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What if Periodontal Disease Spread Throughout Your Body?

May 13th, 2013 | Posted by sandiegolaserperio in Oral-Systemic | Periodontal Disease - (Comments Off)

bad breath 300x287 What if Periodontal Disease Spread Throughout Your Body?For some reason, your mouth is sometimes isolated from the rest of your body in many instances. Medical and dental insurances are separate, for example, and though periodontal disease (gum disease) affects over 80% of adults in America, people don’t often consider it a serious health issue. Nevertheless, the affliction is the number one cause of adult tooth loss, and when your gums or other oral tissues are diseased, the condition can have serious consequences for your physical wellbeing. Your Encinitas periodontist, Dr. Ann Kania, explores the mechanisms that allow periodontal disease to become a threat to your systemic health, also known as the oral-systemic connection.

The Devil’s in the Details

You may be aware that an early sign of gum disease is known as gingivitis. When dental plaque, comprised of a myriad of oral bacteria, settles along your gum line, the germs it contains release toxins that irritate your gum tissue, causing your gums to lose their grip on your teeth and pull away (gum recession). The resulting periodontal pockets allow more germs to gather out of your toothbrush’s reach, but of special note is the germ Porphyromonas gingivalis. (more…)

San Diego Periodontist Explains Gum Grafting for Improved Support

May 6th, 2013 | Posted by sandiegolaserperio in Gum Recession | Periodontist - (Comments Off)

smile thumbs up 300x200 San Diego Periodontist Explains Gum Grafting for Improved SupportYour gingival tissue, or gums, surround and protect your tooth roots and help support them as they erupt from your jawbone. Like a gasket in a motor, this seal is subject to wear and can begin to separate from your teeth for a number of reasons. When your gums recede, the vulnerable roots underneath become exposed to bacteria and your gums can become susceptible to disease. In many instances of gum recession, a gum graft may be necessary to protect your teeth and gums from danger. Your San Diego periodontist, Dr. Ann Kania, explains the problem of receding gums, and how a gum graft can preserve your smile’s integrity in the face of gum recession.

Understanding Gum Recession

Your gums can recede after a lifetime of use from foreign material (dental restorations), or from trauma. One common reasons behind gum recession is the onset of gingivitis—the first stage of gum disease. When oral bacteria form plaque to stick to your teeth and along your gum line, the microbes release toxins that irritate your gums and damage the connective tissue that holds them to your teeth. As your gums recede, small spaces called periodontal pockets form that allow more bacteria to gather, exacerbating the destruction of your gingival tissue.  Aggressive toothbrushing and abrasive toothpastes increase recession. (more…)

The New Fight Against Gum Disease: Dr. Kania Talks LANAP

April 29th, 2013 | Posted by sandiegolaserperio in Laser Dentistry | Periodontal Disease - (Comments Off)

say ahh 300x200 The New Fight Against Gum Disease: Dr. Kania Talks LANAPDid you know that over 80% of adults are affected by periodontal (gum) disease to some degree? Even more alarming is the fact that over 95% of those afflicted are not being treated for their condition, which is the number one cause of adult tooth loss in America. In our last article, we discussed the dangers of unchecked gum disease, and how the destructive oral condition can wreak havoc with your oral health if not dealt with swiftly. As part of our dedication to providing our patients with advanced gum disease treatment, your San Diego periodontist, Dr. Ann Kania, explains how lasers and the LANAP protocol can help restore healthy gum tissue and remove the destructive bacterial infection to allow your gums to heal.

An Underlying Problem

Gum disease begins with excessive bacterial plaque buildup, particularly along and underneath your gum line. Brushing and flossing your teeth is meant to control this buildup, but missing a spot now and then is only human. In addition, individual immune response plays a role in disease activity.  (more…)