How Do I Know If I have Gum Disease?

Have you ever rushed through brushing or skipped it altogether because of convenience or time constraints? If the answer is yes, you’re putting yourself at risk for gum disease, a serious condition that can affect your oral health and overall wellbeing.

Gum disease is a “silent,” disease that usually develops as a result of poor oral hygiene. If you’re not brushing well, bacteria can build up near the gums, causing inflammation. Some patients with great hygiene habits can still contract gum disease depending on their overall systemic health, daily medications or women who are pregnant. Not everyone experiences the tell-tale signs of gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease.

The Signs of Gum Disease

Signs of gum disease include redness, receding gum line, bleeding when brushing or flossing, consistent bad breath, ulcers or signs of pus, and loosening teeth. If you start to notice any of these symptoms, it is important to see a dentist immediately. The progression of gum disease, or periodontitis, will continue to damage soft tissue, bone and may result in tooth loss. When the bacteria is left to get into your blood stream, it can lead to systemic diseases such as heart disease, stroke and Diabetes.

Because pain is not among one of the disease’s first signs, people who have noticed some of its symptoms may choose to ignore them, mistakenly assuming they aren’t serious. Nothing could be further from the truth as anything that lasts more than a few days, should be looked at by your dentist.

Prevention

Even though gum disease is dangerous, preventing it is simple. The first step is simply brushing and flossing more. Gum disease occurs when plaque builds up. Frequent, thorough brushing and flossing can remove bacteria before it has the chance to turn into gum disease. The second step is cutting down on risk factors, such as tobacco use, stress, and teeth grinding. The final and most important step is to visit your dentist frequently for biyearly professional cleanings. Your dentist and hygienist are experienced with identifying the early signs and can treat the condition in the early stages.

Brushing can help you keep gum disease and its complications at bay, and visiting a dentist regularly can help you stay on top of your oral health. Contact Bailey Dental Group to schedule an appointment today!

Implant Supported Dentures vs Traditional Dentures

Restoring a smile impacted by disease, trauma or simple wear and tear means finding the right balance between appearance and functionality. And making the decision between options can be impacted by other factors, such as cost over time, and durability.

Traditional dentures have many benefits, and ultimately help patients recover some of the activities affected by tooth loss. However, implant-retained dentures offer significant results in aesthetics, function and health.

Traditional Dentures

Dentures are affordable dental appliances that restore basic chewing function and require less upfront investment than the implant supported counterpart. There is minimal time spent prepping the area and most patients qualify for full or partial arches. However, traditional dentures require adhesives and will need to be adjusted and/or replaced which continuously adds to the initial investment over time.

While traditional dentures do replace teeth, they do not prevent bone loss. Dentures sit on top of the gum and shift as the bone loss causes changes in the shape of the mouth. Over time, bone quantity shrinks and the structure deteriorates causing changes in the appearance of the mouth and face. When this happens, it is necessary to have new denture plates made.

Dentures are temporarily fixed to the gums using denture creams and adhesives, rather than permanently fixed. This can cause issues such as dentures slipping or moving out of place – even popping out of the mouth, entirely. Progress in dental technology and adhesives have resulted in some improvements being made, so patients are always encouraged to talk about all the options available to them before choosing the denture option they feel is best for them.

 Dental Implant Retained Dentures

Implants are known as “long-term” tooth-replacement options because they are durable and are permanently placed within the jaw bone. That means that the initial upfront investment is more than traditional dentures, but the long-term savings makes up for it. Dental implants do not require frequent repairs or replacements, they require less chair time to restore the denture plates and prevent bone degeneration for improved oral health over the long-term.

Implants are a result of advances in dental technology; they are titanium posts that function as prosthetic roots. Because the posts fuse with existing bone, they offer a stable anchor for new dentures and crowns. The various components – posts, abutments and dentures – are firmly fitted into the mouth in line with the mouth structure. This means implant retained dentures not only stay in place, but they also protect the integrity of the facial structure.

Implant retained dentures function like natural teeth – patients can eat without restrictions and bite using their natural bite pressure. The jaw bone is stimulated, which encourages damaged tissue to regenerate, maintains healthy bone, and protects the mouth structure from further deterioration. Patients will not have to worry about their dentures slipping throughout the day.

Although both traditional dentures and implant supported dentures are popular choices for replacing teeth, it’s always best to discuss all treatment options with your dentist. With a thorough exam, Dr. Cory Bailey will determine whether or not someone is a good candidate for implants, or if traditional dentures would better suit their lifestyle and dental wellbeing.

Contact Bailey Dental Group of Northwest Houston to schedule an appointment.

The Importance of Oral Cancer Screenings

Oral cancer screenings are performed in order to detect cancer of the mouth in its early stages; the earlier cancer is detected, the higher the chances of successful treatment. Although an oral cancer screening by a dentist does not replace a physical exam by your primary physician, it’s an important part of overall wellness.

Risk Factors for Oral Cancer

There are several risk factors that increase the chances of developing oral cancer. If you have one or more of these risk factors, regular screenings are a good idea. Risk factors include:

• Tobacco use. This includes not only traditional cigarettes but also cigars, snuff, chewing tobacco, and e-cigarettes
• Heavy sun exposure on the face.
• Excessive and/or long-term alcohol use.
• A previous diagnosis of oral cancer

If you don’t have any risk factors, it’s still a good idea to consult with your dentist about being screened for oral cancer.

Screening Basics

Much of the oral cancer screening process involves your dentist inspecting your mouth with gloved hands and a bright light. During this inspection, your dentist is on the lookout for sores or discolored patches. In some cases, your mouth will be rinsed with a blue liquid that causes abnormal cells to become visible.

What’s Next?

If your oral cancer screening doesn’t detect any abnormalities, your dentist will advise you when another screening is recommended. If abnormalities are detected, your dentist will either take a wait-and-see approach or schedule a biopsy.

Our Exams

At Bailey Dental Group, Dr. Cory Bailey offers an array of dental services to suit your family’s needs. Oral cancer screenings are a part of every exam, which makes routine dental checkups with Dr. Bailey an important part of overall healthcare. At your comprehensive dental exam, you will receive the following services from our staff of experienced professionals:

• Dental X-rays
• Gum disease screening
• Examination of teeth
• Examination of existing fillings, crowns, and other restorations
• Oral cancer screening

During your exam, we can perform a professional dental cleaning. This procedure includes:

• Tartar removal
• Plaque removal
• Tooth polishing

Along with regular oral cancer screenings, regular cleanings are a great way to keep your mouth its healthy best.

Full-Service Dentistry in Houston

Contact our Houston dental office today to schedule your appointment. Give us a call at 281-469-3282 or email drcorybailey@gmail.com  Good dental health can make all the difference when it comes to looking and feeling great, so don’t wait any longer — scheduleyour appointment today!