Amalgam TATTOOS?!
These are harmless lesions caused by the inclusion of a piece of dental amalgam, or a tiny amount of amalgam dust under the oral mucosa due to some form of surgery or injury. These are almost always flat and cannot be felt by the finger. On occasion, the amalgam scrap is visible on an x-ray film of the area.
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These images show a amalgam tattoos, which are the blue-gray spots on the pink oral tissue. Amalgam tattoos can occur any place in the mouth where there has been a break in the mucosa during a procedure in which amalgam dust has been produced. This happens very commonly during the removal of old amalgams, or the preparations of teeth with amalgams for crowns. An errant bur stroke abrades the mucosa and amalgam dust is introduced into the wound. When it heals, the amalgam dust shows up through the healed mucosal surface. Amalgam tattoos are harmless, and no treatment is indicated.
Three two three. Three two four…….Periodontal Charting!
Three two three. Three two four. Have you heard these numbers being called out during your last dental cleaning visit? Do you know what they mean? If not, this blog will help! These numbers represent a periodontal charting/probing that should be done at least once a year by your dental hygienist or dentist. Why? Taking and recording these measurements is the only way to ensure that a person is free of gum disease or receiving the appropriate care for their gum problems.
What is a periodontal charting?
It is a graphical description of the health of a person’s mouth. It gives information about how many teeth are present, how many teeth have plaque, the depth of the bone holding in the teeth, any areas that bleed when probed (measured), loose teeth, and gum level (recession) on and around the teeth. All of this information gives the dentist/dental hygienist an idea of a person’s periodontal health.
Periodontal Probing for Gum Disease. How are the gum measurements taken?
A calibrated periodontal probe is inserted between the tooth and the gum. Color coded probes are marked in millimeter (mm) increments and read at the top of the gum. Periodontal probes have a blunt or ball-tipped end to avoid damaging the gums. The probe is “walked” around the gum to get six measurements per tooth.
What do the numbers mean?
Healthy gums will have measurements of 3mm or less. Gums are pink with no bleeding. A person with gingivitis will have measurements of 4mm and under with red, tender, puffy gums that are likely to bleed when measured. Early gum disease is defined as measurements of 4-5mm with red inflamed gums and bone loss. Persons with advanced gum disease will have measurements of 5+ mm with major bone loss, possible gum infections, increased tooth movement and gums that bleed easily.
Warning Signs of Gum Disease:
- Gums that bleed easily
- Red, swollen, tender gums
- Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
- Pus between teeth and gums when gums are pressed
- Persistent bad breath or bad taste in mouth
- Permanent teeth are loose or have changed position
- Changes in your bite
If you notice any of these symptoms, see your dentist right away. Gum disease will not go away on its own. Only your dentist can help you decide how to treat your gum problems effectively.
Wow! Is that a magic wand you have???
I have many things to tell you when you visit for your preventive appointment. Sometimes we talk about toothbrush or floss techniques, ideas about how to stay healthy or relating a situation I see in your mouth, all the while creating “mental pictures” with words that are understandable and convey a sense of the condition present. But then I say, “Well here, let me show you!” Out comes the magic wand!
Because we want you to be well informed about your dental health, we’ve invested in an intraoral video camera. About the size of an oversized pen, it allows you to see broken fillings, gum problems or small cracks, even in back teeth. With the camera we can zoom in on one tooth magnified to 25 times its size, or we can give you a “tour” of the inside of your mouth. You’ll see precisely what we see.
Now there is a picture combined with words and you’ll have a better understanding of conditions and options available to you. The full-color images produced by this wonderful camera give you the knowledge you need to make informed decisions about your dental health.
The camera is not reserved only for special occasions. Just ask to see the “magic wand”. I would love to give you a guided tour of your mouth at your next check-up. It’s even fun to do comparison pictures from one appointment to the next, checking for differences and progress. We would love to have you see what we see!!
Listerine Documentary
Recently an online video clip from the Today Show aired that had an interview with actor, Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother). He was promoting an upcoming film project but what caught our attention was his mention of a Listerine “infomercial” he recently narrated. If you click on the link, you can watch a brief documentary entitled, “This is Your Mouth”. Each time the video is viewed, $1.00 is donated to the National Children’s Oral Health Foundation. As a parent, what better way to advocate oral health education and help eliminate the nation-wide epidemic of a very preventable condition known as pediatric gum disease? We encourage you to spend 5 minutes of your time to watch this documentary. It reminds us all how oral health and your general health go hand in hand. By the way, there are also money savings coupons that you can print out from the site. How convenient is that?
Dr. John Artemenko, Sterling Heights MI
How often should I floss?
Flossing of the teeth once per day helps to prevent cavities from forming between the teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach. Flossing also helps to keep your gums healthy.
