Orofacial / Health Photos / CC BY-SA

The actual word laser is an acronym that stands for ‘light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.’ It is a device capable of committing a monochromatic high-intensity light that is now widely used in a number of medical applications. You probably already know of people who have received laser treatment for some condition or other, especially if they have undergone corrective eye surgery. Another increasingly popular application for lasers is for the treatment of periodontal disease or gum disease.

The Problems Caused by Gum Disease
Gum disease has been termed as something of a silent epidemic, as it’s estimated to afflict the majority of the population to some degree during their lifetime. It’s an extremely serious disease as it’s been linked to a number of other general health complications including diabetes, heart disease, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and low birth weight babies. Conventional treatment for gum disease has often involved some fairly invasive surgery to repair the gum tissue. However the use of lasers is now becoming far more widespread as they are now much more affordable than in the past. Lasers have now been used for quite a long period of time, and there have been a number of clinical studies carried out into their effectiveness.

There are Several Different Lasers That Are Used in Periodontal Therapy
There are several different types of lasers that might be used by your dentist in the treatment of gum disease, as some are designed specifically to shape hard tissues such as bone and tooth material, while others are designed specifically to shape soft tissues or gum tissue. There are also one or two that are capable of being used on both. The advantage of using a laser for periodontal therapy is that it can be much more comfortable. Patients are likely to experience far less bleeding during and after surgery as of the laser automatically seals up small blood vessels, and may find they have less swelling and discomfort afterwards and that tissues heal more quickly.

Clinical Studies Show Lasers to Be Pretty Effective
There have now been a number of clinical studies into the use of lasers for periodontal therapy, although most are only able to evaluate short-term results. However these results are very encouraging and show the use of lasers to be helpful in treating periodontal disease provided the patient receives long-term maintenance care. Sometimes lasers are used in conjunction with conventional treatments for periodontal disease, such as scaling and planing in order to achieve the best results.

The efficacy of laser usage in periodontal therapy can depend on the expertise of the person using this appliance. It’s definitely best to choose a periodontist or someone who is properly qualified and experienced in choosing the correct wavelength and power levels for usage during surgery. Afterwards patient education is extremely important, as it’s vital to maintain a proper periodontal maintenance plan. Some dental experts feel that the use of lasers should perhaps become a separate field within dentistry, as they think it would be more beneficial for patients suffering from gum disease to be treated by a specialist. However at the moment the ADA’s accreditation standards don’t include laser education.

For more information, contact Dr. Moss and his dental staff in Lafayette, LA today.

To learn more about periodontal disease and treatment options visit Findmydentist.com.

Early Detection Saves Lives!

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month and Dr. Sam R. Moss and Associates, your Lafayette Dentist, l is pleased to offer FREE Oral Cancer Screenings on April 19^th, from 8:00am-12:00pm, in a national effort to END ORAL CANCER! We will be performing a simple and painless examination to screen for oral cancer. Anyone 12 years and older should be screened. Today we are seeing young, non-smoking individuals as the fastest growing segment of the oral cancer patient population; so don’t miss this event!

You do not have to be a patient of record however it is preferable that you RSVP to the email provided so that we can accommodate everyone. 

You can get more information, and RSVP by calling the office at 337-232-9937 or emailing us at info@srmossdds.com.  You can see our full contact information, get directions to our office and even send us an email from our contact page!

s myers / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND

Periodontal disease is a serious bacterial infection of the gum tissues, and it is the most common cause of tooth loss in the world. It’s caused by plaque bacteria that are naturally present in everyone’s mouth, and generally occurs if these bacteria are allowed to build up. It is often the result of having poor oral hygiene. However some people are more susceptible towards developing periodontal disease and this group includes diabetics, smokers, people who are having certain types of cancer therapy, and people who are taking certain types of medication.

One of the earliest signs of periodontal disease is noticing the gums look red and tender, and which are more likely to bleed when brushed or flossed. This stage of the disease is called gingivitis, and if it’s caught early enough is relatively easy to reverse simply by having your teeth professionally cleaned and polished to remove the buildup of plaque bacteria, and by making sure you pay extra attention to your daily oral hygiene routine.

Ignoring this stage can have serious consequences as it’s more likely to develop into periodontal disease. This condition is much more difficult to treat, and treatments are more likely to be invasive and more expensive. Even worse, periodontitis can be chronic, and can only be kept in check with regular treatments at your dentist. It can cause the gums to pull away from the teeth, creating pockets of infection at the base of the teeth. The bacteria can attack the ligaments holding the teeth in place, and can even cause bone loss in the jaw. Eventually the teeth will become loose and will need extracting.

Preventing Periodontal Disease

The best and most effective way of preventing periodontal disease from occurring is simply to visit your dentist at regular intervals. They’ll be able to check to make sure you don’t have any early signs of the disease, and will also professionally clean and polish your teeth. This is an extremely good preventative measure as it removes the hardened plaque bacteria, a substance called calculus, before it can irritate and inflame the gums. Calculus is so hard it can only be removed by a dental professional.

If you do have any early signs your dentist will be able to recommend a course of treatment, and can also give you plenty of advice on cleaning and flossing your teeth more effectively. Flossing is extremely important as plaque bacteria tend to collect in between the teeth, and this is where gum disease frequently begins. If you are unsure on how to floss properly then ask your dentist for advice as they are very used to showing patients the correct techniques. If you have difficulty using dental floss then they can suggest alternatives such as soft dental picks or interdental cleaners.

For more information about periodontal disease or other dental issues, contact your Lafayette, LA dentist, Dr. Samuel R. Moss today.

Source: http://www.findmydentist.com/articles/periodontal-disease.html

We here at Samuel R. Moss and Associates recently came across an extremely compelling article about the effects of treating gum disease in patients with heart disease and stroke.  As it turns out, treating gum disease in these patients may reduce their overall annual medical costs.  Click on the link below to read the full article.  If this sounds like something that may be of interest to you, don’t hesitate to call us and set up an appointment at our Lafayette office!  We’re happy to evaluate your gum disease treatment needs, and take care of you with our state-of-the-art technology.

Read the full article here:

http://www.heraldonline.com/2013/02/26/4647891/gum-disease-treatment-can-lower.html

K J Payne / Foter / CC BY-SA

You brush twice a day and floss to keep your teeth clean and free from plaque and tartar and to keep your smile bright. But you might be wondering if electric toothbrushes or power toothbrushes would perform better than your manual toothbrush or vice versa. Naturally, you want to know what dentists recommend. Which one is better?

Decide what works for you
The answer about what brush is better depends on you. Used correctly, manual toothbrushes can be effective but so can electric toothbrushes.
But if you struggle to get your teeth clean or if you brush too hard, a power toothbrush could be helpful.

The important thing is that you brush regularly—two minutes, twice a day.

Electric toothbrushes are rechargeable units that must be plugged in. They can range in price from $25 to more than $100. Brush heads vary in size, shape and function and should be changed every three to six months.

Many electric toothbrush devotees like the feature special modes for sensitive teeth, gum massage and whitening. The special bristles can help those who struggle more easily clean teeth. Many electric toothbrushes indicate instances when you’re brushing too hard, saving your gums and tooth enamel.

Whatever you choose, it’s best to look for brushes that have the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Approval that ensures that the toothbrushes are safe and effective. Now, get brushing!