Lisa Reviews Brushing and Flossing

Every patient thinks they know how to brush their teeth, and some do but most do not brush their teeth long enough. They think they are brushing for the recommended two minutes, but they are usually only brushing about 45 seconds.  You cannot do a quality job brushing in 45 seconds.  If a patient has gum disease or a history of gum disease then they have to brush even longer than two minutes and work harder than somebody who has never had a history of gum disease. 

If I notice a patient is having a hard time removing plaque from their teeth when they brush or floss, I will put a dye on their teeth that stains their plaque and ask the patient to remove it so they know what it takes to thoroughly clean their teeth at home.

When it comes to flossing, I try not to have anybody be a slave to the mirror, because if you are a slave to the mirror then you will only floss your teeth in the bathroom.  Instead, I try to teach them by feel.  I put the floss in their mouth and I floss their teeth for them and then I have the patient floss their teeth and give them feedback.

We also have other supplies to help patients with their oral care. For example, if a patient has larger spaces between their teeth, I will give them a tool that will clean those spaces better than flossing alone would.

What a patient does on a daily basis at home is far more important than what I can ever do for them. Not every patient is the same each patient deserves oral care instructions that fit their needs. I feel demonstrating brushing and flossing and then having patients repeat what I just showed them is the best way to teach them great oral care habits.

Lisa, Registered Dental Hygienist

Metropolitan Periodontists

Minneapolis, MN

Periodontist Dr. Mark Wilson at Metropolitan Periodontists in Minneapolis talks about 3D imaging and diagnosis for dental implant placement.

At Metropolitan Periodontists we use modern 3D imaging.  It gives us a much clearer picture of what is going on around the tooth than traditional two-dimensional x-rays. We use it to see if there is enough bone to be able to place an implant.  It also helps to choose the correct size and type of implant needed.  After placement, 3D imaging confirms the positioning and gives us a baseline image for the future.

With traditional x-rays we can measure bone height and the amount of space between the teeth, but we are guessing about bone thickness. With 3D imaging we are able to get a cross-section of that bone and see the thickness.  If you are looking for a nerve or a sinus you can see where the sinus relates to the crest of the bone much more clearly by using 3D imaging.

Three-dimensional imaging is very handy for looking for cracked teeth, furcation involvement, and apical involvement around teeth. Furcations are on the larger teeth in the back of the mouth when you have multiple roots.  The area where the roots come together is called a furcation.  The apex or the apical part of the tooth is the root tip, where if the pulp is dying inside of the tooth then the tooth needs a root canal.  For these reasons we can see problems much earlier on a three- dimensional picture than we can on a two-dimensional picture.

The 3D imaging is a very important part of modern periodontal practice. We have seen that third dimension and we are confident that the bone is there.  A drawback to two-dimensional x-rays has been only finding out after we start the procedure that we do not have enough bone to put the implant in that the patient is expecting that day.

Having the capability to do 3D imaging in the office is convenient for the patient because they do not have to travel to another facility.  Because we use these images, we do not have surprises when we go into the surgery.

Dr. Mark Wilson

Periodontist

Metropolitan Periodontists

Minneapolis, MN

New Patients Welcome

www.metroperio.com

Don’t Let Gingivitis Keep You From Smiling

YOU’RE SITTING IN THE DENTAL CHAIR, everything going as planned at your checkup, until your dentist tells you that you have gingivitis. If you haven’t heard of gingivitis before you’re probably thinking, “What is gingivitis? Is it serious? Is it treatable?”
We have all the information you need to know about gingivitis so you can keep your smile healthy!

What Is Gingivitis?
Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums characterized by gum irritation, redness, swelling and sometimes bleeding. Symptoms of gingivitis are fairly mild and can even be painless. Visiting your dentist regularly is important so gingivitis can be diagnosed, especially if symptoms are not obvious.

Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontal, or gum disease, and should be taken seriously. If left untreated, gingivitis will progress to full-blown gum disease, which can lead to receding and damaged gums as well as bone and tooth loss.

What Causes Gingivitis?
Gingivitis is usually the result of poor oral hygiene. When plaque is not removed by proper brushing and flossing, bacteria-filled plaque hardens and turns into what is called tartar. Plaque and tartar buildup around the gum line cause gum irritation and inflammation or, in other words, gingivitis.
Other factors may contribute to the development of gingivitis such as hormonal changes (especially during pregnancy), smoking, certain medications or illnesses and genetic predisposition.

Is Gingivitis Reversible?
Finding out you have gingivitis can be worrisome but here’s the good news: good oral hygiene habits and professional dental cleanings can, in most cases, rid you of gingivitis.
Proper oral hygiene not only prevents gingivitis, but treats it as well. Professional cleanings as recommended by your dentist, daily brushing and flossing, and regular use of an antibacterial mouthwash can keep bacteria found in plaque at bay, effectively preventing and treating gingivitis.

So, yes, gingivitis is reversible! By treating it early and following the instructions of your dental care provider, you can treat gingivitis and smile on!

Keep Your Smile Healthy
A smile shouldn’t only be happy, it should be healthy too! Your oral health is the gateway to your overall health and wellness. So if you’ve been diagnosed with gingivitis, practice proper oral hygiene care and you’ll have your healthy smile back in no time.

If you have any questions regarding your oral health, call us today or leave us a Facebook message. We’re always glad to address your concerns!

Josh's Story

We at Metropolitan Periodontists take Oral Cancer very seriously. Sometimes it takes something very close to us to really understand the importance.  Please read our hygienists story and consider taking your screenings to the next level:

Josh's Story:

My name is Lisa, I am the hygienist for Metropolitan Periodontists and I would like to share my story about my son, Josh.

I have been in the dental field for over 20 years and when my son told me he

had a bump next to his tooth the last thing I suspected was cancer.   After

doing a few preliminary tests Dr. Wilson and I decided to have it biopsied.

The results came back benign.

When the cyst came back almost immediately, we went to the U and the recommended treatment was surgical removal.

The day of the surgery the surgeon was suspicious and decided to re-biopsy and that is when we got the shocking news that it was, in fact, cancer.  The shock still hasn't settled. Joshua doesn't fit the profile, he has never used tobacco and seldom drinks.  He's only 24 years old!

He wears a prosthesis for his palate and we are so thankful we caught it as early as we did.  

The Connection

For years, dentists have tried to prevent patients from cavities, gum disease, infections of the teeth and infections of the surrounding tissues of the teeth. Did you know that by preventing some of these issues, dentists are also helping prevent patients from other health issues such as elevated blood sugar levels in diabetic patients, increased blood pressure or more pain in arthritic patients? When there is inflammation from gum(periodontal) disease, or inflammation from an infected tooth, this increases inflammation in other parts of the body. This is because your immune system is working hard to protect the body from infection. The immune system does this by sending healing cells, with the help of blood, to an area to protect it from an infection but the side-effect to this, is swelling and inflammation. This means higher blood sugar levels in the diabetic patient, an increase in blood pressure and more inflammation in joints for the arthritic patient.  So what can people do about it?  People can start with good home care for their teeth and gums.  This means brushing a minimum of twice a day for 2 minutes each time you brush, making sure to remove bacteria at the gum line and flossing once a day to remove bacteria from between the teeth. Brushing and flossing alone will not do the trick. People should also see a dentist regularly to have a routine dental cleaning with a licensed dental hygienist (LDH).  An LDH is trained to remove bacteria from below the gum line where your tooth brush cannot reach, thus, helping to prevent infection or even detecting an infection early.

At Metropolitan Periodontists, P.A. we specialize in the treatment of gum disease. We use advanced technology to treat patients with active infection or chronic inflammation in their gum tissue.  Our hygienist is the only hygienist in the State of Minnesota to use a camera below the gum line.  She can see the hardened bacteria on the roots of the teeth and she is able to remove it with confidence for our patients. We also use a laser to treat gum disease which is more comfortable for patients than the traditional surgery done to treat gum disease.  If you or someone you know has been told that you have gum disease, schedule an appointment with us.  We would be happy to help you become a healthier you.