Preventing Gum Disease and Protecting your Teeth!

It is estimated that around 80 percent of American adults are currently diagnosed with some form of gum disease. Also known as, periodontal disease or periodontitis, gum disease starts with gum inflammation and can end with major damage to the bone and tissue holding the teeth in place, resulting in tooth loss and irreversible damage to the gums. Many doctors and researchers have also found gum disease to be the cause of several other health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and complications for women during pregnancy. Gum disease is a serious dental health condition, and by understanding how gum disease is caused, what symptoms to look for, and how you can prevent it, you will be able to keep your smile healthy for many years to come.

What causes gum disease?

Your mouth is full of bacteria, and when the bacteria are left in your mouth, it can cause a sticky, colorless film over your tooth surface called plaque. Brushing your teeth regularly and flossing can help to remove much of the plaque build-up on your teeth; however, if you do not brush and floss regularly, the plaque on your teeth can harden and turn into tartar. Tartar cannot be removed by a toothbrush, only your dentist has the special tools needed to remove tartar from your tooth’s surface.

Eventually, if left untreated, the tartar and plaque on your teeth will cause gingivitis. Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease and is usually curable if caught early enough. Signs of gingivitis include:

• Red, swollen gums
• Gums that bleed when you brush and floss
• Gums that pull away from your teeth
• Pockets between your teeth and gums where food gets caught
• Persistent bad breath

If you have gingivitis, and it is left untreated, you may end up with gum disease. Gum disease causes the gums to pull completely away from the teeth and form infected pockets. The bacteria in your mouth and on your teeth will start to break down the tissue and bone that supports your teeth and holds them in place. Gum disease that is left untreated will lead to the extraction or loss of teeth. Most people do not show signs of gingivitis and gum disease until they are in their 30s, 40s, or older. Certain risk factors can increase your chance of getting gum disease, including:

• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Stress
• Certain prescription medications
• Illness
• Genetics

How can I prevent gum disease?

You can help your chances of never getting gingivitis or gum disease simply by taking care of your teeth and gums on a regular basis. Here are some of the ways you can help keep your smile healthy:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day using fluoride toothpaste approved by the ADA.
• Floss at least once every day to remove food stuck between your teeth and along the gum line.
• Visit your dentist for routine, general checkups and teeth cleaning every six months.
• Eat a well balanced diet, including fruits and vegetables.
• Stay away from using tobacco products of any kind.

Gingivitis and gum disease are both preventable and treatable. If you would like a list of recommended dental health care products, or have any questions about gingivitis, gum disease, and how to keep your teeth and gums healthy, please ask Dr. Dunn at your next dental checkup. Our practice is happy to answer any questions you may have, and provide you with accurate information to help you maintain the health of your smile in between office visits. If you think you may have any form of gingivitis or gum disease, please contact our practice at 972-506-9688 to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.

National Dental Hygiene Month

Did you know that October is National Dental Hygiene Month? Fall is here, and Halloween is coming soon, but now it is more important than ever to maintain good oral hygiene.

All those sweet, sour and sticky candies may taste great, but these treats can damage your teeth and braces too! Did you know sour candies can be acidic to your teeth, and actually wear down the enamel that protects them? This can cause tooth decay and cavities! After eating these candies, be sure to wash your mouth out with water, drink milk or eat a few slices of cheese. These will help neutralize the acid in your mouth (wait at least one hour before brushing your teeth with toothpaste, as this can actually increase the effects of acid on your teeth)

Besides cavities and tooth decay, many people do not realize that good oral health and hygiene are important to your overall health too! Research is discovering the connection between periodontal disease and other major health concerns, such as heart disease! Therefore, it is important to maintain a good oral hygiene routine: see Dr. Dunn every six months, brush and floss daily and use an antibacterial mouthwash.

Make a resolution to improve your oral health for October, the National Dental Hygiene Month!

--Advanced Dental Care of Las Colinas

Zoom!® Whitening

A whiter smile is one just one dentist visit away! ZOOM!® Smile Whitening brightens and whitens your teeth in just 45 minutes. Once you have gone through the Zoom!® treatment we will send you home with an at home whitening bleaching kit with custom made trays. Using the take home trays will allow you to maintain your desired level of whitening over several months.

While Zoom!® Smile Whitening is a great way to enhance the appearance of your smile, it's not always for everyone. Those with deep, dark stains that remain unaffected by whitening treatments and patients with regular tooth sensitivity may not be good candidates. Find out more about Zoom!® Smile Whitening at our web site; and when you are ready to have a whiter, brighter smile contact Dr. Dunn for an evaluation!

Dental Sealants for Adults

Your molars have many tiny grooves all along their surface; and, while brushing and flossing will help to clean your teeth and remove plaque from off the top of your teeth, you won’t always be able to get deep down inside these grooves to clean your teeth. Sealants are able to protect these vulnerable areas of your teeth from tooth decay by “sealing” off grooves and preventing plaque and bacteria from being stuck.

While many people consider sealants to be something you get only once as a child, adults can also benefit from resealing their teeth later in life. Whether you have never had a cavity, or are prone to small areas of decay, you should ask Dr. Dunn about resealing your teeth at your next dental checkup. Resealing your teeth is just one way that you can help protect your smile and prevent tooth decay and extra visits to the dentist!

Sealants only take a few minutes to apply, and here’s how it’s done:

• Dr. Dunn will thoroughly clean and dry your teeth.
• An acid solution is then used to make the top part of your teeth seem rough (this helps the sealant bond stronger onto the teeth).
• Dr. Dunn will then once again clean and dry your teeth.
• Sealant is painted onto the tooth’s surface where it bonds and hardens, filling in the tiny grooves, and helping to protect your teeth from cavities and decay.

Do you already have sealants? If so, we’d love to know how they have benefited you, and what made you choose to reseal your teeth. If you have any questions about sealants, or would like to find out if this procedure is covered by your insurance, please contact our practice at 972-506-9688. We are happy to answer any questions you may have, and schedule your next dental appointment!

Professional Custom Whitening Trays at Advanced Dental Care of Las Colinas

You've seen the toothpastes and mouthwashes aimed at giving you a whiter smile. These in-home products can help reduce stains from coffee, tobacco, tea, wine and other heavily pigmented foods, but they will not dramatically change the color of the teeth.

We're sure you have also see the over the counter whitening strip kits. While these can work well for young adults and teens, their effect for adults is often not as effective.These strips only treat the front six or eight teeth, and cannot whiten your entire smile.

So what is the answer? One of the methods we offer at Advanced Dental Care of Las Colinas is professional custom whitening trays. These are an easy way to whiten all of your teeth and allow you more control of the whitening process. Once we create your trays in the office, the whitening kit can be used in-home, and comes with custom whitening gel in various strengths depending on the sensitivity of your teeth.

These trays are comfortable to wear, and the application time is only about 15 to 30 minutes. If you have been considering a teeth whitening solution, give us a call at (972)506-9688 today!

Cosmetic Options for a beautiful smile!

There are many treatment options available to you with cosmetic dentistry that allows you and your doctor to create that beautiful smile you have not only dreamed of, but the smile that you deserve.

Some of your basic cosmetic options include natural tooth colored fillings, porcelain, metal, or composite crowns that strengthen and improve the shape of your teeth, and bonding to repair slight chips, discolorations, or crooked teeth.

If you are missing any teeth, it is very important to replace them. Dental implants are made of steel and porcelain and look just like your natural tooth. You may also want to consider a bridge. Bridges are made up of two crowns and a natural looking false tooth that are supported on both sides by your natural teeth.

Another option is Veneers; custom designed “shells” that cover your natural tooth to enhance your teeth for a more aesthetic smile.

If you’re interested in learning more about cosmetic dentistry, and all of the wonderful options available to you, please call our practice at {number} to schedule an appointment and consultation.

--Advanced Dental Care of Las Colinas

When was your last checkup? From Dr. Dunn

Even if you brush and floss daily, it is still important to see Dr. Dunn every 6 months. Why?

-We can detect and treat tooth and gum problems that you may have never felt or noticed.

-Even thorough daily oral care may not be enough to prevent cavities and oral decay.

-Frequent visits can allow us to treat a problem early to prevent future complications.

If you are overdue for an appointment with us, call 972-506-9688 today!

--Advanced Dental Care of Las Colinas