Colorado Advanced Dentistry

Visit These Sites To Learn More About Gum Disease

Gum disease affects three out of every four Americans and is a leading factor in adult tooth loss. Explore these online resources for the information you need on gum disease and how it can affect your dental and overall health:

• In addition to laser treatments, scaling and root planing is an effective treatment for gum disease. WebMD.com explains this procedure in further detail.
• Diabetics are particularly susceptible to gum disease, and recent evidence shows gum disease may also worsen or trigger diabetes. You can learn more about these findings on Diabetes.org.
• Preventing gum disease is an important step in preventing endocarditis, or infection of the heart. ScienceDaily.com provides more information about how mouth and heart health are linked.
• What are the many benefits of the LANAP procedure? Click over to LANAP.com to find out!
• Pregnancy gingivitis commonly affects women who are pregnant. You can find out how to manage and prevent this condition by visiting AmericanPregnancy.org.

At Colorado Advanced Dentistry, our focus is on helping you attain and maintain a healthy, beautiful smile. We provide comfortable and state-of-the-art treatment, including the LANAP procedure for the treatment of gum disease, in our Lakewood dental office. Visit us on the web or call (720) 420-1103 to find out how Dr. Snitzer and her team can improve your smile today. 

Understanding the Dangers of Untreated Gum Disease

Gum disease is a progressive condition that destroys the connective tissues in your mouth. It is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults. Left untreated, this bacterial infection does not stay confined to the mouth and can have significant consequences for your overall health.

Dental Complications
As gum disease progresses, your gums retract away from your teeth. This leaves pockets where bacteria and plaque can easily accumulate, leading to tooth decay. The loss of protective gum tissues may also cause tooth sensitivity when eating or drinking. If the infection is left unchecked, the connective tissues between the teeth and the jaw will eventually be destroyed. This causes shifting or loose teeth that may fall out or require extraction.

Cardiovascular Complications
Gum disease doesn’t end with your gums—bacteria can enter the bloodstream through the gums and travel to the heart. This can lead to endocarditis, an infection of the lining or the valves of the heart. Additionally, those with untreated gum disease are at increased risk for heart attacks, strokes, and other serious cardiovascular issues.

Pregnancy Complications
Many women experience pregnancy gingivitis as hormonal changes make them more susceptible to gum disease. Women with untreated gum disease are more likely to deliver pre-term or low-birth-weight babies. This can put your child at risk if they are born before their lungs have had time to sufficiently develop.

Diabetes Complications
For those with diabetes, gum disease can present additional complications. Diabetics are more susceptible to infection, meaning it is easier to develop gum disease. Untreated gum disease results in greater difficulty managing blood glucose levels. Furthermore, those with pre-diabetes or a risk of developing diabetes may be at increased risk due to prolonged infection of the gums.

Don’t leave gum disease untreated—contact Colorado Advanced Dentistry today at (720) 420-1103. Our dental team specializes in state-of-the-art treatment and comfortable gum therapy to eliminate gum disease and improve your smile. Visit us on the web to learn more about our services in Lakewood, CO. 

A Look at Periodontal Disease and Pregnancy

During pregnancy, your health is important for the health of your developing baby. Women with periodontal disease are at increased risk for pre-term labor and low-birth-weight babies.

This video explains why periodontal disease causes pre-term labor. When your gums retract from around your teeth, bacteria can easily enter your bloodstream. Your body’s response is to create a chemical that increases your risk of going into labor early. By keeping your teeth and gums healthy, you can improve your own health and reduce the risk of having a pre-term baby.

You can prevent gum disease during pregnancy by visiting us at Colorado Advanced Dentistry. Dr. Snitzer and her team specialize in the treatment and prevention of periodontal disease for a healthier mouth and body. You can learn more about us and LANAP laser gum treatment by calling (720) 420-1103 or clicking on our website. 

What to Expect from the LANAP Procedure

Today, dental technology provides comfortable and effective treatment to reverse the effects of gum disease. The Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure, or LANAP, is a revolutionary new laser treatment that eliminates gum disease and encourages healing of the gums. Dr. Snitzer of Colorado Advanced Dentistry is licensed to provide this treatment to patients to improve oral and overall health.

How LANAP Works
The LANAP procedure uses a thin laser fiber to remove diseased gum tissue and promote healing. No other procedure has been found to facilitate reattachment of gum tissue to the tooth roots following cleaning and treatment of gum disease. Additionally, the use of laser technology allows for this procedure to be performed comfortably with only local anesthesia so that you can return to work or other activities after your dental appointment. Full treatment with LANAP requires two sessions of two hours each: one visit to treat each half of your mouth.

What LANAP Treatment Entails
After administering local anesthetic as needed, your dentist will insert a laser fiber into the pocket between your gums and your teeth. The laser removes diseased tissue while preserving healthy gum tissue. Next, using a sonic scaler and other instruments, your dentist will remove bacterial buildup from the roots of your teeth. The laser fiber is then reinserted and used to seal off gum tissue to prevent bacteria from entering the gum pocket in the future. The gum tissue is then gently pressed against the clean tooth root to reestablish a healthy connection between the tooth and gums. A high-speed tool may be used to adjust the surface of your teeth if your bite has been affected by the progression of gum disease, after which the procedure is completed and your gums will be allowed to heal.

You can learn more about LANAP and how it can help you smile healthier by calling Colorado Advanced Dentistry today at (720) 420-1103. Dr. Snitzer will answer all of your questions to ensure that you receive the best treatment for your needs. You’ll find more information about LANAP and the other dental procedures we offer by visiting our website. 

Take A Look At These Links To Get The Facts About Your Tooth Health

Everyone wants to have healthy teeth and gums, but keeping your mouth in top shape requires preventative care. Use these resources to learn more about keeping plaque and tartar at bay and gum disease in case you do start to experience symptoms.

• Learning which habits cause the buildup of tooth plaque allows you to avoid those bad practices and keep your plaque in check.
• You can minimize tartar and plaque buildup between dentist visits with these at-home remedies.
• Following these daily dental care guidelines will make your dentist visits as smooth and painless as possible.
• Gum disease comes in different forms. Learn more about gingivitis and periodontitis here.
• Find out about the causes and types of gum disease with this article.

If you need a dentist for regular dental check-ups, or if you think you are experiencing signs of tooth or gum disease, contact Colorado Advanced Dentistry. Our dentists can help you prevent and treat oral ailments. Call us today at (720) 420-1103 to learn more.