Research has long suggested a link between gum disease and chronic health issues such as heart disease, stroke and even diabetes for decades. It is the why that has plagued researchers but not anymore. More targeted studies have led to a new theory that it is the inflammation that may link the mouth and body.

Inflammation is typically your body’s natural defense to injuries or infections and is a good thing. But when it lingers too long this same inflammation becomes a threat to your health. The same shines true for inflammation in your mouth.

In light of new evidence dental practitioners no longer believe that gum disease is solely the result of a bacterial infection caused by a build-up of plaque. Instead they now suspect that the more severe symptoms of gum disease are more likely caused by chronic inflammatory response to the bacterial infection.

Beat Down Plague and Reduce Risk of Serious Illness

To stay healthy and keep that long lasting smile consider having a detailed periodontal exam completed so you can have a base point and know where you stand in terms of the current health of your teeth and gums. Then discuss what oral hygiene regimen is best for your situation.

While you wait for your periodontal exam you don’t have to waste precious time at home. There are life-long tried, and prove, techniques that help to prevent gum disease including; brush and floss twice daily, ensure you are brushing the complete surface of your teeth, floss all surfaces of each tooth using the ‘c’ shape around each side of the tooth, and observe your mouth daily for unusual changes and have anything new looked at immediately.

As you move forward with your efforts to protect your gums be sure to consult with a Periodontist in Chicago by contacting Dr. Michael Marcus treats gum disease with a laser, not a scalpel.

According to a study published in the February 2009 Journal of Periodontology confirmed that stress may in fact interfere with oral hygiene with 56% of participants self-reporting personally neglecting their oral hygiene when experiencing prolonged stress levels, leaving their gums vulnerable to gum disease.

To top that the President of the American Academy of Periodontology says a stressful lifestyle makes it easy for people to abuse harmful habits such as chain smoking and drinking excessive alcohol, both being proven habits to increase risk for gum disease.

Additionally the study reported that chronic stress was associated with higher and more prolonged levels of cortisol. Combine this data with previous research that showed increased amounts of cortisol in the bloodstream can lead to a more destructive form of periodontal disease and it becomes easy to understand how excessive stress levels can lead you down a rapid path towards advanced gum disease.

Reducing Stress Can Improve the Health of Your Gums and Save You Money

If excessive stress is taunting your life what can you do to reduce it? To start consider finding a healthy way to relieve your stress such as; regular exercise, eating a well balanced diet, and getting adequate sleep.

What are you waiting for? Lifestyle changes as simple as these not only reduce your risk for gum disease but they can dramatically improve your overall health as well and lower your medical expenses. So get started right away by developing a plan tailored just for you.

If you are experiencing high levels of stress consider contacting a Long Island Periodontist right away. If you’re a little uneasy about treatment options you’ll be pleased to know that Dr. Michael Marcus is skilled in early detection and treatment of periodontal disease and offers patients an alternative to traditional surgery.

According to a new study published in the Journal of Periodontology there may be a direct link between gum disease and prediabetes and with 54 million people in the United States showing signs of prediabetes the link between gum disease and prediabetes is a growing concern.

Prediabetes is a condition where your blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. Out of the 54 million people with prediabetes the American Diabetes Association estimates that a significant number of them will develop Type 2 diabetes within 10 years.

Tackling Gum Disease and Prediabetes Together

Researchers found having periodontal disease can alter your metabolic conditions, which in turn leads to prediabetes and the progression to Type 2 diabetes. So the treatment options you choose go hand in hand with correcting gum disease and prevention of prediabetes, making the job have higher stakes.

Don’t let gum disease take its toll on your health. Step up and take measures to protect yourself today. If you notice any signs of gum disease including, red or swollen gums, bleeding while you brush or persistent bad breath contact a Periodontist right away. Early treatment could be the difference in your test results.

Patients who are looking for a Periodontist to help monitor and teat the progression of Chicago gum disease should contact Dr. Marcus. He can treat gum disease with a laser rather than a scalpel.

1,775 patients, who had 3,694 teeth extracted, were evaluated in an effort to determine commonalities between each patient experiencing tooth loss. What they found was that more teeth per patient were lost as a result of gum disease than any other cause with periodontal disease accounting for the majority of extracted teeth in patients over 35.

This data was used to compile six risk factors that increase your chances for developing gum disease. These factors include:

1. Age
2. Gender
3. Smoking
4. Lack of professional maintenance
5. Inadequate oral
6. Health factors

Know what factors increase your risks can empower you to stay ahead of your oral health. Regular brushing and flossing may be your most powerful tool in prevention but won’t do the job alone. Keeping your regular dental appointments and adding in a regular periodontal exam will help keep you in the lead of harmful bacteria that causes gum disease.

Prevention is always easier than treatment. Educate yourself on how to best prevent gum disease and then take action immediately. But don’t beat yourself up if you start to notice signs of gum disease. Instead remember early intervention is critical.

If signs of gum disease develop Dr. Michael Marcus treats gum disease with a laser, not a scalpel. This is great news for people who have been referred to a Periodontist Chicago and are interested in an alternative to surgery.

According to a recent study published in the Journal of Periodontology estrogen deficiency and osteoporosis speed the process of bone loss following menopause, which may lead to tooth loss, making it important for women entering menopause to take a few extra measures in maintaining a healthy smile.

What researchers found was women taking estrogen supplementation might reduce inflammation of the gums and frequency of attachment loss in women showing signs of osteoporosis, a common ingredient of menopause, to help protect that natural smile. Estrogen is a common supplement provided to women with menopause to help reduce the risk of osteoporosis, alleviate common menopause symptoms and reduce the risk for coronary artery disease.

In addition to estrogen supplements women should be sure to keep all regular dental check-ups throughout the year. It is also a good idea to receive regular periodontal evaluations for early detection and treatment if the need should arise. On a daily basis monitor the health of your mouth for any signs of gum disease including:

• Bleeding gums while brushing or flossing
• Persistent bad breath
• Red or swollen gums
• Receded gums

If signs of gum disease develop and you are looking for a Periodontist in Chicago contact Dr. Marcus. He can treat gum disease with a laser rather than a scalpel.

As popular as this fear is it appears to be completely unjustified with less than 10% of patients actually experiencing any discomfort with their treatments. Out of 164 Periodontists polled, three quarters of them indicated that the majority of their patients reported no discomfort at all during treatment.

With so few patients ever experiencing discomfort where does this fear come from? It would seem the majority of fears originate from stories shared by family and friends who received treatments 10 years earlier, with little awareness that the advances in dentistry has paved a new road for today’s patients.

Advances with modern dentistry has allowed Periodontists country wide to offer less evasive treatment plans. Stay on the lookout for early warning signs of gum disease including:

• Bleeding while brushing and flossing
• Red or swollen gums
• Loose or missing teeth
• Persistent bad breath
• Changes in the way your teeth fit in your mouth

Don’t let fear keep you from having a healthy smile. If you’re experiencing anxieties when thinking about periodontal treatment rest assured knowing there are less evasive options available today. For patients who want to be sure they are receiving a comfortable treatment Dr. Michael Marcus is a Periodontist Chicago who treats gum disease with a laser, not a scalpel.

According to a study published in the Journal of Periodontology feelings of overwhelm are common with periodontal patients who also suffer from depression. In fact it is believed that these feelings of overwhelm may be the leading cause for less than optimal results when treating patients with depression.

This study monitored 697 patients with 85 of them being diagnosed with some type of depression. Each patient had at least three diseased sites in the mouth with an equivalent depth. The patients were monitored from the initial evaluation until the follow-up one-year later. The results showed that 7.4 percent of mentally healthy patients showed improvement where only 4.7 percent of the depressed patients showed improvement.

Gum disease begins with plaque build-up along the gum line. As the disease progresses it leads to deep pockets exposing the tooth root, eventually leading to tooth decay and possibly missing teeth. The more advanced the disease is the more commitment required for success. For patients suffering from depression this can seem like an unobtainable goal.

What does this mean for periodontal patients suffering from depression? Simple, talk with your Periodontist from the start about your depression. Together you can develop a treatment plan that you can stick to and increase the chances of success.

If you’re faced with the overwhelming task of fighting Chicago gum disease don’t let the treatment add to your anxiety. Dr. Michael Marcus treats gum disease with a laser, not a scalpel, giving patients a relaxing visit every time.

The study evaluated the outcome of three different treatment options for patients with moderate to severe periodontal disease including surgical treatment, non-surgical treatment or no treatment at all, where forty-eight percent of the teeth receiving the surgical treatment showed improved prognosis compared to only 12% for either of the other two options. Additionally the study revealed that 35% of the teeth that did not receive any treatment actually worsened in prognosis.

Study author Stephen Harrel points out that the results of this study are very important for patients who want to keep their teeth for a lifetime, sharing that it’s essential for patients to understand that optimal results are not always possible with non-surgical methods used, and with no treatment.

When it comes to keeping your smile beautiful be as informed as possible. To help keep your teeth at their best for a lifetime consider practicing a few simple oral hygiene routines including;

• Brush daily using a medium or soft bristled brush,
• Floss using proper technique ensuring to clean every surface of your teeth and gum line,
• Eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of water,
• Keep scheduled cleanings every 6 months with your dentist,
• Have regular periodontal exams

As an extra measure observe your mouth daily for early warning signs of gum disease that may include: red or swollen gums, bleeding while brushing or flossing, persistent bad breath, loose or missing teeth. If you notice any unusual changes and need to see a Periodontist Chicago, contact Dr. Michael Marcus. He can effectively treat gum disease with a laser, not a scalpel.

According to a case recently featured in the Journal of Periodontology a 48-yr old man found a lump on his gums and decided to have a periodontal exam done with the University’s dental school where they discovered this lump was more than your typical acidic blister.

After a biopsy the growth was identified as squamous cell carcinoma and was surgically removed by removing the gum tissue and part of the jawbone. For this gentleman finding the oral cancer was a blessing since it revealed a rare systemic disease that could have later threatened his life unexpectedly after failing to heal correctly. The disease they found was a systemic illness known as a protein S deficiency.

Regular periodontal exams are the best way to ensure the health of your gums and to screen for possible oral cancers. In addition to regular periodontal exams monitor your gums daily for signs of early gum disease including; red or swollen gums, persistent bad breath, a change in how your teeth (or dentures) fit in your mouth, bleeding gums and loose or missing teeth.

During your exam your Periodontist will be able to identify early signs of gum disease, oral infections and even oral cancers. In addition to the expected oral symptoms a regular periodontal exam can help identify and diagnose systemic illnesses early enough to have positive responses to treatment.

If you’ve been referred to a Periodontist in Chicago contact Dr. Michael Marcus. He is trained in the early detection, treatment and prevention of periodontal disease using a laser treatment, making your experience as comfortable as possible. Give Dr. Marcus a call today.

According to two separate studies published in the Journal of Periodontology there is substantiated evidence to support the claim. The first study evaluated 150 individuals with periodontal disease. The second study looked at the DNA of the bacteria residing in the plaque and found the exact same DNA in the individuals’ heart arteries.

As far-fetched as this may seem it’s rather simple to explain. Each pocket along the gum line contains tiny pores. Prior to the gums becoming inflamed the pores are too tiny for the bacteria to fit through. However, as the bacterial infection progresses chronic inflammation develops in the gums, enlarging the size of the pores. Once large enough the bacteria can pass through the pores and enter the blood stream, traveling all over the body.

In addition to depositing bacterium in various organs along the way your tainted blood enters the heart dropping off more passengers within the valves making oral care a top priority in your cardiovascular routine.

To improve your oral health and reduce the risk of heart disease monitor your mouth daily for signs of periodontal disease including:

• Red or swollen gums
• Frequent bleeding while brushing or flossing
• Persistent bad breath
• Changes in the way your teeth fit in your mouth
• Gums that have pulled away from your teeth
• Loose or missing teeth

If signs of gum disease develop contact a local Periodontist right away. It’s important to have Chicago gum disease treated by a skilled professional as soon as possible. If you’re interested in alternative treatments to traditional surgery contact Dr. Michael Marcus. He treats gum disease with a laser, not a scalpel.