Recent studies show a link between gum and bone health and certain heart conditions and diseases.

Because gum diseases are often painless, you may not know you have a problem until serious damage has occurred. Unhealthy gum tissue, eroded bone, and abnormal pockets around the roots can all result in tooth loss and may require surgery.

But with regular dental exams, bone loss and gum recession can be detected early. If you suffer from periodontal disease, a method called scaling and root planing (SRP) has proven to be an effective treatment.

Tooth cleaning such as you receive at your regular checkup focuses primarily on the crowns of the teeth. SRP is for those who have bone loss, periodontal disease, or infection. It is a nonsurgical procedure designed to heal teeth and gums by removing toxins and bacteria in the form of plaque and tarter from above and below the gum line. Then rough spots on the tooth root are planed smooth so that germs find it more difficult to collect. The smooth clean surface encourages gums to heal and reattach to teeth.

Early diagnosis and treatment can greatly reduce the risk of tooth loss and may help you avoid surgery. But the best insurance against developing periodontal disease is practicing healthy dental habits and getting regular dental checkups and cleanings.

Just like snowflakes and fingerprints, the arrangement of a person’s teeth is unique. Teeth remain intact after death serving as a useful link in criminal investigations and other circumstances in which a body must be identified.

Currently, dentists trained in forensics can establish positive identification quickly with help from computerized programs. Digital photographs taken of teeth can also be compared to a smiling photograph taken during the victim’s life.

Soon, with the help of 3D computer technology and dental information from remains, it will be possible to create a likeness of a face.  The FBI also hopes to develop a nationwide dental identification system that can compare records even more quickly.

That’s the common term for alveolar osteitis, a condition that may occur after a tooth is extracted. Even though it is the most common complication of tooth extraction it only occurs in about 5% of tooth extractions.

If the socket is slow to heal patients can experience some pain for a few days after a tooth removal. Dentists use various treatments to help reduce the pain such as cleaning and dressing the area. Sometimes changing the dressing daily can reduce the pain. And sometimes an anti-inflammatory drug or other pain reliever is recommended.

Use of tobacco can delay healing and should be avoided.