Eliminate bad breath by visiting your periodontist Long Island.

“One of the most common misconceptions is that halitosis is caused by the foods you eat,” said Gordon Douglass, D.D.S., president of the American Academy of Periodontology. “Actually, bad breath can be caused by the sulfur compounds released from our digestive process.”

Anaerobic bacteria that live within the surface of the tongue and throat break down proteins in food, blood and diseased oral tissue. When these bacteria come in contact with certain amino acids in proteins, sulfur compounds are released from the back of the tongue and throat causing your yuck mouth.

While many manufacturers promote home remedies to tame the beast, they only mask the problem or have the potential to cause more harm. The only way to rid yourself of the beastly breath is to find its source.

“The only full-proof way of eliminating halitosis is to see your periodontist or dentist to determine the cause,” said Douglass. “There could be many factors at play, such as gum disease, a dry mouth or certain medical conditions.” He added, “Many home remedies exacerbate the problem or are just temporary fixes. You should see a specialist to determine the most effective treatment.”

“People looking for a Long Island Periodontist 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. “

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

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

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.”

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

The following are common myths about Periodontal gum disease. Do not let myths fool you, see your Periodontist in Long Island today.

• The primary reason for brushing is to remove food debris. Daily brushing and flossing will also keep the formation of plaque to a minimum. If not removed every 26 hours, plaque will irritate the gums, which can lead to periodontal disease.
• Bleeding gums are normal. Bleeding gums are one of the eight signs of gum disease. Think of gum tissue as the skin on your hand. If your hands bled every time you washed them, you would know something is wrong.
• Oral health doesn’t affect overall health. When the gums are infected, periodontal bacterial byproducts can enter the blood stream and travel to major organs and set off other problems. Research suggests this may: contribute to the development of heart disease, the nation’s leading cause of death; increase the risk of stroke; increase a woman’s risk of having a preterm, low birth weight baby; and pose a serious threat to people whose health is compromised by diabetes, respiratory diseases or osteoporosis.
• Bad breath is caused by a lack of oral hygiene. Excellent oral hygiene doesn’t necessarily relieve bad breath. There are certain kinds of bacteria in the mouth that produce volatile sulfur compounds. If these sulfur compounds build up enough, the result can be clinical bad breath, reports the American Dental Association. In addition to brushing and flossing, brushing the tongue (where the sulfur resides) can help eliminate bad breath.
• Cavities are the number one cause of tooth loss. Together periodontal disease and cavities are the primary cause of tooth loss.
• Pregnant women should skip professional dental checkups. Periodontal health can affect unborn babies’ health. Studies have shown an infection during pregnancy, including periodontal disease, is cause for concern and may increase the risk of delivering a premature, low-birth weight baby. The best way to avoid this problem is to visit a periodontist for a full periodontal evaluation.

Stress does not cause problems in the mouth. High levels of financial stress and poor coping abilities increase the likelihood of developing periodontal disease. Researchers found people who dealt with financial strain in an active and practical way (problem-focused) rather than with avoidance techniques (emotion-focused) had no more risk of severe periodontal disease than those without money problems.
If you are experiencing any of these problems contact Dr. Scharf, your Periodontist in Long Island

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

How many times have you heard your dentist say “Brush your teeth after every meal and make sure to visit the dentist on a regular basis? Probably plenty, but did you know that scientists are now suggesting the same thing? It turns out that scientists now see a link between inflammation of the gums, and disease in one’s body. Knowing how and why this works is beneficial for those who need a Periodontist in Long Island.

In a supplement to the Journal of Periodontology, recent discussions between healthcare professionals and dental professionals relating to inflammation of the mouth and other diseases was highlighted. A theory put forth by Periodontists, dentists who are trained in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of gum disease, is that the link between inflammation of the gums and other diseases could be an inflammatory response to bacteria in the mouth.

Diseases that are often associated with this inflammatory response include cardiovascular disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic kidney disease and even certain forms of cancer.

Many of the diseases associated with periodontal disease are also considered to be systemic inflammatory disorders, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic kidney disease and even certain forms of cancer. These findings suggest that inflammation itself may be the reason for the connection.

Seeing your Periodontist is suggested on a regular basis. Making sure that your mouth and gums are healthy now might alleviate pain, suffering and disease later on down the road. Periodontist stress that daily oral care, including regular brushing and flossing, and routine visits to the dentist are important factors in warding off gum disease. If gum disease develops, you should contact a dental professional, such as a Periodontist, for effective  effective treatment.

If you are in need of a Periodontist in Long Island you need to 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.