Periodontal Disease and Pregnancy

 

Pregnant women are particularly prone to periodontal (gum) disease due to hormonal changes associated with pregnancy. Pregnancy may cause unexpected oral health changes due to hormones – particularly an increase in estrogen and progesterone – which can exaggerate the way in which gum disease reacts to plaque. If you are planning to become pregnant or suspect you are already pregnant, it’s important that you visit a dentist at Cadena Dentistry right away. 

When plaque isn’t removed, it can cause gingivitis – red, swollen, tender gums that are more likely to bleed. If you already have gingivitis, the condition is likely to worsen during pregnancy. It is very important for expecting mothers to take treatment steps quickly if they have gum disease because they have a six times greater risk of having preterm and low-birth weight babies. To control the amount of plaque in your mouth and to prevent gingivitis, brush your teeth regularly, at least twice a day for two minutes and floss your teeth every day. 

If you are pregnant, please let us know at your next dental appointment. If you have questions about pregnancy and oral health, give us a call today. To learn more about the services we provide at the office, visit www.cadenadentistry.com for more information. To schedule a consultation at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, call 830-775-3322.

Pregnant women are particularly prone to periodontal (gum) disease due to hormonal changes associated with pregnancy. Pregnancy may cause unexpected oral health changes due to hormones – particularly an increase in estrogen and progesterone – which can exaggerate the way in which gum disease reacts to plaque. If you are planning to become pregnant or suspect you are already pregnant, it’s important that you visit a dentist at Cadena Dentistry right away.

When plaque isn’t removed, it can cause gingivitis – red, swollen, tender gums that are more likely to bleed. If you already have gingivitis, the condition is likely to worsen during pregnancy. It is very important for expecting mothers to take treatment steps quickly if they have gum disease because they have a six times greater risk of having preterm and low-birth weight babies. To control the amount of plaque in your mouth and to prevent gingivitis, brush your teeth regularly, at least twice a day for two minutes and floss your teeth every day.

If you are pregnant, please let us know at your next dental appointment. If you have questions about pregnancy and oral health, give us a call today. To learn more about the services we provide at the office, visit www.cadenadentistry.com for more information. To schedule a consultation at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, call 830-775-3322.

 

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is a severe oral health problem that affects about 10% of the population.  Although the infection begins as a minor inflammation, it can quickly escalate into tooth loss, hard tissue damage, and have an effect on your overall systemic health. 

 

Fortunately, it is easy to prevent periodontal disease with diligent oral care.  At Cadena Dentistry, we always remind our patients to brush twice a day, floss and schedule appointments for bi-annual cleanings and exams.  In the event you do find yourself with periodontal disease, it’s important to catch it in its earliest stages.

 

If you notice any of the following signs of periodontal disease developing, schedule an appointment with us at Cadena Dentistry so you can be proactive about your oral health:

• Bleeding gums during or after brushing and flossing your teeth
• Swollen, tender or sore gums
• Gums that appear to be receding from your teeth
• Bad breath or a foul taste in your mouth, even after brushing
• Loose teeth or teeth that can be physically moved in the gum bed
• Changes in your bite alignment
• Lack of stability in any restoratives or prosthetic dental work

Scaling and Root Planing

At Cadena Dentistry, we actively strive to help our patients maintain optimal oral health and retain their original teeth. By offering scaling and root planing to treat early gum disease, Dr. Louis Cadena and Dr. Valerie Cadena Vargas can restore the health of your gums and save your smile.

Gum disease occurs when plaque and tartar are allowed to buildup on your teeth, creating a suitable environment for bacteria to thrive. As bacteria collect in your mouth, they will attack your teeth and surrounding gums. In its earliest stages, gum disease is called gingivitis, but if it is left untreated, it will become a more serious periodontal disease that destroys your gum tissue and leads to tooth loss. If it is not treated, the disease can even cause a loss of bone mass in your jaw.

Scaling and root planing is one of the most effective ways to treat gum disease before it develops into a more serious disease. The procedure allows the dentist to clean between your gums and teeth all the way down to the roots in order to smooth the root structure and remove the tartar that is causing your inflammation. The procedure is incredibly effective and can stop the progression of gum disease before it irreversibly damages your teeth.

If you’ve been diagnosed with gum disease or you have red, swollen or bleeding gums, schedule an appointment with our office in Del Rio, TX by calling 830-775-3322. For more information, visitwww.cadenadentistry.com.

Intraoral Camera

Correct patient diagnosis and treatment is the most important function of an effective, state-of-the-art dental practice. The intraoral camera is the latest in a long line of technologically advanced equipment that has been introduced to the dental field in recent years. It delivers incredibly sharp, clear images that enhance our dentists ability to properly diagnose and treat patients. We are now using this technology at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX in order to properly diagnose and treat our patients.

 

The innovative imaging software that accompanies the intraoral camera is perfect for viewing the nooks and crannies missed by X-rays. While the camera snaps crystal-clear images throughout the mouth, the software allows the doctors to manipulate the image to see different angles and zoom in on an otherwise static image. The camera also takes videos that can be streamed to a bedside monitor. Patients are able to view their procedure in real-time. Our dentists are able to clearly explain what the problem is and how they can best treat it together.

 

We have decided to adopt this technology in order to better diagnose and treat our patients. When our doctors use the intraoral camera, they are able to reach places that an X-ray cannot. While X-rays are extremely effective for locating cavities and decay, the doctors are able to see things they would never be able to see through the use of the intraoral camera. Although a traditional visual inspection of the teeth may have sufficed in the past, technology has made it possible for dentists and patients to reap many more benefits from each health exam.

 

To take advantage of this innovative imaging tool, visit our websitewww.cadenadentistry.com or call 830-775-3322 to schedule an appointment with one of our skilled dentists!

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease (gum disease) is a very serious condition that affects many Americans. This disease has many repercussions, from tooth loss all the way to heart health; periodontal disease can cause patients a lot of harm in many different ways. There are ways to prevent or stop periodontal disease and we provide options for patients who are suffering from this condition.

 

Untreated gingivitis leads to periodontitis. At this stage, plaque will spread and grow below the gum line. Toxins produced by the bacteria will irritate the gums, causing an inflammatory response. This inflammation leads to the breakdown of tissues and bone that support the teeth. Periodontitis also causes the gums to separate from the teeth, forming pockets that become infected. As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed. Eventually the teeth become loose and have to be removed.

 

Through a number of procedures, our dentists are able to treat periodontal disease. We perform the following procedures to treat periodontal disease:

• Arestin
• Gingival/Gum Grafting
• Scaling & Root Planning
• Soft Tissue Graft
• Occlusal Adjustment
• Periodontal Splinting
• Cosmetic Periodontal Surgery

These procedures are performed once the disease has advanced past gingivitis. Gingivitis is treatable during regular cleanings and checkups. Aside from regular brushing and flossing, regular cleanings are the best preventative measure that can be taken. Catching gingivitis before it becomes periodontitis could be the difference in getting your teeth cleaned or undergoing an invasive procedure.

 

If you are looking for a treatment options for your periodontal disease, call us at 830-775-3322 to schedule an appointment with one of our skilled dentists at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX.