Preventive Dentist, Natick, MA

July 13, 2015

ThinkstockPhotos-186284986Did you ever play would you rather as a child? The point of the game is to offer a person two equally terrible activities, and see which of the two the person chooses. When it comes to caring for your teeth, would you rather stop problems before they start, or treat dental health issues after they’ve done damage? Most people wouldn’t even hesitate on this extremely simple round of “would you rather”: stopping problems before they start is the clear choice. Luckily for us, this doesn’t have to be only a game. The choice is truly yours. Preventive dental treatments from Papageorgiou Dental Associates in Natick, MA stop dental damage before it starts. Call to schedule an appointment today.

Dental Health Habits

The best way to ensure continued oral health, is to remember to visit our office twice a year, and brush twice a day. By committing to these two simple steps, you commit to lifelong oral health. It’s as easy at that. Humans are creatures of habit. Some habits we want to break like always eating a bag of chips in front of the tv after work, but others we work hard to establish and maintain. Eating well, exercising, getting enough sleep, and caring for our teeth building these habits help us to feel better, look great, and live a longer, happier life. At Papageorgiou Dental Associates, we’re here to help you achieve your oral health care goals.

Twice a Year

Every six months, we look forward to seeing your smiling face, and we hope visiting our office is something you look forward to. Our dedicated staff strives to make every visit comfortable and beneficial. Your consistent hygiene appointments support your at home dental health care routine so teeth stay clean and healthy. At your regular checkups one of our skilled dentists will thoroughly examine your teeth and mouth. We’ll look for tooth decay and other damage, but our doctors also screen for periodontal (gum) disease, bruxism (grinding/clenching teeth), TMJ disorder, and oral cancer. Because our team examines your bite every six months, we are able to spot irregularities quickly and determine if treatment is necessary. The more familiar our knowledgeable staff becomes with your oral health the better able we are to treat you, and best of all prevent many oral health issues from ever happening.

Twice a Day

Preventive dental care starts at home. Your regular checkups would do you little good, if you never brushed or flossed your teeth between visits. Establishing thorough, consistent home cleaning habits is essential to maintain oral health. Adult patients may benefit from re-examining their brushing habits to get the most out of their twice daily routine. One great method for brushing your teeth is referred to as the “Bass method” this style of brushing allows patients to maximize the benefits of their daily brushing. Here’s how you can use the Bass method:

  1. Always brush for at least 2 minutes using a toothpaste with 1000ppm to 1100ppm of fluoride
  2. Starting on the top, back teeth, placed your tooth brush at a 45 degree angle along the gum line
  3. Gently move your toothbrush back and forth along the gum line in a vibrational motion staying on the same set of teeth
  4. Count to ten
  5. Sweep your tooth brush quickly downward on the outside of the set of teeth you were cleaning
  6. Reposition on the next set of teeth and repeat for front and backs of top and bottom arches
  7. For the biting surface of teeth, use a quick back and forth motion to loosen matter, and a sweeping motion to remove it
  8. Don’t forget to gently brush the inside of the mouth and the tongue

Find out More

We want you to have the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted, and the best place to start is with your own teeth. Whatever your dental health care needs, Papageorgiou Dental Associates is here to help. Call to schedule an appointment at our convenient Natick, MA office. We welcome patients from surrounding areas including Ashland, Wayland, Newton, and Weston.

Understanding the Mouth-Body Connection: Periodontal Therapy in Natick, MA

February 11, 2014

It is estimated that nearly 80 percent of American adults suffer from some form of gum disease, putting them at a higher risk for a variety of potentially life-threatening health problems. At Papageorgiou Dental Associates in Natick, MA, Dr. Christina Papageorgiou performs comprehensive periodontal therapy to help reduce the risk of associated complications before they become even more serious.

Gum Disease & Systemic Health

Though the thought of periodontal disease typically evokes images of bleeding gums and eventual tooth loss, the truth is that this common affliction actually affects the entire body. Bacteria that accumulates around and beneath gingival tissue can seep into the blood stream where it can wreak havoc on other tissues and various organs. When left untreated for any extended period of time, gum disease can contribute to the following health complications in men and women of all ages:

  • Cancer, namely of the blood and pancreas
  • Respiratory illness, including pneumonia and pulmonary hypertension
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Preterm birth – and resulting low birth weight – in mothers with periodontal disease
  • Complications in patients who also have diabetes
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Increased risk of stroke and heart attack

Fortunately, the use of periodontal therapy significantly reduces a patient’s risk of suffering from these and other medical conditions when implemented in a timely manner.

Restore Health & Vitality to Your Smile

If you or someone in your family is affected by any of the common symptoms of gum disease, it’s time to take the first step toward improved oral and overall health with periodontal therapy. Contact our office in Natick, MA to see how Dr. Papageorgiou can help you reclaim your smile today. We proudly serve patients from throughout Natick, as well as from the surrounding communities of Sudbury, Wellesley, Framingham, Wayland and beyond. We look forward to welcoming you to our dental care family!

 

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.