If you’re suffering from periodontitis then you’re all too familiar with the frequently bleeding gums, pain and discomfort, persistent bad breath, loose teeth and possibly even missing teeth. Being one of the largest diseases impacting American’s today you are certainly not alone. Today you dental practitioners can treat gum disease on Long Island in more effective ways than ever before.

One of the most efficient ways to accomplish this task is through laser periodontal therapy. This effective treatment was invented by two dentists in California.  Dr. Robert Gregg and Dr. Delwin McCarthy spent years developing a better way to treat gum disease. Their efforts resulted in a laser fiber that is as wide as two human hairs and can effectively remove the noxious elements that lead to gum disease.

Does Laser Therapy Really Work?

The big question asked by any patient consider laser surgical procedures is whether or not the laser really works. For some it’s hard to believe that a nonsurgical procedure can have any affect at. The truth is laser therapies have been used in medical practice since the 1960’s an continue to become more effective as dedicated doctors and dental practitioners strive to improve your treatments.

Periodontal laser therapy is no exception. The laser fiber is inserted between the gum tissue and the tooth where it removes the elements leading to gum disease. Laser therapy can be completed in as few as two one-hour sessions versus traditional treatments of eight one-hour sessions.

While more studies need to be done on speed of recovery and pain during treatment patients having already completed laser therapy shared that this approach was relatively painless, especially when compared to the use of a scalpel to treat infection.  The amount of discomfort often associated with laser treatment is throbbing or soreness.

Others stated feeling like their recover was immediate because they were able to return to their normal routines right away. Granted, as with all dental treatments, the teeth and gums will require a healing time in which you want to allow for recovery but after treatment you’ll be able to go back to work, drive your car or do anything else you typically do.

Don’t just take our word for it. If you’ve been diagnosed with periodontitis contact a Periodontist to discuss your options. If you need to treat gum disease on Long Island and are interested in laser therapy Dr. Scharf is skilled in using laser periodontal therapy to treat all stages of gum disease. Give him a call today at 631-661-6633 or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com for more information.

Our smiles are one of those many things that we can’t go without. A beautiful smile brings happiness to everyone around us, including ourselves. It helps us to move forward in our careers, build stronger relationships and raise our self-esteem. Perhaps you should consider having a Long Island Periodontist help ensure you keep that beautiful smile.

A healthy mouth is not that hard to maintain. If you understand proper oral hygiene and early signs of gum disease you are already well on your way to optimal oral health. A solid routine of brushing and flossing is vital to oral health as is a routine check with your dental practitioner. Then next step is educating yourself on periodontal disease and it’s treatments.

Understanding Periodontal Disease and Treatment Options

Gum disease is an infection in the mouth that begins with tartar build up online the gum line. This tartar results in pockets around the teeth that readily harbor bacteria. The bacteria then progresses to an inflammation of the gums that can result in the tale tale signs of infection including:

• Red or swollen gums
• Frequently bleeding gums
• Persistent bad breath
• Gums that have receded from teeth
• Loose or missing teeth

Even with proper oral care tartar still builds up along the gum line. This is why it’s crucial to keep regular check-ups with your dentist or Periodontist. A Periodontist is skilled in the early detection and treatment of all stages of periodontitis.

A safe, noninvasive treatment is through the use of laser periodontal therapy. This therapy uses a special laser to treat and repair the damage caused by gum disease. With this treatment option you won’t need to worry about bleeding, stitches or other post-treatment infections. All around it’s a win, win scenario for your smile.

Everything you do in life begins with your smile. Don’t compromise it by neglecting your oral health. Get educated on early signs of disease. Know your treatment options and take a proactive stand in your oral care.

Don’t try to tackle gum disease on your own. Let an experienced Long Island Periodontist guide the way. Contact Dr. Scharf at (631) 661-6633 or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com to schedule your evaluation today.

Have you been suffering with a nagging toothache or perhaps had a root canal that only temporarily relieved your pain? As the pain is increasingly getting worse you start to realize the time has come to visit your dentist to see what is going inside the tooth and discuss the possibility of Long Island implants to permanently fix your tooth.

Dentistry has come such a long way over the years in providing you a real solid solution to your oral pain. From treating gum disease with non-evasive methods to restoring natural teeth through the use of prosthetic teeth you don’t have to suffer through tooth pain long and root canals are not the only option!

There are several reasons a tooth implant is a better option for treating infections in the teeth. A few include:

• Eliminate the risks of leaving bacteria behind
• No need to return to the dentist if your root canal fails
• Stronger solution than capping what remains of your infected tooth

Root canals don’t always fail, but often bacteria gets left behind and then packed under the filling. These bacteria will grow and re-infect the tooth, leaving you in need for another root canal.

Why put yourself through that? When the infected tooth is first extracted your dentist can place a titanium implant in the available space where your natural tooth used to sit. Then you’re dentist will allow the implant to completely heal before attaching the prosthetic tooth using a screw on top of the implant. It’s that simple.

Are you worried about dental implant pain? Granted there may be some discomfort immediately following the procedure but you can expect the same level of discomfort you would find after receiving the root canal, but with a stronger, longer lasting solution.

So if you’re suffering through a nagging tooth ache don’t put treatment off another day. Contact Dr. David Scharf at 631-661-6633 to discuss Long Island implants or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com.

According to the American Academy of Periodontology three out of four Americans suffer from some form of gum disease. Surprisingly not many of those Americans see a need in seeking treatment. The fact that so many individuals are comfortable with not receiving periodontal care leads many dental practitioners to believe periodontitis is misunderstood by the average citizen.

Oral health is no longer just about having a perfect smile and pleasant smelling breath. Rather numerous studies have linked untreated gum disease to more serious health concerns like diabetes, heart disease and many forms of cancer. In short your oral health can literally pave the way to multiple diseases.

Don’t be among those who don’t take their oral health seriously. Step up your game on proper hygiene by debunking the many myths surrounding oral health and let the facts speak for themselves:

• Bleeding gums – Contrary to popular belief bleeding gums while brushing, flossing or eating is not normal and should be looked into by a dental practitioner. Red, swollen and bleeding gums are important early signs of gum disease.
• Who needs to floss – Many people still believe that flossing is something we can do without. You may have heard that using mouth wash is just as effective as flossing but that’s just not the case. While mouth wash can help to reduce bacteria in the mouth it hardly compares to accurately removing plaque from the gum line like regularly flossing can do.
• Good oral hygiene means no gum disease – This misconception would certainly be a nice one wouldn’t it? Although good oral practices will reduce your risks for gum disease there are other factors that can start the process including smoking, excessive alcohol use and even genetic factors.
• Periodontists are scary – Doing anything for the first time can lead to some form of edginess but visiting a Periodontist really isn’t that bad. They’ve been specially trained in the diagnosis and treatment of all forms of oral issues and many practice non-evasively.

Understanding the facts around periodontitis and how it impacts your life is step number one maintaining optimal health. If you’re looking for a skilled Periodontist to help you evaluate the health of your gums 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.

If you’ve been contemplating whether or not you’re ready for a dental implant Long Island but haven’t completely set your mind to yes perhaps it will help to know exactly what dental implants are, when they began and how effective they are.

Implant dentistry is not as new in dental practice as many patients may think. In fact, the first attempts as using an implant to securely replace missing teeth can be dated back 1700’s when teeth would be replaced using teeth from human donors. Because the replacement teeth being used came from actual human donors the tooth replacement was usually unsuccessful because of the immune systems response to foreign material.

Moving forward in time during the 1800’s practitioners began to experiment around with various metals such as gold and platinum in an attempt to create suitable replacements. Unfortunately this effort was met with little long-term success in patients willing to give it a try and left dental practitioners in need of finding an alternative with more success.

It wasn’t until 1952 that the first dentist discovered quite by accident that titanium could bond irreversibly with living bone tissue. This discovery opened a whole new door for implant dentistry and leads the way to modern implants you find today.

Why Dental Implants Are the Preferred Choice for Tooth Replacement

Since the 1980’s implant dentistry quickly became the preferred method for tooth replacement. One of the biggest reasons for its growing popularity is readily explained in how the implant actually serves in your jawbone in the same way your natural tooth root does, leaving your smile as close to natural as possible.

In addition to appearing natural in your smile implants reduce bone deterioration, allows you to continue eating your normal foods and require no additional care than dentures. With benefits like these it only makes sense to choose implants over other types of tooth replacement from now on!

If you’re ready to discuss getting dental implant Long Island and would like to speak directly with a dental implant surgeon call Dr. Scharf at 631-661-6633 or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com. Dr. Scharf is skilled in implant dentistry and can assist you in evaluating your needs today.

A recent study published in the August edition of the Journal of Periodontology revealed that individuals who are overweight may be at a higher risk for severe periodontitis, a disease often marked with bleeding gums, loose teeth and persistent bad breath.

While obesity is an ever growing concern in America with its proven link to serious health concerns like diabetes and heart disease it is now also considered a factor for gum disease. Researchers studied participants body mass index (BMI), levels of oxygen consumption (physical activity level) and completed a detailed oral evaluation of the gums.

What they found were individuals with lower BMI and higher activity levels had less prevalence of severe periodontitis when compared to those with a higher BMI and lower activity level. According to Dr. Samuel Low, President of the American Academy of Periodontology states that research connecting overall health and periodontal health should maintain a healthy weight and get enough physical exercise.

Beat Gum Disease Through Diet and Exercise

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease in the soft tissues of your mouth and it affects the bone and gum surrounding your teeth. This inflammation is the major cause of tooth loss in adults and is no laughing matter. It begins with plaque buildup and leads to bacteria in the gum line.

Research has long provided evidence that your oral health and overall health is connected and should motivate everyone to lead a healthier lifestyle. Things you could incorporate in your routine include, eating a well balanced diet, daily exercise as simple as a 20 minute walk, drink plenty of water, avoid being sedentary for extended periods at a time, and remember that being active can be fun and simple.

When you’re active and maintain a healthy weight your mouth is going to thank you for beating your bleeding gums with healthy choices. And if you think you’re in need of a detailed periodontal exam of your own contact Dr. Scharf, he can treat gum disease using a laser and not a scalpel. Call today at 631-661-6633 or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com.

Thinking of gum disease as a public health concern may come as a surprise to many at least until you read a study published by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) disclosing that the prevalence of gum disease was originally underestimated by as much as 50% causing the CDC to state gum disease is a growing public health concern. If this new estimate is accurate then it makes perfect sense for a Periodontist on Long Island to be part of the solution for a public health concern.

Once you fully understand what gum disease is and how it impacts your oral and overall health you will quickly begin to see CDC’s concern. Gum disease is a chronic inflammatory disease in the gum tissue that begins with from plaque buildup. This plaque causes the gums to pull away from the gums leaving pockets around the base of the tooth. These pockets make perfect homes for bacteria growth that inevitably leads to inflammation.

If left untreated this inflammation leads to advanced forms of gum disease that can result in a number of health concerns such as bacterial infections in the gum, bacteria traveling in the blood stream throughout the body, increased risk for heart disease and diabetes, as well as a weakened immune state making some individuals more vulnerable to infection

Take that understanding and group it with a study completed by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey that found that the prevalence of true disease was a good 50% higher than originally thought and you have a foundation for a public health concern.

Taking Steps to Prevent Gum Disease

So how can a Suffolk Periodontist help? It all begins with a solid oral hygiene routine at home consisting of;

• Twice daily brushing and flossing
• Twice yearly dental exams that help remove plaque build-up and put a stop to early stages of gum disease before it becomes a problem
• Eating a healthy diet
• Avoiding products known to harm teeth and gums like smoking and alcohol consumption

The next steps include seeing a Periodontist each year and developing a plan for prevention. Your Periodontist will assess your oral care needs and lifestyle to assist you in making a plan you can stick with. If early signs of gum disease have already developed your plan will include an appropriate approach for treatment as well.

If you’re looking for a Periodontist on Long Island Dr. Scharf is skilled in the early detection, prevention and treatment of gum disease. If you find yourself already a victim you can breathe easy while receiving your laser treatment for gum disease. Give Dr. Scharf a call today at 631-661-6633 or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com.

You’ve walked around long enough fussing with your loose fitting dentures and embarrassing moments of floppy teeth. You know dental implants will fix all that but your dentist told you that you likely were not a candidate because of a narrow jawbone. But don’t let that stop you. If you live on Long Island dental implants can now be a reality through proven methods of bone grafting.

For decades experienced dental practitioners have been helping many patients just like you find success with tooth implants. Whether you have a narrow jaw bone or bone weakened by disease you no longer have to sit out the luxury of a more natural tooth replacement option. Simply chose the bone grafting procedure that’s best for you and make a plant to see it through to a beautiful smile!

What Bone Graft Procedure is Right for You?

When you’re ready to get started with your dental implant treatment plan your practitioner will perform a detailed evaluation and likely a detailed three dimensional dentascan to get a real close look at bones in your mouth. This will help him identify how much grafting may need to be done and where in your mouth you are likely to need it.

Bone grafting is simply a method in which your natural jaw is stimulated to grow new bone either naturally or synthetically. This is why it’s crucial to have a detailed scan of the jawbone to see where your bone is weak or narrow. Here are a few of the more common methods for encouraging bone growth:

• A synthetic material can be used to stimulate growth of your bone. Additionally your own blood factors can be used to either stimulate or accelerate bone growth.
• If your top jaw is too narrow a skilled Periodontist can literally lift your sinuses and place bone on the top of the jaw so that it can grow enough to sustain the implants.
• There are bone banks available for grafting purposes in much the same way as blood banks. The bone is sterile and very safe for use in stimulating bone growth.
• Perhaps the simplest method is by utilizing bone from your own mouth by using removed bone from procedures like preparing the dental implant site.

After discussing your specific needs with your dental practitioner he will help you choose the best bone grafting option for you. Remember that the best treatment plan is not always the fastest one. Rather you want to develop a plan that will have the highest rate of successful implant placement.

For reliable and safe Long Island dental implants Dr. Shcarf is an expert on bone grafting and dental implants. Let his expertise bring you the smile you’ve been waiting for by calling today at 631-661-6633 or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com.

Day after day you find yourself wheezing or coughing while cleaning the house. Your doctor told you that you suffered from COPD, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. No doubt you’ve listened closely to treatment options and ways to help you breathe more clearly but you just are finding the relief you had hoped for.  Perhaps it’s time to schedule an appointment with a Periodontist Long Island to determine if gum disease may be worsening your symptoms.

A new study published in the Journal of Periodontology suggests that gum disease may in fact increase the risk for respiratory infections that are a direct result of bacteria from the upper throat are inhaled into the lungs. Evidence for this claim came from studying 200 participants, with half of the group having some form of chronic lung disease and the other half having no history of lung diseases.

All participants received the same evaluations and care during the study and researchers found that those with respiratory disease had worse periodontal health than those without disease. As a result researchers believe that oral pathogens associated with gum disease may increase a patient’s risk of developing or exacerbating respiratory disease.

Treat Your Gums, Improve Your Breathing

Maintaining healthy gums is easier than you might think. To get a head start on your oral health care schedule an appointment with a local Periodontist as soon as possible. They can go over early warning signs such as bleeding teeth and gums, persistent bad breath and more.

After your appointment, make sure to follow all the recommendations your Periodontist suggests. After all, gums are their area of expertise. If you suffer from a chronic lung disease schedule an appointment with your health care provider to discuss your oral health plans and your anticipated goals. By including both your health care provider and Periodontist in your overall care you’re sure to find more success with your treatment plan.

If you’re in need of a Periodontist Long Island to help get you started on a new oral hygiene treatment plan 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, giving you the best treatment options available today.

Every American knows what it means to be under a lot of stress. From low pay to family strains stress is an everyday part of life. It interferes with our sleep. It bogs our concentration. It has even been known to increase our risks for heart disease. And, according to a study in the Journal of Periodontology it even damages our oral health, sending you packing to a Long Island Periodontist.

If you were to ask David Cochran, Chair of the Department of Periodontics at the University of Texas Health Science Center he would tell you that stress may make you more susceptible to negative habits that have a negative impact on your oral health. These habits, if continued, could lead to gum disease! Then in February of 2009 the Journal of Periodontology published the study that confirmed stress may interfere with oral hygiene. The study also noted that chronic stress is associated with higher and more prolonged levels of cortisol; a hormone that leads to a more destructive form of periodontal disease.

When you experience chronic stress what you have is a combination of neglected oral care as well as an increased and prolonged level of cortisol. If stress is left unchecked for too long the end result will likely be gum disease at its finest.

Lower Your Stress and Avoid Gum Disease

So what can you do to preserve your healthy smile? For starters identify what areas in your life are causing you to be stressed and if possible eliminate them. If complete elimination is not possible then develop a healthy routine to relieve stress each day like taking a walk or going swimming.

Other measures to protect your gums include:

• Eating a well-balanced diet every day
• Exercise regularly, even on the days you don’t feel stressed
• Maintain a good oral hygiene routine, no matter how tired you feel at the end of the day
• Drink plenty of water
• Avoid using tobacco and alcohol products as both of these have a damaging affect on your teeth and gums

When thinking about lowering your stress remember it’s not only about your gums. Following these daily tips will improve your overall health as well, reducing unnecessary stress about your health and medical bills!

If you live in Suffolk County and are looking for a Long Island Periodontist contact Dr. Scharf. He is skilled in early detection and treatment of gum disease using a laser, not a scalpel. Give him a call today at 631-661-6633 or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com