BAD BREATH

Categories: Patient Education

What is Bad Breath? Normal breath is non-invasive and has been linked to scent of “blooming chestnuts”.  On the other hand, bad breath is unpleasant and offensive, a “sour, bitter, metallic” taste and can vary with the cause and can also be sulfurous.  The main components of bad breath are:  methyl disulfide, cadaverine and putrescine.…

WOMEN’S ORAL HEALTH

Categories: Patient Education

There are several ways in which changes to your body can affect your oral health: Puberty: The surge of hormones during puberty may increase blood circulation in the gums. Your mouth may become more sensitive to irritants such as plaque, and this can lead to gingivitis. Be sure to floss and brush regularly to ensure…

THE DENTURE PROCESS

Categories: Patient Education

Dentures are false teeth that are made to replace teeth for a patient who has lost all of their teeth. If a patient goes with out any teeth in their mouth, there face can look shorter and their facial muscles begin to sag. Speech and mastication (chewing) can also become a challenge for a patient…

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ORAL CANCER

Categories: Patient Education

Sore that does not heal White or red patch of tissue Difficulty in swallowing Lump or mass in the mouth or neck Hoarseness that last for a long period Pain or numbness in the oral/facial region Pain in the ear of long duration Change in voice

SENSITIVITY OF TEETH

Categories: Patient Education

Do you get a pain from hot, cold, eating, sweet, or sour foods, or maybe just by touching your teeth with a toothbrush? Does the pain come and go? It could be due to sensitive teeth. Make sure to tell us if you have this problem.   Cause: Studies show the cause of sensitivity is…

PREGNANCY AND YOUR ORAL HEALTH

Categories: Patient Education

Many hormonal changes occur throughout pregnancy. Estrogen sites are found throughout the tissues and constant hormonal changes combined with increased levels of bacteria and plaque contribute to inflammation, and bleeding known as pregnancy gingivitis. Women with moderate to severe periodontal disease are at risk of having pre-term low birth weight babies. Low birth weight babies…

Overall Health and Your Gums

Categories: Patient Education

Overall Health and Gum Disease: Recent studies have linked periodontal disease (gum and bone disease) with several serious health conditions: heart and stroke, respiratory diseases, diabetes, and premature and low birth weight babies. As with smoking, high cholesterol and obesity, gum disease may be a risk factor for these conditions. It is thought that the…

Gum Disease

Categories: Patient Education

Periodontal Disease (Gum Disease) is an inflammation and infection of the tissues and bone that support teeth. It is caused by bacteria, which is found in plaque that forms on the teeth. Gum disease affects about 70-75% of adults however, it can occur at any age. Early symptoms often go unnoticed and can lead to…

Diabetes

Categories: Patient Education

What is Diabetes? Diabetes is an immune deficiency disease associated with six health complications including periodontal disease as well as effecting areas such as eyes, kidneys, heart, nerves and poor wound healing. Type II diabetes or non-insulin dependent diabetes was once thought to be a middle age disease but could present at any age! Diet,…

XEROSTOMIA

Categories: Patient Education

Saliva Consistency Saliva consists of essential proteins, electrolytes, minerals, small organic molecules and water.   Two Types of Saliva: Serous – water thin amylase (starch digestion) lipase (fat digestion) easy to replace stimulated by eating, smell, taste produced by the major salivary glands Mucous – thick, visous lubricating properties for the tissues difficult to replace…