Recent statistics on Americans who floss on a daily basis are just slightly more than 50%. With only half of Americans flossing daily, it nearly parallels the averaged percentage of men and women who brush their teeth twice a day. Only 57% of women brush twice daily with only 49% of men brushing twice daily.

Tooth brushing should last for two minutes and done twice each day. Daily flossing takes around a minute once you are in the habit and comfortable with the technique. These measures help you to avoid cavities and the development of gingivitis.

Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontal (gum) disease. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) shows that nearly 53% of American adults over the age of 20 have gingivitis.

Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums. This begins when bacteria multiply and create a sticky film on oral surfaces, which hardens into plaque if not removed on a daily basis. Signs of gingivitis include gums that bleed easily, become tender and redden in color. If allowed to progress, gingivitis develops into periodontal disease, which is the nation’s leading cause of tooth loss.

Sadly, 24% of adult males in America between the ages of 65 – 74 have had all their natural teeth extracted with females at 27%. These are sad statistics in a country where dental care is plentiful. Yet, as statistics show, it’s not a priority for far too many. If you suspect any form of periodontal disease, call (828) 274-9440. We’ll help you avoid the pitfalls of gum disease.

After the completion of high school, dentists enter college to receive their undergraduate degree, perhaps in biology, which typically requires four years to achieve. Once this is completed, they enter a university that has a dental school and continue studies in the field of dentistry. This requires another four years for most.

After receiving their Doctorate in Dental Science (or Doctorate in Dental Medicine), those dentists wishing to specialize in a particular area of dentistry continue their education and training. For periodontists, this requires another two to three years of specialized training to focus on all issues pertaining to the health tissues in the mouth, dental implant placement, and esthetic treatment involving gum tissue.

Once specialty training is completed, some periodontists take the board-certification examination. This is offered by the American Board of Periodontology on an annual basis. Board certification in periodontology indicates the specialist has made significant achievements beyond the mandatory educational requirements of the specialty and demonstrated a comprehensive mastery of all phases of treating periodontal disease and in implant placement. Once Board Certified, he or she must go through a re-certification process every six years.

Although Board Certification is not required for a Periodontal Specialist to treat patients, it is added assurance that the specialist has perfected their skill level to the highest standards.

If you have questions regarding the specialty of Periodontics or Board Certification, feel free to contact us at (828) 274-9440. Or, you may wish to visit the web site of the American Academy of Periodontology at www.perio.org.

It is unlawful to sell a home that has termites; that’s how destructive these little bugs are to the structure of a home. When a homeowner learns they have termites, immediate measures are taken to combat these demons and repair the damage they’ve caused thus far.

Oral bacteria, which are living ‘bugs,’ are no less destructive than termites. They multiply quickly and spend their lives eating away at the structure of your mouth. Oral bacteria begin by eating away at gum tissue and tooth surfaces. As they continue to multiply, they destroy bone structure below the gum line as well.

When oral bacteria enters the blood stream through tears in diseased gum tissues, they can trigger an inflammatory reaction elsewhere in the body. Oral bacteria have been linked to heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, preterm babies, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease and even impotency.

Unlike the home in which you reside, your body is your forever home. When you think of oral bacteria as they truly are – like termites in the mouth – your oral health will have a more prominent part in your overall health commitment.

If you have signs of gum disease, oral bacteria is already causing damage. Symptoms include gums that bleed when you brush, persistent bad breath, sore and tender gums or receded gums. Delaying treatment only allows these oral ‘bugs’ to multiply further and continue their damage.

Call us at (828) 274-9440 for a consultation, or better yet, schedule an examination so we can determine your specific level of gum disease and treatment needed.

An article in the Journal of Periodontology lists nine risk factors for tooth loss due to periodontal (gum) disease, which is the nation’s leading cause of tooth loos.

Risk factors include:
Being over the age of 35
Being a male
Never getting professional dental care
Never using a toothbrush
Smoking
Having diabetes
Having high blood pressure
Having rheumatoid arthritis

Although age and gender are unchangeable, decisions to not brush your teeth or to smoke, for example, are something you can control.

Why should you worry about gum disease? In addition to causing tooth loss, oral bacteria can enter then bloodstream through tears in diseased tissues in the mouth. Once bloodborne, this bacteria can trigger an inflammatory reaction elsewhere in the body.

The bacteria of gum disease has been linked to heart disease, stroke, memory loss, preterm babies, arthritis, diabetes, and even impotency.

If you aren’t concerned about losing teeth, then these additional health risks should get your attention. Treating gum disease before it becomes severe can be done comfortably and affordably. Payment options are available for those without dental insurance.

Gum disease will only worsen without treatment. Call (828) 274-9440 if you have tender, sore gums that are red in color rather than a healthy pink. You need to be seen promptly.