How Do Dental Implants Function With Existing Teeth?

One concern surrounding dental implants is how well they will integrate with surrounding teeth. Will the implant or crown affect your natural teeth? How will the gum and bone tissue be affected? Will the color and design of the new crown match my existing teeth? In this blog, we’re going to answer these and much more.

In the meantime, if you’re ready to speak with a board-certified periodontist about your oral health concerns, don’t hesitate to contact Same-Day Implants. In the case of a loose, chipped, or missing tooth, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and speak with a periodontist immediately.

Will Dental Implants Match With Existing Teeth?

When it comes to the aesthetics of your dental implants, color, shape, and size all play an important role. Many patients are concerned that if they get implants, they will stick out or look unnatural. Fortunately, this is not the case! When you’ve decided you want to get dental implants, your periodontist will compare your natural teeth alongside implant crowns to ensure that everything matches. Most patients are surprised to find that most people never notice that they have implants instead of natural teeth.

Will Dental Implants Damage Existing Teeth?

Many people have heard horror stories of bridges damaging surrounding teeth. Some types of bridges require surrounding teeth to be filed down which essentially permanently ruins that tooth. Not only this, but the way bridges are designed will put unnecessary stress on surrounding teeth and tooth decay can often start under the bridge without you knowing. Thankfully, you won’t have to worry about any of this with dental implants. Dental implants are placed directly into the jaw and are even held in place by the same periodontal function as your natural tooth root!

Dental implants will never damage surrounding teeth; In fact, they do the exact opposite. Since your jaw needs stimulation from teeth in order to preserve bone tissue, your dental implant will actually help strengthen your surrounding teeth. The increased bone tissue will also improve the overall structure of your jaw meaning you’ll never have to deal with the “sagging jawline” look commonly associated with old age.

Cleaning Your New Teeth

After getting a single-tooth implant, not much will change as far as your oral health routine is concerned. You’ll need to make sure that you brush at least twice a day and floss once a day, making sure you get all the way below the crown. Your oral health routine will change slightly if you get either a partial arch or full arch of teeth. Since your teeth will only be supported by two or four implants respectively, you’ll need to make sure you clean under the arch between your gums and the crown. This can be done with a special flossing tool.

Remember, just because you can’t experience tooth decay with implants doesn’t mean you should let up on oral health. Your gums and jawbone are still equally susceptible to infection, periodontal disease, and peri-implantitis.

Speak With A Board-Certified Periodontist

If you have concerns about your individual circumstances,it’s best to speak with a periodontist. Most people are candidates for dental implants as long as they have healthy gums and bone tissue. If not, there are a number of restorative procedures we can performed to make you eligible. Call Same-Day Implants today to schedule an appointment and get started.

Causes Of Itchy Gums

There are many different sensations someone can feel in their mouth from sharp pains caused by cavities, to soreness in the gums. It can be confusing at times to know exactly what’s going on and why we’re experiencing these things. What’s more confusing is that sometimes these sensations come and go depending on the day.

One of the most confusing sensations people may feel is itchiness in the gums. We tend to think of our gums as a part of the body that never gets itchy, but it is possible in certain cases. Keep reading to learn about what could be causing this.

Allergies

For many people, their initial reaction would be that there is some sort of allergic reaction going on. It’s entirely possible that this could be what’s causing your itchy gums. Seasonal allergies don’t just cause the eyes and nose to be itchy and irritated, they can also lead to itchy gums. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI), people who are allergic to pollen like ragweed or birch might experience a condition called oral allergy syndrome.

Also known as pollen-food syndrome, oral allergy syndrome is often caused by raw fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, or pollen. The reaction is the result of the immune system recognizing the proteins in these things as harmful. This condition results in itchiness in the throat, lips, and gums and can often cause swelling. Although pollen and raw fruits or vegetables may seem unrelated, the reaction is caused by something called cross-reactivity. What this means is that these foods may have similar proteins to whatever pollen is causing your allergies, meaning something as simple as an apple could cause a reaction for you.

If you have food allergies, whether it’s to seafood, nuts, or any other food item, you’re probably already familiar with what an allergic reaction feels like. Although an allergic reaction typically causes itchiness and swelling in the throat and around the outside of the mouth, it can also cause the gums to itch.

Post-Surgery Itch

It’s not uncommon for people to experience an itchy feeling in their gums after having surgery. People who just had their wisdom teeth removed report having an itch in the area where the incisions were made and is a result of the healing process. In order to prevent this, you can try rinsing with salt water, or asking your dentist about other possible ways to reduce the itching and inflammation.

No matter what type of surgery you had done, don’t try to scratch or rub the area that is healing. It could potentially heal more slowly or incorrectly as a result. When brushing, ensure that you’re not brushing the affected area either on accident or to relieve the itch. Your oral health specialist may recommend specific mouthwashes or toothpastes that will help keep bacteria out of the area, reducing inflammation and itchiness.

Gum Disease

There are many signs of impending gum disease or that gum disease is already present. Itchiness, along with swelling, inflammation, pain, or bleeding are all signs that you may have gum disease. In this case, improving your oral hygiene routine and visiting your local periodontist to diagnose the condition should be your first steps for treating it. Once you no longer have gum disease and bacteria is brought under control, you shouldn’t feel anymore itchiness in your gums.

Plaque

After eating, food particles, sugar, and bacteria combine to form a film on the teeth called plaque. Although brushing thoroughly will remove this, if it’s left on the teeth or gums long enough, it will start to infect and irritate the gums. You should be brushing twice a day in order to keep plaque from turning to tartar and leading to serious oral health conditions. Plaque can also form in between the teeth, so you need to make sure you’re flossing at least once a day in order to break it up and remove bacteria. Flossing is also a good way to massage gums that are feeling itchy and irritated while at the same time making improving their health. If you have any questions about maintaining good oral hygiene habits, speak with your local periodontist.

Contact Same-Day Implants

If you’re experiencing itchy gums, it could be for any number of reasons. Allergies, gum disease, plaque, and post-surgery itchiness are all fairly common. If you believe you may be experiencing itchiness due to an extracted or lost tooth, you should speak with a periodontist at Same-Day Implants. We specialize in replacing natural teeth with dental implants that can help you regain the functionality and aesthetic appeal that you once had with your real teeth. If you have any questions or you want to schedule an appointment, contact us today about our dental implants in Seattle.

The Importance Of Oral Cancer Screening

When you go to see an oral health specialist, you’re probably going for just one reason like checking for cavities, having your teeth professionally cleaned, or to ask about dental implants or extractions. But are you aware that many oral health specialists will offer oral cancer screenings along with their normal exams or consultations? If oral cancer is caught in its early stages it can be treated more easily and with a higher rate of success. At Same-Day Implants we offer oral cancer screenings along with our dental implant exams. Contact us today to learn more or keep reading to learn about the importance of oral cancer screening.

According to 123dentist.com, around 84 percent of cases of oral cancer can be detected by an oral cancer screening. This is hugely beneficial considering around 51,540 get oral oropharyngeal cancer and 10,030 die from it each year according to The American Cancer Society.

How It Works

An oral cancer screening is when an oral health specialist looks for signs of precancerous or cancerous conditions within your mouth. The ultimate goal of a screening is to detect cancer sooner rather than waiting until symptoms reveal themselves. Your dentist, periodontist, or other health specialist will start by checking for red or white patches or mouth sores inside the mouth. He or she will feel for any lumps or other abnormalities that could be the indication of a tumor. Some tests may involve rinsing your mouth with a special dye that will reveal cancerous cells or    

 

Aside from using a flashlight, mirror, and tongue depressor to locate areas that could be problematic, there are several other tools an oral health specialist will use to help detect oral cancer including the Oral CDx that can remove certain cells in the mouth for cancer testing; VELscopes uses a blue light to detect suspicious tissues in the mouth; and the Orascoptic DK is a mouth rinse that will help reveal certain tissues as well.

Why It Matters

The problem with oral cancer is that it can often be difficult to detect. Oftentimes, oral cancers or dysplasias in its early stage show no signs of being harmful and instead, look like normally-appearing oral lesions. Another reason they’re difficult to detect is because they typically start very small, colorless, and don’t cause any bleeding or pain. As a result, patients usually aren’t aware of their presence. According to CDX Diagnostics, around 15 percent of people have oral lesions, and most people that do have more than one. This means it would be very difficult to biopsy every each one of them.

Most oral health specialists will check for potentially cancerous signs while giving an exam, but this is never a perfect process considering they’re not specifically inspecting each legion and having it tested. This is where an actual oral screening can be useful because each lesion will get more attention and your oral health specialist will perform a number of tests to help with the diagnostics.

Risk Factors

There are several major risk factors that may increase your risk of oral cancer. As such, if these apply to you, you may benefit from an oral cancer screening.

Tobacco use – If you use tobacco products of any kind such as chewing tobacco, cigars, pipes, or cigarettes, you are at a higher risk of oral cancer.

Alcohol consumption – According to Drinkware, a charity that raises awareness for alcohol misuse in the UK, a 2010 study showed that people who had over four drinks a day were five times more likely to have a pharynx cancer as opposed to people who never drank.

High sun exposure – Oral cancer also refers to cancer on the lips and around the mouth and since your lips may see a lot of exposure to the sun, this could increase your risk of oral cancer.

If any of these conditions apply to you, you should speak with your oral health specialist about an oral cancer screening.

Contact Same-Day Implants

At Same-Day Implants in Seattle, we are proud to offer our patients oral cancer screenings, along with bite and jaw joint exams, and more during our regular dental implant exams. Contact us today to learn more.

How Oral Health Affects General Health – Part 2

Hello, and welcome back to our blog. This is part two of our series where we discuss the impact of your oral health on your overall health and well being. If you have any questions or you’re ready to schedule an appointment with a periodontist, call Pacific Northwest Periodontics today.

Stroke

According to Professional Heart Daily, the risk of ischemic stroke increased in patients with both gum disease and severe periodontitis, specifically in men under the age of 60. This type of stroke results from a blocked blood vessel that transports blood to the brain. Inflammation and hardening of the arteries are the two factors that are said to result in the stroke. Most experts agree that you can reduce your chances of having a stroke by preventing gum disease.

Breast Cancer

In a study done by researchers at University of Buffalo School of Public Health, women with gum disease are 14 percent more likely to develop breast cancer than women who don’t have the disease. It’s over 30 percent if the woman smokes. This is believed to be caused by inflammation that comes with gum disease. Bacteria enters the bloodstream, and as a result, the body is more susceptible to other threats.   

In addition to being at a higher risk for breast cancer, there can be even more complications if you have untreated gum disease when you’re seeking treatment for breast cancer. Certain drugs used to treat breast cancer will suppress white blood cells which fight off infections which could lead to worse gum disease, or the infection spreading throughout the body more easily. You should also take care to watch your oral hygiene. Make sure you continue to brush and floss every day since your immune system will be in a weakened state once you start taking medication.

As with many health conditions, this is a two-way road. Once cancer treatment starts, it may actually lead to further oral health issues. According to the International Journal of Cancer Research (IJCR), around one-third of people receiving treatment for breast cancer develop oral health complications. Chemotherapy is designed to attack cells that develop quickly. The problem is that even healthy cells develop quickly in the mouth. This means when someone receives chemotherapy treatment, they’re at a higher risk of damaging healthy cells leading to things like Mucositis, thrush, and bacterial infections.  

Quality Of Life

Up to this point, we’ve talked a lot about oral health and the part it plays in increasing your risk of experiencing systemic disease and the impact of systemic diseases if you already have an oral health condition. However, one thing that’s worth noting is your overall well being when you’re experiencing an oral health condition.

Stress

With the constant doctor and dentist visits and ever-increasing medical bill costs, there’s no doubt that oral health can cause stress. Although most people don’t enjoy going in for their bi-annual dentist visit, it could mean the difference between a minor oral health issue and a life-threatening one. Keep up with your oral hygiene and regular dentist visits to avoid the stress and cost associated with something more serious.

Pain

The general rule of thumb is that the longer you leave an oral health condition untreated, the more painful it becomes. So yes, that toothache you’ve been having isn’t going away by itself and it certainly isn’t going to feel any better as the problem progresses. If you’re experiencing severe tooth decay, the best option may be to extract the tooth and replace it so that you can regain the functionality and comfort of your healthy teeth. But the longer you put off a visit to the dentist or periodontist, you may be faced with a more painful and costly procedure.

Contact Pacific Northwest Periodontics

Pacific Northwest Periodontics should be your first choice for same-day implants in Seattle and the surrounding area. Implants don’t just help you regain the functionality of your healthy natural teeth, they help to prevent harmful infections that can lead to life-threatening systemic diseases. Our All-On-Four dental implants are also one of the best alternatives to dentures available to you.

How Oral Health Affects General Health

If you’ve kept up with our blogs here at Pacific Northwest Periodontics, you know that we’ve talked a lot about the importance of maintaining your oral health, because your ability to speak, chew, and have a great smile has a huge impact on your life. Not to mention all the pain and frustration that comes along with cavities, gum disease, and periodontal disease. However, one thing we haven’t talked much about is the effect of oral health on the rest of the body.

When we think of health conditions, oral health issues in particular, it’s tempting to think of them as a localized concern — and they certainly are. However, there’s always the question, “how does this impact my overall health?” This is the question we’re going to tackle today, so keep reading to learn more.

What’s the connection?

Bacteria isn’t just something that’s found on a toilet seat or a door handle at work; your body is covered in bacteria — inside and out. Your mouth, in particular, has millions of bacteria at any given time and without brushing and flossing regularly, your immune system will have trouble keeping them under control. This will inevitably lead to infections, tooth decay, and gum disease.

But the problems don’t stop in the roots of your teeth. Inflammation caused by oral diseases may also increase your chances of having a systemic disease or worsen ones that are already present. Let’s take a look at several different systemic diseases to see how they may be caused by oral health issues.

Septicemia

Septicemia is one of the main complications that arise from oral health conditions and is in some way related to each one of the following systemic conditions we’ll discuss. This is a severe infection that can develop in any part of the body. It is known to causes serious damage to just about any part of your body but specifically to the lungs, brain, and kidneys. In a worst-case scenario, it can even lead to organ failure and death. Septicemia often occurs in people with cancer, diabetes, or AIDS because their immune systems aren’t suited to fight off the infection before it becomes dangerous.

The culprits of periodontal issues are called anaerobic bacteria or anaerobes. After entering the bloodstream, you’ll quickly develop septicemia. So, it’s important to maintain proper oral hygiene to avoid this type of infection.

Heart Disease

According to the Cleveland Clinic, there may be a link between heart disease and periodontal disease. Some of the bacteria that are present in the mouth during the development of periodontitis will make it into the bloodstream. In turn, this results in an increase in C-relative proteins that lead to inflammation and cardiovascular disease. As a result, the risk of heart disease and strokes increases.

In the case of gum disease, swollen gums are the main symptom. However, with periodontitis, there is a more serious threat of the infection entering the bloodstream and making its way to the heart. Many oral health specialists believe that preventing periodontitis and maintaining great oral hygiene will reduce bacteria in the heart, thus reducing your risk of heart disease.

Diabetes

In our last blog, we talked about oral health care for diabetics and how it differs from non-diabetics. Diabetes is one of the major systemic diseases that’s linked to oral health. The biggest problem here is that it’s a two-way road. People with diabetes have a higher chance of developing gum disease, but having gum disease will also make it more difficult for diabetics to maintain their blood glucose levels. The best way to prevent this from ever being a problem is to be more strict about your oral hygiene and speak with your dentist to see if there is anything additional that you can do.

Contact Pacific Northwest Periodontics

It’s not always easy to think of your oral health as anything other than a localized issue. However, there is substantial evidence to indicate that your ability to maintain a healthy mouth will help you prevent systemic diseases and complications. Contact Pacific Northwest Periodontics today to schedule an appointment if you’re experiencing tooth decay or other complications. The sooner you seek treatment for these kinds of issues, the less likely they will be to develop into a complicated systemic disease. If you’d like to read more about how your oral health impacts your overall health, read part two of this blog series.

Diabetes And Oral Health

If you have diabetes, you’re well aware of the daily challenges you face having to check your blood sugar levels regularly, eat a diabetes-friendly diet, and make sure that you take the time to exercise regularly and well. However, diabetes doesn’t just change your daily routine, it can have major health effects on your entire body. Diabetic retinopathy can damage your eyes, diabetic nephropathy affects the kidneys, and other diabetic complications become more apparent the longer someone has diabetes. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 29 million people have diabetes in America and a fourth of those people aren’t aware of it.

In this blog, we’re going to take a look at the effect of diabetes on oral health and bring some awareness to the complications it can cause. If you’re diabetic and any of these things concern you, you should contact an oral health specialist immediately.

How They’re Related

Research has proven that there is a connection between gum disease and diabetes. That’s not to say that only people with diabetes can get gum disease, but they’ll be at a much higher risk of having this condition. It’s also a two-way road, meaning not only will diabetes help bring on gum disease, but gum disease may lead to worse diabetes the longer it is left untreated. This mainly has to do with the fact that people with diabetes are more susceptible to bacterial infection, and their bodies aren’t able to fight it off as easily.

Anyone with difficulty maintaining blood glucose levels should be more concerned about their oral health. Additionally, serious gum disease can cause blood sugar levels to rise making it even more difficult for a diabetic person to control their condition.

When someone with diabetes has an infection, there is a stress response that increases the production of hormones like adrenaline or cortisol. As a result, blood sugar levels increase and your white blood cells aren’t able to move around quick enough to fight off an infection like in a person without diabetes. In other words, bacteria that may be harmless to someone without diabetes could be a serious issue for someone with diabetes, due their body’s inability to fight it quickly or efficiently enough. This is an important part of oral health considering millions of bacteria can be present in the mouth at any given time.  

Oral Health For Diabetics

Naturally, when you have diabetes, you’re more likely to develop an oral health condition such as gum disease, tooth decay, or periodontal disease. But that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to maintain a healthy lifestyle, it just means you’ll have to take more care when it comes to oral hygiene and care. You should plan to see an oral health specialist more frequently and be sure to notify them of your condition. Below are some helpful tips for maintaining oral health as a diabetic.

Brush effectively

A non-diabetic may be able to get away with ineffective and inconsistent brushing and flossing, but for a diabetic, it’s not an option. Brushing is the best way to remove bacteria and plaque from three out of five surfaces of the tooth. However, in order to remove as much bacteria as possible from your mouth, you’ll need to floss as well.

Dentist visits

Many people lose track of how long they’ve avoided the dentist. Although this is never a good thing even in non-diabetics, it’s an even bigger problem in people with diabetes. Since your body has reduced ability to fight off infection, it will take hold faster and reach severity quicker. But that doesn’t mean it’s too late to reverse the issue. Additionally, when plaque hardens, it turns to calculus which can’t be removed with a toothbrush or floss. This means you could be brushing relentlessly but still be developing periodontitis.

Control Blood Glucose Levels

Chances are, you’re already pretty good at controlling your blood glucose levels. Typically, blood sugar is maintained through a combination of things including your diet, medication, and exercise and sometimes even insulin. However, another test you may want to take other than your daily test is an HbA1c (hemoglobin A1c). This will help you determine if there is analyze your exact blood glucose condition and determine if there will be any issues recovering from infections like periodontal disease.

Quit Smoking

In addition to diabetes, smoking is another factor in increasing your chances of developing periodontitis. The difference is that smoking is preventable, whereas diabetes is not. According to an article in DentistryIQ, people who smoke are 2.7 times more likely to develop periodontal disease. This coupled with diabetes and poor oral hygiene is a strong indicator that oral health issues are waiting right around the corner.

Speak Up

Another way to avoid oral health complications as a diabetic is to simply let people know about it, especially your oral health specialists. If you visit a dentist, orthodontist, and periodontist, keep them all up to date on your diabetes and blood glucose condition. You should also notify any other health specialist you’re seeing in case there’s anything they can do to help.

Contact Pacific Northwest Periodontics

At Same Day Implants, your periodontal health is our highest priority. Diabetes is a life-changing condition that can be very stressful for many Americans. But with professional treatment and an adjusted lifestyle, you’ll be able to prevent oral health conditions before they happen. Contact Pacific Northwest Periodontics and Dental Implants today to learn more.

What Is A Regenerative Procedure?

Depending on what field of medical practice you’re talking about, the term “regenerative procedure” could mean a whole variety of things. However, in the world of periodontics and general dental health practice, “regenerative procedure” refers to one of two things: gum grafting or bone grafting. These procedures are important for people who either want dental implants, but lack healthy dental structures to support the implants or people who are recovering from a periodontal disease like gingivitis or periodontitis. In this blog, we’re going to talk a little bit about each type of regenerative procedure, how they’re performed, and what purpose they serve.

Gum Grafting

If you’ve noticed that your teeth are feeling sensitive and they appear longer, your gums may be receding. What this means is, due to poor oral hygiene, the gum tissue is being lost and exposing part of your tooth’s root. Although some degree of gum recession is common, severe recession can lead to serious dental issues, and make it easier for you to develop other conditions like periodontitis or gingivitis. Gum grafting is a procedure that is most often used to restore this lost gum tissue.

Causes of gum recession

There are a number of causes of gum recession including genetics, changes in hormones, and diabetes. However, the main culprit of gum recession is poor oral hygiene. Other factors that will increase the rate at which gum recession occurs are smoking, vigorous brushing or misaligned teeth.

Types of gum grafting

There are several types of gum grafts used in modern dental practice and which one is used for you will depend on what’s appropriate for your current medical condition.

 

Pedicle grafts involve the removal of tissue in the surrounding area to be used in repairing the gum.

Connective-tissue grafts take tissue from the top of your mouth. This is one of the most common types of gum graft used.

Free gingival grafts are taken directly from the palate.

 

In addition to restoring your gums after experiencing gum recession, gum grafts will also help to restore lost or infected gum tissue if you have gingivitis or periodontal disease. Regenerative procedures should always be seen as a last resort rather than an all-in-one solution. The best way to prevent gum recession, gum disease, and periodontal disease is to practice good oral hygiene and visit the dentist regularly to have a professional cleaning done. Your dentist will be able to eliminate tartar which can’t be cleaned with a normal toothbrush.

Contact Pacific Northwest Periodontics

Pacific Northwest is your is your premier choice for periodontics in Seattle and the surrounding area. Dr. Rapoport and Dr. Schuler are specialists in dental implant surgery and treating the bone and gum tissues around your teeth. Backed by a team of experienced specialists, they are able to deliver state-of-the-art dental implant treatment and can provide extractions, dental implants and immediate, functional replacement teeth in the same visit for eligible candidates. If you have any questions or you’re ready to schedule an appointment, contact us today.

What Is Periodontitis?

Periodontitis is a disease that affects the gums and other supporting structures in your mouth. It is a very common disease in humans and is one of the leading causes of tooth loss. Although it’s normal to have bacteria in the mouth, periodontitis results when there is too much and specific conditions are met where they are continuously increasing in number. In this blog, we’re going to talk about periodontitis, what causes it, and how you can prevent it.

Causes

Healthy mouths contain around 700 different types of bacteria. Most of this bacteria is harmless and is even healthy for your mouth. However, if you don’t brush and floss regularly, bacteria is left to accumulate on and in between teeth resulting in plaque buildup. When plaque is left too long without breaking up, it becomes a hard deposit called tartar. This tartar increases the accumulation of bacteria and it starts traveling down to the root of the tooth. As the inflammation reaches the root, it creates a gap between the root and the gum. This is when serious periodontal issues start to occur.

There are several things that determine the rate at which periodontitis takes effect. The strength of the person’s immune system is and the number and type of bacteria that are present in the gums are major factors. Additionally, people who smoke or have diabetes will be more likely to develop periodontitis due to an inability to fight off the infection. It’s important to note that periodontitis can only be caused by the bacteria buildup in dental plaque. Although genetics, diabetes, and smoking can increase the rate at which the infection occurs, it still requires the plaque to travel from the crown to the gum.

Prevention

It’s never too soon to start thinking about periodontitis and how to prevent it. Although periodontitis is more common in adults and seniors, it can happen to anyone if the conditions are right. Brushing and flossing regularly and thoroughly are the most important ways to prevent periodontitis. The longer bacteria is left on the teeth, the more likely it is to become plaque and pose serious problems for your oral health. When you brush, make sure to cover every tooth, front and back, and to floss everyday as well. Many people don’t understand the importance of flossing, but in reality, it’s one of the most important things you can do for your teeth. About 40 percent of the plaque that builds up is in between your teeth in hard to reach areas. Not only does it break up harmful plaque, but it’s great for your gums. You can also try using antibacterial mouthwash, but should never be used as a substitute for brushing.

Smoking

There are several major disadvantages a smoker has when trying to prevent periodontitis. Periodontal treatments like bone and gum grafting are less successful or often, fail more frequently than in people who don’t smoke. In smokers, the effects of periodontitis will progress more quickly and it’s less likely to be resolved through treatment.

Other risk factors

There are several other risk factors including stress, diabetes, and other systemic diseases. Diabetes will causes blood vessels to thicken, meaning less nutrients will be flowing through the body and removing harmful wastes that lead to infection. If you have diabetes, it’s important that you notify your periodontist and dentist in order for them to help you prevent gum disease and periodontitis.

Contact Pacific Northwest Periodontics

Pacific Northwest are your premier periodontal specialists in Seattle and the surrounding area. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with us. Read our next blog in this blog series to learn more about treatment options for periodontitis.

7 Oral Hygiene Tips

Oral hygiene is not only important for preventing bad breath and cavities, it’s an essential part of maintaining your periodontal health as well. What’s periodontal you may ask? “Peri” means around and “dontal” means teeth. Periodontal health refers to the health of the supporting structures around your teeth such as the periodontal ligament, gum tissue, and jawbone. Even though you don’t physically clean all of this when you brush or floss, they are still affected by your oral hygiene habits due to the transfer of bacteria from the crown of your teeth down to the roots. In this blog, we’re going to talk about ten oral hygiene habits you should follow in order to preserve your periodontal health as well as prevent cavities and bad breath.

Floss every day

Many people don’t understand the importance of flossing everyday. Some people see it as less important than brushing which shouldn’t be the case at all. It’s estimated that around 40 percent of the bacteria that leads to periodontitis and other oral health conditions are in areas unreachable by your toothbrush or mouthwash. Floss breaks up plaque in between and underneath the teeth, that would otherwise be left to accumulate bacteria. However, just like brushing, it should be done correctly to have the best effect.

You should start by using a piece of floss that is about 15 inches long. Don’t reuse the same part of floss because the bacteria will only make it back onto your teeth. If you’re using a floss pick, make sure you rinse and wipe the floss in between each tooth. It’s especially important to floss in between teeth that are really close together or crooked because they won’t be touched by your toothbrush bristles at all.

Replace your toothbrush

Most people try to get the most they can out of everything and it’s no different when it comes to toothbrushes. However, you should make sure you’re always brushing with a toothbrush that has firm bristles. The reason for this is that, in order to break up plaque and remove bacteria, you need a brush that is strong enough to do that. This doesn’t mean you should be brushing vigorously, however. Brushing too hard can wear down the enamel on your teeth and lead to pain and greater likelihood of cavities or infection. Use a fresh toothbrush and brush gently.

Choose the right toothpaste

Not all toothpastes are ideal for preventing cavities and protecting your periodontal health. If you want your toothpaste to be putting in as much work as you are for healthy teeth, make sure to look for an ADA seal on your product of choice. The ADA (American Dental Association) has strict rules on what toothpastes are acceptable for optimal dental hygiene. This includes a good dose of fluoride and a certain amount of other ingredients that will promote healthy teeth.

Contact Pacific Northwest Periodontics

Whether you’ve developed periodontal disease or want to learn more ways to protect the supporting structures of your teeth, contact your periodontal specialists at Pacific Northwest.

Are You Wearing Dentures? – Part 2

Hello, and welcome back to our blog here at Pacific Northwest Periodontics. Last time, we talked about dentures and how many patients would experience better long-term success with dental implants. This time, we’re going to talk a little bit more about dental implants and the benefits you’ll experience by choosing them over dentures. Keep reading to learn more.

Dental implants

Many people who have reached the point where they need teeth replacement often go with the option they’ve heard the most about. Although dentures are a common option for people experiencing tooth loss, it certainly doesn’t mean that they’re the best option for everyone. Let’s take a look at how dental implants work to see if they may be a better option for you.

The most important thing to remember when considering dental implants is that this is a permanent solution to your tooth loss problems in most cases. Where dentures are a separate piece that can be removed and replaced, dental implants are made of titanium and are attached to your jawbone just like the roots of your natural teeth. Unlike dentures, dental implants will not move around and become loose.

Since dental implants work like your regular teeth, it’s important to make sure your jawbone and gums are healthy enough to receive implants. One of the main reasons that people lose teeth in the first place is due to resorption or bone loss. The jawbone becomes too weak to support teeth and they eventually fall out. During your initial consultation, your periodontist may require you to undergo bone grafting which will restore the lost bone and allow your dental implants to be secure and healthy.

 

Single-tooth replacement can be used for patients who are missing just one tooth or multiple teeth in different parts of the mouth. Single-tooth implants are supported by one implant and will have no effect on the surrounding teeth. Since the bone in your jaw is maintained by regular stimulation from chewing and biting, an implant will actually reduce the chance that you will lose surrounding teeth due to further bone loss.

Multiple tooth replacement is required when you have several teeth that need to be replaced. There are several ways to go about this. If there are three or more teeth missing in a row, your periodontist will usually use a lesser number of implants than teeth that will support the bridge (a series of connected dental crowns). The difference between an implant-supported bridge and a traditional bridge is that traditional bridges often require the periodontist to grind down surrounding teeth which can lead to tooth decay or tooth loss.

All-On-4® is an option for replacing a full set of teeth. Four implants is enough to support a full arch of teeth without them moving or coming loose. This procedure requires you to have any remaining teeth extracted and if necessary, undergo a bone regeneration procedure like bone grafting to restore lost bone and make your jawbone healthy enough to support the implants.

 

Dental implants are a more permanent solution for tooth replacement, especially if you need a single tooth replaced. They work naturally, like your real teeth, and allow you to regain the chewing power, smile, and general lifestyle that you had before you started losing teeth. Dental implants are also much easier to maintain and clean, and you won’t have to take them out each night before you go to bed like with dentures.

Contact Pacific Northwest Periodontists

Pacific Northwest Specialists in Periodontics and Dental Implants are your dental implant experts in Seattle and the surrounding area. Contact us today if you have any questions about the implant procedure.