John Pallotta, DMD

More Great Resources about Periodontal Treatment & Teeth Whitening

Quality dental care is vital to optimum oral health and a beautiful smile. Teeth whitening and regular dental checkups are integral parts of your dental hygiene. You can learn more about at-home custom teeth whitening trays and oral cancer with these helpful resources. If you live in Arlington, MA and need a dentist for routine or cosmetic dental care, contact Dr. John Pallotta, DMD at (888) 818-3725.

• To learn more about the process for making and using custom teeth whitening trays at home, read through this article from TeethWhitening.Com.
• The Academy of General Dentistry explores what causes the shade of people’s teeth to vary.
• If you would like to gather more information about oral cancer, check out this comprehensive article from WebMD.
• The Oral Cancer Foundation is a dedicated source for in-depth information about oral cancer. Click through their website to find further information and statistics.
• For additional information on oral cancer, including symptoms, facts, and risk factors, browse through the American Dental Association’s webpage.

What is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease begins with the buildup of plaque and can quickly pose long-term, whole-body health consequences if left untreated.

In this video, you will learn all about the progression of periodontal disease. This disease begins in the gingival sulcus, or the soft tissue that surrounds the teeth where they emerge from the gums. Healthy gingiva, or gums, are pink; periodontal disease in its early stages will lead to reddened, sore, and bleeding gums. Watch this full video to see how periodontal disease progresses and why it can lead to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

Dr. John Pallotta, DMD, an experienced cosmetic dentist serving the Arlington, MA area, provides comprehensive dental care to satisfy all of your dental needs. Our office strives to offer high-quality dental care, including treatment of periodontal disease, for our patients. To meet with Dr. John Pallotta, DMD, call our office at (888) 818-3725 and schedule an appointment.

The Benefits of Teeth Whitening Using Custom Whitening Trays

Over time, it’s common for teeth to darken from age, foods, beverages, medication, tobacco use, and poor oral hygiene. Luckily, for those who would prefer a brighter, whiter smile, teeth whitening can restore teeth to a more radiant shade. With the wide variety of available teeth whitening systems, it may be difficult to determine which system will be most effective. Many dentists recommend custom whitening trays for at-home use for the most economical and effective treatment.

How Custom Trays Work:

Your dentist begins by taking an impression of your teeth; from this mold, a custom set of whitening trays will be made. At home, you’ll use a syringe-like dispensing tool to place bleaching gel in the trays. You’ll then snap the trays into place over your teeth. Most dentists recommend wearing your whitening trays overnight or for shorter periods of time during the day for five to 14 days.

Benefits of Custom Trays:

·One of the greatest benefits of custom whitening trays is the amount of time that the whitening gel is in contact with your teeth. With the high concentration of bleaching agents and the long exposure time, custom trays offer the most effective whitening.

·Another benefit of custom whitening trays is that, because they are custom made, they fit snugly over the teeth to keep the bleaching gel in contact with your teeth, not your gums. The bleaching gel can cause irritation to gums and soft tissue.

·Custom whitening trays also have the benefit of being able to control sensitivity. If you experience sensitivity, you can wear the trays less frequently or for shorter periods of time.

·Though in-office whitening is often more effective than over-the-counter options, custom-made whitening trays offer the most consistent and even results thanks to a longer exposure time.

For quality dental care from an experienced cosmetic dentist, turn to the comprehensive care of Dr. John Pallotta, DMD. Located in Arlington, MA, Dr. John Pallotta, DMD can address all of your dental needs. Schedule an appointment today by calling (888) 818-3725.

How Common is Oral Cancer and What are its Symptoms?

Oral cancer has a historically high mortality rate. Quite often, oral cancer isn’t diagnosed until it has metastasized in another location, like the neck. Understanding the symptoms of oral cancer and receiving regular cancer screenings from your cosmetic dentist during routine checkups will increase the likelihood of identifying and diagnosing oral cancer in the early stages.

Prevalence of Oral Cancer

According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, every year in the United States, approximately 40,000 people will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer. Deaths from oral cancer equate to one person, per hour, every hour of the day, 24 hours a day. In all, about 8,000 people will die of oral cancer every year in the United States. Five years after diagnosis, about 57% of those diagnosed will still be living.

Symptoms of Oral Cancer

You can protect yourself by knowing the symptoms and having regular dental checkups with a qualified dentist that include oral cancer screenings. Consider giving yourself monthly oral cancer screenings by using a mirror and looking for:

• Persistent face, mouth, or neck sores that bleed easily and don’t heal in 14 days.
• Swelling or thickening, rough spots, eroded areas, crusts, lumps, or bumps in your mouth or on your gums or lips.
• Unexplained bleeding in your mouth.
• White or red velvety spots in your mouth.
• Unexplained pain or tenderness in your mouth, face, or neck.

Other symptoms you may notice include: the sensation of something caught in the back of your throat; hoarseness, a change in your voice, or chronic sore throat; difficulty speaking, moving the jaw or tongue, or chewing or swallowing; ear pain; and unexplained dramatic weight loss.

Risk Factors for Oral Cancer

Understanding the risk factors for oral cancer can also help you decrease your risk of oral cancer. The greatest risk factors for oral cancer are: smoking and tobacco use, a family history of cancer, excessive sun exposure, and alcohol abuse.

Dr. John Pallotta, DMD of Arlington, MA offers the highest quality dental care in a clean, comfortable, and relaxed environment. To find out more about our practice or to make an appointment, call us at (888) 818-3725.

For More Information About Improving Your Smile, Take A Look At These Useful Links

A bright, healthy smile is important for maintaining good overall health, as well as a youthful and attractive appearance. To learn more about making your teeth look and feel their best, check out the resources below. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, contact the office of Dr. John Pallotta, DMD by calling (888) 818-3725 today!

Before buying whitening toothpaste, check out which brands are approved by the American Dental Association with this helpful guide.

Learn about patient experiences with bridges, crowns, and dental implants to find out which procedure may be right for you by reading this article by the American College of Prosthodontics.

The American Academy of Periodontology offers a helpful guide to different types of dental implants.

Do you have symptoms of gingivitis? Learn about gum disease at MayoClinic.com.

Learn how diet and nutrition can affect oral health in this article by the World Health Organization.