Diabetes and Orthodontics

Enid’s Dr. Dennis Morehart has kept up with the latest research during his long career as a dentist, earning him the Master in the Academy of General Dentistry distinction and making him proficient in orthodontic therapy. Among the many developments in dentistry during that time is better care for diabetic patients, including those needing orthodontic correction.

Anybody could develop misaligned teeth. People with diabetes are just at higher risk of developing gum disease, which in its most advanced form can erode jaw bone tissue, allowing tooth migration. At the same time, they are more in need of straight teeth, which are easier to clean and therefore less at risk. The problem in the past was determining whether a person with uncontrolled diabetes could manage the increased hygienic challenges of braces. If someone with braces develops periodontal disease, the braces may have to be removed. But with Invisalign, diabetic patients can brush and floss as normal. The system of invisible aligners also puts less pressure on the teeth, making correction an easier process for people who are prone to inflammation. People with diabetes may also be good candidates for normal braces if their blood sugar is controlled. During monthly tightenings, we can ensure that their teeth are still fit to continue correction.

Dr. Dennis Morehart, Master of the Academy of General Dentistry, operates Enid Dental Care at 2411 Heritage Trail, Ste #4, Enid, Oklahoma, 73703. To schedule an appointment, call 580-237-2213 or visit EnidDentalCare.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Scaling and Root Planing for Gum Disease

The three stages of gum disease – from least to most severe – are gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis. Gum disease is an inflammation of the gum tissue that could affect the teeth and supporting bone in your mouth. If you think the metal scaling tool we use on you during a professional cleaning is scary, Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS doubts you want to get to the point where you’ll need scaling and root planing.

Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS will start the procedure with a thorough examination of your mouth. Next, an ultrasonic scaling device will be used to eliminate the plaque bacteria with sonic vibrations. Root planing involves detailed scaling of the root surface to decrease inflammation of the gum tissue. If your gum tissue is sensitive and diseased, local anesthesia will be administered to numb the tissue. Dental scaling and root planing may take two to four visits based upon the level of oral disease in the mouth.

If you have questions or concerns regarding periodontal disease or scaling and root planing, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213. 

Bleeding Gums

Gingivitis is one of the most common oral health ailments, but that doesn’t mean people should have to endure it. If you see blood in the sink when you spit out your toothpaste, you’re not alone, but help is available. This week’s blog is devoted to the causes of bleeding gums.

Bacteria are part of a healthy oral ecosystem, but problems occur when they grow out of control. This can happen when there is a lot of food debris in the gum pockets. Bacteria would rapidly multiply, and as they eat, they would produce acid. The acid would stick to the plaque and tartar around the tooth root, irritating the gum tissue it comes in contact with. This causes gingivitis—gum inflammation—which is characterized by redness and bleeding.

Regular brushing can reduce bacterial growth, although it’s important to only use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Hard-bristled toothbrushes can bruise the gum tissue, worsening the problem. Pregnant women frequently experience gum bleeding due to hormonal changes, as do people on blood thinner medications. Smoking and dry mouth also create situations in which bacterial growth is more likely. It is especially important for these patients to maintain regular appointments for deep cleanings.

Dr. Dennis Morehart, Master of the Academy of General Dentistry, operates Enid Dental Care at 2411 Heritage Trail, Ste #4, Enid, Oklahoma, 73703. To schedule an appointment, call 580-237-2213 or visit EnidDentalCare.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Periodontitis

Do your gums hurt while brushing and flossing? If so, this is usually a symptom of gingivitis. Fortunately, for those who fall victim to this periodontal peril, gingivitis is reversible. If gingivitis is left untreated, however, it can lead to a more serious periodontal infection – periodontitis. If your gums are puffy, dark red, and/or bleed easily, visit Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS, to discuss your treatment options.

Like gingivitis, periodontitis begins with plaque. If plaque is not brushed away on a daily basis, it will turn to tartar, which only our team of hygienists is able to remove. Periodontitis is an aggressive form of gum disease that destroys the soft tissue and bone that support your teeth. This can lead to tooth loss if you don’t visit us for annual cleanings. To prevent periodontal disease, we encourage you to brush at least twice a day and floss at least once a day. The sooner you seek assistance for your oral care, the healthier your smile will be.

If you have questions or concerns about periodontal disease, give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213. 

What is Gum Grafting?

Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS aims to can help you correct the negative effects of gum disease.  A gum graft procedure consists of harvesting healthy tissue from the roof of the patient’s mouth and transferring it to the site that needs reinforcement. This gives the deficient gum a replacement and encourages growth of new material around the graft.

When plaque and bacteria build up at the gum line, the gums stretch and form little pockets around the buildup. Even when these little pockets are cleaned out they remain at the gum line and cause the gums to recede.  Receding gums are often unsightly, and if the gums continue to recede, more of the tooth becomes exposed.  When the tooth closer to the root becomes exposed, you experience more sensitivity which can be inconvenient and painful. A gum graft can cover exposed tooth and repair receding gums.

To learn more about gum grafting and all the services we provide, visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213.

Maintain a Healthy Mouth

Your mouth consists of more than just teeth, which is why taking good care of it is important. Good oral and dental hygiene can help prevent bad breath, tooth decay and gum disease – as well as help you keep your (permanent) teeth intact as you age.  Your mouth is a window into what’s going on inside your body and Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS can assist you in keeping it as clean as possible.

In addition to your teeth, your mouth is made up of gums, oral mucosa, the upper and lower jaw, the tongue, salivary glands, the uvula, and the frenulum. If the oral cavity is neglected, it can lead to gum infection. Long-term gum infection may not only result in the loss of your teeth, but it can lead to systemic conditions, such as poorly controlled diabetes and cardiovascular disease. As if you didn’t already have enough reasons to take care of your mouth, the relationship between your oral health and your overall health provides even more.

If you have questions regarding your oral hygiene routine, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213.

What is Gingivitis?

Gingivitis is a common and mild form of gum disease (periodontal disease) that causes irritation, redness, and swelling (inflammation) of your gums. Because gingivitis can be mild, you may not be aware that you have the condition. However, it’s important to take gingivitis seriously and treat it promptly. The most common cause of gingivitis is poor oral hygiene. If you are not maintaining a proper oral hygiene routine, Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS is here to help by providing you with routine dental cleanings.

Gingivitis commonly occurs because of films of bacteria that accumulate on the teeth (plaque). Gingivitis is a non-destructive type of periodontal disease, which means that it can be prevented. Generally, gingivitis resolves with good oral hygiene – longer and more frequent brushing, as well as flossing. If the condition is left untreated, gum disease can spread and affect tissue, teeth, and bones, leading to periodontitis which can eventually lead to tooth loss.

If you notice signs and symptoms of gingivitis, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213.

Fighting Plaque by Reducing Gum Pockets

Patients suffering from tooth decay are in good hands at Enid Dental Care. Our treatments stop the progression of periodontal disease and restore the bite function and cosmetics of patients’ mouths. One of the crucial steps of denying bacteria a place to breed is closing gum pockets, so patients should be educated about why it’s done.

Bacteria produces acid and plaque, which stick together and gradually cause the bone and gum tissue they come into contact with to dissolve. In areas below the gum line, the empty pockets where material dissolved are very difficult for patients to clean on their own and become safe havens for more bacteria. This causes the decay process to accelerate as bacteria colonies expand.

During a deep cleaning, Dr. Morehart or a hygienist will remove the plaque or tartar and bacteria colonies, but the pockets still have to be sealed. Usually, this is as simple as making an incision into a healthy portion of the gum, pulling a flap of gum tissue over the pocket, and suturing it. Sometimes, it may require a full gum graft, which involves cutting out a whole portion of the soft palate and sewing it over the pocket. Either way, patients should thereafter have an easier time cleaning their teeth.

Dr. Dennis Morehart, Master of the Academy of General Dentistry, operates Enid Dental Care at 2411 Heritage Trail, Ste #4, Enid, Oklahoma, 73703. To schedule an appointment, call 580-237-2213 or visit EnidDentalCare.com and fill out a contact sheet.

Stages of Periodontal Disease

If you want to keep your permanent teeth for a lifetime, then you need to practice a proper oral hygiene routine on a daily basis. If you don’t, you’re already headed down the road toward gum disease. Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums that can progress to affect the bone that surrounds and supports your teeth and there are three stages that you need to be aware of. You should always schedule professional cleanings and oral exams with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS twice a year to avoid this condition.

• Gingivitis – This is the earliest stage of gum disease, an inflammation of the gums caused by plaque buildup at the gum line. If daily brushing and flossing do not remove the plaque, it produces toxins that can irritate the gum tissue, causing gingivitis. This is when you’ll notice blood in the sink after you complete your brushing routine. However, at this early stage, damage can be reversed, since the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place are not yet affected.


• Periodontitis – This is the second stage of gum disease. By this point, the supporting bone and fibers that hold your teeth in place are irreversibly damaged. Your gums may even begin to form a pocket below the gum line, which traps food and plaque.


• Advanced Periodontitis – This is the final stage of gum disease, and the fibers and bone supporting your teeth are officially destroyed. In this case, your teeth may begin to shift or loosen and your bite may also be affected. If aggressive treatment can’t save them, the teeth will need to be extracted.

If you are experiencing gum inflammation, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213.

Straight Teeth are Healthy Teeth

Swollen red gums can often be the result of having teeth that are crowded or too widely spaced. When teeth are properly aligned, it helps the gums fit more securely around the teeth, allowing for the strongest and healthiest defense against potential periodontal problems. In Enid, OK, Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS, can provide you with a variety of options to straighten your teeth so that you can have a beautiful healthy smile.

When teeth are properly aligned, they’re easier to clean and when your teeth are clean and dental plaque free, you’re less likely to need a tooth filling or gum disease treatment. When teeth are straight, it helps the gums fit more securely around the teeth, allowing for the strongest and healthiest defense against potential periodontal problems.

Tooth decay and gum disease are caused by bacteria. Left untreated, they can cause mouth sores, tender or bleeding gums, bad breath, and possible tooth loss.  Correctly aligning your teeth can also alleviate the issues that can be caused by an improper bite, speech or chewing difficulties, jaw problems and increased wear on the tooth enamel.

If you are considering braces, Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS offers Invisalign as well as traditional braces as options. To learn more about these options visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213.