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.

You read correctly. According to a study published in the Journal of Periodontology chronic kidney disease, a debilitating disease than can eventually lead to heart disease or even kidney failure, appears to be more prevalent among endentulous, or toothless adults. Rationale; untreated periodontal disease leads to a chronic inflammation often resulting in tooth loss; CKD is a known inflammatory disease. This knowledge makes your Periodontist on Long Island an important part of your health care team.

The study examined kidney function and periodontal indicators including dentate status of adults 40 and older. After accounting for other risk factors of CKD the results showed that participants who lost all their teeth were more likely to have CKD when compared to patients who had all their natural teeth.

Combating Gum Disease to Reduce Risks of CKD

To help reduce the risk of chronic kidney disease and other inflammatory illnesses may very well be as simple as proper oral hygiene. Begin a good oral routine and stick to it. For optimal health your routine should include brushing and flossing twice a day, regular dental checkups, eating a healthy diet and drinking plenty of water. If you notice signs of gum disease remember that early treatment is crucial. Early warning signs may include:

• Red, swollen or bleeding gums
• Gums pulling away from the teeth
• Persistent bad breath
• Loose or missing teeth
• Changes in the way your teeth fit in your mouth

If you’re in need of a Periodontist on Long Island who offers alternatives to traditional surgery contact Dr. Scharf. He treats gum disease with a laser, not a scalpel. Call Dr. Scharf at 631-661-6633 or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com for more information.

Good oral hygiene puts individuals on a direct path to preventing gum disease and tooth decay. By practicing good techniques patients can reduce risks of inflammation of the gums, cavities in the teeth and deterioration overall. While all these practices traditionally satisfy the needs of the Periodontist on Long Island new researcher shows evidence that your regular doctors will be pleased as well.

Research has long suggested a link between gum disease and chronic health issues such as heart disease, stroke and even diabetes but why the link existed seemed to elude many researchers. Now, more targeted studies have led to a new theory that it is the inflammation that may link the mouth and body.

To better understand let’s take a closer look at inflammation. The role of inflammation is to aid the body in the healing process. It is the body’s instinctive reaction to fight off infection, guard against injury, or shield against irritation. Unfortunately, over time this once beneficial inflammation can become harmful and lead to dysfunction of the infected tissue. This in turn leads to more severe health complications.

Inflammation in the mouth appears to be no different than inflammation in other areas of the body. For so long dental practitioners believed that gum disease was solely the result of a bacterial infection caused by a build-up of plaque between teeth and under the gums. Researchers now suspect that the more severe symptoms like swollen and bleeding gums, recession around the gum line and bone deterioration are more likely caused by chronic inflammatory response to the bacterial infection.

Periodontists have used this research data to hypothesize that it is this inflammatory response in the mouth that is the cause behind the periodontal-systemic health link. The reason for this theory is because many of the diseases associated with periodontal disease are also systemic inflammatory disorders. Some of these diseases include cardiovascular disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic kidney disease and certain forms of cancer.

Protecting Your Health through Oral Hygiene

So what can you do to keep your body healthy? For starters consider having a detailed periodontal exam completed so you can have a base point and know where you stand in terms of the current health of your teeth and gums. Then discuss what oral hygiene regimen is best for your situation. In the meantime here are a few general practices you can take while waiting for your evaluation:

• Brush and floss twice daily
• Ensure you are brushing the complete surface of your teeth. On average it should take roughly 2 minutes to complete brushing when done properly
• Ensure flossing all surfaces of each tooth using the ‘c’ shape around each side of the tooth
• Observe your mouth daily for unusual changes and have anything new looked at immediately

When it comes to the health of your gums you’re not only saving your teeth, you could be saving yourself a long life of more serious health complications. Take charge of your oral health today! People looking for a Periodontist on 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.

Let’s face it, when our minds are bogged down with the worries of today, losing sleep and force feeding ourselves, simple tasks like brushing and flossing becomes daunting and undesirable. Couple that with prolonged periods of stress induced cortisol levels, a trip to a Long Island Periodontist looks more and more inevitable.

It isn’t just a decline in brushing and flossing that increase your risk for gum disease. According to the President of the American Academy of Periodontology stress can make an individual more susceptible to harmful habits that negatively impact oral health such as tobacco and alcohol. These lifestyle choices are known risk factors for gum disease and when under excess stress individuals are more likely to abuse them.

If anyone ever doubted this to be fact or myth a study published in the February 2009 Journal of Periodontology confirmed that stress may interfere with oral hygiene with 56% of participants self-reporting personally neglecting their oral hygiene when experiencing prolonged stress levels.

Additionally the study reported that chronic stress was associated with higher and more prolonged levels of cortisol. Combine this data with previous research that showed increased amounts of cortisol in the bloodstream can lead to a more destructive form of periodontal disease and it becomes easy to understand how excessive stress levels can lead you down a rapid path towards advanced gum disease.

Lower Your Stress and Save Your Gums

So if excessive stress is taunting your life what can you do to reduce it? To start consider finding a healthy way to relieve your stress such as;

• Regular exercise
• Eating a well balanced diet
• Getting adequate sleep

Not only will these simple lifestyle changes reduce your risk for gum disease but they can dramatically improve your overall health as well. In fact a study published in the November 2007 Journal of Periodontology found that by taking these sorts of measures to prevent gum disease you could in fact lower your total health care expenses.

It is for all of these reasons that taking charge of your oral health should be a top priority of everyone. If you are unsure of how to proceed and would like direction in your preventative efforts from a skilled Long Island Periodontist contact Dr. Scharf. He is skilled in early detection and treatment of periodontal disease offering patients and alternative to traditional surgery. Call Dr. Scharf today at 631-661-6633 or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com.

Gum disease isn’t just about your gums anymore. According to a new study published in the Journal of Periodontology there may be a direct link between periodontal disease and prediabetes. With 54 million people in the United States showing signs of prediabetes the link between Long Island gum disease and prediabetes is more than just a little unsettling.

Prediabetes is a condition where your blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. Out of the 54 million people with prediabetes the American Diabetes Association estimates that a significant number of them will develop Type 2 diabetes within 10 years.

Controlling both Gum Disease and Prediabetes

The studies found that having periodontal disease can alter your metabolic conditions. This is believed to be what leads to prediabetes and the progression to Type 2 diabetes. This makes having regular periodontal exams a top priority whether or not you have prediabetes!

The best way to learn proper care of your gums is to work closely with a Periodontist. He can thoroughly evaluate the current health of your gums and assist you in developing the right plan of action tailored just for you.

Keeping your gums healthy at home is as simple as following a few practical guidelines:

• Brush at least twice a day
• Include daily flossing after your brush to clean between your teeth and along the gum line
• Keep your regular dental check-ups and cleanings
• Have a regular periodontal evaluation to monitor the health of your gums
• Observe your mouth for any unusual changes to your teeth or gums
• Schedule an appointment with a Periodontist or trained practitioner as soon as possible if you notice any signs of gum disease

Patients who are looking for a Periodontist to help monitor progression of Long Island gum disease 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.

Periodontal disease attacks the soft tissue in your mouth affecting millions of Americans daily, often resulting in a need for a Periodontist Long Island. As patients struggle through treatment plans many find themselves thinking how much simpler things would be if they had followed a few preventative measures from the start. Now, thanks to a recent study this just got easier.

The study evaluated 1,775 patients who had 3,694 teeth extracted in an effort to determine commonalities between each patient have lost teeth. What they found was that more teeth per patient were lost as a result of gum disease than any other cause with periodontal disease accounting for the majority of extracted teeth in patients over 35.

Using data they compiled six risk factors that increase your chances for developing gum disease:

1. Age – where the majority of missing teeth in patients over 35 can be attributed to gum disease
2. Gender – with the greater proportion of patients who lost their teeth due to periodontal disease were men
3. Smoking – both current and past smokers accounted for 31 percent
4. Lack of professional maintenance – out of the total number of patients studied 39 percent of them stated that they had never had a periodontal visit
5. Inadequate oral hygiene – out of the patients evaluated only 16 percent reported brushing two or more times daily and 60 percent reported they either never brushed or used a tooth brush irregularly
6. Health factors – diabetes mellitus, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, and anterior tooth type

Regular brushing and flossing may be your most powerful tool in prevention but won’t do the job alone. Keeping your regular dental appointments and adding in a regular periodontal exam will help keep you in the lead of harmful bacteria that causes gum disease. Additionally closely observe your mouth each day for early signs of gum disease including; red or swollen gums, persistent bad breath, loose teeth, and gums pulling away from your teeth.

Prevention is always easier than treatment. Educate yourself on how to best prevent gum disease and then take action immediately. But don’t beat yourself up if you start to notice signs of gum disease. Instead remember early intervention is critical.

If you’ve received a referral for a Periodontist Long Island 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.