Pace Brushing After Mealtime

Posted on Jul 23, 2015 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

In an effort to protect our teeth from accumulating bacteria that causes cavities, bad breath and gum disease, brushing after each meal is wise advice. Right?

Well, right — but there is a proper ‘time delay’ for brushing to avoid damage to tooth enamel. This is because anytime you eat or drink, your mouth endures an ‘acid attack.’ These acids weaken tooth enamel, and brushing too soon can cause damage to the enamel. Naturally, consuming highly-acidic edibles such as tomatoes or orange juice ramp up the acidity level of these attacks.

When eating stops, it takes about 20 minutes for an acid attack to subside. To avoid wearing away tooth enamel, avoid brushing for at least 30 minutes after eating or drinking. If you know you’re going to consume something high in acid ahead of time, brush your teeth first and then swish with water afterwards.

Oral bacteria are able to penetrate a tooth easily without its protective shell of enamel or enamel that is worn thin. This can result in cavities and weakened teeth that can lead to cracks or fractures. If a fractured tooth breaks below the gum line, the only recourse is to remove it. Then, an entirely new set of challenges begin.

Obvious high-acid consumables are citrus, coffee, wine, tomatoes (including sauces and catsup) and colas. However, foods and beverages that may have a higher acid content than you realize include corn, olives, blueberries, dairy products, white rice, white bread, bagels, eggs, peanuts and beer.

Our goal is to help you AVOID problems that could lead to any oral disease as well as tooth loss. Timing your brushing just right can help!

Dry Mouth = Oral Bacteria = Bad Breath

Posted on Jul 08, 2015 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Occasionally, we all have breath that is unpleasant. After waking in the morning or drinking a cup of coffee,  our breath is stale.

When bad breath is persistent, it is likely a symptom of periodontal (gum) disease. If gum disease is the reason for your breath odor, you may also notice gum tenderness, seeing blood in the sink when brushing or gums that darken in color. Otherwise, the problem is likely related to dry mouth.

Your mouth is stale and sticky when you wake up because your oral tissues are dry, allowing bacteria to accumulate. As they multiply, bacteria form plaque, which is a smelly film you can feel on teeth.

Naturally, poor oral hygiene allows oral bacteria to accumulate in the mouth. Without regular brushing, bacteria reproduce – rapidly. Remember – bacteria are living creatures that have taken up residence in your mouth. All the while, they are eating, reproducing and emitting waste. Could there be a more motivating image to brush?!!!

Periodic dry mouth can be caused by alcoholic beverages or coffee. Although sugary drinks don’t necessarily dry oral tissues, they are an ideal food for bacteria reproduction.

Also drying are some medications, which can decrease saliva flow that works to move bacteria from the mouth. Many antihistamines and some medications for depression and urinary incontinence, among others, can cause dry mouth.

Medical conditions, such as acid reflux, sinus infections, diabetes and bronchitis can also contribute to dry mouth. A bad cold or just being in the habit of breathing through the mouth are drying as well.

And the worst reason of all for dry mouth? Smoking.

Once the reason for your breath odor has been determined, simple measures can often freshen it up!
 – Brush at least twice daily. Use a tongue scraper or brush your tongue with your toothbrush after brushing teeth.
 – Floss daily. If you find this action difficult, buy an electronic or water flosser.
 – Drink plenty of water! If you take medications that have a drying side effect, use an oral rinse that acts as saliva. There are many available over-the-counter.

Nothing assures you of fresh breath like a clean, healthy mouth. If you have symptoms of gum disease or feel you have persistent bad breath, call (828) 274-9440 to arrange an examination.

Connection Between Arthritis & Periodontal Disease

Posted on Jun 11, 2015 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease of the joints, affecting more than 1.3 million American adults. RA can lead to longterm joint damage, persistent pain and compromised function. Because RA can affect manual dexterity, oral hygiene routines at home can be difficult. Insufficient oral hygiene is the leading cause of periodontal disease, which, in turn, is the number one cause of adult tooth loss.

Research has indicated that RA sufferers have a higher incidence of periodontal (gum) disease compared to individuals with a healthy oral condition. Studies have also shown that RA patients are nearly 8 times more likely to have gum disease. However, researchers suspect that poor oral hygiene is not the only factor in an increased occurrence of gum disease in Arthritis sufferers. Study results have shown that while oral hygiene is a determining factor in acquiring gum disease, other parameters point to a deeper association between RA and gum disease.

Because both RA and gum disease create internal inflammation, a connection between the two makes sense. Inflammation is already suspected to be a correlating factor between periodontal disease and other conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. Even though research hasn’t proven a definitive gum disease-arthritis connection, findings increasingly show that periodontal disease doesn’t always occur as a result of RA, it may very well precede it.

The link between RA and gum disease are most prevalent when examining the joints and oral tissues. Oral tissues with the presence of periodontitis compared to tissues of RA-affected joints show a number of similarities. Research has also discovered a genetic link between the two.

Does oral bacteria trigger the development of arthritis? Does oral inflammation cause inflammation in the joints? While there is no definitive proof that one triggers the other, one study does show that treating periodontal disease can help in the prevention of RA. In a study of 40 people, with participants having both RA and gum disease, researchers found that those who who were given non-surgical gum disease treatment showed significantly more improvement in RA symptoms than those who were treated for RA only.

Of course, more research is needed to determine whether treating periodontal disease improves or even helps to prevent RA. In the meantime, people with RA should pay particular attention to oral health. If you have RA, caring for your teeth, both at home and through regular dental checkups, is important. If you have trouble caring for your teeth due to painful joints in the hands, ask your dentist or hygienist to recommend ways to overcome any challenges. Water flossers, electronic tooth brushes and oral rinses may make the task easier.

Although patients with RA are encouraged to maintain a diligent oral home-care regimen, it is highly recommended that any signs of gum disease be immediately treated by a periodontal specialist. These symptoms include gums that bleed when brushing, tender spots or pus pockets on gums, persistent bad breath, gum recession and gums that darken in color. It is also important that the oral care of RA patients is in coordination with their medical professionals.

Do you have Rheumatoid Arthritis? Begin by ensuring your oral health is at its best. A periodontist specializes in the care and treatment of oral tissues and is your expert in overcoming any level of periodontal disease. Call (828) 274-9440 to arrange a consultation.

Major Study On Connection Of Periodontal Disease & Cardiovascular Disease

Posted on Jun 01, 2015 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

As a Periodontal Specialist, I frequently read about research that shows a connection between the bacteria of gum disease and other severe diseases, such as heart disease. The connection makes perfect sense.

Largely unknown by the general population, gum disease bacteria can trigger inflammatory reactions elsewhere in the body. Oral bacteria has been associated with heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, preterm babies, diabetes, arthritis, depression, and even impotency.

Although most infections are obvious, periodontal disease begins silently. Most people do not suspect it until a dentist or periodontist diagnoses it. The National Institutes of Health cites that nearly 75% of American adults have some level of periodontal (gum) disease.

A recent study on periodontal disease included more than 15,000 adults. Their dental health was monitored to determine if one’s oral health could be a risk marker for cardiovascular disease.

Of the 15,828 participants (all with chronic coronary heart disease), 16% had no teeth and 41% had less than 15 remaining teeth. Over one-quarter of the participants had gums that bled when brushing. According to the findings, as the number of remaining teeth declined, the higher the levels for heart disease and diabetes. There was also an increase in higher glucose and cholesterol levels.

While the exact link between oral bacteria and serious diseases is yet to be pinpointed, the evidence of an association has been overwhelming, thus far. It is known that oral bacteria is a definite part of the equation when it comes to heart disease. As research continues, we will share the findings on the link of one to the other.

One thing is certain – your oral health and overall health are connected. Protect both through a thorough regimen of oral hygiene at home along with regular dental check-ups. If you are experiencing symptoms of gum disease or are behind on regular dental care, call us at (828) 274-9440.