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Protecting Your Oral Health

How to correct problems like an uneven gum line, long teeth, exposed roots, indentations in the gum and jawbone, missing teeth, and a gummy smile.

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Each of the special features listed below explores the oral health needs of a different group of people.

Periodontal Plastic Procedures

Periodontal plastic surgery can improve your smile and help it last a lifetime. This article explains the procedures periodontists use to correct problems like an uneven gum line, long teeth, exposed roots, indentations in the gum and jawbone, missing teeth, and a gummy smile. Before and after pictures show the improvements that result from this surgery.

The Mouth-Body Connection

Infections in the mouth can play havoc elsewhere in the body. Evidence suggests that people with periodontal disease are at higher risk for developing heart disease, stroke, uncontrolled diabetes, preterm births, and respiratory disease. Periodontal bacteria can enter the blood stream and travel to major organs and begin new infections. This article suggests steps you can take to protect your health. (Spanish translation of article)

Protecting Children's Oral Health

Studies indicate that gingivitis (the first stage of periodontal disease) is nearly a universal finding in children and adolescents. Advanced forms of periodontal disease are more rare in children than adults, but can occur. This article describes the types of periodontal diseases, signs of periodontal disease in children, and suggests some preventive measures. (Spanish translation of article)

Women and Periodontal Disease

Hormonal fluctuations throughout a woman's life can affect many tissues, including gum tissue. Because periodontal disease is often a "silent" disease, many women do not realize they have it until it reaches an advanced state. However, at each stage of your life, there are steps a woman can take to protect her oral health.

Baby Steps to a Healthy Pregnancy and On-Time Delivery

Studies have shown a relationship between periodontal disease and preterm, low birthweight babies. In fact, pregnant women with periodontal disease may be seven times more likely to have a baby that's born too early and too small.

Smoking and Periodontal Disease

Recent studies have shown that tobacco use may be one of the most significant risk factors in the development and progression of periodontal disease. In addition, following periodontal treatment or any type of oral surgery, the chemicals in tobacco can slow down the healing process and make the treatment results less predictable.

How Older Adults Can Keep Their Smile for Life

Older adults are more likely to keep their teeth for a lifetime than they were a decade ago. However, studies indicate that older people have the highest rates of periodontal disease and need to do more to maintain good oral health.