neck and shoulder pain
• Clicking or “Popping” of the jaw
• Locking of the jaw
• Bite that feels “off” or as if it is continually changing
• Excessive wear on teeth
• Grinding teeth
• Ringing in the ears

If you think you grind your teeth and have any of the above symptoms, you should be evaluated by a specialist in TMJ disorders.