What ‘Ups’ Your Risk For Gum Disease?

Posted on Sep 30, 2013 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

You may not realize it, but over 47% of adults in the U.S. who are 30 years and older have some form of periodontal (gum) disease. To understand gum disease, it is important to know how it begins.

Gum disease is caused by an accumulation of plaque and tartar. Plaque is the sticky film of bacteria buildup that attaches to teeth. Tartar, the hardened form of plaque, develops when plaque is not removed on a daily basis. Tartar, also known as calculus, can only be removed by special tools in your dentist’s office.

Even though good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups help most people avoid gum disease, certain factors can cause some to be more susceptible, including:

Aging: Studies have indicated that the incidence of periodontal disease increases as we get older. Over 70% of adults who are aged 65 and older have some form of gum disease.

Dry Mouth: Smoking, certain medications, drinking alcohol and aging all contribute to a dry mouth. The saliva in your mouth plays an important part in removing food particles and bacteria. When insufficient saliva cannot cleanse the mouth adequately, bacteria buildup results.

Being Male: Periodontal disease occurs more in men than women (56% vs. 38%).

Smoking: Smoking dries out the tissues in the mouth, increasing one’s susceptibility to calculus. Research shows that smokers lose more teeth than nonsmokers and typically require longer healing times after treatment with results that are less predictable.

Genetics: Because of genetics, you can be predisposed to develop gum disease. Research indicates that 30% of the population may be genetically susceptible to gum disease.

Stress: It has been proven that people who endure long-term stress have a greater risk for developing diseases such as cancer, hypertension and even gum disease. Stress takes a toll on the body’s entire operation, weakening its ability to fight infection.

Medications: The side effects of some drugs can dry out oral tissues and even weaken the density of bones, opening the door for gum disease. Like your physician, your dentist should have an up-to-date list of all medications you take, including herbal supplements.

Grinding Teeth: When you grind and clench your teeth during sleep, the teeth wear down and connective oral tissues are weakened. When the tissues surrounding your teeth are vulnerable, your entire jaw bone area is exposed to certain infections, which can lead to gum disease.

Other Health Issues: People who have diseases such as cancer or heart problems already have weaker immune systems. When the bacteria of gum disease enter the bloodstream through tears in oral tissues, harmful clotting factors and proteins can occur elsewhere in the body. Research has linked gum disease bacteria with heart disease, diabetes, stroke, preterm babies, and memory loss.

Don’t assume, “If it doesn’t hurt, then nothing is wrong.” Like other diseases that form in the body, gum disease begins silently.  When symptoms become obvious, they include bad breath, bleeding gums, soreness in the mouth, and gum recession. Often, these symptoms are assumed to be temporary, enabling the disease to progress further.

A committed oral care regimen as well as involvement with your dentist help, but are not guarantees you’ll avoid them. The more you know about periodontal disease and what makes you individually more susceptible, the more proactive you can be.

To learn more, visit the American Academy of Periodontology’s web site: www.perio.org. Or, call our office at (828) 297-2774 to arrange a periodontal exam.

Dental Implants & Smoking

Posted on Jun 03, 2013 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

We all know that smoking isn’t good for our health, which certainly includes oral health. Smoking complicates the body’s natural ability to heal. It has a drying effect on gum tissues and minimizes blood oxygen, resulting in delayed healing process. Smoking also contributes to a greater potential for bacterial build-up.

To place an implant, both gum tissue and bone are involved in the process. The dental specialist must go through gum tissues to reach the bone, placing each implant at a precise depth and angle. Once the implant is placed, it can take two to six months to become fully anchored by the bone.

For proper healing during this time, a patient needs normal blood circulation to ensure gum recovery and sufficient oxygen levels for the regeneration of bone surrounding the implant. Failures most often occur during this ‘osseo-integration’ phase when the bone is growing around the implant.

In addition, patients can develop a condition known as peri–implantitis. This can cause inflammation around the implant site and pockets of pus that form in gum tissues. Although the potential to develop peri–implantitis exists for any dental implant patient, smokers have a substantially higher risk.

For smokers who develop infections after implant surgery, medications used to combat the infection have a lesser effect because the potency of antibiotics does not work as well on smokers. When infection is not eliminated and works its way into the implant area, your risk for losing the implant is significant.

Because of the greater risk factors, some dental specialists refuse to place dental implants in smokers. With so many negative effects, it is highly advisable to stop smoking prior to implant placement. Just like a hip or knee replacement, implants are not guaranteed because of extenuating circumstances while the healing process is primarily in the hands of the patient.

You can greatly enhance your success rate by quitting smoking at least one week prior to placement and throughout the recovery period. Consider using dental implant treatment to motivate you to become smoke free.

Keep in mind that dental implants enable you to eat a healthy selection of foods while restoring eating comfort and smiling confidence. The many benefits you’ll reap with dental implants are well worth kicking the habit.

Tips For Arthritis Sufferers To Protect Oral Health

Posted on May 14, 2013 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

If you are an arthritis sufferer, you are twice as likely to develop periodontal (gum) disease. Gum disease is the country’s number one cause of tooth loss and has been linked to serious health problems. These include coronary artery disease, stroke, diabetes, and memory loss. Findings published by the Journal of Periodontology stated that patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) had an average tooth loss of 11.6 teeth compared to 6.7 teeth of other participants in the study.

RA is the nation’s leading cause of disability and limits the daily activities of over 7 million Americans. Because we understand the physical limitations RA can cause, the following tips are provided to make your oral hygiene at home easier.

• Water irrigators can remove food particles and plaque between teeth.

• Electric toothbrushes and floss holders can reduce the amount of effort required by the hands.

• Wrap toothbrush handles with a sponge hair roller to create a more comfortable, thicker grip.

• Replace knob-type faucets with levers, which are easier to turn on and off.

• Insufficient saliva in the mouth increases the risk of bacterial growth. Drink plenty of water to keep your mouth moist. If you are taking medications that are drying, oral rinses are available to help maintain oral moisture. Minimize caffeine, alcohol, and smoking, all which are drying to oral tissues.

With a good oral care commitment, RA sufferers can maintain a healthy smile and prevent tooth loss. If you suffer with arthritis, overcoming the physical limitations to protect your smile will result in a constant reminder that YOU are in charge of your health!

Surprising Things That Make Breath Odor WORSE!

Posted on Apr 04, 2013 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Contrary to what most believe, bad breath is not caused by certain foods we eat. It typically results from sulfur compounds, which are released during the digestive process. These sulfur compounds are released from the back of the tongue and throat, giving off an unpleasant odor.

While some companies now promote products to conquer bad breath, some merely mask the problem or even cause more harm. Home remedies are also risky, as many can actually make the problem worse. The following contributors to bad breath may surprise you:

• Breath mints – Long-lasting sugar candies create acid attacks in the mouth, increasing cavity risk.

• Tongue piercing – Tongue jewelry tends to harbor more bacteria on your tongue, adding to the potential for bad breath.

• Alcoholic beverages – Saliva helps to remove oral bacteria. Alcohol is drying to oral tissues and reduces the amount of saliva in your mouth.

• Mint chew tobacco – Smokeless tobacco causes gums to recede. This increases the chance of losing the bone and fibers that hold teeth in position. The mint does nothing to conceal odor that originates from gum problems.

The best way to eliminate bad breath is thorough dental care. Factors other than food can be causing breath odor, such as gum disease, dry mouth, or certain medical conditions. If you have persistent bad breath (or suspect you do), call (828) 274-9440 to arrange a consultation appointment.