Gum Disease Archives - Page 2 of 4

21 Feb 2019

February 21, 2019 0 Comments By John Calderon General, Gum Disease

What is Gum Disease Awareness Month? The Goals Behind the Movement

Gum Disease Awareness Month started as a grassroots movement. Recognizing the epidemic-level problem of untreated gum disease in the United States, the Institute for Advanced Laser Dentistry (IALD) launched a campaign in 2012 to educate the public about the prevalence and the consequences of untreated gum disease.

Today, Gum Disease Awareness (or GDA for short) Month is recognized in all 50 U.S. states, as well as the territories of Guam and the Virgin Islands, supported by clinicians whose aim is to improve their patients’ understanding of the disease. If you’ve ever wondered “why” Gum Disease Awareness is important enough to deserve its own month, here are the main goals behind the movement.

14 Feb 2019

February 14, 2019 0 Comments By John Calderon General, Gum Disease

A Valentine for Your Actual Heart: Treating Gum Disease for Heart Health

It’s Valentine’s season again, which means proclamations of love, pictures of Cupid and chocolates are everywhere. Whether you find the Valentine’s Day sentiments romantic or annoying, you can use those candy hearts as a reminder to take care of your actual heart’s health.

Research has led to a perceived connection between gum disease and heart health. Your body’s inflammatory response to gum disease may cause hardened gum disease and hardened arteries, which is a primary symptom of heart disease. It’s theorized that bacteria from the mouth may also enter the bloodstream due to the inflammation, wreaking havoc on other parts of the body, including the heart.

This research, as well as the fact that those with gum disease are twice as likely to have heart disease, has made dental professionals sit up and take notice of the connection — both for their patients and themselves.

05 Feb 2019

February 5, 2019 0 Comments By Daysy Pinero, DMD General, Gum Disease

Own It! 4 Steps to Being Part of the Solution for Gum Disease

As a general dentist, I’m the first line of defense for periodontal (gum) disease. When patients come in, one of the first things we do is check to make sure their gums are healthy. When I diagnose a patient with periodontal disease, my goal is for them to understand the disease and then “own it”. We have to work together to keep it from moving to advanced stages.

Gum disease is personal for me. It has impacted my family – even since I’ve become a dentist my dad and grandfather have lost teeth to gum disease. Every day I try to find a solution for gum disease so my patients don’t have to experience the same thing.

Most of my patients don’t realize they have gum disease. Either they haven’t had a periodontal probing, or they don’t know what the numbers mean. And when patients don’t know what the numbers mean, they can’t help fight gum disease. This is why it’s so important for dentists to educate patients about gum disease – and for patients to ask questions and learn more.

09 Nov 2018

November 9, 2018 0 Comments By John Calderon General, Gum Disease

Breaking Down the Various Forms of Gum Disease

Most people just don’t know much about gum disease — hence the creation of this very website. In addition to knowing the signs and symptoms of gum disease, it’s important to understand that gum disease has different degrees of severity, and proper treatment depends on which stage of gum disease is present.

Recently, the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) and European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) released an updated set of classifications for periodontitis (aka, gum disease). These new classifications are meant to help clinicians explain treatment plans to patients and then identify treatments appropriate at each level. The report comes as a result of the 2017 World Workshop on the Classification of Periodontal and Peri-Implant Diseases and Conditions, and is the first update to the classifications in almost 20 years!

07 Sep 2018

September 7, 2018 0 Comments By John Calderon General, Gum Disease

What’s in a Treatment? The Differences Between Laser Treatments for Gum Disease

Picture it: You’re settling into your dentist’s chair for an appointment. It’s probably been too long since your last visit. After the hygienist and doctor work on you, you get the news: you have advanced gum disease. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill gingivitis; it’s been slowly destroying the bone around your teeth and you’re going to have to have surgery to correct it before it wreaks havoc on your mouth and the rest of your health, as well.

10 Apr 2018

April 10, 2018 0 Comments By John Calderon General, Gum Disease Gum Disease, oral cancer

The Alarming Link Between Untreated Gum Disease and Oral Cancer

Oral cancer accounts for just 2-4% of all cancers, but that number is on the rise. Because of the lack of pain associated with oral cancer, early detection and treatment plans are unfortunately rare. Gum disease is also often undertreated due to a lack of noticeable symptoms. Gum disease, if left untreated, can have a whole host of effects on your mouth and body — including the loss of your teeth. New research suggests that gum disease and oral cancer may be more related than we thought.

20 Feb 2018

February 20, 2018 0 Comments By Fight Gum Disease General, Gum Disease gum disease awareness, gum disease experts, gum disease questions

Gum Disease Awareness: An Expert’s Panel Answers Your Questions

Despite epidemic levels of gum disease in the United States – the majority of adults having some level of gum disease – most of us are unaware of the signs, symptoms or even why it is important to be treated. We’ve brought together a panel of experts to answer your gum disease questions. February is Gum Disease Awareness Month – it’s time to be more informed on this all too common disease.

08 Feb 2018

February 8, 2018 2 Comments By John Calderon General, Gum Disease

One Patient’s Journey: An Interview with Tonya About Gum Disease

Tonya had been battling with gum disease all of her adult life. Instead of getting expensive dental implants, she chose to have it treated with the LANAP protocol after hearing about it from her friend. We chatted with her about her experiences with gum disease, why she chose to get treatment and what life is like after the procedure.

05 Feb 2018

February 5, 2018 0 Comments By John Calderon General, Gum Disease

Gum Disease Awareness Month: 3 Reasons Why You Should Care

As you’ve probably gathered from our website, gum disease awareness is something we are concerned with 24/7, 365 days a year. That doesn’t mean it isn’t important to observe that February is Gum Disease Awareness (GDA) Month, now going into its sixth year. GDA is now recognized in all 50 U.S. states, as well as the territories of Guam and the Virgin Islands. Here are the top three reasons why it’s so important that you and everyone else know why this distinction came to be in the first place — and what you can do to keep the momentum going.

19 Dec 2017

December 19, 2017 0 Comments By John Calderon General, Gum Disease Gum Disease, Improving Oral Health

5 Reasons Why Improving Your Oral Health Should Be Your First New Year’s Resolution

It’s that time of year where everyone plans for how they’re going to improve their lives in the new year. Maybe you wanted to drop those pesky 10lbs, or maybe you’re looking to quit smoking. Maybe your resolution is to start reading more or pick up gardening. Whatever the case may be, we all know the dreadful success rates associated with New Year’s Resolutions.

Good news — if you want to prove to yourself you can stick with a resolution and improve your health at the same time, look no further than your bathroom sink. Making a commitment to your oral health is a simple step you can take to ensure you keep your smile in good shape for the new year and beyond. Here are five reasons why improving your oral health should be a priority for the new year.

Category: <span>Gum Disease</span>