But when you brush your teeth, and there’s a bit of blood in the sink … do you phone the dentist’s office with same urgency?

Most people would say no, but the truth is, they should. That “pink in the sink” can be the first sign of a troubling, painful and expensive problem – gingivitis, or gum disease.

According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, about 80 percent of adults have some form of gum disease.

“So many people tell us their gums bleed every time they brush and they just don’t think anything’s wrong,” says Dr. James A. Wells, D.D.S., of South Charlotte Dentistry.

Gum disease starts with gingivitis, which can be caught early and successfully treated. But left untreated, as it often is, it will result in peridonitis, a serious disease that is expensive to treat and affects not only teeth and gums, but can result in tissue and gum loss as well, Wells says.

Untreated gum disease has been linked to an increased risk for stroke, diabetes and coronary artery disease too.

Untreated gum disease can cause teeth to fall out because the bone and tissue around the gum erodes. Wells compares it to a beach house with a foundation that gets washed away. Without the foundation, the house falls apart. The primary contributing factor for gum disease is bad dental habits, Wells says. And because in the beginning stages, gum disease doesn’t cause a lot of pain, it’s easy to ignore.

“We have patients who come in gums that are fire-engine red,” Wells says, “and they say they didn’t realize anything was wrong.”

About 90 percent of patients who have gum disease don’t know it, Wells adds.

Without treatment, gingivitis can turn into periodontal disease. For that to be treated, infection that causes pain and swelling must first be treated. That may involve root scaling and planing, a procedure in which cleaning is done between the gums and teeth down into the roots. After scaling and planing, a dedicated regimen of good dental hygiene can bring the gums back to healthy condition. If the gum disease is too advanced, surgery, which is “very expensive and very uncomfortable” may be required, Wells says.

If you’re experiencing bleeding while brushing and flossing, don’t put it off. Make an appointment today.

Most plans these days cover cleanings. Are you taking advantage of this benefit? It’s important, because a thorough cleaning each year can help prevent gum disease, which is a serious and costly problem. Gum disease is related to many other health issues, such as coronary artery disease, stroke and diabetes.

But you can’t stop at cleaning. An examination may reveal other problems that will cost more to treat than you yearly maximum benefit will cover.

Many patients make a big mistake with dental treatment. They allow an insurance company to dictate how they care for their teeth. They do only what’s covered and leave the rest.

Remember that your insurance carrier doesn’t know anything about you or what your individual needs are. Their decisions about what to cover and what not to cover are strictly business decisions. Problems with your teeth don’t just get better on their own. They may not hurt now, but one day they will. And by then, the complications may be huge. Healthy teeth and gums are as important as a healthy heart or good bones, but perhaps because it seems like a “cosmetic” treatment to fix tooth problems, some patients let it go when their insurance plan doesn’t cover what’s needed.

Dr. Wells and his staff at South Charlotte Dentistry will be frank about the treatment you need and will help you find a way to fit the treatment into your budget. Healthy teeth and gums are essential to your overall good health.

It’s important to start your children brushing at an early age since their minds are just at the right place for developing healthy behaviors that can last a lifetime.

It’s never too early to start good dental habits. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, a child’s first visit to the dentist should come as soon as the first tooth comes in, usually between 6 and 12 months old.

But even before that first tooth comes in, the AAPD advises that it’s a good idea to gently wipe baby’s gums with a soft washcloth or gauze at bath time. Doing so can remove plaque and bacteria that might later lead to cavities. As soon as teeth come in, they should be brushed. And as soon as a child is able to brush alone, teach them how. The dentist’s office staff is your partner in teaching your child those good dental habits.

Conventional wisdom tells us that repetition is the best way to make something a habit. The first step in ensuring that your child will brush his teeth each and every day is to make sure he brushes for 30 days in a row. After a month, the task becomes a routine. Even if you have to brush the child’s teeth for them at first, make sure it’s done every day for 30 straight days. Keep track: If even one day is missed, you may have to start all over again to make the habit stick.

One way to make tooth brushing an unforgettable time of day is to let your child have fun with it. Let them pick out their own toothbrush. Choosing the toothbrush allows your child to feel involved in their own decisions. Of course, you want them to brush their teeth whether they like it or not, involving them will let them feel like they’ve had some say in the matter. There are a lot of great children’s toothbrushes on the market today, such as brightly colored ones and toothbrushes with favorite characters on them. If the child really likes the toothbrush, they’ll likely look forward to the time of day when they get to use it.

Another way to encourage children to have fun during brush time is to play some favorite music, especially if it is fun or silly. Children also love to create their own music, and you could come up with a special tooth brushing song together.

It is a good idea to brush your teeth at the same time as your child. Children enjoy doing activities together, and if you brush your teeth with them, they may feel like they’re sharing an activity with you instead of being forced to do a chore. They may also feel more encouraged to participate in proper brushing habits if they have siblings who will participate with them. And having everyone brush their teeth at the same time can really help keep the family to a schedule.

If nothing else seems to work, try offering a treat for good behavior. It just might do the trick. Many children like getting good behavior stars, especially if they get a prize after they’ve collected a certain number of them. Sometimes, just collecting the stars is enough incentive for your child to keep brushing their teeth regularly.

By using these tips, you should be able to develop the most important rule of habit forming – consistency. It’s important that your child brushes every day, but time and place of brushing can be just as important to forming a habit as how often they brush. Make sure your child is brushing his teeth at the same sink every day, if possible. That doesn’t mean you can’t go on vacation or your child can’t go to a sleepover, but when you are at home it helps reinforce the habit when there is a specific place your child goes to brush her teeth every single day.

But perhaps the most important tip is making sure that your child is brushing at the same time every day. Dentists like Dr. Wells recommend brushing after breakfast in the morning and again at night before bed. If your schedule does not lend itself to brushing at those times, then find two times each day that do work for you. Stick to those times, and your child will pick up the brushing habit in no time!

Posted in Uncategorized|Tagged affordable cosmetic dentistry, Ballantyne dentist, brushing, brushing habits, brushing teeth, buiilding habits, CAD/CAM charlotte, cavities, CEREC crowns, charlotte dentist, children, children brushing, children’s brushing habits, cosmetic dentistry, dental cap, dental technology charlotte, dentist 28277, gum disease, habit forming, habits, kids, kids brushing teeth, one day crown, oral health, periodontal disease, porcelain tooth crown, same day crown, snap on smile, south charlotte dentistry, teeth, tooth pain|Leave a comment

Dental implants, though necessary for many, can often cause the patient some pain. In many cases patients cannot chew solid food properly for as long as six months. The problem with the current system is that the implant does not properly fix to the bone for some time and this causes pain and difficulty in chewing. But this common occurrence among dental implant patients may soon change as a new drug coating for implants may be released.

The drug coating has already been tested on humans which could mean a market release in the near future. The coating is applied to the dental implants and it enables the titanium in the implants to adhere to a patient’s bone much faster, and most importantly, much stronger. This could mean a faster recovery for patients so they can get back to eating like they used toin no time.

The study was highlighted in the British Medical Journal but was originally published in the journal Bone by Per Aspenberg, a professor of orthopaedic surgery at Linköping University.

The Linköping University is located in Sweden, and is where the research for the new coating took place. The coating they developed is characterized by the nanometer-thin layer of protein that is the key to the technology functioning properly. This protein adheres to the metal screws used to attach the dental implants and allows the bone to be more receptive to the titanium. It is noteworthy that the protein layer is attached to a bisphosphonate. Bisphosphonates are typically used as a drug for treating the bone density loss condition of osteoporosis. In animals the bisphosphonates have been shown in studies to force bone that surrounds the implant to rapidly gain density and strength.

But now that the study has been duplicated with human subjects researchers hope that there is a chance in the near future for the new technology to be approved for release. Researchers tested new implants on two different groups of patients. One group of patients received traditional implants and the other group received implants with the protein rich drug coating. The study was a double blind, meaning neither patients nor researchers knew which patients had been given the protein and which had been given the traditional implants.

The results of the study found no complications for any of the patients treated. The vast majority of the patients who had received treated implants showed a remarkable difference in the strength of the implant compared to patients who had received traditional implants. Those with treated implants began to show an increase in the strength of their hold within two months of the procedure.

“It is the first time ever anyone has succeeded in reinforcing the bone around an implant with localised medication”, said Per Aspenberg. The professor was the first to create the method of using bisphosphonates in this way.

if you would like more information on how we can help you with any dental needs you may have please visit our contact us page or call 704-759-0908!

The study was conducted by Professor Mariana Henriques from the University of Minho in the journal Letters in Applied Microbiology which is published by the Society for Applied Microbiology. The researchers hope that this new information can be used to develop a silver nanoparticle treatment that can be added to mouthwash or applied to dentures as a preventative measure.

The researchers looked at different sizes of silver nanoparticles to check their effectiveness against different forms of candida infection. Candida can cause both thrush and dental stomatitis. Dental stomatitis is more common in those who wear dentures, and can be very painful to those patients. Though there is medication for these infections, they are very difficult to treat because of the limited types of medication that can be taken orally for the illness. The microorganisms that form the infections will create biofilms, which can be resistant to many of the medications that are safe to take orally.

In the lab the researchers attempted to re-created the conditions of an oral candida infection by using artificial biofilms in an environment similar to that of saliva. Then the researchers tested the different sizes and concentrations of nanoparticles to find that the size of nanoparticles was not relevant in the treatment of the infections. The researchers expect the nanoparticle treatment to be available for many different applications.

Unfortunately however the use of silver nanoparticles may or may not be safe for oral infection treatment. Many scientists in the field are concerned about this problem but the authors of the study stress that they would not allow an unsafe product to reach the market. The authors claim that their research is still in its very earliest stages and they will not approve the treatment for clinical trials until extensive safety methods have been researched.

“With the emergence of Candida infections which are frequently resistant to the traditional antifungal therapies, there is an increasing need for alternative approaches. So, silver nanoparticles appear to be a new potential strategy to combat these infections. As the nanoparticles are relatively stable in liquid medium they could be developed into a mouthwash solution in the near future.,” said Professor Henriques.

The professor’s long term goal for the use of silver nanoparticles in treating candida infections is to integrate the nanoparticles with denture devices. This could be a key step in ensuring that candida does not have to be treated, as it will never have the chance to take root in the first place.

If you would like more information on how we can help you with any oral health difficulties please visit our contact us page or call 704-759-0908!

But with new research published in the BioMed Central open access journal Head & Face Medicine these difficulties may soon be a thing of the past for many patients. The researchers in question may have found a way to use bovine collagen to enhance gum healing and subsequently improve the quality of life for patients suffering from gingivitis or periodontitis. In the study conducted, researchers found that using the bovine collagen enhanced the mouth’s ability to fight gingivitis and periodontitis, thickening the margins surrounding the tooth and even covering the exposed roots of teeth in many cases.

The researchers for this study were Dr. Shahram Ghanaati and dentist Dr. Markus Schlee. The two researchers conducted their study on patients throughout Germany and Switzerland, and both found their results positive in the vast majority of cases. The researchers were able to ensure the safety of the treatment through the process used to extract the bovine collagen. The distinct method of extraction used allowed the researchers to ensure that all bacteria, viruses, and harmful pathogens had been deactivated before the product was tested on humans.

The study looked at patients with many recessions of the gums in their mouths, to ensure that they had a quality sample of patients. The researchers used a surgical procedure to place the collagen implants around the tooth and hold them in place with surgical thread. The surgeries were a great success, with absolutely none of the patients needing antibiotics just two weeks after the sutures had been extracted.
The researchers reexamined the patients again after six months and found that the results were still positive. “In all cases the healed-over implant improved the look and severity of the recession, and, in over half of all treatments, resulted in total coverage of the exposed root. We would not have expected any of these patients to get better without surgery,” said Dr. Schlee.

The two doctors believe that the collagen may act as a support structure with the body can then use as a scaffold to regrow the body’s own cells onto to repair damage. The researchers note that the results seem to be on par with the results of a connective tissue graft. It is expected that the bovine collagen treatment may soon become an excellent alternative treatment for patients with severe cases, especially those who may have difficulty finding donor tissue for a graft or for those who may not be able to undergo multiple surgeries.

If you would like to contact us for help with your oral health, please visit our contact us page or call 704-759-0908!

There are two different kinds of gingivitis. The first kind is induced by the accumulation of plaque and is only caused by the accumulation of plaque, malnutrition, or as a reaction to medication. The second kind of gingivitis is known as non-plaque induced gingival lesions. These lesions are caused by specific bacteria, viruses, or fungi, or the lesions can be caused by genetic factors, traumatic lesions, or as a reaction to foreign bodies.

If you suspect you may have gingivitis you will most likely have red, puffy, and painful gums. Your gums may bleed when you brush your teeth. Other signs and symptoms may include either red or purple gums, tender gums, halitosis or bad breath, receding gum line, softened gums, and bloody and painful gums. Though these are the most common symptoms of gingivitis some people have reported no symptoms of gingivitis at all when cases are mild.

Despite the fact that the patient may not have any of these symptoms, gingivitis can be very serious if left to progress and should be treated right away. Often, a change in oral hygiene habits can be enough to alter the course of the gingival disease. Many patients may find that they are able to keep gingivitis under control by beginning to brush and floss more frequently and for longer periods of time. Also changes in the method by which the patient brushes and flosses could make a difference, as well as beginning the use of mouthwash.

However, typically only mild cases of gingivitis can fix the problem with self-care. Usually patients do not discover the problem until their symptoms are already too severe to correct the mistake on their own. But luckily dentists like Dr. James A. Wells are well trained in diagnosing and curing issues with gingivitis.

First Dr. Wells will check the oral cavity for visual signs of gingivitis. Usually this is enough to diagnose a patient, as gingival lesions and inflamed gums will be easy to recognize. Dr. Wells may also check the mouth for periodontitis, especially if the symptoms seem severe enough. Dr. Wells may check for periodontitis by X-ray or further oral examination.

If you are successfully diagnosed with gingivitis treatment can begin. It is essential that gingivitis be caught early. If treatment begins quickly the symptoms of gingivitis may be entirely reversed. Treatment for the gingivitis will involve in-office treatment by Dr. Wells along with follow-up care in the office and at home.

Gingivitis can be successfully treated by removing all plaque and tartar from the oral cavity. This is the most essential step to the reversal of gingivitis, though some patients find the procedure uncomfortable especially if their gums are especially sensitive. The only way to fully remove gingivitis is through this cleaning procedure, called a scaling. When a scaling is performed properly there is no plaque or tartar left to inflame the gums, and the condition subsides. It is important though that the patient continue to perform follow-up care at home. Proper brushing and flossing is key, and can prevent the return of gingivitis. If you allow plaque and tartar to re-build, you will have essentially re-opened the window for gum inflammation.

We would love to help you if you are experiencing possible gingivitis! If you would like more information on how we can help you, please visit our contact us page or call 704-759-0908!

First asks Wells, “How often should you replace your toothbrush?”

The answer is simple and hardly technical: As often as you can and certainly no less than every three months. The bristles on toothbrushes can harbor bacteria and over time bristles wear out and become tattered. Replacing a toothbrush on a regular basis can prevent a build-up of dangerous bacteria and make sure a patient is brushing with an effective brush.

Next Wells asks, “How often should I see my dentist?”

Another easy one to answer: “The goal is every six months,” says Wells. Many people fall behind on dental cleanings and that’s when the trouble can start. As with any other medical issues, early diagnosis and prevention are important elements in stopping injury and disease. For example, Dr. Wells using a sealant that can cover cracks and crevices in teeth. “This can prevent bacteria from lodging in areas that are potentially easy targets for decay,” says Wells.

Another great questions is how important is dental care to my overall health. This, says Wells, is possibly the most important question a patient can ask. Dental care is very important to overall health. Bacteria can enter the body through the mouth. Practicing proper oral care and making regular dental visits can prevent disease. “Your dentist can also screen for potentially more serious problems,” notes Wells. Dentists act as frontline healthcare providers and can help patients identify other problems.

Dr. Wells says patients must get and stay informed about the basics of proper oral hygiene and dental care. Learning how to take care of gums and teeth can help patients avoid serious problems in the future. Prevention and hygiene can almost eliminate potential dangers for many patients.

If you’re looking for a great dentist or advice on dental care call Dr. James A. Wells at South Charlotte Dentistry at 704-759-8333 or visit their website today at www.south-charlotte-dentistry.com. Don’t wait until a problem exists! Get preventative and get healthy today!

Spring Is Here! Time for a Cleaning!

February is a short month and its half way over and Dr. Wells says it’s already time to start thinking about spring and spring comes with spring cleaning. “Let’s get ready to put our best foot and our best smile forward for a great spring,” says Dr. Wells.

Dr. Wells has long been an advocate for helping his patients look and feel their best. “When you look good you feel good,” says Wells.

Wells believes that having a brighter, whiter smile can actually encourage patients to lead healthier, happier lives and increase their level of overall wellness. Once patients become conscious and proud of their smile, they become increasingly interested in looking good. Good health leads to proper habits and vice versa, says Wells.

He wants to be a supporter of his patients and his telling people to start now to prepare for spring. “Think about it, in as little as four weeks we could have some really great days to get out and enjoy warmer weather. Doesn’t that want to make you smile?” he says.

Studies have shown that there could be a link between proper oral and dental care and heart disease, diabetes and stroke. Regular dental cleanings can keep harmful bacteria from entering the body by removing dangerous plaque build up. A great dentist can also apply sealants to teeth where suspicious cracks and crevices might allow bacteria to enter.

Another great benefit to regular dental check ups that Dr. Wells is quick to point out, is the opportunity for a medical professional to screen for other potential health hazards. A dentist can potentially identify other signs or symptoms or simply ask the right questions that could get a patient to the doctor sooner rather than later.

If you have plans for a great spring, call Dr. Wells at South Charlotte Dentistry today and make an appointment to get your great smile ready for the season. Call the office today at 704-759-0908 or visit the website at www.south-charlotte-dentistry.com

$49 New Patient Special

For those who don’t know, stem cells are human cells that can be harvested only from certain special places. Stem cells are usually found in places where cells have not had a chance to grow into specific location-based cells. Stem cells are unique from fully grown cells because scientists have discovered ways to manipulate the stem cells to change them into cells that are specialized for other areas of the body, whereas fully grown cells cannot be changed like this.

So this study published in the Journal of Breath Research has shown that the hydrogen sulphide that causes bad breath can be manipulated into become liver cells instead of oral cells, allowing them to be used to help people with liver disorders. The researchers now think that these bad breath cells will be a key component in the future of liver cell therapy. The research team is significantly excited about their discovery because it breaks new barriers in the field of stem cell research. The researchers are the first to pull stem cells from dental pulp, and rarely are stem cells produced in such quantities and with such high purity.

“High purity means there are less ‘wrong cells’ that are being differentiated to other tissues, or remaining as stem cells. Moreover, these facts suggest that patients undergoing transplantation with the hepatic cells may have almost no possibility of developing teratomas or cancers, as can be the case when using bone marrow stem cells,” said lead author of the study Dr. Ken Yaegaki.

Stem cell research from other studies has given scientists some pause in the past, as it has been expected that stem cell research may be the key to curing diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Now it is expected that this new research may offer the same hope for sufferers of liver related ailments.

In this study, dental pulp cells were taken from patients during routine exams. Afterward the cells were separated into a test group and a control group. In the test group the cells were incubated in a chamber which was filled with hydrogen sulphide, the bad breath chemical mentioned previously. The cells were then harvested and analyzed after specific periods of time to determine if they would develop into liver cells.

The researchers were careful to test the cells thoroughly for their similarity to liver cells. They found that not only had the cells developed physical characteristics of liver cells that were visible under a microscope, but they had also developed many of the functions and capabilities of liver cells as well.

“Until now, nobody has produced the protocol to regenerate such a huge number of hepatic cells for human transplantation. Compared to the traditional method of using fetal bovine serum to produce the cells, our method is productive and, most importantly, safe” said Dr. Yaegaki.

Researchers are excited about how this bad breath research will help disease research. If you are interested in how we can help you with bad breath please visit our contact us page or call 704-759-0908!