An Apple A Day For Dental Health, Too!

Posted on Oct 02, 2014 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

We’ve all heard that “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Apples are loaded with antioxidants and are a good source of fiber, making them a good snack or dessert for your overall health, including your smile.

Munching a crisp, fresh apple requires chewing action that activates an increase in saliva. In addition to having more saliva to help cleanse your mouth, the texture of the apple gives teeth a mini-cleaning and the gums healthy stimulation for increased blood flow.

Just be sure to purchase organic apples only. An average commercially-grown apple has more pesticide residue than all other fruits and vegetables. According to USDA data, pesticides have been found in 98% of even washed apples and can contain up to 48 types of pesticides. This is definitely one food worth the added expense of buying organic!

If you’ve had to give up foods like apples because of undependable dentures, ask for a Consultation appointment to discuss Dental Implants. Implants can secure a denture, enabling you to eat all the foods you love again – including apples! Call (828) 274-9440.

Why Saliva Is So Important

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

Why is it so important to your oral health (teeth and gums) to maintain sufficient moisture in your mouth? Your saliva plays an important part in removing food particles and bacteria. Certain medications, age, or particular foods and beverages (alcohol, especially) can contribute to dry mouth.

A dry mouth enables oral bacteria to ‘hang around’ and multiply. The longer bacteria remains in your mouth, the more reproduce. This build up is the beginning of the sticky film that forms plaque. While daily brushing and flossing certainly helps to curtail the accumulation of bacteria, without a sufficient flow of saliva, this cleansing battle becomes too much for bristles and string alone.

Oral moisture is particularly important for those who are more susceptible than others to this bacteria. While all people have bacteria in their bodies, two kinds (abbreviated as SM and LB) are especially harmful in the mouth.

An estimated 75% of Americans over the age of 35 have some form of periodontal disease. Gum disease is also the nation’s leading cause of tooth loss. Missing teeth create a long list of problems, from gastrointestinal to psychological. In a country as advanced as ours, our population should have better dental health.

Be committed to having exceptional oral health at every age and ensure adequate moisture by drinking plenty of water. If needed, you can use an over-the-counter oral moisture rinse to counteract drying effects of medications or aging. For suggestions, call us at (828) 274-9440.

Long, Sensitive Teeth From Gum Recession

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

Gum recession occurs when gum tissues that frame the teeth wear or pull away. This exposes dark areas of the tooth’s root, which tend to be sensitive to hot, cold or brushing. Gum recession also causes “long” teeth, which detracts from one’s smile.

Receded gums are also a sign of gum disease. This occurs from the formation of “pockets” of pus or bacterial buildup between the teeth and gum line. If untreated, the tissues and bone that support the teeth can be damaged and eventually result in tooth loss.

In most cases, gum recession occurs gradually. The first sign of gum recession is usually tooth sensitivity or teeth that seem longer. Although gum disease is the leading cause of recession, there are other factors that can lead to gum recession as well, including:

Being too rigorous in tooth brushing: Brushing your teeth with too much pressure or “scrubbing” teeth with a hard bristle tooth brush can cause the enamel on teeth to wear away and the gums to recede.

Poor dental hygiene: When your brushing and flossing regimen is insufficient, bacterial accumulation results in plaque, which turns into calculus. Plaque (also known as tartar) is a cement-like substance that can only be removed from teeth by a professional.

Smoking: The chemicals in tobacco are drying to oral tissues. This increases your likelihood for the formation of plaque on teeth, which can lead to gum recession.

Grinding and clenching teeth: When you clench or grind your teeth at night, the force this places on teeth can cause the gums to recede.

Female hormonal fluctuations: When hormonal levels change, such as occurs in puberty, pregnancy and menopause, the gums can be more sensitive and more susceptible to gum recession.

Crooked teeth or bite misalignment: When teeth are not in proper alignment, there is added force placed on the gums and supporting bone. This often leads to gum recession.

Exposed areas of teeth can cause sensitivity as well as make you more susceptible to decay or gum disease. Repairing these areas can be performed in our office comfortably and quickly.

The best time to treat gum recession is as soon as it is noticed. Don’t wait until the gums have pulled away to the extent where more involved grafting is required. When caught early, your time and expense in treatment will be minimal. Call (828) 274-9440 for more information.

Medication Side Effects That May Surprise You

Posted on Aug 06, 2014 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

For new patients, we ask them to complete a medical/dental history form PLUS a list of all medications they are currently taking. Although this may seem ‘busy work,’ it is vital information for your care in our office.

Some medications contribute to dry mouth, a side effect of more than 400 medications. Without a sufficient flow of saliva, oral bacteria  can accumulate, which results in plaque. This makes you more susceptible to periodontal (gum) disease and tooth decay. If your physician cannot prescribe an alternative medication that is less drying to the mouth, drink 6-8 glasses of water daily. We can also recommend oral rinses to help replenish saliva.

However, many medications can contribute to oral problems, some of which may surprise you. In fact, adults taking antidepressants and high blood pressure medications were found to have elevated levels of plaque and signs of gingivitis. Many cough drops, medications in syrup form and antacids contain sugars that can leave a sticky residue on teeth, making them more susceptible to decay. Certain antibiotics and ibuprofen can cause lesions or ulcers in the mouth.

Gingival enlargement, a condition that causes the gums to swell and grow over teeth, can lead to severe periodontal infection. In particular, calcium channel blockers used to control high blood pressure can contribute to this gum tissue overgrowth.

Oral contraceptives and blood pressure medications have been linked to mouth sores and inflammation. Tetracycline, typically used for treating acne, can discolor teeth as well as supporting bone.

While you may assume that herbal supplements don’t apply, they can actually have serious side effects for some dental patients. For example, Ginkgo Biloba and Vitamin E can act as blood thinners. When combined with aspirin, the combination may cause difficulties in blood clotting. For patients undergoing surgical procedures, this can be a serious problem.

Taking high dosages of vitamins before undergoing anesthesia can also put you at risk. For instance, high doses of Vitamin C can weaken the efficiency of anesthesia. On the flip side, supplements such as Kava Kava or St. John’s Wort can accentuate anesthesia’s effectiveness.

It is important that we know all prescription and over-the-counter medications you take. This way, we can help you avoid issues that can be risky or leave you vulnerable to problems. Be sure to keep us informed of any new medications you are taking at each visit as well as those that have been eliminated from the list we have in your file.

While not all side effects create great risk, we want to ensure each visit provides you with an optimal outcome. Working together, we can achieve this! If you have questions about any medications, please call us at (828) 274-9440 or bring us a current medication list (including dosage) to your next visit.