Gum Disease Can Be Harmful to Your Health | Camp Hill Dentist

Oral Health, Periodontal Disease, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
The stages of periodontal disease

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is caused by the bacteria found in plaque, that sticky film that forms on the surface of your teeth. If the plaque isn’t removed by preforming proper oral care, such as brushing and flossing, it will invade the small spaces in-between your gums and teeth.

If the plaque is left to settle, your gums can becomes inflamed and infected, putting them, your teeth and overall health at risk. If gum disease progresses and is left untreated, it can become painful and expensive to treat.

Heart disease. Several studies have shown that people with gum disease are very likely to have poor health, including heart attacks. In 2009 a paper on the relationship between gum disease and heart disease was issued by the American Academy of Periodontology and The American Journal of Cardiology. It was recommended that cardiologists ask about any gum disease issues, and that periodontists ask patients about their heart health and if there is any family history of heart disease.

Diabetes. If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, you are more likely to have gum disease. Of course inflammation may be partly to blame. Also, those with diabetes are more likely to contract infections, one being gum disease, and if your diabetes isn’t under control you’re at even higher risk to develop gum disease.

Premature births. Although studies are still ongoing, some research has found a link between premature birth and gum disease. A few researchers have found women that have had periodontal disease treated, helps them carry their baby to full term.

Dementia. Some studies have found that gum disease may raise the risk of dementia later on in life. Others research shows that periodontal problems may be associated with mild cognitive impairment, such as memory problems that can make daily life more difficult.

If you’d like to find out more about the effects of gum disease, contact Dr. Gary Wetzel at 717-761-8611 to schedule a consultation today. Or visit www.wetzelperio.com for more information.

Dr. Gary Wetzel proudly accepts patients from Camp Hill and all surrounding areas.

I Have Receding Gums – Now What? | Camp Hill Dentist

Gum Recession, Oral Health, Periodontal Disease, Pinhole Technique, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Have you noticed your teeth looking at bit longer and more prominent lately? Have your teeth been feeling more sensitive? If you’ve answered yes, then you may be suffering from gum recession.

Gum recession is often times one of the many early signs of periodontal disease and if ignored, it will eventually lead to severe oral health issues. If you feel that your gums are receding, it’s best for you to know what your treatment options are.

Receding gums can develop because of many things, one of which is periodontal disease, commonly referred to as gum disease. Other habits, such as brushing too hard or brushing with a hard-bristled toothbrush, can also cause your gums to recede. Bruxism (teeth grinding), smoking and having a tongue or lip piercings can also cause gum recession.

While receding gums don’t look good, how they affect your appearance should be the last of your worries. If gum recession is left untreated, it can result in tooth loss, among many other oral health problems. Here are the current treatment options available:

Gum grafting. One common type of oral surgery used to treat gum recession is gum grafting. This procedure is where periodontists take tissue from another area of your mouth and uses it to cover the exposed areas of your tooth and its roots. The tissue typically come from the palette of your mouth, but it may also come from a tissue bank.

Pinhole Surgical Technique. Unlike gum grafting, Pinhole Surgical Technique is a modern approach that produces natural looking results. The main difference between the two procedures is that it is less invasive, considering that the procedure doesn’t involve any cutting or stitching.

If you’d like to find out more about gum recession treatment options, contact Dr. Gary Wetzel at 717-761-8611 to schedule a consultation today. Or visit www.wetzelperio.com for more information.

Dr. Gary Wetzel proudly accepts patients from Camp Hill and all surrounding areas.

Why You Should Consider Pinhole Surgical Technique® | Camp Hill Dentist

Gum Recession, Oral Health, Periodontal Disease, Pinhole Technique, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

When you find that your teeth have become more sensitive to cold and hot temperatures, it is a wise decision to make a dental appointment to find out why. Many times, as we age, we become victim to gum recession. Unfortunately, gum recession can lead to several problems from chronic tooth sensitivity to making your teeth more prone to tooth decay and erosion. And if left untreated, it only gets worse and causes more dental issues.

The common fear about gum recession is the treatment option. In the past, receding gums were treated with gum grafting, a painful procedure that includes a long recovery period. Fortunately, there’s is a procedure that can correct and repair your receding gums quickly and painlessly. The Pinhole Surgical Technique®, also known as PST®, has been deemed the “revolutionary” technique for treating gum recession. Unlike gum grafting procedures, the Pinhole Surgical Technique® is a scalpel- free, suture-free procedure resulting in almost immediate results. Additional benefits of the Pinhole Surgical Technique® include the following:

  • Minimally invasive treatment
  • Less discomfort after treatment
  • Immediate cosmetic benefits
  • Quick recovery time
  • No sutures or incisions needed
  • Multiple recession sites treated in one visit
  • Beautiful, natural looking, long lasting results

This is a new year and the future is ours. Why not enjoy it as much as possible? If you find that gum recession is an issue for you, consult your dentist. Pinhole Surgical Technique® may just be the solution to a smile you can be proud to start the new year with.

If you’d like to find out more about gum recession treatment options, contact Dr. Gary Wetzel at 717-761-8611 to schedule a consultation today. Or visit www.wetzelperio.com for more information.

Dr. Gary Wetzel proudly accepts patients from Camp Hill and all surrounding areas.

Tips for Painless Dental Visits | Camp Hill Dentist

Dental Benefits, Oral Health, Periodontal Disease, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Oral hygiene is extremely important to your overall health, and that includes your gums. Studies have shown that nearly 50 percent of American adults have some form of gum disease. So, if you have been told you have periodontal disease, you’re not alone. Fortunately, there are precautions you can take to prevent and slow the progression of gum disease. And to be honest, these tips aren’t that difficult. It’s all things we’ve been taught since we’ve been children, but with 50 percent of us having gum disease, we can all use a refresher. Whether you suffer from gum disease or not, these following tips are helpful in preventing and slowing gum disease:

Brush regularly. Brushing your teeth is very important for your oral health. Make sure to brush your teeth twice daily for two minutes.

Flossing. Flossing your teeth on a regular basis is another extremely important step to take in your oral care – floss can reach places your toothbrush can’t.

Rinse with mouthwash. Using a mouthwash daily will get rid of leftover food debris and plaque that was loosened while brushing and flossing your teeth, just make sure it is ADA approved.

Lose the tobacco. Avoid cigarettes and chewing tobacco, as these types of products not only are bad for your overall health but may contribute to gum disease.

Get healthy. Keeping up a healthy diet will provide the nutrients that are necessary to help prevent gum disease from developing.

Visit the dentist. Visiting your dentist regularly for checkups, routine teeth cleanings, or other dental procedures needed to not only help keep your mouth healthy but reduce the odds for a painful visit.

If you’d like to find out more about dental health tips, contact Dr. Gary Wetzel at 717-761-8611 to schedule a consultation today. Or visit www.wetzelperio.com for more information.

Dr. Gary Wetzel proudly accepts patients from Camp Hill and all surrounding areas.

Why You May Need a Night Guard | Camphill Dentist

Night Guard, Oral Health, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

In order for us to maintain a healthy lifestyle, we need to adhere to a few basic rules. Keep a healthy diet, stay away from smoking, keep active and get a good night’s sleep. Unfortunately, many of us suffer from some type of sleep disorder. And if this is the case, you should have a sleep test done to diagnose the issue. Many times, you will find relief wearing a night guard while you sleep. If you are having trouble sleeping, it is important that you see if you’ve developed a sleep disorder.

For those that don’t know, a night guard is a mouthpiece you wear while you sleep to help a myriad of dental problems and relieve the systems of TMJ or bruxism. But because it is a foreign object in your teeth, it takes a minute to get used to it. As you become used to your new night guard, follow the following instructions:

  • Ask your dentist to start out with a thin night guard that will be easier to get used to
  • Have your family dentist fabricate both an upper and lower night guard in order to see which one you find more comfortable
  • Put your night guard in right before you go to bed to lessen the chances that you’ll find it bothersome

Be aware that night guards are an aid for bruxism, but it doesn’t fix the dental problem. Find out why you are grinding or clenching your teeth and make changes to your lifestyle to quit the habit. Wearing a night guard won’t do anything but protect your teeth.

If you’d like to find out more about night guards, contact Dr. Gary Wetzel at 717-761-8611 to schedule a consultation today. Or visit www.wetzelperio.com for more information.

Dr. Gary Wetzel proudly accepts patients from Camp Hill and all surrounding areas.

Keep Your Smile Healthy this Halloween | Camphill Dentist

Oral Health, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

For most children, and even some adults, Halloween means overflowing bags of free candy and unlimited access to all sorts of sweets. Unfortunately, these sweet treats that are given out are not all teeth friendly and can have devastating effects on your oral health. When it comes to candy consumption, keep everything in moderation. Because not all candy is created equal.

If you get these candies, you’re on the right track…

  • Chocolate dissolves quickly, which decreases the amount of time the sugar stays in contact with teeth. Choose your favorite chocolate but avoid the fillings like nuts or caramel, as they can damage to teeth.
  • Sugar-free lollipops and hard candies stimulating saliva production, which flushes away bad bacteria from your teeth, gums and tongues.
  • Sugar-free gum can help remove food particles and stimulates saliva production.

And now, for the worst candies in your pillowcase…

  • Sticky, chewy candies such as gummy candy, caramels and taffy get stuck to your teeth easily. A rule of thumb: the stickier the candy, the worse it is for teeth.
  • Hard candy stays in your mouth for a longer period of time, drenching your mouth in sugar.
  • Candy corn is full of sugar that produces acid that eats away tooth enamel.
  • Sour candy is high in acid levels, which can break down tooth enamel.
  • Jawbreakers are so hard they can chip a tooth.

Make sure to brush and floss your teeth after indulging in your Halloween treats. If you can’t brush right away, rinse with water to help loosen some of the residue left behind.

If you’d like to find out more about Halloween candy, contact Dr. Gary Wetzel at 717-761-8611 to schedule a consultation today. Or visit www.wetzelperio.com for more information.

Dr. Gary Wetzel proudly accepts patients from Camp Hill and all surrounding areas.

Dental Implants: The Aftercare | Camphill Dentist

Dental Implants, Oral Health, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Dental implants are a great way to not only repair your smile but promote your dental health. Unfortunately, this is dental surgery and will need time to heal. So, once you have your dental implant installed, you are going to need to handle it with kid gloves for a while in order to keep the healing process going smoothly. Your dental professional will give you some aftercare instructions, but here are a few tips to keep in mind as you are in the recovery stage:

Do not bother your dental implant. Refrain from bothering your dental implant immediately after having it placed. If you agitate the implant, it will prolong the healing process and could lead to additional issues.

Make sure to consume carefully. Stick to eating soft food for the first few days, then start to reintroduce harder foods as your dental implant heals.

Ice the affected areas. Your face may swell in certain places, but that’s normal for the first few days. Help reduce the swelling by applying an ice pack wrapped in a cloth to the affected area.

Practicing proper oral hygiene is essential. The surgery site must stay clean in order for the implant to heal properly. Your dentist will prescribe you a medicated mouthwash – be sure to use as directed and use a soft bristled toothbrush when brushing your dental implant.

Be sure to reduce level activity. Reduce your level of physical activity immediately following dental implant surgery. Throbbing and bleeding can occur if you do choose to exercise, and if it does you should stop working out immediately.

If you’d like to find out more about dental implant aftercare, contact Dr. Gary Wetzel at 717-761-8611 to schedule a consultation today. Or visit www.wetzelperio.com for more information.

Dr. Gary Wetzel proudly accepts patients from Camp Hill and all surrounding areas.

Sinus Lifts: Your Dental Implant’s Best Friend | Camphill Dentist

Dental Benefits, Oral Health, Sinus Lift, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

We all want a great smile to show off, but most of us aren’t born with a naturally brilliant grin. Thankfully we have our dental professional around to help fix any issues that may be preventing us from having that dynamic smile. But what if you find out that your jaw isn’t able to support your needed dental implants? Nothing could be more discouraging. Introducing the sinus lift…

What is a sinus lift, you ask? A sinus lift is surgery that is done to add bone to your upper jaw in order to support your dental implants. This procedure becomes necessary when there isn’t enough bone height in the upper back jaw, where your molars and premolars are, and your teeth need replacing with dental implants.

So, how does it happen? Well, over time sinuses have a tendency to grow, which can lead to insufficient bone height. Bone loss in that that area can also occur due to reasons such as periodontal disease or tooth loss, in which case you may not have enough bone to place dental implants and will need a sinus lift.

Curious how it’s done? Bone grafting material is added to the area between your jaw and maxillary sinuses to promote bone growth. However, before the adding the bone grafting material, your oral surgeon or periodontist has to make room for the bone by moving the sinus membrane upward or by “lifting” it, hence the name sinus lift. After the procedure, there is 6-9 month healing period before you can have dental implants placed, but a sinus lift surgery can increase your chances of successful dental implants for a lifetime.

If you’d like to find out more about sinus lifts, contact Dr. Gary Wetzel at 717-761-8611 to schedule a consultation today. Or visit www.wetzelperio.com for more information.

Dr. Gary Wetzel proudly accepts patients from Camp Hill and all surrounding areas.

Dental Implants Are a Great Idea | Camphill Dentist

Dental Implants, Oral Health, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

When we develop dental issues, only the worst comes to mind. When we realize the fix is a dental implant, it gives even more cause for concern. But there is nothing to worry about – dental implants are a great option to replace damaged or missing teeth and serve many benefits to your oral health. But that’s not all – there are plenty of reasons you really need to consider dental implants:

Natural looking. They are very durable and have a natural appearance, while also functioning just as your natural teeth would.

Long-lasting. Due to how durable dental implants are they can last a lifetime, but only if you take care of them properly. But they’re new teeth – why wouldn’t you take care of them?

Preserves bone. When you have missing teeth, it results in empty spaces between your teeth which can eventually lead to additional health problems, such as jawbone deterioration. Dental implants are the only dental restoration that can maintain and stimulate bone growth.

Retain your facial profile. When you have several missing teeth it can result a sad, sunken in or saggy facial profile. Replacing those missing teeth with dental implant can give your face the new lift it needs.

Improved speech. Missing several teeth can cause slurred speech or pronunciation problems. Dental implants can help improve speech.

Eat regularly. Unlike the alternative options for missing teeth, your dental implants won’t being going anywhere when you bite into your favorite meals.

Confidence booster. Replacing your missing teeth with dental implants can help boost your self-esteem by restoring your smile.

If you’d like to find out more about dental implants, contact Dr. Gary Wetzel at 717-761-8611 to schedule a consultation today. Or visit www.wetzelperio.com for more information.

Dr. Gary Wetzel proudly accepts patients from Camp Hill and all surrounding areas.

DIY Gum Disease Prevention | Camphill Dentist

Oral Health, Periodontal Disease, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Oral hygiene is extremely important to your overall health, but also coincides with your gum health. Studies have shown that nearly 50 percent of American adults have had some type of gum (periodontal) disease, so if you have developed gum disease, you’re not alone. Fortunately, there are lots of ways that you can prevent and slow the progression of gum disease at home. Whether you suffer from gum disease or not these following tips are helpful in preventing and slowing gum disease:

Brush your teeth. Brushing your teeth is very important for your oral health. Make sure to brush your teeth twice daily for two minutes. If you prefer you can rinse with water after every meal to prevent food debris from getting trapped in between your teeth and gums.

Floss. Flossing your teeth on a regular basis is another extremely important step for your daily oral care routine because since floss can reach places your toothbrush can’t.

Rinse. Some believe mouthwash is only useful after brushing and flossing but using mouthwash beforehand can loosen leftover food and debris, making it easier to clean thoroughly.

Quit tobacco. Avoid cigarettes and chewing tobacco. Studies have shown these products may contribute to gum disease.

Healthy diet. We know sugary and starchy foods aren’t good for us, but they also increase the amount of plaque. Keeping a healthy diet will not only help keep you healthy overall but will also provide the nutrients that are necessary to prevent you from developing gum disease.

Dentist visits. Visiting your dentist regularly is important as only a dentist can treat gum disease. Make sure to make appointments at least twice a year for checkups, routine teeth cleanings, or to have dental problems corrected.

If you’d like to find out more about gum disease prevention, contact Dr. Gary Wetzel at 717-761-8611 to schedule a consultation today. Or visit www.wetzelperio.com for more information.

Dr. Gary Wetzel proudly accepts patients from Camp Hill and all surrounding areas.