To Be Informed - Because There Is Nothing Better
I think it is important to have a good dentist and / or periodontist.
The problem is finding one you can trust.
I wrote about a very good periodontist that I have personal experience with here.
PS: you might also enjoy: How To Stop Gum Disease In 4 Easy Steps
I read a quote from a dentist which basically said, “A lot of people are headed for gum surgery and don’t know it.” In my opinion, what he said is very true.
Many people are unaware just how much money is generated in periodontal care each year, including myself. But I would certainly feel comfortable guessing that it is in the billions of dollars.
Gum disease is a very strange animal. It is so prevalent that it really is an epidemic. Yet, no one every talks about it with any degree of importance. An entire profession revolves around the disease, yet people remain oblivious.
Even when they are sitting in the office waiting room of a periodontist, they still may have no idea what is going on or what the cause of their problem really is. When you ponder all of this, you realize just how strange this scenario is.
Dental professionals will readily tell you that the number of people with gum disease numbers at about 75 percent of people. Again, hardly anyone outside of the dental profession spends much time thinking about this phenomenon.
“So what”? You may ask. Well, gum disease is the number one cause of tooth loss on this planet. In addition, researchers recognize probable links between gum disease and lung infections, heart attacks, strokes and even pre-term babies. That is just naming a few of the many suspected problems associated with gum disease.
This problem has been most likely been with the human race since the beginning. We, as a collective, seldom spend any time thinking about it.
Yet, we understand that it is expensive to get implants and annoying to wear dentures. On the other hand, most people do not realize that they lost their tooth or teeth in the first place because of gum disease!
Outside of trained professionals, only a seemingly small number of people are aware of the problems and threats posed by this disease.
Sure, everyone has heard of the term ‘gum disease’ but few know what it REALLY means. At the same time, if the stats are correct, 75% of them have it already and the majority of those are unaware.
If you want to keep your teeth for a lifetime, if you want to save as many of your own natural teeth as possible, then you should learn a little bit about this problem.
An excellent resource is the book: What You Should Know about Gum Disease. ISBN: 978-0981485508. It was written by a layman for laymen everywhere. Once you read it, have your family and friends read it. If the statistics are true, 75% of them need this book as of the day before yesterday and possibly many days before yesterday or even yesteryear.
Free report at https://www.HowToStopGumDisease.com
What is a gum specialist? Frankly, there is only one professional that can answer to that call: A periodontist. (Forgive me if you are a skilled oral surgeon)
These dentists have additional, specialized training in gum health and gum disease. They are exceptional in this field because it is also what they practice on a daily basis.
A periodontist can often save teeth that ‘general’ dentists say have to be pulled. However, the consumer has to be on his guard because there is big money in placing implants and even periodontists are not immune to the lure of this type of procedure.
If you are told that you need a tooth pulled, be sure to get several opinions. The right periodontist, if you can find her, can often save your teeth.
Hard cases will most likely require surgery. The periodontist has a number of techniques at her disposal to replace lost bone tissue. Therefore, do not give in to the idea of getting your teeth pulled unless you are sure that there is no hope.
Personally, based on what I know, I’m certain that in most cases you can find a periodontist who will help you if you look hard enough. This is, after all, their specialty.
It is best not to lose your natural teeth. Implants have a fairly high failure rate. You often have to wait 6 months or longer before they can ‘try’ again. The jaw will begin to lose bone mass when it does not have a tooth to support. It is a vicious cycle that you should avoid at all costs.
Please remember my words: Get several opinions before letting anyone pull your teeth. Dentures and implants are not perfect solutions. Your natural teeth are best suited for your mouth and body.
David Snape is the author of What You Should Know about Gum Disease
Disclaimer: This post is for information only. It does not intend to provide advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have or think you might have a health problem of any kind, visit a doctor or dentist for advice, diagnosis and treatment. I am not a dental professional.
This book could easily have been called, “How to Fight Gum Disease and Win”. Written in easy to understand layman terms, it is exactly the information you need whether you think you have gum disease or not.
It is also much more than a book on how to fight gum disease and win….
On the surface it is important because it helps people to understand how widespread the problem of gum disease is. If you think you are free of gum disease – there is a good chance that you are wrong.
The odds are not in your favor. I don’t say that to be negative or to put negative thoughts out there – I say it to be factual. Many people have gum disease RIGHT NOW and if you were to tell them they would not believe you.
What do the statistics say? Most periodontists will tell you that up to 80% of the population has it now. But let’s pretend that they are wrong and that they are wrong by a large margin. Let’s say they are only half right.
That would leave 40% of the population afflicted with gum disease. So, what are the chances that YOU have it right now? 4 out of 10? 8 out of 10? Are you willing to risk that?
Under the surface topic of the book, I really hit on things about life that are important. Your thoughts, your attitude and what is in your heart affects your daily life every single day – not to mention those whom you come in contact with. My book hits on these things – if not directly and obviously then sometimes subtly and not-so-obviously.
My book also brings to light a problem that we have as a species – the human species. We are plagued by something – we are plagued by the fact that there are good and bad people in this world. Sometimes the lines are blurred. You may think you are good, but maybe what you do isn’t so good. Perhaps you view yourself as a bad person but yet you do some good things that are really helpful.
So it is with every human being, including doctors, lawyers and -gasp- dentists. My book will help you to figure out when you are seeing a dentist who makes choices that are more about herself than about you. I know, it happened to me that a dentist was not acting in my best interest – more than once.
With my book, What You Should Know about Gum Disease, you will find that the basic laymen and easy to understand language will help you ‘get a clue’ about your dental health. It will help you to see and understand things in a way that makes total sense – and in a way that will help you evaluate the behaviors of the people working on your mouth.
My book is important in so many aspects, that every single person needs to read it.
I must concede that there is a much more important book than mine, however. The name of THAT book is Zhuan Falun.
I think you should read Zhuan Falun and I also think you should read my book on gum disease. If you can only choose one, then choose Zhuan Falun – its knowledge is far more reaching and encompassing in it’s depth and scope than mine.
But if you can read them both, I think that would be a good idea. Zhuan Falun is available at Amazon.
What You Should Know about Gum Disease is also available there. But you might prefer the e-book, depending on your inclination to read on the computer or to have a real book in your hand.
Either way, you cannot go wrong by reading both of the books I’ve mentioned here.
David Snape
Author: What You Should Know about Gum Disease
ISBN:978-0981485508
e-Book available at : https://Gingivitiskiller.com
Click Here for the Hydro Floss
Question: Gmj wrote:
Hi I saw one of your videos on youtube and I wanted to ask I am 22 years old and my dentist said i need to get a deep cleaning. Am nervous about the whole thing specially since I have braces on.
Do you think I should get a second opinion?
Answer: Hi Gmj, thank you for submitting your question.
Here is how I view the issue. First of all, ALL patients should realize that it is their RIGHT to seek a second opinion if they wish too.
Second: If you are feeling uncomfortable with your dentist’s recommendation, then I definitely think it is appropriate to seek a second opinion. Obviously, you feel something at a gut level.
What I would do personally, in a case like this, is to go see a periodontist – not just another dentist but a periodontist.
Why? Periodontists are dentists but they have additional training in gum disease. Not only that, but usually the major focus of their practice is gum health and disease. Therefore, they may be in a better position to tell you about what your gums may need.
Look at it this way. Would you rather have a general medical doctor give you advice on your heart or would you rather have an experienced cardiologist (doctor who specializes on the heart) give you advice on matters concerning your heart?
I think I know how you answered that.
Personally, I would rather have a periodontist tell me about my gum health. And personally speaking, I have. Want to know the result? The periodontist had a lot more to tell me about my gum health than the general dentist did, including practical suggestions. The periodontist did a thorough check of my gums in a way that no one at the general dentist’s office did.
Now, I’m not saying you can’t find a general dentist that has it together when it comes to gum tissue. But I can tell you that my general dentist didn’t help me much with my gum health. The periodontist did. There was a huge difference in the level of care and concern for my dental health.
I ‘fired’ my dentist. Again, that is not to slam general dentists. I’m certain there are very good ones out there. Mine wasn’t as good as I would have liked in this area. I’m just telling you my personal experience.
David Snape
Author: What You Should Know about Gum Disease – A Layman’s Guide to Fighting Gum Disease
Just to keep you up to date on my situation
I started again on the hydro floss – just once a day no more – and this time at right angles to the gum line – using an ordinary mouthwash with dashes of tea tree oil.
First day was very bloody. I then used Vogel toothpaste on my sonic brush -threw away the ‘spinning jenny’ just a gum massage and light brush twice daily. Mouthwash is Listerine – the one for gums and teeth – stings like hell at the moment!!
Second day – much better less blood
Then I found the xylitol – it is called ‘Perfect sweet’ over here 100% pure and on the third day I ate plenty of it (also taking vit c plus calcium.)
This morning – first time ever hydrofloss with no bleeding
I found the xylitol in a shop called Holland and Barrett – but it is marketed overall in the UK as a Health food – (I can see the price soaring) I think there probably is a fantastic marketing opportunity for toothpaste /mouthwash with say a predominant bicarb / xylitol mix plus essential oils -in the UK – and I would be happy to be part of it cos it does work. dont know how to go about it though!!
Anyway I am born again thanks to you and I am going to try and keep the very loose tooth going and see what happens. It was a pleasure to speak to you – I have found you ad you are a ‘guiding light’
Best Wishes Elsdon Ward
Why do dental professionals tell us that up to 80% of adults suffer from some form of gum disease? I feel like I’ve been misinformed in regards to what it takes to get rid of gum disease or prevent it in the first place. Gum disease is a serious problem, it can cause a person to lose some or all of his teeth. Yet, so many people walk around oblivious to the fact that they have gum disease.
Sometimes the professionals that we rely on for our dental care don’t always tell us what we can do to stop or prevent gum disease. Those same people are ready to provide expensive treatments when things get really bad. That age old saying, ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’ seems so apropos in regards to gum disease.
When my hygienist and dentist wanted to perform a procedure called a root scaling and planing is when I began to take serious notice of the problems that my gums were having. Up until then, I didn’t really think that I had gum disease.
I did not like the sound of the procedure they described to me and decided to do some research and find out if there was anything that could improve my condition without having to go through the treatment. One of the earliest and most effective things I tried was the Hydro Floss oral irrigator.
My results were so good with this instrument that the next time I visited the dentist they actually told me that I no longer needed that root scaling and planing treatment and that there was no longer any tartar build up under the gum line. To me, that was exceptional. I could also tell by the look on the their faces that they were a bit surprised too.
After a lot of follow up investigation, I realized that sometimes the professionals don’t always know best. For example, when I initially told my dentist that I wanted to get a hydro floss, she said that they were too expensive and that I should buy another, less expensive, oral irrigator instead.
I didn’t listen and I bought a Hydro Floss anyway. I’m glad I did. I would buy another one tomorrow if something happened to mine. It’s sturdy and rugged and really holds up. I’ve not had a single problem with it. I don’t know if other brands of irrigators could hold up as well.
It constantly amazes me when seemingly uninformed dentists attack the way the Hydro Floss is alleged to work. The theory involves something called ‘hydromagnetics’. I’ve heard and read about dentists who say this is all bunk and there is absolutely nothing to hydromagnetics and that it provides no additional benefit over regular irrigation.
I guess those dentists don’t read their profession’s literature very much. A study was published in the The Journal of Clinical Periodontology in May 1993. The study indicates that oral irrigators that use hydromagnetics do a superior job of tartar reduction over non-hydromagnetic irrigators. The differences noted were significant. There is only one oral irrigator that I have found that utilizes hydromagnetics and that is the Hydro Floss.
If you have or think you might have gum disease or any other oral health problem, visit your periodontist or dentist for advice, diagnosis and treatment. This article is for information purposes only.
David Snape is an avid user of the Hydro Floss. You can read more about this wonderful tool at https://oralirrigatordiscount.com . Dave is also the author of What You Should Know about Gum Disease available at his web site on gingivitis and gum disease.
You notice that they seem to be people from all walks of life. As you look around the room, you realize that they could easily be your neighbor, your baker, your dry cleaner, your boss. They are just average people, people just like you and me, sharing a common problem – one that is shunned from all but the most intimate conversations.
It is the unspoken, unsung, and truly unwanted ‘something’ that lurks in the darkness. It is hidden away in the closet. It is a shared malady that is so seldom discussed that people tend to think they are the only one with it. No one wants to talk about it.
It is such a big problem that an entire industry is built around it.
Because it is so seldom discussed, the awareness of it is stifled. Though it runs rampant in a hidden, secretive way, it is everywhere. Virtually omnipresent, it remains in that hazy ether of unawareness. It’s just not on the radar for most people.
It does have a name, a plain, simple and unassuming designator consisting of just three syllables: gum disease. How could something with such a humble, innocent sounding nomenclature cause so much trouble for humanity? Yet, it does.
Those people in the waiting room would be surprised to learn just how many people do have it. What a shock to discover that your neighbor has implants or your mailman has dentures. So many people are affected, suffering silently.
Who would want to talk about it? Why should it even be brought up? It’s just one of those unpleasant, inescapable facts of life that you must endure. Or is it?
No one is quite sure how many people have it or will get it. Statistics vary between forty and eighty percent of people. One medically oriented website says that 95% of people 65-years-old and beyond have gum disease. But it can strike much younger and often does. Even children can get it.
Like many people, I was shocked to learn that I needed a SRP treatment. SRP stands for ‘Scaling and Root Planing’. SRP is a deeper cleaning that involves scraping and smoothing the root surfaces in order to get rid of built up plaque and tartar. Unpleasant? Sometimes they need to give you anaesthetic to get through the procedure.
Thus began my journey of discovery. I knew I wasn’t going to get a SRP treatment. I was determined. Like Columbo, I was going to get to the bottom and uncover the truth of the matter. “Mam, I just have one more question…”
After painstaking effort and long hours of searching, I finally found success in hunting down answers and an alternative to the SRP treatment. My hard efforts paid off for once in my life.
Today, because of my commitment to maintaining dental health I make frequent trips to the periodontist’s office. That’s where I see them – the other patients. These are the people who know. But what about the others, the people who don’t know what lurks in the closet? They are everywhere.
I get my teeth cleaned about once every two months. I find this works well towards keeping my gums healthy. Even with this frequent cleaning schedule and excellent home care habits, I still routinely see 4mm pockets. Anything above 3 is considered a problem.
Yet, my problems were much worse a few years ago. I felt isolated. Because so many people have gum disease, but no one talks about it. Have you ever felt alone in a room full of people? I found some simple answers that really should be common knowledge. However, like gum disease itself, those answers have remained hidden outside the realm of mainstream knowledge for some unfathomable reason.
Professional care is important. But without good home care procedures, just going to the dentist won’t be enough. This is where my detective work paid off. I found the home care solutions I was looking for.
No man or woman is a rock and no one is an island. If you or a loved one has gum disease, you are not alone. Start with professional care at a periodontist’s office and do everything you can to discover the home care methods that can help save your teeth and keep your gums healthy.
David Snape is the author of: What You Should Know about Gum Disease available at https://WhatYouShouldKnowaboutGumDisease.com
This is a question that people with gum disease should be asking.
It is my opinion that if you have gum disease, you should be visiting a periodontist.
Periodontists have additional training that is specialized on gum disease and gum health. I believe it is two years of extra school to become a periodontist as opposed to a dentist. In addition, the periodontist’s practice if focused on gum health and disease.
If you had heart problems would you wanted to be cared for by a general practitioner or a cardiologist?
Well, when it comes to gum disease, who do you think is the more qualified professional?
I didn’t know the difference before either. But I know this: my dentist did not help me with gum disease at all. In fact, I really believe she let my gum disease get progressively worse over a period of years rather than refer me out to a periodontist or even explain how bad my problems were.
For all of those years, I thought it was normal to have some bleeding when my teeth were cleaned. It is not at all normal and shouldn’t be happening. My dentist never explained this to me. Nor did she explain how serious gum disease can be. She also did not explain to me what I could do to defeat gum disease.
I was already on the path to recovery, finding my own solutions, when I decided to go to a periodontist. I’m glad I did. I can tell you that the care from a periodontist, as far as gum health goes, was far superior to that of my dentist. I learned additional things from my periodontist about keeping my gums healthy that my general dentist never told and never seemed to care about.
So, therefore, it is my opinion that if you have gum disease at all, you should be under the care of a periodontist.
It takes both professional care and home care to keep your gums healthy and well, in my opinion. As far as the professional side goes, choose a periodontist.
That is my opinion and I’m sticking with it. I talk more about this topic in my book.
David Snape
Author: What You Should Know about Gum Disease