DENTAL CLINIC REVIEWS IN MONTREAL, QUEBEC AREA

I came up with an idea to work as under cover agent for the public by using the services in different dental clinics in the Montreal area. Here are some of the criterion that I came up with to evaluate the clinics I go to.

Please comment below and let me know if there are other things that you want to include in the criterion. 

1. Professionalism

2. Level of cleanness

3. Costs

4. Level of knowledge among employees

5. Level of care

They will be given to a score between 1-10 followed by rationals. 

Link between periodontal disease and diabetes

Brushing, flossing and keep regular visits to the dental clinic is very important

to keep gum and teeth health, especially to those, who has diabetes. This video carefully
explains why is it so important for diabetic people to keep their gum healthy.

Periodontal disease vs heart disease and stroke

This excellent video explains how gum disease can some times be dangerous, 

but unnoticed by many patients and even physicians. I call it "the silent killer". 

Smoking/Tobacco use vs periodontal disease

This video show just how smoking can make the keeping of our gum disease

free more difficult. Quit smoking is one of the first steps to achieve good oral

health and over all heath!

What is periodontal disease and cause

Periodontal (gum) diseases, including gingivitis and periodontitis, are serious infections that, left untreated, can lead to tooth loss. The word periodontal means "around the tooth." Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth.

Periodontal disease can have an effect on one tooth or many teeth. It begins when the bacteria in plaque (the sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth) causes the gums to become inflamed.

In the mildest form of the disease, gingivitis, the gums redden, swell and bleed easily. There is on most occasions little or no discomfort. Inadequate oral hygiene often causes gingivitis. Gingivitis is reversible with professional treatment and good oral home care.

Untreated gingivitis can advance to periodontitis. With time, plaque can spread and grow below the gum line. Toxins produced by the bacteria in plaque severely irritate the gums. The toxins stimulate the body to switch on a chronic inflammatory response.  This inflammation destroys the tissues and bone that support the teeth. Gums separate from the teeth, forming pockets (spaces between the teeth and gums) that become infected. As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed. Often, this destructive process has very mild symptoms. Eventually, teeth can become loose and may have to be extracted.

Types of Periodontal Disease

There are many forms of periodontal disease. The most common ones include the following.

Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the mildest form of periodontal disease. It causes the gums to become red, swollen, and bleed easily. There is usually little or no discomfort at this stage. Gingivitis is reversible with professional treatment and good at home oral care.

Aggressive Periodontitis
A form of periodontitis that occurs in patients who are otherwise clinically healthy. Common features include rapid attachment loss and bone destruction and familial aggregation.

Chronic Periodontitis
A form of periodontal disease resulting in inflammation within the supporting tissues of the teeth, progressive attachment and bone loss and is characterized by pocket formation and/or recession of the gingiva. It is recognized as the most frequently occurring form of periodontitis. It is prevalent in adults, but can occur at any age. Progression of attachment loss usually occurs slowly, but periods of rapid progression can occur.

Periodontitis as a Manifestation of Systemic Diseases
Periodontititis, often with onset at a young age, associated with one of several systemic diseases, such as diabetes.

Necrotizing Periodontal Diseases
An infection characterized by necrosis of gingival tissues, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. These lesions are most commonly observed in individuals with systemic conditions including, but not limited to, HIV infection, malnutrition and immunosuppression.

The main cause of periodontal disease is bacterial plaque, a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. However, factors like the following also affect the health of your gums.

Smoking/Tobacco Use

Genetics

Hormonal Changes

Stress

Medications

Clenching or Grinding Your Teeth

Diabetes

Other Systemic Diseases

Poor Nutrition and Obesity

"The main cause of periodontal (gum) disease is plaque, but other factors affect the health of your gums."

Treating Your Periodontal Pockets May Benefit Your Pocketbook

CHICAGO—November 27, 2007—A study in the Journal of Periodontology (JOP) found that prevention of periodontal diseases may lead to savings on not only dental costs, but also medical care costs. Periodontal (gum) diseases have been linked to systemic health conditions including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory problems.
The JOP study, conducted in Japan, examined the effect of periodontal diseases on medical and dental costs in 4,285 patients over a 3.5-year time span. The patients were between the ages of 40-59. Researchers found that cumulative health care costs were 21% higher for those patients with severe periodontal disease than those with no periodontal disease. Severe periodontal disease (periodontitis) involves bone loss and diminished attachment around the teeth.
“While previous studies have evaluated the potential link between periodontal diseases and other systemic conditions, this study provides an interesting analysis of total health care costs and the financial impact of having periodontal diseases,” explained JOP editor Kenneth Kornman, DDS. “The research suggests that patients with sever periodontal diseases incur higher overall health care expenses as compared to those patients with no periodontal disease. Prevention of periodontal disease may be very important in overall health, and this study suggests that it may also indirectly translate into lower total health care costs.”
“Everyone is looking for ways to reduce health care costs,” said Susan Karabin, DDS, President of the American Academy of Periodontology, “especially those who are in an age category where they are more susceptible to periodontal diseases. Because of the relationship between the mouth and the rest of the body, treating periodontal disease may be one simple way to decrease total health care costs. If caught early, periodontal diseases can be treated using simple non-surgical techniques which can restore your mouth to a healthy state.”
* EDITOR'S NOTE: Representatives of the media may contact the AAP Public Affairs Department to receive a copy of the review The effect of periodontal disease on medical and dental costs in a middle-aged Japanese population: A longitudinal worksite study. Abstracts of Journal of Periodontology articles are available to the public online. Full-text of studies may be accessed by AAP members and Journal subscribers or purchased online.

About the AAP

The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) is the professional organization for periodontists—specialists in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of the teeth, and in the placement of dental implants. Periodontists are also dentistry’s experts in the treatment of oral inflammation. They receive three additional years of specialized training following dental school, and periodontics is one of the nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association. The AAP has 8,000 members worldwide.

Find out if you are at risk for periodontal diseases by taking the Academy’s risk assessment test. Referral to a periodontist in your area is available by calling 800-FLOSS-EM begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              800-FLOSS-EM      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or visiting the AAP's website at www.perio.org.
To speak with an AAP spokesperson or for more information, please contact the AAP’s Public Relations Office at 312-573-3242 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              312-573-3242      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or meg@perio.org.