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Dr. Olvera is a strong proponent of ongoing education – for both patients and providers. With better education comes a better understanding of how all the pieces of ongoing dental care and treatments come together to create total dental health. This allows you, the patient, to make better, more informed decisions about your own healthcare.
As part of our goal in increasing the knowledge and understanding of each of our patients, we have selected a number of common questions we are often asked about general dental health and the services that we provide. We hope that you will take a moment to read through them.
We also believe in caring for each of our patients on an individual basis. We want to get to know you and understand your individual needs and what we can do to help you meet your dental and healthcare goals.
Please let us know if your question isn’t answered here or if you have further questions. We are always happy to discuss your dental care with you, and we want to make sure that all your questions are always answered. Give us a call or fill out our convenient online form.
Thank you for choosing Dental Dimensions!
Gum Disease Prevention and Treatment
We make treatment recommendations based on the needs of our patients, and since every patient is different, they require differing dental treatment.
In most cases, healthy patients should have at least two professional cleanings a year. It is also important to remember that your oral health needs can change over time and reflect your overall medical health.
In some cases, it may be appropriate for a patient to have more frequent cleanings. Here are some of the scenarios that may cause us to recommend three to four, or more, dental cleanings per year.
Pregnancy
Because of the hormonal changes occurring within the body during pregnancy, we might suggest that you come in more often for a professional cleaning. Pregnancy gingivitis affects up to 50 percent of soon-to-be-mothers.
Your oral health has an impact on the health of your baby. Addressing your condition can help to prevent low birth weights and other complications.
Periodontal Disease
Patients who have undergone a deep dental cleaning after a bout of periodontitis will need to remain diligent as gums heal. We frequently recommend additional hygiene appointments to help you stay healthy.
Reduced Dexterity
As patients age, arthritis and other medical conditions can make it more difficult to brush and floss teeth properly. Dental cleanings can help patients stay healthy during their senior years.
For more info on dental cleanings, please don't hesitate to contact our St. Petersburg, FL dental office today!
If you are diagnosed with gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease, this form of inflammation is reversible.
However, periodontitis, which has several advanced stages of infection, is not reversible. But it can be managed with the proper treatment and periodontal maintenance program.
A special deep cleaning will remove tartar and bacteria from your teeth and the roots below the gumline. We use a topical anesthetic, eliminating the need for needles while providing comfortable treatment. We use a combination of instruments and an ultrasonic cleaner to gently and thoroughly remove debris and tartar, which will promote healing.
Periodontal cleanings typically take longer than one hour. We will provide you with an estimate of treatment time, so you can plan accordingly.
Once this special dental cleaning is complete, our hygienist will arrange a periodontal maintenance treatment plan, customized to meet your needs. For most patients managing periodontitis, this will mean three to four visits per year.
The Risks Of Gum Disease
The earlier your periodontitis is diagnosed and treated, the more favorable your long-term prognosis will be. Gum disease puts your smile at risk and impacts your overall health.
Research links periodontal disease to a number of systemic conditions:
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Certain types of cancer
- COPD and other chronic lung conditions
- Low birth weight babies
- Erectile dysfunction
Recent research shows that aging women are more likely to develop cancer of the breasts, lungs, and esophagus, as well as melanoma when they also have gum disease. If you think you have periodontal disease, give our St. Petersburg dental office a call today and setup a consultation.
Preventing gum disease is important to your overall health at any age, and the risk increases as you age. The CDC estimates that over 30 percent of Americans over 30 have some level of gum disease. Once people reach the age of 65, this number soars to over 70 percent. This is an alarming statistic since gum disease is preventable with proper home and professional care.
Brush Teeth at Least Twice Daily
Skimming a toothbrush over your teeth is not enough to remove plaque and protect your gums. Using the proper technique and brushing for a full two minutes will help you get the most out of your home hygiene.
Floss Teeth Daily
People commonly skip flossing, though it is essential to your gum health. We recommend waxed floss to prevent fraying and for ease of use. Be sure to floss in between each tooth and behind the back teeth.
Professional Dental Exams and Cleanings
Even if you are dedicated to brushing and flossing each day, tartar will still develop between teeth and below your gumline. Professional dental cleanings remove tartar before it causes inflammation in the form of gum disease. You will have a fresh clean smile to show off by the time you leave our St. Petersburg dental office.
If you think you're coming down with gum disease, give our office in St. Petersburg a call today, and schedule an exam. Dental exams will identify any oral health concerns when they are less serious and easier to treat.
We recommend that you use waxed dental floss because it makes it easier to ease the floss between your teeth and prevents fraying of the string, which can become lodged between teeth.
If your teeth have wider spacing, woven floss may help you do a better job of removing debris and plaque from your teeth. The most important thing is that you find a dental floss that works best for you.
Make sure you have a long length of floss – enough to use a clean section in between each tooth. Most patients find that 18 to 24 inches is enough.
Wrap floss around each index finger and pull it tight. Wrap the floss around the tooth like a horseshoe and gently move it up and down. Make sure to go slightly into the gumline, but never force the floss.
Be sure to floss on either side of the papilla, the v-shaped gum tissue between teeth. Don’t forget to floss behind posterior teeth (the teeth in the back of the mouth) as well. Gum disease can develop anywhere plaque collects.
Talk to your dentist
Regina, our hygienist, will review flossing techniques with you at your regular cleaning appointments and can even provide hands-on demonstrations. For our patients who have trouble flossing, we highly recommend using the WaterPik system. For more info on this, and other dental questions, please don't hesitate to contact our St. Petersburg, FL dental office!