Tooth Decay & Gum Disease

We Fight Disease on Two Fronts

You probably don't think of your mouth as a war zone. But we do. In fact, whether you realize it or not, your mouth is constantly under attack from two serious enemies: tooth decay and gum disease. The key culprits behind these conditions are naturally occurring oral bacteria, and the acids they produce. And unchecked tooth decay leads inevitably to gum disease, which even conservative estimates say is present in at least 80% of the population. Gum disease, in turn, is responsible for up to 70% of adult tooth loss.

Bad Bacteria, Aggressive Acids, Aging and Aggravation

Here's why tooth decay is so sneaky and successful. Your mouth's constant supply of normal bacteria produce a sticky 'plaque' substance that they deposit on your teeth. Foods and beverages like milk, soda pop, raisins, cake, candy or any other sugary substances combine with the plaque to form a strong acid…which then erodes your enamel, breaks down gum-tooth connecting fibers, and in turn allows further bacteria and toxins to invade unprotected tissues. Eventually, your affected tooth, tooth root, and jawbone may all be damaged or entirely destroyed by decay! Furthermore, unremoved plaque hardens into a rough, porous, gum-irritant called calculus or tartar—which only professional equipment can remove. Other factors come into play as well. Aging adults may be more at risk due to gum recession, old fractured and leaky fillings that allow bacteria to invade, and plaque build-up in hard-to-reach places. Poor lifestyle choices, poor nutrition, poorly managed stress, leukemia, AIDS and diabetes can also diminish your body's ability to fight infection; some habits like chewing or smoking tobacco also increase irritation in the gum tissue area.

Take the Offensive

So, if this whole situation sounds pretty dreary to you, remember that it doesn't have to be that way. The most successful plan of attack involves education and prevention: brush, floss, and visit the dentist regularly so that we can help you prevent and fight any trouble going on already. We can identify even the earliest warning signs: red, swollen or tender gums, bleeding while brushing or flossing, gums that pull away from teeth, loose or separating teeth, pus between the gum and tooth, persistent bad breath, change in your bite, and/or a change in the fit of partial dentures. And we can treat it successfully, making your ongoing hygiene efforts that much more successful.

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