Bad Breath May Be Symptom Of Bad Gums

Posted on Aug 01, 2014 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

If you’re not familiar with the signs of early periodontal (gum) disease, they include persistent bad breath, gums that bleed while brushing or flossing, gum tissue that has pulled away from teeth (receded gums) and gums that are tender and sore.

Gum disease begins when oral bacteria is not removed on a regular basis from the mouth. As it accumulates, it forms a sticky film that eventually hardens on teeth, called plaque. Once plaque forms, it can only be removed by a dentist or hygienist with special tools.

Plaque buildup will continue if not removed and attack tooth enamel and gum tissues. Eventually, this onslaught of bacterial mass will work its way down into tooth roots and the bone that supports them.

Although there are several causes of bad breath not related to gum disease, persistent bad breath is typically associated with it. This is a breath odor that exists even after brushing, chewing gum or swishing with mouth rinses.

If untreated, eventual tooth loss can occur and oral bacteria can create inflammation elsewhere in the body. The bacteria of gum disease had been associated with heart disease, stroke, diabetes, arthritis and preterm babies.

If you know someone with this problem or feel you have persistent bad breath, early treatment will be the best way to save time and cost to restore your mouth to a healthy state. Call (828) 274-9440 to arrange a consultation and examination as soon as possible.

Gum Disease Treatment Lowers Health Care Costs

Posted on Jul 30, 2014 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

A study recently released by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine shared some important findings. A study of health and dental insurance records of nearly 339,000 adults revealed that periodontal (gum) treatment improved the health of those with chronic diseases. These include people with heart disease, diabetes and premature births, among others. Those who had at least one periodontal treatment were shown to have lower medical costs and fewer hospitalizations than those who did not receive treatment.

A dramatic savings of 74% was seen among pregnant women. Adults with cardiovascular disease and diabetes had 20 – 40% lower health-care costs after periodontal treatment.

Internal inflammation is the link between gum disease and chronic health conditions. Although inflammation is the body’s response to infection, an excess tends to worsen heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions. Eliminating gum infection seems to lighten the load to the extent that it benefits the body overall.

Gum disease begins with a sticky film that forms on teeth, known as plaque. Left untreated, gingivitis begins, which can turn into full-blown periodontal disease. In this, gums bleed easily, pull away from the teeth and are a dark red in color. Pus pockets form around some teeth as the infection persists. Eventually, tooth loss occurs.

The good news is gum disease is easy to prevent. Floss daily and brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes each time. Be committed to your 6-month check-ups and cleanings so any plaque build-up can be removed.

With your smile bright and healthy, you’ll enhance the health of your entire body and save much!

Gum Contouring For A Fabulous Smile!

Posted on Jul 16, 2014 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Gum contouring, or gum reshaping, is a procedure in periodontal dentistry that evens out the gum line that borders teeth. This is most commonly performed in order to create a more attractive smile.

Gum contouring is typically performed with a scalpel to trim away excessive gum tissue overlying the teeth. The procedure takes very little time while patients enjoy an optimal comfort level. The procedure is also used to remedy a ‘gummy smile’.

A gummy smile is when there is a high percentage of gum covering a person’s front teeth and is commonly a genetic trait. However, it can also be due to certain health conditions or as a side-effect to some medications. Because too much gum tissue detracts from the appearance of one’s smile, this condition can affect a person’s self-esteem, self-confidence and cause them to ‘hold back’ a smile or cover a laugh with their hand.

We start by administering a local numbing medication. Once you are fully numb, the excess gum tissue is trimmed away and remaining gums are reshaped for a natural arch over each tooth. This provides a smile line that blends naturally and attractively with neighboring teeth. Healing is typically a quick process and any discomfort can be easily controlled with over-the-counter medications.

In some instances, a portion of bone that supports teeth must also be removed so an ideal result can be achieved. Although this sounds like an involved procedure, it is actually not one we consider major. Recovery time is minimal.

Gum contouring can greatly improve the appearance of your smile and boost self-confidence. You’ll likely find you smile more often and project a more upbeat personality to others.

If you are interested in gum contouring, call (828) 274-9440 to arrange a consultation. I’ll be happy to provide more details and answer your questions.

Aim For Lowest Number When Hygienist Performs ‘Probing’ Of Gums

Posted on Jun 27, 2014 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Gum disease affects over 80% of the population at some time in their life. This is why your 6-month dental check-ups include ‘probing’ of the gums.

A periodontal probe is a thin instrument with a blunted end. It has markings that measure ‘pocket depth’ of gums. Using light pressure, the Hygienist places the probe’s tip into the gum tissue between each tooth and at front and back sides. The probe measures the pocket depth in six points around each tooth.

The depth of the periodontal pockets around teeth is the main indicator for the progression of gum disease and level of tissue destruction. Periodontal probing is the main tool used by dentists and periodontists for evaluating the severity of periodontal disease. Probing is also the recommended system in the U.S. to calculate levels of periodontal disease and is endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO).

During the probing process, you’ll likely hear the Hygienist call out numbers as she probes different points around each tooth. These are recorded in your patient chart. Hearing a ‘one’ or ‘two’ is an indication of healthy gums. Measured depths of ‘three’ and over indicates the presence of gum disease. When gum disease is classified at depths of 3 to 5, mild periodontal disease has begun. Five to 6 indicates moderate periodontitis and over 6 or 7 is severe periodontitis.

These measurements determine the level gum disease present as well as the treatment needed. Anything over a ‘3’ or ‘4’ level typically requires the skills of a Periodontal Specialist for successful treatment.

Periodontal disease is the nation’s leading cause of adult tooth loss. Early diagnosis of gum disease can prevent or minimize damage to teeth, supporting bone and connective tissues around teeth. Gum disease in initial stages (when bleeding is noticed while brushing teeth, for example) can often be treated with a thorough dental cleaning and committed at-home oral hygiene routine.

However, many people with periodontal disease delay care, allowing damage to progress. In addition to tooth loss, gum disease bacteria can create inflammatory triggers in the body. The bacteria associated with gum disease has been associated with severe health problems, including heart disease, stroke, arthritis, diabetes, memory loss, pre-term babies and more.

If you have delayed or avoided your 6-month dental check-ups, you are missing an important step in maintaining good overall health in addition to a healthy smile. If you find that dental check-ups and cleanings are uncomfortable, mention this to your Hygienist at the beginning of your appointment.

Keep in mind that patients who have 1 or 2 probing measurements don’t complain about discomfort during these visits. Healthy gums aren’t nearly as sensitive as those with bacterial inflammation. Ask your Hygienist how you can achieve a “number one” smile!

Call (828) 274-9440 if you’ve noticed bleeding when brushing, have sore or swollen spots on gum tissue, have persistent bad breath, or have gums that are red rather than a healthy pink. The sooner you receive diagnosis and treatment, the less involved your treatment needs will be.