Statement from the AAP on Flossing Efficacy Says to Keep Flossing

A statement released by the American Academy of Periodontology on Augus2, 2016 has a simple message — keep flossing!

Per the statement…

“The American Academy of Periodontology recommends daily flossing as one part of a regular oral hygiene routine, which also includes brushing your teeth twice a day and ensuring you receive a comprehensive periodontal evaluation every year.

The accumulation of plaque bacteria beneath the gum line may cause an inflammatory response which ultimately leads to gingivitis, a mild form of periodontal disease.

If left untreated, periodontal disease can worsen, leading to tooth loss and increased risk for other systemic disease such as diabetes and heart disease. Flossing allows for the removal of plaque bacteria and debris from areas in the mouth that brushing alone cannot reach.

Periodontal disease is a condition that can result from a number of risk factors, including family history, presence of other systemic conditions, and age.

Flossing—as part of a regular oral hygiene routine—is only one component of maintaining periodontal health. That’s why it is crucial that patients receive an annual comprehensive periodontal evaluation and seek treatment from a periodontist, a dentist with specialized training in diagnosing and treating periodontal disease, when needed.

Because the development of periodontal disease is slow in nature and because a variety of factors can impact its progression, studies that examine the efficacy of daily flossing are best conducted over a number of years and among a large population.

Much of the current evidence does not utilize a large sample size or examine gum health over a significant amount of time. Additionally, many of the existing studies do not measure true markers of periodontal health such as inflammation or clinical attachment loss. In the absence of quality research, patients should continue to include flossing as a part of their daily oral hygiene habit.”

More questions for a local periodontist? Let’s chat.

If you have questions for a periodontist – please contact our offices. We’d be happy to talk more with you!

Deerfield Beach office: (954) 427-5700

Fort Lauderdale Peridontists Keep It Light On The Set

Having fun on the set…

Recently, while filming a spot for television coverage with NBC 5, Dr. Nick DeTure & Dr. Marissa Matthews had a few ‘bloopers.”

They’re fun to see!

Concerned about the health of your teeth? Let’s chat.

If you have questions for a periodontist – please contact our offices. We’d be happy to talk more with you!

Deerfield Beach office: (954) 427-5700

3 Ways to Keep Your Teeth Healthy

Worried about your teeth and gums? Looking for ways to reduce your chances of visiting the dentist or orthodontist?

A recent Reader’s Digest article called 3 Surprising Ways to Keep Your Teeth Healthy is a great article to review. Here is a link to the article and below is a breakout of some of the key ideas.

1. Reduce Sugar

We hear this all of the time — “reduce the amount of sugar you eat!” — and it’s true for your overall health, but also quite true when we’re talking about your oral health as well.

Sugar is the leading cause of tooth decay – that’s when the enamel that protects your teeth begins to erode and break down.

A quick review of your diet will highlight where you sugar intake is coming from. Remember too that starches – breads, cereals, rice, potatoes and pasta have sugar too.

2. Gum Disease

It’s true, more teeth are lost due to gum disease rather than tooth decay. However, they are generally related. Someone who is not taking care of their teeth is also not likely to be taking care of their gums too.

Gum disease is generally caused by poor oral hygiene, poor diet, declining health, social choices (drinking, smoking) and genetics.

The first step in keeping gum disease at bay is proper dental care and regular visits to your dentist or orthodontist.

3. Helpful foods

You might not think that certain foods can help your teeth, but some certainly can.

Apples for example are considered ‘natures toothbrush’ because they help stimulate the gums. Yogurts and cheese, great sources of calcium, help build teeth up.

Concerned about the health of your teeth? Let’s chat.

If you have questions for a periodontist – please contact our offices. We’d be happy to talk more with you!

Deerfield Beach office: (954) 427-5700

What Will a Ft. Lauderdale Periodontist Really Do For Me?

Very simply periodontists do two main things for their patients

1 ) – we reduce the pain they’re experiencing, and…
2 ) – we fix and/or restore your teeth and gums

In essence, our approach is to help our patients restore their smiles and regain their confidence as it relates to smiling, chewing and talking naturally again.

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Our patients visit our Ft. Lauderdale and Deerfield Beach locations for many reasons. Some need advanced care and some are addressing cosmetic procedures.

But regardless, they’re looking a reduction in pain associated with normal daily functions (like smiling, chewing and talking).

The restorative measures we take (including Laser Gum Surgery or Root Planing and Scaling) are procedures that help address issues and re-create the proper structural foundation of our patients teeth and gums.

How do you know it’s time to visit us?

Generally, our new patients are referred to our office because their general dentist has recommended that they do so.

This could be because their gum disease has progressed to a state in which the dentist no longer feels comfortable addressing the issue or believes that a periodontist is better suited to handle care.

Your general dentist has a pretty good understanding of the ‘state of your teeth and gums’ and it’s in their best interest to ensure you’re getting the care you need in a timely manner.

If patients are experiencing gum pain or bleeding from the gums and do a Google search, they may discover our website.

Similarly, they may reach out because they’re interested in specific cosmetic procedures.

Concerned about the health of your teeth? Let’s chat.

If you have questions for a periodontist – please contact our offices. We’d be happy to talk more with you!

Deerfield Beach office: (954) 427-5700

Over 50? It Might Be Time to See a Periodontist

If you’re over 50, it might be time to come into our office for a check up…or talk to your current general dentist.

And that’s true for both women and men. Getting ‘over the hill’ often means that you may be at higher risk for gum disease and tooth loosening (and other health issues to be sure).

Many of our patients are older adults. Some visit because they’ve been referred to our practice. And some have found us through friends, family and internet searches.

But generally, when they do find us, it’s because they’re seeking a solution related to advanced gum disease — perhaps they’re curious about laser gum surgery or are in need of dental implants.

For older patients, these are all common concerns and are treated most effectively when addressed early by experienced professionals.

We certainly recommend continuing to see your dentist every six months for an exam and cleaning. The best way to maintain healthy gums and teeth is by being proactive and attentive.

Turning 50 doesn’t mean your teeth are going to fall out. It just means you need to be a little more careful about paying attention to your teeth and gums.

They may have developed issues over the years. Often, gum disease is not even noticeable — but when it is, it’s can be pretty advanced.

Again…proper checkups and oral care are essential…no matter your age.

Concerned about the health of your teeth? Let’s chat.

If you have questions for a periodontist – please contact our offices. We’d be happy to talk more with you!

Deerfield Beach office: (954) 427-5700

How Are Gum Diseases Treated?

A common question we’re asked by our patients in our Ft. Lauderdale and Deerfield Beach offices is…”How Are Gum Diseases Treated?”

The answer?

Well…in a variety of ways, most of which are dependent on the individual patient’s specific condition.

Overall, however, gum disease is mostly controlled and prevented by controlling infection. To control infection the dentist or hygienist removes plaque that contains harmful bacteria.

Sometimes the dentist will prescribe an antibacterial mouth rinse or an antibiotic that will help kill the germs that are causing periodontitis.

And sometimes, more direct procedure will be suggested. Most often, this is done by scaling and root planing.

Scaling and Root Planing Treatments

These are deep cleaning procedures that remove tartar from above and beneath the gum surface.

Planing the tooth removes rough edges where bacterial plaque gathers and allows the gum tissue to heal closer to the tooth thus eliminating pockets.

After these procedures are completed it is very important that you brush and floss your teeth regularly to prevent plaque from building up again.

Note: Scaling and root planing may have to be repeated every three to four months. There are times when this conservative treatment is not enough and surgery is required.

More questions for a local periodontist? Let’s chat.

If you have questions for a periodontist – please contact our offices. We’d be happy to talk more with you!

Deerfield Beach office: (954) 427-5700

Perodontist Patient Question: Are There Medical Consequences If I Delay Treatment?

Here is a question we’re asked frequently:

Are there medical consequences if I delay treatment?

It’s a normal question and one that could be asked because patients tend to balance treatment against fears of surgical procedures, financial issues, scheduling, second opinions and other reasons.

It’s important to remember that each and every patient is unique and the level of issues and required treatment is different.

Overall, most issues can be pushed back to some degree if needed. The doctor, after having reviewed your teeth, gums and past oral health history, will advise you on what needs to be treated sooner rather than later.

It’s also important to note that recent research has shown that patients with periodontal disease or other periodontal issues are more likely to have these medical problems:

Heart disease and heart attack
Strokes
Pre-term childbirth
Diabetes
Respiratory Disease

Periodontal disease is a progressive, painless infection. Quite often, the effects of the disease don’t present themselves until a lot of damage has been done — and it’s at this point that actions need to be taken by your periodontist.

Delay can cause you further disease progression, tooth and bone loss, more pain and potentially more expense.

The best advice is to speak openly and candidly with your doctor. Share your concerns and listen to what they will advise as part of their treatment strategy.

More questions for a local periodontist? Let’s chat.

If you have questions for a periodontist – please contact our offices. We’d be happy to talk more with you!

Deerfield Beach office: (954) 427-5700

Attention Fort Lauderdale Periodontal Patients: Tooth Loss Shown to Double The Risk of Death in Heart Disease Patients

A new study shows that tooth loss is “linearly associated” with increasing rates of death and stroke in coronary heart disease patients — read the full article here.

A direct quote from the article

“This was an observational study, so we cannot conclude that gum disease directly causes adverse events in heart patients. But tooth loss could be an easy and inexpensive way to identify patients at higher risk who need more intense prevention efforts,” said lead author cardiologist Ola Vedin, MD, of Uppsala University Hospital.

“While we can’t yet advise patients to look after their teeth to lower their cardiovascular risk, the positive effects of brushing and flossing are well established. The potential for additional positive effects on cardiovascular health would be a bonus.”

What does that mean for periodontal patients

Studies like this help to show that research is being done around the world that connects the health of your teeth and gums to other health issues — heart disease, cancer, diabetes, etc.

For local Fort Lauderdale patients, it’s an opportunity to have a broader discussion about your overall health and how its potentially being impacted by the issues you might be facing with your teeth or gums.

Are there things you need to address quicker? What does the periodontist suggest? Should you be overly concerned?

More questions for a local periodontist? Let’s chat.

If you have questions for a periodontist – please contact our offices. We’d be happy to talk more with you!

Deerfield Beach office: (954) 427-5700

3 Important Questions to Ask Your Fort Lauderdale Periodontist

Questions You May Want to Ask Our Periodontists or The Staff

As you already may know, Fort Lauderdale periodontists specialize in preventing, diagnosing and treating gum diseases.

Generally, you’ll begin seeing a periodontist after having been referred by your general dentist.

Because you may not know the periodontist, you may want to ask them a few questions on your first visit (or perhaps in advance).

Does your office offer payment plans or accept my insurance?

This is probably one of the questions you’ll want to ask upfront, perhaps even prior to making an appointment or visiting the office. This can be checked over the phone by speaking to one of our staff members.

Because every patient insurance plans are different, it’s best to call directly at 1-954-916-7664 (for our Fort Lauderdale office) and 1-954-427-5700 (for our Deerfield Beach office).

If you have insurance, you’ll make sure the periodontist is in your network and what coverage your insurance may provide.

How do you handle patients with dental phobias or who are scared?

This may be another question to ask before you visit the office, especially if you expect a dental phobia to impact your treatment.

Anxiety about dentist and periodontist are relatively normal. Fortunately, the treatment options that are available to you as a patient are really less scary than they may sound.

We walk through our procedures to make our patients comfortable before, during and after their procedures. In addition, most procedures are either minimally invasive or utilize approaches — like laser surgery — that tremendously lessen the amount of pain or discomfort felt by the patient.

How will you treat my condition?

Before any treatment is provided, the periodontist will sit with you and outline exactly how they will handle your specific case. We’ll discuss all of your options before proceeding and will work to ensure that you’re knowledgeable about the proposed treatment plant.

Your questions are important and will help you better understand “what’s going on” while our staff is working on your teeth and gums. Most patients, once they have a good understanding of what the doctor is working on, will feel more comfortable with their visit.

More questions for a local periodontist? Let’s chat.

If you have questions for a periodontist – please contact our offices. We’d be happy to talk more with you!

Deerfield Beach office: (954) 427-5700

Bite Adjustment Doctor in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Bite adjustments or bite therapy seeks to restore the function of your natural biting movements after you’ve had issue with your teeth and gums.

An experienced periodontist can help you regain ‘your bite’ so chewing and talking are more normalized.

Healthy Bites: A bite is considered to be healthy when all or most of the teeth are present and not worn down or destroyed by normal daily usage, disease or lost teeth.

Unhealthy Bites: It is destructive when teeth show wear, looseness or when TMJ (jaw joint) damage is seen.

Therapy for You May Include:

1) Reshaping the biting surfaces of the teeth and eliminating spots of excessive pressures where the teeth are brought into contact. This is done by carefully dividing bite pressures evenly across all of the teeth.

2) Bite splint therapy using a custom-fitted and adjusted plastic bite guard to keep the teeth apart, worn during the day, at night, or both.

3) Braces to reposition mal-aligned or drifted teeth.

4) Replacement of old, worn out, or damaged fillings.

5) Reconstruction of badly worn and damaged teeth.

6) Use of a Nightguard. Some patients clench their teeth unconsciously when they sleep.

This causes enormous stress on the teeth and if they are already weakened from periodontal bone loss can lead to tooth loss. A plastic mouthpiece, known as a nightguard, may be worn at night to prevent the excessive forces from harming the teeth.

Questions for a local periodontist? Let’s chat.

If you have questions for a periodontist – please contact our offices. We’d be happy to talk more with you!

Deerfield Beach office: (954) 427-5700