Health Mouth = Healthy Body

Healthy Mouth = Healthy Body

Researchers are still studying how bacteria and inflammation associated with gum disease play a role in “systemic” problems, meaning it affects the body as a whole. The mouth is a considered a window of the body by showing signs in nutritional deficiencies and general infection. Diabetes, AIDS, Sjogren’s syndrome become apparent because of mouth lesions and other oral problems. Maintaining healthy gums is important for people who are susceptible to bacterial pneumonia including the elderly, people prone to respiratory infections and weak immune systems.

The mouth is filled with countless bacteria linked to tooth decay and periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums that can destroy bone and tissues that support the teeth. Cardiovascular disease, strokes, diabetes, pre-term deliveries in pregnant women and low birth weight are all potential links with periodontal gum. Preventing periodontal disease is an important step in maintaining your overall health.

We all live in a health-conscious society and all ages recognize the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Cleaning thoroughly by brushing and flossing at least twice a day is important part of in preventing gum disease. Scheduling regular dental visits, eating a balanced diet, limiting unhealthy foods and snacks will also reduce your risk of developing periodontal disease and dental cavities.

Our Marietta Dentists, Kirk Kimmerling DDS, Suzanna Aguilera DMD, and Garrick McGrath DMD invite you to our office to learn more about to keep your mouth and body healthy. Please contact our office to schedule an appointment if you are already showing signs of periodontal disease which include: bleeding gums during brushing and flossing, red or swollen gums, receding gums, and loose teeth.

Great Aid for Those Wearing Braces

Braces are a substantial investment, so the last thing people want after wearing braces is for their teeth to be covered with white spots. These spots are the beginning of dental decay caused by bacteria.

There's help in avoiding white spots, the beginning of decay  during braces.

A Swedish study from Malmo University suggested that a high fluoride toothpaste may help those wearing braces not to develop the spots.  Since 85 percent of people wearing braces develop these lesions, a high fluoride toothpaste was studied.  

Five dental practices with over 400 people participated.  Half  were given a 4 times the amount of fluoride in a toothpaste, while the others used a regular fluoride toothpaste.  After the 20 months, it was determined that the high fluoride is effective in stopping one third of white lesions in age group 11 to 16.  Forty five percent with regular toothpaste showed signs of white spots while 34.6 that used the high fluoride showed the spots.

Verde Pointe Dental Associates offers prescription strength high fluoridated toothpastes at the dental office.  Marietta dentists can determine if a high fluoride toothpaste is right for you. Whether you have braces or are cavity prone,  Kirk Kimmeling DDS, Suzanna Aguilera DMD and Garrick McGrath can offer advice on your specific situation. Teeth need to last a lifetime, so high fluoride may be right for you.  

Dental Decay and Your Baby

Most people do not realize that dental decay is a communicable disease.  A parent's harmful dental decay causing bacteria can be passed to your baby's mouth, putting your child at an increased risk for cavities.

One of the nation's leading dental benefits providers, Delta Dental Plans Association has determined that less than one third of American caregivers realize that they can pass dental disease to a baby.

You can protect your baby with a little forethought. Let's take a look at the facts.

Tooth decay bacteria called Streptococcus mutans is commonly found in the human oral cavity. This bacteria can be passed when contaminated saliva from an adult enters a child's mouth. Typically, primary care givers and family contaminate the baby.  Streptococcus mutans metabolize sugars and ferment-able carbohydrates into tooth dissolving acids.

1. Brushing, flossing and will help prevent decay by reducing bacteria in the mouth.

2. Reducing the intake of processed sugars, such as in candies, juices and cokes will reduce the colonization of bacteria causing decay.

3. Brushing after eating or at least rinsing with water helps protect against tooth decay leading to dental fillings, crowns, root canals, toothaches, dental emergencies and more.

The doctors at +Verde Pointe Dental Associates, +Kirk Kimmerling DDS, +Suzanna Aguilera DMD and +Garrick McGrath DMD welcome new dental patients to the state of the art facility.

If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It!

When it comes to dentistry, there's a legion of people with the philosophy; If it ain't broke, don't fix

it!  Although this sounds good on the surface, dental disease like many other diseases of the body doesn't necessarily hurt until it's too late for a minor repair. 

Disease involving the mouth, such as dental decay and periodontal gum disease usually does not cause discomfort in the early stages of easy repair.  A cavity can progress invading the inner most portion of the tooth causing the need for a root canal.  When the bacteria invades the nerve from decay, the more extensive and costly root canal becomes necessary to restore the tooth.

Gum disease is much the same as decay.  When it is left to progress, scaling and root planning, gum surgery and extractions can be the only treatment to get the mouth healthy. 

Regular dental cleanings at the dentist gives opportunity for early detection, less expensive restorations and a healthier you. 

If it ain't broke, FIX it!

The dentists at +Verde Pointe Dental Associates . +Kirk Kimmerling DDS,  +Suzanna Aguilera DDS and Garrick McGrath DMD are happy to welcome new patients to the dental office. If your dentist suggests necessary #dental work is necessary, and you disagree, do not ignore the situation.  Get a second opinion about the tooth, toothache, dental emergency, dental decay, periodontal disease, crowns bridges, a root canal, denture or implant.
Ignoring necessary dentistry is a mistake.