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Common Questions

• What is periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease (gum disease) is a silent disease, meaning that at its earliest stages, there are no symptoms. Gum disease is an inflammatory response to bacteria and bacterial toxins in the mouth. Some symptoms of periodontal disease include gums that bleed when you brush or floss them, swollen or tender gums, an unpleasant taste in your mouth, or persistent bad breath.

Recent studies indicate that periodontal disease increases the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Working in concert with other risk factors such as age, smoking, hypertension and elevated blood cholesterol. Gum disease is also linked to kidney disease, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, Alzheimer’s, and pre-term births.

• How does gum disease affect my heart?

Cardiovascular disease results when the walls of the coronary arteries (heart blood vessels) gradually thicken due to the buildup of fatty proteins. Research shows that the bacteria found in the mouth enters the bloodstream, attaches to the fatty plaques, and may contribute to clot formation. Learn more here.

• If I have gingivitis will I always have it?

Gingivitis is an early stage of gum disease. With proper care it is reversible with no lasting side effects.

Periodontal disease is a later stage of gum disease that affects the underlying bone, as well as the gum tissue. In most cases there has been some bone loss, which is permanent. Without proper care, gum disease will advance to further bone loss and the possible loss of teeth.

• What can I do to maintain a healthy mouth?

Brush at least twice a day. This will remove the plaque film from your teeth, gums, and tongue.

Floss once a day. This can be done at any time. This will allow for you to remove plaque from between your teeth.

Visit our office regularly. This is different for everyone. Some patients can be seen every six months and others need to be seen more frequently to help keep the bacteria level low.

• What kind of treatment options do I have if I’m diagnosed with a periodontal condition?

You have several options, but what we recommend will depend on your specific situation. In many cases, we recommend full-mouth debridement in which we utilize an ultrasonic cleaner to work around the gum tissue. The ultrasonic cleaner vibrates on the tooth and removes the tartar buildup around and under the gum tissue. The ultrasonic cleaner also has an irrigation component with it. The type of irrigation used is either distilled water, fluoride, or a medicated rinse.

Scaling and root planning (SRP) involves the use of an ultrasonic cleaner and hand instruments to remove the tartar buildup from under the gum tissue and on the root surface. Irrigation is also used to help minimize the bacterial toxins.

Laser therapy is method used in conjunction with full-mouth debridement and scaling and root planing. With laser periodontal therapy, we sterilize the bacteria and its toxins, and we can also remove disease gum tissue.

• What is oral cancer?

Most people are surprised to learn that one American dies every hour from oral cancer; a death rate that has remained virtually unchanged for more than 40 years. However, when detected early, oral cancer has an 80% cure rate. If you notice any sores or ulcers that bleed easily or don’t heal, let us know immediately. White or red patches or bumps in your mouth that last for longer than two weeks may be signs of a problem. These lesions may or may not cause discomfort.

With early detection, most oral cancer can be cured. However, 90% of oral cancer is not detected until the advanced stage. Approximately 70% of the time, oral cancer is not visible to the dental professional until it has reached an advanced stage. In our office, we always check your tongue, gums, cheek lining, and lips. We also suggest you have the ViziLite exam done regularly.

• What is ViziLite?

ViziLite Plus technology assists your dental professional in seeing abnormal tissue in the mouth, before it is plainly obvious.

As ViziLite Plus passes over oral tissue that has been treated with the rinse solution, normal healthy tissue will absorb the light and appear dark, abnormal tissue will appear white. The purpose of using ViziLite Plus is to identify tissue changes at their earliest stage. Once abnormal tissue has been identified, it is up to your dental professional to determine what the appropriate next steps are.

Oral cancer detection is a team effort. Together we can keep your mouth healthy and cancer-free.

• I have always wished my teeth could be brighter or straighter. What are my options?

Believe it or not, you have several options, and they don’t have to include metal braces. The most conservative way of changing your smile is professional teeth whitening . Professional whitening is safe and effective and backed by decades of research. Occasionally, patients may experience light sensitivity. This is usually temporary and relieved with multiple methods which the dentist will review with you prior to whitening.

If straighter teeth have been a concern of yours, our options include:

1. Invisalign Clear Braces – The results take anywhere from 3 – 24 months, depending on the situation.
2. Veneers – These permanent porcelain sheaths can change the color and the alignment of your teeth with minimal to no tooth reduction. The results can be seen within 3-4 weeks.
3. Crowns – These can be crafted from all-porcelain or porcelain fused to metal. Crowns can correct severe misalignment and teeth that have large existing fillings. The results can be seen within 3-4 weeks.
• What can I do to prevent my kids from getting cavities?

First and foremost, make sure your children are brushing their teeth twice a day and flossing once a day. Depending on how old your child is, you may want to brush their teeth for them. It’s also extremely important to monitor their diet. Sugary and starchy foods contribute to an increase in tooth decay. You should also bring them in for a professional cleaning every six months and have the dentist place sealants on the permanent teeth that need it.

• What are sealants?

Children’s teeth, especially back teeth, have many bumps and grooves on the chewing surfaces, making them highly susceptible to cavities. Debris and bacteria may become lodged between the grooves of a child's tooth. These grooves (called pits and fissures) may be more problematic for some children than for others.

Sealing these pits and fissures will decrease the chance for decay on the tooth’s surface. To seal the tooth, we apply a slightly acidic solution that is designed to help the sealant bond to the tooth surface. Then each tooth is "painted" with a very thin layer of the sealant coating.

Since the coating is clear or white, it blends easily with the natural tooth color. Sealants can last for many years, but they should be checked regularly and assessed for possible re-application.

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