Posted by: Robyn, RDH in Untagged on
Oct 08, 2008
Arlington is known as the home for the Texas Rangers and soon to be home for the Dallas Cowboys, but Community is what Arlington, Texas is all about! If in doubt, check out their newest addition for entertainment. Located in Founders Plaza in the heart of downtown Arlington, The Levitt Pavilion Arlington brings music and the performing arts to Arlington in a new way – available to everyone to enjoy under the stars.
What better way to enjoy music than under the stars and for free! This Friday, Brave Combo opens the premier season for the Levitt Pavilion Arlington. Check out the schedule for all the upcoming performances! There is definitely something there for everyone.
A common question that I get is, "My insurance doesn't pay well for periodontal maintenance can't you just send it in as a routine cleaning?" The answer to that is a big NO! Stating that a routine cleaning is being performed when it's not is actually insurance fraud.
Another question then may be, "Since I only get two cleanings a year can't you just do that." The answer is, a good dental office will provide you with the services you need and will not allow an insurance company to determine what's best. After all, insurance companies do not have your best interest in mind! They pay the best for individuals who have a healthy mouth. And let's face it, that's not most of us!
I completely understand why many people misunderstand the concept of periodontal maintenance vs. a "cleaning." I know I have accidentally called the periodontal maintenance appointment a "cleaning" when talking to patients.
FYI: While many of the components are the same, a periodontal maintenance appointment has specific guidelines set by the ADA and is performed on patients who have at some point undergone periodontal therapy and thus have a history of periodontal disease. The ADA further mandates that this be performed for the lifetime of your teeth.
Keep in mind, the ADA has set these standards based on the value to your total health not just your dental health.
We routinely take blood pressure, update medical histories and take x-rays as needed during both periodontal maintenance appointments and routine cleanings. The main differences between the two include:
- For periodontal maintenance, the ADA mandates that periodontal probing be completed at every visit (every 6 weeks to every 4 months) to monitor the disease process so intervention can be done in the earliest stages. For routine cleanings, periodontal measurements are taken either at 6 month or 12 month intervals.
- Checking and documenting mobility levels during all periodontal maintenance appointments. During a routine cleaning this is not performed because the gums and bone are healthy so mobility is not an issue.
- Scaling to remove plaque, calculus and bacteria from below and above the gum line is completed in both types of hygiene appointments. However, below the gum line can differ dramatically between the two types of appointments. During a routine cleaning, the pockets are 1-3mm so scaling would not be at any depth greater than 3mm. During periodontal maintenance, pockets may be much deeper (I have seen up to 12mm) so much more surface area is being scaled.
- During periodontal maintenance appointments, scaling and root planing is performed on any areas not healed from the previous appointment. This means that if an area does not respond to scaling and root planing initially, we will keep retreating with scaling and root planing until it either heals or Dr. Alexander feels it's necessary to refer for surgery. In comparison, a routine cleaning is just that, routine.
- If needed, below the gum antibacterial irrigation is applied during the periodontal maintenance appointment.
- Bone levels are also looked at and noted any time x-rays are taken. When they are taken though as part of periodontal maintenance, bone levels are closely monitored and any variations are noted between the sets of films. Tracking bone levels is one of the best methods for determining if the disease is progressing.
Bleeding gums are not normal even during pregnancy. In fact, a sign of gum disease is bleeding gums!
FYI: During pregnancy the gums do bleed more because of the body's increased inflammatory response to the bacteria found in plaque. This is caused from an increase in certain hormones.
Why is this important? This early bleeding can be a sign of gum disease or pregnancy associated gingivitis. And, research has proven that gum disease during pregnancy increases the risk for a preterm low birth weight baby!
Years of research have proven that seeing your dentist and having your teeth cleaned during pregnancy are safe. In fact, regular dental care may help prevent complications such as preterm delivery or low birth weight resulting from the bacteria found in gum disease.
Dental exams are often neglected during pregnancy. If you or someone you know are pregnant, make sure to put your baby's health first by seeing your dental heath professional regularly. Routine dental care can easily help to prevent complications associated with gum disease and pregnancy.
Myth #1: Gum disease and having longer looking teeth are a natural part of the aging process.
Nothing could be further from the truth!
Fact: Gum disease is a result of a bacterial infection in the bone and tissue surrounding the teeth.
In fact, with good homecare and following your dentists recommendations, most everyone can live a lifetime without loosing a single tooth to gum disease.
FYI: Gum disease can effect anyone at any time.
Bacterial plaque is the main cause of gum disease. There are many other contributing factors that can affect even those with immaculate home care.
- Stress
- Smoking/tobacco use
- Genetics
- Diabetes
- Clenching or grinding your teeth
- Puberty, pregnancy and menopause in women
- Medications
Take the
Gum Disease Risk Assessment Quiz from the American Academy of Periodontology and find out quickly what your risk level is for gum disease. Keep in mind though even if you rate at low risk, only a licensed dentist can tell you for sure if you have gum disease.
Bacteria that reside between the teeth can also cause breath odor. Most commonly this occurs in people with gingivitis or periodontal disease. To see if you have odor causing bacteria between the teeth do the floss check. Floss a few teeth at a time. Then, smell the floss. If you detect a bad odor, see your dentist.
FYI: Bad breath caused from periodontal/gum disease can be one of the worst smelling breath odors. In fact, it has a particular odor that we call "perio breath."
How can you tell if you have bad breath associated with gum disease?
- See your dentist! Only your dentist can determine if you have gum disease. We can treat the infection and give you recommendations for treating any breath problems associated with it.
- There could also be other problems creating bad breath from between the teeth such as tooth decay or trapped food. Only your dentist can pinpoint for sure the source of your breath odor.
Keep in mind, it's possible to have gum disease and not have any symptoms such as bad breath. That's why visiting your dentist regulary is important so problems can be caught early.
Posted by: Robyn, RDH in Halitosis, Bad Breath on
Aug 08, 2008
There is a simple way to determine if you have bad breath that is originating from bacteria on your tongue. Now, be ware, this method is accurate but may seem a little odd to some. In fact, we got an email from someone who thought using a tongue scraper sounded gross so if you share that thought don't read any further! Here are the steps:
- Take a plastic spoon and gently scrape the surface of your tongue from back to front. This will collect a small amount of tongue debris on the inside surface of the spoon.
- Now, smell the spoon. Is there an odor? If so, I'm sorry to say, that is the odor everyone smells when you're up close and personal.
- If there's no odor, have a very close friend or family member smell the spoon. You may be use to the smell and can't detect the odor.
- If another person can't detect an odor, congratulations you have fresh breath!
FYI: Bacteria in the tongue or mouth is the most common cause of bad breath. Bacteria produce Volatile Sulfur Compounds, which are what cause the bad breath odor.
Other common causes of bad breath include:
1. Garlic, onions and other strong smelling foods - If this is the source of your bad breath, try brushing your teeth and flossing after eating the offending food. Also, try CloSYS Mouth Rinse. CloSYS is quite effective at eliminating odors caused by food.
2. Periodontal/gum disease - If you have periodontal disease, chances are you have bad breath. Treating your gum infection is the first step in eliminating your bad breath. Long term, PerioProtect offers a great treatment for gum disease and keeping your breath fresher. CloSYS can also be helpful for controlling bacteria levels and bad breath caused by gum disease.
3. Post Nasal Drip - Unfortunately, breath odor caused by postnasal drip is difficult to overcome unless the nasal drainage can be stopped. The most effective treatment for this, besides controlling the drainage, is gargling and swishing with CloSYS on a regular basis (being careful not to swallow any). Also be sure to keep up with brushing your tongue and flossing.
4. Smoking- Unless you plan on quitting, there's no cure for a smoker's breath. You can use Xylitol gum and mints frequently to freshen your breath.
5. Systemic medical problems - From diabetes to liver failure, there are a number of systemic conditions that can lead to bad breath. If you suspect your bad breath could be caused by a medical condition, please contact our office or your physician so the cause can be determined.
If you feel you have breath odor, please bring it up at your next dental visit and we'll make suggestions to help you freshen your breath. No matter the cause, there are treatments or recommendations that we can provide.
