Mints and Gum That Can Help Reduce Cavities: Gordon Dental Kansas City

Mints and Gum That Can Help Reduce Cavities

Is your teenager concerned about their breath and constantly popping gum, mints or perhaps even candy in their mouth to freshen things up a bit? If you remember those years, you can hardly blame them. But, given that sweets aren’t exactly good for their teeth, we bet you’ve wondered at some point: “Wouldn’t it be great if, in addition to temporarily freshening breath, that same sweet also helped protectteeth from cavities?” Well, there are such wonderful treats, and the secret to their success is their not-so-secret natural ingredient list. Shall we explore?

The “Secret” Ingredients

• Zylitol: Xylitol is a natural sweetener derived from plants. It doesn't break down like sugar (a plus for Diabetics), and can help keep a neutral pH level in the mouth, which aids in preventing bacterial growth. Both of these traits are favorable in the fight against cavities. To be certain you’re getting enough Xylitol to reap its rewards, look for products where it’s listed as the first ingredient on the package.
• Maccha: Green tea, is loaded with antioxidants that reduce inflammation, promote good breath, and reduce the overall level of cavity-inducing bacteria in the mouth. Because of this, it’s a great addition to mints and candy. Of course, you could always serve green tea as a beverage at home for equal benefit, but if you’re looking to replace your teen’s current mint, gum or candy with something that’ll help freshen their breath and help their teeth, a quick web search is sure to turn up a few great options for you.
• Stevia: Stevia is a sugar substitute extracted from the plant Stevia rebaudiana. It has been used as a sweetener by the Guaraní people of Brazil and Paraguay for 1500 years. Recently introduced to the United States, and marketed under several brand names, Stevia is prized by low carb aficionados because it is 150 times as sweet as sugar, and has a negligible effect on blood sugar. It’s also heat stable (which means it can be used in baking), and is not fermentable (which means it’s good for your teeth)!

What Other Help is on the Horizon?

Dentists and marketers are always teaming up to bring new products to market that’ll help our teeth. In the near future, look out for products containing probiotics, with the idea being that the presence of good bacteria counters bad bacteria, so why not put them in mouthwash and things of that nature and let ‘em fight it out in our mouth? 

Gordon Dental 913-649-5017

www.kcgordondental.com

How to Plan for the Removal of Your Teen's Wisdom Teeth: Gordon Dental Kansas City

How to Plan for the Removal of Your Teen's Wisdom Teeth

Chipmunk-city. Remember what it was like to have your wisdom teeth pulled? If the swollen mouth, teasing siblings, and new-found appreciation of what it's like to have a tooth knocked out aren’t enough…  there is the blood.  Ah, yes, the blood.  You wish you could stop reading now, right? It's really not that bad. Gross, maybe, but it becomes a passing memory fast. If your dentist has suggested your teenager have their wisdom teeth extracted, here's what you can expect as you prepare for the day of surgery and immediately thereafter.

Oh, and before we get started, it might be fun to bring along your video camera, or camera phone.  For some, exposure to the anesthesia used during surgery takes a while to wear off, and a bit of post-surgery hilarity can ensue that you might want to record for posterity. Some teens have even made successes of themselves on YouTube as a result! So, with no further ado here are the guidelines.

Pre-op:

• Your teen should wear loose, comfortable clothing with short sleeves, and remove all jewelry.
• Have your child leave their contact lenses at home.
• Your doctor will have specific guidelines with regard to eating and drinking prior to surgery, but, in general, your teen should be prepared to go without food or drink for at least six hours prior to surgery.
• Ensure your child has a ride to and from the surgery center.
• Inform your surgeon the dosages and types of medications your teen may take regularly.

Post-op:

• Do not allow the consumption of alcohol of any kind. Doing so can lethally interact with anesthesia medicine lingering in your child's system.  This is very important.
• Be sure your teen avoids rinsing or spitting for 24 hours after surgery to prevent the premature release of the blood clot that lodges in the surgical pocket. This clot is necessary for healing and prevents a painful side effect called "dry socket."
• A moistened tea bag can help aid in clotting because the tannic acid in tea helps clots form. This process can be repeated if a small degree of bleeding continues; if heavy bleeding continues to occur, contact your dentist or oral surgeon.
• Have your teen refrain from brushing for the first 24 hours for the same reason above.
• Your teen should avoid inserting their fingers in their mouth after surgery, and should also refrain from using their tongue to "feel-around" the surgical wound. This will help prevent the loosening of any stitches as well as ensure the blood clot that helps prevent dry socket stays in place.
• Feel free to use ice packs on the side of the face for the first 24 hours. Do so in 20 minute increments, with a 10 minute rest in-between applications.
• Pain medication like Tylenol or Ibuprofen is okay to take as recommended for mild pain, if your child can tolerate these medicines.
• In anticipation of severe pain, your doctor may provide a stronger medication.
• Ensure your teen remains hydrated, but avoid the use of straws so as not to accidentally "stab" the surgical wound, or allow for the "sucking" out of that all-too-important blood clot.
• Avoid hot liquids like soup, coffee and tea. Each can dissolve the healing clot. 
• AFTER the first post-operative day, and through the first week, your teen should begin using a warm salt-water rinse following meals to flush out particles of food and debris, which may get stuck in the surgical area.
• Your teen should eat soft foods that won't irritate the wound, and avoid foods that can get stuck in the wound pocket like nuts, rice and seeds.
• Smoking should be avoided for at least five to seven days, because nicotine can break down the blood clot. Maybe this five-day break could be used as a launching pad to quitting as well?!

Of course, your teen will return to the surgeon's office to ensure healing is progressing at a satisfactory rate, so it's wise to plan for that eventuality as well. Lastly, some dentists and surgeons recommend doing these extractions during high school or college break times to avoid "chipmunk face," and to avoid interrupting their coursework. 

Gordon Dental 913-649-5017

www.kcgordondental.com

How Soon Should Your Pre-Teen See the Orthodontist?

If you're the parent of a young child, you've probably noticed lots of shiny, colorful mouths filled with braces at events you attend with your pre-teen children. And, if you wore braces yourself as a teenager, you might be wondering why, in fact, they are wearing braces that young. The reason is because today, advances in orthodontics and dentistry have taught us that in many cases it's best to apply orthodontic treatment in two phases; first, as a child's permanent teeth begin to erupt, and again later once the last primary tooth has been lost. The big question, then, is when to start, and what comes next?

So, when to start? Dentists and orthodontists are in general agreement with the American Association of Orthodontists that once children reach the age of seven, they should at least visit an orthodontist for an initial consultation to determine whether braces might be necessary.

Things Begin around Age Seven

This age range is important because research demonstrates identifying and correcting problems is more effective after the arrival of a child's first four permanent molars and first four central incisors – usually around age seven. So, once this milestone has been reached, the goal of the initial consultation is to determine whether or not your child could benefit from a two-phase approach to braces, or whether they'll need braces at all.

What to Expect at Your First Appointment

A lot tends to happen in a first consultation, so you and your child should expect to spend at least a half hour in the office that day. The idea is to be as thorough as possible, so your orthodontist will be asking a lot of questions of both you and your child, discussing finances with you, and taking digital X-rays and photographic images of your child while in the office. X-rays provide a structural view your child's head, mouth and jaw, and photographs serve as good tools to guide the aesthetic side of orthodontics. After all, all those changes on the inside of one's mouth affect the outside of the face as well.

What are the benefits of early treatment if two-phase orthodontics is recommended?

1. One major advantage to two-phase orthodontic treatment is addressing jaw development concerns. Because children are growing a lot at this point in their lives, early treatment can be implemented to literally “guide” the development of a child's jaw, so it grows into proper alignment. Doing so early can prevent issues down the line that may even require surgery to correct.
2. Since overcrowding contributes to crooked teeth, proactively managing child's teeth can allow for necessary extractions in the teen years. It is very possible to avoid extractions later in life if a child's mouth is proactively managed when younger.
3. By addressing dental issues that may result in teasing among peers, two-phase treatment can eliminate social difficulties that might disrupt a child's self-esteem early in life. Since orthodontics is largely seen outside of the professional circuit as an aesthetic life-event, it makes sense to address particularly thorny concerns early rather than later.

Again, it's important to remember that two-phase orthodontic treatment isn't something every child requires. However, the American Association of Orthodontists does have your child's best interest in mind in suggesting a consultation at the age of seven. If you're not familiar with recommended orthodontists in your area, be sure to ask your family dentist for recommendations, so you and your child are set up and ready to go when the time comes.

Gordon Dental 913-649-5017

www.kcgordondental.com

Dental Implant Denture, All on 4 Dental Implants Kansas City Gordon Dent...

Tooth and Gum Recession Treatment Options. Gordon Dental Kansas City

Getting A Little Long In The Tooth?

Did you know the expression “long in the tooth” comes from the observation that the most wise among us tend to have longer teeth? Well, not actually “longer,” per se, but more visible. The reason is because as we get older, and thus “wiser,” our gums tend to recede along with our increasing age. What “long in the tooth,” really means, then, is that we haven’t taken care of our teeth throughout life – hardly wise. Regardless, there is a solution that can help protect your teeth moving forward so you don’t fall victim of the other tale about growing older – that of depositing your teeth in a glass jar each night.

The solution, which may have been suggested to you at some point, is what’s known as a gingival graft (or, more commonly, a gum graft). Traditionally, there were three basic types of gingival graft: a connective tissue graft, a free gingival graft, and pedicle grafts. A new, fourth procedure – which requires no incision or suturing – is named the Pinhole Surgical Technique (PST), and was invented and patented by Dr. John Chao, a dentist from California. Here’s a little more about each procedure:

1. Free Gingival Graft: In this procedure, tissue is removed from the roof of the patient’s mouth and sutured to the area surrounding the tooth where gingival recession exists. The area where the tissue was taken heals on its own (like any other wound), and the tissue transferred to the recession area joins with the gum tissue already in existence.
2. Connective Tissue Graft: This procedure is the most common among the four, and less painful than a free gingival graft, because only “sub-epithelial” tissue (that which lies beneath the outermost layer of tissue on the roof of the mouth) is taken for the graft. It is also a preferred choice when exposed roots are a cause for concern.
3. Pedical Graft: Pedical grafts are done by making an incision along the gumline of a tooth adjacent to the one needing the graft, and extending the tissue from the first tooth to the second. This procedure is less common because wear along the gumline of one tooth is typically seen along adjacent teeth as well.
4. Pinhole Surgical Technique: As stated above, this procedure calls for no cutting or suturing, and is done by using a small needle to create a hole above the area in need of correcting. Specialized instruments are then used to loosen and pull the gum tissue down or up over the receded area, and collagen strips are inserted into the pinhole to hold the tissue in place. The procedure is faster than each of the procedures outlined above, and requires far less recovery time.

For many, there is an understandable amount of concern regarding gum graft surgery. After all, surgery of any kind tends to cause some level of trepidation, and when it comes to our mouth – an area which we consider to be sensitive to pain, our concerns can double. If you think about it though, our eyes are also sensitive to pain (perhaps more so), and yet three million people each year undergo surgery to correct cataracts, and more than 700,000 people undergo elective LASIK surgery. So, fear not, a gingival graft is likely to cause some mild discomfort, but the result (a healthier mouth full of teeth and gums) can be well worth the sacrifice. 

Gordon Dental 913-649-5017
www.kcgordondental.com

Four Tips to Help Alleviate the Discomfort of TMJ: Gordon Dental Kansas City

Four Tips to Help Alleviate the Discomfort of TMJ

Do you suffer from frequent headaches? Feel a “popping” or “clicking” sensation in your jaw when you eat or talk? Deal with regular aches and pains in and around your jaw and lower ear? If so, you may have what is known as TMJD – or, temporal mandibular joint disorder.

What Is TMJD?

TMJD is a serious, and often progressive condition resulting from mechanical stress to the jaw and its surrounding muscles. It’s often caused by of an injury to the joint – usually, an injury you don’t even recall. For example, simply having your mouth extended too wide for too long a time (even at the dentist), or repeatedly chewing on ice cubes can contribute to TMJD-related pain.

In most patients we see, the disorder usually involves more than one symptom and rarely has a single cause. If you are experiencing symptoms you believe may be a result of TMJD, the TMJ Association recommends treating your symptoms gently, and suggests the following as potentially useful to curb pain.

1. Moist Heat: Use a warm compress (nothing too hot!), to reduce pain.
2. Ice: When using ice to decrease inflammation and numb pain, keep the pack wrapped in a clean cloth prior to placing on your face. Do not use uncovered ice on the skin, and don’t use ice therapy beyond a 10 - 15 minute window.
3. Soft Diet: A soft diet can help, as can avoiding foods like corn on the cob and apples that require you to extend your mouth too wide.
4. Over the-Counter Analgesics: Over-the-counter pain medicines or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), such as ibuprofen, may alleviate some discomfort.

Beyond the above recommendations, the best thing you can do is seek the advice of someone on your professional care team. Because TMJD is often progressive, ignoring the symptoms can cause your pain to escalate, and the imbalance it creates with your bite can cause excessive tooth wear and an uneven facial appearance. TMJD is something you shouldn’t self-diagnose, so if you find yourself experiencing regular bouts of pain and discomfort, schedule an appointment to see your doctor right away. 

Call Gordon Dental at 913-649-5017

www.kcgordondental.com

Avoid Chipping and Staining your Teeth: Gordon Dental Kansas City

Everyday Things We Do that Can Stain and Chip Our Teeth

If you’re visiting the dentist regularly and staying on top of your oral care routine, it’s pretty easy to keep your teeth strong, healthy, and white. Habit and misfortune, however, can derail even the best-laid plan, leaving you with either chipped or stained teeth instead of the set you’d like to parade around the neighborhood. And, while every tooth-related calamity isn’t preventable, many can be avoided by simply thinking smart, watching our surroundings, and avoiding habits that can literally take a “bite” out of our beautiful smiles. Let us share some wisdom!

Outstepping a Chipped Tooth

• Falls: If you’re the type of person who seems to have a sixth sense when it comes to your surroundings, always overstepping the obstacles in your path, your teeth owe you a lifetime of gratitude. However, if you’re prone to step on, and trip over anything that’s not four feet off the ground and in plain view, you may find yourself in the dental chair at some point, firming up your knowledge on modern bonding techniques. So, please watch your step! Oh, and cyclists too! There’s nothing worse than flying headfirst over your handle bars because you failed to notice the pothole in your path while riding. In fact, did you know cycling is a leading cause of tooth LOSS? Yikes!
• Face trauma: Occasionally, a hard elbow to the face just happens: a friend turns around to speak with you when you’re not looking, or that can of beans drops from the top shelf of your cabinet at just the right angle to take half a front tooth out. Not fun. For the rest of us though (barring major accidents), most face trauma comes as the result of our participation in sports.  For this reason, a sports mouth guard, is your best form of prevention. If you participate in sports, ask your dentist to get fitted today … they’re more affordable and more comfortable than you think!
• Food Mishaps: We’ve all been there: the un-popped kernel of popcorn; the small rock in the fresh bag of lentils, those startling occasions when we bite down on the fork at the oddest of angles. With food-related concerns, you mainly have to think smart to avoid trouble: feel around in the popcorn bag for what you’re putting into your mouth before you start chewing; rinse and examine that bag of beans, and be conscious of how you’re holding your fork – especially if you often bounce back and forth between chopsticks and western cutlery. Also, hard candies, ice, and other things that pack a crunch can take a chunk out of a tooth with ease, and can also lead to fractures if you find yourself repeatedly enjoying too much of a “good thing.” Don’t chew on these things …
• Piercings: Tongue and lip piercings may be trendy, but they can also take a toll on your teeth. Something to keep in mind.
• Bad Habits: If you enjoy using your mouth as if it were a crescent wrench, pair of pliers, or bottle opener, the luck on your desire to maintain a perfect smile might soon run out. Just say no to the silliness, be patient, and find the right tool. Remember, your teeth do not come with a Craftsman^® lifetime warranty.

Keeping Your Teeth White 

Save for intrinsic staining resulting from antibiotic use as a child, or other more serious causes, staining can often be avoided by reducing our consumption of the main offenders, using a straw when possible, and rinsing after eating foods that tend to stain our teeth. The best tip we can give is: if the food item in question can stain fabric, it’s likely to be able to stain your teeth as well.

Here are some of the biggest offenders (in no particular order):

• Black teas
• Deeply colored sauces (soy, tomato, curry)
• Wine
• Colored Sodas
• Coffee
• Some dark fruits and vegetables like beets and berries (typically transient in nature, however)
• Tobacco

So, there you go! Be careful out there, and protect those pearly whites!

Call 913-649-5017 for a Dental Visit at Gordon Dental

www.kcgordondental.com

Banish That Canker Sore! Gordon Dental Kansas City

Banish That Canker Sore!

There’s hardly anything more irritating than a canker sore. Sure, they’re tiny and only last a few days, but wow, when you’ve got one, just about every word spoken and every bite taken hurts like “all get-out.” You know that feeling, right? Now, imagine how they feel in your youngster’s mouth! So, what exactly are those little buggers, and how in the world can you ease the pain fast? We’ll fill you in, and share our “canker-sore-be-gone” grocery list that’ll help save the day.

What Exactly is a Canker Sore?

To know the medically proper name for a canker sore is to understand why it hurts so much. A canker sore is actually an ulcer. An “Aphthous Ulcer” to be exact. These mighty painful ulcers come in two forms, minor and major, and are surprisingly experienced by only about 20% of the U.S. population. Aren’t we lucky?!

Minor cankers (common in people between the ages of 10 and 20), are the smaller of the two, as the name would suggest, and last about 7-10 days. Major cankers can last from two to six weeks, have noticeable depth, and often have irregular borders. This type of sore is more common after the age of 20, and is essentially a recurrent canker, returning to a site previously impacted by a minor canker.

Who Gets Cankers?

While cankers affect both genders, girls tend to get them more often, likely because of hormonal fluctuations. Aside from that, the vast majority of people in general are believed to get cankers due to genetic tendencies – and the condition is triggered by spicy, salty or abrasive foods.
If your kids are among those unlucky people gifted with canker sore genetics, there is hope!

Arrest the pain and speed up the healing process with this short shopping list:

Rinses (use one of the below rinses four times a day)–

• Hydrogen Peroxide – Equal parts peroxide and water
• Salt and baking soda – Add a half teaspoon of both to 4oz. of water

Numbing Agents

• Brands like Orajel® and Kank-A® can provide relief

Protective Pastes

• Milk of Magnesia – dab on a cotton swab and use four times daily after the hydrogen peroxide rinse.
• Baking Soda and Water Paste

Antimicrobial Mouthwashes

If your children have a sore lasting beyond the two-week mark, make an appointment to see your doctor to evaluate their case. Prescription medications might be necessary to bring them much-needed relief.

Call Gordon Dental for a free consult at 913-649-5017

www.kcgordondental.com

Gummy Smiles Can Be Easliy Corrected: Gordon Dental Kansas City

Stressed Out about a Gummy Smile? Did You Know it Can Be Corrected?

The amount of gum tissue we possess, just like how much hair we have on our heads, is merely a matter of personal anatomy - some of us just have more of it than others. If you are unhappy with your smile though, and consider yourself to have "too much" gum tissue, there are a few ways to relieve you of a gummy smile. Let's take a look at the three most common options:

Gingivectomy (Gum Lift, Gum Contouring)

The most common and speediest solution for revitalizing a gummy smile is a gingivectomy.  A gingivectomy is the medical term for the surgical removal of gum tissue from the crown of the tooth. It can be done with a scalpel, an electrosurgery unit, lasers or diamond dental burs. There's some art to this procedure, since your dentist effectively "carves" away the excessive tissue, reshaping the landscape of your smile so it conforms to your desired result. The procedure is done under local anesthetic and takes only a few minutes to an hour to complete depending on the number of teeth to be done. 

Lip Repositioning

This one might sound a bit scary, but other than post surgical swelling and some initial tightness, it can be a good solution if your gumminess comes from how high your lip raises when smiling, instead of excessive gingiva.

In this procedure, a small horizontal section of tissue inside your upper lip is removed, then stitched back together in what is effectively a "lower" position. If you can imagine having a cut in your skin where some of the skin tissue in the middle of the cut is lost, and the remaining "ends" of the skin are stitched back together, that is essentially what happens in a lip positioning. Your lip isn't actually lowered, it’s just that some of the movement of your top lip is restricted so it doesn't raise too high and show too much gum. Surgery only lasts about 45 minutes, and the results are immediate.

Crown Lengthening

With the word “lengthening” in the name of this procedure, you may think it requires some sort of painful stretching of the tooth's crown to make it longer. Thankfully, that's not what happens. Instead, in this surgery a dentist would make an incision in the gum tissue, creating a “flap” that can be folded downward, exposing the bone that encases your teeth. A portion of that bone would then be shaved down few millimeters and the gum flap sutured back into place. At this point, however, because the bone height is lower than it was previously, the gum tissue would rest at a lower height, leaving more of the crown visible when smiling. This would make it appear as though the crown were “longer” and thus the name – “crown lengthening” is given to this procedure. While crown lengthening is a means to correct a gummy smile, many dentists recommend orthodontic treatment, instead (which, over time actually does pull the crown down a few millimeters), because it doesn't require surgery, or the permanent removal of bone tissue.

Modern dental surgery can really do wonders for our smiles in a multitude of ways. If you're concerned about how much gum you are flashing each time you smile, or have stopped smiling all together, have a chat with your dentist. You might be surprised at just how quickly we can get you back to smiling widely again!

Gordon Dental 913-649-5017

www.kcgordondental.com

Missing a Tooth? We have A Solution, Gordon Dental Kansas City

Born Without a Tooth, or Lose One Along the Way?

Sometimes in life, the tooth fairy leaves us with the short end of the stick. If you're missing a tooth due to trauma, or decay, medication or hypodontia (meaning, one or two of your permanent teeth never arrived), then you'll know exactly what we mean. And, while the imaginary tooth fairy might have left you hanging without a replacement tooth, your real life dentist can help provide an affordable and cosmetically appropriate solution in the form of a dental bridge. Let's find out more about how they work!

Why You Might Need a Bridge

With 69% of adults experiencing the loss of a tooth between the ages of 35-44, if you're in the missing tooth camp, you're certainly not alone. A “bridge,” then, is a form of dental prosthetic that allows for the placement of an artificial tooth in an area where a healthy tooth used to exist.

When an entire tooth is lost, a bridge acts as a unifying device that supports the artificial tooth, and eliminates the gap between adjacent teeth. To accomplish this, the artificial tooth (known as a pontic), needs to be joined to these adjacent teeth in order to stay in place.

How Do They Work?

This can be done by using a crown as a connecting anchor for the artificial tooth, or a type of tooth colored filling known as an “inlay” or “onlay,” can be used in the same fashion. An onlay is used when support is needed along a "cusp" (the raised points on the biting surface), and an inlay is used when support is required between these cusps. To visualize how this type of filling functions, it might help to think of them as the raised pins on upside-down version of a Lego® block. Essentially, like a Lego block, they help to keep the bridge secure once cemented to your healthy teeth.

How Are They Installed?

To prepare for a two-surface bridge onlay, a dentist will first remove the portion of your healthy tooth that will act as the anchor (or, abutment). Then, depending on the process used by your dentist, either a physical impression of the tooth will be made, or 3D imaging will be used to render a digital impression. Next, your dentist will likely fit you with a temporary bridge until your custom bridge has been completed.

In total, you should expect to visit your dentist once to sort out all of the diagnostics and abutment tooth preparation, and then again to sort out all of the customization details. Once your custom bridge has returned from the lab, it would be laid into the excavated areas of your abutment teeth, and then either bonded or cemented into place.

And, that's it! With the kind of care you already provide to your other teeth, your bridge should last anywhere from 10-15 years. So, if you're concerned about what you look like without a tooth, or several teeth, check with your dentist. A bridge may be a great option for you.

Call Gordon Dental For a Free Consult 913-649-5017

www.kcgordondental.com

Reviews of Gordon Dental Leawood. Best Dentist Office in Kansas City

Dentures: Gordon Dental Kansas City,Overland Park, Leawood Kansas

Complete Upper Denture 

A “denture” is a form of dental prosthetic that allows for the placement of a series of artificial teeth in an area where healthy teeth used to exist. They can be made from a variety of materials, and can contain as many teeth as are missing in either jaw. However, once all teeth are lost in either the mandibular (lower) or maxillary (upper) jaws, a complete (or, full) denture would be necessary. This dental procedure code refers to a complete “upper” denture that is worn in the maxillary arch (or, upper jaw).

When a person experiences the loss of all the teeth in either jaw a complete denture may be a viable solution. This appliance allows the wearer to properly pronounce words that would be otherwise difficult, and most importantly provides a familiar and effective mechanism for chewing food. A complete denture also helps relieve cosmetic concerns that arise when teeth are missing. It isn't commonly known that the shape of our faces is largely determined by the shape and dimension of the teeth and bone within our mouths. When teeth are lost and bone mass decreases, so too does the natural appearance they support, and instead a face tends to “collapse” inward. So, in addition to the practical application of a denture as described above, a denture also provides an affordable fix to this less-than-ideal social stressor.

The procedure for making a full denture is akin to that of making a partial denture, albeit with a few more steps and different materials. The process begins about 8-12 weeks after the extraction of any remaining “non-vital” (dead) or decayed teeth. Once the gums are healed, a mold is made as a base for additional molds so as to accurately define and capture a person's bite. Finely tuned measurements of the mandibular (lower) arch will be matched with the complete upper, and tissue-shaded powders will be used to match the color of the artificial teeth and gums in the upper with the natural color of any remaining teeth and visible gum tissue in the mandibular arch. The complete process can take anywhere from three to six weeks and will require several appointments to ensure the best fit possible.

Call Gordon Dental for a Free Consult 913-649-5017
www.kcgordondental.com

Need To Have A Tooth Removed? Why Your Dentist Might Suggest Socket Preservation: Gordon Dental

Need To Have A Tooth Removed? Why Your Dentist Might Suggest Socket Preservation

When we experience the loss of a tooth, either through trauma or decay, the bone that surrounds the tooth undergoes a remarkably quick process known as resorption, where the bone is “broken down” at the cellular level and dispersed elsewhere throughout the body. Essentially, because the body believes it no longer needs this bony material due to the tooth’s absence, it reclaims this material into the body for other use. While this might sound like nothing to worry about, your dentist is likely to suggest socket preservation to prevent a host of further complications that accompany this rather intriguing bit of biological science.

What Is Socket Preservation?

Socket preservation is another name for what is clinically known as a bone graft. Essentially, it’s a stopgap measure for filling in the hole where the tooth used to reside, so it can heal in preparation for later treatment. If nothing were done to stop this dissipation of bone it would likely destabilize your neighboring teeth, and make future implants and other forms of prosthetic devices unlikely to work. Aside from the clinical consequences of bone loss, what might concern you more is the fact that the bone height determines our facial features, and a loss of that height due to an unpreserved socket can alter one’s appearance dramatically. Because of this, many dentists prefer to proactively stunt this resorption by using a bone graft.

There are four different types of bone graft that can be used at the time of the extraction, to preserve ridge integrity. They are:

• Autograft: Bone harvested from patient’s own body
• Xenograft: Bone grafts or collagen from bovine or porcine origin
• Allograft: Block bone graft from a cadaver
• Alloplast: Synthetic biomaterials such as PLGA, hydroxyapatite, tricalcium phosphate, bioglass – ceramics, etc.

Generally speaking, a bone graft is a surgical procedure where one of the above materials is layered into the socket where the tooth used to exist. There is a great variety to the type and procedure involved in bone grafts, and much is dependent on your dentist, your budget, the quality of the extraction performed, your overall health, your oral health, and the type of material to be used.

However, since preserving the bony ridge of your mouth is critical to future restorative work and your appearance, it is wise to consider the procedure if recommended. The benefits of socket preservation are many, chief among them the overall continual health of the other teeth in your mouth. Ask your dentist if you have more questions about this procedure.
 

Call Gordon Dental For a Free Consult 913-649-5017

www.kcgordondental.com

Leawood Kansas Dental Office, Gordon Dental Services Intro

What's in your toothpaste? Gordon Dental Kansas City

What's in your toothpaste? An ingredient checkup.

When was the last time you read the ingredient list of your favorite toothpaste brand? Actually, have you ever read the ingredient list? If you’re like most Americans, you’ve become an ingredient-list-reading crazy person these last few years, and it would be wise to add that toothpaste label to your list of reading materials. So, let’s explore the most common ingredients, learn a bit about how they function, and help you make the personal choice whether to avoid any or not.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)

Of all the ingredients that make their way into toothpaste, if there’s one you may be familiar with, it’s likely Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. It’s used in toothpaste mainly as a foaming agent, to give you the sense that your brushing is having the effect it should. Some argue it’s an unnecessary ingredient given that it’s prone to irritate the oral tissues of some, and can contribute to the formation of canker sores. More dubious, however, is the claim that SLS is a carcinogen. And, while the american cancer society and the federal government do not consider SLS to be a carcinogen, there are some scientists who believe more testing is necessary, and that consumers should avoid the ingredient if possible. If you’re at all concerned, the decision to avoid SLS is yours – not all toothpastes contain the ingredient.

Flavorings

Making toothpaste taste good isn’t a simple task. And trust us, you want that stuff to be palatable! Flavor additives are often oils/extracts/flavorings such as cinnamon, anise and mint, but can be synthetic (aspartame, for example.) Most would prefer a natural flavoring, but recognize that in some people these additives can cause irritation to oral tissues, and mint for some is a heartburn trigger. If you suspect your toothpaste is the cause of any mouth irritation you may be experiencing, play around with different flavored toothpastes till you find what works best for you.

Dyes and Colorings

It’s not really that necessary to have colored toothpaste. So, if you’d like to avoid things like colors followed by numbers like Blue #2, just say no to additional colors. These too can be irritants to some individuals.

Fluoride

Fluoride! You need it, you want it. Make sure your toothpaste has it. Fluoride works by strengthening tooth enamel and making teeth more resistant to acid attacks from plaque, bacteria and sugars in the mouth. Some of us may even require fluoride supplementation.

Alcohol

Alcohol dries out your mouth, and your mouth doesn’t enjoy that feeling very much. It can contribute to gingivitis, and generally doesn’t leave you feeling as fresh as you’d like. So, why use toothpaste with alcohol?

Triclosan

The jury is still out on Triclosan.  Only Colgate Total contains it – and it’s used (very effectively) as an antibacterial agent to fight gingivitis. Some researchers, however, contend it needs more recent and continued study given its questionable relationship with cancer. Measuring risk vs. benefit is always yours to consider. Here is what some in the scientific community are saying about Triclosan.

Abrasives

Silica, along with Baking soda, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphates and alumina, are abrasive agents used to remove stains from teeth. If you’re a frequent coffee, tea, red wine, or soda drinker, you might feel the need to brush with a toothpaste containing these ingredients. Recognize, however, that they are abrasive to your teeth. Go with toothpaste with a low abrasiveness. Or, reduce the quantity of your stain-inducing foods and beverages. Also, we’re going to assume that you’re not a smoker – which really stains teeth!

Humectants

Keeping toothpaste moist and in good form requires a humectant. Otherwise, you’d end up with a hard block of toothpaste or a chalky mess. Glycerin, sorbitol and water are the most common additives to your toothpaste to get this job done, and wonder-ingredient Xylitol has also been making an appearance as of late because it not only provides moisture but helps fight cavities.

Thickeners

Carrageenan, cellulose gum, guar gum, xanthan gum, and even gluten help thicken your toothpaste. They’re generally benign ingredients, though if you have celiac disease or if gluten is a concern for you, you’ll want to try to avoid them.

Preservatives

The last thing you want to be spreading all over your teeth is moldy toothpaste. Sodium benzoate, methyl paraben, and ethyl paraben are the three most common preservative ingredients used to keep your toothpaste from become home to all sorts of nasty bacteria. 

Call Gordon Dental for a Dental appointment at 913-649-5017

Avoid Baby Bottle Tooth Decay: Gordon Dental Kansas City

Seven Tips to Avoid Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Cavities – they're not just for adults. Streptococcus mutans, the bacterium that contributes to tooth decay, is a rather indiscriminate little purple menace, and is quite fond of teeth no matter if they're in your mouth or the mouth of your baby. Keeping their mouth as clean as you keep your own can help you stay ahead of early childhood cavities, and only read about baby bottle tooth decay instead of experiencing it firsthand.

With that in mind, here are seven tips that can help you in the fight against Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), and keep baby bottle tooth decay at bay!

1. Limit Snacking: Whenever a person consumes any type of food or beverage, the pH level lowers and the mouth becomes more acidic to aid in digestion. This first step in our digestion process ends about 30 minutes after we eat, and the pH returns to normal to help protect our teeth. When we snack, though, our teeth remain bathing in this acidic environment, wearing down tooth enamel, and providing a breeding ground for S. mutans. The same, of course, is true with infants who feed continually, or without a long enough break. You can counter this effect by planning mealtimes with a reasonable start and finish time. Ask your dentist or GP for the best advice for your child.
2. Avoid The Sugar Dip: Some parents are prone to dipping pacifiers in substances like honey or sugar to acclimate a child to using the device. This is generally a bad idea. For the same reasons you wouldn't want to suck on a honey stick, you shouldn't give one to your child as well. Bad for the teeth.
3. Don't Share The Spoon: Here's a surprise! Did you know that tooth decay can be transmitted from one person to another? By sharing your child's feeding spoon, you can actually transmit S. mutans living in your mouth to your child. If you want to use a spoon to show your child it's okay to eat in this fashion, you're best off using your own spoon, and then doing a little slight-of-hand-swicheroo.
4. Keep A Washcloth Nearby: For children who currently do not have teeth, use a washcloth to clean their gums after eating. Think of this as tooth brushing 101.
5. Brush Away: And, for those lucky enough to have teeth already, use a child-safe toothbrush to clean away any food debris after a meal. It's good training for your child, and good for their teeth as well!
6. Fill The Bottle Wisely: Avoid putting anything in your child's bottle except formula, breast milk or milk. Anything sweet or sugary will just further promote decay.
7. Obey Naptime Rules: Restrict bottle usage prior to bedtime, or at least brush or wash their mouth prior to bed. Allowing a child to sleep with a bottle is considered to be the number one reason for baby bottle tooth decay as the bottle tends to continually drip into the child's mouth. For more on why this is important, see tip, #1.

As you can see, avoiding tooth decay in children is really quite simple, and involves many of the same rules we have to follow as adults. Good luck!

Call Gordon Dental 913-649-5017 for an appointment

Implant Dentistry-Gordon Dental Kansas City, Overland Park, Leawood Kansas

Implant Dentistry

With dental implants, people are rediscovering the comfort and confidence to eat, speak, laugh and enjoy life. Implants are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth which look, feel and function like natural teeth. A properly placed implant (or implants) can give you the ability to eat virtually anything and can smile with confidence, knowing that your teeth appear natural.

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that a periodontist places into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Dental implants are an ideal option for people in good general oral health who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury, or some other reason.

Advantages of Dental Implants over Dentures or a Bridge
Every way you look at it, dental implants are a better solution to the problem of missing teeth.

• Esthetic. Dental implants look and feel like your own teeth! Since dental implants integrate into the structure of your bone, they prevent the bone loss and gum recession that often accompany bridgework and dentures. No one will ever know that you have a replacement tooth.
• Tooth-saving. Dental implants don't sacrifice the quality of your adjacent teeth like a bridge does because neighboring teeth are not altered to support the implant. More of your own teeth are left untouched, a significant long-term benefit to your oral health!
• Confidence. Dental implants will allow you to once again speak and eat with comfort and confidence! They are secure and offer freedom from the irksome clicks and wobbles of dentures. They'll allow you to say goodbye to worries about misplaced dentures and messy pastes and glues.
• Reliable. The success rate of dental implants is highly predictable. They are considered an excellent option for tooth replacement.

What can Dental Implants do?

• Replace one or more teeth without affecting bordering teeth.
• Support a bridge and eliminate the need for a removable partial denture.
• Provide support for a denture, making it more secure and comfortable.

Call 913-649-5017 for a Free Consult

www.kcgordondental.com

Dental Implants: Gordon Dental Kansas City, Overland Park, Leawood Kansas

Dental Implants - Getting to the Root of Things

With regular dental care and some luck, you may never be a candidate for a dental implant, but knowing about them ahead of time will help inform your decision should the need ever arise. So, what are implants, how do they work, and who needs them?

How Does a Dental Implant Work?

Dental implants are artificial tooth “roots” that are placed into the jaw to help hold a replacement tooth, bridge, or even dentures, in place in the jaw.  Typically made of Titanium, which the jawbone will accept or fuse to, dental implants are most often used for patients who have somehow lost a tooth or teeth – whether through accident, injury, or even periodontal disease.  Implants can also help stop periodontal disease from forming by eliminating gaps in the mouth where disease and infection are likely to occur, and preventing the shifting of teeth which can cause more long-term damage.

There are two types of implants. “Endosteal,” or “in the bone” implants are typically screws, blades, or cylinders which are surgically placed directly into the jawbone. Generally used to support bridges or removable dentures, this type of implant is the most common. “Subperiosteal,” or “on the bone” implants are placed on top of the jaw with posts that protrude through the gum to hold a dental prosthesis in place. These types of implants are used for patients who are unable to wear conventional dentures. Sometimes an implant is used to anchor orthodontia in place as well.

An ideal implant candidate is usually in good health overall, and has good oral health as well.  Healing time varies, as do success rates – and general post-surgical care is a key component to success. Learning about what’s involved in an implant will help you in making your decision should the need ever arise for you. 

Call Gordon Dental for a Free Consult 913-649-5017

www.kcgordondental.com

Dental Bone Graft: Gordon Dental Kansas City

Dental Bone Replacement Graft 

When a tooth is extracted, or periodontal disease progresses to the point where it results in a deformity of the alveolar bone tissue that surrounds a tooth, a bone replacement graft may be placed in the area to stimulate the regrowth of this bone tissue. Without such intervention, the tissue undergoes what is known as resorption (“breakdown”), which, at the cellular level, takes component materials and disperses them elsewhere throughout the body. In layman's terms, the bony material is essentially “taken” back “into” the body for other use.

This resorption of bone tissue can affect the efficacy of future restorative dentistry, such as implants and prosthetics. It can also change facial features and therefore alter one’s general aesthetics. As a result, many dentists prefer to proactively stunt this resorption by using a bone graft.

There are three different types of bone graft that can be used to stimulate bone regeneration under this code. They are:

• Autograft – Bone harvested from patient’s own body
• Xenograft – Bone grafts or collagen from bovine or porcine origin
• Allograft – Block bone graft from a cadaver

Generally speaking, layering one of the above materials into the area where the bone tissue has subsided completes a bone graft. This is accomplished by first exposing the area by means of a surgical incision, and then by layering the material into the recessed area. A protective collagen membrane is then placed atop this material to aid in healing and stability, and then the area is sutured shut. When a bone graft is needed in the rear of the mouth and in the upper jaw, the procedure is more complicated because the sinus cavity is often involved. When bone loss occurs below the sinus cavity, the cavity tends to “drop” as a result. Thus, surgery in the area requires specialized care so as not to disrupt the very delicate sinus cavity.

To place a bone graft in this area, then, the sinus membrane needs to be elevated (or lifted) out of harm’s way to allow for the addition of bone graft material. To accomplish this, an incision is made in the gum tissue to expose the bone, and a small oval-shaped hole is cut to expose the sinus cavity. Then, gently, and sometimes with a surgical balloon, the sinus membrane would be lifted out of the way to make room for the grafting material. Once again, a protective collagen membrane would be layered atop the graft, and the incision sutured shut.

There is great variety to the type of bone graft and the procedures involved, and much is dependent on your dentist, your budget, the quality of the extraction performed, your overall health, your oral health, and the type of material to be used. Since preserving the ridge is critical to future restorative work and your cosmetic satisfaction, it is wise to consult with your dentist at length to determine the best procedure for you.

Call Gordon Dental For a Free Consult 913-649-5017

www.kcgordondental.com

Dental Implant Restorations: Gordon Dental Kansas City, Overland Park, Leawood Kansas

Implant Restoration

Dental Implants are generally considered to be the Gold Standard of tooth replacement. No other dental technology approaches the efficiency and accuracy of an implanted tooth and the benefits derived from it. The artificial root structure is second only to your natural teeth.

It is not unheard of Implants enduring for 35 years. Hard and soft tissue stimulation created by the implant device preserves critical bone mass and sustains life in surrounding tissues.

Nonetheless..... implant failures do occur. In healthier young bone tissue, dental implants have a higher predictability for success since compromised or deteriorated jawbone conditions probably don't exist, thereby eliminating the need for bone and tissue grafts. Periodontal disease also has a lower incidence with younger patients.

If you unfortunately suffered from a failed, broken, or an improperly placed implant, please schedule an appointment with us.

What are some reasons for implant failures?

• Early Implant Failures. Technique errors can cause implants to fail early. Overheating of the bone during site preparation can be a factor. Using too much force or not enough force (torque) at the time of insertion into the bone can be a factor also.
  
  Contamination issues involving the implant itself and/or the implant site within the bone material will cause failure by interfering with the osseointegration process (bone material fully integrates the implant device with no rejection issues). Improperly placed temporaries, if used, may result in excessive forces upon the implant device thereby preventing normal osseointegration. Lastly, poor quality of bone is a common cause.
• Late Implant Failures. Implants that become wobbly, loose or fall out after a significant period of optimal function typically result from excessive forces on the implant... which most commonly arises out of a shifting bite or changes in the vertical dimension (normal height of upper and lower jaws in the resting position).
  
  Simple wear and tear issues on adjacent teeth can be the culprit as well as teeth clenching.
  
  Lateral forces that tend to exert pressure in a way that pushes the tooth on a horizontal plane usually come from changes in adjacent and opposing tooth structures... again a function of the occlusal relationship.

What do I do to fix my implant?
In some situations, determining the cause effect relationship can be an academic pursuit. In other cases it is almost imperative to understand the constellation of factors that can result in a failed implant.

An accurate diagnosis should be obtained as soon as an implant is suspected of failure.

A restored implant may be loose, wobbly or create pain symptoms due to a failure in the restoration itself which can involve abutments, thread devices within certain types of implants, broken threads or perhaps a loosening of the abutment materail (e.g., zirconium).

Repairs and replacements of restorations can usually be completed quickly, returning the implant tooth to the normal occlusal relationship that was designed into the original treatment. Extended delays in completing the restorative repair does pose some functional risk for adjacent tooth structures, depending on treatment history.

Call Gordon Dental at 913-649-5017 for a free Consult

www.kcgordondental.com

Top 10 Tips to Find Best Dental Implant Center

Finding the best dental implant center is important. You want to feel confident that the dental work will be done correctly. You also want to feel comfortable. These 10 tips will help you to make up your mind.

1. Find out the options you have in your area. There may be only one or two dental implant centers available. You may find that if you travel an hour or so to a larger city, you will have more choices.

2. Evaluate the types of implant services that are offered. Most of these dental offices have websites that allow you to find out. If not, call them and ask some questions. They should be willing to help you with the information you ask about.

3. Do they offer a free consultation? This is an opportunity for you to go in at no charge. They will give you an exam and perhaps x-ray. Then they can tell you if you are a good candidate for dental implants. If so, they can offer you a treatment plan. You aren’t under any obligation to accept it.

4. They offer quality materials. You want to make sure the dental implants are going to look nice. You also want to make sure they are going to last. Ask about the types of materials they use. Some make the implants in-house and others will outsource to a dental lab.

5. Do they offer competitive pricing? Dental implants can vary significantly in price based on the provider. Make some comparisons to get an idea of the best price. You may need to look into payment options too. Ask about the options that are provided.

6. What method of treatment do they offer? Not all dental implants are done the same way. You may be interested in a provider that offers the best technology out there in this realm. You may be content with one that is using older methods that are proven to be effective.

7. What is the reputation and the experience of the dental professional? You need to be confident you are getting the care from someone that can do an outstanding job.

8. How long have they been in business? Longevity often says a great deal about what is being offered. A new business may be a great one, but one that is established must have happy customers.

9. Do they take the time to make you feel comfortable? That is important because you want to feel welcome at the dental office. You also need to be able to relax.

10. Do they offer measures to help you avoid pain and discomfort during the procedure? Many offer laughing gas or numbing medications. Others offer sleep therapy through an IV during a dental implant procedure.

Contact Gordon Dental of leawood for more information.

www.leawoodgordondental.com

Gum Disease: Gordon Dental Kansas City

Gum Disease

The most common disease in the United States is not what you may think. Heart disease, stroke or cancer come to mind, but actually gum disease is the single most prevalent disease in America. In fact, it affects more people than heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer's, and cancer combined. About 80% of the population has some form of gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, periodontitis (advanced) and gingivitis (mild).

What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is an infection of the gums and bone that support teeth. It usually starts early in life and progresses as a person ages. It all starts when plaque hardens into tartar (also called calculus) below the gum line. This irritates vulnerable soft tissues and infection can set in. Combined with decaying food particles lodged between teeth and bacteria emitted by plaque, the infection can spread quickly. Symptoms are so mild in the early phase that many patients don't recognize them: red, tender, swollen gums, bleeding when brushing teeth, slight discomfort while chewing hard foods.

As the condition progresses, gums recede from teeth and pockets of bacteria form. The bacteria can destroy gum tissue and bone, causing tooth and bone loss.

Why is Gum Disease so Serious?
Recent research reveals that gum disease is linked to increased risk for major overall health problems, including but not limited to stroke, heart disease, respiratory problems, osteoporosis, diabetes complications, low birth weight and most recently, dementia. Because of these findings, research continues.

It makes perfect sense, though that gum disease is linked to overall health problems. Everything that enters or is present in the mouth has access to the whole body. The mouth is like a portal to the body. That's why regular checkups and hygiene visits are vital to not only oral health, but overall health as well.

Is Gum Disease Curable?
Unfortunately, gum disease is not curable. However, your dentist can detect early warning signs of gum disease at your regular dental checkups. At this stage, prevention might be as simple as changing your brushing technique, improving your flossing routine or changing the products you use for oral care at home.

Once gum disease sets in, your dentist can often treat it with non-surgical therapy including:

• Scaling or Root Planing – These deep-cleaning measures involve scraping and removing plaque and tartar from teeth above and below the gum line.
• Laser Treatment – to remove bacteria and promote gum reattachment
• Antibiotics - These and other medications are often used together with scaling and root planing to stop the spread of infection and inflammation in the mouth. They come in several different forms that range from medicated mouthwashes to antibiotic-containing gels or fibers that are placed in gum pockets to slowly kill bacteria and help gums to heal.
• Surgery – advanced cases may require the care of a periodontist.

Expect to attend more frequent hygiene visits so that a dentist or hygienist can monitor your condition and make sure that recovery is on track.

What is Laser Treatment for Gum Disease?
Combined with comprehensive periodontal therapy, a diode laser for soft tissue procedures can remove and reduce some periodontal infection. This type of treatment also promotes reattachment of gum tissue to teeth. Laser dentistry is precise and conservative in comparison to traditional therapies. Some patients do not even need anesthesia during laser therapy.

Call Gordon Dental at 913-649-5017 or visit us at:

www.kcgordondental.com

Frequent Headaches? The Cause May Be in Your Mouth: Gordon Dental Kansas City

Frequent Headaches? The Cause May Be in Your Mouth

Did you know that in many cases, frequent, or even constant headache pain can be treated more effectively by your dentist, instead of by your GP? Headaches are strange beasts. Their cause is often elusive, and they can range from mildly irritating to unrelentingly painful. Since frequent headaches can interfere with your quality of life, if you experience pain that remains after treatment from a physician, you might wish to see your dentist. After all, you may be suffering from what is called a "dental headache."

What Can Trigger a Dental Headache?

Most dental headaches are classified as "tension" headaches, and are the result of muscular tension that builds up in the region of the face and jaw. Frequently, this tension is a symptom of malocclusion, or - to put it simply - a "bad bite." All sorts of things can cause a bad bite, including previous dentistry, orthodontics or incoming wisdom teeth. Having a bad bite essentially means the chewing surfaces of the teeth do not meet along a smooth curve when the jaw is shut. This causes the muscles in the jaw to continually overcompensate for the imbalance, resulting in pain and soreness that radiates throughout the head.

Understanding "Referred" Pain

This radiating of headache pain is part of why a headache can be difficult to diagnose.  Because of the complex nerve structure in this region of the body, where pain is often "referred" from its place of origin to other locations throughout the skull, patients experiencing such pain can unwittingly steer a doctor away from a proper diagnosis by merely focusing on the localization of the pain. So, in instances of referred pain, even though we may be experiencing discomfort in the temple region of our head, for example, the true origin of the pain may be in the musculature surrounding the jaw and the result of an improper bite. The good news is, malocclusion can be fixed rather easily by reshaping teeth that might be too high, or by wearing an orthotic that corrects your bite over time.

TMJ and Bruxism

Two other issues we see in the dental world that can result in frequent and/or constant headaches are Temporomandibular Joint Dissorder (TMJD) and teeth grinding (Bruxism).  TMJD occurs as a result of problems with the mechanism of the jaw and its surrounding muscles, and 99% of the time is the result of an injury to the joint. Anything from whiplash to sports trauma, or even something as simple as having your mouth extended too wide for too long in your dentist's office can trigger TMJ.  If you experience frequent "popping" or "clicking" of your jaw, particularly if you've ever experienced trauma in this area of your head, you'll want to visit your dentist for a checkup.

Lastly, Bruxism, a habit even babies can develop, can be another cause of frequent headaches.  After all, grinding your teeth for hours upon hours as if you were consuming a Thanksgiving feast all night long, puts the muscles of your face through a tremendous workout without rest. If you find that you often wake with a headache that goes away shortly after rising, you may be, in fact, grinding your teeth.

So there you have it, the story of the headache your dentist is best primed to correct. It's also worth mentioning that, aside from headache causes described above, headache pain can also be caused by more familiar dentistry issues like cavities, a tooth infection or an abscess.  All the more reason to visit your dentist to see if that headache you're always suffering from is actually coming from your mouth.

Call Gordon Dental at 913-649-5017 for a free consult, or visit

www.kcgordondental.com

Diabetes And Dental Health

25.8 million children and adults in the United States – 8.3% of the population – have diabetes. And not too far behind those 25.8 million are the estimated 79 million Americans with prediabetes. What's worse, the prevalence of the disease is on the rise, with an estimated 552 million to be diagnosed by 2030. Its progress has become so staggering, the International Diabetes Foundation has termed Diabetes as “The Global Burden.” Diabetes is a serious illness, and its complications are manifold. Most know of its impact on circulation, visual acuity, and heart and kidney function. Many aren't aware, however, of its deleterious effect on gum tissue. If you're prediabetic, have diabetes or have a loved one with the disease, you'll want to learn more about how to ward off this commonly unknown side effect of the disease.

Diabetes is a disease with tentacles. It touches and degrades so many aspects of a person's physical health, it becomes difficult to be mindful of all its complications without proper vigilance.  Yet, vigilance is precisely what is needed, particularly with regard to its role in a healthy mouth, because having diabetes can not only lead to oral disease, but the presence of oral disease can also aggravate diabetes. When it comes to diabetes and the mouth, it is unfortunately, as the scientific community calls it, a “two way street.”

What are some of the Oral Health complications of Diabetes?

• Tooth Decay: Occasionally, an observant dentist who notices a high instance of cavities in an otherwise healthy mouth is the first to suggest a patient be tested for diabetes. The reason for this is that uncontrolled diabetes results in higher levels of salivary glucose. When coupled with a diabetic's diminished salivary production, the mouth tends to bathe in an environment ripe for tooth decay, and these parallels are markers that get a dentists’ attention. If you're already diabetic, you'll want to keep your dentist informed of your disease and its current state so they can always be on the lookout for related problems in your mouth.
• Gingivitis And Periodontal Disease: Because diabetes lowers the body's ability to fight infection, people with the disease are more likely to encounter bouts with gingivitis and periodontitis. Both gingivitis and periodontitis are bacterial gum infections, with gingivitis being the less advanced version of the two. Having either condition, though, requires diligent care because of a diabetic's inability to fight these infections properly. Diabetics have the added burden of having to contend rising sugar levels caused by the body's reaction to stress and infection. The resulting “see-saw” effect can be quite difficult to manage, to say the least. If nothing else sways you to consider your oral health as it relates to diabetes, this single interrelated factor alone should convince you this is a battle you need to fight from an offensive, rather than a defensive position.
• Fungal Infections: Also related to the body's inability to fight infection, diabetics are likely to experience a greater incidence of oral fungal infections. Thrush, which can be common in infancy as a baby develops their immune system is often seen in diabetic patients as well.
• Loss of Taste: In the far reaching realm of diabetes complications, losing your ability to taste certainly ranks among the more unpopular. Here, nerve damage is the culprit, as untreated or uncontrolled diabetes can cut off nerve transmissions to the brain from the taste buds, thus impairing or completely removing one's ability to taste. Not good.

Diabetes is a serious illness, and thankfully, it is one that can be prevented. If you already have the disease, it can also be controlled by following the advice of your doctor and your dentist. Be sure to make all of your health care team members aware of your disease so you can best stay on top of it. There is nothing worse than the awareness that you could have saved yourself from risky complications through better self-care. And there is nothing better than knowing that you did save yourself from additional illness by doing the right thing. So be proactive, and be healthy!

Call 913-649-5017 for more information or visit

or visit www.kcgordondental.com