San Marcos Gentle Dental Blog

We’re always striving to find ways to improve the overall dental health of our patients.  Your smile is the greatest resource you have.  If we can help you improve it and make you feel better about yourself, then we can make a difference.

Are your dentures uncomfortable?  Do you experience dental pain when you eat?  Are you missing teeth and embarrassed to smile?  Have you noticed your remaining teeth are beginning to move or becoming crooked?  If you answered yes to any of these questions, dental implants may be for you.

The concept of dental implants has been around thousands of years.  Egyptian mummies have been found with several teeth replaced with carefully shaped seashells which were probably placed during the mummification process.  In recent times, the science of implantology was popularized in the 1950’s and 1960’s. 

Dental implants are an effective, natural-looking way to replace missing teeth and we can perform the entire process in our office.  Dental implants are the number one restorative option for the treatment of missing teeth.  They are virtually indistinguishable from your natural teeth and prevent bone loss and gum recession that often accompanies bridgework and dentures.  The implants themselves are small titanium posts which are placed where teeth are missing and act as your tooth root, only stronger.  A crown is then attached to the implant to simulate a real tooth.  Our goal for each and every dental implant we perform is for maximum strength and longevity of the reconstruction procedure.

Dental implants can also be used to better secure dentures enabling you to once again speak and eat with comfort and confidence.  They are secure and offer freedom from slipping and clicks associated with dentures.

If you think dental implants might be a solution for your smile, arrange a consultation with Dr. Donnelly.  Picture yourself with a big, bright smile once again.

February is American Heart Month, so we thought now would be a good time to go over how your dental health could affect your heart health.  More and more research is pointing to a connection between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease.  While the jury is still out regarding what exactly is the cause behind the connection, several possibilities have risen to the surface. 

As we already know, periodontal disease is mostly caused by bacteria.  In one study, researchers tested for the presence of eight varieties of oral bacteria.  They found the risk of heart attack was related significantly to three of those types: B. forsythus, P. gingivalis and C. recta.  Depending on the concentration of any of those three bacteria types, the increased risk of heart attack ranged from 200-300%, when compared to people with no evidence of the bacteria.

Another study looked at a different angle.  Researchers found periodontal disease increases blood levels of fibrinogen, a clotting factor, and C-reactive protein (CRP), a well known inflammatory.  They also found increased cholesterol levels in patients with periodontal disease.  The inflammatory property of CRP has been shown to increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.  Another study found patients with the highest levels of CRP were three times more likely to eventually suffer a heart attack, and two times more likely to suffer a stroke.  The bacteria flourishing in gum pockets of patients with periodontal disease circulates through the bloodstream and appears to trigger the liver to create CRP.  And patients with more severe periodontal disease tended to have higher levels of CRP.

A study published in Circulation reported a connection between thicker carotid arteries and higher levels of the bacteria that causes periodontal disease.  As we all know, a thickening of the arteries is often a precursor to heart attack or stroke.  Another study published in the Journal of Periodontology found periodontal disease appears to worsen the severity of coronary artery disease.

So no matter what’s behind the connection, it’s a good idea to avoid periodontal disease.  If you already have periodontal disease, it’s vita you get it under control and that begins with regular visits to our office.

We all want the best for our children and at the top of that list is good health.  There are several areas concerning your child’s health where we can be of help to your family. 

Primary baby teeth begin to appear between 6-10 months of age and can develop cavities even at that early age.  You need to clean the teeth daily by wiping them with gauze or a damp washcloth.  As your child gets older you can begin to use a soft bristle toothbrush.

It is recommended that children’s first visit to the dentist be scheduled around their third birthday, unless you have a concern or your child is complaining of discomfort.  When you bring your kids to see us regularly, you are instilling in them the importance of regular dental care.  We are able to make sure they understand how to properly care for their teeth at home, and they learn that their regular checkups can keep their teeth in tip-top shape.

Sealants are an excellent way to protect teeth from cavities.  These are a thin layer of a clear, smooth substance that is painted on the back teeth to fill the gaps where cavities begin to form.  Sealants are a great tool for helping your kids maintain a “no cavity” smile. 

Make sure little problems don’t become big ones.  When we see children regularly, we can monitor their dental development.  Growing bodies undergo many changes affecting your child’s overall health.  When you take preventative measures, like getting our child’s teeth cleaned regularly, it can prevent disease and decay that could otherwise go unnoticed.  Healthy teeth play an important part in your child’s overall wellbeing.