The Journal of Dental Research recently published results from a National Health & Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), indicating that one out of two American adults over age 30 have periodontitis. The findings highlight the extent, severity and prevalence of periodontal disease in our population.

The findings reveal that over 47% of adults have periodontal disease, which jumps to 70% in adults over age 65. Men have a higher incidence than women (56% vs. 38%), with smokers at 64%.

What makes this survey unique is that the data collected was the first to use full-mouth periodontal examinations. Since 2003, the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) has been working closely with Centers For Disease Control (CDC) for an accurate accounting of periodontal disease in the U.S. The NHANES study was the first to use full-mouth periodontal examinations, rather than partial mouth protocols.

Partial mouth exams involve two randomly selected sections at two sites per tooth. Because periodontal disease is not distributed evenly in the mouth, prior surveys likely underestimated its prevalence. The full-mouth periodontal exam measured six sites per tooth for all teeth.

These findings support the need for greater awareness among our nation’s adults. Because of the relationship between periodontal disease and diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, periodontal disease should be acknowledged as a major public health concern.

If your faucets bring fluoridated water into your home, your oral health benefits greatly. Most of the public water supplies in the U.S. now include fluoride. Studies estimate an 18–40% reduction in cavities when water fluoridation is used. It’s so beneficial that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control named water fluoridation among the ten great public health achievements of the 20th century.

While fluoride has proven effective in preventing cavities, it also promotes and remineralizes tooth enamel, alters the development process of oral bacteria, and combats some bacteria that lead to periodontal disease. Drinking fluoridated water even adds low levels of fluoride to saliva, giving you continual oral saturation.

If you do not consume fluoridated water (perhaps you use a water filtration system or well water, for example), you can still prevent cavities from occurring. Always use toothpaste with fluoride, use a tongue scraper daily, swish at least 30 seconds with a fluoridated rinse, and floss each evening before your final brushing. At your six-month check-ups, ask your Dentist or Hygienist about having sealants applied for added protection.

People who floss their teeth on a regular basis seem to perform the task effortlessly, most without looking in a mirror or feeling they’ve cut circulation to fingers! With the right technique and a few practice rounds, you can become a Floss Pro!

First, use about 18 inches of floss. Nylon floss 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. Now, 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 gum line. Avoid popping floss between the teeth as this can cut 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 also keeps your fingers from becoming uncomfortable.

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

What’s most important, however, is the tremendous advantage you’re having on your oral health! Flossing is a preventive health measure you’ll be glad you mastered!

If you are an arthritis sufferer, you are twice as likely to develop periodontal (gum) disease. Findings published by the Journal of Periodontology stated 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. Periodontal 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.

RA is the leading cause of disability and limits the daily activities of over 7 million Americans. We are sensitive to the physical limitations RA can cause and offer these tips to make oral hygiene at home easier.
• Use water irrigators to help remove food particles and plaque between teeth.
• Electric toothbrushes and floss holders can reduce the effort required by hands.
• Wrap toothbrush handles with a sponge hair roller for a 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 take medications that are drying, oral rinses can help. Minimize caffeine, alcohol, and smoking, all of which are drying to oral tissues.

With a good oral care commitment, RA sufferers should be able to maintain a healthy smile and prevent tooth loss. If you suffer with arthritis, overcoming the physical limitations to protect your smile will serve as a constant reminder that you have a ‘good grip’ on your health!