Can You Reverse Gum Disease?

Posted on Mar 03, 2016 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Our bodies are miraculous machines. They not only provide mobility and enable various functions, the human body is designed to heal itself.

When bacteria enter the body, white blood cells are the microscopic soldiers that surge in for battle. Their job is to attack the bacteria and destroy it. As with any battle, however, when the odds are in favor of the enemy, the ‘good guys’ don’t always win.

Bacteria reproduce very rapidly. When they become too much for your body’s defense mechanism to overcome, infection begins. Just as a cut or scrape on the skin can become infected, oral bacteria can cause infection in the mouth. This overload of bacteria can evolve into periodontal disease, which is an inflammation that attacks teeth, oral tissues and the bone structures that support teeth.

Gum disease is characterized by sore gums that bleed when brushing, persistent bad breath, gums that recede from teeth and turn red in color, and pus pockets that form on the gums at the base of some teeth. In latter stages, gum disease will cause teeth to loosen and eventually require removal.

Most gum disease occurs because people are often unaware that bleeding gums or gum recession is not normal. Insufficient brushing, failing to floss and missing 6-month dental cleanings can lead to a build-up of bacteria that forms, at first, plaque. This is a sticky film you feel on teeth. When plaque is not removed on a regular basis, it forms a cement-hard colony of oral bacteria, known as tartar or calculus.

As your mouth is enduring the repercussions of oral bacteria accumulation, gum tissues and tooth enamel are being eaten away by the bacteria. There is a point where only dental treatment can eliminate the bacterial onslaught, especially when it has penetrated below the gum line. However, with prompt attention and proper measures, you can halt and reverse the need for dental treatment and the progression of gum disease.

Gingivitis is the initial stage of gum disease. Your symptoms will probably include gums that are tender in spots and some bleeding when you brush. These are warning signs that signal an immediate need for attention.

Begin by twice daily brushing with a soft bristle tooth brush and use a fluoridated tooth paste. Brush for at least two minutes per time. Floss daily. Be sure not to pop the floss between teeth to avoid damaging the gums. Move the floss in a back-&-forth motion between teeth to ease it down so you can scrape the sides of each tooth.

You can remove a tremendous amount of oral bacteria by using a tongue scrapper daily. Or, brush your tongue with your tooth brush at the end of each brushing. This helps to dislodge bacteria that is embedded in the grooves of the tongue.

Drink lots of water during the day. This will aid saliva flow that is designed to move oral bacteria from your mouth on a consistent basis. Avoid foods and beverages that are drying to oral tissues. These include coffee, colas, alcohol and spicy foods. Also, try to minimize the amount of sugar and carbohydrates you consume. These foods energize the reproduction of oral bacteria.

If you smoke, consider using an oral rinse that will replenish the mouth with moisture. The chemicals in cigarette smoke are terribly drying to oral tissues. Some oral rinses are specifically designed for producing moisture. This is helpful since dryness provides oral bacteria with a favorable environment for reproduction.

When these steps are taken for initial levels of gingivitis, your gums should be less tender and bleeding should cease in a week or so. If you do not see improvement after 1-2 weeks of implementing these measures, see a Periodontal specialist as soon as possible. This dental specialist can determine the precise level of gum disease you are experiencing and provide appropriate treatment.

The key is to act sooner than later. Gum disease only worsens without treatment. In the U.S., it is the leading cause for adult tooth loss. Your natural teeth are precious and worth saving. With a healthy mouth, having your natural teeth all your life is a reasonable expectation.

The oral bacteria of gum disease is also harmful to your health in other ways, too. This bacteria has been known to trigger inflammatory reactions elsewhere in the body. It can contribute to heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, stroke, preterm babies and impotency.

Call 828-274-9440 if you have questions about your gums or if you are experiencing any symptoms associated with gum disease.

 

Post-Menopausal Women At Higher Risk For Gum Disease

Posted on Jan 26, 2016 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Menopause is typically accompanied by hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue and moodiness. Once a female enters the post-menopausal phase, these symptoms may subside while a new problem emerges. Research has shown that being post-menopausal heightens the risk of tooth loss.

Studies have revealed that bone loss in postmenopausal women can be accompanied by a greater risk for periodontal (gum) disease. A study published by the National Institutes of Health cited that post-menopausal females with signs of osteoporosis had an increased liklihood of gum disease when compared to post-menopausal women with no signs of osteoporosis.

It has long been known that a reduction in estrogen levels contributes to bone loss. Post-menopausal women may also experience a reduction of saliva, which increases the potential for cavities.

The estrogen drops of menopause also increase the risk for heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease. While hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can alleviate symptoms associated with estrogen deficiency, replacing estrogen may also prevent some of the chronic illnesses common to postmenopausal women.

Our goal is to provide care to each patient that takes their overall health into consideration. This is why we ask you to keep your health history and medication list up to date. This information enables us to customize your care to your unique needs. This can also help you avoid problems or minimize those that do emerge.

If you are post-menopausal, be especially aware of the signs of gum disease. These include gums that bleed when brushing, sore or tender gums, receded gums that expose darker tooth root sections, gums that darken in color, persistent bad breath or pus pockets that form at the base of some teeth. Call 828-274-9440 to schedule an examination at your earliest convenience.

Have A ‘Gummy Smile?’

Posted on Jan 11, 2016 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Think of a photo that shows someone who is truly happy. They are typically beaming with a big, wide smile. For those who feel their smile has flaws, however, letting loose with a truly happy smile can be difficult.

For example, this can be the case for those who have a ‘gummy smile.’ In a gummy smile, too much gum line is seen above the upper teeth when the individual is smiling fully. This extra gum tissue detracts from the beauty of a smile. And, it often causes those with the trait to ‘hold back’ rather than allow a full smile to emerge. It can even cause people to cover their smile with a hand to conceal what they feel is an unattractive flaw.

A healthy smile should never feel awkward. However, the appearance of a smile can have tremendous impact on self-esteem, self-confidence and of course, appearance. While it is important to have a healthy smile, it is also beneficial to our self-image that we have a smile that makes us feel good on the inside and out.

A gummy smile can be repaired easily with modern techniques, and with exceptional comfort and reduced healing time. This is done by gum contouring. In this procedure, a ‘gingivectomy’ is performed that removes excess gum tissue above the teeth.

We begin by anesthetizing the gums and carefully trim the excess tissue. After the procedure, some tenderness or swelling may occur, which can be minimized by applying an ice pack to the affected area for a day. While most discomfort is managed with over-the-counter pain medications, prescription strength options are available for patients who desire them.

Healing time depends on the individual and can vary from a few days to a few weeks. Patients who smoke can expect the longer healing time.  This is because the chemicals in cigarette smoke are very drying to oral tissues. Dryness slows the body’s ability to support a proper pace of healing.

Most gingivectomies are followed by crown lengthening procedures that enhance the appearance of the teeth most visible in a smile. Crown lengthening uses porcelain veneers or crowns to give a beautiful, even smile line.

The costs for repairing a gummy smile will vary according to the severity of the condition and subsequent addition of crowns or veneers. However, we’ve seen remarkable results with those who have had the procedure. They seem to transform into a more outgoing, vibrant personality through a fabulous smile that gets shared often!

Begin with a consultation to discuss the gingivectomy procedure and if subsequent crown lengthening is recommended. Call 828-274-9440 for a time that is convenient to you.

Diabetes Linked To Gum Disease, And Vice Versa

Posted on Jan 04, 2016 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Diabetes is a metabolic disease that stems from insufficient insulin secretion and/or insulin resistance. This results in the body’s abnormal metabolic processing of carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

Regardless of the advancements in treatment, a report published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine/National Institutes of Health states that diabetes is “a growing public health concern and a common chronic metabolic disease worldwide.”

Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared diabetes to be at a pandemic level. The prevalence of diabetes has increased dramatically over the past few decades and is expected to triple in the next decade.

Diabetes is considered a leading cause of death due to vascular complications attributed to the disease. The most common types of diabetes are type 1 (known as insulin dependent) and type 2 (non-insulin-dependent).

While diabetes affects all age groups, it is more common in adults. According to the American Diabetes Association, the majority of diabetics suffer from Type 2 diabetes, which usually begins after age 45. Initial indications of this disease are bad breath and bleeding gums.

Initial emergence of diabetes in the form of oral problems makes perfect sense to those in the medical and scientific fields. Various inflammatory diseases and periodontal (gum) disease have shown connections for decades. Not only are periodontal diseases said to be the 6th greatest complication of diabetes, one triggers the other. Periodontal disease is an inflammatory condition that can create inflammatory reactions elsewhere in the body.

Gum disease has been found to be more frequent and severe in patients with diabetes with poor glycaemic control. Proper management of diabetes for controlled glucose levels is helpful in preventing or treating periodontal disease.

It is advised that diabetics have more-frequent dental check-ups to avoid the inflammatory reactions of gum disease, and vice versa.

Symptoms of gum disease include seeing blood when brushing, persistent bad breath, gum tissue that pulls away from teeth (exposing tender tooth root portions) and sore gums. Any of these signs are reason for any individual to see a dentist before gum disease worsens. However, for diabetics, the need is more dire due to their existing vulnerability to inflammatory reactions in the body.

A periodontal examination will determine the presence of gum disease. If it exists, a treatment plan will be discussed. Call 828-274-9440, and at your earliest convenience. Gum disease will only worsen without treatment. Delayed care can result in greater treatment time and expense.