Austin Dental Health Tips
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The American Dental Association (ADA) website has the current requirements from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) and the American Heart Association (AHA), regarding antibiotic prophylaxis prior to dental treatment for patients that may be predisposed to infective endocarditis due to heart conditions or who have had total joint replacement.
CHICAGO—February 18, 2010—The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) estimates that approximately three out of four Americans suffer from some form of gum disease – from mild cases of gingivitis, to the more severe form known as periodontitis. However, despite this prevalence, approximately only three percent seek treatment for their gum disease. With increasingly more research indicating that gum disease may be linked to several other diseases, including diabetes, heart disease and certain forms of cancer, maintaining healthy teeth and gums has become more important that ever.
In order to help distinguish between fact and fallacy regarding periodontal disease, the AAP has identified and addressed below some common misconceptions about oral health.
- Bleeding gums are not that big of a deal.
Red, swollen and bleeding gums are an important sign of periodontal disease. If you notice bleeding while brushing or flossing, or when eating certain foods, you should schedule a visit with your dental professional to be evaluated for periodontal disease. Studies have shown that in addition to tooth loss, gum disease may contribute to the progression of other diseases, including heart disease and diabetes, so it is important that you begin treating periodontal disease as soon as possible. - You don’t need to floss every day.
Routine oral care, which includes brushing after every meal and before bedtime, and flossing at least once a day, is the best way to prevent gum disease. However, a recent survey estimates that only13.5 percent of Americans floss each day. It is vital that you keep up with your daily oral care, and see a dental professional for a thorough check-up twice a year. If gum disease is diagnosed, a consultation with a periodontist, a dentist who specializes in treating periodontal disease, may be beneficial. - A visit to the periodontist will be scary.
Periodontists are gum disease experts. They have received three or more years of specialized training following dental school centered on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of periodontal disease. Periodontists are equipped with the latest treatments and technologies, using innovative tools such as digital radiography, ultrasound technology, biomarker measurement and laser therapy to help make your visit more comfortable. - A tooth lost to gum disease is a tooth lost forever.
Gum disease is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. However, in addition to treating gum disease, periodontists are also experts in placing dental implants – a convenient and comfortable way to permanently replace missing teeth. A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed into the jaw to hold a replacement tooth. Studies have shown that dental implants have a 98 percent success rate, and with proper care, allow you to speak, eat and smile with confidence. In fact, a survey conducted by the American Academy of Periodontology found that over70 percent of respondents reported being “pleased” or “extremely satisfied” with the results of their dental implants. - Poor oral hygiene is the only way to develop gum disease.
Forgoing good oral hygiene can certainly contribute to the progression of gum disease, but there are a variety of other factors that can also impact your risk. For instance, tobacco use has been shown to greatly increase your chance of developing gum disease. Stress, poor diet, and even genetics, can also play a role in the health of your gums. To determine your risk of developing gum disease, the AAP offers afree online risk assessment test.
For more information on common myths surrounding periodontal disease, or to speak with an AAP spokesperson, please contact the AAP’s Public Relations Office at
I was watching the Jay Leno Show a while back and saw this clip. The Dan Band performs at a dental office....Everything IS Better With Music....www.thejaylenoshow.com/video/clips/the-dan-band/1164139
I was watching the Jay Leno Show a while back and saw this clip and could not help but die laughing. The Dan Band takes a hilarious trip to the dental office making everything from: waiting in the waiting room, having your teeth cleaned, having x-rays taken, and seeing the dentist...Everything Is Better With Music......Check it out! http://www.thejaylenoshow.com/video/clips/the-dan-band/1164139
Every year we do it. Some folks are more serious about making their commitments. Some only make one, while others make multiple resolutions. Whichever route is taken, the economy is on the minds of most people in choosing their annual promise to themselves. The following is a list of this year’s top 10...I AM GOING TO ADD AN #11:
Tooth enamel is tough, harder even than skeletal bone. But even with good dental hygiene, the enamel protecting teeth may show signs of decay in older adults. The January issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter covers what to look out for and what to do to promote an enamel-friendly setting in the mouth. According to the newsletter, two significant contributors to tooth decay are too little saliva and inadequate fluoride.
Yiping Han, a researcher from Department of Periodontics at Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine, reports the first documented link between a mother with pregnancy-associated gum disease to the death of her fetus.
