San Ramon dentist, Dr. Rosenthal is happy to invite patients to join his Facebook community with a special promotion. Simply “like” his Facebook page and enter to win a new patient appointment.
New patients are always welcome at our San Ramon dental office, where quality dentistry and personal service await you. Check us out today!
There is a great amount of research linking poor oral health to deadly diseases including heart disease, stroke, cancer & diabetes. It is important for everyone to continue routine dental visits at least twice a year. Don’t forget to brush and floss daily!
San Ramon dentist, Dr. Wesley M. Rosenthal is skilled when it comes to restoring beautiful smiles with the use of dental implants. It’s estimated that almost 9% of American adults suffer from periodontal disease; a disease in which chronic bacterial infection impacts the gums and bone structure supporting the teeth. If left untreated, the bacteria can cause a number of complicated health problems, including tooth loss. When it comes to replacing teeth that were lost due to periodontal disease, dental implants are the optimal choice.
How can periodontal disease be prevented?
Periodontal disease can be caused by a number of different things. Most commonly, poor oral hygiene is to blame, including improper brushing and flossing and missed visits to the dentist. Smoking and use of tobacco can be another factor that is related to an increased risk of gum disease. Proper care for your teeth and gums, regular visits to the dentist and restricting tobacco use are the best ways to decrease the likelihood of periodontal disease.
How is periodontal disease treated?
Treating periodontal disease depends on the severity of the case. Sometimes professional cleanings are all it takes to treat the disease. Other times it may require medications or even oral surgery. If you suspect periodontal disease, it’s important to visit your dentist right away to find the treatment that’s best for you.
What if I’ve already lost one or more teeth to periodontal disease?
Often the best resolution to replacing teeth lost to periodontal disease is dental implants. Dental implants are a fixed solution for tooth loss. There is not another treatment that is more reliable or natural in appearance than dental implants.
For more information about periodontal disease or dental implants in San Ramon, contact our office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Rosenthal today!
Many diseases of the teeth and surrounding tissues cannot be seen when your dentist examines your mouth. An x-ray exam may reveal
* Periodontal diseaes
* Oral cancer
* small areas of decay in the teeth & under fillings
* bone disease
* abscesses or cysts
* signs of gum disease
* developmental and other defects
* signs of trauma
* positions of tooth roots & jaw bones
Dental x-ray exams use very low doses of radiation, making the risk of harmful effects very small. A full mouth series of x-rays have radiation levels equal to 2-3 days of naturally occurring background radiation or a 4 hour flight on an airplane.
It is possible to have periodontal disease without even knowing it, because it’s generally completely painless. This is why regular visits to the dentist for a cleaning & dental checkup are so important. It is estimated that as many as 90% of adults have at least some evidence of periodontal disease at one point or another in their lives. Most people don’t realize that it’s gum disease (and not tooth decay) that causes people to lose their teeth, in most cases. And it goes beyond that. Recent research has shown that periodontal disease is an important factor in your general health, being associated with heart disease, stroke, and several other serious diseases.
Several warning signs can signal a problem. If you notice any of the following, see your dentist:
* Bleeding gums
* Tender, swollen or red gums
* Gums that are pulled away from teeth
* Persistent bad breath
* Loose teeth
* A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
Dental health, your appearance and the propor functioning of your teeth and jaws are all important reasons for wearing a bridge. Your dental health may suffer when teeth are not replaced. Teeth were meant to compliment each other. When a tooth is lost, the nearby teeth may tilt toward the empty space, or the teeth in the opposite jaw may move up or down toward the space. This places unusual stress on both the teeth and the tissues in your mouth. A bridge also helps maintain the natural shape of your face, to prevent that sunken cheek appearance.
DO YOU HAVE A CRACKED TOOTH?
A tooth that is cracked can be painful. A crack can also lead to the disease of the tooth. How do you know if you have a cracked tooth? Look for these signs:
* You have sharp pain when biting down that quickly disappears.
* You have pain that comes & goes, but does not hurt all the time.
* You feel pain when eating or drinking.
* You may have no painat all.
HOW IS A CRACKED TOOTH TREATED?
Treatment depends on the size & location of the crack and the symptoms you are experiencing. Sometimes your dentist will recommend no treatment at all, since tiny cracks are common and usually do not cause problems.
Examples of treatment include:
* Repairing the tooth with filling material
* Placing a crown (cap) to protect the tooth from further damage
* Endodontic (root canal) treatment if pulp is involved
* Extracting the tooth if the tooth is severely cracked and cannot be saved
Many people grind and clench their teeth while sleeping. Most people are unaware that they are even doing it. While stress may enhance your periods of grinding or clenching, it is not the only cause. When there are irregularities in the chewing surfaces of your teeth, an automatic reflex occurs (grinding) to eliminate the high spots. You extend thousands of pounds of pressure through the muscles of the mouth and jaw to grind away your teeth in a never ending battle which does nothing but cause problems and pain. In most cases, the best solution is to wear a nightguard every night when you go to bed. There are several important reasons why store-bought nightguards are not recommended. Since they are self-made, they generally won’t fit perfectly. This puts excessive forces against certain teeth, and will cause them to move, just like an orthodontic appliance would. In addition, it is impossible to control the bite on a store-bought nightguard. Since bite inconsitencies are one of the main things that cause grinding, the problem can actually get worse. When we make a nightguard, we are very careful to provide a perfect bite against it. Over time, this should lessen the tendency for you to clench and grind your teeth.
A single tooth turns yellow because the living tissue inside the tooth has died. This could happen from a former deep cavity, or from a blow to the tooth, either of which could have happened years before. This situation might require treatment, but only if the tooth gets an abscess or causes you pain. These teeth can generally be whitened again, to exactly match the adjacent teeth. In fact, this is the easiest form of whitening we perform. It is called internal bleaching and is done right in the dental office in a few short, painless visits.
