gum disease treatment

Hydrogen peroxide is a medicine cabinet staple. Used for cleaning up scrapes and cuts, it also offers directions for oral use right on the label. But can it be harmful to your teeth? 

What is Hydrogen Peroxide?

Hydrogen Peroxide is an oxidizing agent in clear liquid form. Chemically, all it is is water with an extra oxygen molecule. It acts as a mild antiseptic to prevent skin infections due to cuts and scrapes and can also be used to relieve minor mouth irritations and mucus. When applied to the affected area, the hydrogen peroxide releases oxygen and bubbles up, and the bubbles help clean and disinfect the area by lifting away dead skin cells.

How Do Dentists Use It?

Dentists first used hydrogen peroxide as a treatment for gum disease back in 1913, according to Registered Dental Hygienist Magazine (RDH). It is still used to fight gingivitis and periodontal disease.

Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums that can be a precursor to periodontitis. It occurs when the bacteria from plaque builds up, causing inflammation, and potentially leading to bleeds when brushing teeth. Rinsing with hydrogen peroxide under these circumstances kills the harmful bacteria and can prevent the inflammation from getting worse, so dentists may recommend it for certain patients.

Periodontitis occurs when gingivitis is left untreated, and the gums and bone pull away from the tooth, creating pockets that can become infected. Dentists use custom-fit prescription trays to deliver the hydrogen peroxide deep into the periodontal pockets and hold it there for more effective treatment of periodontal disease.

Hydrogen peroxide is also a whitening agent and is sometimes used by dentists to help with tooth whitening. The bottled hydrogen peroxide available in stores is generally 3% concentration, but products designed for dentists to use for tooth bleaching can contain up to 10% hydrogen peroxide.

Some over-the-counter whitening products like toothpaste, rinses, and whitening strips contain hydrogen peroxide as their bleaching agent. At home, it can also be combined with baking soda to make natural whitening toothpaste.

Can Hydrogen Peroxide Be Bad for Your Teeth? 

Many dentists do not recommend regular use of hydrogen peroxide as a mouthwash or rinse. Regular use can cause irritation of the gums and can be too harsh for those with crowns, fillings, and dental implants.

Some dentists believe hydrogen peroxide can safely be used as an oral rinse if it is diluted with a mixture of water and Listerine. But because it can be so harsh on the gums and enamel, it should only be used if recommended by a dentist. There are other oral rinses available over the counter that contain hydrogen peroxide and may be less abrasive and therefore more suitable for regular use.

Is it Safe to Use at Home?

Hydrogen peroxide on its own should not be used for dental purposes at home unless directed by a dentist. If diluted in a solution of one-part hydrogen peroxide, one-part water, and one part Listerine, it is safe to use as a rinse and could be helpful for the treatment of gingivitis.

Consult a dentist to determine if such a solution is beneficial or if there are other treatments or rinses that would be safer. Hydrogen peroxide combined with baking soda can be used as a natural, at-home whitening toothpaste, but using correct proportions is key to ensuring it’s more helpful than harmful. At Water Tower Dental Care, we offer take-home teeth whitening trays that contain a safe yet effective amount of hydrogen peroxide-bleaching agent.

As always, when considering any at-home remedies, particularly for treating diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis, it’s important to consult a dentist to determine the safest, most effective form of treatment. It’s always safer to purchase ADA-approved products with hydrogen peroxide or receive professional treatments from your dentist. Making your own concoction could be more harmful than beneficial.

If you think you have gum disease or want to whiten your teeth, contact Water Tower Dental Care today! We can examine your pearly whites and put you on a path to effective treatment.

Gum disease is no joke. Not only can it be hard to detect if you don’t know what to look for, but gum disease can also cause serious problems down the road. Don’t think you have it? Well, The New York Times notes that more than 75% of American adults have some form of gum disease. It’s important to know the signs of gum disease so that you can get treated before it causes some serious damage. If you do have signs of gum disease, you might need gum disease treatment therapy.

What is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is also called periodontal disease. There are two forms of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that isn’t a serious issue. But unfortunately, it can lead to the more serious periodontitis if left untreated. When you have gingivitis, plaque causes your gums to turn red, become swollen and bleed. You may not even notice that you have gingivitis since it can cause little or no discomfort. Thankfully, it is reversible. That’s why it’s important to take care of your teeth daily and see your dentist regularly.
Periodontitis is really bad news. This more serious type of gum disease occurs when plaque grows below your gum line. The toxins from bacteria in your plaque begin to irritate your gums. These toxins cause your mouth to attack itself, leading your gums to work themselves away from teeth. The holes that are left become infected and your gums and bone begin decomposing.
This can eventually lead to tooth loss and serious bone loss. Periodontitis has also been linked to cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, low birth weight and preterm birth babies, pulmonary diseases, obesity, and pancreatic cancer.

Signs You May Need Gum Disease Treatment Therapy

• Gums bleeding while you are eating, brushing or flossing
• Receding gums or gums that are pulling away from your teeth
• Sores growing in your mouth
• Loose teeth
• Teeth that are separating from your gums
• Bad breath that doesn’t go away
• Puss in between your gums and teeth
• Teeth that no longer fit together the same way

[caption id="attachment_2486" align="alignleft" width="300"] Before Gum Disease Treatment Therapy[/caption]	[caption id="attachment_2485" align="alignright" width="300"] After Gum Disease Treatment Therapy[/caption]

How Gum Disease Treatment Therapy Works

If you have gingivitis, you don’t need gum disease treatment therapy. Simply brushing and flossing at home, along with an effective treatment from a dental professional, can reverse gingivitis and keep you from getting periodontitis.
Once you get into the dangerous territory of periodontitis, you may need gum disease treatment therapy. At Water Tower Dental Care, our gum disease specialist treats periodontitis with non-surgical and surgical techniques. We do this to alleviate gum disease and reattach your gum and teeth. We may use both traditional hand instrumentation, ultrasonic scaling and diode lasers. We recommend diode lasers to reduce and eliminate bacteria, prevent the spread of infection and to allow for a more comfortable procedure.
Gum disease treatment therapy helps to stop periodontitis from developing and reverses it. It’s imperative that you get treated as soon as possible before you run into serious tooth and bone issues. Contact us to find out if you have gum disease and how you can stop it. We want to protect your mouth from the perils of plaque.
 
 

Do you feel like your teeth are beyond repair? You’ve come to the right place. When you’ve suffered a serious trauma or have left teeth untreated for a long period of time, you might feel like giving up hope on your smile. But the reality is, getting a full-mouth reconstruction can leave your teeth looking as good as new!
Here at Water Tower Dental Care, we work hard to offer one of the best full-mouth reconstruction services in Chicago. You’ll never feel the need to hide your teeth again!

What Are Some of the Risks that Come with Damaged Teeth?

Whether your teeth have been broken due to injury or decayed thanks to years of hygienic neglect, dental damage can cause a variety of issues.
First, there’s the most obvious: psychological problems. “Bad teeth” have been found to reduce self-esteem and cause depression. According to research conducted by ICM Research, 31% of people surveyed said that having bad teeth made them less confident in public. Another 15% said their bad teeth made them feel depressed and 10% reported that they don’t speak as much because of their teeth. If you can’t be yourself because of your teeth, you definitely want to seek help.
Having bad teeth doesn’t only affect your social life and psychological well-being. It can also be detrimental to your physical health. Everything in your mouth is connected one way or another. If you leave a cavity untreated, it will get bigger and bigger, causing a lot of pain and eventually leading to tooth loss. Gum disease will also result in tooth loss if it’s not treated. And it doesn’t stop there.
If you lose one tooth, it affects all of your other teeth and the bone that supports your teeth. Without the stimulation from your lost tooth, your bone will begin to decrease in width, which in turn leads to your gum tissue decreasing. These changes make it difficult to chew and speak.
[caption id="attachment_2477" align="alignleft" width="608"] Before and after getting full-mouth reconstruction at Water Tower Dental Care.[/caption]

What Does Full-Mouth Reconstruction Involve?

Hopefully you now see how important it is to get your teeth treated as soon as possible if you have severe dental damage. Dr. Aneszko and Dr. Stino take compromised mouths very seriously. Full-mouth reconstruction can restore the appearance and functionality of even the most damaged mouths.
Every full-mouth reconstruction is made up of a series of treatments. In order to find out the right full-mouth reconstruction plan for you, our dentists will discuss your concerns and goals and evaluate your needs. From there, we may suggest several general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry treatments. Here are a few treatments we commonly use when performing full-mouth reconstruction:

• Dental implants to replace missing teeth and prevent bone loss.
• Dental crowns for rebuilding cracked, broken or misshaped teeth.
• Porcelain veneers for covering discoloration and crooked or oddly shaped teeth.
• Enamel remineralization for those who have experienced enamel erosion.
• Gum disease treatment therapy to reverse gum disease and restore your gums to good health.

If you’re ready to stop hiding your teeth and start having a smile you’re proud of, contact us about getting full-mouth reconstruction in Chicago. We’re experts at full-mouth reconstruction. Just check out before and after pictures our patients who have received the treatment here! We would be honored to give you your pearly whites back.

While people usually focus on keeping their teeth pearly white, your gums should not be overlooked. Even if your teeth are as healthy as they can be, your gums may not be free from disease. As gum disease is usually painless, it often goes unnoticed. Gum disease, however, is treatable and the damage can fortunately be reversed. Learn more about gum disease and treatments at home to prevent your gums from looking like this!

Gum Disease: What is it?

Gum disease is caused by plaque buildup. Without proper oral hygiene, plaque can build up along your gum line and ravage your teeth! Gingivitis will cause your gums to become inflamed, red and swollen, making your gums prone to bleeding when you brush. Periodontitis is an advanced form of gum disease, damaging the bones that hold your teeth in place.

Signs You May Have Gum Disease!

According to the American Dental Association, signs you may have gum disease include:

• Bad breath
• Receding gums
• Swollen/red gums
• Gums that bleed easily
• Tooth loss

Home Treatments for Gum Disease

While nothing can replace visiting the dentist, if you have experienced any of the symptoms related to gum disease, there are home remedies that can help to keep your gums healthy.

1. Hydrogen Peroxide: This chemical works as an agent to kill germs and fight gum disease. Mix the 3% solution with water and wash out your mouth once a day to help treat gum disease
2. Oil pulling: In this method, oil pulls toxins right out of your mouth! Swish an organic oil such as sesame seed oil around your mouth once a day, until it turns milky, then spit it out. This should get your gums in tip top shape in no time! Learn more about oil pulling here.
3. Aloe Vera: This plant has great natural inflammatory properties. Swish some aloe vera juice around your mouth, or rub some aloe vera gel on your gums to help reduce swelling and gum disease.
4. Garlic and Turmeric Toothpaste: With both foods having natural antibacterial properties, making and using a garlic and turmeric toothpaste is a great home remedy to gum disease.
5. Drinking Green tea: Besides being good for the body, green tea has natural antioxidants that will help reduce gum inflammation.
6. Warm saltwater rinse: Saltwater can help reduce inflammation and kills deadly bacteria, Check out more of the benefits of saltwater

Along with these home treatments for keeping your gums healthy, you should visit a dentist if you experience gum disease symptoms. Let Water Tower Dental Care take care of you. Learn about some of our treatments.

Ways to Prevent Gum Disease and Keep your Gums Healthy

Gum disease can be prevented with good oral hygiene. Here are a few ways you can prevent gum disease on your own at home, before you even have to worry!

1. Floss Daily, Brush Twice a Day. Both flossing and brushing will prevent plaque and food buildup, helping to keep your gums nice and healthy.
2. Therapeutic mouthwash. Using an antibacterial mouthwash will help reduce plaque and gingivitis.
3. Fluoride toothpaste. Use fluoride toothpaste, which will keep your gums looking fresh and reduce plaque.
4. Do not smoke. Smoking is associated with the onset of gum disease as it weakens your immune system. Keep your body in grade-A shape by avoiding this habit altogether.
5. Get regular checkups and cleanings! Nothing can replace getting your teeth cleaned regularly by a professional, as well as getting a regular checkup to prevent gum disease at the beginning, before gingivitis turns into periodontitis. If you have a family history of gum disease, regular checkups are especially important and may need to be more frequent, as gum disease can be genetic. Come into Water Tower Dental Care today to get started!