Archives for November 2019

Does Flossing Really Make a Difference

Posted on November 29, 2019 by writeradmin.

I’m taking a course of research methods and came across this article from The Guardian accidentally. It’s titled, “Everyone Recommends Flosing— but There’s Hardly Any Proof It Works”. Is this accurate? What’s the counterargument?

Kaley

Dear Kaley,

Does Flossing Help?

I’m very glad to see students taking research seriously and checking things out. Especially, in this day where people can write just about anything and it’s instantly accessible to millions, research methods are becoming more and more important. The article you’re inquiring about it a prime example.

Let’s start with their wording. “There’s hardly any proof”. That actually means there is proof. Isn’t that a bit like saying, there’s hardly any proof the accused has an alibi? That would mean there is some proof he has an alibi. The silliness of that statement is beyond reason.

In fact, there is strong evidence that flossing helps prevent gum disease. I’m certain any dentist and hygienist, and especially periodontist can tell you exactly which of their patients are flossing and which aren’t just by a quick examination. I can even tell you if a patient’s gums are inflamed it will take two weeks of flossing to get things back in control again. I can also tell you that flossers rarely get decay between their teeth.

The Importantance of Flossing

Flossing is instrumental in preventing gum disease. People underestimate how serious gum disease can get. If left untreated, a patient will begin to lose teeth. Did you ever have those nightmares where your front teeth just fell out? That’s sort of what would happen. The patient’s teeth will just fall out.

This shows you how important it is to check everything you read. I’m so grateful you are doing your best to do that.

The Best Solution for Lost Teeth

Sometimes, decay or gum disease is so advanced there is little which can be done to save the tooth. In that case, the top replacement is to get a dental implant. This surgically implants a prosthetic root into the jawbone. Then, after a period of healing and time for osseointegration (a process where the bone integrates with the implant) a dental crown is placed on top. It’s the closest thing to having a healthy natural tooth again.

Mind you, the gum disease will have to be treated first. Otherwise, the implanted tooth is as vulnerable as the natural tooth.

This blog is brought to you by Atlanta Periodontist Dr. David Pumphrey.

Brown Staining After Gum Surgery

Posted on November 11, 2019 by writeradmin.

I recently had some gum surgery and my periodontist has me rinsing with Perioplus Maintenance. I’ve only been using it a couple of days but have started noticing brown stains on my teeth. Is this from the rinse? Should I stop taking it? Is there anything I can do to fix the color of my teeth?

Melissa

Dear Melissa,

Your periodontist was right to prescribe you this rinse after your gum surgery. It’s an antibacterial rinse which will prevent any bacteria from taking hold at the surgical site, leading to gum disease and inflammation. Please don’t stop using the rinse until your periodontist gives you the all-clear.

One of the ingredients in Perioplus (which used to be prescribed as Peridex) is chlorhexidine. It attaches to the soft tissue and protein pellicle on the teeth. Unfortunately, it does lead to some browning on the teeth. However, don’t despair. This can be removed without risking your periodontal health.

My recommendation is for you to use Supersmile Toothpaste. It contains an enzyme which specifically dissolves this protein pellicle. This will both remove and help prevent the brown stains on your teeth. You can purchase it directly from the manufacturer or from Amazon. You may also see if your dentist or periodontist sell it.

This blog is brought to you by Atlanta Implant Dentist Dr. David Pumphrey.

Is All-on-4 Dental Implants My Only Option?

Posted on November 6, 2019 by writeradmin.

My husband went to the dentist to get some information on dental implants. He’s had dentures for a while but hates them. The dentist said he could only have the all-on-four procedure. We’re were hoping for the more traditional procedure. Should we get a second opinion?

Kami

Dear Kami,

All-on-4 dental implants

Yes, I recommend you get a second opinion. I am always especially leary of dentists who only offer one option. There are always options. If he said you can only get an all-on-4 procedure because of a lack of jawbone structure, that’s not your only option. With the all-on-four position, they angle the implants so “technically” it doesn’t require as much bone.

Howeever, you can get traditional implants if you have have bone grafting done first. This is an outpatient procedure which can take your own bone from another part of your body to graft into your jawbone. Or, you can get porcine or synthetic bone to graft there. This enables you to have enough bone structure to retain traditional dental implants.

If you are replacing all your teeth, you will get between four to six dental implants and then secure a denture to them. Obviously, the more dental implants you have, the more secure everything will be.

Having more dental implants also helps prevent you from any further jawbone loss, leading to facial collapse.

Why Your Husband’s Jawbone Shrank

Image of a woman before and after the affects of facial collapse

Wearing dentures leads to a condition known as facial collapse

When your husband’s teeth were removed, his body recognized that and, in an effort to be efficient, began resorbing the minerals in his jawbone to use elsewhere throughout his body where it perceived they’d be more useful. This has the effect of slowly disintegrating his jawbone. After a period of time, there won’t be enough jawbone left in his body to even retain his dentures. This is known as facial collapse.

The solution to this problem is to place dental implants into his jaw after you’ve built the structure back up with the bone grafting procedure. The implants serve as prosthetic tooth roots and signal to the body he still has teeth there, which prevents any loss of minerals.

Whichever dentist you end up using for your procedure, it is important, if the dentist doesn’t do both the surgery and the restoration, that they communicate with the surgeon before the surgery about the placement. This will prevent the surgery from just jumping forward and placing the implants in the wrong spots. There are many dental implant horror stories that resulted from this.

Best of luck to you.
This blog is brought to you by Atlanta Periodontist Dr. David Pumphrey.