Exceptional Smiles - Winter 2008
- Page 1 - Give Back A Smile Background
- Page 2 - 9 Risk Factors
- Page 3 - Is Something Missing?
- Page 4 - Dr. K’s News Roundup
- View PDF Version
9 Risk Factors
Could you lose teeth to gum disease?
- 1. Are you older than 35?
- 2. Are you male?
- 3. Have you never received - or avoided - dental care?
- 4. Have you never - or only irregularly - used dental floss?
- 5. Do you smoke? have you ever?
- 6. Do you have diabetes?
- 7. Do you have high blood pressure?
- 8. Do you have rheumatoid arthritis?
- 9. Do you have gum disease around your front teeth?
Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss and it has been linked to systemic diseases as well as toxemia and premature births. Gum disease develops gradually over time if the natural fi lm on your teeth is allowed to accumulate, damage your gums, and interfere with the balance of oral bacteria. If you or someone you love fi ts any of these nine risk indicators identifi ed by dental experts, you or your loved one could be susceptible to gum disease and the tooth loss associated with it.
These fi ndings make perfect sense. We know that gum disease occurs when oral hygiene is neglected. We also know that men tend to be less conscientious about oral health care.
Gum disease has been linked in studies with diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and arthritis. But if you don’t fi t these categories, don’t be smug. No one is immune! In fact, teenagers can get periodontal disease and virtually all adults will have some aspect of it at some point. What can you do? A lot! Brush, fl oss, and rinse, and maintain your regular dental visits!
Flossing
Eschew This
Ask us how!
Which of these tools would be part of your top ten
to use when dental floss just isn’t handy?
- (1) screwdriver
- (2) earring
- (3) needle
- (4) key
- (5) paper clip
- (6) matchstick
- (7) nail file
- (8) pencil
- (9) card
- (10) none of the above
We hope you picked (10) none of
the above! Believe it or not, over 60% of
participants in one survey admitted to
using at least one of these potentially
gum-damaging methods to remove
food from between their teeth. Another
23% just left the food there – increasing
the risk of disease and bad breath!
Flossing once a day is essential to oral health, removing food and plaque buildup from between your teeth.
Ask us about flossing instructions and safe fl ossing alternatives.
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Dr David Kaffey - Providing services in cosmetic dentistry and care credit to the areas of Malvern, Wayne, West Chester, King of Prussia, Exton, Devon, Villa Nova, Newtown Square, Berwyn, Radnor, St. Davids, Valley Forge, Main Line, Paoli and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Main Line Cosmetic Dentist
12 South Valley Road Paoli, PA 19301 | Ph. 866.930.1921
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