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 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

You’ve just been informed that your root canal didn’t take and your tooth needs to be removed. Your first thought, “what about my smile?” Your second thought, “is there any way I can replace that tooth?” You listen intently as the dentist discusses the procedures to come and options for care after the tooth is removed. One thought stands out in your mind: Long Island Dental Implants. What affect will this have on your mouth and where will you find an implant dentist on Long Island?

Long Island dental implants are completed under the care of a Periodontist, a dental specialist in the area of diagnosing, preventing and treating gum disease. Dr. Scharf is the premier Implant Dentist on Long Island. The procedure previously involved a heavy focus on the patient’s bone and gum tissue surrounding the implant in an effort to minimize change in the host tissue however recent studies have changed how practitioners view mean bone changes around the implant.

The Journal of Periodontology recently published a study that showed little mean bone change in the five years following the implant, further supporting dental implants as a viable tooth replacement option. The study was conducted at the Texas Health Center at San Antonio evaluating 596 implants placed in 192 patients. The study confirms that patients with adequate oral hygiene and bone volume would experience minimal change in the bone tissue surrounding the implant. In fact the majority of the bone remodeling occurs between the initial implant placement and the final prosthesis placement.

Evaluating an Implant Dentist on Long Island

Pairing up with a skilled Periodontist who understands not only the procedure itself, but also the healing process that occurs immediately following your dental implant and long-term care is vital to a pleasant experience. You want to entrust your oral health to a practitioner that will monitor your new implant as well as focus on other areas of the mouth during your visits.

When evaluating an implant dentist on Long Island look for Periodontists who specialize in dental implants. Prior to calling them, prepare any questions you have about the procedure, including care after the implant is placed and don’t shy away from asking them if they are familiar with the most recent study supporting minimal changes in the five years following your procedure. Some questions you may want to ask include:

1. Am I a good candidate for a successful implant?
2. What criteria do you use to make that determination?
3. How much experience do you have with dental implants?
4. Have you read the recent study on changes to the tissue surrounding the implants?
5. How has it changed your views on post procedure care?

It’s your mouth. You should expect nothing less than the best. If you’re looking for Long Island dental implants Dr. David Scharf, a Periodontist who specializes in Dental Implants, is available to answer your questions by visiting him on the web at or call (631) 661-6633.