Afraid Of The Dentist? Fear Can Be Costly.

Posted on Feb 25, 2016 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

It is estimated that nearly 75% of American adults have some level of anxiety or fear when it comes to going to the dentist. Much of this stems from traumatic experiences in younger years, yet many individuals cannot explain when it actually began or what prompted it.

When you think about it, feeling uneasy in a dental chair is not such a puzzle. You’re on your back, positioned on a fairly flat, narrow base while hemmed in by arm rests on each side. You have someone hovering over your open mouth with unfamiliar instruments and you have no idea what they’re going to do with them or what you’ll feel. Recipe for anxiety? Well, duh!

Basically, the difference between those who have dental fears and those who don’t is (from what I see) the relationship of trust I have with my patients. They know I truly have no intention to hurt them. Quite frankly, my goal is to make sure they are always comfortable. Because they believe I have this intention and I will do everything to ensure their comfort, they are able to relax or to communicate with me when they feel it’s necessary.

For those who have fears, however, it’s not that simple. Some of these patients shake or start to sweat even when they walk in our front door. I’ve had some cry (men and women) in the dental chair before they’ve been touched. For these individuals, their fear is an uncontrollable reaction to perceived pain – nothing they feel, but pain they anticipate.

Here’s the bigger problem: When dental care is delayed or avoided due to fear, small problems that could have been prevented (or dealt with simply) become big problems. Big problems require more extensive procedures, more expense and more time in treatment. The longer a fearful patient has to be in a dental chair for a procedure, the more anxious they are.

Too, when regular dental check-ups and cleanings are avoided, the buildup of bacteria that daily brushing and flossing doesn’t remove turns into calculus. This hardened form of oral bacteria attacks tooth enamel and gum tissues. This is also what develops into periodontal disease, which is the nation’s leading cause of adult tooth loss.

Periodontal disease is a massive accumulation of bacteria that damages gums and bone structures far beneath the gum line. Therefore, in order to treat gum disease, the procedure requires the gums be opened in order to reach the full extent of the bacteria. All of this is far more involved than what could have been prevented through 6-month dental check-ups.

I see a number of patients who have acquired gum disease because they were too afraid to go to the dentist. Yet, when gum disease symptoms become severe, they are forced to set these fears aside in order to get out of pain and/or save as many teeth as possible.

So, how does a fearful patient deal with dental fears and have the care they need? There is nothing like opening up and sharing your concerns. Begin with an open and honest conversation. We provide a consultation room that is away from the clinical side of the practice. We’ll sit in arm chairs and discuss your past experiences and what makes you feel uneasy and what we can provide to help you relax.

In our office, we offer relaxation medications in addition to comfort options. Yet, our patients find that trust is the key to their ability to have the treatment they need without pangs of fear.

Begin with a consultation appointment. Call 828-274-9440 to schedule. Remember, more delay can mean more treatment, more expense and more time. Focus on achieving MORE smiles without dental fear dictating your decisions.

Research Closely Ties RA To Gum Disease

Posted on Feb 10, 2016 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

As a Periodontist, I treat all stages of periodontal (gum) disease. In early stages, the condition causes gums to bleed when brushing, bad breath and gum tenderness. As gum disease progresses, gums become red in color and pus pockets form at the base of teeth. Eventually, teeth loosen and may require removal. Gum disease, to no surprise, is the nation’s leading cause of adult tooth loss.

Over the years, research has found a correlation between the bacteria of periodontal disease and a number of serious health problems. Due to the inflammatory triggers associated with the oral bacteria of gum disease, it has been linked to heart disease, stroke, memory loss, preterm babies, diabetes and impotency.

For people who have rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the condition’s association with gum disease seems unlikely. Yet, research is showing a remarkably close connection.

It’s not only been determined that both gum disease and RA share a genetic likeness, their clinical makeup shows similar structures, primarily in pathogens. A pathogen is an agent in the body that causes disease or illness. The pathological processes that occurs in both gum disease and RA are almost identical.

While it is apparent that both conditions cause chronic inflammation in tissues that connect to bone, researchers have found that both diseases also have a similar inflammatory trigger. Also alike is the particular species of bacteria found in periodontally-diseased oral tissues and tissues that surround joints in those who suffer with RA.

RA is a debilitating disease that destroys joints. It is disabling and painful. In most cases, RA emerges gradually, often beginning with morning stiffness along with weak and aching muscles. Joint pain follows, with joints feeling sore and stiff. RA is typically found in the fingers, wrists, elbows, hips, knees, ankles, toes, shoulder and neck.

As inflammation from RA increases, joints become swollen with symptoms including fever, disfiguring of hands and feet, numbness and tingling. There is no cure for RA and lifelong treatment is required. Treatment may consist of medications, physical therapy, or even surgery.

Like RA, periodontal disease causes pain, swelling, and tenderness. As it worsens, the associatedinflammation can lead to destruction of the bone that supports teeth along with surrounding tissues.

In one study, a particular pathogen associated with periodontal disease was found to activate the same destructive process of rheumatoid arthritis. It has also been shown that, by treating periodontal disease in RA patients, RA symptoms often improve. This is likely due to the system’s reduced burden of oral inflammation.

What’s exciting about the findings of these research findings is how oral health correlates so closely to one’s overall health. Yet, it’s a bit scary at the same time. When you realize that the presence of gum disease can so greatly increase your risk for serious health conditions, it should send up alarms. However, even in this advanced age of modern medicine, nearly 75% of the U.S. adult population have some level of periodontal disease.

Help spread the word about the link between your oral health and a healthy body, especially to those you love. Emphasize the need for a thorough oral hygiene regimen at home as well as a commitment to 6-month dental check-ups and exams. If you have signs of gum disease (as mentioned above), seek treatment at your earliest convenience. Gum disease will only worsen and will require more treatment time and expense as it progresses.

Call 828-274-9440 to learn more.

The 1-2-3 Of Dental Implants

Posted on Feb 05, 2016 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

As dental implants become more mainstream in tooth replacement, people are beginning to better understand what they are, and aren’t. However, for some, there are still some misconceptions. I thought I’d give a basic outline of what they are and how they work.

1.  Dental Implants are actually replacements for tooth roots. The implanted portion is placed in your jaw bone where a tooth root was once held.
2. The implant is not the tooth. It will help to hold the tooth (referred to as the ‘restoration’) but its primary function is to serve as the anchor for an attached tooth. By being placed in the jaw bone, just as natural tooth roots, the implant can support the replacement with a firm foundation for optimal stability.
3. The implant becomes anchored in the jaw bone through a process known as ‘osseo-integration.’ The word ‘osseo’ refers to bone, and the integration process is like a rope tied around a tree branch. In time, the branch grows around the rope. Osseo-integration is like this but occurs at a much more rapid pace.
4. Once the implant has become secured by the bone, a post is inserted into the center of the implant. The replacement tooth (or teeth) is attached to this post. You are then ready to enjoy a tooth that looks, feels and functions like the natural tooth once positioned there.
5. An implant is not always necessary for each missing tooth. In some instances, one implant can hold two or a bridge of teeth. Several strategically-placed implants can also support a full arch of teeth in many cases.
6. Implants CAN fail. If infection sets in and reaches the implanted portion, the implant may need to be removed so treatment can resolve the problem. Clenching or grinding teeth can also lead to implant failure. Smoking complicates and delays the healing process and is also a known contributor to implant failure.
7. A dental implant is designed to last your lifetime. Made from titanium, this metal bonds to living bone successfully. As a matter of fact, dental implants have one of the highest success rates of any implant-in-bone procedures.
8. Dental implants do not decay. They will not need root canals. And, with proper care, they’ll last as long as you’re alive.
9. Dental implants restore the ability to eat with stability, chew comfortably, laugh and speak with confidence and even sneeze without worry!

There are many types of implants, each designed to accommodate specific needs. As a Periodontist, I have extensive and specialized training in the diagnosis and placement of the implant that will work best for you.

Call 828-274-9440 to arrange a consultation. Together, we’ll discuss treatment that will achieve your needs and goals as well as the process and anticipated costs.

Think ‘Vaping’ Is Safer For Smile Than Cigarettes?

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

The popularity of ‘vaping,’ particularly with younger E-cigarette smokers, has sparked a growing health concern since hitting the market in 2004. This concern has motivated the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research to implement a study on the effects of vaping’s aerosol mix to tissues in the mouth, lungs and airway structures.

The study, slated to begin in February 2016, will not focus on the effects of nicotine but of the impact of vaporized chemical delivery to tissues. Studying the effects of long-term chemical exposure to tissues through this means will hopefully provide a more accurate assessment of their safety.

Unlike traditional cigarettes, E-cigarettes use a moist vapor to deliver a mix of nicotine, formaldehyde and other chemicals.  Because oral tissues are moist by nature, the water vapor that is inhaled is readily absorbed by soft tissues in the mouth.

Prior research has shown that nicotine is harmful to oral health, regardless of how it arrives — cigarettes, snuff, chew and now vaping. Nicotine is known to have a drying effect on oral tissues, which decreases saliva that helps rid food particles and bacteria from the mouth. When drying agents deplete saliva, oral bacteria reproduce more rapidly. This increases the risk for tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease.

Because nicotine also constricts blood vessels in the mouth, it compromises the ability of oral tissues to heal. This is why we advise patients to stop smoking following extractions or implant placement so healing is not slowed. ‘Vapers’ should also be concerned about the bad breath associated with dry mouth, if nothing else.

The misconceptions about vaping’s safety may be to the detriment of your smile. Hopefully, the findings of this research will reveal the true level of risk so users can adjust their oral care commitment accordingly.

In the meantime, if you smoke, vape, chew or dip, pay particular attention to your oral health. Be especially committed to your oral hygiene at home as well as your 6-month dental check-ups. These visits can help you maintain a healthy mouth and avoid problems – or catch those that occur at their earliest stages.

If you feel your oral health has been neglected or compromised due to smoking, chewing, or vaping, call 828-274-9440 to schedule an appointment. And relax, we’re a ‘lecture-free’ zone!