Dental Prophylaxis: Treating Gingivitis and Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease, also called gum disease, is an infection of the hard and soft tissues that hold the teeth in place.  The mildest form of gum disease, found in over 75% of the population, is called gingivitis.

What Causes Gingivitis and Periodontal Disease?

This inflammatory process is confined to the gums, and is usually caused by accumulation of a bacteria-laden plaque biofilm on the teeth.  The plaque can cause the gum tissues to become red, and sometimes swollen and tender.  Over time, this plaque biofilm becomes calcified due to minerals in saliva, causing a hard substance called “calculus” or “tarter” to form around the base of the teeth.

Treatment for Gingivitis and Periodontal Disease

Dental prophylaxis, sometimes called a prophy, is generally indicated by Dr. Beck and Dr. Morrow as a treatment option for patients who have gingivitis and small amounts of plaque and tarter above the gumline.

In some patients, depending on many factors, gingivitis can progress to more severe forms of periodontal disease, specifically periodontitis.  The plaque biofilm and tarter can progress over time deep into the gum pockets surrounding the teeth, causing bone loss, tooth mobility, sensitivity, inflammation, and in severe cases, loss of the teeth themselves.  Periodontitis usually needs to be treated with a more thorough type of dental cleaning called scaling and root planing, which will be discussed in a future article.

Preventing Gingivitis and Periodontal Disease

Risk factors for developing gingivitis include poor oral hygiene, tobacco use, systemic diseases, pregnancy, poor nutrition, and certain medications.  To prevent the progression of gingivitis to more severe forms of periodontal diseases, such as periodontitis, all patients are encouraged to brush twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste with a soft-bristled or electric toothbrush.  Daily flossing is also very important to remove plaque between the teeth.

Visiting Dr. Beck, Dr. Morrow, and the hygiene staff at South Waterfront Dental for regular cleanings every 3-6 months, depending on the disease severity, is recommended to remove the hard tarter that toothbrushes are unable to remove. Please see Dr. Beck, Dr. Morrow, or the hygiene staff at South Waterfront Dental if you have any questions about gingivitis, periodontal disease, or anything else relating to your dental health.

What Exactly is a Dental Drill?

Prevention is the best way to fight tooth decay. However, cavities can develop in spite of our best efforts and must be removed in order to prevent long-term problems and maintain a healthy mouth.

One of the most efficient and proven methods of removing tooth decay is the dental drill. While the dental drill may not be a favorite dental instrument, the use of it to remove tooth decay saves time, reduces potential pain, and provides the dentists at South Waterfront Dental a way to work with greater accuracy on patients’ teeth.

Modern Dental Drills

One of the most significant advancements of modern dentistry is the advent of the high-speed handpiece, or “drill.”  Before the 1960′s, dentists usually used foot-powered  handpieces to remove decay and prepare teeth.  Belt driven systems, although functional, had very limited power, excessive torque, and allowed for limited precision.  Air-driven models introduced in the 1960′s revolutionized the practice of dentistry by allowing for faster and more precise preparation of teeth, minimizing trauma to the teeth and improving safety with reduced torque.

While there are many advantages to the air-driven system, there are some drawbacks: they emit  loud, high pitched noise, they need repair frequently, and they have a tendency to expel lubricating oils in the operating field.  These problems with the air-driven systems have led many dentists, including Dr. Beck and Dr. Morrow at South Waterfront Dental, to invest in a more advanced handpiece: the electric handpiece.

Advantages of the Dental Electric Handpiece

This technology affords many advantages for our patients: they are much quieter, have less vibration, provide more precision in preparing teeth, and allow for more versatility in the types of treatment that can be provided.  While the electric units are typically more expensive than the air-driven handpieces, they offer many advantages that make them worth the initial cost.

South Waterfront Dental patients can be assured that our practices use only the latest technology to ensure optimal oral health for our patients.  Dr. Beck and Dr. Morrow are both well-versed in current dental technology and can answer any questions you may have regarding the benefits of the technology used in our practices.

Xylitol: Another Way to Fight Tooth Decay

One of our goals at South Waterfront Dental is to empower patients to take control of their oral health.  In addition to restorative dentistry, an important aspect of our practice is our emphasis on prevention. In addition to brushing, flossing, fluoride rinses, and reducing sugar intake, another excellent tool patients can utilize outside of the dental office to help prevent tooth decay is use of xylitol.

What is Xylitol?

Xylitol is a natural sugar alcohol sweetener, often used as a sugar substitute, that is just as sweet as table sugar.  It’s found in the fibers of many fruits and vegetables, including berries, oats, and mushrooms.  It was popularized in Europe as a sweetener in the early 20th century  because it has fewer calories than sugar and is safe for people with diabetes and hyperglycemia.

Dental Benefits of Xylitol

The dental benefits of xylitol were researched extensively in the 1970s in Finland, which is where xylitol is mainly produced.  Xylitol is not fermentable, so basically it works by reducing dental plaque formation and “starving” the bacteria, a type of strep, that produces the acid behind dental decay.  It’s important to point out that at least 6-8 grams of xylitol must be ingested per day to get these dental benefits.

Using Xylitol Products

Most xylitol products are available in many forms, including gum, candy, mints, and even in floss, toothpaste, and mouthwash.  Many popular brands of chewing gum contain small amounts of xylitol, although in order to get the recommended 6-8 grams per day, we recommend using products from companies that specialize in manufacturing xylitol products, such as Epic Dental, Zapp Gum, or Spry.

Please let Dr. Beck, Dr. Morrow, or the friendly staff at South Waterfront Dental know if you have any questions about this excellent way to reduce dental decay and improve your oral health.

Rubber Dams Part of Excellent Dental Care

Dr. Beck & Dr. Morrow at South Waterfront Dental take great pride in providing state-of-the-art dental care to our patients.  One of the most important ways we protect our patients and help ensure lasting restorations is the use of the rubber dam while providing excellent dental care.

What is a Rubber Dam?

A rubber dental dam is a thin sheet of latex or silicone that isolate a tooth or a group of teeth requiring dental work. The

Photo by Betsssssy

teeth that need attention appear through holes cut into the appropriate areas of the rubber, separating them from the rest of the mouth while dental procedures are performed.

A Long History in Dental Care

Used in dentistry for over 150 years, this technique has three main advantages.  First, it helps create a physical separation between the patient and the procedure being done, helping to reduce dental anxiety and improving patient safety.  Secondly, the rubber dam is the standard of care when performing endodontic therapy, as it reduced the bacterial load in the operating field and minimizes the chance of contamination of the root canal system.  Third, the dental dam helps keep the operating field isolated and dry.  This is especially important when placing composite (tooth-colored) restorations, which are technique sensitive and require a very dry field in order to achieve long term success.

The Extra Step for Higher Quality Care

Not all dental practices use rubber dams routinely, but Dr. Beck and Dr. Morrow take this extra step in order to protect our patients.  We spend a lot of time and put a lot of work into producing high-quality dentistry, and using  the rubber dam helps our restorations last longer.  Of course, not all situations necessitate the use of the rubber dam, but we always try our best to use them when indicated.

If you have any additional questions or concerns about the use of the rubber dam or about how it benefits our patients, please contact Dr. Beck or Dr. Morrow at South Waterfront Dental.

The Best Ways to Care for Your Teeth!

Good oral health begins at home!  While regular visits to your dentist for check ups and cleanings are important, it won’t do much good if you are not taking care of matters in your own bathroom.  Here are  a few recommendations from Dr. Todd Beck at South Waterfront Dental to help you keep your choppers healthy:

Brushing Techniques to Clean Teeth

Brush with a soft toothbrush at least three times a day.  Brushing removes plaque, a sticky bacterial film, from around the teeth and gums.  If allowed to remain on the teeth, plaque hardens and turns into calculus which will cause tooth decay and gum disease.

You should take at least two minutes to brush your teeth, and preferably longer for a thorough clean.  With so many surfaces it takes that long to do an effective job.  Though any soft toothbrush will do the job, Dr. Beck recommends the Sonicare system, which does an amazing job of removing stain and plaque. These kinds of systems also have convenient, automatic timers, so you can just turn them on, brush, and go!

Floss for Good Measure

You should floss your teeth at least once a day.  Flossing removes the plaque from between the teeth where a toothbrush cannot reach.  In addition to brushing, flossing is critical for preventing tooth decay and gum disease. Our friendly, helpful staff at South Waterfront Dental will teach you the best techniques for effective flossing at home.

A Crunchy Diet

When we eat, food is deposited that encourages the development of plaque if it’s not brushed away. One way to keep plaque from forming even when you’re not near a toothbrush is to stay away from sticky, sugary foods which cling to the surfaces of your teeth. Crunchy foods – like celery, apples, and carrots – help naturally clean teeth while you eat.

Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day to discourage the formation of plaque, and brush and floss each day to keep your smile healthy and bright!

Dental Help for Migraines

It is estimated that more than 23 million people suffer from chronic headaches and migraines according to the American Migraine Study, and that’s conservative.  For decades the medical community have been treating migraine headaches with very limited success.  Finding their cause and providing an effective treatment have proved to be very difficult.

Migraine Symptoms

If you’ve ever had a migraine, then you know how painful they can be. Unlike normal headaches, which are generally

Image: Jeroen van Oostrom / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

brought about by stress, illness or pollutants, migraine symptoms include:

• Cold hands and feet
• Sensitivity to light
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Throbbing pain behind your eyes or in isolated areas of your head

Totally debilitating, migraines can last from many hours to several days, with no relief besides prescription medications that make you drowsy.

Dental Treatment for Migraines

Dr. Jim Boyd, an innovative dentist, has found another approach.  Through many years of research he has developed an oral appliance called the NTI-tss  (Nociceptive Trigeminal Inhibition tension suppression system).

The NTI is an acrylic mouth piece that fits over the front teeth and helps to prevent clenching and grinding of the teeth.  We now know that the nerve complex where many migraines start is the same complex that provides sensation to the jaws and teeth.  By keeping the teeth from contacting in the back of the mouth and preventing clenching and grinding in ones sleep, migraines can be prevented.  The best part is there are no mind fogging side effects from pain killers!

A Possibility for Relief

The NTI-tss is the only FDA approved preventative available to migraine sufferers. There are no side effects and no complicated, surgical or painful procedures required.

Dr. Todd Beck and his staff at South Waterfront Dental  have been providing this appliance to patients for several years.  If you suffer from clenching, grinding, migraines or any other type of head ache pain, Dr. Beck would be happy to help determine if this simple and non invasive treatment may work for you.