Tag: Naperville IL Periodntist

Periodontist Naperville | Understanding the Gene-Factor in Gum Disease

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Many chronic diseases have genetic factors, and gum disease is no exception. While research is ongoing, scientists have identified 38 genes associated with the increased risk of developing periodontitis.One in particular known as the FAM5C gene is not only linked to aggressive periodontal disease, but also cardiovascular disease and other conditions associated with chronic inflammation. The good news is, knowledge really is power when it comes to genetics; once you and your dentist identify your particular risk factors, there are healthy habits and lifestyle changes you can make to keep your teeth and gums healthy and disease-free.

  1. Take extra care with brushing and flossing.
    Everyone should prioritize these essential oral health habits, but those with elevated risk factors for gum disease need to be especially vigilant. If your gums already show signs of recession or infection, you may also want to ask our Naperville periodontal office about more frequent exams.
  2. Quit smoking.
    The American Academy of Periodontology has identified smoking as one of the most significant risk factors for the development and progression of gum disease. If you make no other lifestyle changes, eliminating this one bad habit could dramatically improve your health and possibly lengthen your life.
  3. Eat a healthier diet.
    Your immune system is tasked with fighting off infection in your body, including periodontal disease. A diet low in fat and high in lean meats, fish, fruits and vegetables is a simple change that can have a notably positive impact on your dental health.
  4. See a specialist.
    A periodontist is a dental professional who specializes in the prevention and treatment of periodontal disease. If you are genetically at risk for gum disease, schedule an appointment with our office to assess the current health of your teeth, gums and bone structure so you can create a customized plan of action to preserve your smile.

Maintaining healthy teeth and gums is important to your overall health. For most of us, regular dental visits and good oral hygiene habits are enough. But, for those who are genetically predisposed to tooth decay and gum disease, taking extra precautions and partnering with a dental specialist can provide you with the information, tools and resources you need to keep your teeth and gums healthy now, and prevent existing conditions from progressing. Contact our Naperville office to schedule an appointment today.

Naperville Perio

Phone: (630) 355-5010

Url: https://napervilleperio.com/

10 W. Martin Ave, Suite 211 Naperville, IL 60540

Periodontist in Naperville | The Importance of Dental Specialists Working Together

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If you’ve spent any amount of time with missing teeth, you know just how detrimental it can be to your quality of life. You may be ready to finally do something about it and restore your smile with a dental implant. However, if you’ve spent too much time with those teeth missing, you may have a problem.

Teeth have a natural ability to move due to periodontal ligaments and a thin layer of bony-like material called cementum. When you have a full smile, this ability for teeth to shift is not all that noticeable as the pressure from surrounding teeth tend to help everything stay in place.

However, when there is a gap from a missing tooth, the surrounding teeth suddenly have a lot more room to move, and will take up the space quickly. As a result, if you’ve gone a long time with missing teeth, your remaining teeth may have moved into the vacant area, blocking the place where your dental implant restoration needs to go.

In order to remedy this situation and get your mouth ready for your implants, it may be necessary to correct your alignment with orthodontics.

Orthodontic treatment, such as braces, is used to incrementally change the position of your teeth to get them back in place. When your teeth are back in place, your doctor will be able to place the implant. While orthodontics are an extremely effective method of correction, traditional metal braces can be quite noticeable in the mouth.

For those adults who may need orthodontic treatment, there are multiple options to choose from that can fit your lifestyle and your needs. If this is the case, one possible option may be found in the form of clear aligners.

While there are many aligner systems on the market today, many know about Invisalign or have seen a commercial for the system. Changed roughly every two weeks, these plastic trays are worn consistently to achieve the same effect as braces, but with a lower profile.

Regardless of which option works best for your needs, this process speaks to the interrelatedness all dental professionals must share in order to give you the smile of your dreams.  Our Naperville office is happy to play its part in helping you smile with confidence again.

If you need to schedule an appointment, or want to ask us any questions about your current treatment, please don’t hesitate to contact our team. We are here to help you smile and look forward to doing so.

Naperville Perio

Phone: (630) 355-5010

Url: https://napervilleperio.com/

10 W. Martin Ave, Suite 211 Naperville, IL 60540

Naperville IL Periodontist | What is The Color of Your Gums Saying About You?

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More variable than you may think, the color of your gums can be an excellent indicator of the state of your oral and total body health. Keeping an eye on the color and texture of your gums can be a great way to catch changes in your health and get you the care you need sooner. Take a look at the list of potential gum colors below, and what they could mean for your health.

Pink

While there are a wide range of healthy gum colors, the most common is pink. Depending on your skin tone, the shade of pink may be darker or lighter, but as long as they are firm and a usual color for you, you should be proud that you keep your gums in excellent shape. 

Brown

Brown gums do not necessarily mean that there is something off about your health. For many with a darker skin tone, brown gums are actually a good sign that you are healthy. Darker gums could also be the result of an increased exposure to sunlight. Causing the melanin in your gums to darken, an increase in the amount of time you spend in the sun is usually not a reason to see your dentist. If you are worried, check on the texture of your gums and the edges around your teeth. No matter their natural color, healthy gums should be smooth and firm.

Red

Red gums are one of the most common signs of unhealthy gums. Indicating inflammation or infection, red gums are often swollen and sensitive and could bleed during brushing and flossing. This is not normal for healthy gums and is a sign that you should seek professional help.

Yellow

As you may have guessed, a yellow tinge to your gums is also a sign of unhealthy gums. An indicator that you may have gingivitis, this condition is fairly common and can usually be remedied with a visit to your doctor. If you want to avoid yellow gums altogether, it’s important to maintain a strong oral health care routine. 

Black

Black gums can be an alarming situation for anyone. Usually due to tobacco use or the taking of certain medications, talk to your Naperville dentist about a plan of action based on your medical history.

White or Gray

Often the result of a weakened immune system, your gray gums will need the help of a doctor to return to a normal pink hue. Consult with your Naperville dentist right away.

Keeping your gums healthy through good oral hygiene can help you avoid any of these color changes. If you have any questions about your own gum health, feel free to contact Naperville Perio or schedule an appointment.

Naperville Perio
Phone: (630) 355-5010
10 W. Martin Ave, Suite 211
Naperville, IL 60540

Naperville IL Periodontist | The Benefits of Chewing Gum

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We are often warned about the negative effects that sugary gums and candies can have on our teeth. Although it is true that sticky, sweet candies increase your risk of tooth decay, not all chewing gums are harmful to your teeth. Though gum is considered a type of candy, sugar free gums can actually help to prevent tooth decay and leave you with a healthy and beautiful smile. Here’s how:

How Does Chewing Gum Keep My Mouth Healthy?

Chewing gum increases saliva production which in turn aids in strengthening tooth enamel, as saliva contains calcium. Your teeth need the calcium that is produced by our saliva in order to remain strong enough to fight tooth decay. Chewing a piece of sugar-free gum for up to 20 minutes after each meal aids in both cleaning excess food particles from your teeth and in producing the saliva necessary to give your mouth a suitable self-cleaning.

How Chewing Gum Can Help My Gums

The extra saliva that chewing sugar-free gum produces can also help your gums. Neutralizing the plaque and acids that lead to gingivitis, gum can help protect you from gum disease. Gingivitis, when left untreated, may develop into periodontal disease. Increased saliva flow also may help to maintain tooth enamel mineralization, keeping your mouth healthy and happy.

What Kind of Gum Should I Chew?

When looking for chewing gum that will help to keep your mouth healthy, look for the ADA seal on the package. That seal will guarantee that you are chewing sugar-free gum.

The next time that you’re feeling guilty about your gum chewing habit, don’t! Know that your habit may actually be aiding in keeping your mouth and gums healthy. Just remember to look for the ADA seal.

For more tips on keeping your mouth healthy, or to schedule a visit to our Naperville Periodontist, contact Naperville Perio today. We are here to help!

Naperville Perio
Phone: (630) 355-5010
10 W. Martin Ave, Suite 211
Naperville, IL 60540

Naperville IL Periodontist | The Secret To Perfect Flossing, Every Time

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Dentists often like to say that flossing is just as important as brushing. Believe it or not, we don’t say this to trick you. We say it because it’s true. When you forget, or worse, ignore, your flossing you are avoiding cleaning about 35% of your tooth surface. If you’re not flossing because you find it difficult, or because you think you simply don’t have the time, we have a few helpful hints that we’ve picked up over the years to help you floss perfectly every time you pick up a string of dental floss.

The Thicker the Better:

When it comes to the type of dental floss you use, there are plenty of options. While everyone has different needs, a thicker, ribbon style of floss can help clean teeth more effectively due to its larger size. While thinner floss will work just as well, thicker varieties will make cleaning easier for those who find it difficult to spend much time flossing.

A Backstage Helper:

Another common complaint we receive about flossing is that it’s too difficult to reach the back of the mouth. We have a solution. Creatively called a “floss holder”, these plastic devices hold a small piece of floss in place, allowing you to reach the back of your mouth without needing room for your fingers. These disposable tools make flossing faster and easier for even the most “anti-flossing” people. They’re also relatively affordable.

The Proper Length:

18 inches. That’s the magic number for how much floss you should be using at one time. This gives you enough length to always use a clean section of floss and have control over the floss. Any shorter or longer, and you may have a difficult time holding the floss in place or ensuring that the section of floss your are using is clean.

Take Your Time:

Rushing your flossing can actually end up doing more harm than good. When people rush to get their flossing done, they can use too much pressure and cause damage to their gums, or miss important spots entirely. If you find yourself rushing when you floss, it’s important to remember that you don’t have time to floss improperly. Doing so can lead to periodontal disease and even tooth decay over time. Work slowly, but effectively and make sure flossing is a comfortable experience.

So there you have it. Now you’ll be able to take these tips with you the next time you floss for a cleaner, healthier smile. If you have any questions about your oral health, or need to schedule an appointment with your Naperville periodontist, contact Naperville Perio today and we will be happy to assist you.

 

Naperville Perio
Phone: (630) 355-5010
10 W. Martin Ave, Suite 211
Naperville, IL 60540

Naperville IL Periodontist | Why Your Pants Can Have Pockets, But Your Gums Shouldn’t

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If you’re one of the nearly 50% of American adults who suffer from periodontal disease, it’s likely that your gums have already begun to recede away from your teeth, creating what are known as gum pockets. Normal healthy gums should fit snugly around your teeth, keeping them in place and protected from bacteria. As such, gum pockets are the exact opposite of what you want for your oral health.

As these pockets deepen over time, they expose your teeth and their vulnerable roots to all kinds of bacteria that can wreak havoc on your oral health. In fact, these pockets actually serve as a space for this harmful bacteria to collect, where it will eventually permeate under the gum and infect your teeth, potentially leading to tooth loss.

If you don’t have gum pockets, awesome. You should maintain your oral healthcare routine to make sure it stays that way. If you do have them, not all hope is lost.

If your gums are in a bad state, your doctor can provide you with the treatment you need to restore your health. During the procedure, your gum tissue will be folded back, and thoroughly cleansed of all disease-causing bacteria before being secured back in place. This also allows your gum tissue to reattach to healthy bone and limit your chances of reinfection.

It’s important to get your periodontal pockets taken care of as soon as possible, as deeper pockets are more difficult to treat. Reducing depth and cleaning the bacteria are both critical to maintaining a healthy smile.

Because of the nature of gum disease, you will need to work with your doctor to make sure your oral care routine is strong, even after the procedure, as the disease can easily return. Together, you and our team’s professional care will increase your chances of keeping your natural teeth and steering clear or periodontal disease in the future.

If you are in the middle of your periodontal care, make sure you schedule your next appointment with Naperville Perio to maintain your healthy, pocket free gums. 

 

Naperville Perio
Phone: (630) 355-5010
10 W. Martin Ave, Suite 211
Naperville, IL 60540

Naperville IL Dentist | How to Recognize the Symptoms of Gum Disease

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According to a study done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 50 percent (47.2 to be exact) of American adults have some form of periodontal disease. Despite this high rate, gum disease is often overlooked and many may not even be aware that they have the disease. A main factor in the “silent” nature of gum disease is that the symptoms usually don’t appear until advanced stages. Here we’ll outline some of the symptoms you may be able to recognize in order to get the treatment you need before it’s too late.

Red, swollen, or tender gums can be one of the first and most easily recognizable signs of periodontitis. However, it is just as common for gum disease to induce little to no recognizable pain.  If this is the case, you may still be able to identify your early stages of gum disease in another way. If you find that your gums bleed while brushing, flossing, or even eating hard foods, this is another indicator that your gums may be swollen and sensitive. Healthy gums don’t bleed from regular maintenance. If yours do, you most likely are suffering from some form of gum disease.

Some of the other, more dramatic symptoms of gum disease include:

  • receding gums
  • loose teeth
  • Mouth sores
  • stubborn bad breath
  • changes in the way your teeth fit together  

As the foundation of your smile, unhealthy or damaged gums can have serious consequences on your oral health. If left unattended, gum disease can even lead to tooth loss.

However, the disease is also very treatable, and the earlier treatment begins, the easier the recovery. If you begin to see even the faintest traces of any of these symptoms, or need an expert in periodontal care for any other reason, contact Naperville Perio today and get started on healthier gums for tomorrow.

 

Naperville Perio
Phone: (630) 355-5010
10 W. Martin Ave, Suite 211
Naperville, IL 60540

Naperville IL Periodontist | Top Five Ways to Keep Your Gums Healthy

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Our gums are a critically important part of our overall oral health. They keep our teeth in place while also protecting the bone and root underneath the crown. Unhealthy, receding, or diseased gums can create a host of serious complications for the rest of our mouths and even our bodies. Because of this, keeping your gums healthy and disease-free is one of the chief tasks of responsible oral health care. Here are the best ways to do that.

Brush Your Teeth

This is about as obvious as it gets. Brushing is how you clean your teeth, get rid of food particles, and minimize bacterial growth. Brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day also reduces the stress on your gums and eliminates potential causes of infection.

Floss

While brushing your teeth gets much more attention, dentists will tell you that flossing is equally important. Believe them. Floss gets to the foodstuffs that eventually turn into plaque, one of your gum’s worst enemies. By flossing daily, you’re loosening and removing the most important ingredient for plaque—which ultimately leads to tartar and gingivitis.

Mouthwash

The best kinds of mouthwash can supplement the work that brushing and flossing do. Look for therapeutic mouthwashes, which are embossed with the ADA seal. They do more than just rid you of bad breath. They help remove plaque and food particles, slow tartar buildup, and can aid in the prevention of gum disease.

Gum-Friendly Foods

While some foods—like sugary drinks and snacks—are highly detrimental to your oral health, others can actually improve the conditions in your mouth. Some of the most gum-friendly foods include carrots, apples, and celery. The chewing motion required to eat these snacks provides an excellent workout for your mouth, massaging your gums and stimulating saliva production. Carrots and apples also contain vitamins that help fight bacteria and fortify tooth enamel.

Dental Check-Ups

No matter how diligently you follow the previous four steps for promoting healthy gums, nothing will serve as a complete substitute for visiting the Periodontal dentist. Dentists and dental hygienists have the education, experience, and professional equipment to clean your gums in a way that just isn’t possible at home. Schedule your next appointment with Naperville Perio today to protect your gums and keep them healthy.

 

Naperville Perio
Phone: (630) 355-5010
10 W. Martin Ave, Suite 211
Naperville, IL 60540

Naperville IL Periodontist | Could Your Children Be Suffering from Gum Disease?

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While most parents may be focused on making sure their children’s teeth grow straight, and the upper and lower sets are in alignment with each other, they shouldn’t overlook the importance of their kids’ gums. Gums protect the roots of our teeth. In addition, they act as a critical barrier between them and bacteria that could otherwise lead to decay.

If your child’s gums are not healthy, then their oral health care is in jeopardy. It’s that simple. Here are some of the major telltale signs that he or she may be suffering from gum disease.

Regular Bleeding

It’s one thing for a child’s gums to bleed if he or she is flossing for the first time, or undergoing an intensive cleaning at the dentist’s office. But if your kid’s gums are bleed regularly—either from brushing, flossing, or even just eating certain foods—it’s a sign of gingivitis.

Receding Gums

If your child’s gums appear to be receding away from the teeth, toward the top or bottom of the mouth, he or she could be suffering from gum recession. Whatever the cause, receding gums can expose the roots of teeth and leave mouths more vulnerable to harmful bacteria.

Bad Breath

Bad breath isn’t just a crippling social inconvenience. It’s also a sign that something serious is going on in your child’s mouth that requires attention. Also known as halitosis, bad breath often signals bacterial buildup in the mouth, an infection, or a potentially more serious periodontal disease.

Swollen Gums

If a child’s gums are unusually sensitive and swell up easily, it’s a major indication of gingivitis. Gingivitis typically means that too much plaque has been allowed to build up at the bottom of the teeth’s crowns, near the root. The plaque buildup starts irritating the gums, which respond by turning red, puffy, and swollen.

Signs of gum disease in children should not be overlooked or ignored. While manifestations like puffy and bleeding gums do not necessarily point to an urgent condition, they do mean that your child is likely suffering from gingivitis.

Fortunately, gingivitis is a highly treatable condition. The best way to beat back symptoms of gingivitis and restore your child’s oral health care is by visiting the dentist. Naperville Perio has the equipment and expertise to remove all the bacteria, plaque and tartar and restore your child’s health. Contact Naperville Perio to schedule your next visit today

 

Naperville Perio
Phone: (630) 355-5010
10 W. Martin Ave, Suite 211
Naperville, IL 60540

Periodontist in Naperville IL | Gum Disease Risk Factors

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 Everyone can fall victim to gum disease. In fact, a recent CDC study found that nearly half of all American adults suffer from some form of it. A plethora of factors can increase our chances of developing gum disease. For those that already have the condition, these factors can lead to more serious periodontitis that jeopardizes overall oral health and may require dental intervention. Here are some of those factors.

Genetics

It’s now well established that genetics play a role in whether or not people develop gum disease during their lifetimes. This could be because their genetic makeup causes them to have weaker gum tissue, making it more vulnerable to plaque, tartar, and recession.

Teeth-Grinding

Bruxism is a condition in which people clench or grind their teeth either during the daytime hours or when they’re asleep at night. The condition puts a significant amount of stress on the tissue surrounding the teeth, and can trigger gum recession.

Old Age

Research shows that individuals age 65 and older are at a much higher risk for gum disease. The CDC has indicated that as many as 70 percent of Americans in that age range suffer from periodontitis.

Nutritional Deficiencies

The right kinds of vitamins and nutrients can positively influence the health of your gums. Foods like carrots, apples, and celery trigger the kind of chewing motion that massages the gums and produces healthy saliva.

Dry Mouth

People get dry mouth for a variety of reasons, including prescription medications, nicotine use, and certain health issues. Whatever the source of dry mouth, the condition is dangerous to gums. Saliva helps wash away much of the destructive bacteria that lives inside our mouths. If we’re not regularly washing our mouths with saliva, that bacteria rapidly accumulates.

While this list is far from complete, it can be used as a great starting guide for you to use. Whether or not you have any of these risk factors, you should always consult with your doctor about your oral health and how to best protect yourself. Be sure to keep up with your regularly scheduled appointments, and contact our Naperville Periodontal office today.

Naperville Perio
Phone: (630) 355-5010
Fax: (630) 355-4317
10 W. Martin Ave. Suite 211
Naperville, IL 60540