Gum Disease Prevention and Treatment | Dentist

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Gum Disease Prevention and Treatment in St. Petersburg, FL

Have you ever thought about how valuable your teeth are? Replacing a tooth lost because of decay or gum disease can cost over $4000 when you take into account all the steps needed to place a dental implant and restoration.

Professional examinations and cleanings are the foundation of the services we provide at Dental Dimensions in St. Petersburg, Florida. Never underestimate the benefit of your bi-annual visit for your exam and cleaning. Maintenance is the key to keeping your teeth as well as minimizing the cost of dental treatment and time spent in the dentist’s chair.

Do You Have Gum Disease?

a diagram of periodontis | periodontist in st peterburg fl Recent research from the Centers for Disease Control reports that almost half of all American adults ages 30 years and older suffer from gum disease. That is 64.7 million adults. Are you one of them?

Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is a chronic inflammatory infection affecting your gums and bone. Research has also shown that gum disease is associated with serious health concerns such as diabetes and heart disease.

The signs and symptoms of gum disease are:

Inflamed gums
Bleeding upon flossing and/or brushing
Persistent bad breath
Pus between your teeth and gums
Loose teeth
Teeth that appear longer in length

Often, the early stages of gum disease are unnoticeable to patients because the disease process is painless and the symptoms are subtle.

Treatment and Prevention of Gum Disease

a woman smiles in the dental chair | st petersburg periodontist Regular examinations and professional cleanings are your number one tool when it comes to preventing gum disease. At Dental Dimensions, we take great pride in providing our patients with a thorough dental cleaning while using a gentle touch. Our patients are scheduled for a full hour to complete the dental cleaning, examination, and any necessary x-rays. We spend time with our patients reviewing proven hygiene techniques that help reduce the risk of gum disease and maintain healthy gums.

If you have been diagnosed with gum disease, you may require extra time to complete your treatment, and we will schedule your cleanings and examinations accordingly.

We take a progressive approach to treating early-to-moderate gum disease. We will make sure you are completely comfortable during your procedure. We use specialized ultrasonic instruments to kill the bacteria below the gumline and remove debris. This procedure is called deep scaling. Treating gum disease kills bacteria, removes irritants, preserves bone and tissue, and ultimately reduces the risk of losing your teeth.

Welcome to Dental Dimensions

Your health is very important to us. Call today to schedule your appointment at Dental Dimensions in St. Petersburg and experience the difference high-quality care can make. We look forward to welcoming you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many professional cleanings do I need each year?

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!

What's the best way to floss my teeth?

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!

Is gum disease reversible?

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.

What are the best ways to prevent gum disease?

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.

Meet Our Doctor:

dr. olvera smiles in front of a black background | dentist st petersburg fl

Jason M. Olvera DDS

Dr. Jason Olvera, a native of Davenport, Iowa, is a graduate of the University of Iowa College of Dentistry, where he received his Doctor of Dental Surgery in 2002. Dr. Olvera successfully passed the clinical board exams administered by the Central Regional Dental Testing Service in 2002, which is comprised of seventeen state boards of dentistry, and the Florida Dental Board Exam in 2004.

On a yearly basis, Dr. Olvera continues to take more continuing education hours than required by the State of Florida. Currently, Dr. Olvera travels to Atlanta ...