Upv-Hsu Dental Miagao Campus

29/10/2025

Gingivitis Vs Periodontitis

20/10/2025

🦷 What Really Happens When a Tooth Is Lost

Losing a tooth may seem like a small problem — especially if it’s not visible when smiling — but medically, it’s a silent chain reaction that can alter the entire mouth structure.

Each tooth in the jaw supports the next like a team; when one is missing, the balance collapses. The nearby teeth start drifting or tilting toward the empty space, while the opposing tooth (from the opposite arch) begins to over-erupt into the gap. Over time, this misalignment can disturb the bite, strain the jaw joints, and even trigger chronic headaches or muscle tension.

Beneath the surface, the damage continues. The jawbone that once supported the missing tooth begins to shrink — a process called alveolar bone resorption. Without regular stimulation from chewing forces, the bone loses density, weakening facial support. This is why people with multiple missing teeth often develop a “sunken” facial appearance or premature facial aging.

Gum tissues also recede around the area, creating food traps and increasing the risk of gum disease and tooth decay in neighboring teeth.

Functionally, even a single missing tooth reduces chewing efficiency. The rest of the teeth have to overwork, leading to wear, cracks, or sensitivity. In long-standing cases, the uneven bite forces can even affect the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) — the hinge connecting the jaw to the skull — causing jaw pain, clicking sounds, or restricted movement.

Replacing a missing tooth promptly — whether through a dental implant, bridge, or partial denture — helps preserve bone, restore proper bite, and maintain overall oral health. What may seem like a small gap today can become a bigger, costlier dental issue tomorrow. Early replacement isn’t cosmetic — it’s preventive healthcare.

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Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace a professional medical advice or diagnosis.

29/09/2025

ORAL BACTERIA CAN TRAVEL TO THE HEART 🫀

Scientists have discovered something shocking — bacteria commonly found in dental plaque have been detected inside the arteries and even heart tissue of patients who suffered heart attacks.

How does this happen?
When gums are inflamed or diseased, bacteria can slip into the bloodstream through tiny breaks in gum tissue. Once in circulation, they may contribute to inflammation in blood vessels, accelerating cardiovascular damage.

This doesn’t mean oral bacteria directly cause heart disease, but their presence shows how strongly the mouth and heart are connected. Ignoring gum health could silently fuel risks far beyond the mouth.

Current research suggests that keeping gums healthy through regular brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings isn’t just about saving teeth — it could also help protect the heart.

🧠Sources:

Lockhart PB, et al. (2012). Periodontal Disease and Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease: Does the Evidence Support an Independent Association? Circulation.

Tonetti MS & Van D**e TE (2013). Periodontitis and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: Consensus Report. J Clin Periodontol.

25/09/2025

Most people think dentists only look after teeth and gums. In reality, the mouth is often the first place where serious health conditions show up — sometimes even before symptoms appear elsewhere in the body. Diabetes is a prime example. Research shows that uncontrolled blood sugar weakens the immune system and reduces the body’s ability to fight infection. In the mouth, this can appear as persistent gum inflammation, slow healing after dental procedures, dry mouth, or frequent fungal infections. Dentists, who see the mouth in microscopic detail, are often the first to spot these red flags.

The connection between diabetes and oral health is two-way. Studies have confirmed that poorly controlled diabetes increases the risk of gum disease, while untreated gum disease can worsen blood sugar control — a vicious cycle that affects both the mouth and the body. In fact, the American Diabetes Association recognizes dentists as vital partners in early detection and long-term management of diabetes.

But diabetes is not the only systemic disease revealed in the mouth. Anemia may cause pale oral tissues or a burning tongue, liver disease can lead to yellowish gums, HIV may show as unusual mouth sores, and certain cancers can first be detected as non-healing ulcers. Even cardiovascular conditions have oral markers such as gum inflammation linked with higher risk of heart attack and stroke.

This is why a routine dental visit is far more than “just cleaning teeth.” Dentists can catch systemic diseases early, sometimes years before they are officially diagnosed. For patients, this means that maintaining regular dental check-ups is not only about protecting your smile — it’s about safeguarding your whole body health.

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Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace a professional medical advice or diagnosis.

23/06/2025

Aggressive brushing is a common habit many people develop, thinking it will clean their teeth more effectively. However, using too much pressure while brushing can actually harm your mouth instead of helping it. The gums, especially in the lower front region, are delicate and not designed to withstand harsh scrubbing or hard bristles.

Over time, aggressive brushing causes the gum tissue to wear away, leading to gum recession. This means the gums slowly pull back from the tooth surface, exposing the roots, which are much more sensitive and not protected by enamel. As a result, patients may experience increased tooth sensitivity, root decay, and an unaesthetic appearance. In some cases, even the surface of the tooth near the gumline may begin to wear down.

This kind of damage is not always reversible. Once the gum tissue is lost, it doesn't grow back on its own, and treatment like gum grafting may be required in more severe cases. It's important to understand that more pressure does not mean better cleaning—it simply means more risk of long-term oral health problems.

To brush properly, always use a soft-bristled toothbrush, hold it at a 45-degree angle to the gumline, and use gentle, circular motions. Avoid scrubbing back and forth. Brush for two minutes, twice a day, and don’t forget to be as gentle with your gums as you are with your teeth. Proper technique protects both your teeth and the delicate tissues around them.

28/04/2025

An average adult produces between 1.2 to 1.5 liters of saliva every single day.

👄 Our mouth has three major salivary glands:

1. Parotid (near the cheeks)

2. Submandibular (beneath the jaw)

3. Sublingual (under the tongue)
They’re constantly at work—especially when we eat or even think about food!

🦷 WHY IS SALIVA SO IMPORTANT?

Saliva isn’t just moisture—it’s your first line of oral defense.

Here’s what it does:

✔️ Neutralizes Acids
– Helps balance pH and prevent enamel erosion.

✔️ Remineralizes Teeth
– Delivers calcium and phosphate to repair early enamel damage.

✔️ Fights Germs
– Contains enzymes like lysozyme and lactoferrin that kill harmful bacteria.

✔️ Aids in Digestion
– Enzyme amylase begins starch breakdown in the mouth.

✔️ Supports Taste & Swallowing
– Dissolves food molecules for taste, lubricates for easy swallowing.

🔵 Saliva flow decreases significantly during sleep and under stress.
This is why dry mouth can worsen bad breath, increase plaque, and raise cavity risk—especially in patients with xerostomia or medication-induced dryness.

21/04/2025

Why Can’t Teeth Heal Themselves?

The key reason lies in tooth structure and biology:

1. Lack of Living Cells in Enamel
The outermost layer of the tooth, enamel, is the hardest and most mineralized tissue in the body. However, it is completely acellular—it contains no living cells or blood vessels. This means it cannot regenerate, repair, or remodel like bone or skin.

2. No Blood Supply or Nerve Supply in Enamel
Enamel doesn’t receive a blood supply, which is essential for delivering immune cells and healing factors. Once enamel is eroded or decayed, the body has no natural mechanism to restore it.

3. Dentin Has Limited Regeneration
The layer beneath enamel, dentin, is slightly more biologically active. Odontoblasts (specialized cells within the pulp) can produce reparative or tertiary dentin in response to mild stimuli like trauma or caries. However, this is limited and slow, and cannot reverse significant damage.

4. Tooth Pulp Is Delicate
If decay or trauma reaches the pulp, inflammation or infection can occur, leading to pulp necrosis. Unlike other tissues, once pulp dies, the tooth loses its vitality and requires endodontic treatment (root canal).
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What This Means for Dental Health

Because teeth can't regenerate like other tissues, preventive care becomes critical:

Regular brushing and flossing

Use of fluoride to strengthen enamel

Routine dental check-ups

Early intervention for decay or trauma

02/04/2025

24/03/2025