Smile Your Way To A Healthier Heart

Posted on Apr 13, 2015 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Want a healthy heart? Start with your smile!

There are a number of studies that suggest that oral health and gum disease are related to serious conditions like heart disease.

The link between periodontal (gum) disease and heart disease hasn’t been pinpointed, however, there is strong evidence that the two do, indeed, have a connection. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, people with gum disease are nearly twice as likely to have heart disease. One study found that the presence of common oral problems such as gingivitis, cavities and missing teeth, were as good at predicting heart disease as cholesterol levels.

The culprit seems to lie in the way oral bacteria can trigger inflammatory reactions elsewhere in the body. It begins when the bacteria of gum disease enters the bloodstream through gum tissues weakened by gum disease.

Inflammation in the body is a normal, healthy reaction, to an extent. For example, when you cut yourself, pro-inflammatory hormones in the body recruit white blood cells to battle infection and damaged tissue. Normal inflammation of pain, redness, and swelling are indications that your immune system is acting appropriately. As healing progresses, the inflammation subsides.

However, when inflammation is turned on and remains that way, it is like being on fire from the inside out. Symptoms of inflammation that don’t recede mean your immune system is in continual fighting mode. What began as a healthy reaction to protect your body is now stuck in the ‘on’ position. The inflammation has now gone from a healthy reaction to a damaging presence.

Precisely how oral bacteria triggers an inflammatory response is still under the microscope. Until more is known, take every measure to ensure your oral health is excellent. Brush and floss, eat a healthy diet, drink lots of water, have dental check-ups and cleanings every six months, and tend to oral problems promptly, such as crowning cracked teeth or repairing cavities.

Think of your mouth as the opening to your entire body, because it is! Make a healthy smile a priority to reduce your risk of chronic inflammation in the body so your smile goes all the way to your heart!

Call (828) 274-9440 if you have not had regular dental care and wish to develop a ‘clean slate’ for lasting oral wellness! Your smile and your heart will thank you!

Are YOU At Risk For Oral Cancer?

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

None of us anticipate contracting cancer in our lifetime. We may have a family history of certain cancers or know we’re risking cancer from certain lifestyle choices, such as smoking. Yet, the actual diagnosis of cancer is typically an unexpected jolt.

Oral cancer fails to be as visible as some other cancers, such as breast or colon cancer. It doesn’t have the backing of major media campaigns nor is it backed by nationally-coordinated fundraisers, such as walks sponsored by major firms. Yet, oral cancer is one of the deadliest of all cancers with one of the poorest survival rates. For those who do survive, the disfiguring effects from treatment can be jarring. Roger Ebert, one of the most recognized movie critics of modern film, succumbed to oral cancer after undergoing surgical attempts to save him, leaving him unrecognizable in his final days.

The American Cancer Society cites oral cancer is more than twice as common in men as in women. It is about equally common in blacks and in whites. Although the overall rate of new cases has been stable in men and decreasing slightly in women, there has been an increase in cases linked to infection with human papilloma virus (HPV) in white males and females.

Oral cancer occurs most often in:
• The tongue
• The tonsils & oropharynx
• The gums, base of the mouth and in other oral soft tissues
• The lips and salivary glands

The average age of people diagnosed with these cancers is 62 with more than a fourth of oral cancers occurring in patients under age 55.

With newly diagnosed oral cancer patients, a small percentage will develop another cancer in a nearby area such as the larynx (voice box), the esophagus (the tube in the throat) or the lung. Some who are cured of oral cancer will develop another cancer later in the lung, mouth, throat, or other nearby areas. For this reason, patients must have follow-up exams for the rest of their lives. Oral cancer survivors must also avoid tobacco and alcohol, which increase the risk for these second cancers.

The word “cancer” on its own is scary. For those who must endure the battle as well as family members who are closely involved, an oral cancer diagnosis is devastating. But, it doesn’t have to be a death sentence. Knowing your risks can help, but watching for signs and taking immediate action can mean the difference between minimal treatment versus a disfiguring, or even deadly, outcome.

Warning signs include a mouth sore that does not heal, white or red patch of tissue, difficulty swallowing, a lump or mass in the mouth or neck, a long period of hoarseness, pain or numbness in the oral region, change in the voice, or a long period of ear pain.

As a Periodontal Specialist, I have in-depth training that helps me spot early signs of oral cancer and to begin prompt treatment. My goal is to help restore you to good oral health in all procedures. Catching oral cancer as early as possible will help you resume your life with a smile.

If you have signs of oral cancer, as listed above, contact us immediately for an examination: (828) 274-9440.

Risk To Jaw Bone From Bisphosphonates

Posted on Apr 06, 2015 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

As we age, our bone strength and density naturally declines. If you’ve ever seen an adult who is permanently hunched over when they stand or walk, that’s commonly due to severe osteoporosis. Avoiding such health issues has motivated millions of adults to take bisphosphonates to minimize, prevent or counteract further bone loss. An unfortunate side effect of bisphosphonates, however, is bone necrosis.

Bone necrosis is a condition that occurs when there is loss of blood to the bone. Because bone is living tissue that requires blood, an interruption to the blood supply causes the bone to die and eventually collapse. Osteo-necrosis of the jaw develops when the jaw bone fails to heal after a minor injury or disruption to the bone that requires healing — for example, having a tooth pulled or an implant placed.

Although the risk level for those who take oral bisphosphonates (such as Fosamax, Actonel, Boniva) is low, a higher risk exists for those taken as part of cancer therapy.  These are given intravenously (such as Aredia, Bonefos, Didronel, Zometa) to reduce bone pain and abnormally high calcium levels in the blood.

The precise cause-and-effect relationship between bisphosphonate use and jaw osteo-necrosis is still unknown. The Mayo Clinic estimates the risk is 0.1 percent, meaning the condition occurs in 1 out of every 1,000 taking bisphosphonates over the period of a year or more. Although the risk is low, it still exists.

Taking bisphosphonates does not prevent one from having dental implants or other dental procedures. For example, we have our dental implant patients stop taking the medication six months prior to the placement procedure. Once their implant treatment is complete, they can resume bisphosphonate medication.

Other medications can also have adverse effects when your dental professional is not informed of all you are taking. For example, Coumadin, a blood thinner, can cause a greater degree of bleeding during extractions and other procedures. This is why it is important to provide your dentist with a list of all medications you take and the dosage of each. This includes herbal supplements.

Our goal is to create an ideal outcome for every procedure you have in our office. If you have questions, call (828) 274-9440.

Form A Habit Of Flossing To Prevent Many Problems

Posted on Apr 02, 2015 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

As a Periodontist, I’ve heard every reason in the book why people don’t floss. And, for every reason, there is an even better one to make daily flossing a priority!

Flossing removes food particles that become wedged between teeth. It also helps remove the sticky buildup of bacteria that forms plaque. Keeping oral bacteria at a minimum helps to prevent bad breath, cavities, gingivitis and gum disease.

Everyone can floss easily with some basic pointers and a little practice. For easy flossing instructions, read up on these tips:

• Use about 18 inches of floss. Nylon floss (waxed or unwaxed) is inexpensive but can shred between teeth with tight contact points. If this occurs, try the single filament floss (although higher-priced), which slides easily between teeth and is shred-resistant.
• Use a mirror with good lighting so you can see the inside of your mouth.
• Wind the floss around the middle fingers of each hand with a couple of inches hanging loose to work with.
• Stretch the floss between your thumbs and index fingers and slide it in-between your teeth, curving the floss around the base of each tooth and beneath the gumline. Avoid popping the floss down between the teeth. This can tear tender gum tissue. Remove the floss using the same back-and-forth motion, moving it up and away from the teeth.
• About every 3-4 teeth, loosen the floss from fingers and retighten to use clean sections. This will also keep your fingers from becoming uncomfortable.

Do this every night for one week. After seven nights, flossing should be easy enough to do in about half the time it took on the first night. You may also find you no longer need the mirror!

Our Hygienists are terrific instructors. Their goal is to help you avoid problems in the first place. Flossing is definitely an effective means of doing so.

If your gums are tender or bleed when you brush, you already have the beginning stage of gum disease. Call (910) 254-4555 to arrange an examination as soon as possible. Gum disease only worsens without treatment, which can eventually lead to tooth loss.