Periodontal disease is an infection of the tissues that support your teeth. Your gum tissue is not attached to the teeth as high as it may seem. There is a very shallow v-shaped crevice called a sulcus between the tooth and gums. Periodontal diseases attack just below the gum line in the sulcus, where they cause the attachment of the tooth and its supporting tissues to break down. As the tissues are damaged, the sulcus develops into a pocket: generally, the more severe the disease, the greater the depth of the pocket.

Periodontal diseases are classified according to the severity of the disease. The two major stages are gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is a milder and reversible form of periodontal disease that only affects the gums. Gingivitis may lead to more serious, destructive forms of periodontal disease called periodontitis.
Some factors increase the risk of developing periodontal disease:

Tobacco smoking or chewing
Systemic diseases such as diabetes
Some types of medication such as steroids, some types of anti-epilepsy drugs, cancer therapy drugs, some calcium channel blockers and oral contraceptives
Bridges that no longer fit properly
Crooked teeth
Fillings that have become defective
Pregnancy or use of oral contraceptives
Several warning signs that can signal a problem:

Gums that bleed easily
Red, swollen, tender gums
Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
Persistent bad breath or bad taste
Permanent teeth that are loose or separating
Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
Any change in the fit of partial dentures

It is possible to have periodontal disease and have no warning signs. That is one reason why regular dental checkups and periodontal examinations are very important. Treatment methods depend upon the type of disease and how far the condition has progressed. Good oral hygiene at home is essential to help keep periodontal disease from becoming more serious or recurring. You don’t have to lose teeth to periodontal disease. Brush, clean between your teeth, eat a balanced diet, and schedule regular dental visits for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

Your dentist uses root canal treatment to find the cause and then treat problems of the tooth’s soft core (the dental pulp). Years ago, teeth with diseased or injured pulps were removed. Today, root canal treatment has given dentists a safe way of saving teeth.

Treatment often involves from one to three visits. During treatment, Dr. Miller or Dr. Poleon will remove the diseased pulp. The pulp chamber and root canal(s) of the tooth are then cleaned and sealed.

If you’ve lost all of your natural teeth, whether from periodontal disease, tooth decay or injury, complete dentures can replace your missing teeth and your smile. Replacing missing teeth will benefit your appearance and your health. Without support from the denture, facial muscles sag, making a person look older. You’ll be able to eat and speak—things that people often take for granted until their natural teeth are lost.

There are various types of complete dentures. A conventional full denture is made and placed in the patient’s mouth after the remaining teeth are removed and tissues have healed which may take several months. An immediate complete denture is inserted as soon as the remaining teeth are removed. The dentist takes measurements and makes models of the patient’s jaws during a preliminary visit. With immediate dentures, the denture wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period.

The American Dental Association recommends that a child be seen by a dentist as soon as his or her first tooth erupts, but no later than the first birthday.  A dental visit at this early age is a “well baby visit” for the teeth.  Besides checking for tooth decay and other problems, we can demonstrate how to clean the child’s teeth properly and evaluate any adverse habits such as thumb-sucking.

As the permanent molars appear, dental sealants may be recommended.  Sealants form a thin barrier that helps protect the chewing surfaces from the effect of decay-causing bacteria.

If you are having a dental emergency, please call us at (585)473-4320.

We will make every attempt to see you that day. If you are experiencing pain, please let us know. During your appointment Dr. Miller or Dr. Poleon will evaluate the area of concern. They may need to take an x-ray to assist in diagnosis. Dr. Miller or Dr. Poleon will then discuss their findings with you, so that you may decide on the best treatment option for you.

It is important if you have diabetes to take special care of your teeth and gums. Diabetes can lower your resistance to infections and reduce your body’s ability to heal. Research has shown a definite two way link between diabetes and periodontal disease. People with diabetes are more likely to have periodontal disease and having periodontal disease can make it more difficult for diabetics to control their blood sugar levels.

diabetic dentistry

Periodontal disease, including gingivitis and periodontitis, is a chronic bacterial infection and inflammation of the gums, bone and tissue surrounding a tooth. Although the bacterial toxins in plaque are the main cause, poor oral hygiene, systemic diseases, smoking, poor nutrition, clenching or grinding your teeth, pregnancy, stress, genetics and medications can increase your risk of periodontal disease. Signs include red, swollen or bleeding gums, bad breath, gums that have pulled away from the teeth, a change in the way your teeth fit together and loose teeth. Many times there are no symptoms or pain until the advanced stages. Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss.

Other oral complications of diabetes include:
Dry mouth: A dry mouth increases the risk of tooth decay, ulcerations in the mouth and periodontal disease. In addition, it can make wearing a denture painful. To counteract the dryness, take frequent sips of water, chew sugarless gum, restrict the use of caffeine and alcohol and use a saliva substitute. Daily use of a fluoride mouthwash will help prevent tooth decay.
Oral Candidiasis: Also known as thrush, this condition is characterized by white or sometimes red patches in the mouth. The most common locations are on the tongue or under a denture. If you wear a denture, remove it nightly, brush denture thoroughly and soak it in denture cleaner. Your dentist can prescribe antifungal medication if needed.
Taste impairment: A decrease in taste may cause some patients to favor very sweet foods which can worsen blood sugar levels and increase tooth decay.
Burning mouth and ulcerations: Your dentist can prescribe a topical anesthetic for pain relief if needed.

Tips for Caring for Your Mouth
Daily removal of bacterial plaque is essential to maintain the health of your teeth and gums. In addition, a healthy mouth will make it easier to control your blood sugar.
Brush teeth thoroughly with a soft toothbrush at least twice a day. Hold the brush at a 45 degree angle to the gum line and gently brush in short circular strokes. After brushing all sides of your teeth, brush you tongue.
Floss twice daily. To floss, gently ease a small section of floss between the tooth and gum. Curve the floss around the tooth in a “C” shape and gently move the floss up and down along the tooth and gently under the gum for several strokes to remove plaque.
Use a fluoride rinse daily.
Get regular dental exams and cleanings every 3-6 months.
Notify your dentist of changes in your overall health or changes in your oral health conditions.
Practicing good oral care at home, following your physician’s recommendations and medications and scheduling regular checkups with your dentist will keep your smile and body healthy.
Brushing and flossing enhance optimal benefits of dental health

More information regarding dental health and diabetes can be located at the following sites:
www.nidr.nih.gov
www.ada.org

Your smile conveys a lot about how you feel about yourself. Even minor flaws can prevent you from feeling the best about yourself and your self-image. We can enhance your smile with cosmetic dentistry. The reflection of you and your self-image is priceless.

If you suffer from:

• Dark teeth
• Stained teeth
• Spaces between your teeth
• Broken, worn, or chipped teeth
• Unsightly washed out fillings
• Crooked or poorly shaped teeth
• Uneven teeth and gums

We can help you enhance your smile to give it a beautiful appearance.

We at Park Dental pride ourselves in listening to your needs and wants.

In order to serve you, thorough and comprehensive diagnostic methods are utilized to provide you with treatment options and recommendations. Our goal is to create restorative excellence in everything we do, with a collaborative environment that is peaceful and gentle.

Dental Implants function remarkably like natural teeth. Patients have a renewed sense of self confidence and with enhanced ability to chew, talk, laugh and smile fully again.

If you face the loss of one or several teeth or if you are dissatisfied with dentures, you may find that dental implants are right for you. Age is not usually a major factor.

Diagnosis for bite problems are based on signs and symptoms including any and all of the following:

• Difficulty chewing
• TMJ diagram
• Worn teeth
• Cracked teeth
• Teeth that fit together poorly (malocclusion)
• Shifting of teeth due to wear or loss of teeth
• Clenching or grinding of teeth (bruxisim)
• Loose teeth due to excessive bite forces
• Muscle pain, headaches, or pain in the jaw joints

Treatment options may include:

• Diet modification
• Medicinal intervention
• Appliance therapy
• Rebuilding teeth
• Repositioning teeth

Your Dental Hygenist is a participating member of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association and its state and local organizations.

Your Dental Hygenist is a graduate of a college-level accredited dental hygiene education program. The curriculum included many hours of classroom and clinical studies in subject areas including: pathology (disease processes), pharmacology (drug interactions), human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, dental anatomy (head and neck structures), tooth development, community health, nutrition, periodontics (gum disease), prophylaxis (cleaning techniques) and radiology (x-rays).

Your Dental Hygenist is licensed by this state’s dental licensing board, but only after passing an extensive examination required by that agency. To pass that exam and receive a state license, Your Dental Hygenist must meet educational requirements, pass a national board examination on dental hygiene subjects and prove clinical proficiency in actual hands-on clinical procedures tests required by the licensure board. Your Dental Hygenist also is required to know and follow all laws and ruled relevant to dental hygiene in this state.

Your Dental Hygenist also practices current techniques in infection control, following strict universal precautions designated by the U.S. Center for Disease Control and the U.S. Occupation Safety and Health Administration.

Your Dental Hygenist maintains current Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association for re-licensure.

Your Dental Hygenist adheres to a Code of Ethics and a standard of practice established by American Dental Hygienists Association. For re-licensure, Your Dental Hygenist is required to regularly complete continuing education courses to keep technical skills sharp and scientific knowledge current.

Most of all, Your Dental Hygenist is concerned about your health, your well-being and the quality of dental hygiene care your receive. Feel free to share thoughts and concerns about your oral health with Your Dental Hygenist.

Notify your dentist of any changes in your health or symptoms of oral conditions.
Practicing good oral care at home, following your physician’s recommendations and medications and scheduling regular checkups with your dentist will keep your smile and body healthy.

At each cleaning, you will receive an examination which also includes an oral cancer screening. Oral Cancer often starts as a tiny, unnoticed white or red spot or sore anywhere in the mouth. It can affect any area of the oral cavity including the lips, gum tissue, check lining, tongue and the hard or soft palate.

Other signs include:

• A sore that bleeds easily or does not heal
• A color change of the oral tissues
• A lump, thickening, rough spot, crust or small eroded area
• Pain, tenderness, or numbness anywhere in the mouth or on the lips
• Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving the jaw or tongue
• A change in the way the teeth fit together

Oral Cancer most often occurs in those who use tobacco in any form. Alcohol use combined with smoking greatly increases risk.Prolonged exposure to the sun increases the risk of lip cancer.
More than 25% of oral cancers occur in people who do not smoke and have no other risk factors.
Oral Cancer is more likely to strike after age 40.Studies suggest that a diet high in fruits and vegetables may prevent the development of potentially cancerous lesions.

Regular Dental Check-ups Important
Regular dental check-ups, including an examination of the entire mouth, are essential in the early detection of cancerous and pre-cancerous conditions. You may have a very small, but dangerous, oral spot or sore and not be aware of it.

Your dentist will carefully examine all areas of your mouth. In about 10% of patients, the dentist may notice a flat, painless, white or red spot or a small sore. Although most of these are harmless, some are not. Harmful oral spots or sores often look identical to those that are harmless – testing can tell them apart. If you have a sore with a likely cause, your dentist may treat it and ask you to return for re-examination.

Dentists often will notice a spot or sore that looks harmless and does not have a clear cause. To ensure that a spot or sore is not dangerous, your dentist may choose to perform a simple test, such as a brush biopsy, which usually is painless and can detect potentially dangerous cells when the disease is still at an early stage.

If your dentist notices something that looks very suspicious and dangerous, a scalpel biopsy may be recommended. This usually requires local anesthesia. Your general dentist may perform this procedure or refer you to a specialist for it.