While there are various levels of gum disease, more appropriately known as periodontal disease, in its more serious stages it can even lead to cardiovascular disease.  Signs of gum disease would include bleeding or swollen gums, bad breath (caused by bacteria), tooth mobility, tooth sensitivity (receding gums can cause this), abscessed teeth and, in serious cases, tooth loss.

Plaque and tartar buildup are what lead to gum disease, so it is important to have regular cleanings by a dental hygienist to ensure that you do not develop this condition.

One thing it might surprise you to know is that people with diabetes tend to have higher instances of gum disease.  This is thought to be due to the higher blood glucose levels in those with diabetes, which causes inflammation.  A chronic inflammatory response brings on a condition whereby the body breaks down bone and tissue in the infected area.  People with diabetes need to take extra care to adhere to proper brushing and flossing techniques and see a dental professional for regular checkups and exams to ensure gum disease does not advance.

If you are currently expecting then it’s important for you to know that periodontal disease is more common in pregnant women.  Women are more susceptible to gingivitis while pregnant and research has shown that women with gum disease deliver pre-term infants at a rate three to five times higher than those without any form of periodontal disease.  Since pre-term babies can suffer numerous health complications it is of vital importance that expectant mothers receive regular dental care and follow good brushing and flossing habits.  Professionals in our Birmingham dentist office are on hand to provide cleanings and can advise you on proper brushing habits.

If you are already suffering from gum disease, dental hygienists in our Birmingham dentist office can advise you on treatment options.  You may simply need some scaling done on your teeth to remove tartar and plaque buildup.  This would be the first step in treating gum disease.  A medicated mouth rinse called chlorhexidine gluconate may be in order to kill off bacteria already present.  Following this up with frequent cleanings is often necessary.  Only in very serious cases of periodontal disease would surgery be called for to halt or minimize the progression of the disease or to replace bone lost in advanced stages of the disease.

We in our Birmingham dentist office urge you to contact us right away if you are experiencing any signs of gum disease.

When you visit our Birmingham office we will do all we can to educate you on the importance of maintaining good dental care.  Our dentists and hygienists will instruct you on the proper methods of brushing and flossing to ensure that you are doing all you can to avoid dangerous plaque and tartar buildup.  A thorough cleaning will remove any buildup you may currently have, and it is a good idea to have regular cleanings every six months.  If plaque and tartar are not cleaned off your teeth and gum line regularly, they tend to build up and lead to gum disease.

Gum disease is present in some form in 75% of Americans; it is extremely common.  However, it can also lead to potentially life-threatening conditions.  Perhaps you are not aware that research indicates a link between gum disease and an increased risk for heart attacks and strokes.  If you are noticing any indications of gum disease we highly encourage you to seek out our Birmingham dentists for a thorough cleaning and evaluation.  Symptoms may include red, swollen or bleeding gums.  If you notice gums that are quite tender or that bleed easily when you floss, this can be a sign of gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease.  At this stage it is reversible, but it is imperative that you see a dentist for treatment so that it does not progress.

Periodontal therapy is offered by our Birmingham dentists, and our dentists will advise you on steps to take to minimize this condition if you are suffering from the effects of it.  We certainly do not want to see you lose teeth as a result of periodontitis so we urge you to contact our Birmingham dentist office to schedule an appointment today if you have any signs of gum disease.

The dentists in our Birmingham dentist’s office are highly skilled in several specialties, offering family and restorative, pediatric and cosmetic dentistry as well as oral surgery.  Our dentists have devoted many hours each year to post-graduate studies to ensure that they are always current with the most cutting-edge techniques and safest methods for their patients.

We are a local company and are dedicated to serving the needs of our community.  We have a strong commitment to community philanthropy and are proud to support several charitable organizations in our area.  The donation of dental supplies and services to those less fortunate is something we are happy to provide.  We take pride in taking care of our community and will take pride in taking exceptional care of you as well.  Come see us soon.

Prosthodontics refers to the branch of dentistry that specializes in restoration or replacement of natural teeth with artificial, natural-looking substances.  These would be crowns, bridges or dentures.  A specialist in this field can help restore mouth, facial or ear structures that are defective due to trauma, disease or birth defects.  Obtaining cosmetic results would be in addition to restoring proper function of the teeth or other facial structure.

An endodontist specializes in the inner workings of your teeth, most commonly performing root canals.  He will also be instrumental in working to save natural teeth and treating and preventing disorders of the dental pulp.  Retaining your own natural teeth can be of utmost concern to some considering cosmetic dental treatment.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons complete extensive medical training beyond the dental degree, and are qualified to perform complicated dental extractions and the placement of dental implants as well as other surgeries of the head, jaw and neck.  In complicated cases, or when medical issues such as a jaw tumor are present, consulting a qualified oral surgeon may be necessary for certain cosmetic treatments.

In our Birmingham office, we are licensed, certified, accredited and insured dentists, accredited through the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and the Association of Laser Dentistry, and maintain relationships with professionals in all areas of the cosmetic oral health industry.  It is our mission to see that you achieve the most natural looking, aesthetically pleasing smile we and our colleagues can provide.

Here in our Birmingham office we can perform teeth whitening for you if you are suffering from stained teeth that have become discolored due to foods or tobacco usage.  Professional teeth whitening is much more effective than do-it-yourself products can offer and we encourage you to have this service performed by one of our dentists trained in the procedure.  You are certain to be much happier with the results.

If your teeth will not respond to whitening then veneers may be a good option for you.  Porcelain and laminate varieties are offered and are excellent solutions to badly discolored teeth.  This is a permanent solution as it involves some reduction work of your natural teeth in order to apply the veneers, but veneers are very durable, lasting around 10 years.

Reshaping of teeth and gum lifting are also possible options if you are unsatisfied with your current smile.  Our Birmingham dentists are sure to be able to find an appropriate solution for you and provide you with a beautiful, natural looking smile.

In individuals with diabetes their increased levels of glucose in their saliva promote oral bacteria that can lead to gum disease.  Their poor circulation also makes their gum tissue more susceptible to developing infections like gum disease.  In addition, diabetes reduces the body’s resistance to infection.  Since gum disease can not only case painful, bleeding gums, it can also lead to potentially life-threatening conditions such as heart disease and stroke, it’s important to make sure you have regular dental checkups if you have an additional risk factor like diabetes.

During pregnancy women have a higher risk of developing gum disease.  Research indicates that preterm infants are born at a rate much higher to women with some form of gum disease than to those without.  Pregnancy is an important time to schedule a dental checkup with our Birmingham dentist office as one step to ensure that you will deliver a healthy full term baby.

Smokers are much more susceptible to developing gum disease and should keep this in mind when considering when to plan for their next dental checkup.  It is in your best interest to have regular checkups to maintain your oral health.

Good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups are essential in preventing gum disease so we encourage you to make an appointment with our Birmingham dentist office to schedule your checkup today.  Our friendly staff will answer any questions you may have and will be happy to set an appointment time that is convenient for you.

We practice mercury free dentistry here in our Birmingham dentist office and are committed to using only the safest methods to ensure the highest level of patient satisfaction.  Our small, local company takes pride in focusing on individualized care and we receive many compliments from our patients on our cordial, comfortable atmosphere.  We invite you to contact us while we are accepting new patients so we can schedule a dental checkup, cleaning and exam for you.  We look forward to meeting you and your family and to serving your oral health care needs.

Although readily available commercial products may appeal to some folks on a budget, it’s important to note that teeth whitening products available from a dental professional are at a much higher strength, from 15%-43% of the active agent as opposed to 3%-10% in a store-bought product.  Obviously the higher concentration of the product will ensure that you will be more likely to achieve optimum results than if you choose a do-it-yourself method.  Additionally, the effects of the teeth whitening agent applied by your Birmingham dentist can be sped up by the use of light therapy.  This system utilizes the latest technology in the dental industry.

It is important to take into consideration, however, the condition of your teeth, before you choose teeth whitening as your choice in restoring your smile.  The bleaching agents in the whitening system will be most effective on teeth that have become stained or yellowed from food or smoking.  The primary food culprits for staining are of course coffee and tea, but also cola beverages, red wine and blueberries.  Tobacco usage can cause significant staining and can respond to the hydrogen peroxide in a whitening system.  If you have gray or brownish colored staining, typically resulting from acne medications, antibiotics and excess fluoride, this usually comes from inside the teeth, is not affected by brushing, and thereby not likely to be whitened with any form of teeth whitening system currently on the market.  There are other applications useful in these situations, such as porcelain veneers or bonding.  Your Birmingham dentist is professionally trained to make the best determination as to which type of procedure would best suit your individual needs.

If cost is an issue, we do offer the option of purchasing a home bleaching kit from one of our Birmingham dentists.  This method is somewhat less convenient than in-office treatment, but is less expensive.  This would be a system you would use at home, typically overnight, for a week to ten days.  You can achieve the same results with a kit purchased from a dental professional as you can in an office procedure, since the kits we provide have a much higher concentration of the whitening agent than commercial products, and also provide a customized mouth tray.  These do, however, take effect over a longer period of time.  The in-office procedure can be done in about an hour.  Appointments can be booked at your earliest convenience.