While Piercing the tongue, lip or cheek may be attractive to some, it can create dental issues that can last a lifetime.  Anytime jewelry is inserted through the oral soft tissues, infection is a real concern. 

Tongue Piercings:  Wearing a tongue stud can put you at risk for chipped teeth, recessed gums and nerve damage, warns the Academy of General Dentistry.  The main risk is the constant hitting of the metal stud against the teeth.  This usually happens in normal function such as when your tongue moves, eating or talking.   Overtime, this can result in a chipped or fractured tooth and the trauma can result in the need for a root canal or fillings.

Lip and Cheek Piercing:  Oral piercing typically involving the tongue / and or the lip and cheek, has been associated with periodontal complications.  Researchers have found that lip and cheek piercings are bad for the gums and can make them shrink back from the teeth.  The longer a person has the piercing, the worse the recession is.  The metal portion of the lip/cheek stud physically rubs over the gum at the neck of the tooth causing the gums to recede.  Once this has happened, you do not get the gum tissue back and it becomes more difficult to clean and therefore more prone to gum disease.

What is Periodontal Maintenance?

Periodontal maintenance includes those procedures patients must receive after treatment for periodontal disease.  This maintenance, which helps prevent further disease, consist of the following:

• Removal of bacterial flora from crevice and pocket areas.
• Polishing and scaling of teeth
• Gum irrigation
• Radiographic assessment
• Gum and bone examination
• Review of a patient’s plaque control efficacy
• Root Planing

How Does It Differ From Regular Cleanings?

Regular dental cleanings include scaling and polishing of the tooth crown – that part of the tooth above the gums.  The aim of this cleaning is removal of plaque and tarter.  Plaque is a soft and sticky substance that forms on the teeth.  Tarter, also called calculus, is a hard cement-like substance formed of plaque and the minerals in a person’s saliva.

This type of hygiene by itself is insufficient for patients who have undergone treatment for periodontal disease, including those with bone loss and infection around the teeth.  The American Dental Association says the goal of periodontal maintenance is to minimize progression of the periodontitis and gingivitis, reduce loss of teeth, and increase chances of locating and treating future pathology.

What is Peridontal Disease?

Periodontal disease is the inflammation and infection of the teeth’s supporting structures, which includes gums, bone , root surfaces and ligaments.

Symptoms include:

• Gums that bleed easily and are red and swollen
• An unpleasant taste in the mouth
• Teeth that have shifted
• Teeth that appear longer

How Do You Treat Periodontal Disease?

Treatment for this disease may require root planing and scaling, which is the removal of diseased deposits from the tooth roots, including tarter, bacteria and its toxins.  For some patients, these measures constitute complete therapy, whereas for others, they precede periodontal surgery.  Surgery can include such procedures as pocket reduction, soft tissue grafts, crown lengthening and others. 

How Often Should Patients Receive Periodontal Maintenance?

Generally, quarterly appointments are sufficient, but some patients will require more frequent procedures.  Today, maintenance and hygiene appointments are commonly scheduled on a per-patient basis rather than on a general timetable.

Just like the rest of your body, the health of your teeth is heavily influenced by what you eat. 

Foods that help muscles and bones, also help teeth and gums.  Vitamins B and C, both contribute to healthy gum tissue.  Breads and cereals are rich in vitamin B, while fruits and vegetables contain vitamin C.  Lean meat, fish, and poultry provide magnesium and zinc for teeth.  Some foods prevent cavities.  Some foods encourage remineralization, similar to fluoride.

 Along with eating healthy, be sure to brush, floss and see your dentist for regular dental cleanings.

Disclaimer:  Please know this information is not intended as medical advice.  Please contact your Doctor or Dentist before making any changes.

True Story:      We recently had a patient in our office who suffered a massive heart attack.  He was in critical condition for several weeks.  His Cardiologist explained to him that one of the main contributing factors to his heart attack was directly related to his untreated periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease, a chronic inflammatory disease, is directly linked to health issues such as heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, diabetes, and respiratory disease, as well as problems related to pregnancy.

The main cause of  periodontal disease is plaque that is left on the teeth.  However, there are several factors that affect the health of your gums; smoking, genetics, hormonal changes, stress, medications, clenching or grinding, diabetes and obesity.  Because there is usually no pain involved, people are unaware that they even have gum disease.  This is why preventative care is so important.  Early detection and treatment is the key to saving your teeth and keeping your body healthy.

The American Academy of Periodontology has developed a risk assessment test, to help determine if you are at risk for developing gum disease.  http://service.previser.com/aap/default.aspx

Teeth Whitening Special

Dr Leads and our local chapter of DAR help local organizations

Dr. Leads has been providing quality, gentle dentistry in this community since 1991. He is a Vista native who enjoys spending time with his family and is an avid fisherman. Dr. Leads received his Bachelors degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology from the University of California at San Diego in 1983.

He was then awarded his Doctor of Dental Science in 1990 from the University of Southern California. It was there he also received clinical excellence awards in: Oral Surgery, Periodontics and Prosthetics. He was also selected as the outstanding graduate of USC for 1990.Dr Leads has been proudly serving the San Marcos, CA and adjoining areas as a Dentist for over 15 years.