Feel Good When You Smile, From The Inside Out!

Posted on Jun 01, 2016 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

What makes you smile? REALLY smile?

You may find yourself smiling joyfully when a child or grandbaby smiles at you. A favorite comic or a funny movie may cause you to open up and smile or laugh. Isn’t it great to smile? Smiling just seems to make us feel great!

However, certain reasons leave many adults feeling self-conscious about smiling, causing them to conceal their smile or ‘hold back’ rather than reveal a full smile.

An attractive smile looks good and creates an impression of an upbeat, happy individual. Healthy teeth and gums also project good health standards. And, people who feel good about their smile tend to smile more often.

The benefits of an attractive smile actually go much deeper than enhancing one’s facial appearance. Research has shown that smiling activates endorphins, which are the ‘feel good’ chemicals in the brain. Studies also show that faking a smile when you don’t feel like smiling tricks the brain into releasing endorphins.

Smiling can also add years to one’s life. Some studies indicate that people who smile more often can add ten years to their lifespans, on average. People who frown more often live an average of three years less!

There are a number of reasons that can make individuals feel less apt to smile openly. Cosmetic flaws, such as teeth that are stained or crooked, can detract from the appearance of a smile. As a Periodontist, I see people who have severe gum disease, missing teeth or a gummy smile.

If you are not smiling as often or as openly as you’d like, let’s start with the foundation of your smile — your gums. The health of your periodontal (gum) tissues provides the foundation for your teeth. If you are experiencing symptoms of gum disease, you may have gum recession. This is when the gums pull away from the teeth, exposing darker sections of tooth roots.

Gum disease also causes frequent bad breath and tender gums that turn red in color versus the pink tint of healthy gums. The disease can cause gums to bleed when brushing and eventually leads to loose teeth. In some cases, teeth have to be removed. As a matter of fact, gum disease is the nation’s leading cause of adult tooth loss. And, studies have shown that nearly half (47.2%) of American adults suffer with some level of gum disease. (https://www.perio.org/consumer/cdc-study.htm)

When teeth are lost, many people worry about wearing dentures or partials. Typical concerns are teeth that don’t look (or feel) natural, embarrassing slips, difficulty eating certain foods and chewing discomfort. These common problems have motivated many adults to opt for Dental Implants.

Dental Implants are positioned in the jaw bone, restoring the same, stable foundation as that of natural tooth roots. This restores your ability to bite and chew the foods you love comfortably and confidently. And, since the teeth attached to the implants are custom-designed for each individual, creating an improved smile appearance is incorporated into the process.

If a gummy smile prevents you from smiling widely, repairing it can be done in a single visit, in most cases. This repositions the gum tissue that arches the teeth most visible in a smile. For many who have a gummy smile, the procedure enables them to finally open up and smile without feeling awkward.

Crown lengthening can also add beautifully to the appearance of a smile. This recontours the gums so the smile line (the gums over teeth) is more even.

Healthy teeth and gums can make a dramatic improvement in one’s appearance, self-esteem, confidence level. Let this year be the year of your best smile! Begin with a consultation to discuss a confident smile that you’ll share openly and often! Call 828-274-9440 for an appointment.

When It Comes To Replacing Missing Teeth, Dental Implants Are The Ideal

Posted on May 16, 2016 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Modern dentistry provides excellent options to replace missing teeth. When replacing several teeth in one area, a standard method has been a crown and bridge combination. However, when considering all options along with the advantages and challenges of each, Dental Implants stand out as the ideal, for many reasons. They are the closest thing to the look, feel and function of natural teeth. Quite frankly, the only deterrent for most is the higher cost of implants.

When a bridge is used to replace missing teeth, it must be attached to neighboring teeth on both sides for support. This requires that the supporting teeth to be crowned for this reason alone. Remember, once a tooth is crowned (or ‘capped’), it will always require a crown. When a Dental Implant is placed, it does not rely on the support of adjacent teeth.

Without the presence of natural tooth roots in the jaw bone, the bone begins to decline in mass. This process is known as resorption. This can become more obvious when the area of gum tissue under (or above) the bridge diminishes in height. Eventually, a gap may be visible between the bottom of the bridge and the gums.

As the bone declines in mass, the teeth supporting the bridge are more susceptible to problems. On average, the next teeth to be lost are teeth adjacent to areas of missing teeth. This is one reason Dental Implants have such an edge. They actually recreate the presence of tooth roots, halting the bone resorption process. And, since implants are held by the jaw, just as natural tooth roots, they restore dependable biting and stable chewing.

For those who are missing two or more teeth, one Dental Implant can often support a ‘bridge’ of teeth. Because the cost of implant treatment depends greatly on the number of implants placed, this helps to keep expenses more manageable for most.

Dental Implants are made from a material that bonds successfully with your jaw bone. Properly chosen, placed and maintained, an implant can last a lifetime. Dental Implants will never need root canals, do not decay and do not compromise the well-being of adjacent natural teeth. And, because implants become a part of you, they are your ‘own teeth’ once again! They’re like a “do over” for tooth loss!

Although the initial costs are higher than many options for tooth replacement, the advantages provide a wise investment when compared with other tooth replacement options. If you are considering replacing teeth, call 828-254-9440 for a consultation.

How To Prevent Oral Problems & Expensive Treatment

Posted on Apr 28, 2016 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Let’s face it – health care is expensive. Although insurance coverages help, just the price of the coverage is a strain for many people. The 2014 National Health Expenditures report estimated that U.S. adults spend over $9,523 per year on health care.

Caring for your smile requires a monetary commitment as well. The Government Accountability Office reported that between 1996 – 2010, the average out-of-pocket dental costs per individual per year increased 26%, from $520 to $653.

While these expenses are hefty amounts for most, caring for our health does require an investment and one that is well worth the cost. Even though people are typically committed to annual screenings and exams, many often fail to place an equal priority on their oral health.

Your smile influences far more than facial appearance. The presence of teeth is vital for maintaining jaw bone mass, processing a healthy diet and feeling confident in social settings. It is a fact that people who wear dentures have more gastrointestinal problems, take more medications and eat out less.

However, a deeper problem can emerge from having poor oral health. The bacteria of periodontal (gum) disease have been found to create internal inflammation elsewhere in the body. These inflammatory reactions trigger a higher risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, arthritis, preterm babies and impotency.

Gum disease is also the nation’s leading cause of adult tooth loss. And, it’s running rampant in the U.S. It is estimated that over 47% of adults over the age of 30 have some level of gum disease. For those who are over age 65, 64% are said to have moderate to severe gum disease.

As a Periodontal Specialist, the majority of the problems I see and treat could have been prevented altogether. By taking proactive measures, it’s actually easy to prevent oral problems and costs for repairs. Simply spending a few minutes each day and having 6-month check-ups can save you greatly.

Your dentist structures your regular oral hygiene visits to remove buildup that can lead to problems or catch ones that may have emerged at early stages. Early treatment can help to keep time and expenses needed for repairs to a minimum.

The ‘way to save’ begins at home, for the most part. Your oral care routine at home can help you avoid problems by keeping oral bacteria to minimal levels. When performed correctly, twice-daily brushing and flossing are very effective in reducing oral bacteria and preventing buildup. Brush (for at least two minutes each time) using a soft to medium bristle brush and fluoridated tooth paste.

However, brushing without flossing is like rinsing off in the shower but not using soap. After brushing, food particles can remain between teeth, which provide oral bacteria the sustenance they need to thrive and reproduce. When you feel a sticky film on teeth and gums (known as plaque), it is actually an accumulation of oral bacteria.

For those who are in the habit of flossing, it takes about a minute a day. And this one minute can make a world of difference in helping to keep oral bacteria from damaging tooth enamel and gum tissues. If you would like, our dental hygienist can show you how to comfortably hold floss and move it easily between teeth (even those hard-to-reach teeth). However, for those who have dexterity problems, an electronic flosser can make the task easy but still very effective.

Oral bacteria can also be greatly reduced by using a tongue scraper. This tool gently uproots oral bacteria that are embedded in the tongue. Scrape 2 – 3 times over the tongue, starting at the back of the tongue where most bacteria exist and rinse after each pass. You can also brush your tongue after brushing your teeth, if preferred.

For many, a surprising cause for oral bacterial growth is ‘dry mouth.’ The natural flow of saliva in the mouth is designed to continually rinse oral bacteria. When saliva levels are low, oral bacteria can accumulate quickly. Smoking, alcohol, caffeine, some medications and mouth breathing (such as snoring) are all drying to oral tissues. The aging process and some health conditions, including anemia, hypertension, arthritis and diabetes also contribute to causes of dry mouth.

To lessen the negative effects of dry mouth, drink plenty of water throughout the day. If you take medications that are drying to the mouth, ask your doctor about alternative options. Also, consider using an over-the-counter mouth wash designed specifically to replenish oral moisture.

To protect the tooth’s enamel, delay brushing after eating for 20 – 30 minutes. The reason? Each time you eat, an acid attack begins in your mouth. While this is a helpful part of the digestive process, these acids tend to soften tooth enamel for about 30 minutes. Brushing during this time can wear away precious tooth enamel.

It may seem expensive to absorb the cost for crowning a tooth, but it can actually prevent costly future problems or even tooth loss. A tooth that is too laden with fillings or has cracks is vulnerable to breaking. If the break extends below the gum line, the tooth must be removed. This leaves you with an entirely new set of expenses.

Missing teeth affect the alignment of surrounding teeth and increase the risk for broken, chipped or worn teeth. Misaligned teeth can lead to night-time clenching and grinding as well as migraines, headaches, sore jaw joints, pain in facial and neck muscles, dizziness and ear ringing.

The added bonus of a healthy mouth is fresh breath and the ability to avoid preventable problems from occurring – thus, saving you time and money. Be committed to your dental health every day. You will be greatly rewarded!

If you are experiencing problems with missing teeth or have tender gums that bleed easily when brushing, call 828-274-9440 for an appointment.

How Teeth Add Years To Your Life

Posted on Apr 19, 2016 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Studies have shown that denture wearers live, on average, ten years less than adults who have their natural teeth.

Years ago, many adults assumed they’d lose their natural teeth as a ‘normal’ part of the aging process. Today, we know that is not the case. Or, it doesn’t have to be. Typically, losing natural teeth is well within our control. And, keeping our natural teeth is an important component of maintaining good overall health.

Natural teeth are held by the upper or lower jaw, with their roots embedded in the bone. This dependable, stable foundation of bone allows us to bite and chew thoroughly and comfortably. The ability to eat a diet of protein rich meats, fiber rich vegetables laden with vitamins and minerals, and healthy fruits helps our bodies reap the nutrition it needs to function properly.

When dentures slip or ‘give’ while trying to bite and chew, it can cause discomfort and lead to embarrassing moments when dining with others. This is why denture wearers will gravitate to foods that are soft and dissolve easily in the mouth. Unfortunately, these choices typically lack the fiber and nutritional makeup needed to keep our systems in proper order.

Hence, denture wearers tend to take more medications and have more gastro-intestinal problems than those who have their natural teeth. Because of fearing awkward slips, many start to decline invitations to outings that are centered around food. This decrease in social involvement is not good for one’s health, either.

Another problem is bone loss. When tooth roots are no longer embedded in the jaw bone, the bone begins to shrink. This decline in bone mass causes changes in facial appearance that are aging far beyond one’s actual years. For example, when the chin points and the mouth seems to collapse inward, this creates a ‘granny look.’ Perhaps this is why female denture wearers tend to wear less makeup than those who have their natural teeth. They simply feel old and are resigned to look it as well.

As a Periodontist, my specialty includes the diagnosis and placement of Dental Implants. One of the main benefits of Dental Implants is their ability to halt bone loss. Because implants are placed in the jaw bone, they mimic the presence of natural tooth roots. And, since they are held in the bone, Dental Implants restore the ability to bite and chew that is comfortable and worry-free.

What some of my patients share is how their Dental Implants are their “secret.” Dental Implants restore a smile that is healthy and natural looking. So, no one needs to know your teeth are not your real teeth except you! And, you’ll enjoy knowing they are designed to last your lifetime.

If you wear dentures, you’ll know when bone loss has begun. Your dentures will move in spite of denture adhesives and pastes. Small particles of food, such as nut pieces or seeds, will become trapped under the denture and pierce tender gum tissues. And, even though relines will improve the movement and discomfort for a time, the process of bone loss will continue until, eventually, even relines are of little help.

Protect your smile, your health and your confidence. Look into Dental Implants and learn which are most appropriate for your needs. You deserve to live a full, rich life and Dental Implants can help you do just that! Call 828-274-9440 for a consultation appointment.