Blog of the Day: What is Gingivitis, exactly?

                                                                       *drperrone.com

Almost everyone knows what a cavity is. Because of the far-reaching effects of advertising by toothpaste and oral rinse manufacturers, by 2004 almost everyone has heard of gingivitis. What may not be quite clear to you, however, is exactly what gingivitis is. You may recognize it as a problem but not know why and how serious it might be. You may even know that it is a type of gum (periodontal) disease. You may also know that it is somehow related to plaque and tartar (calculus) on teeth. But why should you be concerned about having it?

Gingivitis is an infection of the gum tissues surrounding the teeth. It is a very common infection and affects almost 95% of the world’s population. This infection can be characterized by redness, swelling, and bleeding of the gums around the teeth. This gum infection absolutely needs to be treated as soon as possible. Gum infections are almost always preventable with sound daily oral self-care.

Gingivitis is the mildest form of periodontal disease and is reversible. By definition, there is no loss of bone that supports the tooth. If treated early, gingivitis can be eliminated. If left untreated, it can progress into the more serious form of periodontal disease called periodontitis.  In its more serious form, the bone and gum tissues can be permanently affected. Bleeding gums, one of the signs of gingivitis, are a sign of infection in the mouth. Your gum tissues should never bleed. It is not normal for blood to appear on your toothbrush when you have finished brushing. Gingivitis does not generally hurt, so you may not even know that you have it. It can be localized (around a few teeth) or generalized (around most or all of the teeth). Gingivitis is seen most often in patients who do not brush and floss well daily, but it can also be related to medication. Bad breath can be another sign of gingivitis. If you are using a mouthwash to get rid of bad breath, you may need dental attention. While bad breath can be related to some medical problems, most often it is just debris that is not cleaned properly from your teeth, gums, and tongue that is decomposing in the dark, warm, and moist environment of your mouth a perfect place to breed germs.

If you have bleeding gums, you should be concerned.  Healthy tissue anywhere in our bodies does not bleed. So what can you do to stop the bleeding?

We can help you eliminate the gingivitis. It involves a good professional cleaning and good oral self-care habits. Plaque (soft debris made up of bacteria) and tartar (calculus or hardened debris) must be removed before the gum tissues can heal and the infection can be eliminated. If it has been some time since you had your teeth cleaned properly, it may take more than one appointment to get you back into shape.

Get your teeth and gums cleaned on a regular basis. Keep them clean with daily brushing and flossing. The infection you have will be eliminated. If you keep your teeth and gums clean, they can be healthy and trouble-free for your whole life.

Call Omni Dental today at (512) 250-5012 to speak with one of our specialists about the latest ways of enhancing your smile and dental health. You can also go to our website: omnidentalgroup.com for more information!

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Blog of the Day: Prevention of Dental Disease in Infants and Children

                                                                           *shutterstock.com

There are a number of positive steps that you can take to ensure that your child has few, if any, cavities and dental-related problems. A daily routine of proper and effective oral self-care (toothbrushing and dental flossing) is the most important part of prevention. Scheduled visits with the dentist and dental hygienist for examinations and prophylaxis (cleaning) procedures are also very important for your child’s dental well-being. These suggestions will help keep your child’s teeth and gums disease-free.

1. Clean your infant’s teeth daily with a wet washcloth or a wet two-inch-square gauze pad.

2. Floss your child’s teeth daily until the child can develop the ability to do it alone. This may not be an easy transition, but it is well worth the effort.

3. Once the teeth can be seen breaking through the gum tissue, night bottles should contain only water. Fluids from night bottles pool behind the teeth while the infant sleeps. Night bottles containing milk, juice, punch, soda, etc. can cause extensive decay.

4. If you do not live in an area with fluoridated water, the infant should be given a fluoride vitamin supplement. Dosage will depend on the age and weight of the infant. This should continue until the child develops wisdom teeth¾well into the teen years. Your pediatrician or your dentist can write a prescription for these very important systemic fluoride vitamins.

5. Children do not develop the dexterity to properly brush and floss their own teeth until about age 6 or 7. You must make sure that the job is done well, even if it means doing this oral self-care for them. Your own good example of brushing and flossing your teeth daily will greatly enhance your child’s willingness and abilities in this area.

6. Your child’s first visit to the dentist should be as an infant, as teeth are just beginning to erupt. During this visit we will give you guidelines as to what you can expect in terms of oral development and what type of nutrition and oral self-care tips are appropriate for your child.

7. Your child’s first treatment visit to the dentist should take place at 2 ½ years of age. An examination, cleaning, and fluoride treatment will be completed at this time.

8. The topical fluoride treatment given at the time of the child’s regular cleaning appointment is important. It helps make the teeth that are already in the mouth stronger and more resistant to decay and plaque accumulation. Systemic fluoride vitamins strengthen the enamel of unerupted teeth. Topical fluoride takes over after that.

9. A plastic coating known as a sealant can be placed on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. This sealant can reduce the incidence of decay on the treated surfaces by 90%. It should be placed on most back teeth, both premolars and molars, as soon as it is possible to keep these teeth dry enough for bonding the sealant in place. It is sometimes placed on baby teeth in special situations. A separate handout is available that will cover this topic in more detail. Sealants are usually applied when children are about 6 years old. The dentist or hygienist will advise you as to when he or she believes the sealant can be successfully placed.

10. When your child can understand and perform the “rinse and spit” routine, it is time to begin using a fluoridated mouthrinse. This is not a mouthwash used to cover bad breath. It is actually a nightly supplement to the topical fluoride treatments your child receives at the dentist’s office. However, it is not nearly as strong as the office version. This is not a prescription medication.

By faithfully following these suggestions, your child may never develop any decay. If decay should begin, it will be small and easy to treat. Nothing replaces thorough daily brushing and flossing or good eating habits. Routine dental examination and cleaning appointments are vital. You will find that following these instructions will prove to be very effective in helping your child to maintain optimal dental health.

Call Omni Dental today at (512) 250-5012 to speak with one of our specialists about the latest ways of enhancing your smile and dental health. You can also go to our website: omnidentalgroup.com for more information!

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Blog of the Day: Endodontic Therapy Explained

                                                                                  *http://www.the-dentist.com

The pulp of your tooth, which contains the nerve and tiny blood vessels, can become infected. The pulp has a limited ability to heal itself. This infection can be caused by a deep cavity that reaches the center of the tooth causing the pulp to die, a traumatic injury to the tooth, or an extensive preparation (drilling) of the tooth. The extensive preparation may have been done to prepare the tooth for a crown (cap) or other large preparation for a restoration. The pulp may or may not abscess immediately in these cases. It may take years for a problem to develop. The infected pulp tissue may or may not be painful. It may or may not be visible on a dental radiograph. A tooth with this type of an abscess is not usually extracted because the infection can be treated with endodontic therapy on the tooth. This routine procedure can save the tooth and enable you to avoid the harmful effects of tooth loss. It is successful in more than 90% of the teeth in which the treatment is completed.

Endodontic treatment can take from one to three appointments to complete. Teeth can have one to four canals that need to be treated.  An opening is created to access the nerve, and the abscessed nerve is removed from the root or roots. The canals where the nerves had been located are then cleaned and shaped and a medication may be placed in the canal to promote better healing.

When it has been determined that the canals are free of infection, they are filled with a special rubber-like material and sealed with a cementing medium. The abscessed area associated with the tooth will then begin to heal. It may take several months before healing is completed and for the tooth to become asymptomatic, that is, for any soreness in the area to disappear.

Once the endodontic therapy has been completed, the tooth is usually restored with a cast crown or onlay. This is done to protect the tooth and prevent it from fracturing. Failure to follow through with mandatory restorative procedures after endodontic therapy on a previously uncrowned tooth can result in a vertical fracture. If there is very little tooth structure remaining, we may also advise the use of a post and core to further help the tooth retain its final restoration. We will discuss with you the exact type of restoration that you will need.

Please note that this infection may cause discomfort between root canal appointments. This is normal and usually not a cause for any concern. Contact the office if there is pain and/or swelling. Remember to avoid biting down on the tooth until the root canal is completed and the final restoration has been placed. You may have had no discomfort from the tooth prior to the root canal treatment or have been unaware that you even had an abscess. However, you may experience pain or swelling after the root canal treatment has begun.

If we have prescribed antibiotics for the abscess, be sure to fill the prescription and take it until it is finished. It is important that you do this in order to quickly control the infection. If you do not take the prescribed medication, the resolution of the abscess may be delayed and problems with the postoperative pain are more likely.

Call Omni Dental today at (512) 250-5012 to speak with one of our specialists about the latest ways of enhancing your smile and dental health. You can also go to our website: omnidentalgroup.com for more information!

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Blog of the Day: What is Periodontal Disease?

* http://www.katyperio.com/periodontaldisease.asp

Periodontal disease is an infectious process classified according to how much damage has been done to the structures surrounding the teeth, namely the gingiva (gums) and bone. It is an infection in your mouth.  It can happen anytime, around any teeth, affecting some or many of your teeth to varying degrees. There are genetic predisposing factors to periodontal disease, and our immune systems play a role in gum health, but it is usually related to how well you are able to keep your teeth clean through proper oral self-care. The better you clean your teeth to remove all the plaque bacteria, the less likely you will be to develop periodontal disease.

Progress of the Disease

The bacteria that cause this disease first cause the gum tissue to become inflamed and pull away from the teeth. As the problem becomes more serious, the bone that supports the teeth also becomes infected and begins to break down and dissolve. The teeth then become loose. Once the bone disappears, it is extremely hard, if not impossible, for new bone to be rebuilt. The damage is permanent and your teeth, the surrounding bone, and your general health will be compromised.

Periodontal disease is classified into several types. You will be given a separate handout with the appropriate description of the severity of your infection.

The mildest form of this infection will show up in red and swollen gum tissue that bleeds easily. There is seldom any pain involved at this stage. You may notice also that your breath becomes offensive and you feel the need to use mouthwash. Our sense of smell does become immune to the same odors, so we can lose our ability to detect our own offensive, diseased breath. As the disease progresses, the gum tissue becomes more red and swollen, more bleeding can be seen, and the teeth begin to become loose. This tooth mobility is a sign that there is a severe problem. There may still be no pain at this advanced stage. As more and more bone is lost and more teeth become involved in the infection, it becomes harder to treat. At this point, many times, the management of your problem will involve periodontal surgical procedures. If this is the case, you may be referred to a periodontist (gum specialist) for further treatment. Most of the time, periodontal disease starts and continues because of neglect. Brushing and flossing of teeth are not being done effectively on a daily basis. You may have been neglectful in getting your teeth checked and cleaned within the time frame intervals you need. Once we have diagnosed this disease, we will inform you of the problem and suggest treatment. If treatment is not completed, however, the disease will continue to progress. Unfortunately, the disease is quite invisible to most people until severe and possibly irreversible damage has occurred.

Solution

If it has been diagnosed in the early stages and has not progressed to bone loss, a proper cleaning (prophylaxis) will solve the problem. Scaling and root planing over multiple appointments may be needed for more advanced cases.  In the most advanced cases, periodontal surgery and tooth loss are inevitable.   You will receive an estimate of fees for the recommended treatment.

Periodontal disease is a condition that must be treated quickly. We believe that if the infection is aggressively treated in its early stages, conservative periodontal treatment may be possible and effective. Although we do not automatically rule out periodontal surgical intervention, we hope you can either avoid it or reduce the amount you will need. 

Successful treatment of your periodontal problem will depend on several factors. But the most important of these is your ability to perform excellent oral self-care¾brushing, flossing, and use of periodontal aids¾on a routine, daily basis. Without this, periodontal treatment will fail, and the disease will return.

Call Omni Dental today at (512) 250-5012 to speak with one of our specialists about the latest ways of enhancing your smile and dental health. You can also go to our website: omnidentalgroup.com for more information! 

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Blog of the Day: Reversing Decay

                  *preventingcavities.com

The process of decay is a complicated interplay of an acidic and basic balance of chemistry in the mouth. Salivary flow and content, the presence of decay-causing bacteria, the age of the teeth, diet, and the level of plaque all play a role in the decay (demineralization) as well as the rebuilding (remineralization) process involved in tooth decay. 

Demineralization

At the very earliest stage of the decay process, there is not an actual “hole” in the tooth. There is, however, an alteration of the mineral content of the enamel. This stage of decay is completely invisible to the eye. It cannot be detected by an x-ray. It is a microscopic change where, due to the level of acid in the immediate area, the building blocks of enamel (calcium and phosphate) begin to dissolve on a microscopic level. When the acid environment is left unchecked (plaque is allowed to accumulate undisturbed against the tooth surface), more and more of the bonds between calcium and phosphate dissolve. This is a process called demineralization. If the acid challenge becomes severe and more of the underlying structure of the tooth begins to dissolve, the outer surface becomes unsupported. It is at this time that the actual hole, or what you call a cavity, appears.

Remineralization

When the outer surface of the enamel is still intact, with no break detectable, there is an opportunity for the bonds between calcium and phosphate to become re-linked through a process termed remineralization. And the great news is that dental science discovered that in the presence of fluoride, these bonds actually become stronger than they were initially. It is in this way that an early cavity can be reversed. When this happens, the tooth does not need to be drilled and filled.

The process of demineralization and remineralization can be seen as a tug of war on the molecular level of all surfaces of all your teeth, all the time!

How You Can Promote Remineralization

There are several steps you can take on a daily basis to help ensure that you are promoting remineralization. These are:

·   Control your diet: watch the type of decay-promoting foods you eat and the quantity

·   Improve your oral self-care by brushing and flossing daily

·   Use topical fluoride on a daily basis

·   Use antimicrobials and other anticaries agents as directed on a regular basis

·   Maintain your dental hygiene recare schedule

The early stages of dental decay CAN be reversed with no loss of tooth structure, and you can help promote a healthy mouth by following just a few simple rules.

Call Omni Dental today at (512) 250-5012 to speak with one of our specialists about the latest ways of enhancing your smile and dental health. You can also go to our website: omnidentalgroup.com for more information!

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Blog of the Day: Teeth Whitening - What are the options?

As one of the most popular cosmetic dental procedures, teeth whitening is a great way to enhance your smile with minimal invasive dental work. The following are important considerations in determining which method is best for you:

· Ninety-seven percent of patients who whiten their teeth have successful results.

· The process does not damage the teeth.

· It is impossible to predict the degree of whitening prior to treatment.

· Active gum disease, decay, or dental pathology must be corrected prior to beginning the whitening process.

· The teeth must be clean. If it has been more than 3 months since your last professional dental cleaning, we advise that this be done first. The cleaner the teeth are, the better they will lighten.

· If you have tooth-colored restorations (fillings), porcelain crowns (caps), or a removable partial denture with teeth that are visible, note that these materials will not change color as your teeth will. It is possible that these restorations will need to be replaced or modified after the whitening is completed. This should be done after allowing 1 month for the color to stabilize.

 · The more yellow your teeth are initially, the more color change (lighter/whiter) will be noticed after whitening. The whiter/lighter your teeth are to begin, less color change will be noticed.

· Research indicates that teeth can only get “as white as they can get.” The color is a function of the physical properties of the teeth. Further whitening beyond that point will not have a noticeable effect.

· Teeth with tetracycline discolorations will probably need multiple whitening treatments.

· If you have whitened your teeth before (with professional solutions and trays), there will be a less noticeable color change.

· The difference between in-office and at-home tray tooth whitening appears to be only in how long it takes to achieve the color change. The in-office procedure is faster; the at-home technique is slower (and requires more time commitment on your part). The in-office process uses more concentrated whitening solution than the at-home solutions.

· The lightening process continues for 2 days after the in-office whitening. You should not drink tea, coffee, cola beverages, or smoke for those 48 hours.

· There is a “rebound” color change possible after the whitening is completed. It is between one-half and one shade as noted on the commonly used shade color guides. In the combination in-office/at-home tray technique, this rebound is minimized or eliminated.

· Some people experience sensitivity after the procedure. This sensitivity is not permanent and will quickly disappear. Fluoride gels may be prescribed in this event.

· The color change remains satisfactory for approximately 3 to 7 years. Your eating/drinking habits contribute to future yellowing of the teeth.

· Teeth can have the whitening process repeated when they again darken.

There are three possible whitening combinations available:

1. In-office technique alone. Involves 6 to 10 top and bottom front teeth; 12 to 20 total. Total number of teeth whitened depends on the presenting conditions. Although the teeth are isolated and soft tissues are protected, it is possible some of the whitening solution can contact the tissues. The tissues may temporarily turn white and be sensitive. This will go away in a few hours at most. This procedure is completed in one appointment. Some postoperative color rebound is possible.

2. At-home tray system tooth whitening alone. Trays cover all top and bottom teeth. One box of whitening solution (possibly two) is usually needed. Trays can be worn while sleeping or during the day. This technique can take several weeks to complete. Trays can be kept and used in the future, with only a syringe of whitening gel to “touch up” teeth before important events. Food and drink will yellow teeth over time.

3. A combination of in-office and at-home tray whitening. This is the fastest, most effective, and best value. The in-office whitening is done in one appointment. The trays stabilize the color, reduce rebound, and are available for the future.

Call Omni Dental today at (512) 250-5012 to speak with one of our specialists about the latest ways of enhancing your smile and dental health.  You can also go to our website: omnidentalgroup.com for more information!

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Dentistry & Stem Cell Research

Check out this very informative article on dentistry and stem cell research!

http://www.dentalaegis.com/id/2012/04/what-is-the-latest-thinking-in-dental-stem-cell-research