Periodontal Disease - Western Piedmont Dental

5 Myths about Dental Implants You Need to Know

Posted on October 26, 2022 by westerndental

More and more people are realizing the benefits of dental implants, but many myths still surround the procedure, and some even discourage people from seeking out this treatment in the first place. In order to give you accurate information about dental implants, we’re debunking 5 of the most common myths about this process so you can decide if it’s right for you. Read on to find out what these myths are and why they aren’t true at all!

Dental Implants Are Noticeable

If you’re going in for dental implants, that means you want your teeth back. There’s no reason why they shouldn’t look just like your natural teeth. Modern materials and techniques can make your dental implant so seamless, people will never know it was missing.

Dental Implants Require a Lot of Maintenance

One of dental implant myths out there is that they need a lot of maintenance, and that’s simply not true. With proper care after your dental implant procedure, you can go a long time between visits to your dentist. Just brush and floss as usual, and you should be good for quite some time! In fact, going more than three years between appointments is pretty typical with dental implants—though it does depend on your own unique oral health.

Implants Damage Surrounding Teeth and Gums

While it’s true that there may be some initial pain and discomfort from placing a dental implant, complications are extremely rare. Surrounding teeth, gums and other soft tissues will not be damaged. They’re protected during all stages of treatment. Long term implant survival is excellent, with 96% of patients experiencing no loss in bone density over five years. As long as you eat a healthy diet and practice good oral hygiene habits, your dentist can keep your mouth healthy even after dental implants have been placed.

Dental Implants Commonly Fall Out

Some people will tell you that dental implants aren’t safe. They might even say that most of them will end up falling out. This isn’t true. The truth is that dental implants rarely fall out—and when they do, it’s usually because there was a problem with how well it was put in place during surgery or a failure on your part to take care of it afterwards.

Dental Implants Cause Headaches

Although it is true that some dental implants can cause headaches, most have little to no impact on your head. Before you consider dental implants, be sure to consult a physician and have an MRI performed. If you’re in good health, it may be time for new teeth! It’s important that you know whether or not dental implants are right for you before you decide on them. Ask your dentist if they’re a good choice!

Conclusion

If you’re considering getting dental implants in Valdese, don’t be scared off by all the myths that have been floating around for years. Instead, educate yourself and find a reliable practitioner who can answer all of your questions. You might just find that dental implants are the best option for you.

Everything You Should Know About Periodontal Disease

Posted on July 4, 2022 by westerndental

Periodontal diseases are usually caused by the infection and inflammation of the gums and bones that support and surround our teeth. In the initial stage, the gums can get swollen, become red, and may start bleeding.

In its severe form, which is known as periodontitis, the gums can develop a gap from the teeth, bone can be lost, and the worst part is the teeth may get loosened or even fall out. In simple words, in periodontitis, you are on the verge of losing your teeth if left untreated.

However, periodontal diseases are most common in adults. Periodontal disease and tooth decay are the major threats to dental health. If you want who is dealing with periodontal diseases, many dental specialists in Connelly Springs can help you choose the right periodontal disease treatment.

As per recent reports provided by CDC, it showcases that 47.2% of adults over 30 and older have some form of periodontal disease. In addition to this, 70.1% of older adults 65 years and above are suffering from periodontal disease. This condition is much more common in men than women.

Causes of Periodontal Diseases

Bacteria in the mouth take a toll on the tissue surrounding the tooth, which causes inflammation nearby the tooth that eventually leads to periodontal diseases. When bacteria stay on the teeth for a longer time, they start forming a film called plaque, which eventually hardens to tartar, also known as calculus.

The development of tartar can spread underneath the gum line, making teeth difficult to clean. Then, only a dental health professional can eliminate the tartar and cease the periodontal disease process.

Warning Sings

The following are warning signs of periodontal disease:

Bad breath or bad taste that won’t go away
Red or swollen gums
Tender or bleeding gums
Painful chewing
Loose teeth
Sensitive teeth
Gums that have pulled away from your teeth
Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
Any change in the fit of partial dentures

Risk factors

Certain factors double the risk for periodontal disease:

Smoking
Diabetes
Poor oral hygiene
Stress
Heredity
Crooked teeth
Underlying immuno-deficiencies—e.g., AIDS
Fillings that have become defective
Taking medications that cause dry mouth
Bridges that no longer fit properly
Female hormonal changes, such as with pregnancy or the use of oral contraceptives

Prevention and treatment

Gingivitis can be managed and controlled by following good oral hygiene and professional cleaning. Not to be forgotten, the severe forms of periodontal disease can also be cured but may need more extensive treatment.

To help prevent or control periodontal diseases, it is important to:

Regularly brush and floss to remove the bacteria causing gum disease.
Book an appointment with a dentist at least once a year for checkups or more frequently if you think you have dental issues.

For more information, please feel free to get in touch with us.

Can Periodontal Disease (a.k.a. Gum Disease) Be Cured?

Posted on October 6, 2021 by westerndental

Periodontal disease is often caused by infections and inflammation in gums and bones that support your teeth. When gum disease is in its early stage (called gingivitis), gums become swollen, red, and can even bleed. When the disease is left untreated, it achieves a more serious form called periodontitis. At this stage, a gap may develop between teeth and gums, bone can degrade, and affected teeth can fall out.

Most often, adults suffer from periodontal disease that is counted as one of the biggest threats to dental health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly half of the adults aged 30 years and older in the US suffer from some form of periodontal disease. The chance of suffering from this disease increases with age.

Thus, if you are an adult and experiencing discomfort in your gum, don’t delay, and book an appointment with an experienced dentist in your area.

What causes a person to suffer from periodontal disease?

When bacteria in your mouth infect the tissue around your tooth and cause inflammation, it can slowly develop into periodontal disease. When bacteria stay on the tooth long enough, they form a thin film on it, called plaque. As plaque gets hardened over time, it eventually becomes tartar, also known as calculus. The buildup of tartar can slowly spread below the gum line and makes it harder for you to clean your teeth properly. Thus, you should visit a dentist regularly for dental cleanings to reduce the chances of periodontal disease.

What are the symptoms of periodontal diseases?

The symptoms may vary from one person to another. There are some common warning signs of periodontal disease to watch out for:

Bad breath for a longer time
The bad taste that doesn’t go away
Red or swollen gums
Bleeding gums
Tenderness in gums
Painful chewing experience
Loose or sensitive teeth
A gap between your gum and teeth
Any change you notice when having a bite
Any change in the fitting of partial dentures

How can I avoid periodontal diseases?

You can decrease the risk of periodontal disease significantly by avoiding smoking, poor oral hygiene, stress, defective fillings, bridges with improper fitting, and medications that lead to dry mouth.

However, not all risk factors are in your control. Some of these risk factors are diabetes, heredity, crooked teeth, immune-deficiency disease like AIDS, and hormonal changes in females during pregnancy or while using oral contraceptives.

I may have periodontal disease? Can It Be Cured? What Should I Do?

You can easily reverse a periodontal disease by getting treatment at the earliest stage – gingivitis. Regular visits to your nearby dentist for regular cleaning and checkups will help notice early signs of gingivitis. At this stage, in most cases, you can cure periodontal disease. However, if the disease has progressed and reaches the stage of periodontitis, it can only be treated and not cured.

Thus, if you suspect that you have periodontal disease and live in Rutherford College, Valdese, Connelly Springs, or nearby areas, don’t wait any longer and book an appointment with a highly experienced and reputable dentist at Western Piedmont Dental. After carrying out a check-up, we will prepare the best dental treatment plan for you.