Keep Gum Disease at Bay with Dental Hygiene | Camphill Dentist

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Oral hygiene is extremely important to your overall health, and that includes your gums. This may sound frightening, but studies have shown that nearly 50 percent of American adults have either mild, moderate or severe gum disease, so don’t worry – you aren’t alone. Fortunately, there are precautions you can take to prevent and slow the progression of gum disease. Whether you suffer from gum disease or not these following tips are helpful in preventing and slowing gum disease:

Brush your teeth. We all know brushing your teeth is very important for your oral health, so make sure to brush your teeth twice daily for two minutes. If you prefer you can brush after every meal to prevent food debris from getting trapped in between your teeth and gums.

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

Use mouthwash. Using a mouthwash will not only give you minty fresh breath, but it can get rid of leftover food debris and plaque that was loosened while brushing your flossing your teeth.

Tobacco-free. Avoid cigarettes and chewing tobacco, as these sorts of products are not only harmful to our overall health but may contribute to gum disease.

Healthy diet. Sugary and starchy foods increase the amount of plaque. Only a healthy diet will provide the nutrients that are necessary to prevent you from developing gum disease.

Dental visits. Visiting your dentist regularly for checkups, routine teeth cleanings, or to have dental problems corrected is intricate to maintaining good dental health.

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 regarding dental hygiene.

Dr. Gary Wetzel proudly accepts patients from Camp Hill, New Cumberland, Harrisburg, York,Carlisle and all surrounding areas.

Your Bite May Need Adjusting | Camp Hill Dentist

Night Guard, Occlusal Adjustment, Oral Health, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Do you wake up in the morning with a sore jaw? Does it feel like your jaw is lopsided when you bite? If this sounds familiar to you, then you may need an occlusal adjustment.

An occlusal adjustment is a procedure done to correct the alignment of the bite that may have been misaligned due to loose, shifting, crowded, or missing teeth. Once the adjustment is made, the result will be an evenly distributed bite that eliminates irregular pressure on one side of the mouth. Removable mouthpieces will protect the tooth surface and relax the jaw muscles once the adjustment is completed.

Signs you may justify an occlusal adjustment:

Loose or shifting teeth. One of the more common signs is increased spacing between the upper front teeth, making is difficult for your teeth to hit correctly.

Grinding or clenching teeth. This generally stress-related habit can cause an unevenly distributed and excessive biting force on several of your teeth and bone support holding your teeth to your jaw.

Headache. Headaches may sometimes accompany the grinding or clenching of your teeth and will occur in the temporal regions of your head, which is located lateral to the eyes.

Pain. One or more teeth may hurt upon eating or biting down due to the eruption of a tooth beyond the normal plane of the bite, causing one or two teeth to prematurely connect.

Tooth sensitivity. With the knowledge that one can bite with a force of up to 200 pounds per square inch, the nerve within the tooth gets irritated and hypersensitive.

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

Dr. Gary Wetzel proudly accepts patients from Camp Hill, New Cumberland, Harrisburg, York,Carlisle and all surrounding areas.

Be Proactive with Your Gum Disease Diagnosis | Camp Hill Dentist

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Prevention is a key factor when it comes to preventing any type of disease, including periodontal disease (also known as gum disease), which is why it’s important to fully understand what it is and how it occurs. Being aware of the signs and symptoms that accompany gum disease can be helpful with diagnosis in its early stages. Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease and noticeable signs include swollen, bleeding gums, bad breath and sensitive teeth.

While a dental professional will help resolve your gum disease, they aren’t the only ones on that team. You can help prevent gum disease from developing by practicing good oral hygiene. Good oral hygiene not only helps prevent it but can also help reverse your condition. What is good hygiene? Your dentist can clear up any concerns you may have but here’s a quick rundown.

Starting with an ideal brushing regimen, which includes brushing your teeth with a soft bristled toothbrush twice a day for two minutes and flossing at least once a day. After a few months, toothbrush bristles start to wear and won’t clean as effectively, especially in areas where bacteria are more likely to buildup, especially around the gumline.

Saliva is a natural cleanser that helps wash away bacteria from both your teeth and gums. So, be sure to keep your mouth moist by drinking lots of water or by chewing sugarless gum regularly. Doing so will help stimulate saliva production and keep your mouth clean.

Lastly, following a healthy diet containing nutrient rich foods can boost your immune system, slow the progression and increase your chances of reversing gum disease.

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 regarding dental hygiene.

Dr. Gary Wetzel proudly accepts patients from Camp Hill, New Cumberland, Harrisburg, York,Carlisle and all surrounding areas.

White Teeth Doesn’t Mean Healthy Smiles | Camp Hill Dentist

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

While having sparkling, white teeth is great, it does not mean you are free from dental issues. In fact, white teeth really have nothing to do with a healthy mouth and everything to do with healthy gums. Your gums are the barrier that actually help prevent inflammation that may damage your body, and periodontal disease has been linked to heart disease, stroke, diabetes and premature births or low-birth weight in infants.

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is caused by the bacteria found in plaque. If the plaque isn’t removed by proper oral care, it will invade the small spaces between your gums and teeth. If gum disease progresses and is left untreated, it can become painful and expensive to treat. But that’s not all – gum disease can progress to many other areas of our overall health:

Heart disease. Several studies have shown that people with gum disease are very likely to have poor health, including heart attacks. So much so, it has been recommended that cardiologists ask about any gum disease issues, and that periodontists ask patients about their heart health.

Diabetes. If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, you are more likely to have gum disease. Those with diabetes are more likely to contract infections.

Premature births. Although studies are still ongoing, some research has found a link between premature birth and gum disease, but when treated, carries 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 periodontal treatment options, contact Dr. Gary Wetzel at 717-761-8611 to schedule a consultation today. Or visit www.wetzelperio.com for more information regarding dental hygiene.

Dr. Gary Wetzel proudly accepts patients from Camp Hill, New Cumberland, Harrisburg, York,Carlisle and all surrounding areas.

What Can I Do About My Receding Gums? | Camp Hill Dentist

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

Gum recession is oftentimes 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.

For those of you whose gums have only receded just a little bit, a deep cleaning done by your dentist is more than enough treatment. However, for more severe cases, oral surgery may be the only way to repairing your gums:

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, the Pinhole Surgical Technique, is a much more modern approach that produces natural looking results. The main difference between the two procedures is that it is less invasive – the procedure doesn’t involve any cutting or stitching. During the Pinhole Surgical Technique, a needle is used to poke a small pinhole into the patients gum tissue. A special instrument is inserted into the pinhole, where they loosen and shift the tissue to cover up the exposed root.

Of the two procedures, the Pinhole Surgical Technique is slowly becoming the more popular option to repair gum recession. While both procedures are equally effective, many prefer the Pinhole Surgical Technique due to the fact that it leads to much quicker recovery time and less chances of post-operation complications.

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

Dr. Gary Wetzel proudly accepts patients from Camp Hill, New Cumberland, Harrisburg, York,Carlisle and all surrounding areas.

Save Your Smile with the Pinhole Surgical Technique | Camp Hill Dentist

Gum Recession, Oral Health, Pinhole Technique, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Do you have receding gums causing your teeth to become more sensitive to cold and hot temperatures? Do your teeth seem to look longer? These are common signs of gum recession; and the adverse effects of gum recession go far beyond just cosmetics. Gum recession can lead to several problems from chronic tooth sensitivity to making your teeth more prone to tooth decay and erosion. Also, once gum recession occurs your gums cannot naturally return to their proper place.

Fortunately, there’s been fascinating advancements in the dental field that can correct and repair your receding gums. 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

Incredible, right? It really is a revolutionary development to the issue of repairing receding gums. The gum grafting procedure is much more involved due to the sutures and a much longer recovery time. If you find that your gums have begun to recede, it is important that you seek out some advice with your dental professional. Only a certified Pinhole Surgical Technique dental professional can use this non-invasive technique, but repairing the gums before it leads to further issues is important regardless.

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

Dr. Gary Wetzel proudly accepts patients from New Cumberland, Harrisburg, York and Carlisle.

Why You Should Take Advantage of Your Dental Benefits | Camp Hill Dentist

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Dental Treatment

As we approach the end of yet another year, it is a great time to take advantage of your dental insurance benefits. If you’ve paid your premiums all year, you’ve earned those dental benefits, so why not take advantage of it? The following list includes a few reasons to use your dental benefits before you lose them:

Yearly maximum. A yearly maximum is the most money your dental insurance plan covers for the dental work you have done over a full year. Your yearly maximum renews every year and don’t rollover.

Deductible. A deductible is the amount of money that you pay out of pocket before your insurance company will pay for any services.

Premiums. If you’re paying for your dental benefits every month, you should be taking advantage of them. There are many people who don’t take advantage of their benefits and pay their insurance company, while not getting their dental work in return.

Fee increases. There’s always a possible fee increase at the end of the year due to the increased cost of materials or to accommodate the cost of living. These fee increases could also raise your copay.

Worsening dental problems. By delaying treatment, you may be risking a more expensive and extensive treatment later down the road. What could be a simple cavity now could turn into root canal or tooth extraction if it’s ignored. Do yourself a favor and don’t avoid the dentist – your mouth will thank you for it.

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

Dr. Gary Wetzel proudly accepts patients from New Cumberland, Harrisburg, York and Carlisle.

Which Type of Dental Implant Do You Need? Camp Hill Dentist

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If you’re missing teeth you may feel uncomfortable smiling in public, or you may struggle with eating and speaking clearly. That said, you have options to bring that flawed smile back to its original brilliant version. Those options are what is known as dental implants.

Dental implants can help improve or even correct these issues, while also boosting your self-esteem. A dental implant is an artificial tooth that is placed into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. There are two types of dental implants that the American Dental Association considers safe, and those include the following:

Endosteal (in the bone). This is the most commonly used type of dental implant. These implants are typically shaped like small screws, cylinders or blades and are surgically placed into the jawbone. Each dental implant holds one or more artificial teeth. Endosteal implants are generally used as alternative for patients with removable dentures or bridges.

Subperiosteal (on the bone). This type of dental implant is placed on top of the jaw with metal framework posts that stick through the gums to hold the prosthesis. Subperiosteal implants are used in patients who have minimal bone height and who are unable to wear conventional dentures.

The most ideal candidates for dental implants should have good general and oral health. You must also have adequate bone in your jaw to support the implants, along with having healthy gum tissue that is free of periodontal disease. So, if you think a dental implant is the way to go, contact your dental professional to set up an appointment.

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 regarding dental hygiene.

Dr. Gary Wetzel proudly accepts patients from New Cumberland, Harrisburg, York and Carlisle.

Halloween Doesn’t Have to Be Scary | Camp Hill Dentist

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When we think about Halloween, we think about overflowing bags of free candy. And while we hate to admit it, these sweet treats are not very tooth-friendly and can have devastating effects. When candy gets stuck in the grooves of your teeth it can cause a damaging acid to form in your mouth. This acid from the candy affects the teeth 20 minutes before it’s neutralized. Here’s a breakdown Halloween’s favorite candy from best to worst for our smiles:

Best Candy for Teeth

  • 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 stimulate saliva production, which flushes away bad bacteria from your teeth, gums and tongue.
  • Sugar-free gum can help remove food particles and stimulate saliva production.

Worst Candy for Teeth

  • When it comes to sticky candy, stickier the candy, the worse it is for teeth.
  • Hard candy stays in your mouth longer, 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 actually chip a tooth.

Make sure to brush and floss your teeth after indulging in your Halloween treats. If you can’t brush right away, drink plenty of water to help loosen some of the residue left behind. Brushing and flossing your teeth is a must, especially during Halloween.

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

Dr. Gary Wetzel proudly accepts patients from New Cumberland, Harrisburg, York and Carlisle.

Do I Need a Sinus Lift? | Camp Hill Dentist

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Dental TreatmentYour dentist tells you that you need a sinus lift. But, what is a sinus lift? Sinus lifts are common sinus augmentation procedures are some of the most successful bone grafting procedures that can be performed for dental patients. In fact, a sinus lift can be your best option for a successful dental implant.

Why would you need a sinus lift? A sinus lift adds bone to your upper jaw to support dental implants when there isn’t enough bone height where your molars and premolars are, and your teeth need replacing with dental implants.

Over time the 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.

Now the real question – what does this procedure entail? The procedure begins with an incision into the gum, after which the lateral wall of the sinus is exposed. The surgeon continues by cutting into the membrane covering the sinus and lifting that membrane to make room for the placement of the bone graft material. The bone graft can be taken from the patient, a tissue bank, or it can be made from synthetic materials. However, the room for the bone is created by moving the sinus membrane upward or by “lifting” it, hence the name sinus lift. There is 6 to 9-month healing period before you can have dental implants placed.

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

Dr. Gary Wetzel proudly accepts patients from New Cumberland, Harrisburg, York and Carlisle.