Your Local Winder Resource for Dental Health Awareness

Did you know your oral health can influence the rest of your body? Health scientists have made connections between inflammation in the mouth and complications with systemic illnesses such as heart disease, arthritis and diabetes to name a few.

Healthy gums don't bleed. A basic comparison would be if you had an open wound on your arm or leg. If it was bleeding or became infected, a doctor would recommend that it be cleaned and treated right away to avoid complications.

Gum disease (periodontal disease) in the mouth is an infection, similar to an open wound. It is a lot more difficult to see, clean and treat because it begins between the gums and the teeth. Periodontal disease will eventually work its way down and destroy jawbone, a condition known as periodontal bone loss.

The infection from periodontal disease enters the bloodstream just like any other infection. If you have heart disease or diabetes and are vulnerable to infections already, having harmful bacteria traveling through your circulatory system can be a big problem.

During your dental check-ups and cleanings with our dentists and hygienists, we will measure your gums and advise you of any warning signs of periodontal disease. If your gums are receding or bleed when you brush, please Contact Our Dental Team to learn more about periodontal disease.

You may have heard of oral cancer in the news. For years, oral cancer has been associated with smoking and alcohol use. Over the past decade, the occurrence of oral cancer diagnoses linked to HPV (Human Papillomavirus) have increased. Regular dental examinations have proven to be crucial in early detection and treatment of this life-threatening form of cancer.

Oral cancer usually appears as a small sore or discoloration on the tongue, lips, inside of the cheek or on the soft tissue in mouth. If the sore does not go away in about a week, it is time to call your dentist or physician to have it checked out.

Head and neck cancers are closely related to oral cancer. If you have a sore throat or persistent cough, or a feeling of a lump in your throat that lasts for more than a few days, it is time to contact your doctor.

If you have questions about oral cancer, please do not hesitate to Contact Us.

A child's smile instantly warms the heart. Building healthy brushing habits with your child and staying in tune with their oral health is also very important to their overall well-being.

A CDC (Centers for Disease Control) study states that “children who have poor oral health often miss more school and receive lower grades than children who don't.” As your family dentist, we want to stay on the lookout for any signs of tooth decay or other dental problems to keep your child's smile healthy and feeling great.

Children and Tooth Decay

Children have deep pits and grooves in the chewing surfaces of their teeth, making them hard to clean. It is not uncommon to develop cavities in baby teeth or permanent teeth, even with good brushing habits.

A tooth cavity may appear to be stain, usually it is a barely noticeable dark brown or black spot on the tooth surface. Tooth decay typically begins as a small hole in the surface of the tooth enamel, and then spreads across the tooth and into the tooth nerve. That tiny dark spot may actually be a very deep, wide cavity.

A child with a deep cavity may develop a tooth abscess and facial swelling if the decay is not treated before it develops into a localized infection. This can escalate quickly into a serious health issue.

Prevention is the key. We recommend that you assist your child with brushing and flossing until they can master it on their own, usually when they can tie their shoes by themselves. We also recommend that your child see a dentist regularly when they can sit in the dental chair and are able to follow basic instructions to allow us to clean and check their teeth, around age 3 or 4.

If you notice any issues with your child's teeth before then, you may contact your pediatrician or Contact Us for information.