1. Cosmetic challenges (spaces and gaps)
2. Functional loss (inadequate chewing can result in digestion issues such as gastric reflux)
3. Speech issues (whistling or spitting)
4. Bone loss (jaw is sunken due to loss of stimulation)
5. Recession of adjacent teeth (leads to gum disease, decay, sensitivity, mobility and tooth loss; “domino effect”)
6. Bite misalignment (shifting, drifting, flaring, fanning-out, migration, and eruption of unopposed teeth)
7. Over-stressed teeth (an uneven force distribution disturbs the balance and overloads the teeth)
8. Headaches – stress and damage to the joints (TMJ)
9. Facial aesthetics (skin will sag)
10. Emotional effects (loss of confidence in smiling)

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Common approaches to replacing missing teeth are dental implants, fixed partial dentures, or removable partial dentures.

This is an excellent article from the New York Times on the differences between implants and bridges.

Click here for article: A Dental Shift: Implants Instead of Bridges

Click below to see a great video demonstrating the difference between an implant and a bridge:

Did you know that one in every two adults ages 30 and older suffer from periodontal disease (commonly referred to as gum disease)?  That statistic is staggering, considering it can be prevented in many cases.  To tackle the issue, the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) and its 8,300 members are launching a new campaign for all Americans to "Love the Gums You're With".

What Florida Patients Can Do

To aid in the prevention of periodontal disease, Dr. Joseph Pechter recommends establishing good oral hygiene habits including:

• brushing at least twice a day
• flossing daily
• discussing gum health with a dental professional

Furthermore, patients can take a brief quiz on perio.org to evaluate the current state of their gum health, learn the signs and symptoms of periodontal disease, and receive tips on how to properly care for their gums.  Schedule an appointment with a periodontist, a specialist in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease, for a comprehensive periodontal evaluation and specialized periodontal treatment plan to help support a life-long commitment to healthy gums.

To learn more, visit Love the Gums You're With:
http://www.perio.org/sites/loveyourgums/

How important is flossing? Many dental experts, including the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), consider it to be the single most important weapon against plaque.  Each tooth has five surfaces, and if you don’t floss, you are leaving at least two of these surfaces unclean.  This can cause dental caries and periodontal disease.  To floss effectively, below are a few tips and interesting facts we encourage you to try.

1) Who invented dental floss?: People have flossed since prehistoric time. The invention of modern dental floss is attributed to Dr. Levi Spear Parmly of New Orleans. In 1815, he recommended that individuals should clean their teeth with silk floss.

2) How to choose the right dental floss for your teeth: Most floss is made from either Nylon (multifilament floss) or Teflon (monofilament floss).  Both types are equally effective.  Because Nylon floss is composed of many strands of nylon, it may sometimes tear or shred if you have teeth with tight contact points.  Teflon floss slides more easily between teeth and is virtually shred-resistant.  If you have bridges or braces, use a floss threader that looks like a plastic sewing needle or “Super Floss” that has one stiff end to thread through the teeth.

3) What length of floss?: Use a piece of floss 15 to 18 inches long and wrap it around your middle fingers.  Use the pointer finger of each hand to direct the floss between the teeth.  Keep your fingers close together.

• Did you know?: The average amount of floss bought per person in North America each year is 18 yards.  Unfortunately, figuring 15 inches per day actually comes out to over 150 yards per year.  That means there are a lot of non-flossers out there!
  

4) Flossing motion: 

1. Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle sawing motion. Do not force the floss or snap it down hard.
   
2. When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C-shape against the tooth, like you are “wrapping a towel behind your back after the shower.” Apply the floss by using a back and forth motion and gently scraping the side of the tooth.  Lift debris using an up-and down motion.
   
3. Repeat this technique on all of your teeth, including the teeth in back.
   

• Learn More: Colgate toothpaste has produced a video demonstrating “How  to Floss” 

5) Having trouble using two hands?: If you lack the hand dexterity to floss, try using a two-pronged plastic floss holder or wooden plaque removers which look similar to toothpicks.  You will be able to clean between your teeth with one hand!  

6) How often to floss: Technically, you should floss after every meal, but aim for once a day as a goal.  And even 2-3 times a week is better than never flossing!

Remember: Flossing is the only way to clean the whole tooth.  A toothbrush cannot clean in between the teeth; hence if you brush and you do not floss, you never clean the entire tooth!  Have a question or comment?  Please feel free to add one below, send us an email, or ask Dr. Pechter the next time you are in the office.

The Guinness Book of World Records currently lists the World's Largest Toothbrush Collection as containing 1,320 different brushes.  While that is an impressive amount, the key to maintaining gum health is not how many toothbrushes you own, but rather how effectively you brush your teeth!  To brush effectively, below are six tips we recommend to our patients.  

1) Toothbrush selection: Always use a soft bristle toothbrush. Hard bristles are very abrasive to the tooth enamel, while soft bristles gently clean plaque from the teeth and keep the enamel intact. Hard bristles are also irritating to the gums and may push them away from the teeth.  

• Learn More: Delta Dental has posted a good article about "How to select a toothbrush"
  

2) When should you brush your teeth?: The goal is to remove the debris and plaque from the teeth.  After eating food or drinking non-water liquids, it is important to brush your teeth as soon as possible.  If you ingest acidic food/drinks or have acid reflux, wait 30 minutes before brushing.

3) Toothbrush angle: Tilt the toothbrush 45 degrees to the tooth and place the bristles on the gumline.  Gently brush the outside and inside surface of each tooth using back and forth strokes.

4) Toothbrush motion: Do not scrape across multiple teeth.  Focus on an individual tooth area and apply the toothbrush using back and forth strokes at the gumline (described above).  Then, lift the toothbrush and move it to the next tooth area.  Apply and repeat until all tooth surfaces are brushed.

5) How long should you brush?: Spend at least 120 seconds brushing. Keep a clock in the bathroom or use an electric toothbrush with a timer.  Focus on cleaning each tooth for a few seconds.  When you are finished, brush your tongue!

6) How often should you replace your toothbrush?: You should replace your toothbrush when it begins to show wear, or every three months, whichever comes first. It is also very important to change toothbrushes after you've had a cold, since the bristles can collect germs that can lead to reinfection.

Feel free to post a comment if you have an additional tip about toothbrushing you'd like to share.  Smile!