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Gum disease, in its advanced stages, is the number one cause of tooth loss among adults, and although typically preventable, many factors put us at greater risk for the condition. To learn about everything we can do in spite of these we can reach out to our Pasadena, CA, periodontist Dr. Peter Cooper of Pasadena Dental Implants.
Poor Oral Hygiene
If we are not brushing and flossing our teeth daily and missing our regular in-office dental cleanings we are putting ourselves at risk for developing gum disease. Good dental habits are primarily aimed at reducing the buildup of plaque on our teeth, and the damaging bacteria that live among them. Bacteria live inside our mouth, but it's when plaque accumulates that bacteria begin to grow rapidly. This is when cavities can occur, along with damage to our gum tissue.
Age and Genetics
Age and genetics are two factors out of our control, so if we have a history in our family of gum disease, or we are older, then we must be even more diligent with our dental hygiene habits.
Hormonal Changes
Higher hormone levels in women can cause blood to rush to the gums, making them more sensitive to inflammation. So special care should be taken around these times, especially during pregnancy when the same advice of extra diligence with our dental care also applies.
Nighttime Grinding
Grinding our teeth at night can damage more than just our teeth, the trauma can also cause our gums to recede making gum disease more likely, or exacerbating it if it's already present. A custom-made nightguard from our dentist can help with the effects of teeth grinding.
Medication
Medications that can cause dry mouth can also make us more susceptible to gum disease. Saliva helps wash away plaque and bacteria from our teeth, so these medications can cause us to lose this extra level of defense.
Diabetes
With diabetes, the extra glucose in our saliva can feed the bacteria and help it propagate just as a diet rich in sugar and carbs will often do. Diabetes also affects the flow of blood to our gum tissue making it more difficult for it to heal from the infection.
Smoking
Smoking causes a similar problem as it affects our body's ability to fight off infections, and it has the further downside of masking many of the common symptoms of gum disease.
Gum Disease Treatment in Pasadena, CA
Being exposed to any of the above-mentioned risk factors is no reason to simply accept that we'll develop gum disease. Instead, it should be a sign that we should be more aggressive in our fight against it, with regular brushing and flossing and of course regular visits to our dentist.
So whether you wish to prevent or treat gum disease you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Cooper of Pasadena Dental Implants in Pasadena, CA, by dialing (626) 796-1241.
Are you missing some teeth and are delaying the treatment? Don’t wait anymore! Replace your missing teeth with dental implants from your Pasadena, CA, dentist, Dr. Peter Cooper of Pasadena Dental Implants.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants procedures are teeth replacement surgeries performed to replace the whole tooth structure, including its roots. The surgery is most suitable when the teeth are severely damaged that the dentist can’t place a dental crown over the remaining tooth roots. The implant consists of an upper part, called the crown, and a metal post that mimics the roots. The metal posts are used to support the crown.
How is the procedure done?
Before starting the surgery, your dentist will perform dental examinations to make sure you don’t have any dental condition that may disrupt the treatment. Then the metal posts will be placed in your jawbone, and the titanium that is forming the posts will start fusing in your bone. The fusion may complete after few months, and during this period, your dentist may attach a temporary crown to protect the post. When the fusion process finishes, your dentist will cement the new permanent crown that looks just like your original tooth.
Post-surgery complaints
As with any other surgical intervention, you may experience some of the following conditions:
- Gums and face swelling
- Gums bruising
- Minor bleeding
- Local pain
These conditions can be avoided and treated using prescription medications and antibiotics.
Caring for your dental implant
The dental implants that are offered in our Pasadena, CA, office don’t require any special dental care. Brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing once, and using antiseptic mouthwash is enough to protect the implants from any damage. This characteristic makes the dental implant a satisfying treatment option.
Contact us
Don’t hesitate to restore your gorgeous smile and protect your oral cavity with dental implants from your Pasadena, CA, dentist, Dr. Cooper of Pasadena Dental Implants. Call us at (626) 796-1241 and book your appointment today!
Stop the Pain: What to Do for Dental Emergencies
emergencies, when dental problems arise, it’s important to understand how to care for your injuries until you can get to your dentist in Pasadena, CA. How to Stop Agonizing Tooth Pain
- Applying a cold compress to the side of your cheek
- Elevating your head to reduce the pressure on the affected tooth
- Rinsing with a mixture of salt and water to remove and food particles or debris that may be irritating your toothache.
- Avoiding foods that intensify the pain, such as foods with extreme temperature or foods that are hard to chew
Preserving a Knocked-Out Tooth
Preventing Injuries to the Teeth and Mouth
Oral surgery might not be your first option because of the preparation and recovery it usually involves, but it can often restore or improve your oral health immensely. It can even help you function better while chewing or speaking in many cases. Dr. Peter Cooper, an oral surgeon in Pasadena, CA, performs routine and complex oral surgery at Pasadena Dental Implants. With careful planning, you can feel confident going into your surgery.
Reasons why oral surgery is necessary
Any time you feel a lot of pain in the mouth, you need to visit your dentist. Jaw pain and teeth that no longer fit together comfortably are also surefire reasons why you might want to meet with a dentist or oral surgeon as soon as you can. After an examination and some possible X-rays, you'll know whether or not you need oral surgery.
Your oral surgeon in Pasadena, CA, can treat a multitude of tooth and jaw complications using the latest and most advanced surgical techniques. Just a few of the many problems that oral surgery can address are:
- Impacted teeth
- Traumatic facial injuries
- Suspicious oral lesions
- Missing teeth (if you choose to replace them with dental implants)
- Temporomandibular joint dysfunction and jaw pain
- Severe jaw misalignment
- Cleft lip or palate
- Sleep apnea
There are countless reasons why oral surgery may be necessary for your treatment, and your dentist only recommends surgery if no other approach can fix your issue. Your oral surgeon describes his approach in detail and tells you what you'll need to know for the recovery stage.
How to make sure you're prepared for oral surgery
Once the process of examining your mouth, taking X-rays, and planning your oral surgery is complete, you get some instructions to follow that will help set you up for success and smooth healing. If your dentist tells you that you need oral surgery, you can expect to prepare by asking plenty of questions during your first few visits.
The steps you should take depend on the type of oral surgery you need.
Pain in the face, jaw, or mouth might indicate a need for oral surgery, especially if it's getting worse. You can set up a consultation for oral surgery with Dr. Peter Cooper at Pasadena Dental Implants by calling the Pasadena, CA, office at (626) 796-1241.
Treating periodontal (gum) disease promptly will help you avoid pain, receding gums, and tooth loss. Your Pasadena, CA, periodontist, Dr. Peter Cooper, can recommend treatments that will help you improve the health of your gums if you have periodontal disease.
Do you have periodontal disease?
More than 47% of adults in the U.S. have some form of periodontal disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Gingivitis, the mildest form of gum disease, can cause red gums, tenderness, receding gums, and bleeding when you brush or floss.
If the disease becomes more severe, the gums may pull away from the teeth forming deep pockets that fill with bacteria and debris. Painful infections that destroy gum tissue and the bones and ligaments that hold teeth in place can occur if you have severe gum disease. If the disease isn't treated, you may lose your teeth.
How is periodontal disease treated?
Often, a dental cleaning and better oral hygiene can reverse gingivitis. Cleaning and flossing your teeth daily removes plaque, a clear film that contains bacteria, and tartar, a hard deposit that forms when plaque remains on your teeth for as little as 10 days.
Depending on the severity of the disease, your periodontist may recommend one or more of these treatments during your visit to the Pasadena, CA, periodontal office:
- Scaling and Root Planing: Also known as deep cleaning, scaling and root planing remove plaque and tartar above and below the gum line. Your periodontist will also smooth your tooth roots, which will make it hard for bacteria to stick to them.
- Antibiotics: Antibiotics kill bacteria and may help reduce pocket size. Oral or topical antibiotics may be prescribed during your treatment.
- Flap Surgery: Flap surgery closes the pockets around teeth. Your periodontist also removes plaque and tartar along the gums during the surgery.
- Grafts: You may need to restore lost bone or gum tissue with bone or tissue grafts.
- Dental Implants: Dental implants can restore teeth lost as a result of periodontal disease. Implants are small titanium posts implanted in your jawbone that serve as replacement roots. They're connected to dental crowns, restorations that replace the top parts of teeth.
Protect your oral health with periodontal disease treatment. Contact your periodontist in Pasadena, CA, Dr. Cooper, at (626) 796-1241 to schedule your appointment.
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