Category: Gum Disease

Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, significantly increases your risk for developing periodontal disease. We at the Silberg Center for Dental Science are here to help you understand dry mouth and the role it plays in gum disease. We’ll do everything we can to treat dry mouth and ultimately prevent periodontal disease, helping you to maintain a healthy, beautiful smile.

What is the link between dry mouth and periodontal disease?

When a patient suffers from chronic dry mouth, they often experience thirst, a dry and raw tongue, bad breath, or a burning sensation in the mouth, especially on the tongue. Dry mouth is also problematic because it can lead to gum disease, because your mouth needs saliva to wash away food and bacteria from your teeth. When bacteria isn’t washed away, it can lead to gingivitis, the first phase of gum disease, which is characterized by decay, pain, and inflammation. As the infection progresses, it creeps down below your gum line, making the disease more difficult to treat and more dangerous for your teeth.

What treatment options are available for dry mouth?

Treating dry mouth is an easy and simple process. First, limiting the amount of sugar and caffeine that you consume, and avoiding tobacco products altogether, can help regulate your saliva production. Try to drink more water and breathe through  your nose. It can also help to sleep with a humidifier and to pay careful attention to your oral hygiene regimen. We can also talk to you about your medical history and what medications you are on in order to understand what might be causing your dry mouth condition. Adjusting these medication may help reduce dry mouth.  There are certain products that you can use to increase saliva production as well.

Treating dry mouth is important because it lowers your risk of gum disease.  If you are looking for dry mouth or gum disease treatment in Pittsburgh, come and see us today.

Gum disease can be treated in a number of ways depending on its severity. For mild cases, nonsurgical treatments like scaling or planing may be used, sometimes in combination with antibiotics. In more advanced cases, you might have to undergo a surgery like pocket reduction surgery (which allows the dentist to scale and plane root material covered by gums) or receive grafts to replace gum tissue or bone that have been destroyed by disease.

While gum disease is treatable, it isn’t completely curable. Without vigilance on the part of the patient, including good oral hygiene practices, it can easily come back.

After receiving treatment for periodontal disease at the Silberg Center, Dr. Silberg will teach you how to and help you keep the disease at bay. Periodontal disease is caused by a buildup of plaque on the teeth and gums, and no matter how diligent you are about cleaning your teeth, plaque will continue to accumulate after your periodontal treatment. Periodontal disease can come back as soon as two to four months after your treatment. That’s why maintenance therapy is important.

During maintenance therapy, which may last for several months after your treatment, you will need to have your teeth checked periodically for plaque buildup and other hidden problems. Maintenance visits may also involve measuring the pockets around your teeth, taking x-rays to examine the condition of the bone beneath your teeth, and assessing of your oral hygiene habits. Your general dentist and Dr. Silberg will work together to determine how often you should have maintenance visits.

Of course, Dr. Silberg and your dentist will do all they can during maintenance therapy to prevent your gum disease from recurring. However, the most important factor in determining whether your gum disease will return or not is you. Brushing your teeth multiple times per day and flossing daily are essential. Your maintenance visits will support and reinforce these good habits.

If your gum disease recurs—and goes unnoticed—you may require more extensive, expensive, or invasive treatments in the future. However, keeping your natural teeth clean, healthy, and functional will allow you to speak, eat, and smile comfortably. If you think you may have gum disease or you’re concerned that your gum disease may be returning after treatment, visit the Pittsburgh periodontist you can trust with your smile, Dr. Mark Silberg. Contact us to schedule an appointment today.

According to a survey conducted by the Canadian Dental Association, nearly half of all seniors are under the mistaken impression that as we age, we will inevitably lose our teeth. But tooth loss is far from inevitable.  Losing baby teeth is completely normal, but losing adult teeth is not.  While time and age can cause a decline in oral health, it is not age itself that causes tooth loss and other problems.  Read on to learn more about aging and tooth loss.  

Causes of Tooth Loss

Periodontal Disease

The number one cause of tooth loss is not aging, but rather periodontal disease, which slowly wears down the supporting tissues in the mouth, often leading to tooth loss. Periodontal disease becomes more likely as you age, both because plaque and tartar accumulate over time, and because oral hygiene may become more difficult as time goes on. If you don’t yet suffer from serious periodontal disease, you may only need a few tricks to make daily brushing easier, such as using an electric toothbrush. if you do suffer from periodontal disease, then regular treatment and maintenance at the Silberg Center for Dental Science is essential.  

Missing Your Appointments

Patients in need of gum disease treatment and periodontal maintenance are often encouraged to visit our office four times a year, depending on your exact circumstances. This may sound like a lot–after all, most people visit their dentists twice a year! But once periodontal disease has set in, frequent care is necessary to keep the disease from progressing. Regular dental care has a profound effect on your likelihood of keeping your teeth. As an added bonus, if anything unusual happens to your teeth, such as sudden pain or injury, then you already know exactly where to come. If you experience any tooth damage or pain, come to our office as soon as possible to take care of the problem.

Poor Nutrition

You have probably heard the importance of good nutrition emphasized over and over, but did you know that in addition to all the other associated health problems, not getting the proper vitamins and minerals can cause tooth loss?  A diet lacking calcium can increase your risk of tooth loss, and if you consume too much sugar, acid, or carbohydrate-rich food, you may be unknowingly damaging your teeth and gums.

Unhealthy Habits

Statistics show that those who smoke are twice as likely to experience tooth loss as those who do not.  This is because smoking increases your risk of tooth loss.  Other bad habits that can cause tooth loss are: drinking alcohol, bruxism (tooth grinding), opening bottles with your mouth, or chewing ice or hard candy.  

Preventing Tooth Loss

The best thing that you can do to ensure that you have a healthy smile for years to come is to brush your teeth twice per day, floss daily, and visit the Silberg Center for Dental Science as often as Dr. silberg recommends in your case. If you haven’t yet scheduled your next dental checkup, contact us today.

It is well-known that tobacco use is a health hazard. Chewing or smoking tobacco can lead to problems in the lungs and throat, and it is infamous in its role as a carcinogen (meaning that it causes cancer). Next to that, dental health may seem unimportant; but it is yet another reason to avoid tobacco use.

One of the more serious dental concerns that can occur in dental patients is periodontitis. Periodontitis causes the degradation of the soft gum tissue as well as the bone structure in the upper and lower jaws which support the teeth. When these supporting structures are compromised, this leads to bleeding, pain, irritation and inflammation in the short term, and loose teeth, pocketing, and eventually loss of teeth in the long term. When the first signs of periodontitis occur, it is critical to see Dr. Silberg, a qualified periodontist who can evaluate your condition and begin treatment as soon as possible.

Tobacco use greatly increases the risk of periodontitis. In fact, studies have shown that those who smoke are at least three times more likely to develop soft gum deterioration, and that bone loss was up to five times more severe than in the cases of those who never smoked.

Because of the oral dryness caused by smoking, infection is also more likely to occur, and therefore the healing process can be prolonged and complicated. The chemicals in cigarette smoke cause deterioration to the lining of the mouth, and prevent the natural flora within the mouth from protecting it as they usually would.  Even when advanced periodontitis is surgically treated, the treatment often fails because of these factors, resulting in the loss of teeth and an unstable environment for replacements such as dental implants.

If you smoke or chew tobacco, be sure to visit your Pittsburgh periodontist to evaluate the health of your bones and gum tissue, and to discuss how you can treat or prevent the bone loss associated with periodontitis. Pittsburgh periodontist Dr Silberg and our team here at The Silberg Center for Dental Science are qualified and experienced in the treatment of gum disease in patients who use or have used tobacco. Please contact us or stop by today to discuss your options and to get you on your way to a speedy recovery and a strong, healthy smile.

A mild and common form of gum disease, gingivitis results in the redness, inflammation and irritation of your gums. Often because it is mild, it goes undetected in patients. It is, however, a serious condition as it can lead to eventual tooth loss if it remains undetected for an extended period of time. We encourage you to continue reading below to learn more about the signs of gingivitis and some treatment tips to ensure that you fight gum disease.

What are the Signs of Gingivitis?

Gingivitis isn’t too hard to detect – you should be able to look in the mirror and feel your gums to determine whether or not you are suffering from gum disease. You can come into our office where we will perform a thorough examination to make that determination, but at home, there are several signs to look for when detecting gingivitis. If you experience any of the following symptoms, you may have gingivitis:

• Persistent bad breath.
• Gums that feel tender, soft, puffy, or swollen.
• Gums that are receding.
• Gums that are a dusky red instead of a healthy pink.
• Gums that bleed when you floss or brush.

How Can I Treat Gingivitis?

With poor oral hygiene being the main cause of gingivitis, the first thing you should focus on for treatment is practicing good oral health habits. This includes brushing a minimum of twice a day, flossing at least once a day, and receiving regular dental checkups and professional cleanings. The dental checkup is crucial because we can demonstrate to you the proper techniques for brushing and flossing; improper technique could be why the gingivitis is occurring. A proper dental cleaning also allows for the plaque and tartar to be removed—taking out the main causes behind gingivitis.

Gingivitis Examinations and Questions

You should have a better idea of what gingivitis can do to a person now. If you have any questions regarding what you’ve read, please contact us as we’d be happy to help answer your questions and address your concerns. You can make an appointment with our Pittsburgh, PA, office to get an examination for gum disease, a teeth cleaning, or any other procedure that you need. Silberg Center for Dental Science is to help you and your family with keeping their mouths happy and healthy – ensuring that you’re well equipped against gingivitis.

Periodontal disease will always worsen if not treated. By its very nature, it is self-aggravating and progressive, developing from minor gingivitis to advanced periodontitis if given the time. At every step along the way, the disease damages your tissue, damage which may be difficult or impossible to correct without extensive surgery. As your Pittsburgh periodontist, we’d like you to recognize the stages of gum disease and seek treatment if you need it.

Gingivitis

The name of gingivitis refers specifically to the swelling of your gums and not the infection that causes it. It is also characterized by redness, sensitivity, and easy bleeding. Minor gingivitis can be treated at home with careful brushing and flossing. beyond a certain point, however, you will not be able to address it without help.

Periodontitis

In periodontitis, the gums separate from the teeth, resulting in hollows or “periodontal pockets” against the tooth roots where bacteria gathers and multiplies. This causes tartar buildup on the tooth roots, which further irritates the gums, creating a cycle of worsening gum disease.

Progressive bone loss

Between the activity of bacteria and the body’s immune response, all the tissue surrounding the infected gums will begin to deteriorate, including the alveolar bone. The upper and lower jaws include small wells of bone within which the tooth roots are contained; when those wells are eroded, the teeth are no longer secure, and can shift or even fall out. Periodontal disease is the chief cause of tooth loss in adults—not age.

Treatment options

We offer periodontal therapy to eliminate your infection and teach you to maintain healthy habits. Our treatment options include LANAP, a laser-based treatment which helps reduce periodontal pockets and reverse the progression of gum disease. For those with receded gums, Dr. Silberg is trained in the pinhole surgical technique, a minimally invasive option for restoring recessed gum tissue. Depending on the seriousness of your periodontal disease, you may also require tooth replacement and/or bone grafts.

If you are suffering from gum disease in Pittsburgh, don’t wait. The sooner you seek treatment, the more of your mouth you will preserve. Call today or contact us online to schedule your appointment, and experience the benefits of full periodontal health.

When you hear about or read about gum disease, several different terms are thrown around like plaque, gingivitis, and periodontal disease. Are these terms interchangeable? What do they all mean? More importantly, what do they mean for you?

Gum disease is a broad term that describes the damage done to teeth, gums and bone tissue by plaque, which is the film of bacteria and acidic bacterial waste that forms on the teeth. The bacteria in the mouth eat the remains of food left on your teeth and build up over time, which is why it’s so important to brush and floss regularly. Good oral hygiene prevents this bacterial build up, which can delay or even prevent gum disease.

Gingivitis is the first, mild stage of gum disease, in which the gums surrounding the teeth become swollen and tender due to the body’s reaction to the bacteria on the teeth. The gums will frequently bleed during brushing and flossing, but this is not a reason to stop brushing and flossing. Using a soft bristled brush and flossing gently but thoroughly will clean your teeth while protecting your swollen gums. When gingivitis occurs, it’s a sign that it’s probably been too long since you’ve seen your dentist for a checkup and routine cleaning.

Periodontal disease describes the more advanced and much more serious stage of gum disease. If gingivitis, or swelling of the gums, lasts for too long and plaque continues to affect the gums, the constant swelling will begin to degrade the bones underneath. These bones will slowly dissolve and the gums will recede, which has several detrimental effects. First, gaps will open between teeth and gums, which allows more plaque to build up, sometimes out of reach of normal brushing and flossing. This worsens gum disease. Second, as the bone continues to dissolve, the teeth they support will become loose and will eventually fall out or have to be removed. Loss of too many teeth will cause the bones that support the jaw and structure of the face to weaken, leading to sagging facial features.

Gum disease can be prevented and controlled with good oral hygiene habits and regular trips to the dentist for cleaning and checkups. Once gum disease starts, however, it’s very important to consult with your dentist so he or she can examine the extent of the disease and discuss possible treatments.

Dr. Silberg at the Silberg Center for Dental Excellence is an expert in the treatment of gum disease. If you are in the Pittsburg area, contact us or click here to request an appointment. Let him examine your teeth and help you treat or prevent gum disease before it’s too late.

The Centers for Disease Control has found that more than half of Americans, aged 30+, have periodontitis, an advanced form of gum disease. This represents 64.7 million Americans who are at risk of tooth loss because they have gum disease. Fortunately, Dr. Silberg has a plethora of solutions for diagnosing, preventing, and treating gum disease.

Gum Disease Risk Factors

If you are 35-40, you are at the age where gum disease can become severe. Here are some of the strongest indicators that you could develop gum disease:

• Age: As you age, you are more likely to develop gum disease. In fact, more than 70% of Americans over age 65 suffer from gum disease.
• Use of Tobacco: Tobacco use can cause and intensify gum disease.
• Poor Nutrition: A poor diet can damage your immune system, which can help fight of periodontal infections.
• Genetics: If gum disease runs in your family, you are likely to suffer from it.

Knowing the Symptoms

If you haven’t been to see Dr. Silberg for a while, you might have some of the symptoms of gum disease. These include tender, red gums, as well as pain in your mouth. You might notice that your gums bleed when you brush, floss, or eat certain types of food. You may also notice:

• Loose teeth.
• Persistent halitosis (bad breath).
• An overall change in how your bite feels.
• If you have caps, bridges, or other dental prosthetics, they might not fit correctly.

Treating Gum Disease: Early Non-Surgical Treatments

It is important for you to get into Dr. Silberg for your cleaning, especially if you’ve missed the last several appointments. Before gum disease becomes persistently bad, your dentist can perform the following treatments:

• Professional Dental Cleaning: During your dental cleaning, Dr. Silberg will scrape away plaque and tartar that have built up at the base of your tooth.
• Tooth Scaling and Root Planing: This is a procedure where Dr. Silberg puts you under a local anesthetic. They will smooth your teeth and remove plaque from under the gum line. This procedure gives your gums the opportunity to reattach to your teeth.

Prevention Starts With You

Ultimately, healthy gums start with you. Good dental hygiene, including regular brushing and flossing, will help prevent gum disease. Here is what the experts are saying you should do to prevent gum disease:

• Brush your teeth twice per day, using a fluoride-based toothpaste. You should brush for at least two minutes, using a circular motion.
• Rinse with a fluoride mouthwash solution twice per day for thirty seconds to kill bacteria.
• Floss with a wax-based dental floss taking time to go in between each tooth all the way down to the gum line.
• See your dentist twice per year for a checkup and cleaning.
• Give up smoking and smokeless tobacco products.

Gum disease is a fact of life for many Americans, but with regular dental hygiene and checkups, you can eliminate and prevent gum disease, keeping your permanent teeth longer.

If you have questions or would like to request an appointment with Dr. Silberg please contact us today! We are happy to help and look forward to your visit!

Gingivitis, we all have heard the name and we all know that it isn’t good when we have it in our mouths.  It’s gum disease and can lead to even more problems in our mouths if it is left untreated. One of the things that can be very important to help prevent any kind of gum disease is to use a mouth wash along with your standard brushing and flossing. With all of the small crevices that are within out mouths there can be times that our toothbrush or line of floss just can’t get to.

There are a lot of mouth washes out there and you more than likely have seen the different commercials that promote a mouthwash that gives you that fresh clean feeling inside of your mouth. They motivate you to swish in your mouth for 30 seconds and to power through the burning feeling in your mouth.  Have you ever wondered what that fresh feeling is from and if it really is helping clean your mouth? We wanted to discuss this a little more and let you in on a secret that you may not be aware of.

Getting that fresh, yet sometimes burning sensation from leading mouthwashes can be irritating to some, or down right unbearable. There also have been complaints of a strange aftertaste after using these kinds of mouthwashes and bouts of dry mouth.  Where does all of that come from? Alcohol. There are many that may not be aware that alcohol is an ingredient in many popular mouthwashes. It burns and makes the whole process, even when it’s only a short amount of time, feel unbearable. It could be stopping you and other patients from using it to help keep your mouth free of plaque, tartar build up, halitosis (bad breath), whiten teeth, and having a healthy and clean smile.

There have been toothpastes developed for those who have sensitive teeth and you’ll be happy to know that there are also options out there for those that may not like the burning sensation they feel using a standard mouthwash.  These alcohol free mouthwashes provide the same preventative effect as those that have alcohol, and won’t give you that burning feeling you are wanting to avoid. There are even versions that are formulated specifically for treating gum disease if you do have a minor form of gingivitis.

There have also been studies conducted by BioMed Research that suggest using a mouthwash without alcohol can actually improve the gloss, color, hardness, and wear of your teeth compared to a mouthwash that does have alcohol. Dr. Silberg and all of us at the Silberg Center for Dental Science want you to have a healthy smile with no gum disease to speak of, and looking at a mouthwash without alcohol can be an option if you would like to try it.

Even a minor issue with gum disease can turn into a very serious thing if you don’t take care of it. Adding mouthwash to your daily routine when you are brushing your teeth can help prevent it from developing in your mouth and causing more problems. It could lead to periodontal disease, bone loss, and even loss of permanent teeth. These all can be treated if you have had any of those situations, but Dr. Silberg wants to help avoid them as they can be very time consuming and at times costly to treat.

Remember that if you do have questions or concerns about your mouth, or even feel like you might have some form of gum disease, please do give us a call.  We will be happy to talk to you to schedule an appointment to see Dr. Silberg and you can talk with him about your personal situation.

A staggering 90% of Americans grapple with periodontal disease annually. This alarming number indicates that most people will, at some juncture in their lives, encounter this dental concern. The depth, intensity, and repercussions of the disease vary among individuals, but it’s clear that oral health is a nationwide concern that cannot be ignored.

Dental Bacterial Plaque: The Primary Offender

Central to the onset of gum disease is the formation of dental bacterial plaque. This seemingly innocuous biofilm takes shape when bacteria find a niche at the intersection where teeth and gums meet. When we picture our mouth, it’s beneficial to envision it as a bustling, dynamic ecosystem, where the soft and hard oral tissues live in synergy with an extensive array of bacterial species.

Factors Exacerbating Gum Disease

Several factors, both internal and external, can amplify the risk of developing periodontal disease. Poor dietary choices, smoking, certain medications, and even genetic predispositions can expedite the disease’s progression. Hormonal changes in women, diabetes, and other illnesses can also make individuals more susceptible to gum issues.

Maintaining the Oral Ecosystem’s Balance

Maintaining the equilibrium of this intricate oral ecosystem is paramount. Without consistent and meticulous oral hygiene practices, the balance can quickly tip in favor of disease-causing bacteria. It’s analogous to a garden. Without regular care, nurturing, and weeding, it can quickly become overrun by invasive species. In the realm of oral health, brushing, flossing, and routine dental check-ups play the vital roles of gardener, ensuring that the environment remains conducive to health and well-being.

From Gingivitis to Periodontitis: The Progression of Gum Disease

Periodontal disease doesn’t appear overnight. It usually starts subtly as gingivitis, characterized by red, swollen gums that may bleed easily. This is the body’s response to the harmful bacteria amassing at the gum line. If these early signs are ignored, or if inadequate treatment is sought, gingivitis can metamorphose into periodontitis. In this advanced stage, the inner layer of the gum and bone pull away from the teeth, forming pockets that can become infected. The body’s immune response coupled with bacterial toxins can start to break down the bone and connective tissue holding the teeth in place, leading to loose teeth or even tooth loss.

Proactive Steps for Prevention

While the statistics are daunting, it’s essential to remember that periodontal disease, especially in its early stages, is preventable and treatable. Regular dental check-ups, professional cleanings, a balanced diet, and good oral hygiene practices are the cornerstones of prevention.

Prioritize Your Oral Health with Pinnacle Center

Don’t let the threat of gum disease loom large over your life. At Pinnacle Center – Dental Implants & Periodontics, we’re dedicated to equipping you with the knowledge, tools, and treatments necessary to maintain or restore your oral health. Schedule your comprehensive appointment for gum disease treatment in Pittsburgh with our team of experts, and embark on a journey towards a brighter, healthier smile. Your oral health deserves prioritization, and with the right care, you can ensure it remains in peak condition for years to come.