You know good dental habits can help prevent things like cavities and gingivitis, but you may not know what conditions like these really look like or how they can affect your mouth. Use this visual guide to learn more about some of the most common dental health issues, symptoms to watch for and the potential treatments that are available. Please note: This content is for informational purposes only. Only a dentist, physician or other qualified health care professional can make a diagnosis. Gingivitis Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease , an infection of the tissues around your teeth caused by plaque. If you have gingivitis, your gums may become red, swollen and bleed easily. You may also experience bad breath . Because gum disease is usually painless, you may not know you have it. You are more likely to develop gum disease if you skip brushing and flossing , use tobacco , have crooked teeth that are hard to keep clean, are pregnant , have ...

Defeat Gum Disease Painlessly ARESTIN™ is an impressive weapon in the war against gum disease. This time-released antibiotic is available as tiny, invisible microspheres suspended in a powder form that delivers treatment directly to the site of the infection (the spaces between the gums and teeth). ARESTIN painlessly kills the bacteria that cause gum disease, restoring your dental health. Westshore Dentistry, Inc.    Rajiv Motwani, DMD 4708 26th Street West Bradenton, FL 34207 (941) 758-4543 WestshoreDentistryFL.com

Now the Good News The threat of gum disease has been acknowledged, and most dental insurance plans offer good coverage for a variety of treatments. While in some severe cases surgery is the only acceptable form of treatment, there are now powerful NON-surgical procedures that, combined with improved dental hygiene, can arrest the spread of the disease. Westshore Dentistry, Inc.    Rajiv Motwani, DMD 4708 26th Street West Bradenton, FL 34207 (941) 758-4543 WestshoreDentistryFL.com

Full-Mouth Rehabilitation Your oral health affects your overall physical and mental health. In fact, improving the state of your oral health can have a radical impact on the rest of your body. Many patients who’ve dealt with injury, illness, bite problems, and simple wear and tear can have chronic health issues that they don’t even realize began in their mouth. Untreated gum disease has been linked to heart issues and strokes. Bruxism (tooth grinding), TMJ, periodontitis, crooked or misshapen teeth, and missing teeth can combine to cause headaches and migraines, toothaches, and chronic bad breath, not to mention an unattractive appearance. But you don’t have to live like that. Dr. Motwani will consult with you to discuss your concerns, symptoms, and goals. After capturing digital X-rays, photos, and imprints of your mouth, he will present treatment plan options to address your issues and help you to acquire a healthy, pain-free, amazing smile. We can also talk about phased treatment ...

Gum Disease Can Contribute to Heart Disease and Even Stroke Evidence produced by medical research has shown that gum disease factors into the onset of strokes, heart disease, and many other life-threatening illnesses. So you can see why treating gum disease is vital to retaining your overall good health. The American Dental Association approximates that 8 out of 10 Americans have periodontal (gum) disease. Percentages at this elevated a level should be considered epidemic. But because tooth loss has long been thought of as simply unpleasant, not immediately life-threatening, the severity of the disease has been neglected for far too long. However, things are changing. The American Academy of Periodontology has released information that indicates the following: “Studies found periodontal infection may contribute to the development of heart disease, increase the risk of premature, underweight births, and pose a serious threat to people whose health is already compromised due to diabete...

Many medical professionals consider obesity to be a chronic disease. It is well understood that obesity is on the rise in the United States, and that younger and younger members of our community are becoming obese due to poor nutrition and eating habits. Research has demonstrated that obesity will increase the risk for hypertension, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, CVD, respiratory problems, and endometrial, breast, prostate, and colon cancers.1 It has also been demonstrated in a recent research study that obesity also increases the risk for periodontal disease, and it may be insulin resistance that regu¨lates the relationship between obesity and periodontal disease.1  It has also been found that individuals with elevated body mass indices (BMI) produce a higher level of inflammatory proteins.1 The classifications of being overweight and obese can pertain to more than 60 percent of American adults. It is even higher for some high-risk populations, such as African-American women, placi...

  The #1 Destroyer of Teeth   Periodontal (gum) disease is an insidious destroyer of teeth. The affliction often progresses at a slow pace, with no pain, which is why it’s the number-one reason people lose their teeth. You simply may not realize that you’re infected until after your teeth are irretrievable. Not sure if your teeth are at risk? Symptoms include bleeding gums when you brush or floss, and loose or shifting teeth. Even if you’ve been told that you need gum surgery, we can help. The latest dental treatments have made it possible to control gum disease with a variety of non-surgical methods. Westshore Dentistry, Inc.  Rajiv Motwani, DMD 4708 26th Street West Bradenton, FL 34207 (941) 758-4543 WestshoreDentistryFL.com