Washing your hands is more important than ever. Good physical hygiene and a visit to your Long Island Periodontist will keep your mouth healthy.

To protect your toothbrush from bacteria, 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 Long Island Periodontist and want an alternative to gum surgery call Dr. Scharf at 631-661-6633  or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com

According to a study in the Journal of Periodontology, researchers at the University of Michigan may have found how gene therapy can help restore the damage caused by advanced periodontal disease, a chronic bacterial infection that destroys the gums and bone supporting the teeth, allowing millions of Americans to keep their natural teeth for a lifetime. See your periodontist in Long Island for more information on how to avoid gum disease.

The reconstruction of lost periodontal support including bone, ligament, and cementum is a major goal of therapy. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) have shown much potential in the regeneration of the periodontium. Limitations of BMP administration to periodontal lesions include need for highdose bolus delivery, BMP transient biological activity, and low bioavailability of factors at the wound site. Gene transfer offers promise as an alternative treatment strategy to deliver BMPs to periodontal tissues.

The main cause of periodontal disease is a hard substance called plaque, a sticky colorless film that constantly forms on the teeth. Toxins produced by bacterial plaque irritate the gums and stimulate a chronic inflammatory response in which the tissues and bone that support the teeth are broken down and damaged. Gums separate from the teeth and form deepening pockets that become infected. As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen further and more gum tissue attachment and bone are lost. Eventually, teeth can become loose and may have to be removed.

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

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

Gingival overgrowth is a condition in which the gingival tissues become swollen and grow over the teeth. Overgrown gums make it easier for bacteria found in plaque to accumulate and attack supporting structures of the teeth, potentially leading to severe periodontal infection. Steroid abuse may give you gum disease Long Island.

Researchers found that prolonged use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) is closely associated with significant levels of gingival enlargement, according to a study in the Journal of Periodontology.

“It was found that AAS abusers had statistically significant levels of gingival enlargement compared to non-users, requiring a gingivectomy (removal of excess or diseased gum tissue) for many cases,” explains Onur Ozcelik, DDS, PhD, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Periodontology, Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey. “Although it has been reported that many of the adverse effects of AAS abuse are fully reversible within several months after the cessation of the drug, it is not known if gingival enlargement would also regress after the withdrawal of AAS.”

Researchers also found that gingival inflammation was higher in the AAS user group compared to the non-AAS users. “Further studies are required to find out if increased gingival scores in the user group are a direct effect of AAS or if the inflammation is a result of compromised oral hygiene due to gingival enlargement,” said Ozcelik.

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

Researcher Robert Genco, D.D.S., Ph.D., chair of the Oral Biology Department at The State University of New York at Buffalo, says the relationship between severe vitamin Cdeficiency and gum health has long been known. “In the late 18th century, sailors away at sea would eat limes to prevent their gums from bleeding,” Genco said. “The relationship between vitamin C and periodontal disease is likely due to vitamin C’s role in maintaining and repairing healthy connective tissue along with its antioxidant properties.” Maintaining good levels of vitamin c may keep you from having to visit you periodontist Long Island.

“Periodontal disease is an inflammatory disorder that increases tissue damage and loss. Since vitamin C is known as a powerful scavenger of reactive oxygen species, which form part of the body’s antioxidant defense system, low levels of dietary vitamin C may compromise the body’s ability to neutralize these tissue destructive oxidants,” explained Genco.

Dr. Scharf treats gum disease with a laser, not a scalpel, for people who need a periodontist  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

The majority of periodontists recommend calcium supplements and multivitamins for patients who are not getting adequate amounts from their diet. Calcium and multivitamins will help you to skip seeing your periodontist on Long Island. Many patients seem to listen to this advice. In a separate poll of consumers visiting the AAP’s website, nearly57 percent of 477 respondents said they have tried improving their diet to help improve periodontal health.

“Research has proven that people who consume inadequate amounts of calcium and vitamin C have higher rates of periodontal disease,” said Michael McGuire, D.D.S.,president of the AAP. “However, many other nutrients likely play a role in maintaining good periodontal health too.”

Conversely, some foods are best avoided to maintain good periodontal health. The top culprit chosen by periodontists was popcorn, because the husks can get caught in between the teeth and gums and cause abscesses.

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

The study showed that all groups with insufficient Calcium intake saw an acute inflammatory reaction in periodontal tissues and disruption of the gingival epithelium, the tissues surrounding the teeth, in addition to increased attachment loss, and increased alveolar bone loss. Those groups which were lactating saw even greater attachment loss and bone loss.

“We know a high-Calcium diet can promote healthy teeth and gums,” said Dr. Preston D. Miller, DDS, President of the American Academy of Periodontology, “But this research indicates that nursing mothers should be especially conscious of having enough Calcium in their diet. While breast milk is critical to their baby’s bone development, mothers should be sure to have enough calcium, or risk bone loss in her mouth, which can worsen periodontal diseases. Given that a thorough periodontal evaluation should be done as soon as a woman finds out that she is pregnant, monitoring periodontal tissues, including more frequent cleanings during pregnancy and continuing until 3 months after delivery, will help assure periodontal health

Dr. Scharf treats gum disease with a laser, not a scalpel, for people who have 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

Since its discovery in 1917, melatonin has been found to be involved in many biological functions such as setting the body’s sleep rhythms and fighting off free radicals that may lead to cancer and other autoimmune diseases. It may be that Melatonin could keep you from making an emergency trip to your Periodontist Long Island. The authors of this study conducted an extensive review of the literature (e.g., PubMed, Science Direct, Web ofKnowledge, etc.) to evaluate the potential effects of melatonin on the oral cavity, including: melatonin as an antioxidant and free radical scavenger; melatonin as a host modulation agent; melatonin as a promoter of bone formation; and melatonin and periodontal disease. This review found strong evidence that melatonin may play a key role in periodontal health by helping to maintain bone levels in the oral cavity through suppressing the cells that work during bone resorption, and enhancing the body’s host response to the periodontal bacteria. One of the most devastating effects of periodontal disease is bone loss in the jaw which often leads 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

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.”

Did you know that taking care of your teeth could make your life last longer? If you are suffering from pain or swollen gums, now is the time to see your Long Island Periodontist and make your life last longer

Recent research has found that periodontal infection may contribute to the development of heart disease, diabetes, respiratory diseases and premature, underweight births.

The AAP offers 10 suggestions to help you ensure good oral health: Here are five:

• Stop using tobacco products. In addition to other serious illness linked with smoking, tobacco users are at increased risk for periodontal disease.
• Watch for signs of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is often silent, meaning you may not have symptoms until its very advanced stages. However, people with periodontal disease may experience:

Bleeding gums during brushing

Red, swollen or tender gums

Gums that have pulled away from the teeth

Persistent bad breath

Pus between the teeth and gums

Loose or separating teeth

A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite

A change in the fit of your dentures

• Be aware of habits such as teeth grinding, which can put excess force on the supporting tissues of the teeth and speed up the rate at which these tissues are destroyed. You may need to have a dental professional fit you with a mouth guard to wear while sleeping if you grind your teeth at night.
• Tell your dental professional about any medications you are taking, as some drugs such as oral contraceptives, antidepressants and certain heart medicines can affect oral health.

See your dentist and periodontist regularly. Regular professional cleanings will remove tartar in places that your toothbrush and floss have missed. Regular periodontal appointments are an important part of your oral hygiene program to prevent gum disease and keep your teeth for a lifetime.

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