Gum Health

Earning Trust – One Patient at a Time
Gum disease, not decay, is the main reason for tooth loss. Often, it goes unnoticed until it is at the point of losing your teeth. The symptoms are gums that bleed when brushing or flossing and loose teeth. It is possible to reverse gum infections without surgery, if the infection is taken care of before it reaches an advanced stage.

Gum Disease Linked to Serious Health Concerns
Periodontal disease is a serious matter that should not be taken lightly. Medical research has confirmed that infected gums contribute to life-threatening health problems of diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. What is even more astounding is the estimation by the American Dental Association that 8 out of 10 adults have gum disease. Most dentists consider this to be at an epidemic level. Now that research has confirmed that the bacteria from infected gums travels throughout the bloodstream to vital organs, it is more serious than losing your teeth.

The American Academy of Periodontology reports: “studies found periodontal infection may contribute to the development of heart disease, increase the risk of premature, underweight births, and pose a serious threat to people whose health is already compromised due to diabetes and respiratory diseases.”

Good News in Treating Gum Disease
If periodontal disease is in the advanced stages, treatment will be surgery. It is mostly successful in halting the problem, and most dental insurance plans cover this procedure. But with milder cases of gum infections, today we can offer our patients nonsurgical treatments. Together with good dental hygiene, they can stop the spread of the infection and return the gums to a healthy state. Most of the nonsurgical methods are also covered by dental insurance plans.

What’s So Bad about Missing a Tooth?
Teeth can be lost because of accident or injury, but the most frequent reason for missing teeth is gum disease. It is important to realize that missing even one tooth can be the start of other teeth moving. This is not good as it can affect proper chewing and the absorption of nutrients from food. It can become too difficult to chew more natural foods, so softer, processed foods may be favored, which can lead to weight gain. Missing teeth will eventually affect your facial appearance with a sunken look, which makes you look older than your years. We recommend implants to replace one or many teeth. They are very natural looking and functional and even a dentist can have a hard time telling the difference.

Gregg L. Kassan, DDS
Family General Dentist
5077 Waterway Drive
Montclair, VA, 22025
Phone: (703) 897-0463
Website: www.MontclairCosmeticDentist.com