How to Recognize Gingivitis

Gum disease is a progressive disease that destroys the soft tissue supporting your teeth. The earliest stage of gum disease, gingivitis, is characterized by a few classic symptoms, including gums that are sensitive while brushing and persistent bad breath.

Gingivitis can be effectively treated and eradicated by improved oral hygiene and professional cleanings. However, if left untreated, gingivitis can progress into more aggressive forms of gum disease and can eventually cause serious dental and systemic health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. To prevent complications from developing like tooth and bone loss, it is important to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of the disease.

What to Look For

The many signs and symptoms of gum disease include:

• Gums that bleed – Healthy gums will not bleed when brushing and flossing. 
• Inflammation – Infected gums are swollen and are much redder than the pale pink color of healthy gum tissue.
• Tenderness – Gingivitis may cause gums to be sensitive to touch and pressure. 
• Bad breath – This can be a sign of a few different conditions, but when decay and infection are present in the mouth it can make create an offensive odor. 
• Receding gum line – Infected gums are under attack from bacteria, which gradually causes the gum line to erode and shrink back, exposing more of tooth, creating an “elongated tooth” look.

Gingivitis and the harm it does to gums is reversible, but only if caught in time. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your dentist for an appointment as soon as possible.

Prevention

While this early stage of gum disease can be treated, it is also preventable. The most effective prevention is establishing good at-home hygiene habits. Brushing and flossing help remove any food or debris along the gum line, that would otherwise build up and destroy the tooth’s habitat, eventually leading to gum disease to develop. Your dentist or dental hygienist can demonstrate the best brushing techniques and give you advice on flossing such as how often you should floss and what type of dental floss is most effective for your teeth.


Professional checkups are also vital to prevent gum disease. Checkups and examinations offer dentists the chance to remove plaque and tartar, and to catch the disease before it spreads or requires more invasive and expensive treatment. And, it is also important to establish a lifestyle that supports gum health, such as eating a nutritious diet and remaining tobacco-free.

Contact the Philadelphia dental office of Gilbert Dental Center to make an appointment. We offer gum disease treatment and maintenance cleanings to restore oral health.

Top 5 Benefits of Implant Supported Dentures

Dental implants are among the most significant advancements of dentistry in recent history. Implants take the place of a tooth’s natural root and act as an anchor for new crowns or dentures. The benefits of implants and implant supported dentures are wide-ranging and extensive. From offering greater comfort and functionality, to improving appearance, implants offer a stable, long-term solution for missing teeth.

Benefits

Implant supported dentures, or overdentures are often called a long-term investment because of their durability. Even though the initial outlay is more than traditional dentures, implants save patients money in the long run because they are reliable, promote dental wellbeing, and can last many years before requiring any further work. Implant supported dentures are customized to fit the face and mouth structure of the patient, and so create a more natural looking smile and tend to feel and function like actual teeth. The psychological impact of this is huge – a secure and reliable smile leads to greater self-confidence when talking, eating and interacting with others. Other benefits include:

1. No movement – One common complaint among traditional denture wearers is a lack of stability. With dental implants, the posts fuse to the bone through a process known as osseointegration, creating a stable base for new teeth. Dentures won’t slide or fall out.
2. More natural bite – New crowns or dentures are firmly attached to the stable dental implant using an abutment or additional metal bar. Dentures are reliably affixed in the implant without the use of adhesives, providing an additional feeling of security for denture patients.
3. Improved comfort – Traditional dentures sit directly on the gums, which can rub and create sore spots, especially if the new dentures are ill-fitting. With implant supported dentures, the dentures sit atop the implants, alleviating discomfort and aggravation for patients.
4. Stimulates bone growth – Because the dental implants take the place of a tooth’s natural root, they help bolster the mouth and jaw structure and stimulate surrounding tissue. In addition, the implants don’t interfere with adjacent teeth or roots, improving gum and oral health.
5. Improves chewing and digestion – Implant supported dentures act as natural teeth and can withstand normal bite pressure. Unlike traditional denture wearers who often need to relearn how to eat, implant supported denture patients have discovered this means no food limitations or restrictions in dental function. Implant supported dentures improve chewing ability because of their strength, allowing food to be digested more naturally.  

If you have ill-fitting dentures or are need to find a solution for missing teeth, contact our Philadelphia dental office to schedule an appointment with Gilbert Dental Center.

At-Home Cavity Prevention Tips

Tooth decay is a highly common disease found in both children and adults. Tooth decay commonly occurs when sugars and starches from foods containing carbohydrates, as well as bacteria, acid and saliva, are allowed to remain on the tooth’s surface and form dental plaque. Decay breeds bacteria that will break down the structure of the tooth – specifically the outer layer of enamel, and the dentin layer located below the layer of enamel. The acids and bacteria found in plaque attack the enamel, removing nutrients and minerals and destroying the surface. If left untreated, tooth decay can create holes in the teeth known as cavities, and cause further dental issues.

Preventing Tooth Decay

The initial treatment for tooth decay is at-home prevention with proper brushing and flossing routines, brushing twice daily and flossing at least once daily. However, more can be done to stop tooth decay in its tracks and recover your dental health. The following are five tips to preventing decay.

• Fluoride: Fluoride strengthens enamel and makes it more resistant to tooth decay. Using toothpaste and mouth wash containing fluoride, as well as drinking fluoridated water, can help protect teeth from dental cares, and even helps enamel recover from damage done by the onset of tooth decay.
• Diet: You are what you eat, and that goes for your teeth and gums. Eating nutritious meals, avoiding sugary snacks, and limiting your carbohydrate intake can go a long way toward a healthy smile.
• Sealants: Sealants are a protective coating applied by a dentist to the chewing surface of molars – the back teeth – to prevent decay from erupting in the nooks and crannies of the tooth’s surface.
• Avoid Dry Mouth: A person with a dry mouth gives bacteria a chance to multiply and attack. Drinking lots water throughout the day, chewing gum that contains the sweetener xylitol, mouth rinses and quitting smoking can help keep the mouth from drying out.
• Routine Professional Care: Nothing substitutes a professional dental cleaning and exam. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends two checkups and cleanings per year for optimal dental health. 

Above all, keeping on top of your oral health is vital for overall wellbeing. If you suspect you may have tooth decay, don’t put it off. Getting treatment in the early stage can not only prevent the spread of decay, but it can also save you from more aggressive and expensive treatment later on.  

Dr. Benjamin Gilbert is a Philadelphia dentist dedicated to patient education and preventive dental methods to maximize patient comfort and decrease decay. To schedule yournext appointment or to become a new patient of record, please contact our MountAiry dental office.