Learn more about Scaling and Root Planing to remove tartar and plaque below the gum line
Plaque is a sticky, colorless deposit of bacteria that is constantly forming on the tooth surface. Saliva, food and fluids combine to produce these deposits that collect where the teeth and gums meet. Plaque buildup is the primary factor in periodontal (gum) disease, including gingivitis.
How to Get Rid of Plaque
To help prevent plaque buildup, be sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day with an anti-plaque toothpaste such as Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste for around the clock protection against plaque buildup, and floss once a day.
Adding a mouth rinse such as Crest Pro-Health Multi-Protection Rinse to your routine can help against plaque buildup, without the burning sensation of alcohol. Eating well-balanced meals and brushing after snacks will reduce the formation of plaque. Visit your dental office regularly for oral exams and cleanings, during which your dental professional will scrape away any accumulated plaque with a special instrument.
Above article from: Crest.com
Infinite Smiles
5430 Lemay Ferry Road, Suite 3
St. Louis, MO 63129
(314) 892-8853
www.InfiniteSmilesDental.com
The Major Reason for Tooth Loss
Cavities are generally not the prime reason for loss of teeth. A
person with tooth decay will often know there is a problem before
major damage occurs. With gum disease, it is a different story. This
is the leading cause of tooth loss and that is because it can be
painless even up to the point of losing your teeth. If your gums
bleed when you floss or brush or you have loose teeth, please call
us immediately. Gum disease has often been corrected with surgery,
but our office also provides nonsurgical methods to correct the
problem.
Gum Disease Contributes to Other
Serious
Health Problems
Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection of the gums that could
result in tooth loss. However, the latest medical research has
evidence that there is a link between heart disease, stroke, and gum
disease. With an estimated 8 out of 10 people in the U.S. with this
dental condition, most dentists consider this to be epidemic. As the
bacteria from the infected gums move in the bloodstream to every
part of the body, this can create very serious health conditions,
especially in the heart. As heart disease and stroke can be fatal,
gum disease is a critical problem that needs to be stopped.
What Can Be Done to Stop the
Problem
In advanced cases, surgery is the treatment for gum infections and
has a very high success rate. In less severe cases, nonsurgical
methods can be used. When combined with a patient’s better dental
care, the spread of the infection can be halted. Both of these
treatments have coverage with most dental insurance policies.
When a Tooth is Lost
Many may think that losing a tooth is no reason to have concern, but
losing even one tooth is the start of other teeth shifting and
moving. This affects chewing, which alters your ability to get
nutrients out of meals. As it is more difficult to chew with fewer
teeth, you may start to eat softer foods, which could result in
weight gain. Your face may change shape, making you look years older
than your age, and speech may no longer be clear. Replacement of the
tooth is the best solution. We offer dental implants for as many
teeth as you need. They are so natural looking, even a dentist can
hardly tell the difference between a real tooth and an implant.
Infinite Smiles
5430 Lemay Ferry Road, Suite 3
St. Louis, MO 63129
(314) 892-8853
www.InfiniteSmilesDental.com
