Dangers of Tongue Piercing

Body modifications have become very popular in recent years with tongue piercings becoming among the most common. While wearers may find them aesthetically pleasing and trendy, there are in fact many dangers associated with tongue piercings that you may want to know before deciding if one is right for you.

1.       Risk of infection – Our mouths are abundant with all types of bacteria that can cause infections at the piercing site. Additionally we risk introducing more bacteria into our mouths whenever we handle the jewelry.

2.      Endocarditis – This potentially fatal condition results when bacteria enter the bloodstream and causes inflammation of the heart or its valves in those who already have underlying heart ailments. Bacteria are able to enter the bloodstream through the wound in the tongue.

3.      Damage to teeth – If your jewelry constantly knocks against the teeth the end result could be your teeth chipping or cracking.

4.      Uncomfortable mouth feel – Tongue piercings cause wearers to produce an excess amount of saliva making it harder to chew and swallow as well as speak properly.

5.      Prevalence of gum disease – People who have word tongue piercings for extended periods are at a higher risk for gum disease since jewelry that comes into contact with the gum line can cause contusions and receding gums. If left unchecked, receding gums can lead to tooth loss.

6.      Nerve damage – Those who have had their tongues pierced can experience numbness at the site of the piercing. In some cases, the piercing site is slow to heal and there is prolonged bleeding.

7.      Swallowing or aspirating jewelry – Jewelry can become lose in the mouth without the wearer’s knowledge which can lead to it being swallowed or aspirated – dangerous possibilities that can lead to serious illness or even death.

If you still decide to get a tongue piercing despite the dangers be sure to take steps that would lessen your chances of negative consequences. For example, make sure to ask around for recommendations when searching for parlors. Also visit the parlor before hand to assess for yourself its cleanliness and that of its workers. Additionally, ask to see the parlor’s health certificates. They should be presented on request and up to date. Following the piercing, be sure to follow all after-care instructions and visit your doctor if any signs of infection occur such as pus, fever, increased redness or pain or prolonged bleeding.

There are many dangers associated with tongue piercing and as a result, it is best to be aware of all the associated risks. If you are injured because of your tongue piercing, you may need various periodontal procedures performed such as gum lifts and deep cleanings. Contact one of our dental health professionals today to find out how they can help you.

How do I know if I need LANAP?

Gum disease plagues several people on earth. Its treatment is often limited to root planning and scaling, as well as oral and topical antibiotics. Sometimes gums become diseased that they must be treated surgically by cutting away the affected portions of the gum tissues. This can be a very painful encounter and may end up altering the look and feel of your gum line and teeth. In spite of that, the LANAP technology now offers periodontists an alternative way of approaching gum disease instead of the traditional treatment technique of cutting away the soft tissues and allows dentists to manage gum disease without the need for surgical procedures.

What is LANAP?

The LANAP technology (Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure) is an approved technique for treating and managing gum disease. It allows a periodontist to slowly and gradually pull off the gum away from the affected tooth in a bid to reveal the deep harbor sockets of bacteria that cause the tooth and gum line decay.  As soon as the dentist separates the gum from the affected tooth, this technology then allows killing of the diseased tissues as well as the bacteria.

It takes averagely four hours to perform the procedure effectively by dividing it into two sessions better than the traditional surgical alternative that takes up to 8 hours to finish. Expect no cutting with this technology nor are there any incisions or stitches that may complicate the recovery process. With the LANAP procedure, there is far less swelling, discomfort or pain experienced. Soft foods may however be required during the first few days after treatment. The healing process is ten times faster than the traditional gum surgery treatment.

How to tell if you need LANAP

LANAP is the best and safest form of treatment for patients with gum disease. However, sometimes it’s necessary to complete a dental consultation to help determine your specific qualifications. At first, it may be quite difficult to see the signs of periodontal disease, though ultimately you may begin seeing symptoms such as bleeding when brushing or flossing teeth as well as a receding gum line. Sometimes these gums become inflamed and red, and the loss may lead to loss of gum tissues that surround the teeth. Eventually, teeth become loose as a result. One other obvious sign of periodontal disease is a perpetual bad breath that does not disappear despite efforts to floss, brush or rinse with a mouthwash.

Is LANAP Safe?

This technique is very safe, as long as it is performed by a qualified and trained periodontist with experience in the LANAP technology. In fact, it is even safer for patients with other health complications such as hemophilia, HIV, diabetes or any other health problem in which bleeding or an infection could be potentially severe.  Once you complete the LANAP procedure and the healing process, it is necessary to maintain high standards of oral health so as to prevent any further reoccurrences of gum disease. Proper home hygiene coupled with routine dentist checkups are enough to get you going.

Periodontal Consequences Of Tooth Loss

When we lose a tooth there may be the temptation to think that there are few, if any, serious consequences to follow. We think, sure a missing tooth is not aesthetically pleasing and our smiles have now been diminished, but there are more consequences than just the aesthetics of it. Unfortunately, this is not true as losing a tooth causes a domino effect on the rest of our periodontal health. These are some of the most common consequences of tooth loss:

1.       Your Teeth Move – When you lose a tooth, adjacent teeth are not held in place as well as before. The consequence is that they shift position tipping or rotating into the void. This affects your biting ability and causes what is known as a malocclusion. This malocclusion puts strain on your jaw joints causing pain.

2.      Bone loss – The bone in your jaw needs simulation in order to remain dense and healthy. The teeth provide ample stimulation on their own since stresses exerted on the teeth are transmitted to the bone via the periodontal ligament. However tooth loss causes the loss of simulation and subsequently the loss of bone. Bone loss can impact your appearance severely, collapsing your face and altering your facial features.

Weakening of teeth – Your molars and premolars were designed to chew the bulk of your food. Losing teeth on one side of your mouth makes you favor the other side which puts more strain on your teeth. This increases the chances of broken teeth and loss of fillings. Additionally, you tend to put more pressure on your incisors. Incisors were not meant for heavy duty use and they often shift and weaken. Hypereruption – When a tooth is lost, its mirror on the opposite jaw begins to grow unrestricted causing the roots of the teeth to show. This causes root decay, sensitive teeth and periodontal disease.

Losing teeth comes with a number of surprising and unwelcome consequences. The good news is that they can be avoided. Good and consistent oral hygiene as well as regular visits to your dentist can go a long way in preventing tooth loss and its myriad of complications. Even more welcome is the news that dental implants help to halt bone loss and stimulate new bone growth. Contact one of our periodontists today to find out how you can prevent the consequences of tooth loss.

What If I Put Off Doing My Bone Grafting?

With at least 47% of Americans having some form of gum disease, periodontic procedures like bone grafting are at an all time high. Gum disease risk factors include poor oral hygiene habits, tobacco use, heredity and disease in other parts of the body. No matter what the cause, if left untreated you will not only be at risk for losing your teeth, your bone can disappear too.

Gum disease starts as puffy gums that might bleed a little when you brush them. As it progresses, eventually the gums will recede, teeth will fall out and bone will melt away. Without sufficient bone, you will not be able to have dental implants and your face will become disfigured. It is THAT serious.

Bone grafting reverses that damage by using bone from another part of your body, cadaver or cow to regenerate your jawbone and stimulate new growth. It takes about six to nine months for your jaw to fill in and be ready for implants.

Unfortunately, this is not a condition your body can correct on it’s own. Once your bone is gone, it will not come back without intervention from a periodontist. You will see the effects of this when you eat, speak and look in the mirror. It can also make wearing dentures painful.

If your periodontist has determined that a bone grafting procedure is your best option in the treatment of your periodontitis, there is no time like the present. The damage to your mouth will only get worse the longer you delay treatment.

Tooth Socket Preservation

Whether you have recently had a tooth extracted or trauma has caused it to come out on its own, the space that is left behind can cause problems for your entire mouth if not filled in. That’s why your periodontist is recommending a tooth socket preservation procedure.

Your teeth are surrounded by alveolar bone, a special type of bone created by your body just to hold your teeth in place. When alveolar bone no longer has a tooth to support, it will melt away and cause a deformity in your jaw. This not only has a cosmetic impact, but also makes it difficult for restorative measures to be taken later.

The tooth socket preservation procedure begins with the periodontist filling the empty space with bone granules or bone-like material. Once filled, the hole is covered with natural gum tissue, an artificial gum-like membrane or tissue stimulating proteins that will encourage the growth of new bone in the affected area. This new bone will make it possible for future cosmetic procedures like implants, dentures or bridges. If you don’t take measures to generate new bone at this stage, it will be difficult to build the jaw back up later.

It is important that a permanent replacement for the missing tooth is placed within four to twelve months of the procedure. The alveolar bone requires regular impact to keep it strong and prevent it from dissolving back into the body.

After the procedure is completed patients will experience minor discomfort or swelling, but over-the-counter pain relievers are all that is necessary to alleviate this. For the next six weeks, it is important to avoid the area during normal brushing and flossing, and to use the periodontal rinse that was prescribed for you. Until the new bone has grown in, you should avoid putting any pressure on the treated area.

The first step in restoring your smile is preserving your jawbone. Don’t delay seeing your periodontist for this very important procedure. Call to schedule an appointment today with one of our highly skilled doctors:

Las Vegas - Dr. DeAndrade

Columbus - Dr. Stoner

What is Tooth Uncovery?

Tooth impaction is a condition traditionally associated with wisdom teeth, but did you know that it actually could occur with any tooth in your mouth? When the canine teeth fail to erupt properly, this periodontal procedure can gently bring the tooth down so that it can be included in the braces treatment. This surgery is recommended if the tooth in question has not erupted by the time the patient is 13 to 14 years old.

There are many reasons a permanent tooth can become impacted and fail to erupt. Extra thick gum and bone, crowded teeth, crossbites, improper tooth eruption sequence and genetics are just some of the causes. When the patient is in need of braces, it is necessary that the hidden tooth be brought down for inclusion in the orthodontic treatment.

The periodontist will conduct a thorough examination, including x-rays, to discover the exact location of the tooth that didn’t erupt, as well as the cause of the impaction. If the tooth has moved into the lip or side of the jawbone, first the keratinized gum tissue will be cut away to gain access. To prevent bone loss and gum recession, additional periodontal procedures may be performed at this time. For impactions occurring in the palate, the extra bone will be cut away to expose the hidden tooth. In both procedures, a bracket will be bonded to the newly revealed tooth and it will be attached to the braces with a power chain.  The chain will slowly pull the tooth into its proper position so that it can be included in the braces.

Tooth uncovery or surgical tooth exposure has enjoyed a high success rate for patients experiencing tooth impactions. For the first few days following the procedure, you can expect to feel minor discomfort and swelling that can be treated with over-the-counter pain medication.  In about two weeks following the surgery, a rubber band will be installed at a follow-up appointment to activate the eruption process. 

Gummy Smile—Are your gums hiding your teeth?

Although not considered a medical condition requiring treatment, gummy smile is a cosmetic issue with psychological implications for the patient.  This condition occurs when an individual has an excess amount of gum tissue, causing their teeth to appear unusually short because they are eclipsed by large, red gums.  Because the smile does not appear “normal,” the patient may become extremely self-conscious and even embarrassed by their appearance.

Your best options for treatment of gummy smile can be found at a visit to a periodontist. This gum expert has the ability to evaluate the severity of your condition and determine the optimum course of treatment to correct it.

Crown Lengthening:  In a crown-lengthening procedure, the periodontist will perform plastic surgery to reshape excess gum and bone tissue. The gums are peeled back and a small amount of bone surrounding the teeth is removed. The bone is shaped to follow its natural outline and then stitches are used to put the gums back in place. It takes about four to six weeks for the gums to heal from this step. Once the gums are healed, the patient will return to the office to have the lengthening crowns fitted and will be ready to show off their beautiful new smile.

Laser Sculpting:  Laser sculpting offers a less invasive, one-day treatment for gummy smile. As the name implies, a laser is used to gently cut away and cauterize the excess gum tissue, revealing more of the surface of the teeth. Unlike crown lengthening, this relatively painless procedure requires little to no recovery time.

If your gummy smile is actually a result of having very thin lips rather than excess gum tissue, your periodontist has treatment options available for that too. You may achieve the smile you are seeking through the use of Botox injections to add plumpness to the upper lip, or you may be a candidate for lip lift reduction surgery—a procedure that attaches the inside of the upper lip to a point on the gums that is closer to their upper teeth.

Your great smile is waiting to come out, schedule an appointment with your periodontist today!