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Below are some common clues and what they might mean:
• Bleeding or red swollen gums is a classic sign of gum disease or possibly a manifestation of a systemic illness.
• Receding gums is another sign of gum disease and/or perhaps a result of incorrect or destructive brushing habits
• Yellow teeth can be caused by staining, poor oral hygiene, smoking, or ingestion of certain medications
• Dark marks on teeth can possibly be an indicator of dental decay, staining (eg. coffee and tea), embedded food particles, or smoking remnants.
• White spots on the tongue, cheek, lips, gums can be a sign of pathology (abnormal tissue) which could be caused by a virus, bacteria, irritation or other possible sources that need to be evaluated promptly by a dental professional.
• Swollen lips, gums can be a sign of an active infection, allergy or other systemic problem.
• Crooked teeth, can be a sign of malocclusion (bad bite), which if left uncorrected, can lead to possible periodontal (gum) trauma.
• Dry mouth can be a side effect of medications, dehydration, or possibly a systemic disease.
It's important to keep in mind, though, that while what we see in the mirror can give us some clues, it doesn't tell us the whole story. I recommend that people always follow up their self- exams with a visit to their Dentist or Periodontist.
What about you — anything concerning you when you see your teeth in the mirror?View Thread

In the last few years, scientific studies have shown connections and strong links between gum disease and the risk of heart disease or stroke. Other medical conditions that have been linked to gum disease include obesity, diabetes, kidney disease, lung disease, and other systemic illnesses. A connection that might surprise you -- even premature births have been linked to untreated gum disease.
Besides gum disease, there are other oral health conditions that can affect your overall health. Tooth decay, if not treated promptly, can lead to infections in the nerves of the teeth. Neglected and infected teeth -- or wisdom teeth that need to be extracted -- can also cause severe infections in the mouth. These infections can then spread into the bones and the bloodstream, and potentially cause a variety of harmful medical conditions.
Your oral health can also have an effect on your partner. Dental studies have shown that the "bad bacteria" that cause gum disease can potentially be spread from one partner to another, by kissing and sharing saliva.
So be sure to keep up with your oral health routines and visit your dentist or periodontist regularly. You're doing more than just maintaining a nice smile. You're defending your health, by and large.
Are you surprised to hear some of the connections I mentioned? Have poor oral conditions affected your greater health in any way?View Thread

• A travel bottle of mouthwash (try to stick with mouth rinses without alcohol)
• Stim-u-dents (little toothpicks)
• Floss holders and pocket flossers (disposible)
• Travel toothbrush/paste
• Travel proxy brushes
• Sugarless chewing gum
These are just a few things to consider to boost your daily oral hygiene regimen. Do you have any other tricks you use on a daily basis for your oral care?View Thread

1. Brush after every meal.
Brushing your teeth at least twice a day is the minimum recommended by most dental professionals. But brushing after every meal can help keep plaque off your teeth and gums, and create a healthier environment in your mouth. Other benefits include minimizing bad breath, decreasing your risk of gum disease, and maintaining a better appearance to those around you.
Think about it... How many times have you caught someone with food stuck in their teeth and gums?
2. Brush your teeth for at least 1 whole minute every time.
Most people do not brush long enough, which leads to poor plaque and food removal. In our periodontal practice, we suggest that our patients use a timer or an hourglass, to be sure that they are spending adequate time brushing. You would be surprised how much better your mouth will look and feel. You will probably have less gum inflammation and pinker healthier gum tissue, instead of red, puffy, inflamed gums.
3. Most importantly, floss!
Most people do not floss at all! This small change could make a tremendous improvement in your oral health. In our periodontal practice, we instruct every patient on how to floss. If they cannot adequately use floss, then we suggest using floss handles, which make the process very easy. The results are dramatic. Your gums and teeth will be healthier and look better. Flossing can also help minimize certain bad breath problems.
4. Consider using a water pick.
For some patients, using a water pick is very helpful to remove large food particles around the teeth and gums. Using this in conjunction with brushing and flossing can greatly improve your oral health and your appearance.
5. Try an electric or rotary toothbrush.
For many patients, this is very useful in food and plaque removal. Be sure to check with your periodontist or dental professional to determine if this is the best choice for you.
6. Add a mouth rinse to your oral arsenal.
There are thousands of mouth rinses on the market. Check with your periodontist or dental professional to determine if any of these would be useful or necessary for your daily oral hygiene regimen. In many cases, using a mouth rinse -- in conjunction with good brushing and flossing habits -- can be valuable in keeping your gums and teeth healthy.
What oral care habits have you added to your day? How have you benefitted from these simple changes?View Thread

• Sweets contain sugar, which can cause tooth decay, gingivitis, and bad breath if left on the teeth, tongue, or gums. Alcohol can cause bad breath and dry mouth. If used in excess, it too can cause decreased immune responses. This can directly affect the gums and teeth and the rest of your body, as well.
• Spicy foods can cause bad breath. However, some spicy foods contain important nutrients and vitamins. Just remember to brush well after eating spicy dishes.
• Holiday vegetarian dishes can be healthier choices, and can provide a boost to your immune system. This can also be a plus for the health of your gums.
• Holidays can be stressful. We know that stress plays a considerable role in the risk of gum disease. Overeating and excessive drinking is also common at this time of year. Combining all of the above can adversely affect the gums and teeth.
Be mindful of everything you are eating and drinking during the holidays and how it may affect your teeth, gums, breath, and your health overall.
What are your favorite holiday drinks and foods?View Thread

1. Meet the dentist or periodontist first for a consultation, to discuss your needs and the way the treatment will be performed. This way you can feel comfortable, confident, and reassured that you will be in good hands. If not possible, move on to another professional.
2. You can request to speak to other patients of the practice to see what their experiences have been. Be sure to call more than one patient to verify consistency. Our practice's new periodontal patients have this opportunity available to them at their first visit and all the information is kept confidential.
3. Ask the dentist or periodontist if you could have anti-anxiety medication prior to your visit. You might have to be driven or escorted to the office if given oral medications. You could also ask about having nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for the visit as well. In this case, you can drive yourself.
4. Practice breathing and relaxation techniques while at the dentist or periodontist's office.
5. Bring an mp3 player, or have music playing to relax you while having the dental work. This really helps.
6. Once you have done your research on the dentist or periodontist you have chosen, trust your decision. Try not to consult a million other people because ultimately you might develop even more anxiety.
Do you have anxiety about getting oral exams? How do you cope?View Thread

Possible causes:
1- Fungal infection or Thrush. This can be caused by yeast or Candida Albicans. This condition can be treated with anti-fungal creams and ointments some of which are available over the counter and some by prescription. Ask your pharmacist or doctor. Additionally, your doctor might have to do a smear of the area and see under a microscope what organisms are present to correctly diagnose this condition.
2- Viral / Herpes Simplex. This is usually unilateral ( on one side) and is recurrent. But don't be fooled, it can also be on both sides. The area should be checked and a smear taken to see if viral particles are present. Many options including antiviral creams or oral anti-viral medications can be given to treat this condition and prevent recurrence.
3- if crusted this could also be be a bacteria infection such as staphylococcus aureus which can be treated with antibiotic creams. We don't want this type of bacteria to spread around.
The bottom line: Have the area checked to see if this is a fungal, viral or bacteria infection. After the diagnosis, then the correct treatment can instituted rather than guessing.
Good Luck.
Dr. Linden p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 8.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial}View Thread

Let's review some of the more common myths — starting with that chewing gum question:
• Chewing gum is bad for you. Although it can be (if it contains sugar, which can cause tooth decay), the movement of the upper and lower jaws during chewing is actually good exercise for the muscles of mastication. And chewing gum actually works to cleanse the mouth and stimulate salivary flow. Stick to sugar free chewing gum without artificial ingredients, if possible.
• A cleaning once a year is enough. In my experience as a periodontist, most of my patients over the last 26 years needed to have their teeth cleaned an average of 3-4 times a year. This is critically important to maintain good oral health.
• Dental X-ray exposure will cause damage and possibly cancer. In the last decade, with the introduction of digital X-rays, the risk to patients from exposure to dental X-rays is insignificant. Even the older technology (traditional X-rays with a higher exposure rate) has never been shown to have any associations to any harmful systemic diseases or illnesses. The American Dental Association has made recommendations on how often a full mouth series of X-rays should be taken. Routine X-rays are safe. However, if you are pregnant please let your dentist or periodontist know.
• Bleeding gums are normal. This couldn't be further from the truth. Bleeding gums can be a sign of gum disease, or potentially a more serious systemic disease. We also know that gum disease is caused by "bad bacteria" or infection in the mouth. Bacteria and infection can potentially spread to other parts of the body if not controlled with better oral hygiene and treatment by a dentist or periodontist.
• Dental insurance covers everything. For those who have dental insurance, you already know that it usually covers only a portion of the total costs of care. The exception might be HMO plans. However, each plan is different and has its own rules. Check with your employer about the type of plan you have, and be prepared for the actual restrictions and benefits of your dental insurance.
There are many more oral care myths out there. Is there anything you've heard that's made you wonder if it's really true?View Thread

There has been a debate raging in the dental community about the pros and cons of fluoride usage.
The pros include:
The cons include:
In our own 26-year-old periodontal practice, we will often suggest the use of non-dietary sources of fluoride, including gels, rinses, and pastes. This has been a recommended part of all our patients' daily oral hygiene regimens.
Does your daily oral care routine include fluoride in any form? What do you think about the current fluoride debate?View Thread
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