Periodontitis

If you notice a bit of blood in the sink while brushing your teeth you are either brushing too vigorously or have one of the first signs of gingivitis. Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontal disease and is reversible at an early stage. However, if gingivitis is left untreated, it can progress to periodontitis – a more aggressive form of gum disease. Though Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD can treat the problem as it arises, he would much rather you prevent the problem before it starts.

Periodontitis begins with plaque – a sticky, invisible film that forms on your teeth when starches and sugars in food interact with normal bacteria in the mouth. Periodontitis is a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue and destroys the bone that supports your teeth. Periodontitis can cause teeth to become loose or worse, it can lead to tooth loss. This condition can be prevented by simply brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting our office for dental checkups twice a year.

If you have questions or concerns about periodontal disease, please give us a call. To learn about the services and technology we provide at our practice, visit www.lehighvalleysmiles.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD in Easton, PA, call 610-252-7414.

Gum Disease: Causes and Treatments

Gum disease can be painful, irritating, and frustrating. It can also affect your overall health and wellness. Here at Lehigh Valley Smiles in Easton, PA we are dedicated to helping patients understand how gum disease happens so they can prevent it.

Gum disease occurs when plaque and tartar build-up irritates gums. The infected gums will begin to recede, if not treated. The receded gums expose the tooth’s root and create a deep gum pocket. This pocket collects bacteria and allows it to reach down deep by the roots of teeth.  This is a problem because it can cause decay of the tooth below the gum line and it perpetuates the gum disease. In order to remove the bacteria, a scaling and planing procedure is needed. We use a tool to remove plaque, tartar, and rough spots on the tooth where bacteria can hide. After gum disease is cleared up, a surgical process is often needed to repair the receded gums and deep pockets.

To keep plaque and tartar from irritating the gums, brush your teeth two to three times per day. Flossing every day is also important to remove plaque from between teeth. Make sure to brush in circular motions to hit the gum line well. To schedule your professional cleaning with Lehigh Valley Smiles of Easton, PA, call our office at   (610) 252-7414 or visit our website, www.lehighvalleysmiles.net. 

Gum Disease and Mouthwash

Mouthrinses are used for a variety of reasons: to freshen breath, to help prevent or control tooth decay, to reduce plaque, to reduce the speed that tartar forms on the teeth, or to prevent or reduce gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease. As much as we love to see you here at Top Choice Dental it is more important that you take care of your gums and maintain a proper dental hygiene routine on a daily basis.

It is important to note that not all mouthwashes are the same and they don’t always cure gum disease. Many people use a cosmetic mouthwash to freshen their breath or whiten their teeth, but a mouthwash formulated to kill germs can do so much more for your oral health – especially if you’re showing signs of early gum disease. Because it kills the bacteria responsible for gingivitis and bad breath at the same time, an antimicrobial rinse is a great add-on to your regular oral hygiene routine to prevent or reverse gum disease in its early stages.

Dr. Alan Dilsaver can advise you whether you need a mouthrinse depending on your oral health needs. If you have questions about proper oral hygiene give us a call, or visit www.lehighvalleysmiles.net for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Alan Dilsaver at Lehigh Valley Smiles in Easton, PA, call 610-252-7414.

Importance of Periodontal Health

It is our goal here at Lehigh Valley Smiles to ensure that you have the healthiest smile possible. Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is an inflammatory condition that if left untreated may cause damage to the tissues and bone surrounding the teeth and can eventually lead to tooth loss. The dynamics of the disease are such that the individual can experience episodes of rapid periodontal disease activity in a relatively short period of time.

When you have healthy gums, your teeth are well-supported by the tissue in your gums and your chances for long-term oral health are significantly increased. Numerous research studies suggest an association between periodontitis, advanced gum disease, and other, more serious chronic health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. That’s why by simply brushing, flossing and maintaining an effective oral hygiene routine, you can reap the benefits of avoiding pain and discomfort, saving money on procedures, staying healthy and having a nice smile.

If you notice blood in the sink when you brush, give us a call before it gets worse. To learn more about periodontal services provided here at Lehigh Valley Smiles, visit www.lehighvalleysmiles.net for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Alan Dilsaver at Lehigh Valley Smiles in Easton, PA, call 610-252-7414.

 

A Healthy Smile is a Beautiful Smile with Dr. Alan Dilsaver

Regular checkups and dental cleanings are a part of any good oral hygiene routine, and at our office in Easton, PA, we provide dental care services of the highest quality to ensure that our patients’ smiles stay healthy year after year.

Plaque is a soft and sticky film of bacteria that can build up on your teeth despite regular brushing and flossing. Because teeth are constantly bathed in saliva, which contains calcium and other substances to strengthen and protect teeth, tartar or calcium deposits can also build up over time. Dental cleanings work to remove both plaque and tartar from the teeth. If it is not removed and is allowed to accumulate, bacteria will be provided a perfect environment and thrive on the gums and teeth, which can cause cavities, infection and gum disease.

While good for maintaining oral health between dentist visits, at-home brushing and cleaning are not enough to make sure teeth stay clean; regular dental cleanings are required. We will clean and polish your teeth, leaving the surface clean and smooth. The smoother the teeth, the more difficult it is for bacteria to stick to them and the more effective at-home brushing will be.

We recommend checkups and dental cleanings every six months for optimum oral health. To schedule an appointment at Lehigh Valley Smiles, call (610) 252-7414. For more information, visit www.lehighvalleysmiles.com.

Scaling and Root Planing

At our practice, we actively strive to help our patients maintain optimal oral health and retain their original teeth. By offering scaling and root planing to treat early gum disease, Dr. Alan Dilsaver can restore the health of your gums and save your smile.

Periodontal disease is responsible for 75 percent of all adult tooth loss cases in the United States, making it critical to check for and treat periodontal issues when they first arise. Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums and starts when a buildup of plaque on your teeth hardens into tartar and creates a suitable environment for bacteria to collect and attack the surrounding gums. In its early stages, this gum disease is gingivitis, but if it is left untreated, it become periodontis, which can destroy your gum tissue, lead to tooth loss and even result in a loss of bone mass in your jawbone. Heart disease, diabetes and stroke have also been linked to poor periodontal health.

Scaling and root planing is one of the most effective ways to treat gum disease before it develops into more serious periodontal disease. The procedure allows the dentist to clean between your gums and teeth all the way down to the roots in order to smooth the root structure and remove the tartar that is causing your inflammation.

The procedure is incredibly effective and can stop the progression of gum disease before it irreversibly damages your teeth. If you’ve been diagnosed with gum disease or you have red, swollen or bleeding gums, schedule an appointment at Lehigh Valley Smiles by calling (610) 252-7414. For more information, visit www.LehighValleySmiles.net.

A Beautiful Smile is a Clean Smile

Regular checkups and dental cleanings are a part of any good oral hygiene routine, and at Lehigh Valley Smiles we provide dental care services of the highest quality to ensure that our patients’ smiles stay healthy year after year.

Dental cleanings work to remove both plaque and tartar from the teeth. A soft and sticky film of bacteria, plaque can build up on your teeth despite regular brushing and flossing. Because teeth are constantly bathed in saliva, which contains calcium and other substances to strengthen and protect teeth, tartar or calcium deposits can also build up over time. Tartar can only be removed with the help of a dentist. If it is not removed and is allowed to accumulate, bacteria will be provided a perfect environment and thrive on the gums and teeth, which can cause cavities, infection and gum disease.

While good for maintaining oral health between dentist visits, at-home brushing and cleaning are not enough to make sure teeth stay clean; regular dental cleanings are required. We will clean and polish your teeth, leaving the surface clean and smooth. The smoother the teeth, the more difficult it is for bacteria to stick to them and the more effective at-home brushing will be.

We recommend checkups and dental cleanings every six months for optimum oral health. To schedule an appointment in Easton, PA, call (610) 252-7414. For more information, visit www.LehighValleySmiles.net.

Periodontics and Gum Care

While taking care of your teeth is an essential part of your oral hygiene routine, your gums are also an important aspect of your health and requireperiodontal cleaning and treatment to stay at peak health. With Dr. Alan Dilsaver of Lehigh Valley Smiles, our patients in Easton, PA can be sure their gums are well cared for.


Periodontal disease is responsible for 75 percent of all adult tooth loss cases in the United States. This means it is critical to check for and treat periodontal issues when they first arise. Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums that starts as plaque and hardens into tartar. As the tartar accumulates, bacteria collect and attack the soft tissue in the surrounding gums. This early stage is called gingivitis, and if it is left untreated, gingivitis will become periodontis. Periodontis can destroy tissue around the teeth and even lead to loss of bone mass in the jaw bone. Tooth loss can result, and heart disease, stroke and diabetes have also been linked to poor periodontal health.


It is important to prevent periodontal disease or catch it in its early stages, and Dr. Dilsaver is extremely knowledgeable and experienced with periodontal therapy, and he will work hard to ensure that you maintain optimal oral health. If you notice that your gums are red, swollen or tender or they bleed during normal brushing and flossing, schedule an appointment with our practice by calling (610) 252-7414. For more information, visitwww.LehighValleySmiles.net.