Horsham Dentist Dr. Henkel Fights Periodontal Disease

December 10, 2015

periodontal therapy

Just as a strong and stable foundation is important to the integrity and look of your house, so too healthy gums and the underlying bone structure play a critical role in the appearance of your teeth. Gum disease, then, can be a threat to your smile and your oral health. But that’s not all—the bacteria that cause gum disease have also been connected to several bodily diseases and illnesses. Therefore, for the sake of your smile, your oral health and your general, taking care of your gums is critical. Dr. Gary Henkel and his team or dental hygienists and dental assistants at Horsham Dental Elements offer periodontal therapy Philadelphia, PA, and Horsham, PA, residents can rely on to help them maintain healthy and beautiful smiles.
(more…)

Practice Great Dental Care Habits with the Horsham Family Dentist

September 16, 2015

Happy family with outstanding oral health from their horsham family dentistGreat dental health starts and ends at home. There are no two ways about it. True, whenever you come to our office for a dental checkup or any other service, it can improve your oral health and give you a beautiful smile. It’s what we specialize at doing. However, at-home care is just as important as coming in to our office for a checkup. From brushing and flossing to watching what you eat, it all adds up in deciding how healthy your mouth will be.
(more…)

Laser Periodontal Therapy in Philadelphia, PA

June 30, 2015

ThinkstockPhotos-461777879The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that almost 50 percent of people over the age of 30 in the United States have periodontal disease, or gum disease. And in the 70 and older crowd, the percentage increases to more than 70 percent. And many of those people don’t even know they have this all too common infection. Dr. Gary Henkel and his team at Horsham Dental Elements want to help you avoid gum disease in the first place. That’s why we encourage all of our patients to schedule regular checkups at either our office in Horsham, PA, or Philadelphia, PA. Of course, if we find evidence of periodontal disease then treatment is imperative not only for your oral health, but your general health, too. For gum disease treatment in Philadelphia or Horsham, count on Horsham Dental Elements. (more…)

Protect Yourself From the Hidden Dangers of Gum Disease at Horsham Dental Elements

February 12, 2014

When you think of periodontal disease, what is the first thing that comes to mind? More than likely, you imagine swollen, reddened gums and bleeding when you brush, but did you know that advanced gum disease can also lead to a number of far more serious health concerns? At Horsham Dental Elements in Philadelphia and Horsham, Dr. Gary Henkel wants you to know how important proper periodontal therapy is – not only for the health of your smile, but for your overall well being.

A Systemic Connection

When the overabundance of bacteria in infected gums enters the blood stream, it can travel throughout the body, wreaking silent havoc on otherwise healthy tissues and organs. Because many people suffering from gum disease aren’t even aware that they’re affected, they don’t think to make the connection between other health problems and the condition of their mouths. The following are some of the potentially life-threatening complications associated with untreated periodontal disease:

  • Increased risk of heart attack (due to coronary artery disease)
  • Higher chance of suffering a stroke
  • Pulmonary hypertension
  • High blood pressure
  • Gastrointestinal problems (may become chronic)
  • Links to pancreatic cancer
  • Preterm birth and low birth weight in babies whose mothers had gum disease
  • Rheumatoid arthritis

Fortunately, periodontal therapy and regular cleanings at Horsham Dental Center can substantially reduce the risk of these complications, even in patients whose oral condition is severe. The key to successful treatment of gum disease is catching the infection in its early stages and beginning treatment as soon as possible.

If you suspect that you may be suffering from periodontal disease and you’re ready to take the first step toward better health, contact us in Horsham, PA or Philadelphia, PA today. Dr. Henkel and his staff gladly serve patients from throughout Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties, including Dresher, Hatboro, Springfield and more.

 

Comfortable Periodontal Therapy with Laser Dentistry

October 16, 2012

Periodontal disease—which you know better as gum disease—is a common oral health condition. It’s so common, in fact, that as much as 80% of the population may have some form of it. Symptoms of gum disease include:

  • Bleeding gums
  • Red or tender gums
  • Frequent bad breath

But a lack of these symptoms doesn’t mean you’re gum disease-free. In some cases there are no symptoms, meaning there are patients who have gum disease without realizing it.

All of which makes regular visit to Horsham Dental Elements very important. During a regular visit to our Horsham or Philadelphia office, Dr. Henkel can thoroughly assess your oral health to check for signs of gum disease and a range of other common conditions.

If we find signs of gum disease, Dr. Henkel can provide effective periodontal therapy with laser dentistry. Periodontal therapy with a soft-tissue laser is more comfortable than traditional therapy with a scalpel, and is more efficient too. What’s more, therapy with a laser doesn’t require stitches and comes with a much shorter recovery time.

Why Is Treating Periodontal Disease Important?

Not treating gum disease has serious implications for your oral and overall health. On the oral health side, gum disease is the leading cause of adult tooth loss. On overall health side, medical studies have linked gum disease with a wide variety of serious health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and stroke, among others.

Schedule Your Next Visit Today!

How long has it been since your last checkup with Dr. Henkel? Call our Horsham or Philadelphia office today if you need to schedule a visit. With our comprehensive services, we can meet a wide variety of important general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry needs.