gum disease

Cheryl Pruitt was surprised when the surgeon replacing her knee required a complete dental work up prior to surgery. “It was a real wake up call,” she says. “I had no idea I would need to go to the dentist before getting knee surgery.” Pruitt, a corporate human resources specialist from Millersville, needed her dentist to verify that she didn’t have any bacterial infections, such as nerve abscesses, gum disease or plaque build up on her teeth….

…click here to download full article PDF

Retired dentist and Heritage Harbour Annapolis resident Dr. Walter Smith summarized the recent dental presentation by McCarl Dentists by saying there has never been a better time for dentistry. The newest technological changes have made dentistry more comfortable for dental patients than ever. When Dr. Smith retired in the 1980s, dental implants were in their infancy. Dentists could not have imagined a digital scanner taking pictures of teeth prepared for dental restorations with images sent via high speed internet for fabrication of perfect dental crowns and bridges. Neither could dentists imagine computer morphology that would allow clear aligner trays to straighten teeth. Today’s dentistry is remarkable!

Dr. James McCarl interviewing retired dentist Dr. Walter Smith.

Drs. Clayton and Jay McCarl discussed four of the newest procedures and technologies in dentistry at Heritage Harbour in Annapolis Maryland last week. The four topics they presented were dental implants, Invisalign orthodontics, digital scanning for dental impressions and healthy mouth – healthy body: the relationship between oral and overall health.

Door prizes are always fun! Dr. Walter Smith won a professional custom in-home teeth whitening, Lillian Gill won a dental exam, cleaning and necessary x-rays. Sheri Reagor won a Sonicare Electric toothbrush.

Dental Implants
Dental implants can improve your quality of life if you are missing teeth! Dental implants have improved dramatically since the 1980s and have continued to improve during the last few years. They are small titanium posts that are inserted into the jaw bone and function like the root of a tooth. Implants are an effective and reliable anchor for dental crowns, removable bridges and dentures. The jaw bone fuses to the titanium implant and withstands forces from chewing food. Mini dental implants, known as minimally invasive implants, are thinner in diameter and the procedure for placing them is less invasive than traditional dental implants. Case selection is instrumental in a successful dental implant case. The dentists at McCarl Dental Group are certified in traditional and mini dental implants and understand what is best for each individual patient.

Invisalign Orthodontics
Crooked teeth contribute to gum disease. Invisalign orthodontics are less expensive, more esthetic and can also be faster than metal braces. Adults of all ages are straightening their teeth in record numbers. These dental patients improve the health and appearance of their smiles. McCarl dentists are preferred providers of Invisalign orthodontics.

Digital Scanning for Dental Impressions
Digital scanning for dental impressions is the future! McCarl Dentists and LVI Dentists use the Cadent iTero 3D Intraoral Scanner. The iTero has a camera on a wand that takes digital pictures of teeth that have been prepared for a dental crown or bridge. These pictures are sent over high speed internet to fabricate dental restorations. This method provides the most accurate impression of teeth available today. The crowns and bridges fabricated using digital scanning for impressions require very little or no adjustment – they fit perfectly! Digital imaging will replace conventional dental impressions in our lifetime.

Healthy Mouth-Healthy Body
Diseases in the mouth affect your entire body. Prior to joint replacement surgery it is essential to have a dental exam to check for infection in your mouth. Oral infections range from gum disease or periodontal disease to tooth abscesses. Germs in your mouth can get into your bloodstream and affect other parts of your body. Are you planning a knee or hip replacement? See your dentist first! Are you about to start chemotherapy? Have your dentist check your gums and teeth for potential sources of infection before taking immunosuppressant drugs including chemotherapy. When teeth are healthy it enhances nutrition. McCarl Dentists help our patients enjoy smiling and eating. A healthy smile contributes to your overall health and well being. Visit our YouTube Channel to see videos of the presentation. McCarl Dentists discuss Healthy Mouth Healthy Body

Your oral health is connected to many other health conditions beyond your mouth. Sometimes the first sign of a disease shows up in your mouth. In other cases, infections in your mouth, such as gum disease, can cause problems in other areas of your body. Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection of the gums, and the byproducts of oral bacteria can enter the bloodstream. When oral bacteria escapes into the bloodstream it increases inflammation throughout the body and can injure major organs. Chronic inflammation is recognized as a significant factor in aging and disease. Research links inflammatory periodontal diseases to systemic conditions.

Over 75 percent of Americans over the age of 35 have some form of gingivitis or gum disease.

Inflammation from periodontal disease is associated with a number of serious health problems including:
•    Heart disease
•    Diabetes
•    Dementia
•    Rheumatoid arthritis
•    Premature birth

Do you notice any of these signs of gum disease – bleeding gums (even when you brush); red, swollen or tender gums; loose teeth; persistent bad breath; or receding gums? Sometimes there are NO obvious signs of gum disease.

Dental plaque is a sticky film with bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth and gums. When plaque isn’t removed by daily brushing/flossing and routine dental hygiene cleanings, it not only causes tooth decay, but also leads to gum or periodontal disease. Gum disease ranges from simple gum inflammation, called gingivitis, to a more serious disease, called periodontitis, that causes gum tissue to pull away from the teeth and form pockets that are infected. Periodontitis can result in damage to the underlying bone supporting the teeth. The American Dental Association recommends prevention by proper diet, brushing, flossing and dental visits. If you have symptoms of gum disease, please call our Millersville Dental Office at 410-987-8800 or Greenbelt Office at 301-474-4144 to schedule an appointment!

Drs. Clayton, Jay and David McCarl of McCarl Dental Group, www.mccarldental.com, are third-generation dentists with two dental offices in Greenbelt, Maryland and Shipley’s Choice Medical Park in Millersville adjacent to Severna Park fifteen minutes from  Annapolis. They are graduates of the University of Maryland Dental School and participate regularly in continuing education programs. Drs. McCarl are listed in America’s Top Dentists selected by the Consumers Research Council of America, Top Dentists as voted by Dental Specialists and Best Dentist in the Capital Reader’s Choice 2010 Poll.

For more information on the latest news in dentistry or the McCarl Dental Group, visit www.McCarlDental.com.

Dr. Oz, health expert for the Oprah Winfrey Show and your McCarl dentists believe that health and beauty start with your teeth.

In the book, You: Being Beautiful: The Owner’s Manual to Inner and Outer Beauty, Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen write “Beauty reflects inner health – and teeth do it better than anything else.”

When interviewed on Dr. Oz on ABC News, Dr. Oz said, “The health of your gums is a more important predictor of whether you are going to have a heart attack than your cholesterol level.”

If your gums are inflamed, your teeth are falling out, or your teeth are getting ground down from wear and tear it will affect and reflect the health and beauty of your entire body.

Gum disease also called gingivitis is a much more common cause of tooth loss than tooth decay or cavities. The tooth is anchored in place by the gums which act like a suction cup. When the gum gets inflamed and swollen by gingivitis, the muscle and tissue in the gums and the bone beneath it pull away from the tooth.  The suction loosens and you are at risk of losing teeth. Cavities are a problem too. Bacteria eats its way through the tooth and gets into the pulp which has nerves that carry the pain all the way down into the jaw bone. Your jawbone supports your teeth. If you loose your teeth whether through trauma or decay, your jaw bone will eventually erode.

To keep your teeth healthy and prevent both gum infections and cavities, follow Dr. Oz’s Rule of Two’s: Brush your teeth for two minutes with a soft brush, change your toothbrush after two months. Flossing is critical – flossing cleans 40 percent more of the tooth than brushing alone.  You should also eat foods that are healthy for your teeth and make sure you follow your dentist’s recommendations for routine dental cleanings and exams.

McCarl Dental Group offers a New Patient Discount. Teeth cleaning, dental exam and necessary x-rays are only $45.  Click here to see other special discounts for dental care at McCarl Dental Group.

See Dr. Oz on ABC

Sarah Chisholm has been a hygienist with the McCarl Dental family for 17 years. “I came to the McCarl Dental Group in 1992 as a temporary hygienist and loved it so much I stayed!  The best part is of course our office family. We work so well together and our dentists and staff truly are a source of kindness and support.  It’s what I affectionately call the “McCarl Brain Trust.” Someone at work always knows the answer to a question, or can point you in the right direction.”

Sarah has made significant contributions to McCarl Dental Group over the years. Last November she arranged for a guest speaker to update the entire staff regarding the latest initiatives on infection control so that we meet and exceed required standards. Sarah also regularly attends dental continuing education courses on a variety of topics including advances in periodontal care, nutrition and Invisalign Orthodontics. She always shows initiative and gets jobs done quickly and efficiently. We value Sarah’s high energy and professional demeanor.

Sarah tells us, “One of the many things I enjoy about being a hygienist is building relationships with my patients. Our office is unique in that we have many multi-generational patients. These long term relationships make it comfortable for our patients to share information about medical changes and for the dentists and hygienists to introduce the latest information as well as the newest technologies in dental care and products. In recent years we have been educating our patients about the link between periodontal and cardiovascular disease.  Our patients are very responsive and appreciate the concern we show not just for their dental health, but whole body health as well.”

Sarah also contributes to our office with her fabulous sense of humor.  Where ever she is, a trail of laughter is sure to follow. A big part of that was being the only girl in her family, raised with three hockey playing brothers, one of them her twin! She has an irrepressible smile, and enjoys her job, her patients and a good laugh. Sarah and her husband Pat were high school sweethearts, and live in Rockville with their two sons Nick and Sam. Sarah adds, “When we are not busy with our boys’ sports and activities, we love to golf.”

It is important to maintain good oral health by establishing a habit of brushing twice daily and flossing carefully once a day.

Although most people think they know the reasons for proper, daily toothbrushing, few people realize that clean teeth and healthy gums can protect against a variety of general, even life-threatening, health problems. When you don’t brush regularly, harmful bacteria multiply and plaque forms.

Over time, the decay works its way below the enamel to infect tooth dentin.  Plaque build-up on tooth surfaces irritates gums, causing them to pull away from the teeth and expose the sensitive tooth roots. Loose gums form pockets where bacteria gathers, causing an infection. This can destroy the bone that holds teeth secure, resulting in tooth loosening or loss. Finally, chronic gum disease can break down the protective barrier between oral bacteria and your blood stream. This allows bacteria to enter your blood stream and increases the risk for a host of health problems like heart disease, stroke, respiratory illness, diabetes complications, and pregnancy complications.

You should replace your toothbrush after an illness such as a cold or flu or at least every three months – toothbrushes can become breeding grounds for germs, fungus and bacteria.

You also need to change your toothbrush when the bristles begin to show wear.  Toothbrushes wear out and lose their effectiveness.

If you would like to clean your toothbrush and it is not yet time to change it, sterilize it in the silverware rack of your dishwasher.

The Severna Park Dentists at McCarl Dental Group,  give our patients free replacement toothbrushes (and also toothpaste and floss) at every Dental Hygiene appointment.