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

To protect your toothbrush from bacteria and avoid a visit to your Long Island Periodontist, follow the steps listed below.

Do:

• Wash your hands before and after brushing.
• Allow the brush to air dry after each use, since the bacteria most harmful will die when exposed to oxygen.
• Store the toothbrush in an upright position, so water drains from it and it dries faster.
• Replace it every 3-4 months or sooner if the bristles appear worn or you’ve had a cold or flu to prevent possible reinfection.
• Clean the cover or container often to kill potentially harmful bacteria that could cause periodontal diseases, a serious bacterial infection that destroys the attachment fibers and supporting bone that holds teeth in the mouth.

Do not:

• Share your toothbrush. According to the CDC, the exchange of body fluids from sharing toothbrushes could increase the risk for infections.
• Re-use or share the same disinfecting solutions or mouthwashes to disinfect toothbrushes because this can lead to cross-contamination.
• Routinely cover toothbrushes or store in closed containers. This creates a humid environment that is more susceptible to bacterial growth.
• Use a community toothbrush holder. If you must, clean it often and make sure that the bristles do not touch one another.
• Touch the toothpaste tube to your toothbrush.

Dr. Scharf treats gum disease with a laser, not a scalpel,for people who need a periodontist on Long Island and want n alternative to gum surgery call Dr. Scharf at 631-661-6633 or visit him on the web at http:// drscharf.com

The American Academy of Periodontology asked its members for the most ineffective home remedies their patients have used to tackle yuck mouths. Excessive use of these products may lead to gum disease Long Island

1. Excessive use of mouthwash. Produces sloughy, stinky tissue that is worse than what your breath is already like.
2. Breath mints. A sweet smelling mouth doesn’t mean a healthy mouth. Long-lasting sugar candies subject teeth to acid attacks, increasing your risk for cavities.
3. Chewing gum. Chewing gum can increase salivary flow, but only masks bad breath. Try drinking water throughout the day instead.
4. Mint chew tobacco. Smokeless tobacco causes gums to recede and increases the chance of losing the bone and fibers that hold your teeth in place, and more importantly, causes oral cancer.
5. Infomercial Items. Only use items that have the ADA Seal of Approval. Unapproved items could do more harm than good.
6. Vodka martinis or sour mash whiskey. Alcohol may further the problem by making your mouth dry, whereby saliva is unable to remove oral bacteria.
7. Brushing with cleanser. Many chemicals used for household cleaning are poisonous and should not be consumed – this is one of them.
8. Intestinal cleansing methods. Bad breath does not originate from the stomach. Actually, anaerobic bacteria in your mouth produce smelly sulfur compounds that cause bad breath.
9. Rinsing with kerosene. Talk about putting your mouth on fire!
10. Tongue piercing. Anything that allows you to harbor more bacteria on your tongue, like tongue jewelry, increases your chance of bad breath.

Researchers analyzed the case of a 26-year-old female who had localized gingival recession around the area of her lip piercing. The patient noticed soon after getting the oral barbell that her gums started to progressively recede in the area of the piercing. The barbell had direct contact with the area where the gums were receding. Since the patient’s gingival recession was present only in the area of the oral metal device, the piercing was considered to be the cause of the gingival recession.

A case report released today in the November issue of the Journal of Periodontology found that piercing the tongue, lip or cheek could cause localized gingival recession. This can lead to stress and gum disease, which can lead to a trip to your Long Island Periodontist.

“Oral piercing has become a popular trend, and most people do not seek advice from a dental or medical professional prior to the piercing,” said Michael McGuire, D.D.S,president of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP). “Another important concern is hygienic maintenance of the pierced oral area. The mouth contains millions of bacteria, and infection is a common complication of oral piercing.”

Other consequences of oral piercing may include swelling, increased flow of saliva, pain, fractured teeth, interference with speech and metal hypersensitivity. “Many people with oral piercing do not think about the harmful effects it can have on their oral and overall health,” explained McGuire. “In this particular case, the doctors were surprised that the patient had a history of mitral valve prolapse, and she was unaware of the consequences of piercing on her medical status. In fact, a case of infective endocarditits following nasal piercing has been reported.”

Dr. Scharf treats gum disease with a laser, not a scalpel, for people who need a periodontist on Long Island and want n alternative to gum surgery call Dr. Scharf at 631-661-6633  or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com

Got Milk? Studies show a link between milk and your periodontist in Long Island. “Research has suggested that periodontal disease may affect overall systemic health,” said study author Dr. Yoshihiro Shimazaki of Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan. “This study reinforces what much of the public already knows – the importance of dairy in helping achieve a healthy lifestyle, including a healthy mouth.”

“According to the Surgeon General’s Report, about 37 percent of children have not had a dental visit before starting school,’ said Michael McGuire, D.D.S., president of the AAP. “When children don’t see dental professionals they miss the opportunity to have problems caught early before they escalate into larger, more expensive problems to treat, and parents miss the opportunity to learn how to promote good oral habits in their children.” Check your child for Long Island Gum Disease.

Advice for parents

Early diagnosis is important for successful treatment of periodontal diseases. Therefore, it is important that children receive a periodontal examination as part of their routine dental visits. Be aware that if your child has an advanced form of periodontal disease, this may be an early sign of systemic disease. A general medical evaluation should be considered for children who exhibit severe periodontitis, especially if it appears resistant to therapy.

Many medications can dry out the mouth or pose other threats to oral health. Be sure to tell your dental professional about any medications your family members are taking. Monitor your family to see if anyone has the habit of teeth grinding. Grinding can increase the risk of developing periodontal disease, in addition to causing cracked or chipped teeth. Dentists can make custom-fitted night bite guards to prevent teeth grinding at night.

Researchers suggest periodontal disease can pass through saliva. This means that the common contact of saliva in families may put children and couples at risk for contracting the periodontal disease of another family member. If one family member has periodontal disease, all family members should see a dental professional for a periodontal evaluation. The most important preventive step against periodontal disease is to establish good oral health habits with your child. There are basic preventive steps to help your child maintain good oral health:

• Establish good oral health habits early. When your child is 12 months old, you can begin using toothpaste when brushing his or her teeth. However, only use a pea-sized portion on the brush and press it into the bristles so your child won’t eat it. And, when the gaps between your child’s teeth close, it’s important to start flossing.

• Serve as a good role model by practicing good oral health care habits yourself.

• Schedule regular dental visits for family checkups, periodontal evaluations and cleanings.

• Check your child’s mouth for the signs of periodontal disease, including bleeding gums, swollen and bright red gums, gums that are receding away from the teeth and bad breath. If your child currently has poor oral health habits, work with your child to change these now. It’s much easier to modify these habits in a child than in an adult. Since your child models behavior after you, it follows that you should serve as a positive role model in your oral hygiene habits.

Dr. Scharf treats gum disease with a laser, not a scalpel, for people who need a periodontist on Long Island and want n alternative to gum surgery call Dr. Scharf at 631-661-6633  or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com

Long Island Gum Disease may be prevalent in children. Common dental problems seen in children are cavities and gingivitis, which is found in the majority of U.S. children. “When these problems are not caught early and treated, they can develop into more severe problems and cause unnecessary suffering,” said McGuire. “However, much of the time, oral problems are avoidable problems.”

“According to the Surgeon General’s Report, about 37 percent of children have not had a dental visit before starting school,” said McGuire. “When children don’t see dental professionals they miss the opportunity to have problems caught early before they escalate into larger, more expensive problems to treat, and parents miss the opportunity to learn how to promote good oral habits in their children.”

National Children’s Dental Health Month is in February , but it is important to take care of children’s teeth on a daily basis. The first comprehensive study on the nation’s oral health released by the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General calls dental and oral diseases a “silent epidemic,” even in children. The report states that more than 51 million school hours are lost each year to dental-related illness. In fact, another study pointed to dental care as the most prevalent unmet health need among American children.

Dr. Scharf treats gum disease with a laser, not a scalpel, for people who gum disease Long Island and want n alternative to gum surgery call Dr. Scharf at 631-661-6633  or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com

Up to 30% of the population may be genetically susceptible to developing severe periodontal disease, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology. These findings could result in the early identification and treatment of at-risk patients.Based on this research, the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) recognizes that treatment of gum disease may involve entire families. If your family member has gingivitis, you should see a Long Island Periodontist.

Periodontal (gum) disease may be passed from parents to children and between a couple. According to an article in the September 1997 issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association, researchers suggest bacteria that cause periodontal disease pass though saliva. This means that the common contact of saliva in families puts children and couples at risk for contracting the periodontal disease of another family member. Periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss

Gingivitis and periodontitis are both form of Periodontal disease. If left untreated gingivitis and periodonti . Periodontal literally means “around the tooth.” Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection that attacks the bone and sums as well as the surrounding teeth. . Periodontal disease can affect one tooth or many teeth. It begins when the bacteria in plaque (the sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth) causes the gums to become inflamed.

There are many forms of periodontitis. The most common ones include the following.

• Aggressive periodontitis occurs in patients who are otherwise clinically healthy. Common features include rapid attachment loss and bone destruction and familial aggregation.
• Chronic periodontitis results in inflammation within the supporting tissues of the teeth, progressive attachment and bone loss. This is the most frequently occurring form of periodontitis and is characterized by pocket formation and/or recession of the gingiva. It is prevalent in adults, but can occur at any age. Progression of attachment loss usually occurs slowly, but periods of rapid progression can occur.
• Periodontitis as a manifestation of systemic diseases often begins at a young age. Systemic conditions such as heart disease, respiratory disease, and diabetes are associated with this form of periodontitis.
• Necrotizing periodontal disease is an infection characterized by necrosis of gingival tissues, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. These lesions are most commonly observed in individuals with systemic conditions such as HIV infection, malnutrition and immunosuppression.

Periodontal (gum) disease may be passed from parents to children and between a couple. According to an article in the September 1997 issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association, researchers suggest bacteria that cause periodontal disease pass though saliva. This means that the common contact of saliva in families puts children and couples at risk for contracting the periodontal disease of another family member. Periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss

Dr. Scharf treats gum disease with a laser, not a scalpel, for people who need a periodontist on Long Island and want n alternative to gum surgery call Dr. Scharf at 631-661-6633  or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com

You’ve just been informed that your root canal didn’t take and your tooth needs to be removed. Your first thought, “what about my smile?” Your second thought, “is there any way I can replace that tooth?” You listen intently as the dentist discusses the procedures to come and options for care after the tooth is removed. One thought stands out in your mind: Long Island Dental Implants. What affect will this have on your mouth and where will you find an implant dentist on Long Island?

Long Island dental implants are completed under the care of a Periodontist, a dental specialist in the area of diagnosing, preventing and treating gum disease. Dr. Scharf is the premier Implant Dentist on Long Island. The procedure previously involved a heavy focus on the patient’s bone and gum tissue surrounding the implant in an effort to minimize change in the host tissue however recent studies have changed how practitioners view mean bone changes around the implant.

The Journal of Periodontology recently published a study that showed little mean bone change in the five years following the implant, further supporting dental implants as a viable tooth replacement option. The study was conducted at the Texas Health Center at San Antonio evaluating 596 implants placed in 192 patients. The study confirms that patients with adequate oral hygiene and bone volume would experience minimal change in the bone tissue surrounding the implant. In fact the majority of the bone remodeling occurs between the initial implant placement and the final prosthesis placement.

Evaluating an Implant Dentist on Long Island

Pairing up with a skilled Periodontist who understands not only the procedure itself, but also the healing process that occurs immediately following your dental implant and long-term care is vital to a pleasant experience. You want to entrust your oral health to a practitioner that will monitor your new implant as well as focus on other areas of the mouth during your visits.

When evaluating an implant dentist on Long Island look for Periodontists who specialize in dental implants. Prior to calling them, prepare any questions you have about the procedure, including care after the implant is placed and don’t shy away from asking them if they are familiar with the most recent study supporting minimal changes in the five years following your procedure. Some questions you may want to ask include:

1. Am I a good candidate for a successful implant?
2. What criteria do you use to make that determination?
3. How much experience do you have with dental implants?
4. Have you read the recent study on changes to the tissue surrounding the implants?
5. How has it changed your views on post procedure care?

It’s your mouth. You should expect nothing less than the best. If you’re looking for Long Island dental implants Dr. David Scharf, a Periodontist who specializes in Dental Implants, is available to answer your questions by visiting him on the web at or call (631) 661-6633.