Keep Your Smile Healthy this Halloween | Camphill Dentist

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

What is an Occlusal Adjustment? | Camphill Dentist

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It sounds like something quite intimidating, but in actuality, an occlusal adjustment is somewhat painless. This procedure makes corrections to the bite by means of a dental drill using a fine stone, but not like the one for cavities.

The reason to receive an occlusal adjustment is to correct the alignment of the bite. A bite may be misaligned due to loosened, 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 and your teeth will meet properly. Signs you may justify an occlusal adjustment:

Loose or shifting teeth. One sign is increased spacing between the upper front teeth. Occasionally, you may feel that your teeth do not hit correctly.

Grinding or clenching of your teeth. This stress-related habit can cause an unevenly distributed and excessive biting force on several of your teeth and subsequently on the bone support which holds the teeth in your jaw.

Headache. Headaches accompany the grinding or clenching of your teeth and will occur in the temporal regions of your head.

Pain. Biting pain is usually caused by the eruption of a tooth beyond the normal plane of the bite, such that only one or two teeth contact prematurely.

Sensitivity to temperature. Again, this is due to the premature contact between one or more teeth. 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.

New technology allows dentists to accurately identify the areas, which need adjustments. That data allows the dentist to make only the adjustments that are absolutely necessary.

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.

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

Gum Disease Prevention Is Simple | Camphill Dentist

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Because prevention is a key factor when it comes to any type of disease, it’s important to fully understand what it is and how it occurs. Once you gain a basic understanding of what periodontal (gum) disease is, you’ll learn how to prevent bleeding of the gums from progressing to a much more serious condition that can result in tooth loss or reversing it in its early stages.

Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease and can be reversed. Although, you’ll have to learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms before you can do anything. Some of the noticeable signs and symptoms include:

  • Swelling or bleeding of the gums
  • Bleeding gums whenever you brush or floss
  • Halitosis (bad breath)
  • Large plaque buildup, resulting in tartar
  • Heightened tooth sensitivity

In order to reverse or prevent gum disease, it’s essential to practice good oral hygiene. 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. If your toothbrush is old or becomes frayed, be sure to replace it. Once the toothbrushes bristles start to wear, they won’t clean as effectively, especially in areas where bacteria is more likely to buildup, like the gum-line.

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.

Research has shown that 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, 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.

Future Health Risks Can Be Prevented | Camphill Dentist

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The stages of periodontal diseaseYour gums are the barrier that actually help prevent inflammation that may damage your body. As a matter of fact, periodontal disease has been linked to heart disease, stroke, diabetes and premature births or low-birth weight in infants.

Heart disease. Several studies have shown that people with gum disease are very likely to have poor health, including heart attacks. 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. 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.

You’re oral health extremely important to your overall health. If you’re suffering from periodontal disease, be sure to keep plaque under control by brushing twice a day, flossing and using an antimicrobial mouthwash. Also, visit your dentist for professional teeth cleanings on a regular basis.

If you’d like to find out more about 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.

Sinus Lifts: What You Need to Know | Camphill Dentist

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Sinus lifts became more popular when the demand for dental implants started to grow. They are common procedures that are not expected to affect the sinuses, breathing ability or cause allergies. The sinus augmentation procedure is one of the most successful bone grafting procedures that can be performed for dental patients. A sinus lift can be your best option for a successful dental implant.

A sinus lift is surgery that is done to add bone to your upper jaw to support dental implants when there isn’t enough bone height in the upper back jaw, where your molars and premolars are, and your teeth need replacing.

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.

The sinus augmentation 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 (autogenous), from a tissue bank (allogenic) or it can be made from synthetic materials. 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.

Please note: 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 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.

January Is Receding Gums Awareness Month | Camp Hill Dentist

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Do you have receding gums causing your teeth to become more sensitive to cold and hot temperatures? Do your teeth seem to look longer? There is no need to be alarmed – these are common signs of gum recession and receding gums is a common occurrence in everyone’s life as they begin to age. So much so, this year January has been designated Receding Gums Awareness Month.

Not only can gum recession become unsightly if left untreated, but the adverse effects of gum recession go far beyond just cosmetics. Gum recession can lead to several other dental problems in the future, 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. Take note in this distinction – your gums cannot NATURALLY return to their proper place.

In the past, gum recession has been remedied through the use of gum grafting or taking a grafting from the roof of your mouth and inserted into the flawed gums. Not only is it a painful procedure, but recovery time is extensive. Fortunately, we can now correct and repair your receding gums, without the painful grafting procedure used before. 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

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.

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