Periodontics & Implantology Blog

For many people, a problem in the mouth quickly becomes a source of stress, worry and sometimes pain. And that’s understandable, given what we now know about oral health and how that signifies other conditions in our bodies. Our mouths, filled with bacteria, are the gateway to other important parts, like the digestive and respiratory tracts. Generally, this bacteria is good, but without a good regimen of oral care - like brushing and flossing regularly - the bad bacteria that is in the mix can quickly overwhelm our health. 

Loose teeth are a sign that something has gotten out of whack in the mouth. Good healthy gums and bones have a tight grip on the teeth that are anchored there. When those gums start to let go, it’s an urgent call to action - something that should be dealt with immediately. After all, your adult teeth are meant to last your lifetime. Let’s take a look at some of the things that can cause loose teeth.

In recent years, dental emergencies have constituted around 2.1 million of the nation’s emergency room visits. Periodontal health struggles are a silent epidemic; so many are affected, yet so few are talking about it. We don’t want you to suffer in silence any longer, so we’re stepping up to the plate. Let’s talk about the hard stuff, like why so many people neglect their dental health, what the consequences are and how you can turn things around when they’ve gone too far.

According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 30 percent of the U.S. population is moderately or severely impacted by gum disease. Unfortunately, serious gum disease has been directly linked to tooth loss and the need for dentures. This impacts all of us by increasing the costs of healthcare - a burden we all bear indirectly. And you might find it interesting to learn that your gender does make a difference: Fifty-seven percent of males, compared to 39 percent of females, are likely to have moderate to serious periodontal disease.

It seems like the whole world has spent the last year dealing with the virus known as Covid-19. Some places are more familiar with dealing with what we now know is a pandemic, but for many of us, this is our first foray into the terrifying world of an unknown and easily transmittable - and deadly - disease. We’ve learned a lot over the last year. And some of what we have learned has to do with how our bodies handle and react to a disease caused by a virus like Covid-19. We’ve always known that healthier bodies with strong immune systems are more likely to fight and win a battle against a foreign invader like a virus, but did you know that the state of your oral health plays a major part in the health of your body?

Many people don’t want to admit — and therefore refuse to deal with — that they have a missing tooth or missing teeth. There seems to be a level of shame associated with losing adult teeth, but this phenomenon is common and not shameful. The truth is, most adults have lost at least one tooth — 1/4 of people over the age of 65 have lost all of their teeth, nearly 70 percent of people aged 35 to 44 have at least one missing tooth, and tooth loss results from a number of factors ranging from injury to gum disease.

What we’re trying to say is that losing teeth is a reality for many adults, and the real problem isn’t the lost tooth itself, but not doing something to fix it. Still not convinced? We invite you to read on to learn why you really should replace your missing teeth.

Tooth loss is more common among adults than you might think; more than 35 million people in the United States are missing some or all of their teeth. Therefore, if, as an older American you are dealing with tooth loss, don’t feel alone or out of options.

“But wait,” you might be thinking. “I don’t want to be stuck with the hassle of dentures for the rest of my life!”It’s true that many people report that life with dentures is full of strain and discomfort, especially when dentures rely on the support of something as unstable, tender and movable as your gum tissue. Luckily for you, dentures are by no means your only option.

So, what if we told you that you can replace a whole arch of teeth with only four dental implants? And what if we told you that you could have a whole new smile in a mere day? No, it’s not too good to be true — all of this and more is possible with all-on-4 dental implants!

In today’s day and age of health and wellness, we tend to be more concerned about our mental and physical well-being, completely dismissing our dental health.  Did you know that both gingivitis and periodontitis have been shown to raise your risk of illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, pneumonia, and cancer?  Understanding the symptoms and receiving proper treatment will help decrease those risks and result in overall better health.

Is there a link between gum disease and Alzheimer’s? Can taking care of your gums and teeth also help protect your brain?  Studies show that there is a modest connection, but researchers are being cautiously optimistic before making conclusive statements.

As Alzheimer’s afflicts millions of our loved ones - more than 3 million US cases per year, many of us try to understand why and how this happens.  New research has found a link between gum disease, dementia and the bacterium found in both infected gums and brain tissue of Alzheimer’s patients.

A study published last year in the journal Science Advances, found that people with chronic gum disease for 10 years or more had a 70 percent higher risk of Alzheimer’s than those without gum disease.

Many people believe that dental work is painful, but with today’s technology and knowledge, beneficial dental work will most likely cause only minor discomfort, in most cases. At San Antonio Periodontics & Implants, our staff is trained to be gentle and to make sure your experience with us is as comfortable as possible.

Scaling and root planing, while sounding a little scary, is actually a very beneficial procedure that can help you keep your teeth is the best of shape. Scaling and root planing is not a surgical procedure, but more of a deep cleaning that is necessary when harmful bacteria-caused plaque begins to threaten your healthy teeth and gums.

Nobody really wants to hear that they need dental surgery. And when the surgery is associated with correcting things with scary-sounding names, like gingivitis and periodontitis, it can be even worse. 

At San Antonio Periodontics and Implants, we understand that the prospect of surgery can be scary. Our professional staff, Dr. Steven Maller and Dr. William Stalker, are experienced and caring. You’ll find that we can make your experience with dental surgery a less scary idea.

The New Year is upon us and we all know what that means. Lots of reflecting over the past year, fresh starts and New Year’s resolutions. Most resolutions are doomed to fail since people try to immediately implement major lifestyle changes as soon as the new year begins. Despite that reality, we’ve got a few potential resolutions that we think you’ll find a bit easier to integrate into your everyday life at whatever pace feels most comfortable to you. San Antonio Periodontics and Implants is here to provide you with the best information to maintain your dental health. We believe that a healthy smile goes a long way and some of these resolutions can be a benefit to you in more areas of your life than just one. 

Gingivitis is a periodontal disease caused by the inflammation of the gums. There are two types of gingivitis: dental plaque-induced gingival disease and non-plaque induced gingival disease. When left untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontitis, a more serious infection that can lead to tooth loss.

Did you know that nearly 30 million Americans suffer from diabetes? Diabetes decreases the body’s ability to control the blood sugar level and, similarly to other illnesses, can increase susceptibility to other infections and complications. The most commonly known complications from diabetes are heart disease, stroke, and kidney damage - but, more recent studies have shown a connection between diabetes and periodontal (gum) disease.

With increased susceptibility, the rate at which the infection worsens can also be affected. For example, periodontal disease is broken up into various stages; from gingivitis (the beginning of infection) to periodontitis (the most advanced cases). If your body is having a difficult time fighting the infection, it could quickly progress.

Most of us are sufficiently aware that plaque is a leading cause of gum disease. However, there are a multitude of other risk factors to consider, that can all contribute to periodontitis, or advanced gum disease. We’ve listed seven of these risk factors below to help you stay on top of your oral health and wellbeing!