We hope all of you have a wonderful & safe Thanksgiving!

November's Theme - Diabetes and Periodontal Disease Connection

November is National American Diabetes Month. There is a BIG connection between Diabetes and Periodontal Disease (also known as gum disease). People with Diabetes are more likely to develop gum disease and lose teeth. Like all infections, gum disease may cause blood sugar to rise and make diabetes harder to control. There are 2 stages of gum disease.


The first stage is Gingivitis. The longer plaque and tartar are on teeth, the more harmful they become. The bacteria around the gums are call "gingivitis". In Gingivitis, the gums become red, swollen, and tender. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that can usually be reversed with daily brushing, flossing, and regular cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist. There is not any loss of bone and tissue that hold teeth in place.


The second, and most advance stage, is Periodontitis. When Gingivitis is not treated, it can advance to "periodontitis". Periodontitis means "inflammation around the tooth". In Periodontitis, gums pull away from the teeth and form "pockets" that are infected. The body's immune system fights the bacteria as the plaque spreads and grows below the gum line. Bacterial toxins and the body's enzymes fighting the infection actually start to break down the bone and connective tissue that hold teeth in place. If not treated, the bones, gums, and connective tissue that support the teeth are destroyed. The teeth may eventually become loose and have to be removed.


The main goal of treatment is to control the infection. The number and types of treatment will vary, depending on the extent of the gum disease. If treatment can't save your teeth, they may need to be removed. Any type of treatment requires that the patient keep up good daily oral hygiene at home.

Halloween Tips to prevent Cavities

Here are some tips to prevent Halloween Cavities:

• Consume Halloween candy with meals
• Saliva production increases during meals and helps neutralize acids produced by bacteria in your mouth and help rinse away food particles!
• Avoid sticky candies
• The stickier candies, like taffy and gummy bears, take longer to get washed away by saliva, which increase the risk of cavities!
• Avoid hard candies
• Candies that stay in the mouth for a long period of time subject the teeth to prolonged acid attack, which increases the risk of cavities!
• Drink more water
• The more water you drink, the more the bacteria is being washed away!
• Inspect all candies for anything that has been tampered with!

Remember the 1-2-3's of good daily oral hygiene!

Floss once a day, brush twice a day, and eat three balanced meals a day!

Electric Toothbrushes

Electric toothbrushes have several advantages over manual brushes. Most of them have timers so you'll brush longer, they are more fun to use, and clinical studies have shown that they are more effective at removing plaque. Some electric toothbrushes are better than others. Sonic toothbrushes such as the Philips Sonicare series remove more plaque because of the vibrations per minute (some models boast vibrations per minute).


"After I first started using my Sonicare toothbrush, I have never wanted to use a manual brush again! I feel like my teeth get cleaned so much better than manual brushes! I love my brush and recommend it to everyone i know!"