About 85 percent of adults in the U.S. have some sort of gum disease. This is a troubling statistic. Although so many people are dealing with it, you rarely hear much about the condition. Gum disease has many stages, and it is reversible at its earliest stage. This disease is the leading cause of tooth loss. Therefore, it is important to seek treatment as early as possible.
It is a gum infection caused by poor oral hygiene. When you let plaque form and harden on your teeth, periodontal disease may develop. You may not experience symptoms, and the disease can go unnoticed for a long time, or until you go for an oral exam. Left untreated, gum disease can lead to tooth loss and damage to the jaw. Some of the symptoms of gum disease include:
Persistent bad breath
Swollen, tender, and red gums
A change in bite
Mouth sores
Puss between teeth and gums
Bleeding while flossing and brushing
Separating or loose teeth
Receding gums
The progression of this disease starts with tartar and plaque buildup, which releases toxins that infect the bone structure and gums. This results in chronic inflammation and tooth loss. The beginning of infection is usually painless, which is why younger patients rarely show signs of gum disease. Symptoms tend to become more prevalent when people are in their 30s to 40s.
Periodontal disease or gum disease starts as an inflammation of gums or gingivitis. Sadly, gum disease requires lifelong care, and it can even trigger other life-threatening conditions if left untreated. These include:
One of your body’s worst enemies is chronic inflammation. When your body starts to attack both healthy and unhealthy cells, it becomes a big problem. This is why doctors link gum disease to heart disease. According to the American Heart Association, you are three times more likely to develop heart disease if you have poor dental hygiene.
Gum disease can have a negative effect on your blood pressure, especially if you are hypertensive. It can also disrupt the effects of various hypertension medications. Researchers discovered that this disease can increase a person’s risk for heart attack by 49 percent. Fortunately, treatment of gum disease can decrease your blood pressure.
In the presence of sugar, bacteria will thrive. If you have high glucose levels in your body, it will help bacteria to spread. These germs can attack your gums and teeth, leading to gingivitis. Gum disease, on the other hand, increases the levels of blood sugar in your body, which can increase your likelihood of developing Type-2 diabetes.
Certain bacteria are common in both rheumatoid arthritis and gum disease patients. The periodontal disease triggers the inflammatory autoimmune response, which is your body’s defense system. It causes the immune system proteins to become more active, which can lead to joint inflammation. Other conditions that can result from untreated gum disease include Alzheimer’s disease and pneumonia.
To learn more about gum disease, contact Levenson Smile in Worcester, Massachusetts at (508) 731-3940 to schedule an appointment today.
Teeth whitening is one of the fastest ways to improve your smile. Over time, your teeth may get discolored no matter how many times you brush your teeth. Your teeth may discolor due to smoking, medications, or eating certain foods and drinks.
Professional teeth whitening is a one-day procedure that takes only a few hours. With a good and experienced dentist, you can have the best results within no time. If you are considering undergoing the whitening procedure, you probably have a few questions. Here are some of the frequently asked questions to help you understand what to expect from teeth whitening.
You should see the results immediately after the treatment. If you had brownish stains, they could be quite hard to remove compared to yellow stains. But, you should see a difference immediately after the procedure. You may have to go through several treatment sessions before you get your desired results.
Teeth whitening is not a permanent treatment. But, if you take good care of your teeth, the results might last for about two to three years. Some of the major causes of tooth discoloration include drinks such as coffee and tea, smoking, and certain medications. If you can avoid these, then you can prolong the results.
For your results to last longer, you need to visit your dentist for checkups and cleanings. Your dentist can recommend the best toothbrush and toothpaste to use for better results. You can also request your doctor to give you a home whitening kit to help you between the visits.
After the teeth whitening process, you might experience some discomfort but only for a while. Your teeth may get heightened sensitivity that is mainly caused by hydrogen peroxide used to remove plaque. You might feel sharp pains in your gums, but that should only last a day or two. You can avoid hot or cold foods after the treatment to reduce the sensitivity.
If you had sensitivity issues before the procedure, you should inform your dentist to use a kit with a lesser dosage of hydrogen peroxide. Also, you can get a home whitening kit instead of going for professional teeth whitening.
Also, you should expect some irritation on your gums. That is if the whitening solution spills or gets into contact with your gum tissues. An experienced dentist should have minimal gum exposure to the solution.
Your enamel provides support and protects your teeth from decay. Teeth whitening cannot damage your enamel. If anything, you are likely to harm your teeth more by brushing incorrectly than having your teeth whitened. So, teeth whitening should not worry you. It is a safe process.
Learn more about professional teeth whitening services, contact Levenson Smile in Worcester, MA at (508) 731-3940 to book an appointment.
Teeth whitening is one of the fastest ways to improve your smile. Over time, your teeth may get discolored no matter how many times you brush your teeth. Your teeth may discolor due to smoking, medications, or eating certain foods and drinks.
Professional teeth whitening is a one-day procedure that takes only a few hours. With a good and experienced dentist, you can have the best results within no time. If you are considering undergoing the whitening procedure, you probably have a few questions. Here are some of the frequently asked questions to help you understand what to expect from teeth whitening.
You should see the results immediately after the treatment. If you had brownish stains, they could be quite hard to remove compared to yellow stains. But, you should see a difference immediately after the procedure. You may have to go through several treatment sessions before you get your desired results.
Teeth whitening is not a permanent treatment. But, if you take good care of your teeth, the results might last for about two to three years. Some of the major causes of tooth discoloration include drinks such as coffee and tea, smoking, and certain medications. If you can avoid these, then you can prolong the results.
For your results to last longer, you need to visit your dentist for checkups and cleanings. Your dentist can recommend the best toothbrush and toothpaste to use for better results. You can also request your doctor to give you a home whitening kit to help you between the visits.
After the teeth whitening process, you might experience some discomfort but only for a while. Your teeth may get heightened sensitivity that is mainly caused by hydrogen peroxide used to remove plaque. You might feel sharp pains in your gums, but that should only last a day or two. You can avoid hot or cold foods after the treatment to reduce the sensitivity.
If you had sensitivity issues before the procedure, you should inform your dentist to use a kit with a lesser dosage of hydrogen peroxide. Also, you can get a home whitening kit instead of going for professional teeth whitening.
Also, you should expect some irritation on your gums. That is if the whitening solution spills or gets into contact with your gum tissues. An experienced dentist should have minimal gum exposure to the solution.
Your enamel provides support and protects your teeth from decay. Teeth whitening cannot damage your enamel. If anything, you are likely to harm your teeth more by brushing incorrectly than having your teeth whitened. So, teeth whitening should not worry you. It is a safe process.
Learn more about professional teeth whitening services, contact Levenson Smile in Worcester, MA at (508) 731-3940 to book an appointment.
Cheers! Here’s to a New Year! Here’s to a New You! Well, you may not be new, but your focus this year is sharper and renewed. You have resolutions you hope to achieve, and one of them, hopefully, is to lead a healthier life. Part of having a healthy body is to have a healthy mouth.
Luckily, it’s not difficult to keep your mouth healthy. The following tips can help:
Among the essential steps toward better oral health is to watch what you put in your mouth. Eat vegetables and fruits in plenty. They boost your immunity and help to clean your mouth. If your immunity decreased, you would be prone to oral diseases like periodontal disease and others. Also, fruits and veggies like apples, carrots, and celery help scrape off plaque from your teeth surfaces, reducing bacteria occurrence.
You must brush your teeth every day, if possible, after meals. Get yourself a good toothpaste and toothbrush. If you’re not too sure about what to use, ask your dentist to recommend some.
After a meal, take about 30 minutes, then brush. Some foods contain acids that weaken the enamel. Brushing too soon can cause corrosion. Also, you could push any lingering acidity in your mouth further into the dentin and enamel.
If you smoke, quit today. Smoking has detrimental consequences for your gums, teeth, and entire body. Smoking increases your risk of developing gum disease, gum recession, tooth discoloration, and cavities. You also increase your likelihood of developing cancers of the mouth and lungs. So, stop smoking early in the year for the sake of your teeth and general health.
Reduce the amount of sugar you take because bacteria thrive on it. When you fail to clean some sugar off your teeth, bacteria in your mouth feed on it and produce acids. The combination of acids, food particles, bacteria, and saliva is what forms plaque. Plague forms a coating on the surface of your teeth, and the acids start to eat away the enamel slowly. Once you have lacerations in the enamel, your teeth can get cavities and begin to decay. So, reduce your sugar intake to as little as possible. Swap your sugary foods and drinks with the sugar-free kind.
Many people are lovers of coffee, teas, and sodas. They end up drinking several cups a day and little to no water. But, these drinks contain some level of acidity that erodes your enamel and stains your teeth. So, cut back on soda, coffee, and tea, and replace them with water. Water cleans your mouth and your body system. This year resolve to drink more water.
The recommended number of times to see a dentist in a year is twice a year. Your dentist examines your teeth for possible issues and treats them early before they become significant. Dental hygiene appointments are also helpful because you get to have your teeth and gums professionally cleaned.
Maintaining a healthy mouth is not too complicated. You only have to adjust a few things and make a commitment to uphold the habits that boost your oral health. Start today, and you will see some significant improvement by the end of the year.
Find out more ways to keep your mouth healthy in the new year, contact Levenson Smile in Worcester, MA at (508) 731-3940 to request an appointment.
Dental implants are one of the most popular types of tooth replacement solutions. Dental implants are unrivalled in terms of stability and durability. Dental implants don’t rely on healthy natural teeth to support them. Instead, they have an artificial root which is created using a biocompatible titanium post. This post is surgically implanted into the jawbone. Since bone regenerates, it will heal around the implant post to secure it permanently into the structure. This process takes a few months, after which time a custom crown can be used to replace the visible element of the tooth and this is attached to the implant post.
Dental implants require patients to undergo surgery, which necessitates preparation and a recovery period while their mouth heals. Here’s everything that you need to know about what to expect from dental implant surgery recovery.
Dental implant surgery is usually carried out using local anesthetic, although in some cases patients may be given sedation too. Depending on what sedation is used, you may need to allow yourself some time after the procedure and may need someone to drive you home and stay with you. The anesthetic may take several hours to wear off and during this time you will need to avoid drinking hot drinks and eating anything so that you don’t inadvertently injure your mouth.
Patients will need to prepare for some slight discomfort following their dental implant surgery. Most patients find that over the counter pain medications are enough to keep their discomfort at a tolerable level, but if you do find that you need something stronger, don’t hesitate to speak to your dental implant dentist at Levenson Smile in Worcester, MA. Make sure to take your pain medication as directed for it to be as effective as possible.
While you probably won’t feel like eating right away and won’t be able to until the anesthetic has worn off, you won’t be able to eat your usual diet of food for at least a few days either. You’ll need to take special care not to disrupt your sutures and your mouth may be slightly swollen and sore, so you will be advised to stick to a soft diet for at least the first 3 or 4 days after surgery, perhaps longer. Your dental implant dentist in Worcester, MA will be able to advise you what you should eat, which could include foods like mashed potatoes, soup, yogurt, and smoothies.
Inflammation and swelling are a natural reaction to any surgery and most often occurs around the sites where incisions have been made. You may wish to hold a cold compress against your face near the incision sites to help counteract swelling, which may also help to reduce discomfort. This should resolve itself within a week or so of your surgery, but if you have any concerns, don’t wait to speak to your dental implant dentist.
While you may feel capable of returning to work fairly quickly, adequate rest and recovery is essential to ensure you heal and recover with minimal complications. Plan to take at least a few days away from work so that you can enjoy some downtime and kickstart the healing process.
You’ll be issued with a set of very specific post-surgery instructions to follow. These will refer to how to care for your mouth, how to clean around the surgical sites and what you should and shouldn’t do after your dental implant surgery. Make sure that you follow these exactly as directed as these will help to minimize your risk of complications.
If you would like more information about what to expect from dental implant surgery recovery, don’t hesitate to contact our team at Levenson Smile by calling (508) 731-3940.
Each time you breathe, swallow, talk, and chew, you’re using your temporomandibular joint (TMJ). It’s formed by the articulation of the jawbone and the temporal bone of your skull. The TMJ allows the opening, closing, and side to side movements of your mouth. Some activities and habits can cause or exacerbate jaw pain and dysfunction. This painful condition is known as TMJ disorder, which occurs when your jaw joints become misaligned. Here are the common causes of TMJ flare-up:
A TMJ flare-up occurs when you experience new symptoms or your existing symptoms increase in severity all of a sudden. Some of the common signs of a flare-up include jaw pain, throbbing headaches, ear pain, and ringing in the ears. TMJ flare-up may also be indicated by a popping or clicking of your jaw each time you move it to eat or talk and muscle spasms, such as a twitching eye, cheek, or neck. Facial swelling and a tight jaw are also common. So is lockjaw, which happens when you cannot move your jaw until a professional realigns the joint.
Are you experiencing any of these symptoms? At Levenson Smile, we can help keep this painful condition from wreaking havoc on your quality of life. Call our office in Worcester, today at (508) 731-3940 to make an appointment.
Halloween may be a little different to usual this year, but chances are that there will still be candy available in abundance. There’s no getting away from the fact that Halloween is the perfect holiday to indulge our sweet tooth and enjoy some of the treats that we might usually stay away from at other times of the year. There are heaps of different candies to choose from, some of which are worse for our teeth than others.
Too much Halloween candy and poor oral hygiene is a dental horror story. This is because sugars in the food we eat combine with the bacteria on our teeth to produce plaque – a thin, clear sticky substance that coats the teeth and contains a weak acid that can erode the enamel of the teeth and cause cavities. Unless the plaque is removed, it can also cause spread onto the gum tissue, causing the onset of gum disease. Gum disease is a progressive, inflammatory condition that can lead to infection, gum recession, jawbone deterioration and tooth loss. Studies have even found a link between advanced gum disease and health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.
The effect of Halloween candy on your teeth doesn’t mean that you have to avoid sugary treats altogether, but it does payoff to be mindful about which candy you choose this spooky season. To help you make the best choices for your oral health, here’s what you need to know about some of the most common Halloween candies.
Of all the Halloween candies, chocolate is probably the safest to indulge in. This is because it is much more easily removed from the teeth than other types, and a good drink after eating it can remove most of the sugars. Choose dark chocolate where possible, as it contains less sugar than milk chocolate varieties.
As you might expect from hard candies, these treats are tough on teeth and have even been known to break them if proper care and attention isn’t afforded. Hard candies also usually need to be sucked to make them smaller, meaning that they are in your mouth much longer and so the sugar has more time to spend damaging your teeth.
From gummy worms and snakes to sticky eyeballs, these are probably the most common type of Halloween candy. Unfortunately, they are also the worst, and this is because sticky candies are the hardest to remove from the teeth. Unless you brush them right away, the sugars found in these candies will have much longer to interact with the bacteria in your mouth, producing acids that erode the enamel of your teeth.
Sour candies are among some of the favorites handed out at Halloween. However, they will leave your mouth with much more than just a serious zing. Sour candies can be very acidic, and this acidity has the potential to weaken and damage the enamel of the teeth, making them more vulnerable to cavities.
Finally, a Halloween treat that you can seriously get involved in. When possible, always choose sugar-free candies as these will prevent unnecessary damage to your teeth. Xylitol, which is a sugar substitute, has been shown to have anti-cavity benefits, which is one of the reasons why chewing sugar-free gum is considered beneficial for our oral health.
If you are still scared about the prospect of cavities this Halloween, don’t hesitate to call Levenson Smile at (508) 731-3940 to speak to our oral care team who will be frightfully happy to assist you.
Oral hygiene is very important for both children and adults. Cleaning your mouth keeps your teeth from tartar and plaque buildup, and it also removes bacteria that cause cavities and other periodontal diseases. Keeping your mouth clean also protects your gut from harmful bacteria. A clean mouth also smells fresh and looks good. Besides brushing, there are other things that you should do to keep your mouth clean and healthy. Here are some tips on how to have a beautiful smile and good oral hygiene.
Swiping your brush around your mouth for a few seconds is not effective. You need to brush your teeth systematically for effective cleaning. Brush your teeth with a soft and stable brush and good toothpaste. Brush at a 45-degree angle against your gums. Brush with a gentle circular motion on the surface of the tooth. Use back and front brushing motion on the chewing surface. Don’t forget to brush your tongue and rinse properly.
Even when you brush properly, your teeth have hard-to-reach grooves and spaces. Food and particles in the small spaces between teeth attract bacteria that cause disease and decay. You can also use an interdental cleaner to reach those small spaces and grooves. Flossing your teeth at least once a day gives you clean and healthy teeth.
If you have a sweet tooth, your teeth are in danger. Some harmful bacteria living in your mouth release an acidic substance after they digest it. These acids corrode your enamel away. They cause cavities and other periodontal diseases. Do not take in too many foods that contain too much sugar. If you have to indulge, gargle some warm water and brush your teeth as soon as you can.
Gargling mouthwash after brushing your teeth can make you feel like a fire-consuming acrobat sometimes. However, mouthwash is good for controlling those pesky bacteria in your mouth. A good mouthwash should also reduce acidity in your mouth to prevent enamel corrosion. Mouthwash also keeps your mouth smelling fresh.
Smoking tabacco is detrimental to your overall health. It is bad for your lungs and your blood. Smoke from tobacco discolors your teeth and forms black tartar around your gums. It causes a periodontal disease that results in tooth loss. It can even cause oral and lung cancer.
Many people do not look forward to a dental appointment. If you want healthy and beautiful teeth, you should do your very best to attend regular dental appointments. Routine dental visits keep your teeth and gums in check. Your visits should ensure that you get a comprehensive oral exam so that you can fix any problems without a delay. Ask your dentist in Worcester for additional useful oral hygiene tips.
The food that you consume plays a big role in how your entire body system functions. Stay away from processed sugars and starches. Acidic food is also bad for your teeth. Take lots of calcium-rich foods. Eat fresh veggies and fruits. If you eat food that discolors your teeth, rinse immediately with warm water. Limit your coffee intake and drink lots of water.
For more information on oral health, visit Levenson Smile in Worcester, Massachusetts or call us at (508) 731-3940 to schedule an appointment.
Having a good smile boosts confidence and self-esteem. Having gaps in your mouth can be both embarrassing and challenging. When you have too many gaps in your teeth, chewing becomes a challenge. Modern technology has helped people who lose teeth from disease, age, and accidents. The evolution of dental implants has helped many people retain the function of their teeth.
Dental implants are surgical teeth implanted in the patient’s jaw. A titanium root is screwed in the bone where a tooth has been extracted. A crown or bridge is then installed on the titanium root, mimicking a natural tooth. Dental implants come with many benefits. Here are some of the benefits of treating tooth loss with dental implants.
The best thing about dental implants is that they look like natural teeth. The prosthetic tooth, made from porcelain, is flush with the gumline. It is secured safely on the jaw with the titanium screw. It fits in well with your other teeth giving you a flawless smile.
Dental implants look and work the same way your original teeth work. Biting and chewing your food feels natural. You do not have to take extra precautions biting hard foods. The titanium screw holds the crown in place and secures your prosthetic tooth.
When there are gaps in your mouth, your gum and jawbone recedes. This gives you hollow-looking cheeks adding years to your look. Dental implants keep the jawbone strong. Your gums do not recede and you keep your face from looking sunken.
The good thing about dental implants is that you don’t have to worry about cavities. The tooth is made from synthetic material that is free from decay. With the proper care, you keep your dental implants for many years after installation.
The maintenance of dental implants is not complicated. All you have to do is brush them in the morning and evening. Just like natural teeth, they can attract tartar and plaque if not cleaned properly. Maintain the same cleaning routine that you have for natural teeth.
Some dental correction procedures can give you unusual speech. Dentures, retainers, and braces can alter how you speak. With dental implants, you speak as normally as you do with your original teeth. Your dental physician maps your mouth and gives you an implant that looks like your original tooth. Therefore, you have no worries about sounding unusual.
Sometimes, dentures and retainers can make your mouth sore. They slip around and cause friction in the soft tissue of your mouth. Some dentures require strong adhesives that can irritate your mouth. With dental implants, your gum, tongue, and soft palate are safe.
When a tooth is extracted, the balance between the remaining teeth is interrupted. The tooth on the opposite jawbone grows too long and can cause spaces in your bite. The adjacent teeth to where the gap is are unstable and unsupported. With dental implants, you fill the gap and retain a balance between all your teeth.
For more information on dental implants, call our dental office in Worcester at (508) 731-3940 to speak with the friendly team at Levenson Smile and schedule an appointment.
Your smile can reveal a lot about your oral health. Smoking, certain drinks and foods, enamel erosion, and dental hygiene can discolor and dull your teeth. If you fail to take proper care of your teeth, they can suffer permanent damage and stains. Brownish or yellow teeth can leave you feeling self-conscious and embarrassed about your mouth.
Having your dentist whiten your teeth can lead to many benefits. Professional teeth whitening is an effective treatment that can get rid of years of dental stains. It can help reveal a more rejuvenated and vibrant smile.
You can undergo professional teeth whitening in many ways. You will also find many different teeth-whitening products on the market. Some products only get rid of surface stains through chemical and physical reactions. Some whitening methods involve bleaching your teeth to remove surface stains. Others involve lasers to get rid of surface and deep stains.
Professional teeth whitening is a safe procedure. However, it can leave you with teeth sensitivity for a short while. Gaining a beautiful smile can help you feel awesome and boost your self-confidence. Yet, you may be wondering whether it is worth the pain. Tooth sensitivity can be uncomfortable and frustrating. However, tooth sensitivity cannot lead to permanent teeth damage. Also, it does not last for long. If it continues for too long, you should consult your dentist.
Before you decide not to undergo professional whitening due to the fear of teeth sensitivity, you should understand what causes sensitivity. You should also know that there are products out there formulated to deal with tooth sensitivity.
Achieving a stunning smile does not have to be a painful experience. Most over-the-counter whitening products and dentists use hydrogen peroxide as an active ingredient. Your teeth may be sensitive to peroxide. During the whitening procedure, teeth may start to ache. This would make you experience some sensitivity when eating or drinking cold or hot products.
The bleaching solution the dentist uses to brighten your teeth may cause tooth sensitivity. This solution removes minerals from your teeth enamel, which turns them temporarily porous. This exposes microtubules, also called dentinal tubules, within your teeth. These are microscopic channels leading from the surface to the center of your teeth.
When exposed, dental nerves, housed at the center of your teeth, become sensitive. However, within a few days, tooth sensitivity will start to resolve. This is thanks to the gradual restoration of minerals in your teeth.
The degree of tooth sensitivity you experience depends on the whitening technique you undergo. It will also depend on the bleaching product used to whiten your teeth and how your teeth respond to the product. Professional whitening will not cause any permanent damage to the structure of the enamel of your teeth.
Before considering professional teeth whitening, you should go in for a dental consultation. At Levenson Smile, we aim to change lives through high-quality dentistry. To learn more about our professional teeth-whitening services, call us at (508)731-3940. Feel free to visit our offices in Worcester, Massachusetts.