How Periodontal Germs Trick Your Immune System

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looking sickDid you know that periodontal disease, or gum disease, is self-inflicted? It usually develops when bacteria overwhelm your teeth and gums. What may surprise you, however, is that the infection itself isn’t the most destructive aspect of periodontal disease. On the contrary, it’s your immune system’s exaggerated inflammatory response to mouth germs that does much of the damage.

Blame the Oral-Systemic Connection

The oral-systemic connection describes the complex relationship between your oral health and your physical well-being. (more…)

Experts Say: It’s Never Too Late to Quit Smoking

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woman stops smokingAccording to the American Lung Association, cigarette smoke is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, claiming over 393,000 lives each year. The numerous health effects of smoking are well-documented, but research continues to uncover evidence of cigarette smoke’s influence, and how not smoking can improve your quality of life. The good news is that smoking cessation is beneficial no matter how long you’ve been smoking, although sooner is much better as far as your health is concerned. (more…)

Children’s Gum Disease

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smiling group of teenagersAccording to the latest research, gum disease affects over half of the adult population in the United States. It can also affect your children if they don’t follow good hygiene practices, and if not treated, the infection can destroy the tissues and bone that support their teeth. Gum disease may not be as prominent in children as it is in adults, but it’s equally dangerous for all patients who hesitate to treat it. As February marks National Children’s Dental Health Month, sponsored by the American Dental Association (ADA), your San Diego periodontist, Dr. Ann Kania, explains that cavities aren’t the only reason for you to be concerned about your child’s smile. (more…)

Is Periodontal Disease a Matter of the Heart?

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3D rendering of heartAmerican Heart Month, sponsored by the American Heart Association every February, is designed to raise awareness about the prevalence of heart disease and how to lower your risk for poor heart health. Keeping your mouth clean and healthy isn’t a guaranteed way to prevent heart disease, but experts agree that it certainly reduces your risk for inflammation linked to heart problems and other systemic issues. Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is a chronic inflammatory disease that destroys your gums and underlying jawbone as it progresses. One of the more significant symptoms of diseased gums is bleeding. When your oral tissues are infected, chewing and brushing your teeth can release oral bacteria into the bloodstream. According to recent research, the mechanisms behind periodontal disease, namely the bacteria that incite excessive swelling, are a significant contributor to some cases of coronary heart disease. (more…)

How Do You Repair Damaged Gums?

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woman pondering a thoughtThe reason why prevention and early treatment are vital to your continued good oral health is because gum disease is progressive, meaning that without intervention it only grows worse as time continues. If prevention fails, then gum disease will slowly destroy the foundations of your smile (i.e., gums and jawbone) until your mouth loses its ability to retain teeth. Mild to moderate gum disease can be addressed with an appropriate periodontal treatment, such as scaling and root planing. When disease has significantly riddled your gums, Dr. Kania may have to perform procedures to restore your periodontal health. (more…)

How Serious is Your Gum Disease?

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girl with worried smileIf you’ve developed gum disease, the severity of your condition depends on how long the disease has been neglected. The earlier it’s detected and treated, the less damage gum disease will be allowed to wreak on your soft gingival tissues, making timing one of the most significant factors in effective periodontal treatment. Gauging how serious your gum disease is requires a professional examination by your Encinitas periodontist, but preventing it from becoming a destructive force requires your attention and care, as well. (more…)

The Value of a Periodontal Cleaning

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thinking smilingPrevention is an important aspect of your periodontal (gum) care. Your Encinitas periodontist, Dr. Ann Kania, can repair and rebuild severely damaged periodontal tissue (gums) using innovative methods and technology, including lasers. However, Dr. Kania explains that the true purpose of expert periodontal care should be to prevent disease and the need for extensive treatment. A periodontal cleaning is a preventive measure designed to reduce inflammation the infection that leads to periodontal disease, before the condition can progress into something worse. As the first stage of periodontal disease, gingivitis marks the last phase at which the disease is still preventable if treated in time. (more…)

Examining Your Periodontal Health

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healthy thumbs up smilePeriodontal disease, or gum disease, is one of the most common dental diseases in the world today. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the most destructive, and its advanced form, periodontitis, is the leading cause of adult tooth loss in the United States. Periodontal disease is most likely to develop in a susceptable host in the midst of poor oral hygiene, when dental plaque builds up excessively on a patient’s teeth and along the gum line. The germs within plaque release toxins that specifically target periodontal tissue (gums), and can incite inflammation that can lead to aggressive periodontal disease. As a periodontist in Encinitas, Dr. Ann Kania specializes in periodontal health, and helping patients preserve their smiles through diligent care and maintenance. (more…)

Preserving Your Smile with Periodontics

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gumdisease

In the United States, gum disease is a prevalent and serious health issue. According to a recent study conduced by the Centers for Disease Control, over 64.7 million Americans exhibit the symptoms of periodontal disease. In order to improve the health and stability of your smile, your Encinitas periodontist, Dr. Ann Kania, offers treatment for gum disease. Learn more about our approach to providing quality periodontics.

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The Link Between Gum Disease, Tooth Loss, and Dental Implants

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young girl with thinking smileThanks to advanced dental knowledge and mass-media advertising, gum disease (and its beginning stage, gingivitis) is a well-known dental malady these days. You may recognize that swollen, bleeding gums can indicate the presence of gum disease, and that it’s typically a result of poor oral hygiene. However, did you know that severe gum disease is the leading cause of permanent tooth loss in the United States? Or that, when left untreated, the disease can progress past your gums and infect the jawbone underneath? Encinitas periodontist, Dr. Kania, warns that untreated gum disease may not only destroy your smile through tooth loss, but negatively affect your chances of successfully replacing lost teeth in the future, as well. (more…)