Impact of Smoking on Oral Health

Bad breath, tooth discoloration, and increase build-up of plaque and tartar on the teeth are only a few of the unpleasant characteristics that arise while smoking. At the dental practice of Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro, we know you understand that smoking is bad for your overall health, so it should be no surprise that cigarettes and chewing tobacco are harmful to your oral health as well.

Not only does smoking increase the chance that you will develop gum disease, it makes treatment much more difficult because smoking hinders the healing in your mouth. Smoking and other tobacco products can lead to gum disease by affecting the attachment of bone and soft tissue to your teeth. More specifically, it appears that smoking interferes with the normal function of gum tissue cells. This interference makes smokers more prone to infections, such as periodontal disease, and also seems to impair blood flow to the gums – which may affect wound healing.

If you have questions or concerns regarding smoking and dental health, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.josephdallessandro.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro in our New York, NY office, call 212-988-1089.

Gum Disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis

When people are suffering from autoimmune disorders, their dentist becomes a much more important part of their care team. At Dr. Joseph Dallessandro’s Upper East Side practice, we want to help patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) understand why they are at risk for periodontal disease.

A recent study found that 70% of people with RA have gum disease, twice the rate of the general population. This could be partly due to people with RA having difficulty brushing and flossing their teeth, but gum disease is also common in people whose RA had not progressed that far. Instead, scientists think it is because of the structure of the gingival tissue. RA occurs when the body’s immune system attacks a joint lining called synovium, and gum tissue shares some crucial DNA markers with synovium.

RA is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Patients can reduce their risk for it and gum disease by not smoking. If they are having difficulty with their oral hygiene, they may want to consider an electric toothbrush and floss picks. They may also find themselves in need of throat moisturizers if RA affects their salivary glands.

Joseph S. Dallessandro, DDS, and Jiah Choi, DDS, operate at 360 E 72nd St, Ste B, New York, New York, 10021. To set up an appointment, call 212-988-1089, or visit Joseph Dallessandro DDS and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Loose Permanent Teeth

While many of us were excited to have loose teeth as children, the same is not true in adulthood. If a permanent tooth wiggles around, it’s in serious trouble, and patients should seek help from a dentist immediately.

Doctors classify long-term damage to the teeth as primary or occlusal trauma. Primary trauma is the result of damage from stress, as happens when a patient grinds their teeth at night. Secondary occlusal trauma is the result of severe periodontal disease. When the gums are severely infected, they, the roots of the teeth, and the jaw bone all lose tissue.

With a weakened jaw bone, other teeth are vulnerable to becoming loose, as well. Dentists must act quickly and the first thing that needs to be done is controlling the periodontal infection. Once the decay has been stopped it will probably be necessary to put the teeth in a splint for a time. Teeth that are severely compromised may need to be replaced with implants, which may also necessitate a jaw bone graft depending on how much tissue it has lost.

Joseph S. Dallessandro, DDS, and Jiah Choi, DDS, operate at 360 E 72^nd St, Ste B, New York, New York, 10021. To set up an appointment, call 212-988-1089, or visit JosephDallessandroDDS.com, and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Gum Disease: Periodontitis

Periodontitis is an advanced form of gum disease that can develop if the first stage of gum disease – gingivitis – is left untreated. Unlike gingivitis which leaves a little bit of blood behind when you brush, periodontitis causes gums to pull away from the teeth. This action leaves deep pockets where plaque and bacteria can build up a lot faster. Periodontitis can progress until the teeth are loose and the bones that support the teeth are damaged. This is why it’s important to visit Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro twice a year for professional cleanings to prevent all stages of periodontal disease.

Periodontitis not only destroys the bones that support the teeth, this condition is critical to your oral health. Your mouth is the window to your overall health and long-term periodontitis may lead to increased blood sugar levels, as well as an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Like any other form of periodontal disease, periodontitis begins with plaque. Therefore, the more frequently your teeth are plaque-free, the less likely you are to succumb to periodontal problems. It’s important to prevent periodontal disease with a rigorous oral hygiene routine. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss at least once a day, and visit Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro for dental health exams at least twice a year.

If you have questions or concerns regarding periodontal disease, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.josephdallessandro.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro in our New York, NY office, call 212-988-1089.

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. 

Different Levels of Gum Disease

Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums that can progress to affect the bone that surrounds and supports your teeth and there are three stages that you should be aware of. The earliest stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. If caught early enough, it can be reversed. However, if your gum disease gets out of control it can turn into periodontitis which may eventually lead to tooth loss. It is important to schedule professional cleanings and oral exams with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro twice a year to avoid this condition. 

• Gingivitis – This is the earliest stage of gum disease, an inflammation of the gums caused by plaque buildup at the gum line. If daily brushing and flossing do not remove the plaque, it produces toxins that can irritate the gum tissue, causing gingivitis. This is when you’ll notice blood in the sink after you complete your brushing routine. However, at this early stage, damage can be reversed, since the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place are not yet affected.


• Periodontitis – This is the second stage of gum disease. By this point, the supporting bone and fibers that hold your teeth in place are irreversibly damaged. Your gums may even begin to form a pocket below the gum line, which traps food and plaque.


• Advanced Periodontitis – This is the final stage of gum disease, and the fibers and bone supporting your teeth are officially destroyed. In this case, your teeth may begin to shift or loosen and your bite may also be affected. If aggressive treatment can’t save them, the teeth will need to be extracted.

If you experience gum inflammation, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.josephdallessandro.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro in our New York, NY office, call 212-988-1089.

Causes and Prevention of Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is preventable and Dr. Joseph Dallessandro can offer you a variety of services to keep your gums healthy. Dental plaque and bacteria are major villains of periodontal (gum) disease. Swollen and bleeding gums are early signs that your gums are infected with bacteria. If nothing is done, the infection can spread. Eventually, your teeth can become so loose that they have to be extracted.

 

Periodontal disease is caused by bacteria in dental plaque. Plaque is the sticky substance that forms on your teeth soon after you have brushed. In an effort to get rid of the bacteria, the cells of your immune system release substances that inflame and damage the gums, periodontal ligament or alveolar bone. This leads to gingivitis (the earliest stage of periodontal disease) and when left untreated can cause severe periodontitis which causes tooth decay.

 

You can prevent periodontal disease by practicing good oral hygiene and visiting the dental office regularly. Most people should see a dentist about once every six months, but if you already have gum disease you may need to visit more often.

If you suffer from mouth, give us a call so we can discuss treatment options. To learn more about periodontal disease, visit www.josephdallessandrodds.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro, DDS in New York, NY, call 212-988-1089.