Let’s face it no one wants to have an unhealthy mouth. If our mouth is in poor health it effects our social interactions, comfort while eating or drinking and at times our self-esteem. If our teeth are filled with cavities it can lead to pain and discomfort. If we suffer from gum disease we could also have some missing teeth. Bad breath leads to awkward interactions with our peers.

But our efforts to maintain a healthy smile and keep the Long Island Periodontist happy don’t have to be exhausting or eat away our savings. Instead we can follow 5 simple steps on a regular basis at home combined with our annual check-ups to stay ahead of oral disease:

1. Screen for oral cancer during annual check ups
2. Brush and floss daily
3. Use mouthwash daily
4. Clean your tongue
5. Use an electronic toothbrush
6. Drink fluoridated water

Cancer Screenings: Right at the top of everyone’s list needs to be cancer screenings. With more than 36,000 new cases annually this could possibly be looking you back in the mirror and affecting your smile. With early warning signs being subtle the average patient may overlook symptoms of oral cancer. Regular screenings will keep your mouth healthy for years to come.

Brush and Floss: Next, and rather obviously, is the need to brush and floss daily.   Plaque builds up on the tooth surface and is an invisible film that leads to inflammation around the gum line. The inflammation causes pockets to form where bacteria make their way in to populate and multiply. Thorough brushing and flossing removes this plaque before it has a chance to trigger inflammation.

Mouthwash: Another step often overlooked is the regular use of mouthwash. Some rinses actually have a microbial ingredient that helps to fight off certain types of bacteria, including bacteria that lead to gum disease. But even if your mouthwash is not designed to kill bacteria the liquid washes between your teeth and literally rinse away particles that were loosened by brushing and flossing.

Clean Your Tongue: Many people neglect their tongue during their oral hygiene routine. What they don’t realize is that the tongue can be a breeding ground for bacteria as well. In fact, the tongue is the true source of bad breath and anyone serious about a healthy mouth needs to remember to brush their tongue.

Electronic Toothbrush: All though this is still up for debate use of an electronic toothbrush has shown an advantage over standard toothbrushes in removing plaque and food particles. It has been shown to do a more thorough job at cleaning the teeth and gums as well as minimize damage caused by brushing too hard.

Fluoridated Water: Fluoride helps to protect your teeth from decay and regular supplementation has proven to be beneficial for many dental patients. Perhaps one of the simplest ways to get fluoride is through the water you drink.

Looking for a Long Island Periodontist for your regular screening? Dr. Scharf offers complete evaluations and is skilled in the early detection and treatment of gum disease using a laser, not a scalpel. Call today at (631) 661-6633 or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com.

Periodontal disease affects millions of Americans every year. In fact the CDC has referred to gum disease as a silent epidemic plaguing American’s.  The number of cases for periodontal disease on Long Island are so high that Periodontists have joined together to better educate patients on common causes and prevention.

One cause that most of us are unaware of is chronic dry mouth. I’m not talking about the occasional dry mouth that annoys all of us. Rather I’m talking about the dry mouth that persists day after day

Dry Mouth and Your Oral Health

Saliva production is vital to our oral health and digestion.  It serves as a means to lubricate the mouth while talking, chewing and swallowing as well as rinse the surface of your teeth with a mineral rich solution that helps your teeth resist infection.

Dry mouth is the absence of saliva and if it persists it has a negative effect on your oral and overall health. Symptoms include:

• Trouble eating
• Trouble talking and chewing
• Burning sensations
• Frequent need to sip while eating3
• Difficulty swallowing

Dr. Matthew Messina, ADA consumer advisor, shares that chronic dry mouth can lead to serious problems with your oral health. He stated that, “Drying irritates the soft tissues in the mouth, which can make them inflamed and more susceptible to infection.”

He adds, “Constant dryness and the lack of protection provided by saliva may contribute to bad breath. Dry mouth can make full dentures become less comfortable to wear because there is no thin film of saliva to help them adhere properly to oral tissues,” he adds. “Insufficient saliva can also result in painful denture sores, dry and cracked lips, and increased risks of oral infection.”

Steps to Keep Your Mouth Moist

The most common cause of dry mouth is over the counter or prescription medication. Specific medications are more likely to lead to dry mouth than others however if you are taking any medication regularly talk with your doctor about the possible side effects of dry mouth.

In addition to adjusting your medication consider:

• Drinking plenty of water
• Avoiding tobacco and caffeine
• Avoiding alcohol and carbonated drinks
• Chewing sugarless gum
• Taking frequent sips of water or chew on ice chips

When considering if it’s worth your time to worry yourself about dry mouth just remember that natural saliva production protects your mouth against oral disease such as periodontal disease. On Long Island you can contact Dr. Scharf to ask questions about the effects of dry mouth and steps you can take to protect your oral health. Call today at (631) 661-6633 or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com.

It has been reported that 10 to 15% of Americans battle periodontitis as some point in their adult life. As these numbers grow dental practitioners agree that new measures need to be implemented to more effectively treat and help prevent Long Island gum disease.

To begin Periodontists began to look closer at gum disease and the factors surrounding various cases that came through their offices. Factors considered included:

1.       Risk Factors: Patients who smoke and drink excessive alcohol, have a poor daily diet, and have weak oral hygiene routines are at a greater risk for developing gum disease.

2.       Causes: It has long been understood that gum disease develops after plaque builds up on the teeth, resulting in pockets on the gum line where bacteria can invade.

3.       Inhibitors to treatment: One of the biggest inhibitors practitioners face is inflammation. Not only has inflammation associated with gum disease has been linked to several systemic diseases and research is finding that it complicates treatment plans if not brought under control.

A Close Look at Inflammation

Perhaps one of the largest factors that stand out is inflammation and the overall impact it has on oral health and overall health. Inflammation has long been linked to systemic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and arthritis. Research has shown that inflammation of the oral tissue is the leading cause for damage to teeth and gums as well as complicate treatment success.

At a glance inflammation presents as redness and swelling. But inside the body inflammation takes on an entirely different appearance called free-radicals. Well sort of. Medically inflammation is the direct result of an oxidative stress in the body. Oxidative stress occurs when your body is off balance and is over run by free radicals. The proven method for reducing these free-radicals is through the use of antioxidants.

Given the awareness that antioxidants will naturally reduce free-radicals in the body it’s clear that they will lead to the reduction of inflammation. So Periodontists decided to evaluate the role of antioxidants on the treatment of gum disease and found great results.

When antioxidants were used in correlation with antibiotics to eliminate infection, treatment to destroy active bacteria and adjustments at home with your oral hygiene the success rate of eliminating gum disease became a complete approach with satisfying results.

If you live on Long Island and gum disease is plaguing your mouth don’t wait another day. You can contact Dr. Scharf for a detailed evaluation and treatment plant to restore your mouth to optimal health.  Call today at (631) 661-6633 or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com.

If you’ve reached a moment in your life where you need to decide on a tooth replacement option you may be unsure of what your options actually are. After all, who spends a lot of time thinking about how to replace their teeth? The good news is you don’t have to settle for dentures anymore. In fact choosing dental implants on Long Island is a realistic expectation for everyone!

With continued advancements in dental technology procedures like implants are offered to a larger group of patients than they have ever been offered to before. If you need to replace one tooth implants offer a solution that wont’ intrude on neighboring teeth. If you are missing multiple teeth implants give you confidence in knowing your partials or dentures won’t slip when you eat, talk or laugh.

In fact implants are the preferred replacement option for:

• Replacing one or more teeth without
• Supporting a bridge
• Removing the need for a removable partial denture
• Providing support for a full denture

Types of Dental Implants and How they Work

There are two types of implants available;

1.       Endosteal or in the bone implants

2.       Subperiosteal or on the bone.

Endosteal is the most commonly used implant and are surgically placed into the jawbone. The implant is then used to hold prosthetic teeth and is often used as an alternative for patients with bridges or removable dentures.

Subperiosteal are placed on top of the jaw with metal posts protruding through the gum to hold prosthesis. These are ideal for patients with minimal bone height who are unable to wear conventional dentures.

Why You Should Choose Implants

Perhaps one of the most referenced reasons for choosing implants is esthetic reasons. Implants secure in place and look more natural in your mouth than removal partials or dentures.  When you smile your implants are matched so perfectly that no one will even notice which teeth are not your natural teeth.

Next in line is the tooth-saving quality of implants. Being secured directly in the bone implants are not dependent on adjacent teeth, preserving the long-term health of natural teeth. Additionally the implant serves as a preservative in the jawbone in the same manner as your tooth root would and prevents the breakdown of bone tissue.

Beyond appearance and tooth-saving abilities is the reliability the actual implant. The success and fail rate of implants is highly predictable and considered an excellent option for tooth replacement. You’ll have more confidence when eating, talking and laughing with your friends knowing your replacement option is secure and not going anywhere.

Are Implants Right for You

As implant dentistry continues to improve more and more patients are considered good candidates for implants. In years past patients had to naturally have ideal bone health among other factors. Now procedures like bone grafts and soft tissue grafts help those with less than ideal tissue improve their chances of success.

If you are considering dental implants on Long Island as your tooth replacement  but still have questions as to whether they are right for you contact Dr. Scharf at (631) 661-6633 or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com to learn more. He his skilled in modern implant dentistry and can answer your questions today.

Everyone can tell you the risks of tooth decay and gum disease if they ignore proper oral hygiene practices. From as early as our toddler years we’ve heard from parents, teachers, doctors and dentists how important it was for our smile to maintain good oral hygiene. But many of us will recall a warning of oral health and increased risks of pneumonia.

Periodontists on Long Island disclose that recent studies not only link oral bacteria associated with gum disease to diabetes, kidney disease and heart disease but also show a direct link the development of pneumonia.

A study at Yale University School of Medicine noted a change in mouth bacteria of hospital patients preceding the development of pneumonia. What this tells doctors and dental practitioners is that the state of their patient’s mouths could prove to be a risk factor for pneumonia and other lung disease.

Healthy Mouth Healthy Lungs

This information couldn’t come at a better time than now. With the cold months of winter the number of patients presenting with respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia are always at an undesired high. The use of vaccines and education has long been the medical field’s efforts to reduce risks of infection. Now they happily add oral hygiene to their arsenal.

Maintaining good oral hygiene can be as simple as:

• Brushing twice a day for a full two minutes using fluoride toothpaste
• Flossing at least once a day to remove food from between your teeth
• Cut back on sugary and acidic foods and drinks
• See your dentist every 6 months for a regular check up and professional cleaning

While oral hygiene alone may not guarantee you’ll remain free of respiratory disease it’s certainly worth your efforts to give that added step in prevention.

If you would like to consult with a Periodontist on Long Island to discuss the health of your teeth and gums contact Dr. Scharf (631) 661-6633 or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com. He’s skilled in the early diagnosis and treatment of gum disease using a laser, not a scalpel and he’s available to answer your questions.

No one wants to consider they might be harboring a disease that they are completely unaware of. The harsh reality is many Americans are doing just that. In fact gum disease is so sneaky that generally speaking we aren’t even aware that some of the occurrences we notice in our mouths are a result of early gum disease.

But with a little effort on your part you can educate yourself on warning signs that are telling you to contact a Long Island Periodontist. Early signs are so easy to see that you can even teach your children to be ahead of the game of oral health too.

How to Recognize Gum Disease – What to Look for

When completing your daily oral care of brushing and flossing it’s important to observe your mouth for any unusual changes that may be your mouth telling you it’s in trouble. Things you want to look for include:

• Increased redness around the gum line and along the tooth root
• Tenderness to the touch
• Frequent bleeding when brushing, flossing or eating
• Persistent bad breath that won’t go away even with the most thorough routines
• A separation of the teeth or a change in the way your dentures fit in your mouth
• If it appears that your gums are “pulling” away from your teeth
• Loose or missing teeth

It’s that simple to stay ahead of gum disease. Watch daily for these signs, make notes if you need to and call your dental practitioner, or preferably a Periodontist right away.

Your First Appointment

It’s best to see a Periodontist when evaluating signs of gum disease since they are licensed in the early diagnosis and treatment of gum infections.  At your first appointment you will have a detailed oral exam, an oral x-ray and complete a patient history. Your practitioner will assess the extent of infection and help to devise a treatment plan that is the most effective for your situation.

Options to Reverse the Damage

If it is discovered that the bacteria have already resulted in damage to your gums and bone there are options available to help reverse that damage.

1.       Regenerative Gum Surgery: This surgery involves folding back the gum tissue at the infection site and cleaning out all the bacteria. He can then add a tissue stimulating protein that actually kick starts your body into growing new tissue and healing itself. If the infection has spread to the bone your practitioner can add a bone graft to help restore bone density to the jaw as well.

2.       Hyaluronic Acid: This is a regenerative gel that has shown restorative success in several studies. These studies found that Hyaluronic acid can increase blood supply, reduce inflammation and boost tissue regeneration.

By monitoring your mouth daily and setting an appointment to see a Periodontist as soon as you notice any early warning signs you’ll be equipped to defeat gum disease before it’s a problem. But you can be confident knowing there are options to help restore any damage that may be present if gum disease snuck up on you.

If you want to consult with a Long Island Periodontist to get your questions answered and evaluate your needs contact Dr. Scharf. He’s skilled in the early diagnosis and successful treatment of gum disease using non-evasive laser therapy, not a scalpel. Call today at (631) 661-6633 or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com. He’s skilled in advanced methods for implant dentistry and is available to answer all your questions today.

When it comes to your tooth replacement options there are many factors you want to consider.  In addition to choosing the best option for you it’s important to consider the overall health of your mouth and long term care that will follow.  Dental implants on Long Island have many benefits over dentures both short term and long term.

When you lose a tooth your jawbone will begin to shrink and deteriorate if it is left as it is. Implants help to prevent this from happening by filling the space where the tooth root used to be. The titanium replacement root serves as a natural replacement that protects your jawbone and preserves your healthy smile.

Why Choose Dental Implants

Preserving the jawbone is not the only benefit for choosing implants over dentures. One of the primary complaints from denture wearers is the inability to eat some of their favorite foods. The next common complaint is loose fitting dentures that move around when they talk or laugh, making them uneasy in social settings.

Since implants are inserted directly into the jawbone the bulkiness associated with dentures is completely eliminated. Your smile will look and feel just like your natural smile from day one! In fact implants are so close to natural teeth that no one will even notice unless you choose to tell them.

What to Expect with Implants

Implants can either be completed the same day as your tooth extractions or inserted at a later date.  If you are receiving same day implants your practitioner will insert the titanium implant right away and either stitch the gum closed for healing or place a temporary healing abutment. If implants are placed at a later date your practitioner will drill a hole where the implant needs to be placed and then follow the same steps.

Once healing of the implant has occurred you will come back in for a permanent abutment and tooth crown.  Any other recovery instructions will be discussed at this appointment as well as how to care for your implants, which by the way is the same as caring for your natural teeth!

If you would like to learn more about receiving dental implants on Long Island or have questions about your specific needs contact Dr. Scharf at (631) 661-6633 or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com. He’s skilled in advanced methods for implant dentistry and is available to answer all your questions today.

Beginning as young as 2 parents begin teaching their children how to properly brush their teeth twice a day and maintain a healthy smile. Moms are more and more aware of limiting sugars and teaching young children to brush after meals. In spite of all this millions of adults continue to need treatment for periodontitis on Long Island.

Periodontitis, or gum disease, is a direct result of plaque build along the gum line that has led to pockets in the gums. These pockets have become home to millions of bacteria that continue to multiply. Chronic periodontitis is gum disease that has gone untreated and is often associated with an interaction between plaque biofilms and your body’s immune system.

Biofilms are multilayered ecosystems that bond to the surface of your teeth and literally serve as a protector for bacteria that lead to gum disease making it difficult for most antibiotics to successfully treat the disease.

In the early stages of gum disease these biofilms are more easily torn down with the use of systemic antibiotics. However once the biofilm has formed a resistance the only fail safe solution is to break up the biofilm using mechanical means such as root planning or scaling prior to administering antibiotics.

But not all antibiotics have proven effective in the treatment of periodontal disease even with root scaling and planning. Some of the more effective include Azythromycin, Clindamycin and Tetracycline.

An Effective Approach for Treating Chronic Gum Disease

Traditionally gum disease could only be treated through the use of a scalpel and involved multiple “deep cleaning” sessions to rid the mouth of the underlying bacteria. These sessions were uncomfortable to say the least and dreaded by anyone facing a treatment.

But thankfully periodontal treatments have advanced over the years and now non-evasive laser therapy is available to more effectively, and in fewer sessions rid your mouth of harmful bacteria. The lasers have also been noted to stimulate the soft tissue for regeneration in some cases, making the therapy a double bonus.

During your treatment your Periodontist will likely develop a daily oral hygiene routine and diet recommendation to create an optimal healing environment. Staying away from harmful products like smoking, alcohol, sugary and acidic foods is also important during the healing phase.

After you have completed your treatment sessions your Periodontist will assist you in developing a few lifestyle changes to reduce the risks of a repeated infection. This will include continuing to limit harmful products eliminated during the treatment process as well as altering other dietary and oral hygiene habits where needed.

If you are faced with having to treat periodontal disease on Long Island you can rest assured knowing there are options for non-surgical treatments available. To find out more you can contact Dr. Scharf at (631) 661-6633 or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com.  He treats gum disease with a laser rather than a scalpel.

Finding out you have gum disease can lead to a variety of feelings including frustration, embarrassment or maybe even fear. A lot of this is a result of not truly understanding what gum disease is or how it’s treated. The good news is by visiting a Long Island Periodontist who specializes in the treatment of gum disease you may be pleasantly surprised at your options.

As the dental industry continues to improve steady progress is made in treatment options for varying degrees of periodontitis. From the early stages right up to advanced gum disease your dental practitioner can offer multiple scenarios to restore the health of your mouth.

Options for Treating Gum Disease

The most desirable approach for patients and many practitioners as well is a non-surgical approach. For the longest time advanced stages of gum disease required surgical treatment but with technological advances that’s no longer the case. The three most common non-surgical procedures include:

• Professional Cleaning: this approach is effective for mild periodontitis where the bacteria are just beginning to populate at the gum line. You may need to have a repeated cleaning at set intervals to ensure all bacteria have been removed.
• Root Planning and Scaling: This method is more involved than a standard cleaning and is typically completed with your Periodontist under anesthesia. During root planning and scaling all plaque and bacteria are removed from both the tooth and gum surface.
• Laser Therapy: This approach effectively destroys living bacteria as well as stimulates healing of the soft tissue.

While many cases can be successfully treated with the options listed above there are still some circumstances that may require a surgical approach to fully treat not only the disease but the resulting damage caused by the lingering bacteria. Those surgical procedures include:

• Pocket Reduction: This surgery does exactly what it says, reduces the size of the pockets that have formed along the gum line. The deeper the pocket the easier it is for bacteria to multiply. By reducing the size of the gum pockets bacteria are unable to buildup and cause complications.
• Gum Grafts: This surgery involves taking healthy tissue from one area of the mouth and grafting it into areas of thin gums ore where the gums have recessed.
• Bone Grafts: Similar to a gum graft this procedure may be necessary if the infection has result in damage to the jawbone. A bone graft can help repair the damaged bone and restore the stability of the jaw.

If you’ve been diagnosed with gum disease you can take a deep breath and rest easy knowing there are options out there. To discuss what options are right for you visit Dr. Scharf, a Long Island Periodontist in Suffolk County who is skilled in the early diagnosis and treatment of gum disease.  Call today at (631) 661-6633 or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com.

As cosmetic dentistry continues to grow in popularity more and more Americans are doing their research to learn more. But for some of us learning the cost is as far as we can go because our budgets just can reach that high.

Dental implants on Long Island can be costly but they don’t have to be out of your reach.  With a little diligence on your part you’ll find there are options available to help you foot the bill for that naturally beautiful smile.

Dental Implants for the Limited Budget

The most common options available today include:

• Discount dental plans: Many offices offer discount plans to new patients or even existing patients that are interested in extensive work.  For many you can receive discounts from 20% to 30% off the normal costs just by asking your dental practitioner what’s available through them.
• Dental schools: This is a teaching school where students are learning the specialized skills of modern dentistry. Contact your local dental school to see if they offer any program for dental implants. You may need to wait a little longer than a private practice but the saved costs can make it well worth your wait.
• Financial assistance: Most dental offices offer payment plans for patience in need and your implant dentist is likely no different. Typically there are two options available including an interest free payment plan or outside financing.
• Dental tourism: This option puts a unique twist of visiting abroad! More and more American’s are seeking dental procedures overseas at nearly half the cost of the United States. Countries such as Asia, South America and Europe are a few of the hot spots highly sought after for implant dentistry.

If your smile is in need of a make-over don’t let money keep you from giving it a try. Do a little homework, talk with your dental practitioner and consider alternatives like dental tourism to help fit cosmetic dentistry into your budget.

If you want to consult with a local Suffolk County Periodontist about getting dental implants on Long Island contact Dr. Scharf. He’s skilled in modern advancements for both implant dentistry and periodontal disease. Call today at (631) 661-6633 or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com.