Tag Archive for 'gum disease'

Why must I go for a dental check up? I’ve got no pain.

Published on December 16, 2008 in Dental check up. 5 Comments Tags: , , , .

“I don’t feel any pain, why should I see a dentist?”

That’s the typical response of the busy working adult that puts work, family, food and  every other “necessity” first before their Oral Health and Hygiene.

According to a survey by Singapore Dental Health Foundation (SDHF) and the Singapore Humane Resources Institute (SHRI), having ‘no pain’ was the number one reason Singaporeans gave for not having regular visits to the dentist.

So are we supposed to treat out set of pearly whites like a car that can take much of the beating we give it and only when it breaks down, send it “to the workshop!”

Unlike cars which have replaceable spare parts, our teeth and gums do not have that sense of security that we might perceive and once it’s gone it’s either costly to get it fixed or it might just be too late to salvage.

One of the silent enemies of our teeth is - gum disease. You don’t feel any pain at all until it’s too late. Once you’ve reached that stage, it’s going to be a constant 4 to 6 months of seeing a specialist periodontist to keep it under control, else, gums disease could eventually lead to tooth loss.

Sounds scary? It is!

So how many Singapore adults have some form of gum disease? Health Promotion Board states 81%. Every 4 out of five of your friends have some form of gum disease. That should bump ‘going to see the dentist regularly’ up the priority list for you.

So what’s the Gum disease about? Gum disease is an infection that attacks both the gums and the bone supporting the teeth and in severe cases are the direct causes of tooth loss. Look into the mirror and check if you’ve got the following early signs of gum disease:

  • swollen or puffy gums
  • bleeding from gums
  • red gums (not pale pink, red)
  • ask someone if you’ve got bad breath

or late stages of gum disease:

  • longer looking teeth
    (if you think your teeth are still growing at 30, you’re wrong, the gums are receeding)
  • shifting teeth
  • spaces between teeth (where gums should have been)
  • loosening of teeth
  • pain
  • subtle itchness

Another common problem that can be corrected early is tooth decay. This is also another silent killer as you feel no pain while the decay is happening, not until the decay reaches the nerve will you start to feel any sensation or pain. But the bad news is that by the time that has happened, the decay has passed through your fortified walls of enamel and headed straight for your vital nerves, causing infection along it’s path.

If your excuse of not going to see a dentist is to ’save money’, i hope to knock some ‘cents’ into you. Let’s do some math.

Treatment for simple tooth decay would be cleaning, fillings that would cost around $120, but if the decay has hit the nerve, Root Canal Treatment (RCT) would set you back around $600-800 if done by a specialist Endodontist.

Furthermore, treatment for gum disease could have you undergo a few sessions of ‘deep scaling’ (deep cleaning inside the gumline) that cost $300 per hour if done by a Specialist Periodontist. Compared with a regular cleanings and instructions for proper home care (brushing, flossing or use of mouthrinse)

So it’s a stark ‘penny wise pound foolish’ mindset that needs to be changed.

Hopefully after reading this, you’ll pick up the phone and call your dentist to make an appointment and get your teeth “serviced”. And let it be a bi-annual ritual from now on.

Gum disease (Gum surgery)

Published on June 16, 2008 in FAQ. 1 Comment Tags: .

Do you have gum disease?

If you have gum disease, you’re not alone. In Singapore, a survey has shown that about 85% of adults suffer from some form of gum disease. It ranges from simple gum inflammation (gingivitis) to serious gum disease resulting in bone damage. And it is estimated that 20% suffer from severe gum disease - the number one cause of tooth lost in the world.

Gums become red and swollen, in gingivitis, and can bleed easily. Most people can treat this with daily brushing & flossing coupled with regular dentist check ups.

Left untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontitis where gums pull away from teeth and form pockets that are infected. If continued non-treatment, gums, bones and connective tissue supporting the teeth are destroyed.

Common signs of Periodontal disease

  • Bleeding gums during brushing
  • Persistent bad breath
  • Pus from between teeth and gums (leaving a bad taste)
  • Gum abscesses (boils)
  • Loose or separating teeth
  • Vague discomfort (e.g. dull ache)
  • Red, swollen or tender gums
  • Changes in teeth positions when you bite
  • Longer-looking teeth as a result of gums that have receded from the teeth

Q: Who performs gum surgery?

A: A specialist called a Periodontist has additional training in the field of Perio (gums) and performs this form of surgery.

Q: How much would it cost?

A: Molar area gums surgery cost around $900 onwards. This would exclude special material cost that the dentist deems the patient requires (e.g. membrane*). Gum surgery on the front portion of the teeth is from $800 onwards. *material cost e.g. membrane would be additional $150

Bad Breath, Gum Disease and Diabetes

Published on May 15, 2008 in Articles. 0 Comments Tags: , .

Bad Breath, Gum Disease and Diabetes If you have receding gums or notice a bleeding gum that is often red and irritated, and if you’ve noticed that your breath is bad, you may have periodontal gum disease.

In fact, periodontal disease may increase your risk for other health concerns including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, lung and respiratory disease, and osteoporosis.

Today with cosmetic dentistry and dental implants at the top of the dental industry spectrum, Gum disease often progresses silently and without pain. It’s easy to know if you have periodontal disease by paying attention to these signs. When you brush your teeth, your gums bleed. You may have gum disease if they are often red, swollen and tender. If your gums are pulling away from your teeth, or one of more of your permanent teeth separate from the gums and become loose, or if you have bad breath all of the time, these symptoms may be caused by an infection that causes chronic inflammation of the gums. Not including children’s dentistry, statistics tell us that more than half of all people over 18 have are in the early stages of periodontal disease. These numbers increase to three out of four people who are over 35. According to several studies, people with gum infection may be more likely to get heart disease, plus those with diabetes who also have gum disease may also be at risk for cardiovascular disease. Heart and blood vessel disease is the number-one cause of death for people with diabetes. The researchers wanted to know if gum disease had anything to do with the higher death rates for people with type 2 diabetes so they studied 628 Pima Indians who were at least 35 years old and had type 2 diabetes who lived in the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona.

Part of a study by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, participants in this study had a physical exam every two years. Everyone was grouped into one of three groups: those with no or mild gum disease, moderate gum disease, or those with serious gum disease. Researchers then checked on the effect of gum disease on the death rate.

After 11 years, 204 of the 628 people in the study had died, and it was fifty-four of them who had died of heart and blood vessel disease. Most of the 54 died of ischemic heart disease (a type of blood vessel disease that develops from narrowed heart arteries). Many of the 204 diabetes-related deaths were a result of diabetic kidney disease. Ultimately, the people with type 2 diabetes and serious gum disease were 3.5 times more likely to have died from ischemic heart disease or kidney disease than people with less serious gum disease. Gum disease is that it not only destroys the gum surrounding the teeth, but the supporting bone that holds teeth in place.If there are pockets or spaces between your gums and teeth, your periodontist or dentist may suggest a course of treatment that will help stop further damage to your gums and bones.

Beverly Hills dentist Dr. Bijan Afar recommends periodontal disease treatments at least twice a year or more, with a dental team to make sure there’s no plaque build-up on your teeth causing gum disease. Kristin Gabriel is a social media marketing writer and PR professional. One of her clients, Dr. Bijan Afar, an oral surgeon, is based in Los Angeles, and owns five dental clinics, including the Wilshire Dental Clinic. For more information, visit http://www.oralimplants.com