Diabetes Awareness Month

November marks National Diabetes Awareness Month. As a dental practice that specializes in implants and periodontal disease, diabetes education is especially important to us at the Massachusetts practices of Dr. Martin Urban. Diabetes is closely linked to gum inflammation, and people who have it need to understand that they are at greater risk in order to protect themselves.

People with high blood sugar are especially prone to developing inflammation. This means that their gum tissue will have a more extreme response to the acid normally produced by oral bacteria as they metabolize sugar. In people with uncontrolled blood sugar, it is also more common for gingivitis to develop into periodontal disease, which means that their gums recede and they will eventually lose jaw bone tissue. While this would be a serious problem for anybody, research also indicates that diabetes and periodontal disease exist in a vicious circle, with the toxins resulting from periodontal disease making it harder for the body to regulate blood sugar.

Regular brushing and flossing are essential for controlling the population of oral bacteria. People with diabetes should especially be on the look-out for gingivitis symptoms such as swelling and bleeding gums. Regular dental cleanings, which break up plaque and remove infected material from below the gum line, will help people with difficulty controlling their blood sugar to avoid the more advanced stage of gum disease. We can also provide prosthetic teeth to people who have already suffered from periodontitis.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Martin Urban, call 508-425-9640 or visit us at Martin Urban DDS.

 

Tips for a Tooth-Friendly Halloween

Sweet, sticky candy is everywhere this time of year, and people are naturally having a harder time maintaining their oral health. While the rest of the holiday season isn’t as candy-oriented as Halloween, it does abound with sweets and present similar challenges. We’re particularly concerned with fighting gum disease here at the Massachusetts dental offices of Dr. Martin Urban, and we have many patients who want to preserve their prosthetic teeth. Therefore, we thought we’d provide a guide to a tooth-friendly Halloween.

Implants are strong structures. They integrate with a patient’s jaw bone structure and artificial crowns are cemented onto them. But patients with dentures and partial crowns should still exercise reasonable caution about eating sticky candy. Better options include chewy sweets, such as those made with peanut butter or chocolate. These foods still have high sugar content, but even foods with low amounts of sugar or complex sugars will fuel decay if they are allowed to linger in the mouth for too long. Patients should quickly dislodge food debris by brushing and flossing shortly after meals. They should also limit their time eating candy to meals, when they will be producing a large amount of saliva. Sugary drinks such as apple cider are also an oral health hazard, so patients should be drinking plenty of water to wash away sugary residue.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Martin Urban, call 508-425-9640 or visit us at Martin Urban DDS.

 

Pregnancy and Gingivitis

Dr. Martin Urban is specially trained to treat patients suffering from gum disease. While it is important for everybody to maintain their oral hygiene, one group suffers from particularly high rates of gum inflammation: pregnant women. Since this population is especially vulnerable, we want them to understand what they should expect and how we are able to help.

Inflammation is how the body reacts to the threat of disease. When bacteria in the gum pockets secrete acid, the gums become inflamed, making cell membranes more permeable to antibodies and preventing the toxins from spreading. But inflammation also makes gums sore, discolored, and easily bruised, resulting in bleeding. When a woman is pregnant (or going through menopause), her body produces large amounts of a hormone called progesterone. This hormone triggers new blood vessel growth and increases blood flow to the gums. As a result, they are much more sensitive to oral bacteria and become inflamed more easily.

There is always a possibility that gingivitis will progress into periodontitis and threaten the integrity of gum tissue. However, this can usually be avoided through regular brushing and flossing. Pregnant women may want to stick to toothpaste for sensitive teeth, but they should be vigilant about removing food debris and acid. We can help them by providing deep cleanings to the gum pockets and using localized anti-bacterial medicines. We can also show them proper brushing and flossing techniques and examine bumps that sometimes develop in gum tissue during pregnancy

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Martin Urban, call 508-425-9640 or visit us at Martin Urban DDS.

 

The Importance of Flossing

At Dr. Martin Urban, DDS, we advise our patients to floss every day to maintain good oral hygiene. Flossing removes plaque that is hard to reach and can lead to cavities if not cleaned daily. Brushing only removes 60% of bacteria and plaque on your teeth, while flossing removes the other 40%. 

We encourage our patients to use a piece of floss that is 15 to 18 inches long in a ‘C’ shape for the best flossing job. If you have trouble flossing we recommend you to try plaque removers that allow you to floss between your teeth with one hand.

The type of floss you use isn't as important as long as you are flossing daily We caution are patients to not worry if there is blood when you are flossing, it just means your gums are inflamed because of plaque buildup.

Remember to floss daily to keep your teeth clean and healthy!

If you have any questions or concerns, please give us a call. To learn more about the treatment provided at the dental practice of Dr. Martin Urban, DDS, visit www.martinurbandds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Martin Urban, DDS in Boston, MA, call 508-425-9640 

Flossing Prevents Periodontal Disease

Flossing once a day is just as important as brushing the teeth after every meal because it will prevent plaque buildup that causes periodontal disease. When one develops periodontal disease, the gums become inflamed and may cause sore gums and sensitive teeth. If you spit a little pink in the sink, Dr. Martin Urban, DDS can prevent periodontal disease from becoming more aggressive.

Flossing does more than keep your smile pretty and healthy. It removes plaque and debris that sticks to teeth and gums in between teeth, polishes tooth surfaces, and controls bad breath. Many people don’t spend enough time flossing or they may not have been taught to floss properly. To give your teeth a good flossing, spend at least two or three minutes on the process and be gentle to your gums.

If you have questions or concerns regarding oral care, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.martinurbandds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Martin Urban, DDS in Boston, MA, call 508-425-9640.