Author Archives: owner

This is the usual end result of untreated severe gum/periodontal disease, dentures or no teeth at all.  I have been treating people with severe gum disease in Palm Harbor, Tampa Florida for more than 24 years.  In all these years of practicing dentistry in Palm Harbor some patients with periodontal disease have been able to stabilize and maintain their teeth and others have either gradually lost them or chosen to have them removed.

My observation is that MOST people can get used to upper dentures, while MOST people do not ever get used to lower dentures (for them dental implants can be a viable and cost effective solution.)

Can gum disease be prevented?  Yes in most circumstances, no in rare instances.  Periodontal disease prevention is centered around plaque control (brushing, flossing, professional maintenance), healthy lifestyle (smoking, eating, clenching teeth), good health and good genetics.

Plaque, tarter, calculus was thought to be the only cause for gum disease when I was in the Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery in the early 1980’s.  It is the major risk factor but certainly not the only factor.  Personal habits and genetic have a major impact also.

Without a doubt the earlier in life a person realizes and takes control of their own life/dental health, the lower the chance of gum disease and the greater chance for one to keep their teeth.

I have been a practicing dentist, treating gum disease, in Palm Harbor FL since 1988.  Nowadays dentists/patients have many treatment options.  Speak with your dentist or call my office if you are in need of help.

Cigarette/cigar smoking is a risk factor for periodontal disease.  This has been firmly established.

While I was in the Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery in the early 1980’s, it was believed that smoking and periodontal disease were somehow connected.  Research since that time has definitively linked smoking and gum disease.  Aside from the obvious ill effects from smoking, the pharmacology of the nicotine and the additives must be considered.  Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor.  The small blood vessels in the mouth/gums/periodontium are closed down, less blood flows, less oxygen, nutrients, etc

Funny picture?  Truth of the matter is this man has NO teeth.  The face collapses upon tooth loss.  The main reason adults and seniors loose teeth is severe periodontal disease.  Tooth loss is not inevitable.  In fact, due to the many types of gum disease treatment available in the 21st century, people are keeping their teeth longer.

This picture may be funny, but I am sure he cannot enjoy fresh vegetables, apples or steak, hamburger maybe.

Treatments for periodontal disease range, dental cleanings, deep cleaning, Arestin placement, laser gum treatment, gum surgery, periodontal bone grafting, treatment options go on and on.  The best treatment is prevention.

The result of gum disease varies depending on the severity as well as the patients overall health.  Early gum disease or gingivitis with no bone loss can usually be treated with a routine dental cleaning.  Severe periodontal disease usually results in tooth loss with possible overall systemic health implications.  In this picture taken in my Palm Harbor FL dental office, two upper molars and one upper bicuspid are visible shortly after they were extracted.  Periodontal or gum disease is treated on a regular basis by most dentists.  A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the treatment of gum disease.  Many periodontists also place dental implants, but they do not make the  dental crowns or dentures.  There is no dental specialty of oral implantology.