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Dr. Guy Spinner
16 Old Riverhead Road
Westhampton Beach, NY 11978
631.288.9000

Your Dental Hygiene

Cosmetic Dentist in Long Island, Westhampton, Southampton and surrounding areas

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After the last of our adult teeth has grown into place, that’s it. We don’t get any more. If we lose the ones we have, new ones won’t spring forth to replace them. This is why it is very important to practice good dental hygiene from early childhood throughout your whole life. At Dr. Spinner’s Southampton, New York dental practice, we strive to build awareness of the importance of good dental hygiene and the dangers of gum disease. A healthy mouth is the foundation of a happy and beautiful smile.

What is Periodontal Disease (Gum Disease)?

Gum disease is a serious infection in your gums. If left untreated, it will lead to tooth loss, cause a lot of pain, and spread into the jawbone. There are two stages of periodontal disease.

Gingivitis is the beginning stage, when the bacteria and their toxic excretions form plaque. Left in place long enough, plaque turns to tartar, which irritates your gums. They will be sore and swollen and will bleed easily. It is possible to reverse the effects of gingivitis with professional teeth cleaning and regular oral care at home. If gingivitis is not treated, it will become periodontitis, which results in permanent damage to your teeth and can spread into the jawbone.

Periodontitis begins after plaque has spread below the gum line, causing gum recession. The bacteria continue to produce acidic toxins that irritate the gums, destroy tooth enamel, and eventually start destroying the bone that supports your teeth. As the disease progresses, pain at first increases, as the tooth nerves are decayed and die. When they have died, pain disappears, but the disease continues.

What Causes Gum Disease?

The principal cause is neglect. Bacteria are always in the mouth, and if you fail to remove large numbers of them daily, along with the bits of food they are living on, they will multiply and spread indefinitely. The consequences of this are the stages of gum disease. There are also some factors that facilitate gum disease in some people more than in others, such as:

• Some medications
• Diabetes
• Puberty and Pregnancy
• Poor Nutrition
• Smoking
• Genetics
• Stress
• Grinding and Clenching Your Teeth

In general, any disease that is capable of interfering with the body’s immune system can contribute to the onset or advancement of gum disease. The lack of good nutrition and overall health care can also help to bring on or speed up the process of periodontal disease. For general information about gum disease and dental care, visit the ADA, American Dental Association.

If you have already lost some teeth, whether from gum disease or an accident or trauma, dental implants would be a good option. They would replace the tooth and its root also, filling both the visible gap and the invisible gap in the jawbone.

At Dr. Spinner’s Southampton, New York dental clinic, you will meet a skilled and trained doctor who is genuinely concerned with the care and well-being of his patients. Please contact us today to schedule a consultation.

631.288.9000

16 Old Riverhead Road
Westhampton Beach, NY 11978
Fax: 631.288.1800