Your Dental Health: How to Beat The Statistics

The American Dental Association reports that a shocking 1 in 10 adults age 50 to 64 are missing all of their teeth!

In addition, periodontitis, or gum disease, affects more than 1 in 10 adults age 50 to 64  and 1 in 20 adults between the ages of 20 and 64.

As for cavities, it is estimated that at least 1 in 4 adults between the ages of 20 and 64 have untreated decay in 1 or more of their permanent teeth.

Adults who grew up before the age of fluoride - which was added to toothpaste in the 1950s and to public water in the 1960s - are likely to have many fillings in their teeth and tend to form cavities around these old fillings. Cavities involving the roots of teeth are also more common in older adults, primarily because of gum recession that exposes the root to decay-producing bacteria. Root cavities can be more difficult to fix and if left untreated, are more likely to lead to the loss of a tooth.

You can beat these statistics and enjoy a healthy, pain-free mouth throughout your lifetime through regular dental care. Keep your teeth clean and stay on top of any emerging problems by visiting us regularly to get your teeth cleaned and have a thorough review by Dr. Stelmach. Call Cami todayto set up your next appointment.

To your health!

Smoking and Periodontal Disease

Inflammation and Discoloration

Most people are aware of typical medical problems associated with smoking, such as lung disease, cancer, heart disease and low-birth-weight in infants.

But I want you to realize another real and significant threat to smokers: periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease is essentially a chronic, open infection in your mouth. Smoking worsens this very serious dental condition by damaging the natural process your body uses to fight the periodontal infection.

Research has shown that smokers are four times more likely to have advanced periodontal disease, and are twice as likely to lose their teeth because of it.

Periodontal disease begins with calculus, which is dental plaque that hardens on your teeth and can only be removed by a professional cleaning. If it isn't removed, it will continue to build up, not only on visible portions of your teeth, but below the gum line, too. 

Once it reaches below the bum line, the bacteria in the calculus can destroy your gum tissue and cause your gums to pull away from your teeth. These spaces are called periodontal "pockets" and they fill with disease-causing bacteria that destroy tissue and supporting bone. At that point, the gums can shrink away from the teeth making them look longer, and left untreated, cause teeth to become loose, painful and even fall out.

And there's more. Cigarette smoke contains over  4000 harsh, damaging chemicals – including formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, ammonia and arsenic – and those chemicals can slow down the healing process. So even if you've had periodontal treatment - or any type of oral surgery – smoking can severely compromise the results.

We hope this information will help you find the strength to stop smoking. But even if you don't stop, please come in for a cleaning as soon as possible. We'll welcome you and develop a treatment plan of frequent cleanings and regular pocket measurements to make certain we protect your health against this serious condition.

Posted by Beverly Hills Dentist 

Dr. Tom Stelmach. 

Expert Dental Care. Gentle Dental Techniques. 

Exceptional Cosmetic Dentist. Extraordinary Whole Life Dentist.

Dedicated to your health and well-being. 

Call or email today!

310.659.5399

8920 Wilshire Boulevard

Beverly Hills, CA  90211

Insurance Accepted

Gum Disease: Serious Infection That Can Lead to Tooth Loss

Did you know that periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection? It is. In fact, it's a particularly nasty infection that affects the gums and bone that hold your teeth in place.

Periodontal disease begins with dental plaque – that sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. Because plaque contains bacteria, it causes the gums to become inflamed - just as an infected cut on your finger would become swollen and inflamed. If that happens, you have a case of periodontal disease.

There are two types of periodontal disease: Gingivitis and Periodontitis.

Gingivitis. The mildest form of periodontal disease is Gingivitis. It causes the gums to become red, swollen, and bleed easily and is typically caused by inadequate oral hygiene. There is usually little or no discomfort at this stage, and gingivitis can be reversed with  professional treatment and good oral home care. Nonetheless, gingivitis is serious, because it can – and too often does – lead to periodontitis.

Periodontitis. With time, bacteria-filled plaque can spread below the gum line. Toxins produced by that bacteria irritate the gums, stimulating a chronic inflammatory response in which the body in essence turns on itself. In the process, the tissues and bone that support the teeth are broken down and destroyed. As that occurs, gums separate from the teeth, forming "pockets" of space between the teeth and gums that become infected. As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed. This destructive process often has only the mildest of symptoms, but extremely serious results. Left untreated, teeth can become loose and may have to be removed.

Periodontal Disease is Preventable and Treatable

Just as gum disease starts with plaque, it can end with it, too. Plaque is removed every time you brush your teeth, and plaque that has managed to build up anyway can be safely removed when you have your regular dental cleanings. 

If you've waited too long in between cleanings and gum disease has developed, it is treatable. But sooner is definitely better. I invite you to contact our dental office today to schedule a professional dental cleaning. Our hygienists are gentle and thorough, and following your cleaning, I will conduct a thorough exam. We'll see if this disease is present, how far it has progressed, and map out a treatment plan that will return you to optimum dental health.

Posted by Beverly Hills Dentist 

Dr. Tom Stelmach. 

Expert Dental Care. Gentle Dental Techniques. 

Exceptional Cosmetic Dentist. Extraordinary Whole Life Dentist.

Dedicated to your health and well-being. 

Call or email today!

310.659.5399

8920 Wilshire Boulevard

Beverly Hills, CA  90211

Insurance Accepted