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

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

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

“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

Everyone loves a beautiful smile. A great smile can tell a lot about a person. When you smile you show how happy, confident and sincere you actually are. However, not taking care of your teeth can have adverse effects on your smile. With proper care Long Island gum disease does not have to be a problem.

Dental health can effect your smile

A study at the University of Maryland evaluated the smiling patterns of 21 periodontal patients while viewing a segment of a comedy program. During the program researchers studied the dimensions of the patients smile at pre-determined times. They studied how wide and high the mouth opened, as well as the number of teeth that were shown. They also looked to see if the patients covered their mouths when they smiled. They then took this information and studied it against the patients periodontal health. The researchers found that periodontal, or gum disease may negatively effect an individual’s smiling patterns and deter someone from displaying positive emotions through a smile.

Author Dr. Marita R Inglehart states “Since periodontal disease is prevalent in such a large number of adults, we sought to investigate if the disease affects a person’s smiling behavior,” She adds that “Smiling plays a significant and essential role in overall well-being.

Gum disease is preventable. A happy smile is a matter of taking care of your teeth and gums with regular brushing, flossing and periodic visits to your dental health professional. Make sure to see your dentist regularly and if you suspect you have gum disease make sure to see a professional as soon as possible.

Long Island gum disease can rob you of a beautiful smile. If you are looking for a Long Island Periodontist 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.

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.