Gum Disease

How Much Do You Know About Gum Disease?

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Categories: General Dentistry, Gum Disease

gum disease treatment Kelowna

1. Which of the following are risk factors for gum disease (periodontitis)?

a. Pregnancy
b. Overbite
c. Diabetes
d. Genetics

2. Which of the things listed below are possible signs of gum disease?

a. Teeth that appear longer
b. A change in the way dentures fit
c. Loose teeth
d. Tender gums

3. Which of the items below are possible health problems linked to untreated gum disease?

a. Asthma
b. Low birth weight babies
c. Parkinson’s disease
d. Stroke

4. What percentage of men and women age 65+ have gum disease?

a. 5%
b. 12%
c. 25%
d. 50%

5. Which of the following procedures are used for gum disease?

a. Scaling and root planing
b. Gum grafting
c. Flap surgery
d. Flip surgery

Answers
1. All of the above. Pregnancy, menopause, or any other condition that causes hormonal changes is a risk factor as is any type of malocclusion.
2. All of the above. Note: some patients don’t observe any symptoms.
3. a,b,d.
4. c.
5. a,b,c.

Hi, I’m Dr. Malfair of Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair in Kelowna. Gum disease usually responds favorably to treatment—especially if caught early. If you haven’t seen a dentist in a while, or have been noticing issues with your gums or teeth, I invite you to call 250-860-8900 today to schedule an appointment.

Sources:
John Donavan, “5 Things You Didn’t Know About Your Teeth,” WebMD, December 15, 2015, http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/5-things-you-didnt-know-about-your-teeth#3, accessed March 20, 2017
“Periodontal (Gum) Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments,” National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/GumDiseases/PeriodontalGumDisease.htm, accessed March 20, 2017
“Diseases and Conditions Periodontitis,” Mayo Clinic, February 4, 2014, http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/periodontitis/basics/risk-factors/con-20021679, accessed March 20, 2017

Contact Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair:

250-860-8900

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

301-1890 Cooper Rd
Kelowna, British Columbia
V1Y 8B7

The Link Between Gum Disease and Viral Infections

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Categories: Dental health, Family Dentistry, General Dentistry, Gum Disease

gum disease and COVID-19 risks Kelowna

The pandemic has increased public awareness of the danger of viruses and the importance of a strong immune system. We at Love Your Smile in Kelowna can help you understand the link between viruses and gum disease

Our Immune System Protects Against Serious Illness

The variation in the severity of COVID-19 illness is due, in part, to the strength of natural biological defenses.

Of course, you may be wondering why we’re discussing this in a dental blog. Does it have anything to do with dental health?

Actually, it does. Scientists have found a link between oral bacteria and viral infections.

Gum Disease is Caused by Bacteria

The oral bacteria in question is Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis for short). The “gingivalis” in its name gives you a clue to what type of bacteria it is. As you may have anticipated, P. gingivalis is the bacteria that causes gingivitis and the more advanced form of gum disease called periodontitis.

Your Mouth Produces Natural Viral Protection

Interferon lambdas are a family of proteins created by cells in the mouth. These proteins protect us from all types of bacterial and viral infections in addition to the coronavirus. The danger of P. gingivalis is that it makes Interferon lambdas less effective at protecting us.

This is how one of the researchers explained it:

“Our studies identified certain pathogenic bacterial species, P. gingivalis, which cause periodontal disease, can completely suppress interferon production and severely enhance susceptibility to viral infection. These resident oral plaque bacteria play a key role in regulating antiviral responses.” Juhi Bagaitkar, assistant professor, University of Louisville Department of Oral Immunology and Infectious Disease.

Oral Health and Physical Health Go Hand in Hand

As if you needed one more reason to prevent gum disease! Not only does gum disease put you tooth loss, it makes you more susceptible to the potential dangers of viruses. To recap: if you avoid gum disease, you protect your mouth from P. gingivalis. This lets you benefit from Interferon lambdas and the virus protection they provide.

Let’s discuss basic oral hygiene practices that can prevent periodontitis and keep your smile healthy:

  • Brush at least twice daily using appropriate brushing techniques
  • Use a fluoride toothpaste
  • Floss daily using the correct flossing method
  • Get a professional dental cleaning twice a year
  • Schedule twice-yearly dental exams
  • Take care of dental dilemmas in their early stages so they don’t progress

Has it been a while since you’ve had a dental exam and cleaning? We serve patients in the Mission, V1Y 8B7, and V1W 3C6 area. Our friendly team of dental professionals is here for and your family. We at Love Your Smile in Kelowna can serve all of your dental needs. Schedule an appointment today.

Contact Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair:

250-860-8900

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

301-1890 Cooper Rd
Kelowna, British Columbia
V1Y 8B7

Swollen Gums?

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Categories: General Dentistry, Gum Disease, Oral health

If Your Gums Are Swollen And Sore, Call Love Your Smile - Dr. Stephen Malfair

If you are worried about swollen gums or an aching tooth, you’re are not alone. You should have your symptoms checked out right away, because they could be a sign of gum disease, a serious but treatable condition at Love Your Smile in Kelowna.

Gum disease is progressive. Before it reaches the advanced stage it is called gingivitis, which is inflammation in the gums. An early sign of gingivitis is bleeding when you brush or floss your teeth.

Gingivitis develops when plaque is not adequately removed from your teeth. You remove it by brushing and flossing. The good news is that gingivitis is easily reversible. If you’re diagnosed with it, you need to step up your brushing and flossing, and get a professional cleaning by a dental hygienist.

Advanced gum disease develops when gingivitis is not treated. Toxins build up in the plaque on your teeth and invade gum tissue. Not only that, it gets into the bone and ligaments that support the teeth. The teeth can actually become loose.

Severe cases may require surgery, but first is a non-surgical treatment called scaling and root planing, or SRP. We scrape plaque and tartar off the surfaces of your teeth and root surfaces. From there, any roughness on the roots is smoothed to prevent bacteria from accumulating there.

It usually takes more than one appointment to complete SRP. But once it’s over, the gums will heal and reattach to the teeth. After a few weeks we’ll evaluate the procedure to determine whether additional treatment is necessary.

Gum disease can be prevented with proper dental care. Like we always say, brush and floss twice a day to maintain good dental health. People from Mission, V1Y 8B7, and V1W 3C6 have sought gum disease treatment at Love Your Smile in Kelowna. We also offer complete general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and more. Schedule an appointment with us today!

 

Contact Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair:

250-860-8900

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

301-1890 Cooper Rd
Kelowna, British Columbia
V1Y 8B7

 

ArticleID 3782

Danger Zone! 5 Signs Of Gum Disease

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Categories: General Dentistry, Gum Disease

dental payment plans Mission

Here is important news for anyone who cares about their dental health: gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss among adults. There is also evidence that it is associated with heart disease. At Love Your Smile in Kelowna, gum disease is easy to treat if it is caught in the early stages.

What warning signs should you be looking for?

  • Bleeding gums
  • Tender, swollen, or reddish gums, or gums that have visible pus in between them when they are pushed
  • Sudden changes in your bite or your teeth
  • Loose gums or teeth
  • A bad taste in the mouth or chronic bad breath

Even if you aren’t seeing any of these symptoms, keep brushing and flossing your teeth on a regular basis. We recommend twice each day. It’s the best way to maintain dental health and prevent gum disease. Regular check-ups are also important.

At Love Your Smile in Kelowna, we offer gum disease treatment. People from Mission, V1Y 8B7, and V1W 3C6 also come to our practice for complete general and restorative dentistry. Contact us today!

Contact Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair:

250-860-8900

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

301-1890 Cooper Rd
Kelowna, British Columbia
V1Y 8B7

ArticleID 4960

The Love Your Smile Guide To Preventing Gum Disease

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Categories: Gum Disease, Dental health

gum disease Kelowna

Here is a statistic that should make everyone sit up and take notice: seven out of ten Canadian adults will have gum disease at some point in their lives. It is preventable, though, and also treatable at Love Your Smile in Kelowna.

Gum disease is usually the result of poor brushing and flossing habits. When you don’t brush and floss on a regular basis, there is a build-up of plaque, which hardens into a substance called tartar. That’s why we recommend our patients brush and floss twice a day. It’s the best way to prevent plaque from building up.

No amount of brushing and flossing will remove tartar from your teeth. It takes a professional cleaning to remove it, which is why we want to see our patients twice a year.

Risk factors for developing gum disease include:

  • Smoking, which is the most significant
  • Diabetes
  • Genetics
  • Certain illnesses, like AIDS, and their medication
  • Medication that reduces the flow of saliva

The symptoms of gum disease include:

  • Red or swollen gums
  • Chronic bad breath
  • Painful chewing
  • Sensitive teeth
  • Receding gums

The type of treatment a patient gets for gum disease depends on the extent of the condition. Part of the treatment might include behavioral changes, like giving up smoking. And it is essential that the patient adopts good daily dental care.

The plain truth is that anyone can get gum disease. But there is always hope; the earlier it is detected, the sooner treatment can begin. People from Mission, V1Y 8B7, and V1W 3C6 come to Love Your Smile in Kelowna for xxx and much more. Call for an appointment today!

Contact Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair:

250-860-8900

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

301-1890 Cooper Rd
Kelowna, British Columbia
V1Y 8B7

 

ArticleID 6456

Do You Have Periodontal Disease?

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Categories: General Dentist, Dental health, Gum Disease, Preventative dentistry

Periodontal Disease in British Columbia

Gum disease is more common than you might think. At Love Your Smile in Kelowna we see patients with gum disease almost every day. It’s a serious matter, but can usually be avoided with regular brushing at home, and preventative dentistry.

Some people aren’t even aware they have it until we see it during a checkup. It’s a treatable condition, although the earlier the diagnosis the better.

Gum disease is an inflammation or infection of the gums. It is usually the result of poor brushing and flossing habits. When you don’t brush and floss on a regular basis, there is a build-up of plaque, which hardens into a substance called tartar. That’s why we recommend our patients brush and floss twice a day. It’s the best way to prevent plaque from building up.

No amount of brushing and flossing will remove tartar from your teeth. It takes a professional cleaning to remove it, which is why we want to see our patients on a regular basis – twice a year, in most cases.

Risk Factors

In addition to poor oral hygiene, risk factors for gum disease include:

  • Smoking, which is the most significant
  • Diabetes
  • Genetics
  • Certain illnesses, like AIDS, and their medication
  • Medication that reduces the flow of saliva

The symptoms of gum disease include:

  • Red or swollen gums
  • Chronic bad breath
  • Painful chewing
  • Sensitive teeth
  • Receding gums

The type of treatment for gum disease depends on the extent of the condition. Part of the treatment might include behavioral changes, like giving up smoking. And it is essential that the patient adopts good daily dental care.

Anyone can get gum disease, but preventative dentistry at Love Your Smile in Kelowna can help keep your gums healthy. Patients from Mission, V1Y 8B7, and V1W 3C6 also come to us for clear braces and all their dental health needs. Schedule an appointment today!

Contact Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair:

250-860-8900

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

301-1890 Cooper Rd
Kelowna, British Columbia
V1Y 8B7

 

ArticleID 140

Gum Disease Linked To Alzheimer’s: Keep Those Gums Healthy!

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Categories: Gum Disease, Dental health, General Dentistry, Oral health

gum disease treatment Kelowna

If you need another reason to keep your gums as healthy as possible, read this post from Love Your Smile in Kelowna.

Scientists have found a connection between a bacteria that causes periodontitis (advanced gum disease) and Alzheimer’s Disease.

A bacteria called Porphyomonas gingivalis contributes to chronic periodontitis. The bacteria was discovered in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. Researchers concluded:

“Chronic periodontitis and infection with Porphyomonas gingivalis have been identified as significant risk factors for developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.”

Periodontal disease, commonly called gum disease, is inflammation or infection of the gums. For the most part, periodontal disease is preventable.

Risk factors for periodontal disease include tobacco use, poor oral hygiene, genetics, teeth grinding, inflammatory conditions, and poor nutrition.

This study should dispel the misconception that oral health is somehow separate from physical health.

It is critical to see your dentist regularly to keep your gums healthy (as well as your teeth). To schedule a periodontal disease exam, call Love Your Smile in Kelowna. Our services include gum disease treatment and general dentistry. Make an appointment today.

Contact Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair:

250-860-8900

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

301-1890 Cooper Rd
Kelowna, British Columbia
V1Y 8B7

The research study, “Porphyromonas gingivalis in Alzheimer’s disease brains: Evidence for disease causation and treatment with small-molecule inhibitors,” can be found at Science Advances. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.aau3333

ArticleID 8096

The Prevalence of Gum Disease

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Categories: Gum Disease, Dental health, General Dentistry

Here is a statistic that should make everyone sit up and take notice: nearly half of all people over the age of thirty have some form of gum disease. It is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. The good news is that it is treatable. Gum disease treatment is available at Love Your Smile Dentistry in Kelowna.

Those statistics refer specifically to periodontal disease, the more advanced form. In its earlier, milder stages, gum disease is called gingivitis.

Gum disease is usually the result of poor brushing and flossing habits. When you don’t brush and floss on a regular basis, there is a build-up of plaque, which hardens into a substance called tartar. That’s why we recommend our patients brush and floss twice a day. It’s the best way to prevent plaque from building up.

No amount of brushing and flossing will remove tartar from your teeth. It takes a professional cleaning to remove it, which is why we want to see our patients twice a year.

Risk factors for developing gum disease include:

  • Smoking, which is the most significant
  • Diabetes
  • Genetics
  • Certain illnesses, like AIDS, and their medication
  • Medication that reduces the flow of saliva

The symptoms of gum disease include:

  • Red or swollen gums
  • Chronic bad breath
  • Painful chewing
  • Sensitive teeth
  • Receding gums

The type of treatment a patient gets for gum disease depends on the extent of the condition. Part of the treatment might include behavioral changes, like giving up smoking. And it is essential that the patient adopts good daily dental care.

The stark truth is that anyone can get gum disease. But there is hope; the earlier it is detected, the sooner treatment can begin. Love Your Smile dentistry in Kelowna provides gum disease treatment, as well as general dentistry. Schedule an appointment with us today.

Contact Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair:

250-860-8900

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

301-1890 Cooper Rd
Kelowna, British Columbia
V1Y 8B7

The Cure, Not the Cause: Root Canals in Kelowna

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Categories: Root canal, Cosmetic Treatment, General Dentistry, Gum Disease

The dentist’s office is sometimes seen as a painful place. At Love Your Smile in Kelowna, we do our best to dispel that image with a welcoming atmosphere. Even so, when patients hear they need a root canal, a lot of them are going to get tense.

It doesn’t need to be that way. With modern dentistry, a root canal isn’t much different than getting a cavity filled.

A root canal is a procedure done to relieve dental pain, and to save a tooth. That point gets lost sometimes. They usually become necessary when there is inflammation or an infection in a tooth’s root. We clean the inside of the tooth by removing bacteria, soft tissue (called pulp), decayed nerve tissue, and any debris. The tooth is then sealed, and a crown is put in place.

In other words, an abscessed tooth is what causes pain. A root canal is done to relieve it.

We want root canals, and all other procedures, to be as comfortable as possible. An option we provide is sedation. We offer oral conscious sedation, which means taking a sedative, and IV sedation, which is administered intravenously.

In addition to root canals, Love Your Smile in Kelowna provides general and cosmetic dentistry, and gum disease treatment. Call our office today to schedule an appointment.

Contact Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair:

250-860-8900

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

301-1890 Cooper Rd
Kelowna, British Columbia
V1Y 8B7

Raise Your Dental IQ: Gum Disease in Kelowna

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Categories: Gum Disease, Cosmetic Treatment, General Dentist, General Dentistry

Raise Your Dental IQ

There are many things we can do in Kelowna to prevent gum disease and improve our oral health. One simple lesson involves bacteria, and everyone’s mouth has a lot of it.

But, don’t worry, bacteria per se isn’t the problem. Dental problems occur when the balance of bacteria becomes unhealthy. This is where brushing and flossing come into play. Like your mother always said, brush and floss your teeth every day (and twice is best).

When it comes to a good toothbrush, don’t get sentimental. We recommend replacing your toothbrush every three to four months. If you can avoid the unhealthy balance of bacteria in your mouth, you can avoid gum disease, tooth decay, and even bad breath.

A regular routine of brushing and flossing your teeth, along with twice-a-year visits to Love Your Smile in Kelowna, will go a long way toward preventing gum disease. Early signs of gum disease include bleeding when brushing. If you think you might have gum disease, do not delay: call us for an appointment, and if necessary, we’ll begin gum disease treatment. We also provide general and cosmetic dentistry.

Contact Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair:

250-860-8900

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

301-1890 Cooper Rd
Kelowna, British Columbia
V1Y 8B7