When you smile, does a ribbon of pinkish gum tissue overshadow your teeth? Does excessive gum tissue make your upper teeth appear too short? If so, you may have a gummy smile.
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According to the American Dental Association (ADA), dental implants are one of the most important advances in dentistry during the past 40 years, providing patients with a comfortable, fully-functional, long-term alternative to dentures and bridges. Secured in your jaw bone, dental implants are designed to look and feel just like your own natural teeth, and they can be cared for like your natural teeth as well, with regular brushing and flossing and routine trips to the dentist to make sure the implant remains in optimal shape.
“Gum graft” isn’t a dental term that’s thrown around as casually as gum disease or dental cleaning, so you might not be as familiar with this procedure or what it entails. When would a periodontist decide to use a gum graft for your dental health?
Losing a tooth is never easy; not only can it make it more difficult to chew and speak, but it can also have a significant psychological impact on the way you feel about yourself and your appearance. The good news is, there are steps you cant take to replace a tooth that’s been lost due to decay, disease or trauma, but the traditional options – bridges and dentures – can still leave a lot to be desired.
Are you stressed out? Most of us are. And while the news has been full of studies linking the effects of chronic stress on your general health – weakening your immune system, increasing the risks of colds and flus, and potentially contributing to more serious medical issues like high blood pressure, diabetes and even some types of cancer – what you might not know is that experiencing stress on a regular, or chronic, basis can also wreak havoc on your gums. That’s the conclusion of several recent studies that evaluated the impact of chronic stress on periodontal disease and the factors that contribute to it.
Inflammation of the prostate (also called prostatitis) is a relatively common issue affecting about 12 percent of men, and it’s the most common prostate-related health issue in men under age 50. It’s been associated with a whole host of potential causes, including soft catheter use, bacterial infection, nerve problems – even parasitic infection. So why talk about prostate problems in a dental blog? Because a study recently published in the journal Dentistry has suggested a new cause for prostatitis: Gum disease.
While most of us understand the link between regular exercise and maintaining healthy muscles, few people realize the impact regular physical activity can have on the health of the gums. In fact, until recently that impact was largely overlooked. But a few years ago, researchers from Case Western Reserve University’s School of Dental Medicine decided to take a closer look. What they found was that people who exercised regularly were 16 percent less likely to have gum disease compared to those who did not engage in regular physical activity. And when exercise was combined with eating a balanced diet and maintaining a healthy weight, the risk of periodontal disease was decreased by 40 percent.
Gum disease (or periodontal disease) affects millions of people every year, and it’s the leading cause of tooth loss among adults. Yet many people have no idea they have gum disease until they develop loose teeth or severe pain. That’s because gum disease often causes few symptoms in its early stages, making it easy to overlook until major problems occur.
Want to keep your heart as healthy as possible? You can start by caring for your gums. Several studies have shown gum disease and heart disease may be linked, which makes regular brushing, flossing and dental checkups even more important than you may have previously thought. The specific cause-and-effect relationship hasn’t been identified yet, but what researchers know is this: People who have gum disease also have a much higher risk of having coronary artery disease, or atherosclerosis, sometimes referred to as “hardening” of the arteries. Coronary artery disease develops when waxy plaque builds up in the arteries, making them less flexible and also making it harder for blood to flow through the arteries.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about half of adults in the U.S. have gum disease, and a lot of those men and women wind up losing at least one tooth – and often several – as a result. In fact, the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) reports gum disease or periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among American adults. If you’re over 65, your chances of developing gum disease are even higher – the CDC report says about three out of every four older Americans has gum disease. Nobody likes to think about losing their teeth, and the good news is, there are things you can do – simple things – to help prevent gum disease and preserve your oral health. But first, you need to understand a little bit about periodontal disease and how and why it develops.
Today, the technology for patients needing dentures is evolving fast. And that’s outstanding news! One way it has evolved is in the field of dental implants. Today, many denture wearers have the option of wearing dental implant-secured snap-in dentures, or overdentures. This means they can once again smile, talk, chew, and laugh with confidence.
Nearly half of adults living in the U.S. have periodontal disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. So, if you’ve been told that you have gum disease, know that you are not alone. Periodontal disease ranges from mild gum inflammation to severe disease, resulting in damage to gum tissue and the bone that support the teeth. In extremely severe cases of periodontal disease, teeth are lost. Studies suggest that periodontal disease can be related to health issues beyond the mouth. Gum disease may increase the risk of developing diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other medical conditions.