“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

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

Unsatisfactory home care seems to persist despite the fact that nearly all the periodontists surveyed reported that they or a staff member review and ask patients to demonstrate oral home care techniques either every visit or on those visits when it seems necessary. When trying to motivate and educate patients, periodontists report that mirrors, X-rays, and drawings or photos depicting periodontal disease are helpful. “I like to have the patient and spouse in the exam room and show both, with a hand mirror, the difference between healthy gums and disease. I point out plaque and pocket depths,” said Steven Uretsky, D.M.D., a private practitioner in Pittsburgh. Patients should not be afraid to ask their periodontists to help them improve their oral care techniques or to use visuals to help them understand what’s happening in their mouth, said survey participants. If you would like to see these comparisons for yourself contact your Long Island Periodontist.

An online poll conducted by the American Academy of Periodontology shows that Periodontists say that many of their patients should be doing more to protect their periodontal health. It also raises the question of are the majority of patients concerned about the health of their gums?

Periodontal disease is the main cause of tooth loss in adults. Nearly 90 percent of the 201 periodontists polled reported that flossing frequency is one of the areas of oral care that patients are most lax in, and about 61 percent reported that their patients’ flossing technique could use improvement, two essential components of an effective oral care regimen.

Good oral hygiene is necessary for healthy teeth and has also been shown to have a positive effect on the rest of the body as it relates to other illnesses. Find out more with a call or visit to your Long Island Periodontist. 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

If you are taking medication for acne or several other bacteria infections ou might be at risk for gaining a blue stain on your gums. The drug Mynocyclin that is used to treat acne infections also causes damage to your gums. If you have noticed a difference in your teeth then consider contacting a Periodontist in Long Island

The Journal of Periodontology upheld this information by pointing to a case study that reported that minocycline, a commonly prescribed antibiotic in the treatment of acne and rheumatoid arthritis, can cause the teeth and bone to discolor.

According to this case report, approximately three to six percent of long-term users of minocycline will develop dental staining.  Luckily the discoloration does not harm the teeth, but just like acne it can make smiling embarrassing. It causes a blackish blue tint on the gums and this can be unsightly for many.

Gordon Douglass, D.D.S. and President of the American Academy of Periodontology. States that “Periodontists have known for awhile that medical drugs can affect a person’s oral health, and this is a reminder for patients to inform their dental professionals of all medications they are taking.”

He goes on to add that “Like acne, periodontal disease can take away a person’s confidence and smile, also like acne, periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection. Whereas acne inflames the walls of the hair follicles causing the walls to inflame and break, periodontal disease destroys attachment fibers and supporting bone that hold the teeth into the mouth.”

If you are in need of a Periodontist in Long Island, 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

Tax time is coming soon and many people will use their tax returns on something personal. Plastic surgery is one of those options. If you have problems with your teeth or gums and want to improve your smile cosmetically, then a visit to your Periodontist Long Island may be in order.

According to Kevin Moore, D.M.D., restorative dentist in Clarion, Pennsylvania. “The periodontist plays an integral part in the appearance and health of the smile,” He added that “The patient cannot achieve a winning smile without the periodontist and dentist working together to reshape the gumline or remove the gum infection.”

Rethman also say that “Periodontal plastic surgery improves the smile, and is functional as well and a soft tissue graft can reduce further recession and bone loss, and in some cases reduce tooth sensitivity. Crown lengthening uncovers the tooth or teeth and improves its function since the patient can once again feel the tooth.”

Crown lengthening is a procedure to remove the excess gum tissue, thus exposing more of the “crown” of the tooth. The gum line is then sculpted (or sutured) to create the right proportion between gum tissue and tooth surface. This sets the stage, allowing your new veneers or crowns to have the correct length and shape.

Dental implants are the answer for many people with missing or damaged teeth – they look and feel just like your own teeth. Implants enhance smiles and prevent bone loss that often accompanies dentures.

If you would like to improve your smile during tax time, then visit your Periodontist Long Island. 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

It’s no surprise to read reports from Periodontists about how few people floss on a regular basis.  I mean who has time to floss right?  Besides, you bought one of those new toothbrushes that get ‘between’ the teeth for you!  What do you have to worry about?  Listen up Long Island, gum disease can happen to you even with that innovative toothbrush.

Flossing is a vital component to a good oral heath care routine, whether we want to do it or not.  Out of 201 Periodontists polled nearly 90% of them reported that their patients didn’t floss and 61 percent stated those that did floss could use some improvement.  Not one of them stated that new toothbrush was a better alternative!

Preventing Gum Disease through Education

Don’t let gum disease get the best of you. Establishing a regular routine and proper technique to keep your gums and teeth looking and feeling healthy for a lifetime.  To ensure you are on the right track work closely with your Periodontist or other skilled dental practitioner.

Your practitioner can help you maintain good oral health and avoid gum disease in a variety of ways:

1. Your Periodontist can use mirrors, x-rays, drawings and photos to educate patients on how to recognize periodontal disease.  The practitioner can educate both you and your spouse on the differences between healthy gums and disease.
2. Your dentist can instruct you in proper flossing techniques by observing how you floss during your routine visit and offer feedback if your technique is flawed.
3. Practitioners can help patients understand how to floss and brush without damaging their gums including which type of toothbrush to use and how to manipulate the floss between your teeth.
4. By thoroughly going over the consequences of poor oral care your Periodontist can help you eliminate bad breath, improve chewing, lower your risk for heart disease, respiratory disease and pre-term births.
5. Practitioners can help patients understand the connection between gum disease and tooth loss.

Don’t let your schedule keep you from having a healthy mouth.  If you are in need of a practitioner for Long Island gum disease Dr. Scharf 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.

When you smile do you feel like people are staring at your teeth and gums? For some individuals their smiles display excessive gummy tissue that is unattractive to look at. For others their gums may be pulled noticeably off of their teeth, making them not so pleasant to look at. Either scenario will leave you displaying only a closed mouth smile. That is at least until you discover how beautiful your smile truly can be with a Periodontist Long Island.

According to a poll conducted on the American Academy of Periodontology’s website about one in four people complain of having a smile that is too gummy or teeth that appear too long.  Yet only 26% of them were aware of procedures to correct these issues.  That would make cosmetic periodontal procedures one of America’s beauty secrets lurking behind beautiful smiles!

Periodontal Cosmetic Surgery Procedures

For excessive gum tissue your Periodontist can perform crown lengthening procedures that recontour excess gum and bone to expose more of the natural tooth. Once this procedure is complete the tooth is ready for the crown to be placed giving you a longer tooth with less gum tissue.

If your teeth appear too long your Periodontist can perform a soft tissue graft. This procedure covers exposed roots with gum tissue from another source providing a more attractive smile while simultaneously offering protection of the exposed roots from decay.

These procedures are growing more popular in periodontal practices with 67% of Periodontists reporting an increase in cosmetic periodontal procedures over the last five years. But after discovering that new and improved smile you’ll want to be sure to keep it healthy by visiting your Periodontist regularly.

People looking for a Periodontist 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 and is skilled in the area of periodontal cosmetic surgery.

Acne is one of those things that can lead many people to seek aggressive treatments to clear up their skin as quickly as possible. The blemishes are not only embarrassing but often times painful as well. When seeking treatment for acne it may be advisable to consult with a Periodontist on Long Island before taking prescribed medications.

When it comes to acne treatment dermatologists commonly prescribe minocycline since it has proven affective in multiple cases. However effective minocycline is in treating acne it may come at a price. The Journal of Periodontology published a report that stated minocycline can cause the teeth and bone to discolor, which may cause your gum tissue to appear blackish-blue in color.

Mayo Clinic researchers evaluated a 29-year old female when her gums had a dramatic blue appearance. After reviewing her medical history they discovered she had been treating acne with minocycline for 17 months and researchers cautioned her on continuing to use this medication.

They stated that discoloration of the gum tissue is not the only thing she had to worry about. If she was to continue using this medication she might experience discoloration in her teeth as well, which may not resolve after discontinuing the medication.

Oral discoloration occurs when the periodontal bone becomes discolored and shows through the gum tissue as a blackish-blue. While having acne can have a detrimental impact on your confidence and smile imagine the impact if your teeth and gums were a tint of blue!

Oral Discoloration and Gum Disease

Although the discoloration itself will not harm the teeth or gum tissue it wouldn’t hurt to visit a dentist to help ensure the health of your gums. Periodontists and dental practitioners have known for a while about the impacts of medications and oral health. One example is medications that cause dry mouth, which can damage the gum tissue and possibly lead to periodontal disease.

When you are using any kind of medication therapy it is a good idea to monitor the condition of your teeth and gums for early warning signs of periodontal disease which may include, persistent bad breath, receding gums, loose teeth, bleeding, red and swollen gums, and a change in the way your teeth fit together.

To help prepare for your dental visit write down all the medications you are currently taking as well as the dose to better assist the dentist in evaluating your situation. If your evaluation shows signs of periodontal disease caused by your medications or otherwise you will probably be referred to a Periodontist in your area for treatment.
If you’ve been referred to a Periodontist on Long Island Dr. Scharf treats gum disease with a laser, not a scalpel. If you’re looking for an alternative approach to your periodontal care call Dr. Scharf at 631-661-6633 or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com.

Ever wonder what cosmetic surgeries were available for your smile? Do you walk around covering your mouth when you laugh of only offer up a closed mouth smile? If so then you may be among the percentage of Americans who plan to spend their tax return at the Long Island Periodontist.

Periodontal cosmetic surgery can help with just about any smile default but the most common reasons a patient seeks periodontal surgery is to remove excess gum tissue, improve the gum line of receded gums or replace missing or broken teeth.

If you’re smile shows off too much gummy tissue you can receive plastic surgery to reduce the appearance of your gums. This is generally accomplished by placing crowns of your existing teeth to lengthen the tooth and help reduce the gum line.

If you’re just the opposite and have gums that are too far down on your teeth periodontal plastic surgery can help you too. By performing a soft tissue graft the Periodontist can raise the gum line and cover more of the tooth root.

Invest Your Refund the Right Way this Year

When thinking about what to do with your tax refund this year why not consider an investment that will last a life time? Imagine no more days of insecurity or excuse making when it comes to your natural smile. Rather you could start sporting the smile of your dreams.

To have that healthy beautiful smile you will work closely with the restorative dentist as well as a Periodontist. They will work together to reshape your gum line and remove infection, leaving you with a smile of a lifetime.

To find a skilled Long Island Periodontist contact Dr. Scharf and discuss your interests in periodontal plastic surgery. He can be reached at (631) 661-6633 or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com.

Did you ever wonder if your smile was affected by the health and appearance of your teeth? Obviously for those who have missing teeth they tend to smile more discreetly but what about individuals who still have their teeth but are experiencing slighter indications of deteriorating oral health. According to a study published in the Journal of Periodontology an individual’s smiling patterns are in fact affected, sometimes negatively, by Long Island gum disease.

The study was conducted at the University of Michigan and evaluated the smiling patterns of 21 periodontal patients while viewing a segment of a comedy program. At predetermined measurement points throughout the segment, the researchers assessed three dimensions of each patient’s smile: the horizontal width of the mouth in millimeters, the open width of the mouth in millimeters, and the number of teeth shown.

In addition, the researchers also noted the number of times the patient covered his or her mouth while watching the segment. Individual perceptions of how the patient’s quality of life is affected by oral health were also considered. The data were then evaluated along with a clinical exam of the patient’s periodontal health.

The findings indicated that the severity of gum disease has a definite impact on how confidently an individual will smile. Unfortunately smiling is held in our society to identify a person’s confidence in the social and work arena as well as comfort level. Meaning if you’re restricting your smile you could be sending an unintentional message to those around you.

Treat Gum Disease and Keep on Smiling

To ensure a confident smile for years to come it’s important to treat gum disease at the earliest warning signs. Some signs may include:

• Bleeding while brushing or flossing
• Red or swollen gums
• Persistent bad breath
• Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
• Loose or missing teeth

If signs of Long Island gum disease develop contact a Periodontist as soon as possible. Dr. Scharf treats gum disease with a laser, not a scalpel. For people who want an alternative to gum surgery call Dr. Scharf at 631-661-6633 or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com.