Healthy Smiles Family Dental

Gum disease isn’t just a matter of a little swelling. It’s an infection that could spread elsewhere in the body and cause a lot of pain. But it is treatable, and the earlier people seek intervention, the better. At Healthy Smiles Family Dental in Salem, we help patients recover from gum abscesses, but we need people to know when to come see us. The early stage of gum disease is gingivitis. If allowed to progress, it becomes periodontitis, in which the walls of the gum pocket recede from around the root of a tooth. Abscesses are pockets filled with pus, a fluid made up of infectious bacteria, dead tissue, and acid. When an abscess forms near the gum line in a person with gingivitis, it is called a gingival abscess, and when it forms in the gum pocket of someone with periodontitis, it is a periodontal abscess. An abscess will cause persistent pain, a bad taste, and may prevent the patient from fully opening their mouth. It may also induce fever, as bacteria enters the bloodstream. We ca...

Did you know that good oral health could protect you from Alzheimer’s disease? That’s the conclusion of break-through scientific studies published in the last year. We provide patients with regular cleanings at Healthy Smiles Family Dental in Salem, but we hope our patients will come see us whenever they notice the signs of gingivitis. The bacteria that cause it could become a big problem. Porphyromonas gingivalis is a species of bacteria that causes gum disease. It excretes toxins called gingipains as a means of defending itself against white blood cells. These toxins are common, but are found in especially high levels in the brains and spinal fluid of people who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. Testing on animals confirmed that the gingipains from oral bacteria that affects their species trigger the production of neural plaque. Another study found that P. gingivalis is able to travel from the mouth to the brain in humans. Scientists caution that gum disease is probably not the ...

If you have a fear of going to the dentist, you might suffer from dental phobia. Dental phobia is a fear of going to the dentist and having people work on your teeth. An estimated 9% to 15% of people avoid going to the dentist due to dental phobia. It is important to get your teeth cleaned twice a year to maintain good dental hygiene. Our doctors at healthy Smiles Family Dental encourages our patients who suffer from dental phobia have a greater chance of developing gum disease and tooth decay. To ease your mind, we will talk with you about any concerns or fears you have. Some signs that you might have dental phobia include tense or nervousness, sleepless nights before the dentist, and the thought of the dentist makes you feel sick. Don’t forget to call us before your appointment to discuss your fears and concerns at the dentist. Our staff will do everything we can to accommodate you so you feel comfortable and safe at the dentist. Healthy Smiles Family Dental is located in Salem, OR. ...

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, and at Healthy Smiles Family Dental in Salem, we want our patients to be aware of the link between diabetes and gum disease. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder in which the body does not produce enough insulin, the hormone that breaks down sugars. Lots of bodily systems are put at risk by it, and in the case of gum disease, there appears to be a mutually-reinforcing relationship. One of the effects of diabetes is to thicken blood vessels, limiting the amount of oxygen and nutrients that reach different parts of the body. This makes it harder for people with diabetes to fight off infections, including those of the gum pockets. In people with uncontrolled diabetes, gum infections are much likelier to develop into periodontal disease, putting the patient at risk for tooth loss as their gums and jaw bone tissue recede. There is also evidence that gum infections make it harder for patients’ bodies to regulate blood sugar, setting off a feedback l...

When gingivitis is left untreated, it will advance to periodontitis. Periodontitis is inflammation of the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. When periodontitis is left untreated, teeth can eventually fall out. Our doctors at Healthy Smiles Family Dental want patients to keep their permanent teeth for a lifetime, which is why we encourage all of them to take preventive measures when it comes to oral health. Periodontitis is caused by the build-up of bacteria in the form of dental plaque. The best way to avoid plaque build-up is by keeping the teeth as clean as possible by brushing at least twice a day for two minutes and flossing at least once a day. As inflammation progresses in the gums, it will cause the gums to recede and the tooth roots to become exposed. This will cause pain, sensitivity, and soreness. Healthy gums are firm and pink in color, if your gums don’t fall into this category, schedule an appointment, today. If you have questions or concerns regarding periodonta...

If you don’t brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes and floss at least once a day, you should not be surprised if gingivitis develops. Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontal disease and if addressed in a timely manner, can be reversed. To prevent periodontal disease, you should always visit our doctors at Healthy Smiles Family Dental at least twice a year for routine cleanings and dental exams. Gingivitis develops when plaque is left in the teeth. Plaque can turn into tartar which only our staff is able to remove, but if you have a proper oral hygiene routine, tartar should never appear. If you are experiencing gum inflammation, or notice a bit of blood in the sink when you floss, visit our office immediately to get the problem under control. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to more serious health problems. If you have questions or concerns regarding the periodontal disease, please give us a call. To learn about services provided at our practice, visit www.my...