ReleaseWire Connect

More than 3 million Americans currently suffer from the initial stage of gum disease called gingivitis. It presents itself as red gums which often bleed easily. Left untreated, the much more serious stage of gum disease, periodontitis, can set in leading to bone, tissue and tooth loss.

A vast majority of, if not all, Americans would agree that keeping their own set of teeth is a high priority on their to-do list, yet a large number of people in this same category are faced with gum disease which can prevent them from doing so. Whether caused by poor oral health habits, diabetes or underlying medical issues, tobacco use, pregnancy, medication, chronic stress or even lack of access to professional dental cleanings, periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly half, 47.2% of adults, have some form of gum disease.

National survey reveals there's room for improvement to educate Forest Hills, NY and Queens, NY residents on gum disease, which affects one in every two adults age 30 and over, and Periodontist Prabha Krishnan agrees.

Gum disease, an infection that attacks the gums and the bone that support the teeth, can be caused by a number of factors. While many cases are seen in those with poor oral health habits, there are also a growing number of patients displaying a type of gum swelling referred to as medication related gingival hyperplasia.

Of the 30 million Americans missing teeth in one or both jaws, the number of patients turning to dental implants continues to increase. According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, 3+ million currently have implants, and that number is growing by 500,000 per year. The dental implant procedure success rate and preserved smile outcome continue to make this a popular treatment choice for those missing key teeth.

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month and a good time to take a closer look at the devastating facts of this dreadful disease. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, approximately 45,750 people in the US will be newly diagnosed with oral cancer in 2015. While some still believe oral cancer is rare, alarming statistics show that a person dies from oral cancer every hour of every single day.

Gum disease is an infection that attacks the gums and the bone that support the teeth. It is characterized by red, swollen, and bleeding gums. Although it sadly affects 4 out of 5 people, many who have it do not know because it is often painless in its early stages.

As the excitement of the New Year begins to die down and fitness resolutions meet their match with day-to-day life, Dr. Prabha Krishnan reminds patients of the health benefits that can be seen from practicing exceptional oral health.

Periodontist Dr. Prabha Krishnan has treated patients with gum disease in the Queens NY area for over 20 years. A common theme she sees before and often after traditional gum surgery treatment is gum recession. Gum recession plays a key role in periodontal (gum) disease because the infection actually lies in the tissues that hold the teeth in place. Thanks to advanced technology, gum recession is becoming far less prevalent.

What happens when a good dental implant goes bad? Many people are finding themselves in this situation today. Dental implants have become the preferred treatment solution to missing teeth. An estimated 2­ million implants are placed in mouths annually, and more patients choose this alternative to dentures or bridges. However, the same chronic infection that affects the gums around natural teeth also endangers the gum tissue around implants.