Pregnancy Gingivitis

As if swollen ankles and excess weight gain aren’t enough pregnancy side effects, women who are expecting should take extra precaution when it comes to their oral care. Hormonal changes hinder the body’s normal response to bacteria which can cause periodontal infections. Fortunately, Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro, DDS is here to help you maintain the issue if it were ever to arise.

Pregnancy gingivitis is caused by the hormonal changes that increase the blood flow to the gum tissue and cause your gums to be more sensitive, irritable, and swollen. The risk of developing pregnancy gingivitis usually increases in the second trimester and because your gums are the window to your overall health, it’s important to practice proper oral hygiene to prevent the problem from becoming worse. If you are pregnant or suspect you might be pregnant please let our office know when scheduling your appointment. Although most women make it through the nine months without oral discomfort, it’s important to take advantage of your options.

If you have questions or concerns about periodontal disease, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To schedule your appointment with Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro, DDS of New York, NY, call our office at (212) 988-1089 or visit our website, www.josephdallessandrodds.com. 

Rotary Endodontics for Smoother Root Canals

Root canal therapy has had a bad reputation in the past; however, thanks to new technology, the process is now quieter, quicker, and less uncomfortable. Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro, DDS of New York, NY uses rotary endodontics in our office to provide his patients with quick and easy root canals.

In the past, a manual file was used to perform root canal therapy. Rotary endodontics uses an electric drill that has a much more flexible file made of titanium alloy. The flexibility allows the dentist to go further into the root without stretching or damaging the canal. This means a more comfortable experience for the patient during and after the procedure. Rotary endodontics is also much quieter than the manual files of the past, so patients who are nervous about hearing the drilling can feel more at ease. Rotary endodontics also makes the process of a root canal quicker, a clear benefit for both the patient and the dentist.

The latest technology allows us to perform dental procedures more accurately and comfortable. That is why we have implemented rotary endodontics into our practice. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro, DDS in our New York, NY office, call us at (212) 988-1089 or visit our website, www.josephdallessandrodds.com. 

Crown Lengthening

Crown lengthening is a necessary procedure when dental work needs to be completed under the gumline. Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro, DDS offers crown lengthening here at his New York, NY dental office. Keep reading to learn more about the procedure.

Sometimes tooth decay can extend below the gum line and fillings need to be placed there. Other times a tooth may be broken off below the gumline, and there is not enough of the tooth above the gumline to place a restoration on it. Other times, a patient may have excess gum tissue that covers up part of their tooth. For these cases, a crown lengthening can be performed. Gum tissue is removed so that more of the tooth’s crown (the part of the tooth visible outside the gums) is exposed.

Even if only one tooth needs to be worked on, multiple teeth will have their crowns lengthened so that the gums can heal in a natural line. First, an incision is made and the gums are pulled back. To work on the tooth, sometimes some bone around the tooth roots will also need to be removed so if needed, the bone will be removed at this time. The area is then cleaned and the gums are stitched into their new place.

Crown lengthening can save a tooth or make a smile more appealing. To learn more or to schedule an appointment in our New York, NY dental office, call (212) 988-1089 or visit Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro’s website, www.josephdallessandrodds.com. 

Dental Hygiene Affects Your Overall Health

To ensure that you maintain great oral health, Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro and Dr. Thomas Chung want to make sure that your personal oral hygiene routine is at its highest quality.

Most of us are aware that poor dental hygiene can lead to bad breath, gum disease and tooth decay, but not brushing your teeth may also lead to more serious illnesses.

Like many areas of the body, your mouth is flooded with bacteria – most of them harmless. Normally, the body’s natural defenses can keep these bacteria under control. However, without proper oral hygiene, bacteria can reach levels that might lead to oral infections, including abcesses, gingivitis and periodontal disease. This in turn may lead to episodes of "bacteremia," where bacteria in the mouth enter the bloodstream and may spread to other parts of the body.

Bacteremias may cause serious consequences. The immune response to the bacteria in the bloodstream can cause inflammation, sepsis and septic shock. Bacteria can also use the blood to spread to other parts of the body, causing infections away from the original site of infection. Examples include endocarditis or osteomyelitis.

While still under study, more and more research suggest significant links between poor oral health and such systemic conditions as cardiovascular disease, stroke,and diabetes, in additon to adverse affects on pregnancies.

Several studies have found that gum disease is associated with an increased risk for heart attack. It may be that oral bacteria enter the bloodstream, attach to fatty plaques in the coronary arteries, increases inflammation and plaque buildup, and cause clots to form.  A 2007 study showed that periodontal disease (associated with bleeding gums and bacteremias) increased the risk of heart disease in men by one third and doubled it in women, even after controlling for smoking.

To protect your oral health, practice good oral hygiene every day and utilize these tips: brush your teeth twice a day, floss daily, eat a healthy diet and limit between-meal snacks, replace your toothbrush every three to four months or sooner if bristles are frayed and last but not least, schedule regular dental checkups.

 

 

If you wish to improve your dental hygiene routine, or you are due for a checkup, give us a call so we can assist you! To learn more about dental hygiene, visit www.josephdallessandrodds.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro or Dr. Thomas Chung, DDS in New York, NY, call 212-988-1089.