Scaling and Planing 101

There are a lot of different things you can do to your teeth to help them stay in great shape. Brushing, flossing, and mouthwash use are the most effective things to do at home. Even then, you still need to have some professional procedures performed to keep your mouth in good shape.

One of those procedures is called scaling and planing. This is an activity performed when you visit any dentists. Let’s go through that process for a few moments.

What is it?
 

At its most basic, scaling and planing is simply the process of removing tartar from around your gum line. When you don’t get rid of plaque, it hardens and turns into tartar. This substance is essentially a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. Tartar buildup is one of the most common causes of oral health problems that Dr. Christian Berdy and Dr. Cary Berdy see.

How does it work?
 

Scaling and planing are really simple. When you come into Berdy Dental Group in Jacksonville, Florida, our team will scale and plane your teeth before cleaning. All of the tartar around your gums will be scraped away, leaving you with a healthy, fresh smile

Why can’t I do it?
 

Tartar is a hard substance, and if you try to remove it at home, you could seriously injure your gums. On top of that, it takes a specialized training to effectively and safely remove tartar. We have a lot of experience doing this in a comfortable, relaxing way.

To learn more, or to make an appointment, call us today at (904) 647-2789.

Things That Can Ruin Your Smile: To Whiten or Not To Whiten…

Everyone wants a smile full of pearly white teeth. Good daily oral hygiene regimen and regular cleanings at the our office are good ways to keep your smile bright, but if you decide you want to do even more to make your teeth look whiter, you should investigate all of your whitening options.

Start by speaking with your dentist. He or she can review the options with you and tell you whether whitening  procedures would be effective for you. Not all whitening treatments are not for everyone. It’s not clear whether bleaching erodes enamel, but it can increase sensitivity. Those with sensitive teeth may want to think twice before they use some whitening treatments.

Any whitening treatments should be used with moderation. Whitening toothpastes and gels often contain abrasive ingredients that may increase sensitivity. Also keep in mind, as you age, whitening products are not a cure-all. After a certain point, using more won’t necessarily make your teeth any white.

Alzheimer’s and Periodontal Disease. A link?

Memory, walking speed, and problem solving are all more likely to affect those with periodontal disease, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

The study […] looked at 3,166 adults aged 60 or over from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) and compared their performance in tests of memory and walking speed. The results showed that the people with none of their own teeth performed approximately 10% worse in both memory and walking speed tests than the people with teeth.

The study did not postulate a causative link between tooth loss and early-onset memory problems, but it is thought that tooth loss could be an early indication of oncoming mental and physical decline among the older population.

“Regardless of what is behind the link between tooth loss and decline in function, recognizing excessive tooth loss presents an opportunity for early identification of adults at higher risk of faster mental and physical decline later in their life. There are many factors likely to influence this decline, such as lifestyle and psychosocial factors, which are amenable to change.” says lead author Dr Georgios Tsakos UCL Epidemiology & Public Health).

Regular dentist visits are important for prevention of gum disease. Dr. Berdy and your hygienists can remove plaque buildup that can irritate the gums and lead to tooth loss. We also can detect early signs of gum disease. Just remember, prevention begins at home. Brushing and flossing twice daily, eating right and avoiding tobacco will help prevent gum disease.

Why Do Teeth Turn Yellow?

Celebrities and fashion models might always seem to have perfect pearly white teeth (photoshop helps!). For the rest of us, it isn’t always that easy. There are many causes for yellow teeth, but they fall into two broad categories: extrinsic and intrinsic discoloration.

Extrinsic stains are the ones that we find on enamel, the hard protective surface on the visible areas of the teeth. These stain are mostly due to diet, such as heavy consumption of coffees, colas, sweets, and red wine.

Additionally, smoking and chewing tobacco are well-known culprits behind extrinsic stains, as is poor dental hygiene, which allows dental plaque to accumulate on the teeth.

Intrinsic stains occur within the tooth, when various factors alter the light-transmitting properties of the enamel and the underlying dentin.

Numerous medications can cause intrinsic stains. If children take the antibiotics tetracycline and doxycycline while their teeth are still developing (before the age of 8), their teeth may turn brownish-yellow.

Aside from extrinsic and intrinsic stains, two other factors can contribute to yellow teeth: genetics and aging.

Similar to your complexion or the color of your eyes, you may simply be born with teeth that appear more yellow (or more white) than other people’s teeth. Part of this has to do with the thickness of your enamel, which is semi-translucent. That is, if you have thin enamel, the true color of your naturally yellowish dentin will shine through.

Similarly, your enamel thins as you age, making your teeth appear more yellow.

Love Your Gums (and your periodontist)!

Our practice is joining forces with the American Academy of Periodontology to keep the love alive with a public relations campaign to spread the message of gum health to our patients and referring doctors. We want to help the public understand the value of loving your gums for life!

A periodontist is a great partner in maintaining your overall oral health. We can help you identify potential periodontal health problems and putting the right solutions in place.

Watch the video  for more info!

Things That Can Ruin Your Smile: Beware of Sports Drinks

Sports drinks might a good source of hydration and electrolytes for athletes on the field, but they also damage your teeth. According to a study published in the journal General Dentistry, the acidity in most sports drinks erodes the tooth’s enamel and

So should you choose water or a sport drink on your next bike ride? The answer is… it depends. Sports drinks provide electrolytes, carbohydrates and water – all of which are important if you are going to be doing intense exercise, for an extended period of time. A simple guideline that most people can use is, if you plan on exercising for less than 60 minutes, drink water. If you’re going to be exercising for longer than that you should consider a sports drink.

Do you have a mouth as dry as a desert?

Sometimes patients ask us why their mouths are dry and lacking in saliva production. Many times dry mouth can be a side effect of certain medications patients take. It is important for patients to know and understand all the possible side effects that the medications they are taking have, even those that are available over the counter. Sometimes, if you are taking multiple medications they can potentially act synergistically, resulting in more potent effects when taken together rather than separately. If left untreated, dry mouth can cause serious dental problems, the most common being tooth decay (cavities) and bad breath. Don’t forget, the purpose of saliva is not only lubrication but also the neutralization of acids and aiding in the fight against bacteria.

So, what do you do if you have dry mouth? First of all, make sure you are practicing a good routine of home oral care and make sure you keep your gums and teeth exceptionally clean three times a day. The proper use of floss, a toothbrush, and a waterpik is a must. Between meals, chew sugar free gum to help stimulate the production of saliva and promote a clean oral environment. Have us prescribe an extra strength fluoride gel or liquid (works much better than over the counter products) to make teeth more resistant to decay. Avoid any acidic foods and drinks if possible (such as citrus, sodas, etc.). 

For on the go comfort, a soothing mouth spray is useful and at night a gel can be applied to your mouth for relief. Have more frequent professional dental cleanings (every one to three months) depending on the severity of your  problem. Also, check with your prescribing physician to see if alternative medications can be used that have less severe side effects. Many times, once the mechanism of saliva formation is shut down, it won’t start up naturally again on its own. Call us if your mouth is excessively dry and we will be happy to discuss recommendations to help remedy your situation.

Is bone grafting the same as sinus lifting?

In dentistry, bone grafting refers to the rebuilding of lost bone. When our adult tooth grows and develops it brings a certain amount of bone with it to support it in the jaw. Technically, we call this bone alveolar bone. The maximum amount of supporting bone is present when the tooth is completely erupted (in its final position) and the root of the tooth is fully formed. As time goes on and if an infection develops around a tooth (typically from periodontal disease, root end abscess, or tooth decay), the tooth is often extracted. 

Once a tooth is lost (for any reason), the bone that developed with that tooth is resorbed (removed) by the body. There is now a void or defect left by the missing tooth. This defect can many times be corrected by rebuilding the lost bone in the jaw with either your own bone taken from another area, or a bone substitute. When bone is grafted in the sinus, the membrane that lines the sinus must first be gently pushed up to make room for the bone graft, thus the name sinus lifting.

When the upper back teeth are lost, the bone that supports those teeth is also lost, allowing the sinus to expand. The expansion of the sinus (now that the sinus is not contained by teeth) also  causes a resorption of bone. The result of this resorption is that a thin shelf of bone remains. In order to regain the bone lost in the upper molar area, an opening must be made in the sinus membrane. The membrane must be lifted (pushed) upward and sideways creating a space where bone can be grafted, thereby regaining the lost alveolar bone. Once the grafted bone matures, usually in around six months, the procedure of placing a dental implant in the newly formed bone can begin.

Identafi® Multi-Spectral Oral Cancer Screening

Quick facts about oral cancer:

• Kills more in the U.S. than well known cancers such as skin, lymphatic, thyroid, & cervical
• Almost 37,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year in the U.S
• 66% of these individuals will be diagnosed as late stage cancers, only 43% of them will survive five years
• Early detection (stages 1 or 2) increases survival rates up to 80-90%
• Late detection of oral cancer is the primary cause that both the incidence and mortality rates of oral cancer continue to increase
• Prolonged sun exposure, tobacco, & alcohol use are major contributing factors
• HPV16, the same virus that causes a majority of cervical cancers, was the primary causative factor in 63% of diagnosis in early 2011

The test is simple, painless, & fast.

The mortality rate associated with oral cancer is particularly high not because of difficulty in diagnosis or discovery, but due to the cancer being routinely discovered late in its development. Screenings for oral cancer are crucial in early detection and drastically improve survival rates. An oral cancer screening is a painfree, quick three to five minute procedure that detects external and internal abnormalities. Your head, neck, and jaws will be examined for external abnormalities, followed by a visual screening of the interior of your mouth using a specialized light wand.

When found early, oral cancer patients have nearly a 90% survival rate.

Our office uses the Identafi system by Trimera and we recommend that patients are screened once a year for oral cancer. The Identafi® uses Multi-Spectral Fluorescence and Reflectance technology to enhance visualization of mucosal abnormalities such as oral cancer or premalignant dysplasia that may not be apparent to the naked eye.

(LANAP®) Laser Gum Surgery in Jacksonville

Is LANAP™ right for you?

• Do you have red, swollen, or tender gums?
• When you floss or brush, do your gums bleed?
• Do you have chronic bad breath?
• Do your teeth move or feel loose?
• Have you been told you suffer from periodontal disease or that you need to see a periodontist?

If you answered yes to any of these questions above, you may be a candidate for an exciting treatment option known as Laser Assisted New Attachement Procedure™ (a.k.a. LANAP™, Laser Periodontal Therapy™). This minimally invasive procedure uses the PerioLase® MVP-7™ by Millenium Dental Technologies, the only dental laser specifically designed for Laser Periodontal Therapy™ for the treatment of gum disease.

 

No scalpels. No stiches. The new treatment for gum disease.

LANAP™ is a new, less traumatic treatment for periodontal disease that selectively removes infected tissue within periodontal pockets. It replaces the traditional use of  a scalpel during periodontal surgery and requires no suturing, which improves patient comfort, minimizes recovery time and reduces post-operative bleeding and swelling.

 

Laser Periodontal Therapy™ – FDA approved laser treatment for gum disease.

The laser based approach for the treatment of gum disease actually helps the bone supporting your teeth to regenerate. By treating and controlling periodontal disease, it is possible to save and restore teeth to health that may otherwise have to be extracted. LANAP™ can help restore your whole mouth to health and reduce your body’s susceptibility to serious health problems associated with gum disease.

Periodontal Examination

During your checkup, Dr. Berdy will examine your mouth to assess the overall health and stability of your teeth, gums, and surrounding areas including the muscles supporting your teeth, jaw joints, and tongue. He will review your current x-rays and then present his findings to you. A screening for oral cancer can also be performed at this time.

When examining your mouth an instrument called a periodontal probe is used to assess the health and quality of your gums and tooth attachments. The periodontal probe is used to measure the pocket depth, or collar of gum tissue that surrounds the tooth. Normal pocket depths are in the range of 1-3mm.

A microscope evaluation using a phase contrast microscope may be done. This enables us to determine the types of bone destroying bacteria that may be present and the extent of your infection to the surrounding areas. A sampling of the bacteria in the area of an infection may be sent off for further analysis to aid in our determination of an appropriate periodontal therapy. A DNA analysis may also be done to assess susceptibility to periodontal diseases.

Dental Implant Evaluation

Dr. Berdy will take a 3-D image and mold of your mouth to get a clear view of your bone structure, allowing him to determine the best way to replace your missing tooth or teeth. When you are missing a tooth or teeth, you have four replacement options:

• Implant supported crown
• Bridge
• Partial denture
• No replacement

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that can be used in both the upper and lower jaws. Implants are usually made of titanium or zirconium, both of which are well accepted by the human body. Once implants have fused to bone, they can then be used to support a single tooth, multiple teeth, or dentures.

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