Are Damaged Or Missing Teeth Affecting Your Diet?

If you have suffered tooth loss, or if you have severely damaged teeth, it can make eating very difficult. In some cases, entire food groups, such as raw fruits and vegetables, maybe off-limits. Fortunately, at Maple Grove Dentistry, we offer a variety of dental restorations. Our various options can improve your oral function and enable you to eat a wide range of foods. Dr. Russ Jensen, DMD, can even replace your existing dentures with an implant-supported restoration for greater stability and durability. He will also determine the fundamental reasons for your missing teeth to prevent further damage in the future.

To learn the right restorative treatment for you, book an appointment online or call 208-853-2221.

Crowns And Bridges Can Restore Dental Function

Even one or two damaged teeth can affect your ability to bite and chew. Our crowns and bridges can restore dental function, and, thanks to advanced materials, they will blend harmoniously with your smile. A crown will fully cover a cracked or weakened tooth, improving both function and appearance. To place the restoration, Dr. Jensen will trim off damaged tissue and reshape your tooth. Using carefully made impressions, our partner lab will create a custom-crown. We typically recommend tooth-colored porcelain or a similar material for optimal esthetics. When the crown is finished, Dr. Jensen will attach it with composite resin.

Several crowns attached together will form a dental bridge. This restoration can fill in gaps in your smile, replacing one or more missing teeth. Like our crowns, our bridges are custom-crafted from advanced materials. To place a bridge, Dr. Jensen will reshape the teeth on either side of the gap in your smile. Then these teeth will support your entire bridge.

Dental Implants Offer Optimal Stability And Longevity

Although crowns and bridges can both be great options, dental implants offer additional strength and durability that no other type of restoration can provide. Implants will replace your tooth roots. During a precise surgery, Dr. Jensen will place these small metal posts inside your jawbone, and the surrounding tissues will heal around them. Thanks to this process, called osseointegration, the implants will become a permanent part of your mouth. Then Dr. Jensen can attach a crown, bridge, or denture. Even full dentures will never slip out of place. Typically, you will not have any dietary restrictions with these fixed restorations.

Implants offer another important advantage: they are the only restoration that can prevent jawbone recession. Bone degeneration is a common consequence of tooth loss, and the process begins almost immediately after your tooth comes out. As bone volume diminishes, the tissues will pull away from your dental roots, and you could experience further tooth loss. Thus, implants can replace missing teeth and prevent future gaps in your grin.

Addressing The Underlying Causes Of Tooth Loss

At Maple Grove Dentistry, we work hard to provide lasting solutions and to protect your long-term oral health. Therefore, Dr. Jensen will not only replace your missing teeth; he will also work to prevent future damage. In some cases, tooth loss occurs because of decay, which results in extraction. However, gum disease is the number one cause of adult tooth loss. Also known as periodontitis, this condition occurs because of a buildup of oral bacteria. The microbes will create pockets in your gums, causing the soft tissues to pull away from your dental roots. As the tissues recede, your teeth will loosen or come out completely.

Through a deep cleaning, Dr. Jensen can eliminate oral bacteria and prevent further tooth loss. He will clean out the bacterial pockets and smooth your dental roots to keep microbes from gathering on the rough patches. He may also provide topical antibiotics to eradicate bacteria fully. In severe cases, Dr. Jensen may refer you to a specialist for gum surgery. Once your periodontitis is under control, he will provide the most appropriate restorations so you can enjoy full dental function once again.

Contact Us And Start Enjoying The Foods You Love

Do not let dental damage compromise your diet and quality of life. Contact Maple Grove Dentistry to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jensen. You can also call 208-853-2221 for more information.

beautiful healthy smile

Periodontal Care For Red, Bleeding Gums And Halitosis

It’s alarming to notice blood on your toothbrush, but have you thought about what it might mean? Bleeding gums are a common sign of periodontal disease, also known as gum disease. Periodontal disease affects one in every two Americans and has been linked with other health conditions, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

The health of your gums is just as important as maintaining healthy teeth. Over time, bacteria from plaque and tartar can build up around your gums. If left untreated, gum disease can lead to tooth loss. In fact, periodontitis is the most common reason for tooth loss in American adults.

Boise, ID dentist Dr. Russell Jensen helps patients manage periodontal disease flare-ups by performing routine dental exams and professional cleanings.

The Two Forms Of Gum Disease

This oral disease has three different stages, gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis. The lesser form of the three is gingivitis and typically results in red, swollen gums. Most patients remain unaware when they suffer from this condition. At your regular dental checkups with Dr. Jensen, he will assess the health of your gums and determine if preventative actions should be taken to stop gingivitis from progressing to more advanced stages of periodontitis. Patients who suffer from advanced periodontitis often experience gum recession, further decay, and tooth loss.

Symptoms Of Gum Disease

If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, schedule your appointment with Dr. Jensen to determine treatment.

  • Bleeding gums
  • Noticeable redness along your gum line
  • Swollen gums
  • Gum recession (teeth that begin to look longer than before)
  • Loose or shifting teeth
  • Unexplainable tooth loss
  • Chronic bad breath (halitosis)

Risk Factors Associated With Periodontal Health

Habitual smokers are at a higher risk of developing periodontal disease. Other high risk factors include:

  • Poor nutrition
  • Genetics
  • Poor oral hygiene
  • Hormone fluctuations in females
  • Certain medications

Patients are shocked when they realize that gum disease has been linked with other overall health conditions. When the bacteria in your mouth are left untreated, it can enter your blood stream, increasing your risk for other health complications, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and rheumatoid arthritis.

For pregnant women, poor oral health has been linked to premature birth and lower birth weight. Furthermore, patients who suffer from gum disease have a higher risk for strokes and heart attacks.

Treatment Options

It’s important to know that gum disease is not curable. However, it is treatable and can be managed with the help of an experienced dentist, such as Dr. Jensen. At your dental checkup, he will determine the condition of your gums and recommend appropriate treatment. Depending on the stage of your gum disease, you may require non-surgical or surgical treatment. Such procedures could include:

  • Antibiotic mouthwash
  • Scaling and root planing
  • Soft tissue grafts
  • Bone grafts
  • Pocket reduction surgery
  • Guided tissue regeneration

Preventing The Silent Disease

Periodontal disease is often referred to as the silent disease because patients fail to recognize symptoms. Rather, they brush off their bleeding gums and bad breath.

A leading cause for development of gum disease is poor oral hygiene. Dr. Jensen encourages his patients to brush their teeth each morning and night in order to maintain a healthy mouth. Although tedious, patients can also brush after each meal to remove bacteria and food particles from in between teeth. Bacteria thrive in dark, moist places, such as the tight space between your teeth. In addition to brushing, flossing should be performed daily. It can remove the harmful substances in the hard to reach places to prevent decay from developing.

We encourage our patients to rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash after their routine brushing and flossing. This is a fairly simple step, but is often overlooked by many. However, it should not be used in place of brushing your teeth, but rather as a secondary cleaning method.

An important step in preventing gum disease is attending biannual dental checkups and professional cleanings with Dr. Jensen in Boise, ID. Having your teeth professionally cleaned can remove hard-to-remove bacteria that daily brushing cannot eliminate. During your visit, he will also examine the health of your gums and teeth using x-ray technology, as well as provide tips on how to maintain oral health.

Call 208-853-2221 for more information about the importance of oral health. Schedule your appointment with Dr. Jensen today to determine the next step in preventing or treating gum disease.