According to statistics and studies, more than 75 percent of all Americans have some form of gum disease, however, only about 60 percent have knowledge of the dangers of gum disease.

To understand gum disease, it’s important to know that people can experience various stages of gum disease.

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, begins when bacteria in plaque causes the gums to become inflamed.

Gingivitis is the mildest stage of periodontal disease. Gingivitis causes the gums to become red and swollen. Often, the gums bleed easily when a patient experiences gingivitis which can be caused by inadequate oral hygiene. Typically, a patient does not experience discomfort with gingivitis which can be reversed with professional treatment and good oral hygiene habits at home.

Gingivitis can lead to the next stage of gum disease, periodontitis. When plaque spreads, it can grow below the gum line. The toxins produced by the bacteria irritates the gums and initiates the body’s inflammatory response. This inflammation causes the tissues and bone that support the teeth to break down. Patients may experience loose teeth. It can even progress so much that the tooth may need to be removed.

Those who are at risk for gum disease are smokers, people with diabetes, cancer patients, those taking certain medications, and women who are experiencing hormonal changes, like pregnancy or menopause.

A Knoxville or Powell family dentist can determine if you have gum disease, but some of the symptoms include bad breath that won’t go away, red or swollen gums, tender or bleeding gums, receding gums, painful chewing, or sensitive teeth.

If you experience any of these symptoms of gum disease, contact a Knoxville family dentist. A dentist or hygienist can provide a thorough cleaning to remove the plaque. An x-ray may be needed to determine if there is any bone loss. Medication might be prescribed to treat the infection caused by the gum disease. In some instances, oral surgery may be necessary if inflammation and deep pockets remain in the gum tissue after treating the infection.

Powell dentist, Dr. Wesley Mullins of My Family Dentistry, is licensed to practice Laser Periodontal Therapy, a minimally invasive gum disease treatment. This Laser Periodontal Therapy is certified by the Food and Drug Administration and requires no scalpels or sutures for patients. Patients who have Laser Periodontal Therapy experience a comfortable healing process and a speedier recovery time compared to those who undergo tissue flap surgery.

To prevent gum disease, patients should brush their teeth twice daily using a fluoride toothpaste. Flossing is important to remove plaque in between teeth. Routine dental visits for a check-up and professional cleaning are also recommended.

Research has shown that taking care of your oral health is important to a patient’s overall health. There is a link that shows that patients with gum disease are more likely to develop heart disease and diabetes.

If you have questions about gum disease or would like to schedule a comprehensive exam, contact My Family Dentistry today.

Christmas cakes, pies, cookies, and snacks are some of the most enjoyable things about the holiday season. However, these seasonal treats could wreak havoc on your dental health for months to come.

Eating right for your overall dental health means eating in moderation and including a good balance of dairy, meat, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. However, eating balanced meals is not always a possibility during the hectic holiday season. Also, eating moderate portions is a challenge with all the holiday parties, celebrations, and dinners. During the holidays, we tend to snack more than usual too. Open popcorn tins and full candy dishes are on every desk or break room table. With all the sugary sweets and salty snacks at our fingertips, it can be a challenge to keep our teeth clean and healthy.

To keep your smile looking and feeling healthy, your Knoxville family dentist has some recommendations. To understand why snacking can be detrimental to your teeth, it’s important to understand the major cause of cavities. Cavities, or tooth decay, occurs by the breakdown of refined sugars by bacteria, turning the sugars into acid which dissolves tooth enamel. The build-up of the sticky mixture of bacteria and debris is plaque, and constant snacking causes more and more plaque to build up on teeth.

To keep your smile healthy during the holiday snacking season, try choosing snacks like fresh fruits and raw vegetables. In fact, munching on vegetables enhances saliva development which helps rinse the teeth clean of food debris. Fruits and vegetable generally have a high water content which can also help clean teeth and gums. Also, the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables can protect teeth and gums.

If you can’t resist the sweet or salty holiday snack foods, there are some measures you can take to minimize damage to your teeth. If possible, keep a toothbrush handy and try to brush after meals or snacks. If you find yourself without your toothbrush, rinsing your mouth out with water after eating will remove some debris to prevent plaque build-up on teeth.

If candy is your weakness, then choosing candy made with xylitol can be the wise choice and may improve your oral health. Knoxville dentists have reported studies that show that products made with the natural sweetener, xylitol, interrupts the metabolic process of bacteria converting sugar to tooth-decaying acid, thus reducing the likelihood of cavities. In addition to preventing tooth decay, research has shown that xylitol can actually reverse the decaying process on existing dental caries.

Xylitol can be found in products such as chewing gum, mints, and lollipops. After snacking, simply chew a piece of gum made with xylitol to prevent plaque build-up. So, rather than keeping a bag or box of candy at your desk, keep xylitol mints or lollipops handy so that you can snack healthy and take care of your teeth. Also, xylitol candy products make excellent stocking stuffers for the kids.

To maintain a healthy smile throughout the holidays, schedule a cleaning with your Knoxville dental health professional and start the New Year out right.

As a dental health professional, it is exciting to see a patient’s smile transform. It is also rewarding to bring the newest technology to patients and see the results that are often life-changing.

To learn about one of the newest restorative options for dental implants, Dr. Mullins and his lab technician attended a three day course in Atlanta, the U.S. location of Zirkonzahn, the industry leader in this technology.

Zirconia used to restore implants is an alternative to metal acrylic restorations. Zirkozahn use Zirconium, a grayish, white transition metal which, in its purest form, resembles titanium. Zirconium is resistant to corrosion and Zirconium dioxide (Zirconia) is used because of its toughness and chemical resistance.

“It’s an art,” said Dr. Mullins, “Zirconia dental implants are beautiful and long-lasting.”

One of the recognizable differences between Zirconian implant restorations and acrylic implant restoration is the amazing attention to detail. Zirconium restorations are individually designed in CAD (computer assisted design) and hand-crafted with unique, patient specific characteristics. Zirconia restorations also offer an aesthetic advantage over other material because it is generally indistinguishable from natural teeth. Research also indicates that Zirconia restorations are a more comfortable alternative to other implant materials.

Another advantage of Zirconia implants is that they are not abrasive to natural tooth structures. When the natural tooth rubs against the smooth Zirconia , there is no abrasion or wear to the natural tooth.  When a natural tooth rubs against a porous, porcelain, abrasion occurs and, over time, it can act like sandpaper against the natural tooth.

Zirkonzahn is the company that is at the forefront of Zirconia implant technology. Zirkonzahn was founded by Enrico Steger who has spent the better part of his career perfecting zirconia as a dental restorative material. Today, Steger’s company is the industry leader in dental implant materials, technology, and procedures.

To learn more about Zirconia implants, contact Dr. Mullins at My Family Dentistry today.

For some people, Autumn means football, fall leaves, and flex spending accounts. Wait, what does flexible spending accounts have to do with the Fall?

Flexible spending accounts (FSA) are programs offered by employers that allow their employees to pay for eligible out-of-pocket health care expenses with pre-tax dollars. An FSA allows people to receive an immediate discount by reducing the taxes normally paid on out-of-pocket health care expenses. The savings can be substantial, up to 20 percent.

Most FSA accounts require enrollment at the beginning of the year to determine how much money you anticipate spending in health care expenses. However, that money can be forfeited if not used by the end of the year. So, the Fall is the perfect time to evaluate your FSA and determine how to spend the remaining funds. Many people use this opportunity to schedule an appointment with their family dentist.

The IRS guidelines state that FSA eligible dental expenses include the prevention and alleviation of dental disease. Eligible treatments include procedures such as teeth cleaning, application of sealants, fluoride treatments, x-rays, fillings, extractions, dentures, and braces.

Some Knoxville residents have even more incentive this Fall to schedule an appointment with their family dentist. When Mercy Health Partners in Knoxville was acquired by Health Management Associates this year, employees experienced many changes. One of those changes was a change in their dental insurance plan carrier. Employees not only have their remaining benefits with their previous dental insurance provider, but they also have additional benefits from their new dental provider for the remaining months of 2011. This means that employees have additional dental insurance dollars that they can utilize for the rest of 2011. Employees are taking advantage of this opportunity by scheduling routine dental appointments. They are also looking into additional dental restorative procedures that they need, but may have been postponing.

If you have FSA money to spend or if you are a Mercy Health employee with additional dental insurance benefits, contact My Family Dentistry to determine what dental procedures will ensure that you have the happiest and healthiest smile possible.