Baby Boomer? Oral Symptoms Can Reveal Serious Problems!

Posted on Oct 18, 2012 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

A survey commissioned by the Academy of General Dentistry found 63% of those age 45 to 65 with an oral symptom were unaware some are warning signs of adult onset diseases. For instance, the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and health disease increases with age. Researchers believe that these diseases often manifest themselves in the mouth.

According to the American Diabetes Association, the majority of diabetics suffer from Type 2 diabetes, which usually begins after age 45. Initial indicators of this disease are bad breath and bleeding gums. However, only 29% of the baby boomers surveyed were aware of this connection.

After the age of 45, the risk for developing heart disease triples. Although heart disease is the leading killer of Americans, a sore and painful jaw is often overlooked as a warning signal. As a matter of fact, 60% of those surveyed were unaware these symptoms could be signs of a potential heart attack.

The National Osteoporosis Foundation estimates that 44 million American adults have risk for osteoporosis, with a greater risk for menopausal and post-menopausal women. Yet, 97% of women do not discuss this with their dentist.

While the health and appearance of your smile is our emphasis, your overall well-being is also important. Please share any unusual symptoms you are experiencing or any change in your medical status.

Reasons Men Should Tend To Oral Health

Posted on Oct 15, 2012 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Men need to rededicate themselves to their oral health! Men already face shorter life spans and have higher risk for heart attacks and cancer than women. Research also reveals that periodontal (gum) disease affects more men than women with men averaging greater tooth loss as well.

This state of men’s periodontal health is mostly due to men being less vigilant overall when it comes to oral hygiene. Plus, women are three times more likely to floss on a daily basis. Research published in the Journal of Periodontology found that women are twice as likely to have dental check-ups and more likely to complete recommended treatment. Thus, it’s not surprising that the study also showed that men have higher levels of plaque, tartar, and gums that bleed when probed.

A man’s overall health can also be compromised by their lack of oral care. Research reveals a connection with several serious health problems in men that may be associated with gum disease. One of these is impotence. Men with gum disease showed a higher risk of developing impotence due to inflammation associated with periodontal disease. This inflammation has been known to damage to blood vessels, which can lead to impotence. Men younger than 30 or older than 70 are especially at risk.

A separate study found that men with a history of gum disease are 14% more likely at risk for cancer than men with healthy gums. Specifically, men with periodontal disease are 49% more likely than women to develop kidney cancer, 54% more likely to develop pancreatic cancer, and 30% more likely to develop blood cancers.

Men! Let’s do a better job at tending to your head-to-toe well-being! If you are not having 6-month check-ups and cleanings, schedule a full periodontal exam at your earliest convenience. During this time, you’ll learn what is needed to ensure your mouth is maintained at a healthy level to help you enjoy a full, healthy life.

Tooth Loss NOT Natural Part Of Aging

Posted on Oct 08, 2012 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Your natural teeth are designed to last as long as you do, with proper care. It is a fact that denture wearers take more medications and have more gastrointestinal problems than those with their natural teeth. It should also be noted that denture wearers die ten years sooner, on average, than those who have their natural teeth.

When natural tooth roots no longer exist in the jaw bone, the bone begins to shrink in depth and height. The discomfort, inconvenience, and embarrassment experienced by most denture or partial wearers is due to this shrinking bone foundation. Denture adhesives only lessen the amount of movement for brief periods. When eating becomes difficult, people resort to a diet of soft foods that dissolve easily in the mouth. Bone loss also causes changes in one’s facial appearance, including deep wrinkling and a sunken-in appearance of the mouth. This causes denture wearers to look far older than their actual age.

Because Dental Implants are held by the jaw bone, they help to halt the bone loss that dentures and partials actually accelerate. Another benefit is how Dental Implants are ‘self-supporting’ so it is not necessary to crown an otherwise healthy, adjacent tooth to serve as a support for a bridge. With proper maintenance, they will provide as much pleasure and satisfaction as natural teeth.

If you are interested in replacing a denture or partial, contact us at (828) 274-7440 for more information on Dental Implants.

Caution When Using Over-The-Counter Pain Relievers

Posted on Oct 05, 2012 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Once upon a time, if you had pain, you took aspirin. Now, drug options have greatly expanded. For most mild to moderate pain, over-the-counter pain relievers (analgesics), like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or acetaminophen are the first choice.

Because these medications do not require a prescription, many assume they are safe. However, analgesics can have side effects and interact with other medicines, dietary supplements and alcohol. Because they contain the same ingredients found in many nonprescription and prescription drugs, you could be getting more of a particular pain reliever than you realize if you’re taking several medications.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen sodium (Aleve, Naprosyn), and ketoprofen (Orudis).

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs reduce pain and inflammation by inhibiting production of the prostaglandins (hormone-like substances) that cause them. The down side is that they also block other prostaglandins that protect the stomach lining, regulate blood flow to the kidneys, and initiate blood clotting.

Stomach inflammation, peptic ulcers, and intestinal bleeding are major hazards for NSAID users. People who take high doses for an extended time are at greater risk, especially older adults.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol, Anacin-3, etc.) relieves pain by affecting the parts of the brain that receive pain signals. Although acetaminophen reduces pain and fever, it has no effect on inflammation, but neither does it cause the bleeding and clotting problems associated with NSAIDs.

Acetaminophen is metabolized by enzymes in the liver. Taking too much can lead to liver damage in susceptible people, such as those who drink alcohol regularly. Always check the labels of any medication to ensure you’re not exceeding the maximum recommended dose of acetaminophen.

For most, taking nonprescription pain relievers as directed is generally safe. The potential for trouble emerges when you add the following:

• Some NSAID and acetaminophen products, as well as cold, sinus, and allergy remedies, contain a combination of pain relievers. Regular and long-term use of painkillers that combine analgesics can damage the kidneys.

• Many prescription painkillers contain acetaminophen (Darvocet, Vicodin) or NSAIDS (Celebrex, Percodan). Do not take both prescription and over-the-counter painkillers without checking with the prescribing doctor first.

• NSAIDs can interact with many drugs, including ACE inhibitors, anticoagulants, beta blockers, lithium, and methotrexate. Aspirin interacts with anticonvulsants, corticosteroids, insulin, and sulfa antibiotics. If you take any of these prescription medicines, check before using NSAIDs.

• Herbal supplements such as garlic, ginger, feverfew, ginkgo, and ginseng can thin blood and should be avoided when taking an NSAID.

• NSAIDs can interfere with absorption of folic acid. If taking NSAIDs regularly, take a multivitamin daily.