The Oral-Systemic Connection

Posted on March 25, 2020 by Classic Denture Center

For many years dental professionals have explored the links between oral and systemic health, and here at Classic Denture Center, we feel this connection is a big one!

Beginning as early as the late 19th century, researchers proposed that bacteria in the oral cavity could cause issues elsewhere in the body. However, over the past several decades, scientific study has helped us further understand these connections and added to the list of systemic conditions associated with periodontal disease.

Find oral health with a denturist in Portland OR

By the year 2000, the United States Surgeon General issued a report on the national oral health status. This report formally acknowledged the association between periodontal disease and the following conditions:

-Cardiovascular disease

-Diabetes

-Pneumonia

-Adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth.

The report also suggested that more research was needed to establish causation.

Experts have identified two mechanisms that could explain the connection between oral and systemic health.

The first is chronic inflammation in the oral cavity – this could hypothetically lead to an increase of inflammatory markers in the bloodstream and, in turn, add to the body’s inflammatory response or general burden of disease.

Second, the oral cavity may act as a reservoir for pathogenic bacteria that can enter the bloodstream and affect distant sites within the body. While this phenomenon, known as bacteremia, is not generally a risk for patients with healthy immune systems, it can pose a serious threat to immunocompromised patients such as those with HIV/AIDS or diabetes.

Many dental patients will resist treatment, especially when their condition isn’t causing them pain or other serious symptoms.

In order to maintain your oral health, it is important to take part in routine dental appointments. This will help with the early detection of both oral and systemic diseases. In turn making treatment as manageable and effective as possible!

Medical experts, including your denturist in Portland OR recommends two annual visits to the dentist as an important investment to your oral as well as overall health! Not only can you catch conditions in the early stages, you can also prevent future issue from popping up.

This is even more important if you have full or partial dentures. Regular care can prevent disease as well as the costly mistake of need to prematurely replace your dentures.

When you do visit your dentist, it is important to know that saliva can act as a powerful diagnostic tool, offering a window into oral and systemic disease, even in the absence of traditional symptoms. During a dental visit, saliva can be collected and tested for biomarkers of:

-Hepatitis

-HIV

-Cancer

-Osteoporosis

-And more.

Saliva additionally wards off disease-causing organisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

These are just a few of the ways that your oral and systemic health are connected, further research could show even more of a correlation. To learn more about your health, contact your denturist in Portland OR! We can help you develop a dental hygiene plan that can give yourself the best chance you have at staying at the top of your game.

Dentures: Determining Good Quality

Posted on February 24, 2020 by Classic Denture Center

This week, your denturist in Portland OR wants to ask you… Would you like to know the difference between a quality denture and a cheap one?

You might not realize how much of a difference it can make, but spending a little extra on those dentures that will be in your mouth for many years to come is worth every penny!

We see it all the time! A patient comes in with their lowest cost denture on the market. They are in pain, they are frustrated, and they don’t understand why they cannot get used to wearing their new dentures.

This is because those cheap, bottom of the barrel dentures are not made to fit the patient, they are made to cut costs… And those costs are not coming out of the pocket of the denturist. They are coming out of the cost of the materials and the creation of the dentures themselves!

When these patients come into our clinic, we always take time to explain to our patients that denture material and comprehensive patient care is of utmost importance when it comes to customer success and satisfaction!

So when you are trying to decide between our dentures and those discount ones, here are a few things to know:

Materials Matter

Dentures quality is based on the types of material used to make them. The base can either be made from metal, plastic, acrylic, and the teeth are usually acrylic.

Those low grade and inexpensive dentures that you might be considering are likely made from plastic. It is important to realize though that plastic dentures can damage the gums around natural teeth if not designed and cleaned properly.

The difference in the price of dentures can be also be directly related to the workmanship in crafting dentures and post denture care.

Cheap Denture

Your basic cheap denture may be outsourced to a dental lab. There, dental technicians will make the denture as per the specifications of your dentist. Often times, the dental lab will use the lowest cost materials in order to meet the price charged. The product will then be marked to cover their cost of taking the impression, administering the denture, and any post denture care offered.

Minimized Personalized Care and Adjustments

Another problem you might notice with that cheap denture is that once you get your dentures, you are shown the door. Once you walk out that door, if you experience discomfort or pain, you are expected to deal with it! As a result, patients may end up resorting to getting new dentures within a few months or a year later. In the long run, this doesn’t save you money at all.

Premium Care with Classic Denture Center

As your denturist in Portland Oregon, we deal with dentures on a personalized, case by case basis. Dr. Tanya Poleon goes out of her way to meet with you as many times as required to meet all of your denture needs! Your comfort and smile are the most important things to her and she understands that special care might be required to ensure the best fit.

At Classic Denture Center, we understand that you are uniquely you… Contact us today to find the comfort and confidence you need to face the day!

What Lies Beneath a Dental Implant

Posted on January 30, 2020 by Classic Denture Center

You might not realize it, but over the past few years, a great deal of progress has been made in implant dentistry. This is great, but it has unfortunately given rise to peri-implant disease.

We at Classic Denture Center are true believers in the saying that “it is true that you can’t prevent that which you cannot control.” For general dentists and specialists alike, this is a frustrating reality in cases of peri-implantitis, a serious problem that’s on the rise with an increasing number of implants placed annually.

Notably, official diagnostic criteria for peri-implantitis, which would be globally recognized by the dental community, have not yet been introduced. In fact, research on most of the features of peri-implant disease remains at an early stage. Still, clinical studies have shown a higher prevalence of peri-implantitis among patients who are chronically prone to the condition, have poor oral hygiene, or who choose not to maintain the implant site.

Tanya Poleon, L.D., your denturist in Portland OR fully understands that she can’t control patients’ personal habits, but she does want to give help where she can. One suggestion she has is to use products that promote osseointegration and hygienic healing for long-term stability.

To Rinse or Not to Rinse Before Implant Surgery?

Chlorhexidine mouth rinse is a well documented antibacterial rinse that has been shown to reduce infection and complications associated with dental implants.

A separate study concluded that chlorhexidine gluconate 0,2% mouthwash is an effective prophylactic material to prevent and treat oral pathogens in association with the implant prosthesis.

Antibiotics: Not Always the Answer

Antibiotics are a controversial topic in implant dentistry. The pre- or postoperative use of antibiotics in conjunction with implant surgery and its correlation with failure and success rates are yet another poorly documented area in literature, according to researchers. While the benefits of prophylactic antibiotics are well recognized in dentistry, their routine use in the placement of endoosseous dental implants remains controversial.

A 2016 literature review concluded that prophylactic antibiotic treatment for each implant surgery is not mandatory, however, antibiotics are useful in preventing postoperative infections after implant placement.

According to this study, the accepted principles for the use of prophylactic antibiotics are as follows: The procedure should have significant risk for an incidence of postoperative infection; the appropriate antibiotic should be selected; the appropriate tissue concentration at the time of surgery is necessary, and the shortest effective antibiotic should be used.

Getting a Grip on Excess Cement

Cementing crowns, bridges, and fixed partial dentures onto implants has become increasingly popular, but not without issue. Dental cement is one cause of local tissue inflammation associated with dental implants. Cements have been linked directly to peri-implant diseases and have been blamed for bone loss and implant failure. This is especially concerning considering that it often takes a minimum of three years for bone loss to become easily discoverable.

The main point of this guide was to show you the ins and outs of dental implants. W hope it has helped you make some decisions about whether or not they are the right choice for you! If you have questions about your options or would like to discuss those options with your trusted denturist in Portland OR, contact us today. We are excited to help you create the smile you deserve!

A Denturist’s View of Tobacco Use

Posted on December 27, 2019 by Classic Denture Center

You have all heard it and it’s basically common knowledge… Smoking and tobacco use is not good for your health. That said, you might not have heard about what it can do to your oral health! Today your denturist in Portland OR wants to show you the effects of smoking on your dentures and people with dental implants as well.

Back fifty years ago, people were not so aware of the risks and health issues associated with smoking or the connection between cigarettes and lung cancer. And over time, we have seen study after study showing consistent findings showing links to mouth cancer, gum disease, and tooth decay. It is also important to note that smoking cigarettes and the use of other tobacco products can actually cause negative effects to where the soft tissue connects the bone to the teeth and impacts the function of the oral cells and tissues.

With the knowledge that tobacco use can drastically damage your denture (or dental implant) experience, it is more important than ever to stop smoking if you can.

Here are just a few things to know:

Your dental implant failure risk increases if you use tobacco. Many medical professionals will recommend quitting smoking if you’re considering having dental implants.
If you smoke, you are at greater risk of infection when having dental implants fitted.
Smoking can damage the success rate of dental surgery.
Your healing time is extended after surgery for those who smoke. This is because nicotine constricts your arteries and reduces the blood flow to your gums.
Bone loss that comes with losing your teeth is often accelerated in smokers, which can cause your face to shrink and other harmful side effects.

Risks of Second-Hand Smoke

There are many things that can be harmful to your oral health, and tobacco use is definitely on the list for both adults and children. Second-hand smoke causes more harm than you might realize, for yourself and for those around you! All the more reason to quit smoking.

Second-hand smoking (or passive smoking) is dangerous to everyone, children included, leading to respiratory problems and other health complications. What you might not realize is that it can actually cause the formation of cavities in children’s teeth.

We hope that this information has helped you realize the harmful effects of smoking and has shed some light on how serious these issues can be. You may not always be able to see or feel the damage it does, but it’s there.

To learn more about oral health or have questions about your dentures in Portland OR, don’t hesitate to give us a call.

Easing Your Dental (and Denture) Fears

Posted on October 25, 2019October 25, 2019 by Classic Denture Center

Do you fear having any sort of dental work done? If so, you are not alone! This fear often starts as a child, but sometimes doesn’t go away once you’re grown-up! As a matter of fact, somewhere between 9% and 20% of Americans downright avoid going to the dentist because of fear or anxiety.

For some though, the fear is much more than simple anxiety, it’s a phobia. People who experience this condition are often full of panic and terror at the mere thought of having dental procedures done. Though they often know that this fear is irrational, they are unable to control it.

So what do they do? They avoid the thing that terrifies them. They will do everything they can to get out of going to the dentist, including going through pain and experiencing much worse oral health than those who go to the dentist regularly.

Below you will find some of the classic symptoms of someone who has this phobia straight from your denturist in Portland OR:

Difficulty sleeping the night before going to the dentist
Experiencing nervousness or anxiety that escalates while in the waiting room
Experiencing a loss of control over emotions (crying) or feeling sick when thinking about visiting the dentist
Feeling uneasy about the idea or act of objects placed inside your mouth during the treatment
Feeling like you won’t be able to breathe during your procedure

These symptoms can be debilitating and detrimental to your oral health, but it’s definitely worth fighting through.

In order to know how to resolve this phobia, it is important to understand the reasons behind it. Some of the common causes include:

Fearing pain: This is a very common reason many people avoid dental appointments or procedures. Often this fear stems from experiencing an unpleasant or painful dental encounter in the past. It can also come from hearing “dental horror stories” from other people, causing an irrational fear of going through something similar. That said, it is important to remember that due to medical advances, many procedures are actually pain-free, or close to it!

Fearing injections (or fearing that those injections won’t be effective): One of the most common irrational fears out there is the fear of needles. Especially ones inserted inside the mouth. Injections are uncomfortable but are mostly tolerated. Moving further, some people are terrified that the medicine will not have taken effect before the procedure begins.
Fearing side effects: While less common, this is a real fear, especially for those who haven’t experienced anesthetic before. In many cases, people will fear the dizziness, faintness, nausea, or having a numb mouth.
Fearing feeling helpless: Most medical procedures come with a loss of control, and some people do not like that idea.
Feelings of embarrassment or feeling claustrophobic: Some people may feel uncomfortable about the physical closeness of the other people in the room. Others may feel self-conscious about the way their teeth look or about having someone smell their breath.

Dental fear is common… Normal even! So if this is you, we want you to remember the importance of your oral health. Regular cleanings and checkups can prevent tooth decay, tooth loss, and the need for dentures too soon!

In the long run, you will be happy you bit the bullet and held your head high in the face of pain!

If you need to see the denturist in Portland OR for any of our services, from implants to dentures, do not hesitate to contact us at Classic Denture Center today! We would love to help ease your fears and make sure you leave our office with a (beautiful) smile on your face.

3 Enticing Reasons To Stop Wearing Your Dentures While you Sleep

Posted on July 23, 2019 by Classic Denture Center

At Classic Denture Center we like to live by the saying: “Take care of your dentures and your dentures will take care of you.” Perhaps you have heard it before?

It might not be such a new saying, but it is definitely good advice! When you take care of your new pearly whites, you can improve how long they last, how well they look, and most importantly, how good they feel. To keep them in tip-top shape, your denturist in Portland OR suggests having them cleaned and checked regularly.

Another piece of advice we have to offer you is to stop wearing your dentures around the clock. What we mean by this is that wearing them overnight could lead to some major undesirable consequences.

Wearing your dentures 24/7 can actually accelerate bone loss in your jaw and over time cause your dentures to lose their comfortable fit. Bone loss is a natural consequence of tooth loss due to the fact that the bone is no longer stimulated to grow by your teeth during chewing, but accelerating this loss is not something you want. Dentures can’t accomplish that stimulus and the pressure they place on your gums and underlying bony ridges can make bone loss worse. Removing your dentures at night is one way to relieve this pressure and slow the loss of bone.

Dentures can be a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. These growths can lead to irritation, unpleasant mouth odors, and even disease. Remembering to take your dentures out at night helps deprive the microorganisms in your mouth of the prime opportunity to breed and grow. Also, taking them out offers you a great opportunity to clean your dentures. When people sleep with them in, they are much more likely to have gum or oral yeast infections and higher levels of proteins produced by white cells that increase inflammation. These infections could definitely contribute to other diseases in your body.

Sleeping without your dentures also increases their longevity. Your dentures already have to put up with a lot of wear and tear. You chew with them, talk with them, and they live in your mouth for half of the day already. When you take them out at night, you are able to keep up with oral hygiene and give them a break from the tough job they need to do. This will lead to a longer denture life-span and save you money.

In addition to taking your dentures out while you sleep, it’s obviously a good idea to practice other daily hygiene tasks including:

Removing your dentures after you eat and rinsing them with clean water
Brushing your dentures every day with a soft-bristled brush and dish or antibacterial soap or dental cleanser (remember, do not use toothpaste but do rinse thoroughly)
Remembering to clean your gums and tongue every single day
Storing them in clean water or preferably an alkaline peroxide-based solution

Your denturist in Portland OR believes that taking out your dentures while you sleep and following good oral habits will help extend the life and fit of your dentures. It can also help with your overall health.

If you want to learn more about proper denture care, please contact us today!

What’s a Dental Bridge and Do I need One?

Posted on June 26, 2019 by Classic Denture Center

Tanya Poleon, your trusted denturist in Portland OR believes that being knowledgeable about your oral health is a key component to your overall health. It’s how you take control over how your mouth looks and feels. Without that control, you might just miss out on an important factor in keeping your mouth at its best!

To continue that tradition, she felt that now is a good time to share with you the basic information regarding a dental bridge.

What is a Dental Bridge?

A bridge is a dental restoration that fills the space where one or more teeth are missing. The bridge restores your bite and helps keep the natural shape of your face.

Since a missing tooth is a serious matter, bridges are highly necessary to ensure your teeth can work together in the way they need to. When you lose a tooth, the nearby teeth may tilt or drift into the empty space. The teeth in the opposite jaw may also shift up or down toward the space. This can affect your bite and place more stress on your teeth and jaw joints, possibly causing pain.

It is also important to note that teeth that have tipped or drifted are more difficult to clean. This puts them at a higher risk for tooth decay and gum disease.

When a tooth is missing, the bone may shrink. If that happens, it may change the way the jawbone supports the lips and cheeks. Over time, this can make your face look different.

How is a Bridge Placed?

Many people don’t realize it, but placing a bridge usually takes more than one dental visit. Below are the typical steps for placing your new dental bridge:

On your first visit, your dentist prepares the teeth on either side of the gap. The bridge will later be attached to these teeth.
Your dentist then takes an impression of your teeth and the space, and sends the impression to a dental laboratory.
The technicians at the lab make the bridge.
Your dentist will place a temporary bridge to protect your exposed teeth while you are waiting for the permanent one.
The bridge is then fixed, or cemented, to the prepared teeth.
This type of bridge is permanent and cannot be taken out of your mouth without a dentist’s help.
During one or more follow-up visits, the bridge is fitted, adjusted, and cemented in place.

What if I am missing several teeth?

Dental implants may be used to support a bridge when several teeth are missing. Implants are posts that are surgically placed into the jaw. The implants fuse to the jawbone to act as a base for the bridge. A key benefit of implants is that they don’t need support from the surrounding teeth.

Because surgery is required, candidates for dental implants should have good general health and enough bone to support an implant.

How do I care for my bridge?

A bridge can lose its support if the surrounding teeth or jawbone holding the bridge are damaged by dental disease.

Follow these tips for good oral health:

Brush twice a day and floss or use another between-the-teeth cleaner.
Brushing and cleaning between the teeth helps remove plaque, a sticky film of bacteria.
Always clean between your teeth and under the bridge.
There are many kinds of flossers, picks and little brushes – ask your dentist what type will work well with your bridge.

It is very important to see your dentist regularly for exams and professional cleaning.

Placing a bridge is an expensive dental procedure. At Classic Denture Center we can fabricate you a partial or a flipper to substitute your missing tooth/teeth at a price that will make you smile! Contact your trusted denturist in Portland OR today to learn more!

Sleep Apnea: A Hidden Disorder

Posted on April 30, 2019 by Classic Denture Center

When you think about sleep apnea, who comes to mind?

Many people misguidedly think that sleep apnea only afflicts men over the age of 50 who are overweight. While these things do factor into an increased risk for sleep apnea, you might be surprised to hear that so much more goes into it.

Today, your denturist in Portland OR would like to clear the air a bit about who suffers from sleep apnea and how serious this condition is.

A person who suffers from sleep apnea could be:

Male or Female
In any physical condition
Young, middle-aged, mature adult, or elderly

As a matter of fact, an estimated 22 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, and a staggering 80% of these cases are undiagnosed. This means that you could be struggling with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea and not even realize it. It is also important to note that between 1% and 4% of all children, including infants, are affected.

So what is sleep apnea and why is it a concern?

This is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. If you snore loudly and feel tired even after a full night’s sleep, you might have sleep apnea. The main type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea, a condition where the throat muscles relax and disrupt the normal breathing pattern.

Sleep apnea can be the cause of many other secondary issues because the afflicted cannot obtain restful sleep.

Disease manifestations in the absence of appropriate, quality sleep can include:

Depression and anxiety
Dementia
Hypertension
Congestive heart failure
Nighttime heart attacks
Obesity
Memory loss
Atrial fibrillation
Impotence
Metabolic syndrome
Lack of energy
Diabetes
Premature death

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

The signs and symptoms of obstructive and central sleep apneas overlap, sometimes making it difficult to determine which type you have.

The most common signs and symptoms of obstructive and central sleep apneas include:

Loud snoring
Episodes in which you stop breathing during sleep – which would be reported by another person
Gasping for air during sleep
Awakening with a dry mouth
Morning headache
Difficulty staying asleep (insomnia)
Excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnia)
Difficulty paying attention while awake
Irritability

How is sleep apnea diagnosed?

Sleep breathing disorders must be diagnosed by a physician, and will typically begin with a sleep study. Once a diagnosis has been rendered, the physician can refer the patient to a qualified dentist who knows how to create the appropriate sleep device. Denturists and dentists work together in making different devices to treat obstructive sleep apnea.

If you think you or someone you love think you may be suffering from sleep apnea, time is of the essence! You never know, you could be one of the 80% of people with this disorder who are unaware they have it.

If you have any questions about sleep apnea or the devices you may need, please don’t hesitate to contact your denturist in Portland OR. Tanya Poleon understands the ins and outs of sleep apnea and can help you better understand various devices that treat the illness.

Diabetes and Your Oral Health: What You NEED to Know

Posted on March 27, 2019 by Classic Denture Center

Did you know that having Diabetes can cause a variety of problems with your teeth and gums, as well as your overall health? It’s true! You might not realize it, but being diagnosed with this disease may have detrimental effects on a variety of systems within your body – including your oral health.

Today your denturist in Portland OR wants to help educate you on some specific problems you may encounter if you have received this troubling diagnosis.

If you have diabetes, some of the most common oral health problems you might encounter are:

Gum disease
Thrush (a fungal infection)
Slow healing after surgery

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Gum Disease and Diabetes

Gum disease (also called periodontal disease) is when the tissues that hold your teeth in place become irritated and inflamed. If the disease is severe, it can destroy tissue and bone. This can lead to tooth loss. Young adults with diabetes are about twice as likely to get gum disease. In older adults with diabetes, gum disease is often more frequent and more severe, especially if they smoke tobacco.

People with diabetes who have poor blood sugar control are more likely to lose teeth than those who have good control. Research also suggests that treating gum disease may help improve blood sugar control and overall health.

Eating a well-balanced diet, practicing good oral care at home, and seeing your dentist regularly for checkups can help you to keep your blood sugar in the healthy range.

People with gum disease may not see any symptoms. However, if you notice any of the following, see your dentist immediately:

Gums that bleed easily
Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
Pus between the teeth and gums when the gums are pressed
Constant bad breath or bad taste
Permanent teeth that are loose or separating
A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
A change in the fit of partial dentures

Living with Diabetes and the Risk of Thrush.

Thrush is a fungal infection that happens more often in people with diabetes. Possible signs and symptoms include:

White or red patches in your mouth that may be sore and may turn into open sores
It may affect your tongue and cause a painful, burning sensation, which can dull your sense of taste and make it difficult to swallow

Regular oral health habits can help you avoid problems with thrush. If needed, your dentist can prescribe medicine to treat it.

Slower Healing for People Suffering from Diabetes.

If you have diabetes, it may take your body longer to heal after dental work or other bodily trauma. This includes having a tooth pulled or any other oral surgery. Be sure your dentist is aware that you have diabetes when planning your treatment.

Diabetes and Oral Care: What You Should Do

If you keep your teeth clean, you are less likely to get tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral infections. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste for at least two minutes each time. This will remove the sticky film of bacteria on teeth that can lead to gum disease. Also, clean once a day between your teeth with floss or another between-the-teeth cleaner.

Your dentist may suggest using a special mouth rinse and/or toothpaste to control gum inflammation. He or she also may recommend rinsing with a fluoride mouth rinse or applying fluoride at home and in the dental office to help prevent tooth decay.

Before any dental treatment, be sure to let your dentist know:

That you have diabetes
About your blood sugar level
Any recent problems with infections
Changes in your medical history
The names of all prescription and over-the-counter drugs you are taking and any change in the medications you use

Eat before you go to the dentist so that your blood sugar level is in a normal range and your diabetes medicine is already in your system. If you take insulin, try to schedule a morning visit after you have eaten breakfast or discuss the best strategy when you make your appointment.

If you need some type of dental surgery, it may affect what you can eat. Your dentist should talk to your doctor about the best way for you to control your diabetes in this case.

Practice good oral care at home, follow your doctor’s instructions for foods and medicines, and schedule regular dental checkups for a healthy smile.

These are just a few ways that diabetes can impact your oral health, and taking the above steps as a precaution can greatly reduce your chances of falling victim to these conditions. Your trusted denturist in Portland OR is here to help educate you on keeping your mouth up to par so you and those around you can enjoy that beautiful smile for years to come!

Contact Tanya Poleon today to schedule your consultation or to discuss any of your denture related concerns.

The Warning Signs, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Periodontal Disease

Posted on February 21, 2019 by Classic Denture Center

Periodontal disease is an infection and inflammation that affects the tissues and bone that support your teeth. Today your denturist in Portland OR wants to share some information about this medical condition and share some warning signs to watch for.

When your gums are healthy, your gum tissues tightly hug each of your teeth. When you have gum disease, your gums pull away from your teeth. As the gum disease gets worse, the tissues and bones that support your teeth become damaged. Over time, your teeth may need to be removed.

Treating Periodontal Disease in the Early Stages is Very Important and Can Help Prevent Tooth Loss.

Periodontal disease has been linked to other diseases. Gum disease is common among people with either diabetes or heart disease. Strokes and high stress also may be related to periodontal disease.

It is important to talk to your dentist about medications you may be taking or health problems you may have. Together, you can work out an oral care plan for your best oral and overall health.

Warning Signs of Periodontal Disease

Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
Gums that are red, swollen, puffy or tender
Gums that no longer tightly hug your teeth
Feeling that your teeth are loose
Bad breath that doesn’t go away
A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
A change in the way your partial dentures fit

You may notice one or more of these warning signs, or you may not have any signs of gum disease at all. This is why it is important to see your dentist regularly. Treatment of periodontal disease is most successful when it is caught early.

Causes of Periodontal Disease

Plaque is a sticky film that is always on your teeth. Bacteria that live in the plaque can cause your body to react and make your gums become red, puffy and swollen. Plaque can harden when it is left on your teeth and gums. Hardened plaque is also called tartar. Gums that are red, puffy, and swollen also start to pull away from your teeth. Spaces called pockets start to form between your gums and teeth. These pockets give bacteria a place to collect and grow.

The bacteria in your oral pockets will cause your gum condition to get worse. These bacteria produce toxins, which causes your body to break down the gum tissues and bone around your teeth.

Are You at Risk?

Anyone can get periodontal disease, but there are other factors that can raise your risk of getting it.

Not taking care of your teeth and gums. Be sure you brush 2 times a day, every day, and for 2 minutes each time. Also, please remember to clean between your teeth every day.
Using tobacco of any kind. You are more likely to have gum disease if you smoke, chew, or dip tobacco.
Diseases that affect the whole body, such as diabetes and HIV infection lower your body’s resistance to infection, including periodontal disease.
Many medications, such as those to treat blood pressure or steroids, can affect your gums. A common side effect is dry mouth. This can increase your risk of tooth decay and periodontal disease. Tell your dentist about all the medications you take and any changes in your health.
Teens, pregnant women, and those taking birth control pills have changes in hormone levels. These changes can cause gums to become more sensitive to plaque bacteria.
Genes may play a role. If your parents wear dentures or you have a family history of tooth loss, be extra alert for changes to your gums.
The bacteria that cause gum disease may be passed from parents to children and between partners through saliva.

Treating Periodontal Disease

Your gum disease treatment will depend on factors such as your personal health history and the stage of your periodontal disease.

All dentists are trained to detect and treat gum disease. That said, in some cases, your dentist may refer you to a periodontist – a dentist who specializes in the treatment of gum disease.

If the gum disease is caught early enough (when it is gingivitis), you may simply need a professional cleaning. Your dental team can also give you advice for improving your daily oral hygiene.

A professional cleaning is not enough if your gum disease is severe. Usually, a special deep cleaning called scaling and root planing is needed. Scaling and root planing is sometimes called “deep cleaning” or “periodontal cleaning.”

If you have any questions about periodontal disease or suspect you may be developing it, your denturist in Portland OR recommends that you see your dentist right away.