How Veneers Can Brighten Your Smile and Boost Your Confidence
Are you embarrassed to open your mouth because of stained, worn, or chipped teeth? You could probably benefit from dental veneers, a painless, cost-effective alternative to dental crowns.
Gum disease affects nearly half of people aged 30 and over, and 70% of people 65 and over have gum disease. Even mild gum disease threatens your oral and overall health if left untreated.
General and cosmetic dentist Nataly Vilderman, DDS, in San Francisco, California, offers comprehensive dental care for your entire family, and our team wants you to know how oral health contributes to overall health.
Healthy gums are not only important for oral health, but they’re also vital to overall health. Healthy gums serve as a barrier and defense against pathogens. They also serve as the supportive framework that holds teeth in place.
Without the gums, food particles and bacteria would have no trouble getting into the deeper areas of your teeth. The mouth is home to up to 700 different bacterial species, many of which are harmful, and the harmful bacteria can threaten your overall health.
People with gum disease are up to three times more likely to develop heart disease. The bacteria running a muck in gum disease explain the link between gum disease and heart disease.
The harmful bacteria in the plaque in your gums can travel through the bloodstream and cause damage to arteries elsewhere in the body. Additionally, this bacteria drives chronic inflammation, which is at the center of heart disease.
In advanced gum disease, harmful bacteria damage soft tissue and bone, which appears to increase the risk of certain cancers. In two long-term studies, gum disease increased the risk of stomach, throat, colon, and lung cancer.
Pinhole gum rejuvenation is a minimally invasive alternative to traditional gum grafting surgery.
Conventional gum surgery involves removing a layer of skin from the palate and sewing it over the affected areas. With pinhole surgery, there are no incisions, which means a faster recovery and less discomfort.
Instead of transplanting skin, the tissue is moved by creating very small pinholes in the gums above the affected teeth. Then, collagen strips are placed to facilitate healing. Pinhole gum surgery treats gum disease and protects your health.
If you notice warning signs of gum disease, such as red, swollen, or bleeding gums, it’s important to see a dental specialist for evaluation and to discuss treatment options. Stop in for an oral health checkup to ensure that your gums and teeth are in tip-top shape.
Contact our office at 415-665-7800 or book an appointment with Dr. Vilderman.
