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Dentist - Newton
400 Allison Street
Newton, KS 67114
 

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  • 2019
      • February (2)
        • Composite Resin Could Amp up Your Teeth's Attractiveness in Just One Visit
        • Stop Gum Disease Before it Harms Your Health
      • January (3)
        • NSAIDs Could be Just as Effective as Narcotics Managing Dental Pain
        • Kathy Bates Plays It Smart With Professional Teeth Whitening
        • Recessed Gums Could Endanger Your Teeth
  • 2018
      • December (3)
        • Practice Daily Oral Hygiene to Prevent Calcified Plaque Formation
        • New Year, New Smile
        • J-Lo's Unlucky Break: Chipping a Tooth on Stage
      • November (3)
        • Retain Your New Smile After Braces with a Retainer
        • Practice Caution with Energy or Sports Drinks to Protect Your Enamel
        • 3 Factors That Could Affect the Success of a Root Canal Treatment
      • October (4)
        • Charlize Theron Back in Action After Dental Surgery
        • Try the Conservative Path to Jaw Pain Relief First
        • What You Should Know About Antibiotic Therapy Before Implant Surgery
        • What You Should Know About a Home Teeth Whitening Kit
      • September (3)
        • How Big Bang Theory Actress Mayim Bialik Gets Her Kids to Floss
        • Veneers may Offer a Less Invasive Way to Transform Your Smile
        • A Bonded Retainer Might Work for You after Orthodontic Treatment
      • August (3)
        • Advances in Dental Health that may be Waiting for us Just around the Corner
        • Baseball's Francisco Lindor Shines as "Mr. Smile"
        • 10 Tips to Tame Bad Breath
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        • Why Big Bang Theory Actress Mayim Bialik Couldn't Have Braces
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        • Willie Wonka's Chocolate Factory Was Not So Sweet to Cast's Teeth!
        • 2.6 Million Fans 'Like' Justin Bieber's Chipped Tooth
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        • Preventive Care for Your Child is a Partnership between You and Your Dentist
        • 3 Fluoride Sources You Should Monitor for Your Family's Dental Health
      • February (2)
        • A "No-Prep" Veneer Could Eliminate the Need to Remove Tooth Enamel
        • Jamie Foxx Chips a Tooth - This Time by Accident!
      • January (3)
        • Professional Whitening Offers an Effective Way to Restore Your Smile's Luster
        • New Year's Resolutions You Can Keep
        • You may Need Orthodontic Work Before Getting a Dental Implant
  • 2017
      • December (2)
        • Julianne Hough Shares a Video - and a Song - After Wisdom Teeth Come Out
        • Change Your Smile for the Better with Porcelain Veneers
      • November (2)
        • Regenerating Lost Bone Can Make Dental Implants a Reality
        • Not Your Granddad's Dental Care: the New Approach to Tooth Decay Treatment
      • October (3)
        • In Today's NFL, Oral Hygiene Takes Center Stage
        • Use the Same Prevention Strategy to Defeat Tooth Decay and Gum Disease
        • Your New Implants Need Proper Hygiene Just as Much as your Other Teeth
      • September (2)
        • Risk Factors for Gum Disease
        • Dr. Travis Stork: If Only I'd Worn A Mouthguard!
      • August (2)
        • Don't let Periodontal Disease Cause Your Gums to Recede
        • (Don't) Break It Like Beckham
      • July (3)
        • This Young Woman's Cancer Experience a Teachable Moment for all of us
        • Fifth Harmony's Camila Cabello Chips a Tooth, but Concert Still "Worth It"
        • Your Child's Impacted Front Teeth can be Saved - but Don't Wait too Long
      • June (2)
        • Jimmy Fallon Can’t Catch a Break - Except in His Tooth
        • Only a Dental Exam can Identify the Root Cause of Your Tooth Pain
      • May (2)
        • Vivica's Veneers: the Making of a Hollywood Smile
        • Complications from Missing Teeth Could Limit Your Replacement Options
      • April (2)
        • Ariana Grande Breaks Free - of Her Wisdom Teeth
        • Watch for These Developing Bite Problems with Your Child's Teeth
      • March (2)
        • Expert Advice: Vivica A. Fox on Kissing and Oral health
        • The Top 3 Oral Problems in America - and What You Should Do About Them
      • February (2)
        • Life Is Sometimes a Grind for Brooke Shields
        • There are Good Reasons to Check Your Blood Pressure During Dental Visits
      • January (3)
        • Spice Up Your Teeth
        • Watch Out for Re-Infection After a Root Canal Treatment
        • How Kathy Bates Retains Her Movie-Star Smile
  • 2016
      • December (1)
        • Having Trouble Flossing? Try Using an Oral Irrigator
      • November (2)
        • Actor David Ramsey Discusses Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
        • An Assortment of Orthodontic Tools helps us Solve Complex Bite Problems
      • October (2)
        • Dental Magic Transforms Smiles
        • Gum Recession Could Shorten the Life of Your Teeth
      • September (3)
        • Neil Patrick Harris: What the Oscars Host Treasures Most
        • Grafting can Help Regenerate Gum Tissue Lost Through Recession
        • Dental Crowns for the King of Magic
      • August (2)
        • We may Still be Able to Save Your Tooth with a Root Canal Alternative
        • Master Illusionist Benefits from the Magic of Orthodontics
      • July (2)
        • Patchy Discolorations on the Tongue Aren't a Cause for Worry
        • Giancarlo Stanton Gets Major-League Mouth Protection
      • June (2)
        • A Retainer Helps you Keep Your New Smile after the Braces Come Off
        • Johnny's Teeth Aren't Rotten Any More
      • May (2)
        • 3 Causes for Implant Failure and What You can do About Them
        • Tom Hanks' Abscessed Tooth Gets Cast Away
      • April (2)
        • Your Teenager may need to Wait on an Implant for a Missing Tooth
        • A Royal Fix
      • March (3)
        • Jaw Surgery may be Necessary to Correct Some Types of Poor Bites
        • Noah Galloway's Dentally Dangerous Dancing
        • Support Your Child's Teeth Development with Proper Hygiene and Dental Care
      • February (2)
        • A Toothless Tiger?
        • Persistent Jaw Pain After an Injury Needs Immediate Attention
      • January (2)
        • Actor David Ramsey Says: Don't Forget to Floss!
        • Stopping Tooth Decay Could Require Root Canal Treatment
  • 2015
      • December (3)
        • New Front Teeth for a Teenaged David Duchovny
        • Don't Delay Treatment of Gum Disease
        • Jason Derulo's Ideal Match
      • November (2)
        • Pay Attention to Gum Disease Warning Signs for an Early Diagnosis
        • Chrissy Teigen's Teeth-Grinding Troubles
      • October (2)
        • Dental Implants Help Maintain Bone Health
        • America's (Dentists) Got Talent - for Fixing Damaged or Missing Teeth!
      • September (2)
        • Don't Allow Your Age to Stop You from a New Smile with Orthodontics
        • Nancy O'Dell on Making Oral Hygiene Fun for Kids
      • August (2)
        • Weighing the Pros and Cons of Teeth Whitening
        • Beyonce Makes Flossing a Family Affair
      • July (3)
        • Some Blood Pressure Medications May Affect Your Oral Health
        • Even Celebrities Like Jennifer Lawrence Aren't Immune From Bad Breath!
        • Crown Lengthening Opens up New Teeth Restoration Possibilities
      • June (2)
        • Eden Sher and the Lost Retainer
        • Dentistry is Changing to Meet Dental Care's Emerging Challenges
      • May (1)
        • Sofia Vergara: 'Obsessed' With Oral Hygiene
      • April (2)
        • Fixed or Removable: Deciding Which Implant-Supported Bridge is Best for You
        • How to Impress Supermodel Bar Refaeli
      • March (3)
        • Dental Hygienist - Your Partner in Preventing Disease and Maintaining Oral Health
        • Actress Florence Henderson Shares Her Secrets for Keeping Your Natural Teeth as You Age
        • Your Gum Tissue 'Biotype' Could Determine How Gum Disease Affects You
      • February (1)
        • Matthew Lewis's Metamorphosis
      • January (2)
        • An Early Orthodontic Evaluation May Alert to Developing Bite Problems
        • No "Glee" in Tooth Grinding
  • 2014
      • December (3)
        • Extra Care is Required When Treating Teenagers With Lost Teeth
        • 50 Cent Has His Own Style - Even in His Smile
        • Your Dentist can Help Guide you in the Best Treatment Option for Sleep Apnea
      • November (2)
        • Martha Stewart Shows Off Renovation Work - In Her Mouth!
        • Assessing Your Risk for Severe Gum Disease
      • October (2)
        • Jane Fonda Chooses New Teeth Over a New Car!
        • Other Factors Besides Hygiene Could Contribute to Gum Disease
      • September (2)
        • What Oral Appliance Does Oliva Newton-John Use to Protect Her teeth?
        • Acute Tooth Pain may be Signaling Your Need for Root Canal Treatment
      • August (3)
        • How Dental Implants Saved Taylor Hicks' Smile
        • Dental Health: Do You Make the Grade?
        • From Model to Mogul, Kathy Ireland Maintains a Sparkling Smile
      • July (1)
        • Crowns Preserve the Tooth While Offering Greater Protection Than a Filling
      • June (1)
        • Braces Are No Hurdle for Olympic Track Star
      • May (3)
        • Frequently Asked Questions About Bad Breath
        • Florence Henderson Talks About Preventative Dentistry
        • Implant-Supported Teeth: a New Option for Patients With Total Tooth Loss
      • April (2)
        • The Gap Is No More
        • Does Root Canal Treatment Last Forever?
      • March (2)
        • Jerry Rice's Advice on Protecting Your Children's Teeth
        • Reducing the Risks and Effects of Dental Sports Injuries
      • February (2)
        • Jamie Foxx Gets Into Character With Help From His Dentist
        • Understanding the Signs and Symptoms of Tooth Decay and a Diseased Root Canal
      • January (1)
        • Dental Sealants: One of the Childhood Secrets TV Designer Nate Berkus Credits for His Beautiful Smile
  • 2013
      • December (3)
        • TADs Contribute to Greater Precision During Orthodontic Treatment
        • Flossing: An Important Part of TV Designer Nate Berkus' Oral Health Routine
        • Dental Amalgam Fillings Remain a Safe and Reliable Tooth Restoration Option
      • November (2)
        • Follow in Vanna White's Footsteps and Replace That Missing Back Tooth
        • Protecting Children's Teeth From Decay With Sealants
      • October (3)
        • Actress Jennie Garth Shares Tips for Making Oral Health Fun!
        • "No-Prep" Veneers may be an Option for Some Patients
        • Grandpa Knows Best: How Kristi Yamaguchi Manages Her Kids' Oral Health
      • September (1)
        • Are You an Athlete? Here Are Five Reasons You Should Wear a Mouthguard
      • August (2)
        • Actor Ed Helms' Tooth-Yanking Trick: It Was a Dental Implant!
        • Whitening is a Safe and Effective Way to get That "Hollywood Smile"
      • July (2)
        • Hilary Duff's Chipped Front Teeth Repaired with Veneers
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MY BLOG

Posts for tag: gum recession

Recessed Gums Could Endanger Your Teeth

By Dr. Brett A. Roufs
January 09, 2019
Category: Oral Health
Tags: gum recession  
RecessedGumsCouldEndangerYourTeeth

A "toothy grin" might be endearing, but not necessarily healthy. More of the teeth showing may mean your gums have pulled back or receded from the teeth. If so, it's not just your smile that suffers—the parts of teeth protected by the gums could become more susceptible to disease.

There are a number of causes for gum recession. Some people are more likely to experience it because of genetically thinner gum tissues. Over-aggressive brushing could also contribute to recession. But the most common cause by far is periodontal (gum) disease, a bacterial infection triggered by dental plaque accumulating on teeth mainly as a result of inadequate hygiene.

There are some things we can do to help heal and restore recessed gums, most importantly treating gum disease. The number one goal of treatment is to uncover and remove all dental plaque from tooth and gum surfaces, which can take several sessions and sometimes minor surgery if the infection has reached the tooth roots. But removing plaque and tartar (calcified plaque) is necessary to stop the infection and allow the gums to heal.

For mild recession, this may be enough for the gums to regain normal coverage. But in more severe cases we may need to help rejuvenate new tissue with grafting surgery. In these highly meticulous procedures a surgeon uses microscopic techniques to position and attach donated tissue to the recession site. The graft serves as a scaffold on which new tissue growth can occur.

While these treatments can be effective for reversing gum recession, they often require time, skill and expense. It's much better to try to prevent gum recession—and gum disease—in the first place. Prevention begins with daily brushing and flossing to prevent plaque buildup, as well as regular dental visits for more thorough cleanings. Be on the lookout too for any signs of a beginning gum infection like swollen, reddened or bleeding gums and see your dentist as soon as possible to minimize any damage to your gums.

Caring for your gums is equally as important as caring for your teeth. Healthy gums equal a healthy mouth—and an attractive smile.

If you would like more information on preventing gum recession, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Gum Recession.”

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Gum Recession Could Shorten the Life of Your Teeth

By Dr. Brett A. Roufs
October 11, 2016
Category: Uncategorized
Tags: gum recession  
GumRecessionCouldShortentheLifeofYourTeeth

Your teeth are meant to last a lifetime. Even with wear and tear from years of eating and biting they can continue to function properly and look attractive well into your senior years.

Teeth are resilient thanks in part to enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. But the gums also contribute to this resilience: besides attractively framing the teeth, they protect the dentin and roots below the enamel covering.

Unfortunately, the gums can shrink back or “recede” from their normal place. Not only does this look unattractive, the recession can also expose teeth to disease and cause tooth sensitivity to temperature changes or biting pressure.

There are a number of causes for gum recession, some of which you may have little control over. If, for example, your teeth come in off center from their bony housing, the gum tissues may not develop around them properly. You might also have inherited a thinner type of gum tissue from your parents: thinner tissues are more delicate and susceptible to recession.

But there are other causes for which you have more control. Over-aggressive brushing (too hard for too long), ironically, does more harm than good as it can injure your gums and cause them to recede. More likely, though, your recession is a direct result of neglecting proper hygiene for your teeth and gums.

When teeth aren't properly cleaned through daily brushing and flossing, a thin film of bacteria and food remnant called plaque builds up on tooth surfaces. This can trigger periodontal (gum) disease, which subsequently causes the gum tissues to detach from the teeth and often recede.

To reduce your risk of gum disease, you should gently but thoroughly brush and floss daily, and visit us for cleanings and checkups at least twice a year. If you have a poor bite (malocclusion), consider orthodontic treatment: malocclusions make it easier for plaque to accumulate and harder to remove.

Above all, if you begin to see signs of gum problems — swelling, bleeding or pain — see us promptly for an examination and treatment. Dealing with these issues early is the best way to ensure your gums continue to do their jobs for the long-term.

If you would like more information on the treatment and prevention of gum disease, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation.

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Grafting can Help Regenerate Gum Tissue Lost Through Recession

By Dr. Brett A. Roufs
September 18, 2016
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: gum recession  
GraftingcanHelpRegenerateGumTissueLostThroughRecession

Gum recession — when the gum tissue covering teeth wears away — is a serious matter. If the roots become exposed you'll not only have increased sensitivity and possible discomfort, your teeth can become more susceptible to decay.

There are a number of reasons for gum recession, including overaggressive brushing and flossing, poor fitting appliances like dentures or braces, or genetics (inheriting a thin gum tissue type or poor tooth position). Perhaps the most common reason, though, is periodontal (gum) disease. Caused by bacterial plaque, a thin film of food particles that builds up on tooth surfaces, the disease weakens the gum tissues around teeth, causing them ultimately to detach and “roll up” toward the roots.

Treating the gum infection by removing the built-up plaque and calculus (hardened plaque deposits) will help stop recession or even reverse it.  As we remove plaque the infection subsides and the gums cease to be inflamed. If they haven't receded too far they may re-grow and renew their attachment to the teeth.

In other cases, though, the recession may have progressed too far and too rapidly toward root exposure. Gums in this condition may require tissue grafts to the recessed area to create or regenerate new tissue.

Most grafting techniques fall into one of two categories. The first is known as free gingival grafting where a thin layer of skin is removed or "freed" from the roof of the patient's mouth (the palate), shaped and then stitched to the recession site.

The second category is called connective tissue grafting, most often used to cover exposed roots. In this case the donor material is transplanted from the donor site to the recipient site, but the recipient site's tissue covers the donor connective tissue graft as it still maintains a physical attachment to the original location. The recipient site can thus maintain a blood supply, which can result in quicker, more comfortable healing than with free gingival grafting.

Connective tissue grafting does, however, require sophisticated microsurgical techniques, along with the surgeon's in-depth skill and art, to prepare both the donor and recipient sites. Allografts (donor skin from another person) may also be used as a donor tissue and placed beneath the recipient site tissue thereby avoiding a second surgical site.

Gum tissue grafting can be an intense undertaking, but the results can be astounding. Not only will restoring recessed gum tissues give your teeth a new lease on life, it will revitalize your smile.

If you would like more information on treatment for gum recession, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Periodontal Plastic Surgery.”

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