Dr. Nicolas Porter Discusses Gum Disease, The 'Silent Killer'

By admin July 8, 2014 07:10

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Dr. Nicolas J. Porter, Founder and CEO of Risas Dental and Braces and Host of Dr. Nicolas Show

Dr. Nicolas J. Porter, Founder and CEO of Risas Dental and Braces and Host of Dr. Nicolas Show

The Silent Killer. I wish the name I chose for this topic was a simple dramatization, but it’s not.

Gum Disease is often overshadowed with the talk of cavities. However, this is a disease that is prevalent and more lethal to your oral function than any other. And, worse, it doesn’t hurt like a cavity so the ever-popular saying; “I’ll deal with it when it hurts,” doesn’t work.

Gum Disease is not something to be taken lightly. In fact, at Risas, 3 in 4 adult patients suffer from some form of the disease.

Fortunately, we are able to catch it in the beginning stages before it has caused a significant damage to the bone that holds the teeth. In those cases of severe damage, we can be forced to remove the teeth and place a denture.

How do I know if I have gum disease?

Gum disease is an infection with all of its usual signs: redness, swelling, inflammation, bad breath, bleeding, etc.If you bleed while you brush and floss, then it is highly likely that you have active gum disease. The disease is reversible in this stage.

These cases need prompt attention and your dentist will likely prescribe a deeper cleaning than the normal prophy polish every 6 months. She/he needs to anesthetize the area and clean out the plaque and debris below the gums to get rid of the infection area. The price for this service at your dentist can range from $600-$1200.

At Risas we charge $300-$500, a fair fee for the work performed. And while this can still be a large amount of money, the price of waiting is exponentially higher.

As a patient who has received this kind of cleaning in the past, I can affirm that there is nothing more therapeutic for your overall health than this treatment.

What are the different stages of gum disease?

Gum disease, in its active form, is described above. If the disease goes untreated, it turns into periodontal disease. This means that not only are the gums involved, but also the bone that holds the teeth.

At this stage, the damage is nearly irreversible. Signs and symptoms of this disease are the same as gum disease. However, in addition to these symptoms, your teeth will become loose. This mobility will change the way your teeth fit when you bite and you will notice your teeth separating from each other.

The treatment for this chronic stage of the disease can range from the deep cleaning described before, to the loss and replacement of the teeth, if preferred, in the damaged areas. In some cases that do not respond to non-surgical methods of treatment, you may be sent to a specialist to speak about your surgical options.

What are some important facts and common misconceptions about gum and periodontal disease?6469223399_0e5141e9c8_o

Periodontal disease has been linked to increased inflammation in the body, and an increased risk of stroke and heart illness.

According to the CDC, over 50% of adults over 30 years of age suffer from gum disease, and it is the most prevalent among Hispanic adults.

At Risas, 3 in 4 adult patients require treatment, and at least one patient per week will need all their teeth removed and a denture placed from chronic periodontal disease.

Pregnancy gingivitis is very common. Because of the extra blood flow through the woman’s body during pregnancy, gum inflammation, swelling and redness are common symptoms. If you are pregnant, you must take oral hygiene seriously.

For more information, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gum_disease .

This article is a feature from the series, “From the Mouth of Dr. Nicolas.” You can listen to “El Show del Dr. Nicolas” every Wednesday from 8 a.m. – 9 a.m. on 1190AM. Visit the official website at www.DrNicolasShow.com

If you have any questions regarding this topic, and would like to make an appointment for a free consultation, visit RisasDental.com, or follow Dr. Nicolas on Twiiter @DrNicolasShow or “LIKE” his page on Facebook at Facebook.com/DrNicolasShow

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By admin July 8, 2014 07:10

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