periodontal disease

4 ways your teeth change as you age

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While one should not generalize, it could be said that one of the most obvious ways in which the elderly are affected by the aging process is through their mouth. While wrinkles and similar skin complaints often grab the headlines, the teeth, gums and everything around this area is also affected. This isn’t any coincidence – the aging process does impact these areas more than others. Like it or not, the human body hasn’t evolved to that of a dinosaur, who were historically able to regrow teeth whenever they required. Bearing this in mind, today’s article will take a look at four of the biggest ways your teeth change as you enter your latter years. Your mouth becomes drier We’re not going to get into the in’s and out’s of why your mouth is dry, there are all sorts of … Read more

Photoacoustic Imaging for Periodontal Probing Depth

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Engineering research at the University of California San Diego has led to a technique that could update how teeth and gums are imaged. Researchers combined squid ink with light and ultrasound to create a new dental imaging method to examine a patient’s gums in a more comprehensive and accurate way than existing methods and also non-invasive way. The image can show the entire pocket depth around teeth consistent and accurately without prodding the gums of the patient. The conventional method for dentists to assess gum health is to use an instrument called a periodontal probe which is a thin, hook-like metal tool that is marked like a tiny measuring stick and inserted in between the teeth and gums to see if the gums have shrunk back from the teeth, creating pockets. This method of measuring pocket depth is considered a … Read more

This Is What Will Happen To Your Teeth If You Give Up Sugar 

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When you smile, do you show people that you’re healthy or that you have health problems? If you’re eating too much sugar, you’re damaging your teeth. Your smile will reveal cavities and gum disease, which will dent your confidence and can lead to other health problems. Decreasing how much sugar you eat is important to staying healthy while preserving a beautiful smile. By cutting out sugar, you will boost your oral health, which will have positive effects on the rest of your body. Cutting Out Sugar Prevents Oral Bacteria There are two main types of bacteria that are found in the mouth. These are Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sorbrinus. These bacteria like to eat the sugar you eat, which forms dental plaque on your teeth. This is basically a transparent but sticky coating that forms on the surface of your teeth. … Read more

Diabetes and dentistry: Two issues which go hand-in-hand

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If you happen to hear a conversation about diabetes – you could be forgiven for not realizing it can have a direct impact on your mouth. Numerous studies have shown that there is a direct link between diabetes and your teeth. This correlation was mentioned in an article by a Dorset dentist which led to further exploration. Here, it was outlined how there are two problems which can occur as a result of diabetes. The topic has been investigated in more detail to put together the following guide. This takes a look at both of the problems which were highlighted in the initial article, before embarking on some top tips to make sure you don’t become part of the unlucky group who is affected. Problem #1 – Periodontal disease Few people will have heard of the condition known as periodontal disease, but … Read more

Monitoring the Periodontal Status of Wisdom Teeth

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An interesting article titled “Monitoring for Periodontal Inflammatory Disease in the Third Molar Region,” appears in the April 2015, issue of the Journal of Oral and Maxilofacial Surgery written by Brent A. Golden and et. al. (vol. 73, issue 4). The study looked at participants who had asymptomatic wisdom teeth and sought to assess the periodontal status of those wisdom teeth at 2 year intervals for 6 years. The participants in the study were taken to have healthy periodontal status of their wisdom teeth if the probing depths were less than 4 mm. A total of 129 such patients were included in the study. In actuality the study participants were a subsample of another larger study were patients had 4 asymptomatic wisdom teeth. The subsample included all participants with a healthy periodontal status (all probing depths less than 4 mm) … Read more