Surgery of any kind is not something to look forward to. It can be unpleasant, not to mention painful and nerve wracking.

One type of surgery that a lot of people put off having is surgery for diseased gum tissue, as it can be very painful for some time afterwards.

Thanks to the latest technology, people who need this surgery can now have a laser procedure that is much less invasive.

If you would like to find out more about laser gum surgery, here are some facts.

When laser surgery is performed, a tiny amount of energy will be aimed through a precision hand-held instrument at the gum to be treated.

This will quickly eliminate any tissue that is diseased from the gums, treating it efficiently and effectively.

During the treatment there is no incision made into the gums at all.  This is unlike traditional surgery, which can require a series of deep incisions to get rid of tissue that is diseased.

Laser gum surgery does not carry the risk of infection that many other gum surgeries do, as the wound left behind is closed and resembles a burn, as opposed to a scalpel incision.

For the majority of people who have laser gum surgery there is little or no bleeding.  This is because the laser cauterizes the wound as it is getting rid of tissue.

In addition to this, the laser will also seal the nerve endings, which means that the aftercare period is minimized as is post-op discomfort.

Many people who have traditional gum surgery are still recovering four weeks after surgery. With laser gum surgery this period is just a few days.

Now that you know about laser surgery, you might want to consider the expense of this option the next time you have a gum disease problem.

It is fast, minimally invasive, hygienic and has a short recovery time.  What more could you ask for with a surgical procedure?

However, why have to go through the expense of surgery at all? Even laser surgery is expensive!

Next: Follow the links below to get your free report on stopping gum disease and preventing it from returning again.

Two tools that might help you to avoid gum disease in the first place are oral irrigators and ora md.

Disclaimer: If you have or think you might have gum disease or any other health problem, please visit your doctor or periodontist for advice, diagnosis and treatment. This article is for information purposes only and does not intend to provide advice, diagnosis or treatment for any health condition.

This short video tells how to cure gum disease.

Swollen, tender and bleeding gums are signs of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is an infection caused by bacteria that attacks the gum lines causing the supporting tissues to break down. If left untreated, the infection will advance further into the tissues beneath the gums and may even cause tooth loss in the case of severe stages of the disease.

Treatment depends on how progressive the periodontal (gum) disease has become.  For mild stages such as gingivitis, thorough cleaning and scaling to remove plaque and tartar deposits are usually the first step. In advanced cases of periodontal disease, surgery may be required. Periodontal disease is often painless and shows no warning signs; hence, it is important to have regular dental visits and periodontal examinations.    

Improper oral hygiene is the most common cause of gum disease. But do you know that some medical conditions and unhealthy lifestyles contribute to the risk of developing gum disease?

Here are some of the most common factors that increase the risk of periodontal disease:

• Smoking and chewing tobacco
• Systemic diseases such as diabetes
• Steroids, certain types of anti-epilepsy drugs, medication for cancer therapy, some calcium channel blockers, oral contraceptives
• Pregnancy

If you are on medication as a result of the conditions mentioned above, you should be more mindful in taking care of your oral health. Smoking not only causes gum disease, it also stains your teeth and harbors unsightly tartar deposits in the gum lines. Pregnant women should consult their dentist if they need to take calcium supplements to care for their teeth during the course of their pregnancy.

It is important to practice good oral hygiene to keep periodontal disease from becoming serious. Brushing your teeth after every meal, flossing regularly, eating a well-balanced diet and regular dental visits are essential in keeping your teeth and gums in good condition.

To learn more about periodontal disease and proper oral hygiene, contact our Ft Lauderdale dentist at www.sleepdentists.com.

Essential Oils

Did you realize that there are a number of essential oils that might help you to fight gum disease?

Not a lot of people do, but it is worth it to familiarize yourself with them.

Your oral health and hygiene is too important to take lightly.

And as far as bacteria killing agents go, essential oils are just as effective, yet far more safe than many other so-called plaque fighting artificial ingredients like triclosan.

Oramd is an example of one dental product containing essential oils.  It’s a little bit different to use than toothpaste, as you only apply a few drops of the oil mixture onto your brush.

So, not only do you not have the “bulk” of toothpaste you’re used to, but also there is no foam generated from brushing.

But if you can adjust to that, the ingredients will get down into the tightest nooks and crannies in your mouth and kill off the bad bacteria that cause gum disease and cavities.

Quite often, the natural approach is at least helpful, even if it is no substitute for regular dental care.  Using oils might prove to be a healthy way to help keep your teeth and gums in good shape.

Evidence is piling up about the benefits that these oils could have on oral health. Since a lot of people are becoming increasingly interested in natural remedies, they are really catching on fast.  The best news of all is that  these oils are quite easy to find.

For instance, it is possible to find commercial and mainstream toothpastes that contain these essential oils.

You can do a search on the internet to come up with the majority of them.

Mainly, you want to look for toothpastes that utilize ingredients like peppermint oil and wintergreen oil. Some will also include thymol oil.  All three may be helpful.  An oral irrigator can be another useful tool for dental health.

Oils such as eucalyptus, tea tree, and manuka have shown to have a positive effect in the battle against potentially bad bacteria. However, they must be used properly, because failure to do so could actually cause harm.

You can coat your dental floss with the essential oil of your choice as well.  Of course, you need to make sure it is properly diluted.

With tea tree oil, for instance, you simply need to mix it with a teaspoon of aloe vera. Let the floss dry before you use it.  An ozone generator could be useful in making an oxygenated mouthwash. You can use the same method with oil of oregano.

These methods should not be tried without contacting your dentist and obtaining approval and directions from your team of licensed dental practitioners first. The misuse of essential oils can be harmful. What you have read in this article is not enough to instruct you on the proper use of essential oils.

It is also important to understand that using essential oils is no substitute for the daily mechanical disruption of plaque.  And they can not replace the benefits derived from regular dental checkups and cleanings.  You should be under the care of a licensed dental practitioner at all times.

Author – Scott Wells

Disclaimer: If you have or think you might have gum disease or any other health problem, please visit your doctor or periodontist for advice, diagnosis and treatment. This article is for information purposes only and does not intend to provide advice, diagnosis or treatment for any health condition. The USFDA has not evaluated the statements about any products or essential oils mentioned in this article. Proceed at your own risk only.

The concept of flossing one’s teeth is still quite foreign to some people, despite being told of the importance of it for years.

It probably has something to do with the whole antiquated “germ theory” of a couple of centuries ago: If I can’t see it, it’s not there”.

Of course, we now know that just because something like bacteria (or air) is not visible to the naked eye, doesn’t mean it isn’t there.

Plaque Is Loaded With Bacteria

So, nowadays, people are more enlightened about germs, but still not so much about the germs in dental plaque.

You see, dental plaque – that clear to whiteish, sticky coating that’s constantly developing on ALL of your oral surfaces – is made-up of about 27% bacteria.

In other words, more than one quarter of plaque is bacteria.

The same kind of bacteria that are responsible for gum disease and tooth decay.

Plaque Is Forming 24/7

Now, we know that plaque is not only continuously forming in our mouths, but that it’s also somewhat difficult to remove.

So, not only do we need specially developed tools (brush, floss, etc.) to remove the plaque, but we must also perform these removal techniques regularly.

Therefore, our local dentist tells us to brush after every meal and floss at least once daily.

Toothbrushing Misses 40% Of Your Tooth Surfaces

Now, keeping in mind that plaque forms everywhere in our mouths, here’s another interesting statistic for you: 40% of your tooth surfaces are in-between your teeth, where toothbrush bristles can’t reach!

That’s right, brushing only covers a little over half of our total tooth surfaces.

So, even if we brush forty times a day, we are only getting about 60% of our teeth clean.

And that’s where floss comes in.

Used properly, floss can take care of the other 40% of the tooth surfaces that brushing can’t reach.

And while flossing may be a hassle until you get accustomed to it, imagine what would happen if you only washed 60% of your clothing (including underwear), but continued to wear all of it.

Would you lose friends?  Your job?  Would forest creatures begin to follow you around?  You get the picture…

If you’re not flossing at least every few days, think of what the bacteria in your mouth are doing in “their” 40% of your teeth.

The 40%, Flossing And Gum Disease

And that’s really the major issue with flossing.  Periodontal disease doesn’t really present any dramatic signs or symptoms.

So, often, people have full blown gum disease before they are even aware of it – all because of incomplete oral hygiene!

Obviously, when used together, brushing and flossing are able to effectively clean 100% of your exposed tooth surfaces.

And whether gum disease has noticeable signs and symptoms or not, you now know how and why you can and should take drastic steps to prevent it.

Since plaque takes between 24-72 hours to use the minerals in your saliva to form tartar, you should make sure you floss at least every other day.

Because once tartar forms, it creates an incredible bond to the teeth and will probably require a hygienist to remove it.

Meanwhile, this tartar continues to grow and provide a haven for millions of bacteria, that continue to do you harm.

The Best Time To Floss

The absolute BEST time to both floss and brush is right before bed.

You want your mouth as clean as possible while you are sleeping, so there is no food for the bacteria to eat and make disease-causing by-products from.

Floss first, then rinse your mouth vigorously with water.  Then brush for about four minutes and rinse vigorously again.

Flossing and brushing are the mechanical means by which you dislodge the plaque.

The vigorous swishing with water helps to transport the dislodged plaque (and food particles) out of the intricate places in your mouth and into the sink, so it can’t re-attach to your teeth.

Putting It All Together

So, to recap:

1.  Dental plaque is forming 24/7 on every surface of your mouth

2.  Dental plaque is composed of approx. 27% bacteria, including several species associated with tooth decay and gum disease

3.  40% of your tooth surfaces are between your teeth where toothbrush bristles are ineffective

4.  It takes from 24-72 hours on average for bacterial plaque to harden into bacterial tartar

5.  Flossing should be done at least every 48 hours in conjunction with brushing – in order to ensure 100% of tooth surfaces are cleaned

6.  The best time to floss and brush is right before bed, so your mouth is as clean as possible during your dormant hours

7.  Gum disease rarely presents any significant signs or symptoms until it’s too late and irreparable damage has been done

In conclusion, despite major advancements in dental prosthetics (prosthodontics), there is NO dental implant, crown, bridge, veneer, filling, root canal, full or partial denture that can compare to the “real thing” – natural teeth.

As the old saying goes, “There’s just nothing like the original equipment.”

And you can quite easily increase your odds of keeping your original equipment for your entire life!

Flossing at least every other day is one very quick and simple way to take care of that often neglected 40% that leads to so many problems.

For more information on flossing and oral hygiene, see the other articles on our site.

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