Austin Laser Dentist - Helen Ragsdale DDS, 11615 Angus Rd Ste 101, Austin 78759, United States (US) - Phone: 512 346-4690

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Signs of Gum Problems and Their Symptoms

Are you noticing something unusual with your gums? Gum issues can creep up on you, but knowing the signs of gum problems early can help you keep that smile bright and healthy. Gum problems aren’t just about bad breath or bleeding gums – they can be a sign of something more serious. That’s where periodontal services at Austin Laser Dentist come in to save the day! 

If your gums could use some extra TLC, contact Dr. Helen Ragsdale in Austin, TX. Our laser dentist uses modern technology to tackle periodontal issues, like gum disease, gum recession, and so much more. Call (512) 346-4690 for an appointment now!

Now, let’s dive into the key signs of gum problems and the gum problem symptoms you should keep an eye on.

Red, Swollen, or Tender Gums

One of the most notable signs of gum problems is gum inflammation. If your gums look swollen, red, or feel tender, it’s time to pay attention. Healthy gums should be firm and light pink, so any puffiness or redness means something is up, like gum disease. 

Bleeding While Brushing or Flossing

Bleeding gums are a major red flag. If you notice even a little blood when brushing or flossing, that’s a classic gum problem symptom. While it might be tempting to ignore it, this could mean you have gingivitis – the earliest (and most treatable!) stage of gum disease. 

A little bleeding here and there is not normal. In fact, it’s your gums crying out for help! Seek out periodontal services at Austin Laser Dentist before things get worse.

Receding Gums

Another gum problem symptom is gum recession. If your teeth seem lengthier than usual or you feel that your gums are pulling back from your teeth, this could be a sign of gum recession. 

Gum recession reveals the roots of teeth, which can make them sensitive to hot, cold, or even sweet treats. This is a more advanced sign of gum disease, and it’s a good reason to call our Austin, TX, dentist.

Persistent Bad Breath

Do you feel like no matter how much mouthwash you use, you just can’t get rid of bad breath? Chronic bad breath is more than just an inconvenience – it’s a sign of gum problems. 

Bacteria in the oral cavity can lead to gum infections that give off an unpleasant smell. If brushing and flossing don’t do the trick, it’s time to have Dr. Ragsdale check things out.

Loose Teeth

Loose teeth are a major gum problem symptom, and they usually point to advanced gum disease. If teeth feel wobbly or like they’re shifting in place, it’s a big sign that your gums are no longer providing proper support. 

At this point, immediate attention from our Austin dentist is crucial. Periodontal services like deep cleanings or gum grafts can help, but the sooner you act, the better.

Sensitivity to Temperature

If you’re suddenly wincing when sipping a hot coffee or chugging cold water, that sensitivity might be due to receding gums or exposed roots. This can be an annoying and painful gum problem symptom, but with the right treatment, you can get relief.

Gum Problems? Austin Laser Dentist Can Help!

Spotting the signs of gum problems early gives you the best chance at protecting your gums and teeth. If any of these gum problem symptoms sound familiar, don’t wait. Call Austin Laser Dentist at (512) 346-4690 or schedule an exam online for proactive care now!

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Does Good Oral Hygiene Affect Health?

Did you know that your mouth is home to up to 20 billion–yes, billion–bacteria? Your mouth is an open vessel to your internal systems, so those bacteria can enter your bloodstream. Because of this, oral health and whole-body health are intertwined. Poor oral hygiene can lead to systemic health problems and on the flip side, good oral hygiene contributes to good overall health.

If you’ve not seen the dentist in the last six months or longer, call Austin Laser Dentist at 512-346-4690 to schedule a checkup and cleaning. We are accepting new patients and look forward to sharing our five-star service to you and your loved ones!

What Is Good Oral Hygiene?

Oral hygiene refers to the health of your mouth and all of its components: teeth, gums, tongue, jawbone, jaw joints, other soft tissues, and the oral microbiome. What’s a microbiome? It’s a big word that means the collective microorganisms in the mouth, like bacteria, fungi, and viruses. The microbiome is affected by diet, pH level, oral hygiene, stress, medications, and many other factors.

If you consistently practice a good oral care routine at home, attend six-month checkups and cleanings in our office, and undergo restorative procedures when necessary, you can achieve and maintain good oral hygiene. Neglecting any of these can result in poor oral hygiene, which involves the infection, damage, and in some cases loss of oral structures (teeth, gum tissue, jawbone tissue).

But taking care of your mouth at home isn’t difficult. Oral hygiene care must be practiced daily and consistently. Here’s the ideal oral hygiene routine:

  • Brush for two minutes in the morning and in the evening
  • Use a soft bristled toothbrush
  • Use fluoridated toothpaste
  • Use a tongue scraper (optional)
  • Use antibacterial mouthwash (optional)
  • Every evening, before brushing, thoroughly floss your teeth
  • Use the type of floss you like best

A tongue scraper is a plastic, handheld tool that safely removes plaque and debris from the bumpy surface of your tongue. They are available at pharmacies and online for a few dollars. Using a tongue scraper daily can help improve breath and the microbiome. Mouthwash, as well, reduces oral bacteria and improves breath.

Tips for Good Oral Health

  • Eat a healthy diet, rich in fruits and vegetables instead of processed foods
  • Eat calcium-rich foods like milk, cheese, salmond, and dark leafy greens
  • Eat phosphorus-rich foods like lean meat, eggs, dairy, and beans
  • Eat vitamin C-rich foods like tomatoes, potatoes, broccoli, and peppers
  • Drink eight or more glasses of water every day–more if you’ll be outdoors or at a high elevation
  • Avoid smoking as well as excessive alcohol consumption
  • Manage stress well
  • If you take medication regularly, ask your doctor if it has any oral health implications, like causing dry mouth
  • If your mouth is dry, chew sugar free gum or use artificial saliva spray (comes in gel or paste also)

Benefits of Good Oral Hygiene

  • Deter Cavities
    Tooth decay, also called caries or cavities, occurs when bad oral bacteria attacks and eats softened tooth enamel. Though extremely hard when fully mineralized, tooth enamel temporarily softens after we consume starches, including sugar. In the soft state, enamel is vulnerable. A good diet low in starches and sugars, and plenty of hydration, helps keep tooth enamel healthy.
  • Deter Gum Disease
    When plaque builds up on teeth and hardens into tartar (or calculus), gums can become infected. We call this gingivitis or gum disease, and it’s linked to a heightened risk for heart disease, respiratory issues, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other systemic health concerns. 
  • Deter Oral Cancer
    Oral cancer is usually associated with heavy smoking or alcohol consumption, but oral and esophageal cancer can develop in anyone. Found and treated early, oral cancer has a high survival rate, though it can become fatal.
  • Reduce Risk for Heart Disease
  • Reduce Risk for Respiratory Infections
  • Support Diabetes Management
  • Improve Pregnancy Outcomes
  • Boost Mental Health

We’ll Help You Restore Good Oral Health

If you’re concerned about your oral health, you may notice issues like bad breath; gums that are red, tender, or sore; gums bleed when brushed; loose or painful teeth; or a toothache. Call Dr. Helen Ragsdale in Austin today at 513-346-4690 to schedule a consultation. After a comprehensive oral examination, she will help you decide upon the best treatment plan to restore total oral health, comfortable function, and a head-turning smile. Invest in yourself. Invest in your health!

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How Laser Dentistry Is Revolutionizing Gum Disease Treatment

man sitting in chair with dental laser in his open mouth during gum disease treatment

Gum disease (also known as periodontitis or periodontal disease) is a common dental condition that affects millions of people across the globe. It results when oral bacteria and dental plaque build-up on the teeth and gums. If the condition goes untreated, gum disease can lead to tooth loss and other serious health problems. Fortunately, laser dentistry is rapidly revolutionizing periodontal treatments. 

Don’t give gum disease the opportunity to rob you of your health and smile. Contact our gentle laser dentist in Austin, TX, today! Patients can easily reach our Austin Laser Dentist at (512) 346-4690 for appointments and more information.

Laser dentistry is quickly changing how dentists provide gum disease treatments. In this blog post, we explore how laser dentistry is transforming patients’ smiles and reestablishing their periodontal health.

Traditional vs. Laser Gum Disease Treatment

Laser dentistry is a relatively new field that uses high-energy beams of light to perform a variety of dental procedures. One of the most promising applications of laser dentistry is in the treatment of gum disease. 

Traditionally, treatments for gum disease involved scaling and root planing. While this process is still beneficial, traditional methods involve scraping away bacteria and tartar that have built up on the teeth and gums with sharp dental tools. Although this method is effective, it can also be painful and invasive.

Is laser gum disease treatment better than traditional methods?

When it comes to treating periodontitis, dental lasers are quickly making a positive reputation for themselves. Compared to traditional dentistry, laser dentistry is far more precise and significantly less invasive.

Dentists can use lasers to target and destroy the bacteria that cause gum disease without damaging healthy tissue. This means that patients experience less pain and discomfort during and after the procedure. Furthermore, they typically require fewer appointments to achieve the desired results.

Let’s dive into other benefits of laser dentistry for gum disease treatment now.

Stimulate Natural Healing

Perhaps one of the biggest benefits of lasers for periodontal disease is that they can stimulate the body’s natural healing processes. Laser energy can help to promote the growth of new tissue and blood vessels, which can aid in the regeneration of damaged gums and bone. 

This means that laser gum disease treatment can lead to faster healing times and better overall outcomes for patients.

Comfortable Treatments

Because lasers are so precise, dentists can often use them without the need for anesthesia. This means that patients can avoid the discomfort and potential side effects of traditional anesthesia, such as nausea, numbness, and allergic reactions. 

Quick and Convenient 

Additionally, laser treatments are typically shorter and require less recovery time than traditional gum disease treatments. This allows patients to return to their normal activities more quickly so that they don’t miss out on important life experiences.

Laser Gum Disease Treatment in Austin, TX

Gum disease is entirely preventable. But, if you’ve developed the condition, you don’t have to get lengthy, invasive treatments. At Austin Laser Dentist, we can help you get lasting relief with high-powered, precision dental lasers. Contact our team at (512) 346-4690 or on our website here for appointments and more!

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Laser Treatments for Periodontal Care in Austin, TX

“Periodontal” simply means gum tissue–the gums that hold your teeth in place. Periodontal health, or gum health, is essential to maintaining strong, healthy teeth, but it’s also interwoven with whole-body health. Dr. Helen Ragsdale offers laser treatments for periodontal. Austin, TX, has many dentists for you to choose from, but Dr. Ragsdale offers patients an extraordinary experience with laser periodontal treatments. 

What is periodontal disease?

Also known as gum disease, periodontal disease is a group of gum tissue infections that include: gingivitis, periodontal disease, advanced periodontal disease, and periodontitis.

Naturally-occuring plaque forms on and between teeth, accumulating on the gumline, where teeth and gums meet.

Within 48 hours, soft plaque calcifies into a hard substance we call tartar or calculus. While plaque can be removed at home by brushing and flossing, tartar is not water soluble. Only a dental hygienist or dentist can remove plaque.

Left on teeth, tartar irritates gum tissue and allows harmful oral bacteria to infect the gums. Infection spreads vertically down a tooth, below the gum line, and to the root. Gum disease also spreads horizontally, and the spread can be quite fast. Without treatment, gum disease harms oral and overall health.

Results of Untreated Periodontal Disease (Austin, TX)

Periodontal disease is the primary cause of adult tooth loss in the United States. As infection spreads, over time gum and bone tissue can die (called necrosis), leaving teeth without structural support. Therefore, teeth fall out. To install replacement teeth, all dead gum and bone tissue must first be removed, then restored with grafts. 

Dr. Ragsdale offers laser treatment for all levels of gum disease and, if necessary, can refer a patient to a periodontist for treatment of periodontitis with necrosis.

Research also connects periodontal disease with these conditions:

  • Heart disease
  • Stroke
  • Diabetes complications
  • Low-weight births
  • Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
  • Pulmonary diseases

Laser Treatments for Periodontal Care (Austin, TX)

Using a soft tissue laser, Dr. Ragsdale performs minimally invasive gum disease treatment. 

In the past, gum surgery required cutting damaged and dead tissue with a scalpel, then suturing the open wounds. Afterward, gums had to be packed with gauze, which required wound care. Recovery was painful and took weeks. 

In contrast, a laser seals periodontal tissue as it trims away infected and diseased tissue, so no scalpel (blade) or stitches (sutures) are required. Without stitches, gums heal very fast! You should be back to work the very next day.

Do you need laser treatment for periodontal care in Austin?

Visit us online at www.austinlaserdentist.com or call 512-346-4690 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Ragsdale. With years of experience and hundreds of completed laser periodontal cases, Dr. Ragsdale will apply her skills and knowledge to your personalized treatment plan. If you fear the dentist or are concerned about pain during treatment, ask about sedation dentistry. Dr. Ragsdale and our team want you to remain comfortable at appointments and confident that we’ll always take great care of you and your loved ones.

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Four Beneficial Periodontal Disease Treatments

An illustration of the progression of gum disease necessitating periodontal disease treatments in Austin, TX

Periodontal disease (frequently called ‘gum disease’) is an inflammatory, degenerative condition that imperils the health of your gums, teeth, and smile. Luckily, plenty of periodontal disease treatments exist to help you fight the disease and reclaim your health.

If you’re looking for gentle and effective periodontal disease treatments, then look no further than Austin Laser Dentist. Dr. Helen Ragsdale and her friendly team have comprehensive solutions to help you comfortably and efficiently treat gum disease. Call our dental clinic in Austin, TX, at (512) 346-4690 to get started now!

In this post, our Austin dentist reviews four different periodontal disease treatments. Understanding your options can help you choose the best treatment for you.

Root Planing and Scaling

Root planing and scaling are, perhaps, the most conservative of the periodontal disease treatments available to patients. This procedure is similar to a routine dental cleaning, but it is much more thorough. 

Indeed, scaling removes hardened plaque from both above and below the gum line, whereas routine cleanings do not. Removing plaque from above and below the gum line gets disease-causing bacteria off of the teeth and gums, which encourages healing.

Root planing smooths rough tooth roots, which extends healing periods and encourages optimal tissue regeneration. This is because smooth tooth roots do not collect plaque as easily, which means that tissue-destroying bacteria do not have a chance to wreak as much havoc.

Laser Pocket Decontamination 

Dental lasers are unique. They are gentle on soft tissues (like our gums), but tough on germs (like the bacteria responsible for gum disease). As a result, dental lasers are an ideal way to decontaminate deep periodontal pockets caused by bacteria.

Our team uses concentrated light energy to penetrate deep into the gum line and eliminate harmful microbes. Not only is this treatment gentle and minimally invasive, but it is remarkably effective at treating (and even curing!) gum disease.

Laser Gum Surgery

Traditionally, dentists performed gum surgery with the help of sharp scalpels and stitches. Today, however, dentists have gentler, more effective options at their disposal – soft-tissue lasers.

Laser gum surgery using soft-tissue lasers allows our team to gently remove damaged tissue to promote healing. Not only that, but the lasers sanitize the gum tissue and eliminate the need for dissolvable stitches. Talk about easy and effective!

Gum Grafts

In some cases, periodontal disease treatments are designed to restore receding gum tissue. Connective-tissue gum grafts are one way that our dentist in Austin can repair eroding gums.

Typically, this procedure borrows tissue from the roof of the mouth. We can then take the donor tissue and attach it to receding gums. Over time, the donor tissue fuses to the gums, effectively fortifying the area.

Periodontal Disease Treatments in Austin, TX

These are the four most beneficial periodontal disease treatments available to patients today. But, you have to act quickly. Otherwise, you may need more invasive treatments (like tooth extractions and bone grafts!).

Set your smile up for success by scheduling periodontal disease treatments with our dentist in Austin, TX. Patients can call our team at (512) 346-4690 or reach us online here to request their appointments now!