Use HSA Funds Or Insurance Benefits Before End Of Year

Posted on Sep 22, 2016 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

As we’re staring October in the face, we realize that the end of 2016 is right around the corner. This typically prompts many of us to assess that list of things we wanted (or needed) to accomplish during the year. If you’re like me, there are a few things still hanging.

Each year, we begin with a number of goals. Now, we must face reality as to what we accomplished. Did we have our annual physical? Did we stick to our exercise/weight loss plan? Did we add to our retirement plan? And so on.

With three months to go in the year, this is no time to panic, but to act. However, as a periodontal specialist, I want to be sure your list includes a couple of items, whether you began the year with them or not. As you look at unused insurance benefits or available HSA funds, this is an excellent time to tend to 2016 goals.

First, did you have an Oral Cancer screening? If you had your 6-month dental check-ups and cleanings, that was likely a part of one of the visits. It’s wise to be certain, however. If you’re not sure, call your dental office and ask.

Did you stick to your daily brushing and flossing commitment? You can prevent much in the way of costs and treatment time by avoiding dental problems in the first place. Twice daily brushing (at least two minutes per time) and daily flossing is an excellent way to keep oral bacteria levels under control. Go further by using a tongue scraper each day. Or, brush your tongue at the end of brushing your teeth. This removes an enormous amount of oral bacteria that has taken up residence in your tongue.

Did you accomplish dental repairs to prevent tooth loss? Although I don’t place crowns, I see patients occasionally who have unfortunately lost a tooth because they postponed having one crowned. When your dentist finds cracks or fractures in teeth, he or she may advise having the tooth crowned. This is also the advice for teeth that are overloaded with fillings. If the tooth breaks below the gum line, it requires removal in most cases. Losing a natural tooth leaves you with a new list of expenses and treatment time. A crown can help you avoid this.

Did you achieve the smiling confidence you wanted? For people who wear dentures or partials, the associated discomfort and instability while chewing can be miserable. Dental Implants can solve these problems, restoring a dependable, secure bite. And, because Dental Implants are designed to last a lifetime, they are a wise investment. Begin with a consultation to discuss your best options.

Do you feel good about the appearance of your smile? People who smile often not only appear happier, they are. Research has shown that smiling releases brain chemicals called endorphins. These give us a happiness boost. And, it has also been found that people who smile often live, on average, ten years longer than frequent frowners (who actually decrease their lifespans by a year, on average).

Your smile is not only a part of your facial appearance, it complements your personality and supports your overall health and well-being. Be as dedicated to a healthy smile as you are having a healthy body because, when it comes right down to it, a healthy smile and a healthy body are meant to work as one.

 

Tooth Loss NOT Natural Part Of Aging Process

Posted on Sep 12, 2016 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Many of us can remember spending the night at our grandparents’ homes and being shocked to see their teeth soaking in a glass. Seeing our grandmother’s smile in a glass by the sink was a pretty unsettling sight!

While our grandparents may have been resigned to an eventual life with dentures, modern dentistry knows tooth loss need not be the case. Poor oral hygiene was not always the cause of tooth loss, either. Many in our grandparents’ era were taught to use a stiff toothbrush and baking soda and scrub their teeth hard. They thought that seeing blood in the sink meant they were doing a good job.

Today we know better. Substances such as baking soda and hard bristle toothbrushes are too abrasive for tooth enamel. Once enamel is worn away, the tooth becomes vulnerable to decay and cracks. Using modern techniques in brushing, flossing and keeping sufficient moisture in the mouth, adults can enjoy a naturally-healthy smile that lasts a lifetime.

In a five-year National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the statistics of tooth loss among older adults has declined somewhat over the years. However, still today those over the age of 65 only have an average 18.90 remaining teeth. Sadly, over 27% of seniors over the age of 65 have no remaining teeth at all.

The repercussions of tooth loss go far beyond the challenges of wearing dentures. Yet, dentures only contribute to the problems. The problem begins under the gums where your teeth were once held by the jaw bone. Without tooth roots to provide stimulation to the jaw, the bone begins to shrink. This process, known as “resorption,” leads to eventual tooth loss. This sets into motion a domino effect. It is a fact that the tooth beside where a tooth is now missing will be the next to go.

It is also a fact that people with their natural teeth live, on average, ten years longer than denture wearers. This is likely due to the ability to eat a healthy diet and stay active socially. People who wear dentures tend to decline social invitations since most are centered around food. The fear of embarrassing slips and uncomfortable rubbing makes most events seem a challenge.

You CAN keep your teeth all your life! Here are ways to help…

• Daily brushing and flossing is the gold standard in removing oral bacteria from the mouth. Brush for two minutes each time with a soft to medium bristle tooth brush using a fluoridated toothpaste. Use a swirling motion rather than a back-&-forth scrubbing motion. Floss daily. Brush your tongue or use a tongue scrapper to remove bacteria embedded in the grooves of the tongue.

• Be committed to your 6-month exams and cleanings, which give your mouth a periodic clean slate by removing accumulated tartar. Tartar is the cement-like attachments to teeth that the Hygienist scrapes off during cleanings. These are actually hardened colonies of oral bacteria that eat away at gum tissues and tooth enamel. These check-ups can also catch problems while still small.

• Keep your mouth moist. A dry mouth enables the growth of oral bacteria. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Limit foods and beverages that are caffeinated, which are drying to oral tissues. These include coffee, tea, colas and chocolate as well as spicy foods. If you take medications that have drying side effects, use an oral rinse designed to replenish moisture. Also, chew sugarless gum to help promote saliva flow.

• Limit carbs and sugar. The acids produced in the mouth by carbohydrates and sugary foods and beverages create an ideal environment for bacterial reproduction. While all foods trigger an acid attack in the mouth for 20-30 minutes after eating, sugar and carbs super-charge the reproduction of oral bacteria. This acid also softens tooth enamel, making them especially vulnerable.

When teeth are lost, adults encounter a complicated set of issues – and hard decisions. As a Periodontal specialist, I’ve seen how simple measures can save people greatly in treatment time and expense AND prevent problems like gum disease, cavities and tooth loss.

If you have started to lose natural teeth already, let us help you halt the process! Call 828-274-9440 to schedule a consultation so we can discuss how you can regain your oral health for a lasting, healthy smile!

Fresh Breath Is Easy To Have!

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

As we say good-bye to the busy-ness of Summer and settle into more normal routines, it gives us a good time to evaluate our oral health commitment. An advantage of achieving and maintaining a clean, healthy mouth is having confidence when it comes to your breath.

Below are simple tips for fresh breath:

• Drink lots of water. Colas, sweet tea, and energy drinks don’t count. Pure, clean water cleanses the mouth and adds to saliva’s ability to wash bacteria from the mouth. Bottled water, tap water or filtered water (such as Brita) are all helpful.

• Remove oral bacteria from your tongue. The tongue’s grooves provide a perfect haven for bacteria to embed and reproduce. Use a tongue scrapper each day or brush your tongue with your tooth brush at the end of tooth brushing. When your mouth has fewer bacteria, your breath will have a ‘cleaner’ scent and stay fresh longer.

• Enjoy fruits and skip sugary treats. Oral bacteria thrives on acid attacks that occur every time you eat or drink. However, when sugar is present, they become super-charged! Natural sugar in fresh fruits won’t have the same impact.

• Have a cucumber. When your mouth is dry, hold a slice of cucumber against the roof of your mouth for a couple of minutes. This activates more saliva production, which helps cleanse the mouth of particles and bacteria.

Fresh breath gives us more confidence when we are close to others. Whether at work, home with loved ones, or at social gatherings, your breath shouldn’t create an impression that is less-than-flattering.

To ensure your mouth is healthy and oral bacteria are at minimal levels, call for an appointment – 828.274.9440. We’ll help you to feel confident in closeness!

The Road To Gum Disease

Posted on Aug 03, 2016 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

People are often surprised to hear that they have developed periodontal (gum) disease. And no wonder. When gum disease first begins, it’s often without obvious symptoms. Then, once it’s fully underway, the warning signs are often ignored.

Yet, the road that leads to gum disease is shorter than you might imagine. Below is the typical process of how gum disease begins and progresses:

•  Oral Bacteria: We all have bacteria in our mouths. This warm, moist environment takes in an enormous amount of bacteria-laden items. Bacteria is on our food, utensils, the glass we drink from and the pencil we hold between our teeth. Of course, bacteria cannot be prevented altogether. However, the problem begins when too much bacteria accumulate.

•  Plaque: Without proper brushing, flossing, saliva flow and diet, oral bacteria can reproduce rapidly. Their accumulation over the course of a day forms a sticky film you feel on teeth. This is known as plaque.

•  Tartar (or Calculus): In just 48 hours, unremoved plaque can harden into tartar. This is actually a cement-hard colony of oral bacteria that attaches to teeth. And, like plaque, tartar will continually reproduce and grow as the bacteria feed on tooth enamel and tender gum tissues.

•  Gingivitis: This is actually the first stage of gum disease. At this level, gum tissues are under attack and become sore. They may bleed easily when brushing and you may experience an aching sensation in some areas. Your breath will no longer feel fresh. At this point, with proper measures, you can restore your gums to a healthy state. However, there is a fine line between being able to undo gingivitis and its progression to gum disease.

•  Gum Disease: At this level, the gums are inflamed and tender. You may notice them darken in color and begin to pull away from the base of some teeth. You’ll have persistent bad breath. As it progresses, pus pockets will form in some areas. Without thorough treatment, teeth will loosen and may eventually require removal.

Nearly half of American adults have some level of gum disease. Sadly, it is the nation’s leading cause of adult tooth loss. Yet, it’s one of the most preventable diseases with simple measures.

Twice daily brushing (at least two minutes per time), daily flossing, drinking ample water and limiting sweets and caffeine are simple ways to keep your mouth healthy between regular dental check-ups and cleanings. And, those 6-month check-ups are important. At this time, any tartar that has accumulated can be removed and signs of early gum disease can be noted.

Imagine losing your teeth and having to decide on a crown-&-bridge combination, partial, full denture or Dental Implants. These procedures can be avoided. And, contrary to what many believe, losing teeth is not a natural part of the aging process. With proper care, you can easily enjoy a smile of natural teeth all your life.

If you are experiencing symptoms of gum disease, call 828-274-9440. We’ll restore your smile and develop a program to help you keep it at its best.