Do You Have Great Oral Health?

Research has found that good oral health habits contribute to overall health. Periodontal disease is linked to heart disease, problems with liver, depression and overall decreased health and vitality.  “The health of your smile can open up opportunities and keep you moving forward in your career,” says Dr. Rice. Employers report they assess the look of a person’s smile in seven seconds or less to determine if the person is the right person for the job.

Take this short quiz to determine if you have good oral health.

1.    Do you brush 2x a day?
2.    Do you floss at least one time a day?
3.    Do your gums bleed when you floss?
4.    Do you drink 64 oz. of water a day?
5.    Are your gums pink?

If you answered yes to all but number three, Dr. Denine Rice says, “You are in good shape.” While a comprehensive oral exam can ensure that there are no underlining problems with your gums or smile, these five habits can keep you moving in the right direction with a healthy smile that lasts a lifetime.

Full Restorative Smile

Implants allow you to have a full restorative smile that looks and feels like real teeth.  However, if you do have implants you will need to continue with your regular brushing, and flossing routine. Bacteria can build up around the implant and affect the gums. There are two types of peri-implant disease.

The first one is called peri-implant mucositis. This is where bacteria builds up around the soft tissue on the gums and causes them to become inflamed. There is no bone loss yet, and the impact can usually be decreased with a good cleaning from your periodontist or her hygienist. You will also need to implement regular brushing and flossing routines in order to keep the implant in good clean health after the cleaning has occurred.

The second type of periodontal disease with implants is called, “peri-implantitis.” This type of periodontal disease is more serious and can lead to more severe damage if it is not taken care of.   In order to clean out the bacteria, periodontal surgery is usually required. The concern with peri-implantitis is that when the bacteria build-up this severe it results in bone loss. In order for the implant to stay in place it must have enough bone to correctly attach to and stay secure. 

If you have implants and you notice that your gums appear to be swollen, puffy and red. "Or if they bleed when you floss, contact your periodontist right away for a professional recommendation," says Dr. Denine Rice.