Recognizing Factors from Bad to Worse

Gingivitis is an early form of gum disease. In most instances, it goes unnoticed. There is a high probability that if left untreated, it can progress to its more serious form – periodontitis. Know that there are many factors that contribute to both conditions.

Poor oral hygiene

If brushing, including flossing, is poor or insufficient it can lead to buildup of plaque on teeth, under the gum line to include the roots. This can lead to decay of both the hard and soft tissues of the mouth.

Poor diet

A diet can be deficient in vitamin C. This vitamin, found in citrus fruits, strengthens gum tissue and holds teeth in place. A vitamin K deficiency can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Vit K rich foods are green and leafy vegetables.

Smoking

This lifestyle habit contributes to many undesirable effects – teeth discoloration, bad breath, weakening of gum tissue, proneness to infection, and difficulty of gum healing. Not to mention its ill effects on general health.

Dry mouth syndrome

It can be the result of taking medications that cause decreased salivation, a nutrient deficiency, lack of fluid intake, Lack of hydration is conducive to the growth of mouth bacteria which in turn causes gum infection.

Diabetes

The presence of uncontrolled diabetes is detrimental to the healing of gum disease.

Pregnancy

This condition enables the progress of gum disease due to several factors: dehydration, dry mouth, higher levels of insulin, snoring and sleep apnea, and possibly gestational diabetes.

Underlying medical conditions

HIV and AIDS promote chronic dry mouth, canker sores, oral warts, thrush and tooth decay. Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease or GERD exposes the gums and teeth to frequent regurgitation of stomach acid.

Genetics and family history

Gum disease tends to recur in generations within the family.

^Source

Watching Over Gum Health in Bellevue

If you are experiencing any of the gum issues mentioned, do come over to Overlake Dental. Your Bellevue dentist is your go-to professional for all things gum disease and treatment.

Most Common Warning Signs

Are you experiencing symptoms that you think are due to a dental issue? Don’t wait until the symptoms get worse. Understand that there are several symptoms that are warning signs of a dental issue.
Toothache. It’s one of the most common symptoms of a tooth problem. It can be a sign of tooth decay, a cavity formation that has pulp involvement, or a root abscess, among others.

• Pain on chewing or biting. This may be due to sensitive and swollen gums, or a gum abscess, as well as a root abscess.
• Tooth sensitivity. Tooth or teeth become very sensitive when in contact with hot or cold beverages or foods. It may be due to a crack in the tooth, a thinning or eroded enamel, or an exposed pulp.
• Loose teeth and receding gums. May occur as a result of the serious form of gum disease – periodontitis.
• Bleeding gums after brushing or flossing. Sometimes there’s blood in your toothbrush or your floss. While it may happen and should not be alarming, too frequent bleeding of gums may mean some form of gum disease.
• Mouth ulcers or sores that won’t heal after a week or two. This may be due to a variety of causes: allergies, trauma or injury, a nutrient deficiency, infection, hormonal changes, or stress.
• Chronic bad breath. May be due to a mouth infection, an abscessed tooth, or a dirty or infected tongue.
• Swelling of the cheeks or the face. An infection, injury, or allergy may cause it. Some cases can be medical emergencies, like preeclampsia, cellulitis, or as a result of anaphylaxis.

If any of these symptoms come with fever of a facial or neck swelling, it is regarded as a medical emergency.

^Source

Identifying Oral Symptoms in Bellevue

When you experience signs and symptoms in your mouth, do not hesitate to visit your Bellevue dentist right away. Here at Overlake Dental we help arrest the progress of oral issues to avoid complications.

Oral Health Statistics from World Health Organization (WHO)

Did you know that according to the World Health Organization cavities and gum disease are the most common dental problems in the world? Here are some facts that will put the importance of oral health quickly in everybody’s mind.

Firstly, between 60 and 90% of school children have at least one cavity in their mouth. This is most likely due to their early introduction to a sugary diet, whether as food or beverage.

Almost all adults have at least one dental cavity. Even with the best oral hygiene practices, a few cavity formations are likely to occur as people consume a variety of foods that range from sweet to starchy to acidic.
Severe gum disease affects between 5 and 20% of adults ages 35 to 44. Gum disease can initiate early but since the condition is not too bothersome for most, adults tend not to be serious about it until the disease turns into its serious form – periodontitis.

About 30% of people around the world ages 65 to 74 don’t have any natural teeth left. By the time adults reach their elderly stage and with improper oral practices and poor access to oral care, teeth become damaged and are lost, and at times not replaced.

For every 100,000 people, between 1 and 10 cases have oral cancer. This may be due to the many risk factors attending to this type of cancer – chief among them are smoking, HPV infection, poor diet, weak immune system, and family history.

Mostly the poor or disadvantaged population carry the burden of oral disease. This is primarily due to lack of resources for awareness and education and poor access to timely intervention. This link remains across the life course, from early childhood to older age, regardless of the country’s overall income level.

^Source

Building Oral Health Awareness in Bellevue

Do come to Overlake Dental on your next visit. Learn more about oral health in general and about your own issues from your Bellevue dentist.

Invisalign versus Braces

Did you know that Invisalign and traditional braces work the same way? The goal of both is to move misaligned teeth in the right direction. Invisalign, though, has more precision in tooth movement with each clear aligner. There are other benefits and differences between the two. You can know more here.

Invisalign are less visible unlike traditional braces.

Wearing Invisalign is more aesthetically pleasing as they are clear and discreet, better than metal braces and wires wound around your teeth. What’s more the aligners are removable while braces stick around all the time during the entire treatment. Invisalign can be taken off while eating and drinking, when you clean them, or when you go to sleep. It is hard enough to brush and floss with your braces on. Another benefit of Invisalign is that pain or discomfort during treatment tends to be less severe due to the small movements made by each aligner.

Did you know that choosing Invisalign as your teeth aligner is helpful in maintaining the lifespan of your natural teeth. Why so?

That’s because straight teeth are easier to clean – brushing and flossing – keeps them healthy. They are free from plaque buildup. Proper cleaning deters cavity formation and gum disease, and eventually, tooth loss. Then again, teeth that are straight keep the bite forces balanced across the arch; hence, chipping and attrition are not likely. Furthermore, the softness of the aligners does not irritate or damage the surrounding soft tissue of the mouth, unlike with the brackets and wires of braces.

When do you choose Invisalign over braces?

It is said that braces are the better option for adults, while clear aligners, like Invisalign, are for most kids and teens. If your teeth are extensively crooked or you need more complex corrections, clear aligners may not be the answer. They are best for mild to moderate cases of misalignment. If you do not have gum disease, like serious periodontitis or periodontitis that is uncontrolled, you are a good candidate for Invisalign.

Braces are a good option for some patients. The Invisalign system also has its own amazing benefits, though some patients are better candidates than others.

^Source

Learning What’s Best For You in Bellevue

Find out from your Invisalign dentist in Bellevue if you are an Invisalign candidate. Come see us for a serious consultation and let’s help you make the best decision.

The Invisalign Process

Invisalign is a corrective dental system pioneered by Align Technology. It has become quite popular that 12.8 million patients to date have benefited using it. What is Invisalign? It’s a clear aligner designed and customized to fix crooked or misaligned teeth. Know how it works and the different alignment issues it can correct.

The Invisalign system uses a thermoplastic material that is patented as SmartTrack to correct crooked teeth. Hence, it is soft and more convenient to use. The plastic is clear yet strong making wearing it more aesthetically pleasing. It is also removable in instances when you have to eat and drink, as well as clean it. These are Invisalign’s advantages over what is traditionally used to correct misalignment – braces, with their brackets and metal wires.

How does Invisalign work?

A sequence of clear aligners will be used throughout treatment. The aligner trays that fit into the upper and lower jaws are based on photos and 3D digital scan of the patient’s teeth, then fabricated using 3D printing technology. Each aligner is intended to move the teeth a quarter of a millimeter at a time in the direction desired. This may take a few weeks, and then the patient gets the next aligner batch to make further movements in the next weeks. This becomes complete when the desired positioning of the tooth or teeth concerned is achieved. Your dentist may apply SmartForce attachments to your teeth before or during your Invisalign treatment. They give your aligners leverage, acting like handles.

What issues does Invisalign fix?

The system can be used to correct most types of bite problems and tooth alignment problems. It’s effective in all age groups and preferred for patients who previously suffered bone and gum loss. Sometimes patients as young as six can benefit, as well as mild to moderate to severe crowding.

However, in cases of severe overbite or underbite, or a tooth that is rotated more than 20 degrees, large gaps between your teeth, or intrusions/extrusions, the better option are braces. There may be cases where Invisalign may not work for patients. Some patients may not be able to give significant cooperation; for example, the aligners are meant to wear for 20 to 22 hours a day, replacing them with a new set every one to two weeks. This means frequent dentist visits.

Invisalign may not work for all, but for those others, it is a great option for confident smiles.

^Source

Transforming Smiles with Invisalign in Bellevue

Desiring to confidently smile again? Then see your Invisalign-certified dentist here at Overlake Dental in Bellevue. Experience a pleasant Invisalign journey with us.