Irvine Dentist Solutions | Preventative Dentistry

Preventative Dentistry

By Michael Choi, DMD

Early detection by Dr. Choi and treatment is critical to prevent tooth loss and disfigurement. Although the procedure is simple, painless and requires only a few minutes, millions of American adults have never had it done.

Some signs of periodontal disease are:

• bleeding gums
• redness of gum tissue
• swelling of gums around the teeth
• breath odor
• receding gums
• mobility of teeth

Dr. Choi feels that prevention is an overused word in our vocabulary but we all know it works. You see it in what you do every day. Who wouldn't rather prevent a crisis than manage one?

Awareness of gum and underlying bone disease is very low. Only 50% of the population visits a dentist on a regular basis. Of that 50%, 80% have some degree of gum and bone disease. It is an epidemic. Were this any other disease, we would be calling on the CDC for immediate action! Gingivitis is the most common periodontal disease, affecting 90% of the population.

It is an infection of the gums caused by bacteria that form plaque. In small amounts (when it is newly formed), plaque is invisible and relatively harmless. But when left to accumulate, it increases in volume and the proportion of harmful bacteria grows. These bacteria release toxins that result in inflammation of the gum tissue. Eventually, the plaque hardens and forms hard deposits called calculus or tartar. If not properly treated, gingivitis may progress to periodontitis, a periodontal disease in which there is loss of the bone that supports the teeth.

Preventative Care for Those in Cancer Treatment

Each year about 400,000 people (including many in the Irvine, Tustin and Lake Forest areas) with cancer develop treatment-related complications in the mouth ranging from lesions to chronic dry mouth to bone disintegration. If serious, these complications can be life threatening. While many are unavoidable, some can be prevented or minimized by Dr. Choi.

Dr. Choi recommends that whenever possible, a pre-therapy dental evaluation with a full set of mouth x-rays be performed. Any decay, gum disease and abscesses should be treated, if time permits, prior to chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.

Even patients who have no pain or dental disorders need a thorough cleaning. Our goal at Smile By Design is to have the patient's mouth in optimal health prior to beginning anti-cancer therapy.

A healthy smile starts with good preventative care. Call Smile By Design and we'll get you started on the road to a beautiful, healthy smile.