Protect Your Mouth by Knowing the Signs of Gum Disease

January 25, 2013

In a previous blog post, we discussed the effects gum disease can have on your health, as well as what our team here at Papageorgiou Dental Associates could do for you in regards to periodontal therapy. But all of your questions might not have been answered. For instance, maybe you’re been wondering if you have gum disease, and if you do, how severe it is. After all, pain isn’t the only indicator that there could be a problem, as some would believe. Here at our Natick office, we offer you personalized and effective care that always puts your needs first – but first, you have to take that first step through the door. Here are some of the indicators of gum disease:

  • If your gums bleed during or after you brush your teeth
  • If you have bad breath that persists even after using mouthwash and other treatments
  • Tenderness, swelling, or discoloration
  • A bite that feels strange, or teeth that start to feel loose, like they’re shifting around
  • Pockets of pus that ooze around your teeth
  • If chewing is painful
  • Receding gums or teeth that are no longer appearing

In addition, there are also a number of factors that indicate a much higher risk of gum disease than normal. These are:

  • If you use tobacco
  • If you have diabetes
  • If you’ve undergone therapy for cancer of any kind
  • If you’ve taken steroids at any point in time

If any of these categories or symptoms seem to fit you, don’t panic – using either traditional tools or our soft-tissue laser, our team at Papageorgiou Dental Associates will help ease your gum disease symptoms and improve your overall health through periodontal therapies, giving you a reason to smile.

Gum disease can worsen if not treated, so don’t hesitate! Call Papageorgiou Dental Associates today to schedule your consultation visit. Dr. Christina Papageorgiou would be happy to assess your oral health and recommend a treatment plan. Our team serves patients from Natick, Framingham, Wellesley, Wayland, Weston, Ashland, Sherborn, and beyond.

Everything You Need To Know About Root Canals

January 24, 2013

root_canal2Out of all the dental procedures you could undergo as a patient, root canal treatment seems to be the one that makes the most people cringe in fear. Maybe that’s because of the longstanding rumor about it being unbearably painful, or simply because it’s a long procedure that seems incredibly invasive. Whatever the case is, root canals are not as bad as they’ve been built up to be over time. In fact, they’re a crucial and effective treatment that can save your natural teeth from having to be extracted due to extensive decay or infection.

Are you suffering from one or more of these symptoms?

  • Severe tooth pain when chewing
  • Prolonged sensitivity to excessively hot or cold temperatures
  • Your tooth has darkened a shade
  • Swollen or tenderness in the gums
  • A persistent pimple on the gums that keep recurring

If so, then you may be in need of root canal treatment.

When undergoing a root canal procedure, your dentist or endodontist will first take X-rays so as to see if there are any infections in the bone that surrounds your tooth. Then, a hole will be drilled into the affected tooth and the pulp, bacteria, decayed nerve tissue, and related debris will be cleaned out. Your tooth is then sealed, either directly after the cleaning or at a second appointment in a week, depending on your dentist’s preferences (if if it’s the latter, you’ll be provided with a temporary filling to keep out contaminants). All that’s left after that step is for your dentist to see if any further restoration is needed to restore your tooth to full functionality.

Root canal treatment is highly successful, and many teeth that have undergone a root canal last a lifetime. Additionally, a root canal doesn’t hurt anymore than a common filling does, according to most people.

In the case of a root canal, seeking immediate treatment is crucial if you want to save your natural tooth. Call your local dentist if you’re exhibiting any of the symptoms above, or if you have any questions about the procedure.

Emergency Dentistry

January 3, 2013

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , — drpapageorgiou @ 8:08 pm

emergency dentistryDental emergencies strike without warning. Do you know what to do when one hits you? Many don’t, which is why we’d like to use today’s post to briefly explain what you should do if you find yourself facing a dental emergency. Below are some of the most common reasons patients have for seeking emergency dental care, followed by tips on how to handle them.

Knocked Out Tooth

Sometimes a knocked out tooth can be reattached if treatment happens soon enough. To increase the likelihood that your tooth can be reattached, gently clean the tooth and try to put it back in the socket it came from. If you can’t do that, store the tooth in a bag of milk. Call your local emergency dentist as soon as possible for an appointment.

Broken Tooth

As with a knocked out tooth, save as much of your broken tooth as you can and clean the area gently with water. To ease pain and swelling, apply a cold compress to the area. Call your dentist for help.

Toothache

Toothaches can be caused by a variety of things. If you have a toothache, try flossing around the tooth that hurts to see if there’s any debris lodged nearby. If you find something that looks like a pimple near the tooth that hurts, that could be a sign that you have an abscess. If left untreated, the infection from an abscess can become more serious. Call your dentist as soon as possible if your pain doesn’t go away.

Lost Crown

If you have lost a temporary or permanent crown, your first step should be to clean the crown and temporarily put it back in place with toothpaste or denture adhesive. These are just short-term fixes, though. Call your dentist as soon as possible for a reattachment appointment.

Bit Lip or Tongue

In cases where you have injured your lip or tongue, clean the area and use ice to reduce pain or swelling. If you’re experiencing serious bleeding, visit your local emergency room.

Broken Jaw

As with an injured lip or tongue, a broken jaw will require a visit to your local emergency room. If you have lost any teeth as a result of your injury, call your dentist after you have sought care for your jaw.

These are just a few of the problems that patients can face. If you’re having an emergency that is not mentioned here, or if you want to learn more about one that is, call your local emergency dentist. Seeking immediate care in any of these cases is important. Call your dentist.

Have a Complete Smile Again with Traditional or Implant-Supported Dentures

December 14, 2012

Because a complete smile is so essential to a healthy lifestyle and overall wellbeing, most dentists offer traditional dentures as one of their restorative dentistry services.  Dentures are designed to replace a full row of upper or lower teeth, so that patients can enjoy better appearance and functionality.

Both are important.

When functionality is limited, it’s harder to enjoy the foods you need for a balanced diet. And when you don’t feel confident about how you look, the thought of smiling can intimidate you. The benefit of restoring your missing teeth with dentures, then, is that you can finally enjoy a better sense of confidence and improved functionality, resulting in a better sense of wellbeing.

But there is another choice you should know about—implant-supported dentures. Unlike traditional dentures, which are held in place with suction or an adhesive cream, implant-supported dentures provide results that look and feel truly natural. They do this by replacing your missing tooth roots with dental implants.

Why is this important?

Because your roots are what promote the growth of new bone tissue in the jaw. When a root goes missing, bone loss—and the loss of other teeth—is inevitable. Dental implants are designed to stop that process by bonding with the jaw, spurring the growth of new bone tissue. As a result, implant-supported dentures can give you back the strong, secure smile you’ve been missing.

Have you been considering traditional dentures or implant-supported dentures? Talk to your local restorative dentist. Through a consultation and oral exam, your dentist can assess your oral health, the strength of your jaw, and determine a restorative plan that meets your needs.

Transform Your Smile with Professional Teeth Whitening from Papageorgiou Dental Associates

November 29, 2012

What’s the number one thing keeping you from smiling with confidence? For many patients, embarrassing teeth stains are the answer to that question. Teeth stains are commonly caused by foods, beverages, aging, tobacco use, and even some medications. But you don’t just have to live with teeth stains; you can overcome them with professional teeth whitening from Papageorgiou Dental Associates.

Dr. Christina Papageorgiou’s Natick dental office offers two great options for you to take advantage of. With each one, we can help you come closer to your goal of a bright, dazzling smile. Our options include:

Kör Whitening

As one of the most effective in-office teeth whitening systems available, Kör can help you achieve safe, beautiful results in about an hour. What’s more, because of the unique way Kör whitens teeth, patients who’ve experienced sensitivity in the past can look forward to experiencing little to no sensitivity at all with this revolutionary method. To learn more, visit Kör Whitening’s homepage for videos and a helpful FAQ.

NiteWhite and DayWhite

If you’d prefer to whiten your smile in the comfort of your own home, or if you just need a way to touch-up your in-office results, one of these take-home teeth whitening systems may be right for you. Both use custom-made trays and professional-grade bleaching gels to help you achieve beautiful results in about two weeks or less.

Are you ready to find out more about teeth whitening? Call Papageorgiou Dental Associates in Natick to schedule your consultation. We serve patients from Natick, Framingham, Wellesley, Wayland, Weston, Ashland, Sherborn, and beyond.

 

How Can Cosmetic Dentistry Help Me?

November 16, 2012

The benefits of cosmetic dentistry can be life-changing. Studies and research of one kind or another have all shown that, by smiling more and having a smile you feel proud of, you can enjoy a better sense of wellbeing. For instance, smiling increases the body’s levels of endorphins and serotonin, reducing stress and creating a pleasing sense of calm. What’s more, people with a beautiful smile are perceived as being more intelligent, successful, and friendly.

Effective Services for a Transformed Smile

Two of the most effective and most common cosmetic dentistry services out there are teeth whitening and Invisalign.

Many dental offices that offer teeth whitening offer two different versions—in-office and take-home whitening. Both promise professional results, but in different ways. In-office whitening with a system like Kör Whitening can help you achieve stunning results in just one office appointment. Patients who might be sensitive to in-office treatments, on the other hand, may want to consider a take-home system. With take-home whitening, you can achieve the same results as with in-office whitening, but on your own schedule.

Invisalign is a version of clear braces used most often by adults who have put off orthodontic care. Instead of using metal brackets and wires to straighten teeth, the way traditional braces do, Invisalign uses a series of clear, custom-made aligners. With Invisalign, you can enjoy greater convenience than with other options. That’s because Invisalign can be taken out to eat, brush, and floss. That’s a level of convenience that traditional braces just can’t touch.

To find out which cosmetic dentistry service is right for you, call Papageorgiou Dental Associates. A professional cosmetic dentist like Dr. Papageorgiou can help you understand your needs, your options, and propose an effective solution to help you meet your goals.

 

Enjoy Relief for Gum Disease with Periodontal Therapy from Dr. Papageorgiou

November 15, 2012

As important as cavity-free teeth are, your teeth aren’t the only important aspect of your smile.  Healthy gums are just as essential. Recent medical studies have linked poor gum health to a wide range of other health problems in the rest of the body, including:

  • Heart disease
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Stroke
  • Diabetes
  • Pregnancy complications
  • Pneumonia

Thankfully, with the periodontal therapies you’ll find at Papageorgiou Dental Associates, patients from Natick and beyond have somewhere to turn when faced with such a common condition like gum disease.

It’s been estimated that gum disease affects 75% of American adults. But not every one of those cases is the same. For some, treating gum disease may only mean spending more time brushing and flossing every day. In other cases, a more advanced procedure, like scaling and root planing, may be necessary. Using either traditional dental tools or a soft-tissue laser, our team at Papageorgiou Dental Associates will help you remove bacteria and calculus from your smile, easing your gum disease symptoms and improving your oral health.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Do your gums routinely bleed during or after brushing? Do you struggle with frequent bad breath? Are your gums extremely red, discolored, or sensitive? All of these are a sign that you might have gum disease.

Call Papageorgiou Dental Associates today to schedule your consultation visit. Dr. Christina Papageorgiou would be happy to assess your oral health and recommend a treatment plan. Our team serves patients from Natick, Framingham, Wellesley, Wayland, Weston, Ashland, Sherborn, and beyond.

Busy Professionals Can Enjoy a Straighter Smile with Invisalign

September 7, 2012

In our last post we highlighted our Natick office’s commitment to restoring smiles with restorative dentistry. Today we’d like to focus on another service that can help, one that has more to do with cosmetic dentistry but still has a restorative function. It’s called Invisalign.

If you’ve never heard of it before, Invisalign is an orthodontic solution that uses clear, custom-made aligners to straighten teeth instead of metal brackets and wires. That means patients who have avoided orthodontic care in the past over fears of wearing braces can finally get the treatment they deserve with Invisalign.

But not only is Invisalign clear, making orthodontic treatment more discreet than ever before, the length of time it takes to complete treatment is shorter, too. Patients may have to spend years behind traditional braces, while Natick patients who choose Invisalign may only need Invisalign for 6-12 months.

What’s more, because Invisalign’s aligners are removable, straightening your smile with Invisalign is incredibly convenient. You never have to give up your favorite foods because you can just take your aligners out when you eat. And because you can take your aligners out, you can brush and floss more thoroughly than you can with bracket-and-wire braces.

Want to Learn More?

Do you wish you had a straighter smile but had nearly given up on having one? Call Papageorgiou Dental Associates today if you’d like to learn more about Invisalign. Dr. Christina Papageorgiou would be happy to explain how treatment with Invisalign works, in addition to recommending a treatment plan that fits your specific needs.

Restore Your Smile’s Confidence and Functionality with Restorative Dentistry

August 24, 2012

No smile stays perfect forever. Whether because of simple aging, neglect, or an accident or injury, most patients will eventually find that they need restorative help. And when that day comes, we hope you’ll turn to Papageorgiou Dental Associates.

At our Natick dental office, you’ll find an experienced, compassionate team eager to help. We understand how crippling it can be to lose your smile’s appearance, functionality, or both, but we can help you turn all that around with restorative dentistry.

Our restorative dentistry services include:

Crowns and fillings
Root canals
Tooth replacements
Full-mouth reconstruction

    With each of these effective restorative dentistry services, we can help patients recover what they’ve lost to enjoy improved oral health and overall wellbeing.

    But what if you’re not sure which service you need?

    That’s not a problem. In fact, that’s why we’re here! Dr. Papageorgiou and her Natick team are always ready to help patients choose a personalized treatment plan that’s right for them.

    Call our office today to schedule your restorative dentistry consultation appointment. With our convenient late evening, early morning, and Saturday hours, we’re able to provide great service to patients from Natick and all surrounding areas.

    Children’s Dentistry from Papageorgiou Dental Associates

    July 27, 2012

    In our last post, we mentioned that Papageorgiou Dental Associates offers essential care for patients of all ages, including children. Today we’d like to talk more about our commitment to Natick’s littlest patients by explaining what you can expect from a children’s dentistry visit.

    Essential Care for Natick’s Littlest Smiles

    At our office, we offer children’s dentistry for patients as young as two years old. It might surprise you that children as young as that even need oral care, but it’s true.

    Part of our goal for children that young is to create a positive experience. By creating positive experiences for your child, we can encourage them to make regular care a priority all throughout their life.

    Here’s what you can expect from a regular children’s dentistry visit:

    First, Dr. Christina Papageorgiou will examine your child’s teeth for signs of tooth decay or gum disease. If it looks like your child’s teeth might be vulnerable to decay, we may use a fluoride treatment or dental sealants to help provide your little one’s teeth with extra protection. Dr. Papageorgiou will also look for indications that your child might need braces at some point, in addition to checking for signs of jaw or bite problems. Then, we’ll complete your child’s appointment by educating them on brushing and flossing—something we’re committed to teaching every patient we see.

    Is It Time for Your Child’s Next Appointment?

    If it’s time for your child’s next appointment, call Papageorgiou Dental Associates today. We gladly serve patients of all ages from Natick, Framingham, Wellesley, and beyond with great general, cosmetic, and restorative services.

     

    « Newer PostsOlder Posts »