Gum disease is a broad term often heard in commercials for toothpaste and other dental advertisements, but rarely is a specific definition given to what gum disease actually is. Gum disease is an infection of the gums and other tissues around your mouth that support your teeth. Something that makes gum disease so dangerous is that it is often painless, and easy to not notice if you have it. The primary cause of gum disease is plaque, which is the sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth constantly.

There are some warning signs to look out for if you are concerned you may be at risk for gum disease:

• The gums bleed easily, especially when brushing
• Gums are more red than usual, or are tender
• If the gums are receding away from the teeth anywhere
• Constant bad taste in the mouth, or bad breath
• Any changes in how your teeth fit together when biting

Many things can make you more susceptible to gum disease, they include:

• Generally poor oral hygiene
• Smoking cigarettes or chewing tobacco
• Misaligned teeth that are difficult to clean
• Diabetes
• Some medications may have side effects that make you more susceptible to gum disease such as cancer therapy drugs, or oral contraceptives

If gum disease is caught in its early stages, it is much easier to treat than if left alone. The earliest stages of gum disease are called Gingivitis. In this stage, gums may be red, swollen, and bleed easily. Gingivitis is easily treatable with a professional cleaning and daily brushing and flossing.

If gum disease is allowed to progress past Gingivitis, the next stage is called Periodontitis. In this stage, loss of supporting tissue and bone structure around the teeth can occur, worsening over time. Periodontitis affects nearly 50% of adults over the age of 30 in the United States, and is generally a slow progressing disease, but can progress rapidly at times, if corrective action isn’t taken.

Aggressive periodontitis is the most advanced form of periodontal disease in which massive loss of bone and tissue in the mouth occurs, and can happen in the entire mouth.

Gum disease is one of the most important reasons to have routine dental check-ups, since it can show no warning signs and cause no pain. Treatment of gum disease is dependent on the patient, and how far along the disease has been allowed to progress. Maintaining good home dental practices can go a long way in helping prevent gum disease from occurring, or progressing.

The short answer: YES!

The long answer:

We’ve heard it a million times–brush twice a day and floss once a day. Brushing twice a day is pretty widely practiced, but for some reason when it comes to flossing, many of us decide to skip it. So why does your dentist insist?

Brushing your teeth cleans the tops and outer surfaces of your teeth. What it misses, though, are the tiny bits of food that have lodged themselves in the tight spaces between your teeth and in the spaces between your teeth and gums.

If food stays in those places, it hardens over time and forms tartar. Tartar can only be removed by your dentist. If left unchecked, tartar buildup can lead to swollen, red gums which is the first stage of gingivitis. Continuing from there, it can turn into periodontitis and cause tooth and bone loss.

Even more important to remember, your oral health affects more than just your mouth. It’s been noted that oral hygiene can affect how your body deals with diseases in the rest of your body.

Flossing plays an absolutely vital role in keeping your mouth clean every day. By skipping it, you’re putting your oral hygiene in jeopardy and consequently, your overall health, too.

For more information on the importance of flossing, or to make an appointment with your Orlando dentist, fill out the appointment request online or give us a call at 407-907-6512.

Periodontal therapy is not just the key to health of your mouth, but to your body as a whole. Recent studies have found that oral health is an important factor in the overall health of your body. What’s even more interesting is that one particular study found that periodontal therapy actually helped ease some of the negative effects of seemingly non-related conditions. Let’s take a look at the results.

Study of Periodontal Therapy in Patients with Varying Conditions

The study looked at medical costs and hospitalization rates for people with type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease, cerebral vascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and pregnancy. The intent of the study was to see the impact of periodontal therapy on some of the adverse effects caused by these conditions. Shockingly, the study found that:

• Pregnant women undergoing periodontal therapy spent 74% less in medical costs, as compared to those who weren’t undergoing therapy.
• Medical costs were 40% lower for patients with type 2 diabetes and cerebral vascular disease.
• Patients with coronary artery disease saw an 11% reduction in medical costs from those who had untreated periodontal therapy.
• For those undergoing periodontal therapy, the amount of hospitalizations was lower for all conditions except rheumatoid arthritis.

Scientists have thought for some time that the health of your mouth is essential to the health of the rest of your body. While these findings do not prove that periodontal therapy is beneficial to other types of conditions, they certainly suggest it. Periodontal therapy is inexpensive and has minimal risk for complications. Simply taking care of your teeth, getting regular cleanings, and getting any other treatment needed can increase your overall health.

For more information on this study or to schedule an appointment, give us a call today at 407-907-6512.

People of all ages have been enjoying energy and sports drinks for a long time. While sports drinks are supposed to replenish and rehydrate the body, they have a few health risks that don’t get much attention. Most of us know soda is bad for us, but what about energy and sports drinks?

Acidic Drinks and Tooth Decay

The problem with drinks like these is that they have a very high acid content. The acid from just one drink immediately begins eroding the enamel on your teeth. Recent research found that the damage the acid causes to enamel becomes apparent just five days after drinking an acidic beverage. Unfortunately, this damage is irreversible. Once the enamel starts to erode, it can quickly lead to tooth decay, cavities, and extractions.

Mitigating Risk Factors

Researchers also found that the damage is exacerbated in people under 20 who grind their teeth and may have early signs of acid reflux. These three factors significantly increase the risk of major damage. Children should be encouraged to get their energy from naturally occurring sources, such as fresh fruit. If you do choose to drink acidic beverages, rinse your mouth with water afterward, and wait an hour before brushing your teeth.

Since March of 2008, dentists have not been free to give patients antibiotics before invasive procedures, if the patients are at risk of developing a life threatening heart infection called infective endocarditis. 40% of infective endocarditis cases are caused by bacteria in the mouth. These regulations came from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

It was initially unclear what the impact of these guidelines was. The University of Sheffield found that in 2013 there was an increase in infective endocarditis by 35 cases per month from what was expected. Antibiotic prophylaxis prescriptions feel from 10,900 prescriptions per month to 1,235 per month (an 89% decrease).

It appears that those at highest risk of infective endocarditis are:

1. Patients that have previously had endocarditis
2. Cardiac transplant recipients who’ve developed cardiac valve abnormalities
3. Patients with a prosthetic cardiac valve
4. Those with congenital heart disease for unrepaired cyanotic congenital heart disease, including palliative shunts and conduits; completely repaired congenital heart defect with prosthetic material or device, during the first six months after the procedure; or repaired congenital heart disease with persisting leaks or abnormal flow at the site or adjacent to the site of a prosthetic patch or prosthetic device

Dental emergencies, just like all medical emergencies, can be serious, have lasting consequences, and are best when treated promptly. Below are a few dental emergencies that you could be faced with and the best course of action for each.

The most important thing to remember is that time can make all the difference. If you are tempted to put off treatment for a problem in your mouth because it doesn’t hurt so much or doesn’t seem too serious, you could be putting your long term oral health on the line.

1. Toothaches
   This is often overlooked as a serious issue. When your tooth is aching, rinse your mouth with warm water and floss to remove any food particles. Do not apply aspirin to the affected area or surrounding gums. If the area is swollen, use a cold compress on the outside of your mouth. See your dentist as soon as you can.
2. Chipped/Broken Tooth
   Save any pieces that you can. Rinse your mouth out with warm water (do not use mouthwash). Use a cold compress on the outside of your mouth to keep swelling down and help relieve pain. See your dentist as soon as possible.
3. Missing Tooth
   If the tooth has come completely out, you must act as quickly as you can. The tooth should be kept moist at all times. Handle it only by the crown (the part you normally see). Rinse it gently with water but do not remove any tissue that may cling to the roots. If you can slip the tooth back into the socket without problems, do that. If it does not easily go back into place, keep the tooth in milk, lightly salted water, or a tooth preservation product that has the ADA (American Dental Association) seal of approval. If you are able to reach a dentist within an hour of the tooth coming out, you have a fairly good chance that the tooth can be put back in place permanently.
4. Dental Abscess
   An abscess is an infection found at the root of the tooth or in the space between the teeth and gums. You may experience pain or numbness in the infected area. There may also be a spot on the gum that looks similar to a pimple, as pus accumulates. This infection can spread to different parts of the body, if severe enough. This is a serious medical condition that should be treated promptly.
5. Missing Crown
   If there are exposed nerve endings under your crown, having it fall off can create a lot of pain. Rinse the crown if needed, and then try to place it back over the tooth. You can use toothpaste, an over-the-counter dental cement, or denture adhesive to hold the crown on until you can get to the dentist. This is only suitable as a very temporary fix.

When you sustain an injury in your mouth or it feels as though something is not quite right, it’s always in your best interest to see an oral health specialist as quickly as you can.

If you’re experiencing a dental emergency right now, please give Dr. Vito DDS a call at (407) 907-6512 to make an appointment.