Chain Reaction Of Oral Bacteria

Posted on Mar 05, 2015 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Keeping a clean, healthy mouth should be a top priority for American adults. Yet, it is often taken lightly until something hurts. To illustrate the domino effect of oral bacteria’s buildup in the mouth, follow its typical path:

• Failure to brush and floss on a regular basis allows bacteria in the mouth to reproduce, LEADING TO…

• Plaque, a sticky film on teeth, forms from bacteria accumulation. This hardens into a cement-hard substance known as calculus (or tartar), LEADING TO…

• Calculus eats into tooth enamel and gum tissues, causing cavities and gum disease, LEADING TO…

• Early symptoms of gum disease are frequent bad breath, sore and swollen gums, gums that bleed easily when brushing, and pus pockets, LEADING TO…

• The number one cause of adult tooth loss is gum disease. When teeth are lost, the jaw bone supporting them resorbs, or shrinks in mass, LEADING TO…

• Declining bone from tooth loss contributes to bite misalignment, LEADING TO…

• Chipped and worn teeth, jaw joint disorder, headaches, migraines, ringing ears, dizziness, and facial pain are attributable to bite misalignment, LEADING TO…

• Untreated gum disease hastens the process of tooth loss and discomfort with an increased potential for gum disease bacteria to become bloodborne. Oral bacteria in the bloodstream can LEAD TO…

• Inflammatory reactions can be triggered by the bacteria of gum disease. It has been linked to heart disease, stroke, arthritis, diabetes, preterm babies, impotency and more, LEADING TO…

• Costly and debilitating (even deadly) health problems that originate with oral bacteria can be prevented with good oral hygiene, regular dental check-ups and tending to repairs while problems are still small.

Don’t let the chain reaction of oral bacteria put your health at risk, cost your enormous amounts of money, destroy your smile and make you more susceptible to life long health struggles. Take charge of your overall health by tending to your oral health! Call (828) 274-9440 to arrange a thorough examination. This is your first step to a confident smile and healthier you.

Simple Steps To Minimize Oral Bacteria

Posted on Mar 04, 2015 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

As a Periodontist, I have a daily view of the destruction possible by oral bacteria. Rotten, damaged teeth and diseased gum tissues are the result of bacteria buildup in the mouth. However, you can take simple measures to minimize oral bacteria and its overgrowth in the mouth. One way is limiting the frequency of eating and drinking.

Every time you eat or drink something (other than plain water), an acid attack begins in your mouth. This is the initial part of the digestive process. However, what’s in your mouth feed bacteria, helping them to reproduce. While sugary and starchy foods and drinks provide bacteria with an ideal substance for growth, all foods contribute.

Limit your eating to mealtime and avoid snacking. If you must snack, select carrots, celery and foods that actually ‘scrape’ teeth as you chew. Cheeses are other good choices, as they help to neutralize oral acidity.

Flossing and tongue scraping are highly beneficial measures that require minimal time. If you have difficulty flossing, try an electronic version. A tongue scraper is an inexpensive tool but brushing your tongue after tooth brushing (especially towards the back of the tongue) can dislodge a tremendous amount of bacteria embedded in the tongue.

Finally, be sure to keep your 6-month cleaning appointments. During these, destructive plaque buildup is removed and signs of gum disease can be noted. Early signs of gum disease are gums that bleed when brushing, sore and swollen spots on gum tissue, frequent bad breath, and gums that are red rather than a healthy pink.

If you’re past due on dental check-ups or having symptoms of gum disease, contact us at (828) 274-9440 for an appointment. Tending to oral bacteria early can help you avoid costly treatment in the future.

Bad Breath? Who, Me?!!!

Posted on Feb 19, 2015 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

When someone has bad breath, it can hit you like a boxing glove. Unfortunately, it can also make a lasting impression, and not a good one! In addition to cavities and gum disease, bad breath, also known as halitosis, is among the top three reasons people go to the dentist.

While we can all recall an encounter with someone’s rank breath odor, the thoughts of having it ourselves is terrifying, although about 20% of the population reportedly do to some degree. When halitosis is our own, we don’t smell it although it is typically suspected by having a bad taste in our mouth or feeling our mouth is sticky and dry.

In most cases, bad breath is caused by bacteria accumulated in the gums and embedded in the back of the tongue. Certain conditions, including disorders in the nasal cavity, sinuses, throat, lungs, stomach or esophagus can also cause halitosis.

Ridding yourself of common bad breath is easy. Be committed to a twice-daily oral hygiene regimen, use a tongue scraper (particularly on the back of the tongue), floss daily and have regular dental check-ups to detect bacteria in the gums. If your mouth is dry, drink lots of water and use an oral rinse specifically formulated to replace moisture in the mouth.

Just as you avoid body odor with daily showers, you can avoid the ‘label’ of having bad breath by being proactive with your oral hygiene. If you have been irregular with dental cleanings, your mouth may be overly burdened with oral bacteria. Call (828) 274-9440 to arrange an examination so we can determine your oral status and recommend ways to improve your smile’s health for fresher breath!

Why You Can Have Gum Disease When Nothing Hurts?

Posted on Jan 19, 2015 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Because the initial symptoms of periodontal (gum) disease are silent, the early stages of the disease can be perplexing since patients don’t feel anything is wrong. However, like most diseases that form in our bodies, we don’t feel or see anything when they first begin. This allows the disease to progress without our knowledge.

Unfortunately, people tend to delay treatment until the symptoms of periodontal disease are obvious and uncomfortable. These include tender and swollen gums that bleed easily upon brushing, consistent bad breath, and gums that are red in color rather than a healthy pink. As gum disease progresses, pus pockets will form around teeth as bacterial growth accumulate. Eventually, teeth will loosen and need to be removed.

The reasons for a healthy mouth are more numerous than many realize. Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that has been associated with other inflammatory diseases in the body. Because the bacteria of periodontal disease can enter the bloodstream through tears in gum tissue, it has been shown to trigger inflammatory reactions in other parts of the body. This oral bacteria has been linked to cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes and arthritis, just to name a few.

The Center for Disease Control’s Division of Oral Health cites that one out of every two American adults 30 and over has periodontal disease. They also shared statistics, such as periodontal disease is higher in men than women (56.4% vs. 38.4%) with high prevalence rates among smokers (64.2%) and adults 65+, having prevalence rates of 70.1%.

This means that a significant portion of our adult population are living with bacteria-laden oral tissues that can contribute to inflammatory reactions, some with deadly risk levels. In other words, bacteria from gum disease can be a time bomb and should be treated at the earliest possible stage.

Treatment of early stage periodontal disease should require only a few visits with minimal expenses. We also make comfort a priority at all visits, regardless of the procedure being performed. If you suspect you have any level of gum disease, call (828) 274-9440 or visit the web site of the American Academy of Periodontology: www.perio.org.