Preventive Dental Care in North Little Rock AR

The Main Cause of Missing Teeth

Most teeth are lost due to gum disease. This is the number one reason, over injury or decay. The usual symptoms of bleeding gums from brushing and flossing or loose teeth are not always present. These signs may not show up until the problem is advanced. There are both surgical and nonsurgical methods to correct gum disease. Coming in when the condition is more moderate can save you from needing gum surgery.

Gum Disease Can Mean Serious Health Problems

It has been confirmed by medical researchers that gum disease is an affliction that can cause or worsen serious health problems such as diabetes, stroke, and cardiovascular disease. The American Dental Association released the statistic that nearly 80% of Americans have periodontal (gum) disease. Dentists now consider gum disease to be a national epidemic that is more serious than just losing your teeth.

The American Academy of Periodontology reports that "Studies found periodontal infection may contribute to the development of heart disease, increase the risk of premature, underweight births, and pose a serious threat to people whose health is already compromised due to diabetes and respiratory diseases." As the bacteria in gums circulates throughout the bloodstream, it can have a harmful effect on vital organs.

An Easier Solution to Treating Gum Disease

Surgery is not the only option to successfully reverse gum infection. When gum disease treatment is given in the more moderate stages, there are alternative methods that work well. With improved daily dental hygiene and early treatment, nonsurgical approaches will stop the infection. Both types of treatment are normally covered by dental insurance plans.

What Can Happen When You Have Missing Teeth

Perhaps you think a missing tooth is no big deal. But there are other problems that can arise from even one missing tooth. Teeth that are adjacent to a missing tooth can also become loose. The more teeth you have missing, the fewer nutrients you get out of your food. As chewing can become difficult, softer foods are often consumed more often, which can cause unwanted weight increase. Your facial appearance can start to "sink in" without the support of the missing teeth as well as the ensuing bone loss. You will start to look older than your age. Speech can be embarrassing as well.

We recommend dental implants for any missing tooth. No matter where you have missing teeth, they can be inserted to provide a natural-looking, full-functioning replacement to recapture a beautiful smile.

Clean Teeth Beyond Your Expectations

When we use the Piezo Scaler™, we hear comments from our patients that their teeth have never felt so clean! This high-tech hand tool uses the vibrations of high frequencies to remove deposits on teeth and under the gumline much faster and easier. This is true even in deep pockets in the case of gum disease treatment. The scaler does its job so efficiently, there is little discomfort.

We can help arrest your gum disease and bring your smile back to health. Give us a call today at (501) 955-0155 for preventive dental Care in North Little Rock, AR.