Good oral hygiene puts individuals on a direct path to preventing gum disease and tooth decay. By practicing good techniques patients can reduce risks of inflammation of the gums, cavities in the teeth and deterioration overall. While all these practices traditionally satisfy the needs of the Periodontist on Long Island new researcher shows evidence that your regular doctors will be pleased as well.

Research has long suggested a link between gum disease and chronic health issues such as heart disease, stroke and even diabetes but why the link existed seemed to elude many researchers. Now, more targeted studies have led to a new theory that it is the inflammation that may link the mouth and body.

To better understand let’s take a closer look at inflammation. The role of inflammation is to aid the body in the healing process. It is the body’s instinctive reaction to fight off infection, guard against injury, or shield against irritation. Unfortunately, over time this once beneficial inflammation can become harmful and lead to dysfunction of the infected tissue. This in turn leads to more severe health complications.

Inflammation in the mouth appears to be no different than inflammation in other areas of the body. For so long dental practitioners believed that gum disease was solely the result of a bacterial infection caused by a build-up of plaque between teeth and under the gums. Researchers now suspect that the more severe symptoms like swollen and bleeding gums, recession around the gum line and bone deterioration are more likely caused by chronic inflammatory response to the bacterial infection.

Periodontists have used this research data to hypothesize that it is this inflammatory response in the mouth that is the cause behind the periodontal-systemic health link. The reason for this theory is because many of the diseases associated with periodontal disease are also systemic inflammatory disorders. Some of these diseases include cardiovascular disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic kidney disease and certain forms of cancer.

Protecting Your Health through Oral Hygiene

So what can you do to keep your body healthy? For starters consider having a detailed periodontal exam completed so you can have a base point and know where you stand in terms of the current health of your teeth and gums. Then discuss what oral hygiene regimen is best for your situation. In the meantime here are a few general practices you can take while waiting for your evaluation:

• Brush and floss twice daily
• Ensure you are brushing the complete surface of your teeth. On average it should take roughly 2 minutes to complete brushing when done properly
• Ensure flossing all surfaces of each tooth using the ‘c’ shape around each side of the tooth
• Observe your mouth daily for unusual changes and have anything new looked at immediately

When it comes to the health of your gums you’re not only saving your teeth, you could be saving yourself a long life of more serious health complications. Take charge of your oral health today! People looking for a Periodontist on Long Island should contact Dr. Scharf at (631) 661-6633 or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com. He can treat gum disease with a laser rather than a scalpel.

As women we treasure every moment, especially in our later years. But when menopause hits our treasures seem to lower a bit. Dealing with hot flashes, mood swings and osteoporosis is bad enough, however according to a recent study increased risks for gum disease may send you packing to a Periodontist on Long Island.

This study was published in the Journal of Periodontology and shared that periodontal disease may be another factor of menopause women are faced with. It examined the claim that estrogen deficiency and osteoporosis speed the process of bone loss following menopause, which may lead to tooth loss, making it important for women entering menopause to take a few extra measures in maintaining a healthy

Researchers evaluated estrogens role in gum inflammation and found that estrogen supplementation might reduce inflammation of the gums and frequency of attachment loss in women showing signs of osteoporosis, a common ingredient of menopause, to help protect that natural smile.

The study also showed that women who entered menopause and took estrogen supplements had lower risks for osteoporosis, which in turn leads to a lower risk of periodontal disease. Estrogen is a common supplement provided to women with menopause to help reduce the risk of osteoporosis, alleviate common menopause symptoms and reduce the risk for coronary artery disease.

In addition to estrogen supplements women should be sure to keep all regular dental check-ups throughout the year. It is also a good idea to receive regular periodontal evaluations for early detection and treatment if the need should arise.

People looking for a Periodontist on Long Island should contact Dr. Scharf at (631) 661-6633 or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com. He can treat gum disease with a laser rather than a scalpel.

Fear is as natural to mankind as breathing, beginning as early as a few days old. Loud noises startle infants, barking dogs make toddlers cry and the dark will keep the average preschooler awake at night. A recent poll conducted by the American Academy of Periodontology indicated an even larger fear shared by Americans, a trip to the Periodontist Long Island for periodontal treatment.

Ironically this fear seems to be completely unjustified with less than 10% of patients actually experiencing any discomfort with their treatments. Out of 164 Periodontists polled, three quarters of them indicated that the majority of their patients reported no discomfort at all during treatment.

For most the origin of their fear comes from hearing about a friend or family member’s bad experience from 10 or more years ago, however advances in treating periodontal disease more comfortably make these “old” claims null and void.

Periodontists throughout the United States have taken measures over the years to help ensure a more comfortable treatment for all involved including improved methods of anesthesia, less evasive treatment plans and a thorough understanding of their patients’ anxiety and individual needs.

Gum disease is nothing to ignore since it can eventually lead to the loss of all your teeth. So put your fears behind you and schedule a periodontal exam with a Periodontist Long Island right away.

For patients who want to be sure they are receiving a comfortable treatment call Dr. Scharf. He treats gum disease with a laser, not a scalpel, giving you an alternative to gum surgery. Call Dr. Scharf at 631-661-6633 or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com.

Periodontal disease often leaves sufferers concerned about the long-term health of their teeth and whether the Periodontist Long Island can help them keep that beautiful smile. If this is you than a recent study published in the Journal of Periodontology may hold the answers you’ve been seeking.

This study evaluated the outcome of three different treatment options for patients with moderate to severe periodontal disease including surgical treatment, non-surgical treatment or no treatment at all, where forty-eight percent of the teeth receiving the surgical treatment showed improved prognosis compared to only 12% for either of the other two options. Additionally the study revealed that 35% of the teeth that did not receive any treatment actually worsened in prognosis.

Study author Stephen Harrel shared, “It’s essential for patients to understand that optimal results are not always possible with non-surgical methods used, and with no treatment, periodontal disease usually gets worse.” Perhaps the best part of this study is that the results are done on an individual “tooth” basis rather than an average “score” so patients can place more stock in the end results.

If you want to keep your smile natural and beautiful this study reveals the best options available for anyone facing periodontal disease. When it comes to discussing treatment options these results help patients make an informed choice when developing their personal treatment plan.

But you don’t have to wait until you have periodontal disease to focus your efforts on keeping a beautiful smile. You can begin right now by following a few simple steps:

• Brush daily using a medium or soft bristled brush
• Floss using proper technique ensuring to clean every surface of your teeth and gum line
• Eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of water
• Keep scheduled cleanings every 6 months with your dentist
• Have regular periodontal exams
• Observe your mouth daily for any unusual changes

If you have any questions about proper oral care or would like to have a detailed periodontal exam completed with a Periodontist Long Island contact Dr. Scharf. He treats gum disease with a laser, not a scalpel, giving his patients an alternative to gum surgery. Call Dr. Scharf at 631-661-6633 or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com.

As you stand in front of the bathroom mirror during your regular oral hygiene routine you notice an unusual bump growing on your gum line. You take a closer look in an effort to identify the lump on your own momentarily before considering a need for a detailed periodontal exam with a Periodontist on Long Island.

While most bumps or blisters in the mouth require little to no attention there are those rare occasions that something more could be going on in there. For example consider a case featured in the Journal of Periodontology where a 48-yr old man found a lump on his gums and decided to have an exam done at the University’s dental school.

The growth was identified after a biopsy as squamous cell carcinoma and was surgically removed by removing the gum tissue and part of the jawbone. The area was then repaired using bone graft tissue. For this gentleman finding the oral cancer was a blessing since it revealed a rare systemic disease known as Protein S deficiency that could have later threatened his life unexpectedly after failing to heal correctly.

Regular periodontal exams could do more than keep your gums healthy, it could end up saving your life. To best ensure your health monitor your gums daily for signs of early gum disease including; bleeding gums while brushing or flossing, red or swollen gums, persistent bad breath and loose or missing teeth. In addition to monitoring your mouth for changes have a periodontal exam done on a regular basis and discuss any unusual changes with your dental practitioner right away.

Your gums and your body deserve the best treatment they can get. If you’ve been referred to a Periodontist on Long Island Dr. Scharf treats gum disease with a laser, not a scalpel, giving patients an alternative to gum surgery. Call Dr. Scharf at 631-661-6633 or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com.

With each passing week that you notice your gums appear to be “pulling” away from your teeth leaving much of the tooth root exposed. You schedule an appointment with your dentist to find out why. Right away your dentist recognizes a need to see the Periodontist Long Island to treat your receding gums to ensure the long-term health of your teeth. Although treatment is simple enough smokers have a lower risk of success.

A recent study published in the Journal of Periodontology evaluated 10 smokers and 10 non-smokers over the course of two years after receiving cosmetic treatment of re-covering the tooth roots after recession. The study’s objective was to monitor the effects of smoking on the long-term outcome of their treatment. The results showed that residual gum recession around the area, which received the surgery, was higher with

Any smoker that has received extensive dental work have heard the “no smoking for at least 24 hours” recommendation, and many smokers mocked their dentists and lit up immediately following their procedure. However when it comes to cosmetic surgery practitioners warn that the consequence can get pricey and should not be taken lightly be even the luckiest of smokers.

So why is treating receded gums so important? That’s simple, when the gums have pulled away from the tooth more of the root is exposed leaving the tooth vulnerable to disease and decay. That tooth’s survival depends on correcting the cause of the current recession in the first place.

Whether it is caused by bacteria, new facial piercings or some other cause your Periodontist will treat the area of recession to remove bacteria and plaque build-up to put a stop to further recession. Then you could choose to undergo another procedure to replace the full coverage of the gum over the tooth root.

This is where smoking comes into play. Restoring the coverage of the gum can be very costly, an expense that may not be worth your efforts if you’re willing to throw it all away for smoking. The study showed that 50% of smokers lost between .5mm to 1mm over the course of 2 to 24 months. For this reason it is crucial to develop a stop smoking program prior to undergoing corrective surgery.

If you’ve noticed that your gums have begun to recede and you’d like a skilled opinion from a Periodontist Long Island contact Dr. Scharf at (631) 661-6633 or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com. He offers alternative treatments for your periodontal needs including laser therapy.

Protecting our mouths against tooth decay and gum disease is nothing new in the world of oral health. The importance of regular brushing, types of toothbrushes to use, how to floss, the type of floss to use, frequency and so on is continuously brought to our attention. In spite of all this direction Periodontist on Long Island still find themselves treating patients with gum disease on a regular basis. According to a recent study of 51 twins this could be due to the continued view that flossing isn’t necessary.

The study was conducted at the New York University and observed 51 sets of twins ranging from age 12 to 21. Each twin was randomly assigned a two-week oral care regimen where one twin brushed with a manual toothbrush and toothpaste while the other brushed with a manual toothbrush and toothpaste as well as flossed.

At the end of the study samples were taken from each participant to determine how much bacteria was present in the mouth. The results showed that those who did not floss had higher levels of bacteria when compared to those who did, indicating that floss plays a critical role in your oral health.

The significance of bacteria growth in the mouth lies with an understanding of the true causes of gum disease. Gum disease begins with an excessive amount of plaque forming on the teeth near the gum line. This plaque harbors bacteria as it grows. The gums then react to the bacteria with signs of inflammation, bleeding, redness, and eventually loose teeth.

Brushing alone only removes part of the plaque, leaving what hides between, and often behind the teeth. When used properly floss removes the traces of plaque left behind by the toothbrush. This study emphasizes two things, first that flossing removes the excess plaque better than a toothbrush alone and second the speed at which the plaque begins to build

When it comes to the health of your mouth there’s no replacement. Take extra steps to ensure long-lasting health. If you notice signs of gum disease contact a local Periodontist right away. Dr. Scharf treats gum disease with a laser, not a scalpel, for people who need a Periodontist on Long Island and want an alternative to gum surgery call Dr. Scharf at 631-661-6633 or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com.

Gum disease is an infection that progresses silently inside your mouth from day to day. Though there are many early warning signs the best approach to this infection is prevention. Your dental practitioner has no doubt filled you in on proper brushing and flossing, but the Periodontist Long Island has a little something extra you can do to keep your gums healthy.

According to a recent study published in the Journal of Periodontology your diet plays an important role in the prevention of gum disease. The study found that men and women with a calcium intake of fewer than 500 milligrams, or about half the recommended dietary allowance, were almost twice as likely to have periodontal diseases as measured by the loss of attachment of the gums from the teeth, especially for young adults in their 20s and 30s.

In addition to this study previous research has found vitamin C is another dietary need that plays a significant role in your oral care. Those studies showed that patients who consumed less than 60 milligrams of vitamin C each day were one and a half times more likely to develop severe gingivitis.

When you understand the role these two nutrients work in the body it’s no wonder they support healthy gums. Vitamin C boosts the body’s immune system in fighting off infection and calcium helps to build strong bones and repair soft tissue. When taken in accordance with the daily recommended dose and proper oral care you can dramatically reduce the risk of gum disease.

In addition to consuming healthy amounts of calcium and vitamin C diabetics are encouraged to limit sugar intake and drink plenty of water to help keep the mouth moist. To further protect yourself from gum disease monitor your mouth daily for early warning signs, this may include: bleeding gums, red or swollen gums, loose or missing teeth, persistent bad breath and sore gums.

If you notice signs of gum disease it’s important to seek treatment right away. If you’re looking for a Periodontist Long Island that offers an alternative to tradition surgery contact Dr. Scharf at (631) 661-6633 or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com. He can treat gum disease with a laser rather than a scalpel.

Gene therapy is an amazing technique used to correct defective genes responsible for disease development. This approach works when researchers insert a normal gene into the defective gene, creating a healthy, genetically-engineered cell. This amazing medical procedure has made leaps and bounds in the treatment of debilitating defects. As medicine continues to grow researchers may have found a way to use gene therapy to better assist Periodontist in Long Island in the treatment of gum disease.

The Journal of Periodontology recently published a study conducted by the University of Michigan that discussed a recent breakthrough in the possibility of using gene therapy to restore damage caused by periodontal disease. During the study researchers inserted a bone morphogenetic protein gene that encodes a bone-stimulating factor into an inactivated virus in rats where the gene was then transferred into grown skin cells. Then these genetically-engineered cells were transplanted into larger periodontal bone defects surrounding the teeth resulting in regenerated tooth-supporting structures.

Still needing more time before this study can be sure gene therapy will successfully repair damage caused by periodontal disease it does provide hope to Periodontists worldwide. Talks about using gene therapy in their treatment efforts is nothing new to Periodontists and this evidence brings forth the next step in making these talks a reality.

Even though researchers continue to move forward in advanced treatments for periodontal disease the best sure proof way is prevention. To help prevent gum disease you can follow these simple steps:

• Brush and floss daily
• Visit your dentist for a professional cleaning twice a year
• Use plaque revealing tablets to ensure complete plaque removal
• Avoid excessive tobacco and alcohol use
• Eat a well-balanced diet
• Consume the daily recommended amounts of Vitamin C and calcium

If you notice unusual changes in your mouth and need a Periodontist in Long Island give Dr. Scharf a call. He treats gum disease with a laser, not a scalpel giving patients an alternative to gum surgery. Call Dr. Scharf at 631-661-6633 or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com.

Improving our health naturally is a growing interest in the United States with more and more homeopathic remedies proving to be beneficial. These natural treatments are used to reduce pain, lower blood sugar, control mood swings and so much more. Now, one of the most trusted remedies has been identified as a vital tool in preventing a trip to a Periodontist Long Island.

According to a recent study published in the Journal of Periodontology vitamin C intake plays a strong role in periodontal health. The study analyzed 12,419 adults and found that those consuming less than half the daily recommended amount were one and a half times more likely to develop severe gingivitis when compared to patients who consumed the daily recommended value.

Connecting Vitamin C Intake and Gum Disease

Vitamin C has been around in the homeopathic remedies for decades and is popularly known for its ability to boost the immune system. Additionally, vitamin C is a powerful scavenger of free radicals that can cause harm to the body’s soft tissue, like your gums.

Gum disease is a severe inflammation of the soft tissue in your mouth caused by bacteria infecting the gums. This inflammation leads to damage to the soft tissue as periodontal disease progresses to more advanced stages.

By taking the recommended daily amount of vitamin C you improve your body’s ability to neutralize destructive oxidants that can lead to gum disease naturally. In other words, a deficiency in vitamin C can mean a deficiency in your body’s ability to fight gum disease before it starts.

To further protect yourself from gum disease naturally researchers shared two factors that play a pivotal role in the overall health of your gums including:

1. Smokers have an even greater risk of developing gum disease since cigarette smoke contains numerous oxidants, increasing the need for vitamin C. The oxidants in cigarette smoke actually lower vitamin C levels in your body placing smokers at a higher risk of vitamin C deficiency.
2. Proper diet is crucial in overall gum health. More and more research supports a link between gum disease and vitamin C as well as calcium levels. Taking your diet seriously further reduces the risks of gum disease.

Although the risks of gum disease can be reduced by ensuring adequate vitamin C intake it is important to realize that periodontal disease itself is caused by bacteria growing in the mouth. Once signs of the disease are noted it is necessary to seek treatment with a skilled practitioner as soon as possible.

If you’re interested in finding a Periodontist Long Island who offers an alternative to traditional scalpel treatments for gum disease contact Dr. Scharf at (631) 661-6633 or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com . He can treat gum disease with a laser rather than a scalpel.