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

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.