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Posts for: September, 2016

Are bleeding gums something you should be concerned about? Dear Doctor magazine recently posed that question to Dr. Travis Stork, an emergency room physician and host of the syndicated TV show The Doctors. He answered with two questions of his own: “If you started bleeding from your eyeball, would you seek medical attention?” Needless to say, most everyone would. “So,” he asked, “why is it that when we bleed all the time when we floss that we think it’s no big deal?” As it turns out, that’s an excellent question — and one that’s often misunderstood.
First of all, let’s clarify what we mean by “bleeding all the time.” As many as 90 percent of people occasionally experience bleeding gums when they clean their teeth — particularly if they don’t do it often, or are just starting a flossing routine. But if your gums bleed regularly when you brush or floss, it almost certainly means there’s a problem. Many think bleeding gums is a sign they are brushing too hard; this is possible, but unlikely. It’s much more probable that irritated and bleeding gums are a sign of periodontal (gum) disease.
How common is this malady? According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, nearly half of all Americans over age 30 have mild, moderate or severe gum disease — and that number increases to 70.1 percent for those over 65! Periodontal disease can occur when a bacteria-rich biofilm in the mouth (also called plaque) is allowed to build up on tooth and gum surfaces. Plaque causes the gums to become inflamed, as the immune system responds to the bacteria. Eventually, this can cause gum tissue to pull away from the teeth, forming bacteria-filled “pockets” under the gum surface. If left untreated, it can lead to more serious infection, and even tooth loss.
What should you do if your gums bleed regularly when brushing or flossing? The first step is to come in for a thorough examination. In combination with a regular oral exam (and possibly x-rays or other diagnostic tests), a simple (and painless) instrument called a periodontal probe can be used to determine how far any periodontal disease may have progressed. Armed with this information, we can determine the most effective way to fight the battle against gum disease.
Above all, don’t wait too long to come in for an exam! As Dr. Stork notes, bleeding gums are “a sign that things aren’t quite right.” Â If you would like more information about bleeding gums, please contact us or schedule an appointment. You can read more in the Dear Doctor magazine article “Bleeding Gums.” You can read the entire interview with Dr. Travis Stork in Dear Doctor magazine.
Clear Correct clear aligner trays are a revolutionary development in orthodontic treatment, designed for qualified teenage patients and adults who need to straighten their teeth, but want to skip traditional metallic braces. Like braces, Clear Correct corrects alignment, spacing, and bite problems, with many additional benefits and advantages over metallic wires and brackets.
Clear Braces in Batavia
Dr. John C. Koechley, a dentist in Batavia, IL, recommends Clear Correct for adults and some teenage patients who are hesitant or unwilling to commit to traditional braces. The concept behind clear braces is simple. Custom made from high-grade plastic, the trays are virtually invisible. After a comprehensive dental exam and consultation, a series of trays are designed according to the patient's alignment needs. Each tray is worn for approximately two weeks as the teeth gradually shift into position.
Clear braces can be removed for up to two hours each day, which allows for daily brushing and flossing. They also allow the wearer to continue to enjoy their favorite foods and eliminate many of the dietary restrictions that are often necessary with traditional braces.
Who Should Consider Clear Correct Clear Braces?
Clear Correct is the perfect solution for adults and teenagers who prefer a discreet and less invasive alternative to braces. After a comprehensive dental exam, Dr. Koechley can determine whether this treatment is appropriate. Most adults in good health are generally good candidates. In addition to being more discreet and easier to manage than braces, the length of treatment with Clear Correct is often shorter, with an average of 15 months. Candidates for Clear Correct must be able to commit to wearing the tray for at least 22 hours every day, and maintain regular follow-up appointments and check-ups with their dentist.
Learn More About Clear Braces in Batavia
Clear Correct clear aligner trays are the most effective way to discreetly get a straighter smile. For more information on how they work and whether they are right for you, contact the office of John C. Koechley, DDS by calling 630-406-9441 to schedule an appointment today.

Pain has a purpose: it tells us when something's wrong with our bodies. Sometimes it's obvious, like a cut or bruise. Sometimes, though, it takes a bit of sleuthing to find out what's wrong.
That can be the case with a toothache. One possible cause is perhaps the most obvious: something's wrong with the tooth. More specifically, decay has invaded the tooth's inner pulp, which is filled with an intricate network of nerves that react to infection by emitting pain. The pain can feel dull or sharp, constant or intermittent.
But decay isn't the only cause for tooth pain: periodontal (gum) disease can trigger similar reactions. Bacteria living in dental plaque, a thin film of food particles on tooth surfaces, infect the gums. This weakens the tissues and can cause them to shrink back (recede) from the teeth and expose the roots. As a result, the teeth can become painfully sensitive to hot or cold foods or when biting down.
Finding the true pain source determines how we treat it. If decay has invaded the pulp you'll need a root canal treatment to clean out the infection and fill the resulting void with a special filling; this not only saves the tooth, it ends the pain. If the gums are infected, we'll need to aggressively remove all plaque and calculus (hardened plaque deposits) to restore the gums to health.
To further complicate matters, an infection from tooth decay could eventually affect the gums and supporting bone, just as a gum infection could enter the tooth by way of the roots. Once the infection crosses from tooth to gums (or gums to tooth), the tooth's long-term outlook grows dim.
So, if you're noticing any kind of tooth pain, or you have swollen, reddened or bleeding gums, you should call us for an appointment as soon as possible. The sooner we can diagnose the problem and begin appropriate treatment the better your chances of a good outcome — and an end to the pain.
If you would like more information on diagnosing and treating tooth pain, 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 “Confusing Tooth Pain: Combined Root Canal and Gum Problems.”