Gum Disease is an aggressive disease affecting tens of millions of adult Americans. A chronic type which affects the jaw bones around the teeth, is known as Adult Periodontitis. This disease not only results in vast tooth loss, it may be quite disfiguring of the jaws as well. (B.T.W., there is Juvenile Periodontitis, affecting children entering puberty).
Oral bacteria communities known as Biofilm build up beneath the gum line. Manual and rotary toothbrushes, floss and mouthwash , occasionally only make a dent in the problem. The Biofilm is difficult to see, hard to reach, and typically requires a Dentist or a Dental Hygienist to determine its presence and remove it. Most people are totally unaware of any problem, because for the most part, no pain is involved.
While it may be common to experience bleeding while flossing or brushing, it is certainly not normal. Bleeding gums need to be recognized as a definite sign of trouble.
Signs that you may have Periodontal Disease are:
- Bleeding Gums
- Unexplained Gaps between teeth
- Swollen gum tissue
- Bad Breath
- Receding Gums
- Loose Teeth
So here is a dilemma…. You leave your Dentist office feeling great. You have a new electric toothbrush and all the newly acquired skills you just received from your Hygienist. Then a day or two goes by and you notice that fresh clean feeling isn’t there anymore. Why? Did your Dentist fail you? Did your Hygienist forget to tell you something? Is the new electric toothbrush just bunk? Are you doing something wrong?
The credit lies in the pockets between your teeth and gum tissue. It’s Biofilm! The home care methods are going to be effective to a depth of approximately 2-3mm at best. Assuming you have reached perfection with oral hygiene, some Biofilm is certain to exist in any pocket deeper than 3mm. This 4mm pocket or greater will be plaque or biofilm dominated until the next cleaning. So what can you do?
In my office, I ask my patients to use Perio Protect Trays. This approach combines your dental cleaning visit with the comfortable Perio Tray. The Perio Tray is a soft tray worn for several minutes per day. The key element is the tray’s unique sealing system which locks the medicated gel into place below the gum line. The medication fights the infection for you. It’s so easy.
The advantage of using Perio Protect method between cleanings is that it is so very easy to use. It is not technique sensitive. You add the Perio gel to the tray and place the tray in position. There is no special technique to be learned. No systemic antibiotics required, comfortable, less invasive, more effective for between cleaning Biofilm control. The only side effects noted by using the Perio gel is fresher breath and whiter teeth.
If you are aware of any of the signs noted above, do not hesitate to call our office for a thorough examination. Dr. Robert Bryce is a Certified Provider in the Perio Protect Method of treating Gingivitis and Periodontal Disease. His office serves Sterling/Potomac Falls, Ashburn , Leesburg , Herndon , Reston , Great Falls , as well as all of Northern Virginia.
It is estimated by the American Dental Association, that approximately 200,000 injuries each year in high school and collegiate football are prevented by wearing mouthguards. Since dental injuries are the most common injury in sports, Dr. Raymond Flander did a study in 1995, reporting the high incidence of injuries in sports other then football. The study notes that in football where mouthguards are mandatory, .07% of injuries were orofacial. Contrast this to basketball where mouthguards are elective, 34% injuries are orofacial. It seems obvious that custom fit mouthguards should be a routine piece of equipment in the prevention of dental and orofacial injuries.
Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) are common problems that can affect your sleep, and have a significant impact upon your health and quality of your life. Everyone knows what snoring is, but did you know that more then 50% of snorers have OSA.
I wonder how many people know that certain headaches, thought to be Migraines, may actually come from muscle tension underlying the Temple area of your head. These muscles known as the Temporalis muscles, acts as reigns to the lower jaw, keeping your jaw in proper position as you chew, speak and swallow. A missing tooth, chipped tooth, or high filling can cause a change of position to your lower jaw. This may result in added tension on your Temporalis muscle in order to keep your jaw in its proper position. This tension may subsequently result in inflammation of your muscle and tendons connecting to the bone.