Toggle navigation
  • blog
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
417 W Flying Circle Drive Gillette, WY 82716(307) 682-3353
  • Home
  • Staff
  • Office
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Contact Us
  • Patient Education

My Blog

Posts for: September, 2017

Stay Vigilant with Oral Hygiene to Avoid Another Bout of Gum Disease

By Gillette Dental PC
September 28, 2017
Category: Oral Health
Tags: gum disease   oral hygiene  
StayVigilantwithOralHygienetoAvoidAnotherBoutofGumDisease

Treating advanced periodontal (gum) disease takes time. If you have this destructive disease, it wouldn’t be uncommon for you to undergo several cleaning sessions to remove plaque from tooth and gum surfaces. This built-up film of bacteria and food particles is primarily responsible for triggering and fueling gum disease.

These cleaning sessions, which might also involve surgery and other advanced techniques to access deep pockets of infection, are necessary not only to heal your gums but to preserve the teeth they support. With these intense efforts, however, we can help rescue your teeth and return your reddened and swollen gums to a healthy, pink hue.

But what then — is your gum disease a thing of the past?

The hard reality is that once you’ve experienced gum disease your risk of another occurrence remains. From now on, you must remain vigilant and disciplined with your oral hygiene regimen to minimize the chances of another infection. You can’t afford to slack in this area.

Besides daily brushing and flossing as often as your dentist directs, you should also visit your dentist for periodontal maintenance (PM) on a regular basis. For people who’ve experienced gum disease, PM visits are more than a routine teeth cleaning. For one, your dentist may recommend more than the typical two visits a year: depending on the severity of your disease or your genetic vulnerability, you may need to increase the frequency of maintenance appointments by visiting the dentist every two to three months.

Besides plaque and calculus (tartar) removal, these visits could include applications of topical antibiotics or other anti-bacterial substances to curb the growth of disease-causing bacteria in your mouth. You may also need to undergo surgical procedures to make particular areas prone to plaque buildup easier to clean.

The main point, though, is that although you’ve won your battle with gum disease, the war isn’t over. But with your own daily hygiene maintenance coupled with your dentist’s professional attention, you’ll have a much better chance of avoiding a future infection.

If you would like more information on preventing and treating gum disease, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Periodontal Cleanings.”


0 Comment(s) Permalink

Dr. Travis Stork: If Only I'd Worn A Mouthguard!

By Gillette Dental PC
September 13, 2017
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: celebrity smiles   mouthguard  
DrTravisStorkIfOnlyIdWornAMouthguard

If we could go back in time, we all probably have a few things we wish we could change. Recently, Dr. Travis Stork, emergency room physician and host of the syndicated TV show The Doctors, shared one of his do-over dreams with Dear Doctor magazine: “If I [could have] gone back and told myself as a teenager what to do, I would have worn a mouthguard, not only to protect my teeth but also to help potentially reduce risk of concussion.”

What prompted this wish? The fact that as a teenage basketball player, Stork received an elbow to the mouth that caused his two front teeth to be knocked out of place. The teeth were put back in position, but they soon became darker and began to hurt. Eventually, both were successfully restored with dental crowns. Still, it was a painful (and costly) injury — and one that could have been avoided.

You might not realize it, but when it comes to dental injuries, basketball ranks among the riskier sports. Yet it’s far from the only one. In fact, according to the American Dental Association (ADA), there are some two dozen others — including baseball, hockey, surfing and bicycling — that carry a heightened risk of dental injury. Whenever you’re playing those sports, the ADA recommends you wear a high-quality mouth guard.

Mouthguards have come a long way since they were introduced as protective equipment for boxers in the early 1900’s. Today, three different types are widely available: stock “off-the-shelf” types that come in just a few sizes; mouth-formed “boil-and-bite” types that you adapt to the general contours of your mouth; and custom-made high-quality mouthguards that are made just for you at the dental office.

Of all three types, the dentist-made mouthguards are consistently found to be the most comfortable and best-fitting, and the ones that offer your teeth the greatest protection. What’s more, recent studies suggest that custom-fabricated mouthguards can provide an additional defense against concussion — in fact, they are twice as effective as the other types. That’s why you’ll see more and more professional athletes (and plenty of amateurs as well) sporting custom-made mouthguards at games and practices.

“I would have saved myself a lot of dental heartache if I had worn a mouthguard,” noted Dr. Stork. So take his advice: Wear a mouthguard whenever you play sports — unless you’d like to meet him (or one of his medical colleagues) in a professional capacity…

If you would like more information about mouthguards, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can read more in the Dear Doctor magazine article “Athletic Mouthguards.”


0 Comment(s) Permalink


October (2) August (3)
Subscribe to our RSS Feed

Archive:

  • 2019
      • December (2)
        • Why Alfonso Ribeiro Is Grateful for Root Canal Treatment
        • Your Smile Can Be Your Passport to the World - Take Care of It With These Tips
      • November (3)
        • Eating the Right Carbs Helps Keep Your Gums Healthy
        • Having Diabetes Could Increase Your Risk of Gum Disease
        • Pop Star Demi Lovato Pops Out Jay Glazer's Tooth
      • October (3)
        • Don't Panic Over Your Child's Teeth Grinding but Do Keep an Eye on It
        • Vitamins Can Help Keep Your Oral Health in Top Shape
        • Your Quest for a Dental Implant Might Be Interrupted by Bone Loss
      • September (3)
        • Lady Gaga Wasn't "Born This Way?"
        • Dental Office Infection Control Protects You From Viral Infection
        • Your Dentist Might Hold the Key to Solving Your Sleep Apnea Problem
      • August (4)
        • 3 Ways to Correct Missing Front Teeth
        • Fan of Superhero Film Black Panther Breaks Steel Wire...with Her Mouth!
        • Rejuvenate Your Smile with Porcelain Veneers
        • Contrary to Popular Opinion, Vaping May Not Be Safer Than Smoking
      • July (3)
        • A Little Orthodontic Magic Could Help an Impacted Tooth Erupt
        • You May Need to Postpone an Upcoming Dental Visit if You Have Shingles
        • NBA Player's Injury Points Out Need for Mouthguards
      • June (4)
        • Jaw Joint Disorders may be Connected to Other Health Problems
        • Do You Have Periodontal Disease?
        • Root Canals are a Safe Way to Save Teeth
        • 3 Things to Watch Out for to Protect Your Oral Appliance
      • May (3)
        • Healthy Smiles for Alfonso Ribeiro and Family
        • Manage Your GERD Symptoms to Prevent Enamel Erosion
        • Simple Steps to Follow if Your Child has a Toothache
      • April (4)
        • Don't Use Benzocaine Products to Ease Your Baby's Teething Pain
        • Julianne Hough Shares a Video - and a Song - After Wisdom Teeth Come Out
        • Which Cosmetic Dentistry Procedure Is Right for You?
        • Get Ahead of a Developing Cross-Bite with This Early Intervention Measure
      • March (3)
        • 4 Common-Sense Tactics to Lower Tooth Decay Risk Between Dental Visits
        • Beat Dental Plaque While Wearing Braces with These Tools and Tips
        • Baseball's Francisco Lindor Shines as "Mr. Smile"
      • February (3)
        • Severe Face Pain can be Managed to Reduce Discomfort
        • You may Need Orthodontic Treatment Before Obtaining Implants
        • National Children's Dental Health Month Highlights Importance of Baby Teeth
      • January (4)
        • Janet Jackson: Even pop stars get insecure about their smiles!
        • How a New Approach to Treating Decay Could Benefit You
        • Porcelain Veneers Might not be the Best Option for Teenagers
        • FAQS about Veneers
  • 2018
      • December (3)
        • Practice the Dental Care Basics to Ensure a Healthy Smile
        • New Front Teeth for a Teenaged David Duchovny
        • Moderate Your Child's Juice Drinking to Lower Tooth Decay Risk
      • November (3)
        • Lasers Could be the Future for Gum Disease Treatment
        • A Stainless Steel Crown Could Help a Struggling Primary Molar Last Longer
        • 2.6 Million Fans 'Like' Justin Bieber's Chipped Tooth
      • October (3)
        • Take These Measures to Lower Your Child's Tooth Decay Risk
        • How to Help Your Kids Form Good Oral Hygiene Habits
        • 3 Surprising Sugar Sources Your Baby Might be Consuming
      • September (3)
        • Singer Dua Lipa Sees the Wisdom in Postponing Tour Dates
        • Treating Gum Disease around Tooth Roots is Hard - but Not Impossible
        • A Bonded Retainer Might Work for You after Orthodontic Treatment
      • August (4)
        • 3 Tips to Making Mealtime Easier During TMD Flare-Ups
        • A Different Kind of "Chip Shot" for Pro Golfer Danielle Kang
        • Anchors Make all the Difference in Successful Orthodontic Treatment
        • Take Care of Your Dental Appliance and It Will Take Care of You
      • July (3)
        • Your Dental Care Efforts are Just as Important as Your Dentist's
        • Dwight Howard: A Bright NBA Star With a Smile to Match
        • Good Reasons for Choosing Clear Aligners for Orthodontic Treatment
      • June (3)
        • 3 Areas to Watch to Avoid Excessive Tooth Wear
        • What You Can Do to Support Your Child's Dental Development
        • Dental Injury Is Just a Temporary Setback for Basketball Star Kevin Love
      • May (3)
        • Lasers Poised to Transform Current Treatment for Gum Disease
        • Tooth Loss: A Health Risk for Older Adults
        • 4 Things You Should Focus on During Pregnancy for Optimal Dental Health
      • April (2)
        • Jamie Foxx Chips a Tooth - This Time by Accident!
        • 3 Things You Might not Know About Moving Teeth
      • March (2)
        • 3 Fluoride Sources You Should Monitor for Your Family's Dental Health
        • Don't Ignore Tooth Pain - You May Need a Root Canal
      • February (3)
        • Dental Crowns for the King of Magic
        • Quitting Smoking Decreases Your Risk of Implant Failure
        • 3 Reasons Why Smoking Doesn't Mix with Dental Implants
      • January (2)
        • Winter Tooth Tips
        • How Big Bang Theory Actress Mayim Bialik Gets Her Kids to Floss
  • 2017
      • December (2)
        • Composite Resin Could Transform Your Tooth's Appearance in Just one Visit
        • Boost Your Overall Health by Reducing Gum Inflammation
      • November (2)
        • Looking Good for the Holidays
        • Master Illusionist Benefits from the Magic of Orthodontics
      • October (2)
        • Four Tips for Preventing Premature Loss of Baby Teeth From Tooth Decay
        • FAQ: Interceptive Orthodontics for Children
      • September (2)
        • Stay Vigilant with Oral Hygiene to Avoid Another Bout of Gum Disease
        • Dr. Travis Stork: If Only I'd Worn A Mouthguard!
      • August (3)
        • The 3 Top Causes for Tooth Sensitivity
        • Life Is Sometimes a Grind for Brooke Shields
        • Use the Same Prevention Strategy to Defeat Tooth Decay and Gum Disease
      • July (2)
        • (Don't) Break It Like Beckham
        • Include Limitations on Sugar in Your Tooth Decay Prevention Strategy
      • June (2)
        • Kathy Bates Plays It Smart With Professional Teeth Whitening
        • Gum Infection Around Tooth Roots Calls for Immediate Action
      • May (2)
        • Any Time, Any Place: Cam Newton's Guide to Flossing
        • We can Rid You of that Lump in Your Mouth you Keep Biting
      • April (2)
        • Actor David Ramsey Discusses Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
        • Don't Forget Your Oral Hygiene While Wearing Braces
      • March (3)
        • Dental Magic Transforms Smiles
        • Antibiotics Before Implant Surgery Could Lower Infection Risk in Some People
        • Actor David Ramsey Says: Don't Forget to Floss!
      • February (1)
        • Know the Facts Before Considering Botox for Jaw Joint Pain
      • January (3)
        • How Kathy Bates Retains Her Movie-Star Smile
        • Seek Immediate Treatment for this Advanced Form of Gingivitis
        • Fifth Harmony's Camila Cabello Chips a Tooth, but Concert Still "Worth It"
  • 2016
      • December (2)
        • Keep a Lookout for These Soft Tissue Conditions in the Mouth
        • Vivica's Veneers: the Making of a Hollywood Smile
      • November (2)
        • Teeth Grinding Could be Causing Your Teeth to be Loose
        • Johnny's Teeth Aren't Rotten Any More
      • October (3)
        • Extracting Certain Teeth can Boost Orthodontic Effectiveness
        • Spice Up Your Teeth
        • Encourage Your Child to Stop Thumb Sucking by Age 4
      • September (2)
        • A Toothless Tiger?
        • 4 Things to Give Your Child a Head Start on Good Oral Health
      • August (2)
        • Ariana Grande Breaks Free - of Her Wisdom Teeth
        • Keep Your Saliva Flowing - Your Oral Health Depends on it
      • July (3)
        • A Royal Fix
        • Patients with HIV Must Pay Close Attention to Their Oral Health
        • Game, Set, Match: Milos Raonic Says A Mouthguard Helps Him Win
      • June (2)
        • Orthodontics Could be the Smile Transformer You've Been Looking For
        • Dr. Travis Stork: Don't Ignore Bleeding Gums
      • May (2)
        • Keep Alert to These Signs of Impending Tooth Decay
        • Noah Galloway's Dentally Dangerous Dancing
      • April (2)
        • Staining Within a Tooth Requires a Clinical Whitening Approach
        • Even Celebrities Like Jennifer Lawrence Aren't Immune From Bad Breath!
      • March (2)
        • Facial Nerve Pain can be Reduced with the Right Treatment Approach
        • Jason Derulo's Ideal Match
      • February (2)
        • Improving a 'Gummy Smile' Depends on its Cause
        • Giancarlo Stanton Gets Major-League Mouth Protection
      • January (3)
        • The Many Advantages of Dental Implants
        • Nancy O'Dell on Making Oral Hygiene Fun for Kids
        • A Clear Diagnosis of Jaw Pain is Needed to Determine the Right Treatment
  • 2015
      • December (2)
        • Jimmy Fallon Can’t Catch a Break - Except in His Tooth
        • Sealants Provide a Little Extra Protection for Children at High Risk for Decay
      • November (2)
        • Tom Hanks' Abscessed Tooth Gets Cast Away
        • Infection Control Standards Keep Dental Patients Safe from Disease
      • October (2)
        • Beyonce Makes Flossing a Family Affair
        • Be Wary When Considering Botox Treatment for TMD
      • September (2)
        • Sofia Vergara: 'Obsessed' With Oral Hygiene
        • Sleeping in Dentures: Don't Do It!
      • August (2)
        • Neil Patrick Harris: What the Oscars Host Treasures Most
        • The Perils of a Loose Permanent Tooth - and What to do About it
      • July (2)
        • Chrissy Teigen's Teeth-Grinding Troubles
        • Orthodontics and Your Teen
      • June (3)
        • Eden Sher and the Lost Retainer
        • NSAIDs for Pain Management is Safe - if Used Properly
        • No "Glee" in Tooth Grinding
      • May (2)
        • Proper Cleaning Techniques can Help you Control Chronic Bad Breath
        • Kristin Cavallari and the Mystery of the Bathroom Sink
      • April (2)
        • Are Porcelain Veneers Right For You?
        • A World-Class Smile
      • March (2)
        • Life-like Dental Porcelain Helps Restore Smiles Marred by Unattractive Teeth
        • Bill Rancic's Smile Helps Close the Deal
      • February (2)
        • Removing Teeth Could Improve an Orthodontic Outcome
        • America's (Dentists) Got Talent - for Fixing Damaged or Missing Teeth!
      • January (3)
        • Orthodontic Headgear: What It Is and Why It May be Needed
        • 50 Cent Tweets His Dental Exam
        • Difficult or Not, Plaque Removal is Necessary for Stopping Gum Disease
  • 2014
      • December (2)
        • Curt Schilling Blames Smokeless Tobacco for His Oral Cancer
        • Welcome to Our Blog

Tags

  • celebrity smiles (56)
  • oral cancer (1)
  • gum disease (10)
  • dental exam (1)
  • orthodontics (6)
  • headgear (1)
  • chipped teeth (2)
  • extractions (1)
  • cosmetic dentistry (9)
  • braces (10)
  • veneers (4)
  • crowns (4)
  • smile makeover (2)
  • oral hygiene (20)
  • bad breath (2)
  • tooth grinding (1)
  • ibuprofen (1)
  • pain management (1)
  • orthodontic treatment (13)
  • teeth wear (1)
  • loose teeth (1)
  • wisdom teeth (4)
  • dentures (1)
  • tmj disorders (5)
  • tmd (2)
  • infection control (1)
  • abscessed tooth (1)
  • dental sealants (1)
  • porcelain veneers (3)
  • tmj (1)
  • pediatric care (1)
  • dental implants (8)
  • athletic mouthguards (1)
  • gummy smile (1)
  • facial pain (2)
  • teeth whitening (2)
  • dental emergency (1)
  • dental injury (6)
  • tooth decay (10)
  • mouthguards (3)
  • oral health (8)
  • bonding (1)
  • salvia (1)
  • pediatric dentistry (11)
  • thumb sucking (1)
  • tooth extraction (1)
  • teeth grinding (3)
  • chipped tooth (3)
  • periodontal disease (2)
  • retainers (1)
  • lump (1)
  • sugar (2)
  • sensitive teeth (1)
  • mouthguard (1)
  • smoking (2)
  • tooth pain (1)
  • fluoride (1)
  • dental care (2)
  • pregnancy (1)
  • tooth loss (1)
  • laser dentistry (2)
  • tooth wear (1)
  • clear aligners (1)
  • tads (1)
  • retainer (2)
  • crown (1)
  • Dentist (1)
  • baby teeth (1)
  • trigeminal neuralgia (1)
  • teething (1)
  • toothache (1)
  • gerd (1)
  • oral appliance (1)
  • root canal treatment (2)
  • dental visit (1)
  • vaping (1)
  • tooth replacement (1)
  • sleep apnea (1)
  • snoring (1)
  • dental implant (1)
  • vitamins (1)
  • diabetes (1)
  • nutrition (1)

Categories:

  • None (1)
  • Oral Health (77)
  • Dental Procedures (73)
  • Cosmetic Dentistry (1)

Our Location

417 W Flying Circle Drive
Gillette, WY 82716
(307) 682-3353

Map & directions

  • Home
  • Staff
  • Office
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Patient Education
  • Contact Us
Gillette, WY Dentist Gillette Dental PC 417 W Flying Circle Drive Gillette, WY 82716 (307) 682-3353 Call For Pricing
  • Dental Website Design Copyright © MH Sub I, LLC dba Officite
  • Disclaimer
  • Patient Privacy
  • Site Map