Technology Information

March 24, 2010

Help Yourself Avoid the Pain and Expense of Dental Disease…

Filed under: General — Tags: , — Author @ 7:42 pm

I find it to be surprising the number of people I hear from and the benefits they get from oral irrigation. However, these folks are not just using any old oral irrigator.

Irrigators are not all created equal. Some have a special technology that allows them to reduce more plaque build up than others.

The principle behind reducing plaque is very simple. Actually, reducing it isn’t actually the goal, although reducing it does help. The hydrofloss is the tool that has been shown to reduce plaque build up between office visits.

You see, plaque is a very mundane term for something that is a bit more insidious when explained. Plaque is a alive! It is a living biofilm made up of a number of substances, the worst for us being bacteria.

The plaque creates a problem for us human beings. Since it is a film, it produces a more or less airtight space. It is in this space that something terrible happens. Some bacteria, when they do not have oxygen, revert to a form of metabolism called ‘anaerobic’.

This form of metabolism is harmful to the human host because of the toxic byproducts that come from it. These acidic, toxic substances can harm our dental enamel and our gum tissue.

This explains the reason why you have been told to brush and floss daily. Trouble is, that may not be enough. The proof is in what dental health care professional and public health workers know. Statistics say that up to 75% of people have some form of gum disease in their mouth right now!

It is staggering when you think about it. Most people brush, fewer floss, but even if you do both, you may still be headed for trouble.

Gum disease can lead to tooth loss and researchers suspect that it can lead to many systemic diseases such as heart attacks and stroke.

Learn more about the ‘best’ oral irrigator.

 

 

Read more on the topic of saving your teeth and gums and preventing expensive dental bills!

 

*  This article is for information purposes only and does not intend to give advice, diangosis or treatment.  If you have or think you might have a health problem, including but not limited to a dental health problem, be sure to contact your dentist or doctor for advice, diagnosis and treatment.  The USFDA has not evaluated statements about  products in this article.

January 1, 2010

Must Gums Recede As We Age?

Filed under: General — Tags: , — Author @ 8:07 pm

gum disease

Do you believe that gums must recede as we age? If you do, then it might seem natural to you to lose teeth. I have known people in their late 80’s and I am surprised to see that they still have their complete set of teeth. They say that they have been very cautious when it comes to the food they intake and with proper home care.

Funny how some elderly would stick out their dentures and scare their grand children away - happy bonding time with the family, something really worth reminiscing. But do you know that there is more to life than just making the children in your family have a good time when they see you play with your dentures? Besides brushing and flossing, have you tried the hydrofloss yet? 

Perhaps you are making it appealing to them so that they tend to like the idea or at least accept that they would lose their teeth one by one. I have actually asked a child who had his first permanent molar extracted at the age of 12. Imagine how many years more he has to live without his first molar. This does not bother him as he is actually enjoying the idea that he may soon wear dentures. Wouldn’t it be better to use a mouthwash like therabreath?

Some patients sound weird as they talk to the receptionist that they are having several incisors extracted due to little discolorations. I thought to myself, I am so fortunate to have mine complete never having to undergo multiple extractions and never ever considering having one. Essential oils, like those in Oramd may be helpful. 

And I realized that the greatest secret of the successful ones is that they meticulously cared for their teeth throughout their lifetime. You don’t have to lose your teeth as you grow old. Gum recession does not have to be part of the aging process.

Learn more about what you can do to prevent or stop gum disease.

Disclaimer: If you have or think you might have gum disease or any other health problem, please visit your doctor or periodontist for advice, diagnosis and treatment. This article is for information purposes only and does not intend to provide advice, diagnosis or treatment for any health condition.

December 4, 2009

Who Else Should Have a Hydro Floss?

Filed under: General — Tags: — Author @ 10:10 am

Since I began offering the Hydro Floss oral irrigator at the Toothy Grins Store, I have had the good fortune to speak to many people.

A very interesting conversation occurred this past week. A gentleman from Minnesota called me and we had quite a conversation.

He was looking to purchase a hydro floss for his own use. I typically ask people if they have used one before and I have grown used to people telling me how much they like the hydro floss and how it has helped them personally kind of like therabreath.

This time, a slightly different story came forth. He was initially told about the Hydro Floss by his hygienist. This is not unusual at all, many dentists and hygienists recommend the Hydro Floss to their patients.

But he took things one step further. He has two friends, one is a periodontist and one is an oral surgeon and he asked them both about this device. He was surprised to hear that they both personally use the hydro floss.

But the oral surgeon did something a little differently and it was an eye opener for me. It is one of those moments when the ‘light bulb’ came on.

She also uses the Pocket Pal Jet Tips. This surprised me because I had believed the Pocket Pal’s were only needed for people who had 5 to 6 mm pockets. Well, you can bet this person, an expert on oral health, has gums that are in good shape. SHE uses the pocket pal jet tips as a preventive measure.

I hadn’t considered this before. While the regular tips are made to be used at right angles to the teeth and gums. The pocket pals are used to shoot water directly into the pockets.

So, I thought something like, “It makes sense to use them to maintain / improve the health of gum tissue”. Since that conversation, I’ve been using the pocket pal jet tip after my regular use of the Hydro Floss and I think it is a good practice for me personally! Read more about the Hydro Floss and the jet tips at ToothyGrinsStore.com

Disclaimer: This post is for information purposes only. It does not intend to render advice, treatment or diagnosis for any health condition. If you have or think you might have a health problem of any kind, visit your periodontist or physician for advice, diagnosis and treatment. The USFDA has not evaluated statements about any products mentioned on this site or in this article

November 13, 2009

When The Professionals Do Not Agree - Consumers Can Become Bewildered…

Filed under: General — Tags: , , — Author @ 2:31 am

Opinions seem to vary greatly, even among health care professionals in the dental industry. Each often has his own favorite product or set of products.

If you take a simple device such as the perio-aid, you will find that different hygienists and even different dentists will give you slightly different and conflicting directions on how to use this tool.

Some attack the products that others recommend. That happened to me lately on twitter. I was quite shocked to see a dental hygienist attack products that she probably knew nothing about. Yet, when going to her profile, I found that she actually promoted a very specific product.

The majority of her tweets were about this product. I questioned her about whether she was working for the particular company that made this product. She said she did not. However, I find it very hard to believe that someone would spend so much of their personal time to promote a product if they were not being compensated for doing so.

This is the problem with marketing, you never know who is behind a particular marketing strategy or ploy. We live in such a commercialized era that it is a bit scary to think about sometimes. With many social media, you never know which profiles are real and which are made up - complete with convincing pictures!

We often hope that the professionals we trust are honest and forthright and perhaps we even assume that they are. I don’t want to say too much more about this issue. It is not limited to any profession or field. It spans the spectrum of industries and professionals. That is too bad for the consumer.

When I was a child I often dreamed of a world without commerce. It would really alter everything. For example, if the question of money were taken out of the equation, would your dental health be better protected and preserved.

As you might imagine, that was just an example, the same question could apply to any industry or profession. It would be nice if the professionals all agreed. When they don’t, whom does the consumer turn to for quality information that is not confusing?

therabreath

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gum disease

Disclaimer: This article is for information and entertainment purposes only. It does not intend to render advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have or think you might have gum disease or any other health problem, visit your periodontist or physician for advice, diagnosis and treatment. The USFDA has not evaluated statements about products in this article.

October 21, 2009

When It Makes Sense To Get a Gum Graft…

Filed under: General — Tags: — Author @ 10:50 pm

gum disease

The question "Where can you get a gum graft?" will invariably pop up once somebody’s either been told they have some tooth root exposure or they notice a darkening of the root at the receded gum line. This darkening can be due to a number of reasons but it’s most commonly from a bit of decay. Fortunately, many people can be good candidates for a grafting of tissue over that gum area.

This first thing to know about such procedures as grafts is that they are what are known as "periodontal surgeries." Now, the term surgery often conjures visions of an operating room theater and a team of intense-looking gown-clad medical types, but fortunately that’s not the case in this type of procedure.

As with any kind of surgery or disease, prevention is you best option. However, once you have reached a certain point, perhaps you and your doctor will feel that it is too late for preventive measures. Some products that are useful for periodontal health are oramd, therabreath and the hydro floss oral irrigator.

Gum grafts are most often performed in the treatment room of a periodontist, who is usually a doctor of dental surgery (DDS), with a board certification and specialist training in periodontal issues. Just as with medical doctors, though, any dentist who’s been licensed to practice dentistry can hang a shingle out and do just about any aspect of dental medicine.

It’s always highly recommended, though, that some time be taken to research for a dentist with appropriate periodontal certifications and extensive experience in performing grafts. If you stop to think about things doesn’t it make sense, after all, to put your trust in somebody who actually specializes in such procedures instead of a general dentist who may or may not have such a background?

Gum grafting can make sense in a few different circumstances, especially when the root of the tooth is exposed or there’s some hypersensitivity of the area surrounding the root. If done properly, with donor tissue taken from the palate of the mouth, a full healing can be expected within 4 to 8 weeks. Remember to try to use a periodontist who has experience in the procedure, if possible.

Scott W. recommends the book: What You Should Know about Gum Disease for those seeking more information on this topic. ISBN: 978-0981485508

Disclaimer: If you have or think you might have gum disease or any other health problem, please visit your doctor or periodontist for advice, diagnosis and treatment. This article is for information purposes only and does not intend to provide advice, diagnosis or treatment for any health condition.

October 19, 2009

Do You Already Have Periodontal Disease?

Filed under: General — Tags: — Author @ 3:06 am

gum disease

While there are certainly risk factors for gum disease such as smoking, chewing tobacco and pregnancy, it is important to realize that gum disease can strike anyone.

Our lives as human beings are often riddled with stress which can also be a factor. I think it is important to point out what the ’statistics’ say about this disease. Basically, most dental professionals will quote that up to 75% of people have gum disease in some form right now.

Staggering, isn’t it? If true, and I see little indication that it is not true, that means if you line up 10 people right now, the majority of them will have some form of gum disease.

I also suspect that a number of people think that because they have recently visited the dentist and the dentist did not say anything, that it means their gums are healthy. This also, may not be the case.

I know from personal experience that my dentist was not ready to spring the full details on me until it was time for a SRP (Scaling and Root Planing) procedure - often called a ‘deep cleaning’. I think it is incredibly sad that any dentist would wait that long.

I believe a periodontist I know told me that it has been studied and shown that general dentists are not always focused on the patients periodontal health. It makes sense, right? General dentists are primarily interested in finding and fixing defects with your teeth.

Yet, I would not want to let them all off the hook so easily. They know very well what gum disease looks like and they are capable of detecting it even when it is very minor.

So, what does all this mean? It simply means that you need to really make double and triple sure you are not facing gum disease RIGHT NOW.

The reason why is that gum disease can lead to gum recession, which makes your gums more vulnerable to additional attacks and recession, etc. In other words, it can become a vicious cycle.

What is the number one cause of tooth loss? Gum disease is.

Bad NEWS? Not if you take action to insure your dental health or to regain it if you have already lost some of it. The odds? The odds say you could have some form of gum disease right now. The fix? Learn all that you can now.

David Snape is the author of What You Should Know about Gum Disease

*Disclaimer - I am not a doctor or dentist. If you have or think you might have gum disease or any other health problem, visit your doctor or dentist for advice, diagnosis and treatment. This post is for information purposes only and does not intend to provide advice, diagnosis or treatment. The USFDA has not evaluated statements about any products mentioned.

August 21, 2009

About Laser Gum Surgery….

Filed under: General — Tags: — Author @ 8:36 pm

gum disease

Surgery of any kind is not something to look forward to. It can be unpleasant, not to mention painful and nerve wracking. One type of surgery that a lot of people put off having is surgery for diseased gum tissue as it can be very painful for some time after. Thanks to the latest technology people who need this surgery can now have a laser procedure which is much less invasive. If you would like to find out more about laser gum surgery here are some facts.

Two tools that might help you to avoid gum disease in the first place are oral irrigators and ora-md.

When laser surgery is performed a tiny amount of energy will be aimed at the gum to be treated. This will quickly eliminate any tissue which is diseased from the gum, treating it efficiently and effectively. Something which most people look for when they are having to undergo gum surgery.

During the treatment there is no incision made into the gum at all. This is unlike traditional surgery which can require a deep incision to get rid of tissue that is diseased. Laser gum surgery therefore does not carry the risk of infection that many other gum surgeries do as there is no wound left behind.

For the majority of people who have laser gum surgery there is little or no bleeding. This is because the laser cauterized the wound as it is getting rid of tissue. In addition to this the laser will also seal the nerve endings which means that the aftercare period is minimized as is discomfort. Many people who have gum surgery are still recovering 4 weeks after surgery. With laser gum surgery this period is just a few days.

Now that you know about laser surgery you might want to consider the expense of this option the next time you have a gum disease problem. It is fast, hygienic and has a minimal recovery time, what more could you ask for with a surgical procedure? However, why have to go through the expense of surgery at all? Even laser surgery is expensive! Next: Follow the links below to get your free report on stopping gum disease and preventing it from returning again.

Disclaimer: If you have or think you might have gum disease or any other health problem, please visit your doctor or periodontist for advice, diagnosis and treatment. This article is for information purposes only and does not intend to provide advice, diagnosis or treatment for any health condition.

August 8, 2009

Gum Disease Treatment Plans That Work

Filed under: General — Tags: — Author @ 6:35 am

bleeding gums

Each year hundreds of thousands of people are diagnosed with gum disease of some level and degree. However, many people who visit their dentist or oral hygienist do so too late and generally have to go through extreme procedures in order to rectify their oral issues. These types of procedures can usually be avoided all together if a person properly cares for their teeth on a daily basis.

There are a variety of non-surgical treatments that a person can undergo including scaling and root planing. Root planing involves a major cleaning of the tops of the roots wherein plaque and tarter are removed from the roots in order to prevent or reverse gum disease.

If a non-surgical method does not work for the treatment of gum disease, then surgical procedures will have to be used in order to correct the issues. However, it is recommended that most people attempt a non-surgical procedure before turning to a surgical method due to the fact that surgical methods are very expensive, whereas non-surgical methods tend to cost a great less and can achieve the same results.

When it concerns typical surgeries that a person may submit to in order to correct their oral issues, the following four are very common: pocket reduction procedures, regenerative procedures, crown lengthening, and soft tissue grafts. However, the specific surgery will be decided upon on a case by case basis. A dentist can decide which type of surgery will work best for your level of gum disease.

gum disease that is left untreated can actually result in serious conditions to the body due to various infections that can arise in the mouth and be carried throughout the body. This includes but is not limited to death.

Therefore, anyone who is experiencing or think they might be experiencing any level of gum disease should visit their periodontist immediately for advice, diagnosis and treatment. This article does not intend to render any advice, diagnosis or treatment.

 

 

July 30, 2009

The ‘Secret Weapon’ That Improves Dental Health

Filed under: General — Tags: , — Author @ 8:08 am

bleeding gums

People in the United States have a problem with their teeth. We are constantly on the lookout for ways to make sure our teeth say healthy. The link between Xylitol and gum disease is thus of immense interest. You see, by “link” we do not mean Xylitol causes dental disease. Rather, we mean that it might be able to help prevent it.

One of the main reasons people in the United States are so prone to dental disease and tooth decay is partly due to our rampant intake of sugar. We eat too much of it. An excess of sugar can have a weakening effect on the immune system. In turn, that makes the environment in your mouth very acidic. Sugar can cause the bacteria we all have in our mouths to grow out of control.

Bacteria that eat sugar, produce toxins that are acidic. It could strip the enamel on your teeth of the minerals it needs. This creates very weak teeth, which makes them even more susceptible to disease. One other tool that might be useful is an ozone generator. It can be used to create an oxygenated mouthwash that could carry great power.

That is where Xylitol may come in handy. It is said to actually not do all of the awful things sugar can do to your teeth. It is not fermentable. Instead, it restores the balance in your mouth, of alkaline versus acid. Bacteria do not like an alkaline environment.

It is possible to use Xylitol before retiring for bed. You see, Xylitol can stay on your teeth all through the night. Doing so on a consistent basis might help to stop your teeth from decaying. It may even help cavities from becoming more sensitive. Don’t forget the power of oral irrigators. Every little bit of extra help is valuable!

Author: Scott wells

Disclaimer: If you have or think you might have gum disease or any other health problem, please visit your doctor or periodontist for advice, diagnosis and treatment. This article is for information purposes only and does not intend to provide advice, diagnosis or treatment for any health condition.

July 13, 2009

Smoking Is Bad For Health, Gaming and Business…

Filed under: General — Tags: , , , — Author @ 5:36 am

It has long been suspected that smoking and gum disease are interrelated. Thanks to recent studies, that link has finally been proven. We have all long known that smoking is dangerous to your health. It can cause heart disease, including heart attacks. It can lead to strokes and aneurysm. Naturally it can lead to lung and throat cancer, not to mention many others. Your breath smells, your teeth get stained, and respiratory problems and infections are practically a given. As it turns out, smoking can negatively affect your oral health as well.

Smoking is one of the main risk factors associated with gingivitis. This because smoking opens wide the doors for bacteria to flock into your mouth. Bacteria is what ultimately causes gum tissue diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis. However, that is not the only reason smoking can lead to gum disease.

Both the smoke which comes from the tobacco and the nicotine in cigarettes can make your blood vessels constrict. That makes it harder and harder for nutrients and oxygen to get to parts of your body - including your gums and gum tissue.

Smoking is not the only thing which causes this to happen. Chewing tobacco can as well. Further, they can both make it more difficult for your body to adequately fight off infections. Meaning, it cannot repel the infection which causes gingivitis. If you are a smoker, it can even be more difficult for your body to respond to the proper treatment methods for gm disease.

How can you, as a smoker, decrease your chances for getting gum disease? Well, naturally, you have got to stop smoking. Think of all the aspects of your health smoking will negatively affect? You also want to do your part by rigorously taking care of your teeth. Brushing, flossing, and regular checkups are importan.

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