Dental Gum Disease

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions about gum disease:

What’s the best way to prevent gum disease?

The best way is to maintain healthy dental habits throughout your lifetime, including brushing and flossing, making healthy food and beverage choices, and seeing the dentist regularly. But don’t worry. Effective treatment exists for every stage of gum disease, too.

Will getting my teeth cleaned hurt? 

Our goal is to make sure every patient is completely comfortable throughout their care. Dr. Brent and our hygienists have a very gentle touch, and they communicate with you and listen to you every step of the way as they remove plaque and tartar, polish your teeth, and floss between your teeth.

How do I know if I have gum disease?

The American Dental Association has reported that nearly 80% of Americans have some form of periodontal (gum) disease; evaluation by dental professionals will help you find out if you’re one of them! Early gum disease may not be obvious to you, but common symptoms may include swollen or bleeding gums, bad breath, loose teeth, or dark buildup between teeth.

How is gum disease treated?

Dr. Brent will evaluate your gum health and help choose the right treatment for you. Mild gum disease, known as gingivitis, can be treated and even reversed with regular routine cleanings. The longer you may have gone without addressing the condition, the harder we may have to work to treat it, but we have the techniques and expertise to do so and get you healthy again. More advanced periodontal disease may call for scaling and root planing with more regular maintenance visits. In some cases, a laser may be used or an antibiotic therapy called ARESTIN™, which eradicates the bacteria that cause gum disease. And it works painlessly!

KC Family Dental 
Sarah Brent, DDS
4034 Shawnee Mission Parkway
Fairway, KS 66205
Kansas City
(913) 220-2209
KCFamilyDental.com 

Oral Health Linked to Overall Health

Biofilm: The Culprit to Keep at Bay

Have you heard the word “biofilm” before? This is something created by bacteria adhering to surfaces in a watery environment. Where is it found? Clogged drains and slippery rocks are good examples. It can also be found on your teeth! This yellowish plaque build-up is believed to be the big culprit when it comes to cavities, gingivitis, and periodontitis. But the KC Dental team is your ally in the fight against gum disease.

Oral Health is Part of Overall Health

Understanding of the risks of gum disease has greatly increased in the last few years. We now know that gum disease can contribute to systemic diseases including strokes, heart disease, and premature labor. With advanced periodontal disease, treatment may require surgery. But mild cases of periodontal disease have effective NON-surgical options that, coupled with improved dental hygiene, can effectively stop the spread of the disease.

KC Family Dental 
Sarah Brent, DDS
4034 Shawnee Mission Parkway
Fairway, KS 66205
Kansas City
(913) 220-2209
KCFamilyDental.com 

Preventing Dental Gum Disease

The Importance of Keeping Your Mouth Healthy

The prevention of periodontal disease is simple. Regular brushing twice a day, flossing every day, making healthy food choices, and visiting Dr. Brent twice a year for exams and cleanings are the primary defense against gum disease. Gum disease frequently has minor symptoms that can go unnoticed, so getting your gums checked by our team is especially important.

KC Family Dental 
Sarah Brent, DDS
4034 Shawnee Mission Parkway
Fairway, KS 66205
Kansas City
(913) 220-2209
KCFamilyDental.com 

What 10 Common Mouth Issues Really Look Like (Part 2 of 3)

You know good dental habits can help prevent things like cavities and gingivitis, but you may not know what conditions like these really look like or how they can affect your mouth. Use this visual guide to learn more about some of the most common dental health issues, symptoms to watch for and the potential treatments that are available. Please note: This content is for informational purposes only. Only a dentist, physician or other qualified health care professional can make a diagnosis.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease, an infection of the tissues around your teeth caused by plaque. If you have gingivitis, your gums may become red, swollen and bleed easily. You may also experience bad breath. Because gum disease is usually painless, you may not know you have it.

You are more likely to develop gum disease if you skip brushing and flossing, use tobacco, have crooked teeth that are hard to keep clean, are pregnant, have diabetes or take certain medications. When in its early stages, the disease is still reversible and your gums can be returned to good health with a professional cleaning from your dentist, along with daily brushing and flossing.

Periodontitis

Periodontitis is the more advanced form of gum disease, a major cause of tooth loss in adults. According to the CDC, nearly half of U.S. adults suffer from it. The disease can be reversed in early stages, but damage may be permanent the longer it goes untreated. Although you may not be aware of the gum disease in your mouth, abscesses can develop which usually painful. Symptoms include bleeding, swollen gums, persistent bad breath or bad taste, loose permanent teeth and a change in bite. Your teeth may appear to become longer as gums and bone recede. There are many treatments available, including deep cleanings known as scaling and root planing. Talk to your dentist to find out what’s best for you.

Thrush
 

Thrush is a yeast infection that looks like white film in your mouth. You’re more likely to get thrush if you have an illness that affects your immune system. This includes people with HIV/AIDS or cancer, as well as people using steroids to manage their asthma. People with untreated or uncontrolled diabetes are also susceptible because sugar in saliva encourages yeast to grow. Thrush is also common in people who wear dentures. If you have symptoms, see your dentist. After a scraping to confirm you have thrush, your dentist can prescribe medicine to clear it up.

To read the entire article visit MouthHealthy.org.

KC Family Dental 
Sarah Brent, DDS
4034 Shawnee Mission Parkway
Fairway, KS 66205
Kansas City
(913) 220-2209
KCFamilyDental.com 

Chao Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation™

Do You Have Receding Gums? Consider a Lunchtime Gum Lift™!
Many factors can contribute to gum tissue becoming lost, leaving the roots of your teeth at risk: growing older, periodontal disease, even brushing too hard. When your gums recede and the root structure of your tooth is exposed, the chances of decay, sensitivity, and other infections increase exponentially. Since healthy gums are essential to maintaining healthy teeth, getting gum recession treated as soon as possible is a vital step in your oral care.

After advanced training, Dr. Brent is excited to offer a minimally invasive newer technique known as the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique (PST™). In just one visit, Dr. Brent can treat as many teeth as needed, and you will have minimal recovery time! No grafts, no stitches, and no incisions!

With Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation, a small hole is created in the gums, and the gum tissue is gently released and shifted to cover the root structure. Your existing tissue is simply moved to a better position. The results are natural-looking and long-lasting. Ask us if this treatment is right for you.

KC Family Dental 
Sarah Brent, DDS 
4034 Shawnee Mission Parkway
Fairway, KS 66205 
Kansas City  
(913) 220-2209  
KCFamilyDental.com