Gum Disease, Inflammation & Foods To Pass Up

Posted on Apr 29, 2013 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection and inflammation of the gums that causes loss of the bone that support teeth.  Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury and infection. However, chronic inflammation creates an over-production of immune cells that actually damage, rather than repair. Rampant inflammation can lead to cancer, arthritis, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, as well as other major health problems.

To aid your body’s ability to keep inflammation in check, it is important to maintain a healthy mouth. Your mouth can be a tremendous source of bacteria, which can develop into gum disease. When gum disease weakens oral tissues, this bacteria can enter the bloodstream. Research has already associated the inflammatory reaction of oral bacteria with a list that includes coronary artery disease, stroke, memory loss and diabetes.

This information, in itself, should be enough to motivate adults to brush (at least twice daily) and floss every day. However, it is also important to keep those six-month dental exams and cleanings. This allows removal of bacteria-laden plaque, which can occur between visits (even for diligent brushers and flossers).  Plaque build-up is what your Hygienist is scraping off, and no amount of brushing or flossing will remove it.

In addition to maintaining good oral health, you may be interested in a list of foods that may actually add to harmful inflammation. While everything in moderation is always wise, some foods are more irritating and tend to exaggerate inflammation. They include:

MSG – This preservative and flavor enhancer is a chemical that has been shown to have inflammatory responses. While more research is needed to understand why MSG causes inflammation, we already know that the human body does not tolerate it well.

Sugar – Excess sugar in the body creates havoc in a number of ways. While the body goes through intricate maneuvers to process it, the end result is inflammation.

White Bread – White bread is refined to nothing more than fast-digesting carbohydrates that irritate the body. Both white bread and pastas break down quickly into sugar, leading to higher sugar levels in the blood.

Gluten – Sensitivity to gluten can lead to bloating or digestion problems. It is believed that these symptoms could be an inflammatory response.

Alcohol – Alcohol becomes sugar as soon as the body begins to break it down. A small amount of alcohol is tolerable – even beneficial. However, too much allows bacteria to easily enter the linings of the intestines. This can lead to irritation and inflammation.

Trans Fats – Many processed foods are full of hydrogenated oils (manmade fats), which can damage the cells that line your blood vessels.  This results in ‘plaque buildup’ in arteries.

We’ll keep you posted on new findings as they are published. In the meantime, if you’ve been irregular with oral hygiene at home or infrequent with your dental check-ups, call us for a periodontal exam. It’s one of the wisest ways to help protect your overall health and well-being! Call (828) 274-9440 to schedule.

Gum Therapy Reduces Inflammation, An A-Fib Hotbed

Posted on Apr 11, 2013 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

In 2010, the CDC reported Atrial Fibrillation affected 2.7 million in the US.  A-Fib places patients at a high risk for clots, strokes and heart failure. Could dental cleanings (which remove plaque through ‘scaling’) reduce your risk of atrial fibrillation?

According to findings in new research, a relationship between periodontal (gum) health and cardiac dysrhythmia does exist. A new study published in the International Journal of Cardiology shows that an annual dental scaling can lower the risk of developing atrial fibrillation, the most common type of cardiac dysrhythmia. The study suggests that the risk is reduced through dental scaling, which helps to decrease inflammation.

Other studies have linked poor oral hygiene and edentulousness (missing all teeth) to increased risk of cardiovascular problems, particularly death by stroke. Periodontal disease, which triggers inflammation in the body, has already been found to be a risk factor for coronary heart disease, stroke, and cardio-vascular disease. Thus, oral infections may contribute to A-Fib by adding to the body’s inflammatory burden.

In this study, researchers used data from nearly 29,000 individuals, age 60 or older, who had no history of cardiac dysrhythmias. Those who had received dental scaling at least once a year from 1998 to 2000 (12 years) were placed in one group. This group was matched to another group of similar age, sex, and underlying diseases, yet had not had any dental scaling in the same time span. Both groups were followed for 5 years. Researchers found that the group who had regular dental scaling had a lower risk of developing A-Fib.

Researchers will continue to explore the data. Recently, the American Heart Association issued a statement that periodontal disease was not proven as a CAUSE of atherosclerotic heart disease or stroke, and that treating gum disease is not a guarantee to prevent heart disease or stroke. Yet, researchers contend that while no causal link has been pinpointed, there is an unquestionable association of inflammation and heart disease. It is hoped that further research will reveal underlying triggers that link oral health and these deadly diseases.

Do your dental hygiene visits decrease the body’s inflammatory burdens and help to prevent A-Fib?  Further studies are necessary to confirm these findings. We’ll keep you updated as new developments are made.

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.

Considerations Of Dental Implants Vs. Bridges Or Dentures

Posted on Mar 20, 2013 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

The upfront costs of dental implants are typically the only obstacle for some patients who want to replace missing teeth. Although the long term cost efficiency of dental implants makes them a better option than other tooth replacement alternatives, dental implants do have a failure rate. Here are tips to help you enjoy a successful outcome and an excellent investment:

Select Your Dentist Carefully: Dental implants must be selected and placed properly, and then carefully maintained (at home and through regular dental check-ups). The success rate of dental implants is over 95%, although smokers have a failure rate 2.5 times higher than that of non-smokers. Experienced implant dentists have around a 99% success rate, which is why it’s important to ask about the implant training and success rate of your doctor.

Longevity: A dental implant that has been selected, placed and maintained properly should last for a lifetime. A bridge will need replacement in an average of 10 years on average. Dentures will also need replacing or modification in about ten years because bone loss changes the fit of the denture. This is caused by the absence of tooth roots in the jaw and pressure of dentures. Looking at a 20 year period, your bridge or denture costs have now doubled, whereas the dental implants are worry-free.

Protecting Oral Health: In order to support a bridge, healthy natural teeth have to be cut down to serve as anchors for the bridge. This creates more susceptibility for tooth decay. Because it can be more difficult to clean around bridges, the accumulation of plaque increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Jaw bone loss is also a problem with removable dentures, which can lead to an aged appearance far beyond one’s actual years. Dental implants function the same as natural teeth without special care or requiring the support of adjacent teeth. The additional costs of treating decay or gum disease caused by a partial or full removable denture must be factored in when calculating the long term cost efficiency compared to the one-time expense of dental implants.

Enhanced Overall Health & Confidence: Dental implants give a natural look and feel while restoring a dependable, comfortable bite and chewing function. Trying to eat with removable dentures is often over-shadowed with fears of embarrassment. Those who wear removable dentures also have a tendency to select soft food that dissolve easily and quickly in the mouth. Thus, they often deprive themselves of fiber and protein-rich foods and satisfying, vitamin-packed fruits and vegetables.

Bottom Line: Initially, dental implants typically cost more than other dental restorations but are the clear winners when it comes to the investment. Because dental implants prevent bone loss, enhance dental (and overall) health and keep replacement teeth more secure for a lifetime, the long-term benefits far outweigh the initial expense. Dental implants can also enhance your quality of life and actually lower the costs to maintain a healthy mouth over the course of your lifetime.