Periodontist

21401 Periodontist | Plaque: Your Teeth’s Number One Enemy

When buying a toothbrush, toothpaste, or coming in to our office, you often hear the word “plaque” associated with the health of your teeth. Plaque is one of the main reasons why it is so important to keep up with a daily oral hygiene routine that includes brushing two times each day for at least two minutes, and flossing regularly as well. Here’s what you need to know about plaque and what it can do to your smile.

What is Plaque?

If you haven’t brushed your teeth in a while, you might feel a film-like, sticky buildup on your teeth. This is plaque, a bacteria layer that grips onto your teeth. There isn’t anything you can do to stop plaque from forming, but brushing and flossing as well as keeping up with regular dental visits are your best defenses for cleaning plaque off your teeth.

What Plaque Does to Your Teeth & Mouth

Without regular brushing and cleaning, plaque builds up and multiplies. As plaque is left untreated, it hardens to form tartar (also known as calculus). Plaque also leads to decay, as it produces an acid that damages your teeth. When you come into our office for a dental examination, we thoroughly clean your teeth to ensure that any buildup is taken care of. Tartar can cause staining on your teeth if left untreated. Plaque is the leading cause of gingivitis, causing your gums to swell and become red or bloody.

What You Can Do

The most important steps of keeping plaque in check is to stick to a daily brushing routine. This means brushing twice each day, for two minutes each time, and flossing at least once daily. Plaque occurs naturally, and when you come into our office for a complete examination, we work with you to clean off any buildup. Maintaining regular visits to our office is one way to ensure tartar buildup is minimized and managed. It is particularly important that you are brushing your teeth all the way to the gum, because the gum line is an area that is prone to plaque buildup. Brush gently, as vigorous brushing will only do more damage than good, especially to your gums.

Sticking to your daily brushing and flossing routine will help keep your teeth free of plaque buildup. Make sure you are brushing in the morning and before bed. If you don’t brush before bed, bacteria and plaque will build up throughout the night. Schedule a visit to our office so our experienced, professional dental team can clean your teeth, giving you a smile you can be proud of.

For more tips on keeping your teeth healthy or to schedule your next visit, please contact our office.

Periodontist

Periodontist in Annapolis MD | Dentistry is the Answer

It has long been understood that patients with periodontal disease have a much higher risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, premature delivery or miscarriage, and respiratory issues. While it was recognized that proper oral healthcare helped minimize the risk of these health problems, little research had been conducted that showed a direct correlation between periodontal care and improved health for patients already suffering from these issues. However, a recent study presented to the American Heart Association (AHA) has, for the first time, shown that intensive periodontal care alone is enough to lower blood pressure levels.

 

Presented at the 2017 annual AHA meeting in Anaheim, CA, a new study has shown that periodontal care can be an effective way to reduce blood pressure, inhibit inflammation, and lower the risk of cardiovascular events. The study was conducted by a team of researchers led by Jun Tao, MD, PhD from the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, China. A sample of 107 Chinese men with mild to severe periodontitis were given two levels of periodontal care over a six-month period. The researchers found that those who received more intensive care saw a noticeable reduction in blood pressure levels compared to those who received more basic care.

 

While many understand the importance of professional oral care for maintaining optimal oral health, few recognize the risks that poor oral health can pose to your overall well-being. There are a number of serious and potential life-threatening conditions that have been tied to untreated periodontal disease. Thanks to Dr. Tao and his team, we now have conclusive evidence that periodontal care can not only reduce the risk of heart issues, but can lower blood pressure and promote a healthier heart as well.

 

Whether you currently have periodontal disease or heart issues or are concerned about developing them in the future, it’s never too soon to seek periodontal diagnosis and care. The CDC estimates that nearly half of US adults have mild to severe gum disease, and therefore are putting themselves at risk of developing serious health problems. Don’t become a statistic; contact our dental team today to schedule an appointment and learn more about the life-saving benefits of periodontal care.

Four Convenient Locations for Periodontal Therapy, Dental Implant Surgery and Third Molar Extraction

South River Periodontics
Annapolis Location

104 Forbes St, Suite 204,
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 295-1000

Providing Care
For the Communities of:

Annapolis, Admiral Heights, Naval Academy,
West Annapolis, Eastport, Severna Park, Maryland's Eastern Shore, and surrounding communities.

Meet Our Team

South River Periodontics
Barrington Location

310 Maple Ave, Suite 107,
Barrington, RI 02806
(401) 247-2200

Barrington Rhode Island (Maple Avenue Family Dentistry)

Proudly Serving patients in Barrington, Warren, Bristol, East Providence and Southeastern Massachusetts.

Meet Our Team

South River Periodontics
Marriottsville Location

2600 Longstone Ln, Suite 101,
Marriottsville, MD 21104
(410) 442-0103

Marriottsville (Revive Dental)

Proudly serving patients in Ellicott City, Frederick Sykesville and Western Maryland

Meet Our Team

South River Periodontics
Rockville Location

9850 Key West Ave,
Rockville, MD 20850
(301) 838-9300

Rockville (Rockville Smile Design)

Convenient to the I-70 corridor from Washington DC, and Northern Virginia through the Washington DC Suburbs in Maryland and Frederick

Meet Our Team
  • American Board of Periodontology
  • Academy of Osseointegration
  • Perio.org
  • The Capital

BEST PERIODONTIST IN MD

See What Our Patients Are Saying

I have been going to South River Periodontics for years. I can't say enough about Dr. Robert Bouffard, DDS. His expertise and chair-side manner are positively beyond compare. I actually enjoy going to the dentist! If you're searching for a fabulous dentist who takes the time to actually get to know his patients and provides the best in dental treatment, one who will also explain procedures to you and treat you with the utmost respect and care, look no further than Dr. Robert Bouffard!

Linda Lee Annapolis, MD Dental Patient

Dr. Bouffard extracted my son's wisdom teeth when my son was only 13 and did such a fabulous job. He took his time to explain the procedure and put my son at great ease. Now my son needs an implant to replace a tooth lost when he was 9 and there is little anxiety since he trusts Dr. Bouffard so much. We are so happy to have met him at Maple Ave Family Dentistry in Barrington.

Eileen Brady Annapolis, MD Dental Patient

I was referred to Dr. Bouffard six months after hitting my face on the steering wheel in a car accident. Although I had been seen several times for face pain since the accident, it was still unclear about what was going on. Dr. Bouffard listened closely to all my continued troubles and within 5 minutes of meeting me figured out that my upper jaw had actually been dislocated and should’ve been wired shut to heal properly. I was upset but relieved to finally have some answers and a solid plan for treating my pain. Dr. Bouffard worked with one of "his guys" to construct a splint that I wore for several months to provide support and structure for my healing jaw. He has continued to be involved in my healing process, performing two implant surgeries and sending me on to an orthodontist for braces to further strengthen the integrity of my jaw. Two years later, he continues to check in with me and show genuine concern about how I am feeling. I am truly grateful to have been referred to him.

Laura Petersen Annapolis, MD Dental Patient

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104 Forbes St, Suite 204, Annapolis, MD 21401
310 Maple Ave, Suite 107, Barrington, RI 02806
9850 Key West Ave, Rockville, MD 20850
2600 Longstone Ln, Suite 101, Marriottsville, MD 21104