Why Is Gum Disease So Common In Men

Why Is Gum Disease So Common In Men?

Trusted Dentists in West Columbia, TX Explain the Dangers of Gum Disease in Men

Men are more likely to have gum disease than women. In fact, over 56 % of men have gum disease compared to 38 % of women. Why does this happen and what can you do to prevent gum disease? The compassionate and knowledgeable team at Driggers and Baker Family Dentistry are here to help.

We offer comprehensive dental care that is specialized to each patient. We strive to keep all of our patients happy and healthy with patient-centered care. For men, this means looking out for gum disease.

Dangers of Gum Disease for Men

Gum disease can worsen conditions or increase the risk of developing certain health conditions. Here are just a few to look out for.

Heart Disease – Research has proven that periodontal or gum disease is closely related to cardiovascular disease. The reason may be due to inflammation that occurs in both diseases. Taking care of your gums is another way to help protect against and prevent heart disease.

Cancer – As a man, if you’ve had gum disease, your chances of developing cancer of any kind increases. This is especially true for blood cancers, kidney cancer, and pancreatic cancer.

Prostate Issues – Men who have increased inflammation in their gums carry higher levels of an enzyme created in the prostate. This enzyme, known as Prostate-Specific Antigen or PSA becomes dangerous at high levels. Keeping your gums healthy can help lower your PSA levels and could keep your prostate healthy as well.

Impotence – Men who have gum disease and are under the age of 30 or over the age of 70 are more likely to develop the condition of impotence. Inflammation of the gums can damage blood vessels and lead to impotence.

How Can Men Prevent Gum Disease?

With the serious dangers associated with gum disease in men, it’s important to prevent, protect, and treat gum disease as quickly as possible. Here are a few ways to help prevent gum disease for men.

Take Time to Visit Your Trusted Dentist in West Columbia, TX- Men are often much worse than women when it comes to visiting their dentist regularly. The team at Driggers and Baker Family Dentistry knows how busy you are, so we work with your schedule to get you in and out of our office as efficiently as possible. Taking the time to see your dentist at least once a year, every year, will save you time, money, and improve your health.

Routine Dental Hygiene – To stay healthy, men must practice regular dental hygiene daily. Floss your teeth at least twice a day. Brush your teeth at least twice a day. Rinse your mouth out between meals. This extra 15 minutes or so can make the difference between healthy gums and expensive treatments.

Lower Alcohol Intake – Recent research shows regular alcohol consumption can increase chances of gum disease or worsen pre-existing conditions of gum disease. Saliva, which neutralizes acid in plaque, slows down when alcohol is present. This increases plaque and decay on your teeth and gums. With alcohol, the occurrence of gums separating from the teeth increases. This can be an expensive and painful condition. So enjoy a beer every now and then, but watch your intake.

Drink Water – A simple thing you can do to improve your gum health is drink water. Water helps hydrate your body and improve blood flow, including the vessels in your gums.

For men everywhere, gum disease can turn into a serious issue. If you or your family is experiencing any swelling or discomfort in the gums, don’t hesitate to call us today at 979-345-5135. We’ll quickly bring you in for a visit and gently take care of any dental issue you have. Then you can get back to enjoying life!

Dental Restorations Explained

Local Dentist Explains Dental Restorations

It’s not unusual for dental patients to experience dental decay or damage. When you have dental issues related to damage or decay, dental restorations can be a long-lasting and easy solution. The knowledgeable and gentle team at Driggers and Baker Family Dentistry are here to answer all of your dental restoration questions. To help keep you informed of your options, we’ve created a quick guide to dental restorations.

What Are Dental Restorations?

Dental restorations are exactly what they sound like, they are dental procedures and materials that restore your teeth. Healthy teeth rely on a strong foundation, protective layers around the tooth, and avoiding decay or disease. Dental restorations provide all of these things and more for your teeth. Here are some of the more common procedures and options available for dental restorations:

Bonding– This is the process used to attach dental restorations to your teeth or smooth out edges or cracks. Bonding can help improve the look and health of your teeth by covering cracks, chips, or gaps in teeth. It can also help remove staining, crookedness or uneven teeth.

Dental Fillings– Fillings come in various materials including gold, amalgam/silver, and a resin composite. They are used to seal up cracks, breaks, cavities, or holes created during dental procedures like root canals. They can look extremely natural in porcelain or composite fillings or very obvious as with gold or amalgam fillings. The team at Driggers and Baker Family Dentistry work with you to provide you with the feel and appearance you want from your dental fillings.

Dental Crowns– Many people will need a crown sometime over the course of their dental care. Crowns are basically caps that are placed on top of teeth that have damage or decay. The dental crown covers, protects, and adds structure to a tooth that has been damaged or has structural issues due to dental procedures. Dental crowns also make your teeth look and feel more natural and healthy.

Dental Bridges– These restorations are one of the options used to replace missing or broken teeth. A dental bridge uses dental crowns placed on next to the missing tooth. These restorations provide structure and protection for your teeth, preventing further tooth loss.

Dental Implants: If you’re looking for a permanent replacement for one or a couple missing teeth. In this case, your trusted dentist in West Columbia, TX will insert a tiny screw into the missing tooth cavity. It will fuse with your jaw bone and create a new root for the dental implant. The entire process takes a few months and a few visits but can last over 25 years, if properly cared for. Dental implants prevent shifting of teeth, improve structure, prevent the spread of infection, and add extra beauty and confidence to your smile.

Partial Dentures– Partial dentures are used to replace one or a few missing teeth, but not an entire arch of missing teeth. These dentures are removable and are part of a plastic device that attaches the missing teeth to other natural teeth to create a natural look to your smile. Partial dentures can help prevent the deterioration of your jaw bone, shifting of teeth and many other dental issues.

Permanent Dentures– Permanent Dentures can be used to replace an arch of teeth. They can be used for bottom missing teeth alone, top missing teeth alone, or a combination. These dental restorations are attached to mouth plates that can be removed for cleaning and sleeping. They help improve the performance of your teeth as well as your overall appearance. Dentures also prevent teeth shifting out of place, bone loss, and facial sagging.

Keeping Your Smile Healthy and Beautiful

The team at Driggers and Baker Family Dentistry is dedicated to keeping your smile beautifully healthy. Dental restorations are a great way to improve the function, structure, appearance and health. If you have a broken, cracked, painful, or damaged tooth, contact our staff today at 979-345-5135. We’ll ease your tooth pain, repair your tooth and give you the smile you’ve always wanted.

10 Benefits of Conscious Sedation for Dental Procedures

What Is Conscious Sedation?

Many dental procedures require a sedative to block pain and/or relax the patient. If you are like some people, you may experience anxiety even during regular office visits. Conscious sedation offers a combination of a sedative and an anesthetic to help calm your nerves and keep you comfortable.

A variety of benefits come with using conscious sedation for dental procedures and exams. The friendly and experienced staff at Driggers and Bakers Family Dentistry is committed to keeping you and your family safe and healthy. We also love keeping you informed, so we’re providing a list of the top ten benefits of conscious sedation in dentistry.

1. Controls Sensitive Gag Reflexes– Some patients have sensitive gag reflexes, which makes most dental work impossible. Conscious sedation relaxes the patient, calms the nerves, and lowers the gag reflex so dentists can quickly complete procedures and exams.
2. Saves Time– Since conscious sedation makes you relax, the dentist is able to work in your mouth more smoothly and swiftly.
3. Fewer Appointments/Saves Money– If you are able to relax and sit still, your trusted dentist can get more work done in one visit. That will lower dental costs and time away from your job.
4. Makes Cooperation Easier– A relaxed patient is a cooperative patient. When you have conscious sedation you are still able to respond to the dentist. People with extreme dental anxiety, mental disorders or conditions, and small children are able to relax and be still enough for the dentist to complete procedures and exams easily.
5. Helps Patients Sit Still– Conscious sedation helps you relax and feel completely comfortable so you are less likely to be startled, move, or even just fidget. You’ll be able to sit still, even over a longer period of time. Sitting still helps the dentist complete your procedure and/or exam safely and swiftly.
6. No Memory of Procedure– A lot of patients feel extremely anxious when they start to think about their dental procedure. Conscious sedation creates mild amnesia. After you are finished with your dental procedure, you’ll remember very little. You will even feel like the entire process took only a matter of minutes, even if it took a few hours. This is particularly helpful with invasive dental procedures such as tooth extractions or root canals.
7. Gets Rid of Pain– Conscious sedation medications contain certain anesthetics and pain blockers to keep you comfortable during all different types of dental treatments and procedures.
8. Provides Comfort– Besides blocking pain, conscious sedation also offers comfort during dental exams and procedures. If you have issues with TMJ or have difficulty keeping your mouth open, the sedation will make dental procedures much easier and sometimes it can even be relaxing.
9. Higher Quality of Dental Care– When you are calm and comfortable, your dentist is able to really get to work. They can concentrate completely on the procedure and provide you with a much higher quality of care. This means your trusted dentist is able to give your teeth the attention and time they need to be properly treated.
10. Better Overall Dental Experience & Care– When you are truly relaxed and feel comfortable, you will be able to have a better experience and receive better care. Having these experiences can erase or reverse your dental anxiety.

Conscious Sedation Helps Give You the Care You Need While You Relax

Dental care is a vital part of our overall health. The gentle and knowledgeable staff at Driggers and Baker Family Dentistry are highly experienced with conscious sedation. We know that many people avoid much needed dental care because they are anxious or afraid.

When you come to our office, you’ll never have to worry. We work with you to make sure every visit is a pleasant one. If you are having any dental pain or just have some concerns about your dental health, contact us today. Call us at 979-345-5135, we’ll have you healthy and smiling in no time.

6 Tips on Maintaining Dental Hygiene

 

The importance of taking care of your teeth and gums cannot be over-emphasised. If you practice good oral hygiene, your breath will smell fresh, your gums will not bleed when you brush, and your teeth will remain white and free from discolouration. But how can you ensure that you are doing everything possible to maintain a high level of oral health? Here are six tips to guide you in your quest for the perfect set of teeth.

1. Visit your dentist regularly

You should make it a habit to visit your dentist at least twice a year. This is necessary even if you don’t have any complaints about your teeth or gums. Dentists will be able to spot problems as they arise and treat them at an early stage.
For instance, if your teeth are not aligned properly, your dentist may suggest that you need braces. Misaligned teeth can look unattractive and can even lead to an inability to chew food well. However, braces can be expensive and it is a good idea to educate yourself about the average cost of braces in Singapore before you finalise your treatment.

2. Brush your teeth twice a day

Most people do brush their teeth every morning and night. However, it is important to brush your teeth in the correct manner. Improper brushing does not help your teeth at all and you could actually be damaging your gums every time you use the wrong brushing technique.
What is the correct way to clean your teeth? Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle to your gums. Then sweep the brush away from your gums. Remember to brush the insides, outsides, as well as the chewing surfaces of your teeth. If you use th

Plaque is a sticky layer of bacteria that coats your teeth. A failure to free your teeth of plaque can result in cavities and gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums leading to gum disease.

3. Select the correct toothbrush

If you use an unwieldy toothbrush, you will find it difficult to access all the areas of your mouth. Find a brush that you are comfortable with. Usually, a small toothbrush head works best. Most people also prefer a toothbrush with a long handle so that they can grasp it firmly.
Should you use hard or soft bristles? Again, it is a personal choice. Although some people are most comfortable with hard bristles, a toothbrush with soft bristles is appropriate if you have sensitive gums. Don’t make the mistake of selecting hard bristles if your gums bleed when you brush them.
Many people neglect to change their toothbrush often enough. Brushing with an old and frayed toothbrush will not help you clean your teeth. In fact, not only will your old toothbrush be ineffective, it can actually harm you. The bacteria that it carries can give you gingivitis and inflamed gums.

4. Floss at least once a day

Unfortunately, just brushing your teeth regularly will not ensure your dental health. The bristles of your toothbrush cannot reach between your teeth. This is where food particles and plaque tends to accumulate. Flossing is essential to remove plaque and according to dental hygiene experts, it is more effective than brushing for this task.
You should floss at least once a day, preferably twice. Regular flossing helps in controlling bad breath and reducing the incidence of gum disease and tooth decay.

5. The elderly need special care

Advancing years usually lead to increased dental problems and many elderly people suffer from poor oral health. Arthritis, a disease which afflicts the elderly, can make brushing and flossing difficult. Age also gives rise to another problem. As an elderly person loses teeth, the ability to chew food decreases. This could lead to poor nutrition and a lower resistance to disease. Getting dentures can help overcome the lack of natural teeth.
However, dentures are available in a wide range of prices. It is advisable to check out the average cost of dentures at various clinics to get an idea of how much you will need to spend. If you have more money to spare, it might be worth considering getting implants for your parents, as these are much more durable and convenient than dentures. However, you should be aware that implants do cost substantially more than dentures.

6. Watch your consumption of sugar and sweetened drinks

Every time you eat a sugar-laden snack or consume a sweetened drink, the bacteria in your mouth get an opportunity to produce a type of acid that can harm your teeth. According to the September 2016 issue of the Statistics Singapore Newsletter, about half of all Singaporeans indulge in sweetened drinks every day.
Consuming an excess of sugar can lead to cavities and tooth decay. Consequently, you may experience discomfort and need to visit a dentist. The average cost of dental procedures in Singapore can be quite high. Do a little research to find out the amount that you can expect to pay.
Periodic visits to the dentist, regular brushing, and good eating habits can go a long way in giving you a healthy set of teeth. Paying attention to your dental hygiene can also save you from unpleasant dental procedures that can cost a lot of money.

Source:  6 Tips on Maintaining Dental Hygiene