Stress and Tooth Loss

You’ve probably heard that stress is bad for your health, and at Chapel Street Dental, we want you to know that your oral health is no exception. Although we can treat tooth damage, patients need to understand the effects of stress so they can take preventive action.

Stress harms the mouth through inflammation and by triggering destructive behaviors. People who are under prolonged stress have weaker immune systems. Less able to fight off bacterial infection, they are at risk for gingivitis, which causes the gums to bleed. Periodontal disease, the more advanced form of gingivitis, causes erosion to tooth roots and their supporting bone structure.

Besides the hormonal effect, stress is also responsible for harmful attempts at self-soothing, such as jaw clenching and nighttime teeth grinding (called bruxism). The increased pressure on the teeth can cause them to crack, and in the worst cases, they can even break. It can also cause them to migrate. While psychological counseling may be necessary to deal with the root cause of bruxism or inflammation, we can still provide our patients with some protection. Night guards prevent the jaw from moving while the wearer is asleep, and we provide periodontal therapy to combat gingivitis.

Chapel Street Dental is located at 806 Chapel St, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510. To schedule an appointment, call 203-772-1000 or visit New Haven Dental and fill out a contact form.

 

Periodontitis

When gingivitis is left untreated, it can advance to the next stage of periodontal disease and that is periodontitis. Unlike gingivitis, periodontitis is a little more challenging to treat, as it requires a deep cleaning of the gums. Periodontitis, like gingivitis, begins with plaque. If your oral care routine is inadequate, our doctors at Chapel Street Dental are here to help change that.

Periodontitis is preventable and treatable but the best way to avoid it is through prevention. As this stage of gum disease progresses, you may notice swollen and irritable gums, gums that feel tender when touched, persistent bad breath, and receding gums. When gums recede, the only way to restore the tissue is through a gum graft. We hope that your oral care habits never become this bad and encourage you to visit our office twice a year for routine dental exams.

If you have questions or concerns regarding periodontal disease, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.newhavendentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Chapel Street Dental in New Haven, CT, call 203-772-1000.

Gingivitis

If you notice a bit of blood in the sink when you brush and floss, this is a common sign of gingivitis. You can prevent gingivitis by practicing proper oral care habits such as brushing teeth twice a day for two minutes and flossing at least once a day. If you floss your teeth every day for one week, you’ll notice that the blood will disappear. Gingivitis is the only stage of periodontal disease that can be reversed but our doctors at Chapel Street Dental would rather you take preventive measures.

The most common cause of gingivitis is poor oral hygiene habits. Perhaps you find any excuse you can to avoid brushing your teeth in the morning, afternoon, or before bed. Gingivitis can cause swollen and puffy gums, dark red gums, bad breath, and gums that bleed easily. The best thing you can do in addition to improving your oral care routine is to visit us twice a year for dental checkups.

If you have questions or concerns regarding periodontal disease, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.newhavendentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Chapel Street Dental in New Haven, CT, call 203-772-1000.

Diabetes and Gum Disease

We highly value preventive care at Chapel Street Dental in New Haven. Gum disease is a common ailment, particularly among people with diabetes, which is why we want them to be aware of the importance of oral hygiene.

Infections in the gum pockets cause gum disease. There are always some bacteria between the tooth root and the gum, and there is always a thin, sticky layer, called plaque, which sugar gets trapped in. Inflammation, or gingivitis, occurs when there is a large amount of sugar and a lot of bacteria feed on it and produce acid. The acid gets trapped in the plaque, irritating the gums.

People with diabetes have a harder time fighting off infections in general, and when their blood sugar level is uncontrolled, oral bacteria will multiply more rapidly and produce more acid. If gingivitis is not treated, it could progress to periodontal disease. At that point, the patient’s gum, tooth, and jaw bone structure would all be in peril. This is why diabetes patients should take special care to maintain regular appointments for deep cleanings and scaling and be especially vigilant about brushing and flossing when their blood sugar is high.

Chapel Street Dental is located at 806 Chapel St, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510. To schedule an appointment, call 203-772-1000 or visit NewHavenDental.care and fill out a contact form.