If you have no particular periodontal problems and take care with flossing and brushing getting a deep cleaning once every six months should be fine. Sometimes your dentist will recommend coming every three or four months if you already have some troubles with your gums. If there is any tendency for build-up it’s important to take special care with your oral hygiene and not skipped your deep cleanings.
Archive for ◊ 2010 ◊
• Monday, February 15th, 2010
Dental Plaque is a clear and sticky film, composed of bacteria, which build up on teeth. If this layer of bacteria is not removed by ordinary brushing and flossing this plaque will build up and release acids which can then damage your teeth.
When this plaque builds up it can turn into a mineral form commonly called tarter or calculus. These are calcified deposits responsible for many teeth and gum problems, including gingivitis, cavities and even tooth loss.
With good oral hygiene and regular dental check ups and cleanings you can often catch most plaque before it has had a chance to graduate into tarter or calculus.
Category: General Dentistry
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• Tuesday, February 02nd, 2010
If you are having a serious problem with your gums your dentist may recommend you see a periodontist (gum specialist).
Regular gum treatment can be quite extensive involving cutting and sewing the gums. An alternative to this, which can sometimes be done is called periodontal laser therapy.
What happens during laser therapy is that a highly concentrated laser or beam of intense energy is directed at the infected area of the gum. The pinpointed accuracy of the laser enables the dentist to target a section of the gum where the tooth and gum meet, and this critical area is so small that it can hardly be seen with the naked eye. By zapping it with the laser, the infection is destroyed and the harmful bacteria are destroyed before they can spread to other parts of the gum tissue.
With periodontal laser therapy there is no cutting. Since no incisions have to be made to get past the gum and to the infected area, there are no stitches to heal, there is no bleeding to worry about, and there is only minor discomfort instead of serious pain associated with conventional gum surgery. The process puts the patient at less risk, it happens very fast, and then the wounded part – where the laser has essentially burned away the infection – is sealed.
If you are concerned about the surgery involved in conventional periodontal treatments ask you dentist to recommend a periodontist who is familiar with the latest procedures.
Category: Modern Dentistry, Periodontal Care, Uncategorized
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• Monday, February 01st, 2010
Just as with a pain in any other part of the body a toothache is the body’s way of telling you there is something wrong.
The ache of a tooth is caused by something having broken through the natural defenses of the teeth and gums such as the hard enamel on the outside of the teeth.
A usual cause of a toothache is the cavity. Here bacteria has broken through the enamel and caused a small hole. This exposes, to a greater or lesser degree, the underlying nerve causing pain.
If the gums are infected – perhaps from not flossing on a regular basis – the infection can spread and causing swelling and inflammation around the nerve of the tooth – which will, in turn, cause a bad toothache.
Whatever the reason, if you get any sort of pain in your gums or teeth, see you dentist right away. Taking care of the problem quickly will save time, money and most importantly, pain.
Category: Uncategorized
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• Wednesday, January 13th, 2010
When bacteria accumulate in areas where food has been trapper between the teeth or at the back of the tongue bad breath can result.
It’s important not only to brush well but to get rid of the bacteria that collects at the point farthest in the back of your tongue.
A device used in many other cultures which has recently seen an upsurge in the United States is a tongue scraper. This is a simple device made of plastic or metal. You scrape the device across your tongue and it removes this hard to reach bacteria build up which helps freshen your breath. When you use a tongue scraper every day you’ll notice less and less of a build up as time progresses.
Category: Uncategorized
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• Tuesday, January 05th, 2010
I mentioned in a previous post that canker sores are not to be confused with cold sores. This would probably be easier to do if I mentioned what a cold sore is and looks like.
Here is a definition of cold sore from the National Institute of Health.
Herpes labialis is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. It leads to the development of small and usually painful blisters on the skin of the lips, mouth, gums, or lip area. These blisters are commonly called cold sores or fever blisters.
This is a virus and is contagious. It can spread by touch or by someone touching the infected area or by contact with anything which has become infected(such as a hand, a towel, razor, tweezers).
Part of the treatment of cold sores includes ensuring you don’t spread the virus to others or other parts of your own body.
Wash blisters gently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus to other areas of skin. An antiseptic soap may be recommended. Applying ice or warmth to the area may reduce pain.
The warning signs of cold sores are:
Skin lesions or rash around the lips, mouth, and gums
Small blisters (vesicles) filled with clear yellowish fluid
Blisters on a raised, red, painful skin area
Blisters that form, break, and ooze
Yellow crusts that slough to reveal pink, healing skin
Several smaller blisters that merge to form a larger blister
Mild fever (may occur)
If the symptoms do not go away in a week or two you should see your doctor.
Category: General Dentistry, Uncategorized
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