#Timber Ridge Dental Group

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New Monday, New Week, New Goals!

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Just a simple smile can make a difference!

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Brushing your teeth properly at least twice a day helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

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We use the latest technology so your teeth feel squeaky clean for days after.

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Orthodontics

Orthodontics involves repositioning of the teeth and underlying roots, providing better support for the crown of the tooth. Give us a call for more information! 402-492-8300

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About Us:

Midlands Dental is a complete dental care center with several convenient locations in the Omaha-Council Bluffs area.

We provide you and your family a comfortable and caring setting to experience quality dental care. We'll share our expertise and help you improve your dental IQ, because healthy mouths are our top priority.

Please contact us with any questions or request an appointment right away.

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Fun Fact : Did you know tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body.  However, we do not recommend that you use your pearly whites to open bottle caps! 

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We pay particular attention to the health of the gum tissues.

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If your tooth breaks, the first thing you should do is contact your dentist immediately. You should also clean your mouth out by rinsing thoroughly with warm water. Apply a cold compress to the area to minimize any swelling.  

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Brushing your teeth for at least 2 min everyday twice a day is doctor recommended.

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You can achieve a brighter smile in one short visit! The process is very easy and straightforward. Give us a call today for more information! 402-492-8300  

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You can achieve a brighter smile in one short visit! The process is very easy and straightforward. Give us a call today for more information! 402-492-8300

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Feedback

Let us know how we are doing! Click the link to provide us with feedback. https://bit.ly/2PS32G3  

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Oral Health: The Mouth-Body Connection

Years ago, a physician who suspected heart disease would probably not refer the patient to a gum specialist. The same went for diabetes, pregnancy, or just about any other medical condition. Times have changed. The past 5 to 10 years have seen ballooning interest in possible links between mouth health and body health.

"Physicians are taking a more holistic approach to their patients’ overall health," says Sally Cram, DDS, PC, consumer advisor for the American Dental Association. And for good reason. In one recent study, people with serious gum disease were 40% more likely to have a chronic condition on top of it.

In this article, WebMD answers two questions about the mouth-body connection. Why can the health of your mouth affect your whole body? And why are simple habits like daily brushing and flossing more important than you might think?

Your Mouth, the Gateway to Your Body

To understand how the mouth can affect the body, it helps to understand what can go wrong in the first place. Bacteria that builds up on teeth make gums prone to infection. The immune system moves in to attack the infection and the gums become inflamed. The inflammation continues unless the infection is brought under control.

Over time, inflammation and the chemicals it releases eat away at the gums and bone structure that hold teeth in place. The result is severe gum disease, known as periodontitis. Inflammation can also cause problems in the rest of the body.

Oral Health and Diabetes

The working relationship between diabetes and periodontitis may be the strongest of all the connections between the mouth and body. Inflammation that starts in the mouth seems to weaken the body’s ability to control blood sugar. People with diabetes have trouble processing sugar because of a lack of insulin, the hormone that converts sugar into energy.

"Periodontal disease further complicates diabetes because the inflammation impairs the body’s ability to utilize insulin," says Pamela McClain, DDS, president of the American Academy of Periodontology. To further complicate matters, diabetes and periodontitis have a two-way relationship. High blood sugar provides ideal conditions for infection to grow, including gum infections. Fortunately you can use the gum disease-diabetes relationship to your favor: managing one can help bring the other under control.

More here!

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Gum Disease May Affect High Blood Pressure

If you suffer from high blood pressure, your condition may be harder to treat if you also suffer from gum disease.

A study published in the December 2018 Hypertension, journal of the American Heart Association, looked at the medical and dental records of more than 3,600 people diagnosed with high blood pressure and found that those with gum disease were less likely to respond to high blood pressure medications and 20 percent less likely to achieve healthy blood pressure targets.

The study examined the association between periodontitis and uncontrolled hypertension in hypertensive patients enrolled in the 2009 to 2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. It focused on treated hypertensive adults 30 and older who were taking prescribed medicine for high blood pressure who had at least one natural tooth (excluding third molars) and did not meet any of the exclusion criteria (history of heart transplant, artificial heart valve, congenital heart disease not including mitral valve prolapse, or bacterial endocarditis.)

The researchers found that 47.8 percent of the patients were free of periodontal disease, and of the remaining surveyed, 37.8 percent had moderate periodontal disease and 11.5 percent were diagnosed with severe periodontal disease.

They also found that periodontal disease was “significantly associated” with a 20 percent higher risk of unsuccessful anti-hypertensive treatment compared with the absence of the disease, except when CRP (the inflammation marker known as C-reactive protein) was included in the model.

The results show that “periodontal disease is significantly associated with the worst systolic blood pressure profile during anti-hypertensive therapy,” according to the study.

Interestingly, the researchers noted, “treated adults with periodontitis achieved a mean systolic blood pressure that was similar to that of untreated adults with good oral health.”

The study concluded that good periodontal health is associated with a better systolic blood pressure profile during antihypertensive therapy but researchers cautioned that “dedicated studies are needed to explore the impact of periodontal therapy on BP in treated hypertensive patients of different racial/ethnic descent and the long-term effects on cardiovascular outcomes of such a complementary approach to systemic health.”

The American Dental Association’s consumer website MouthHealthy.org offers additional information on gum disease. The site also features a Symptom Checker that can help patients identify possible oral health conditions.

More here

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What Are The Stages Of Gum Disease?

What is Gum Disease? Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums that can progress to affect the bone that surrounds and supports your teeth. It is caused by the bacteria in plaque, a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. If not removed through daily brushing and flossing, plaque can build up and the bacteria infect not only your gums and teeth, but eventually the gum tissue and bone that support the teeth. This can cause them to become loose, fall out or have to be removed by a dentist.

There are three stages of gum disease:

Gingivitis: this is the earliest stage of gum disease, an inflammation of the gums caused by plaque buildup at the gumline. If daily brushing and flossing do not remove the plaque, it produces toxins (poisons) that can irritate the gum tissue, causing gingivitis. You may notice some bleeding during brushing and flossing. At this early stage in gum disease, damage can be reversed, since the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place are not yet affected.

Periodontitis: at this stage, the supporting bone and fibers that hold your teeth in place are irreversibly damaged. Your gums may begin to form a pocket below the gumline, which traps food and plaque. Proper dental treatment and improved home care can usually help prevent further damage.

Advanced Periodontitis: in this final stage of gum disease, the fibers and bone supporting your teeth are destroyed, which can cause your teeth to shift or loosen. This can affect your bite and, if aggressive treatment can't save them, teeth may need to be removed.

How do I Know if I Have Gum Disease? Gum disease can occur at any age, but it is most common among adults. If detected in its early stages, gum disease can be reversed so see your dentist if you notice any of the following symptoms:

Gums that are red, puffy or swollen, or tender

Gums that bleed during brushing or flossing

Teeth that look longer because your gums have receded

Gums that have separated, or pulled away, from your teeth, creating a pocket

Changes in the way your teeth fit together when you bite

Pus coming from between your teeth and gums

Constant bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth

& more!