Oral Bacteria – The Source Of Problems (in the mouth & beyond)

Posted on Oct 06, 2015 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Our bodies are full of bacteria. Certain bacteria are good, such as bacteria in the gut. This is why some people take a probiotic supplement to ensure they have a sufficient level so digestion functions efficiently.

While bacteria in our bodies is a fact of life, it is our job to control the levels. By eating a proper diet, keeping our bodies clean and tending to cuts and illnesses, we support our health with bacteria levels under control.

Too much bacteria sends signals to us. For example, if you don’t take a shower for several days, the bacteria buildup on skin creates an odor. An excess of bacteria in the mouth sends signals, also.

Saliva in the mouth is designed to help wash away some of the oral bacteria that occurs from food particles left behind. Our job is to remove this debris on a daily basis before oral bacteria begin a come-one-come-all feast. Brushing and flossing help accomplish this.

Bacteria are living organisms. They eat, reproduce and excrete waste. As they multiply, they form colonies that attack anything that can be consumed. This includes tooth enamel and gum tissues.

Saliva can only do so much. It’s ability to work efficiently can easily be hampered by factors that decrease saliva production. These include smoking, some medications, mouth breathing, drinking alcoholic beverages and some illnesses.

Your mouth will send signals when too much bacteria has accumulated. Your breath will smell bad and your gums may become sore and bleed when brushing. When prompt action is not taken to conquer the overload of bacteria, the destruction continues and becomes more severe.

As oral bacteria eat away at tooth enamel and gum tissues, cavities occur and gum disease penetrates tissues at a deeper level. Pus pockets form at the base of teeth, gums turn a darker color and teeth eventually begin to loosen. Periodontal (gum) disease is the nation’s leading cause of adult tooth loss.

Yet, oral bacteria from gum disease can cause problems far beyond the mouth. They can become bloodborne through tears in diseased gum tissues. Research has found that oral bacteria can trigger inflammatory reactions that put your overall health at risk. Oral bacteria has been linked to heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, arthritis, diabetes, preterm babies and impotency.

The health problems that originate with oral bacteria can so easily be avoided. Twice daily brushing, flossing daily, drinking plenty of water and seeing a general dentist twice a year can help keep oral bacteria levels under control. These simple measures are so minimal when considering the broad spectrum of problems they can help you avoid.

If your mouth is sending you warning signs – persistent bad breath and sore and bleeding gums – act promptly to avoid much in time and expense while protecting your overall health.

As a dental specialist with advanced training and skills to treat gum disease, a Periodontist is your partner in helping you restore a healthy mouth and maintaining it.

Call 828-274-9440 to schedule an examination. And, the sooner the better. Gum disease will only worsen without treatment.

YOU Can Affect Dental Implant Success

Posted on Sep 21, 2015 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Studies show that dental implants continue to be one of the most successful of all implant-in-bone procedures, over 90%. As a Periodontal specialist, dental implants are an area in which I have received advanced training.

Periodontists are uniquely skilled in diagnosing a patient’s best options when it comes to dental implant treatment – the number of implants needed, the type of implant system, selection of placement locations and actual placement.

I pride myself on our success rate when it comes to selecting and placing dental implants. Absolutely, a successful outcome begins with the part of treatment I can oversee in my office. Once the patient leaves our office, however, the ability to enjoy the benefits of implants for a lifetime are mostly in their control. There are ways a patient can affect the outcome of dental implants — for the good and bad.

When dental implants ‘fail,’ it is typically due to the onset of infection. This occurs when an overload of oral bacteria has accumulated in gum tissues surrounding the implant. Infections cause gums to become inflamed. This inflammation can travel down the implanted post and attack the bone structure supporting the implant. When caught and treated early, many infections can be eliminated. If not, the implant must often be removed to allow the area to heal.

A common cause for infection is poor oral hygiene. Other reasons for failure include smoking, diabetes, teeth grinding during sleep and diabetes.

Although smoking is a well-known risk factor when it comes to implant success, bruxing (clenching and grinding teeth) can cause implant failure to a higher level than many realize. In one study on dental implants, 29% of patients who had bruxing problems experienced implant failure. Nearly the same percentage of patients with diabetes suffered implant failure.

Studies show that implant failure rates are higher when the placement doctor has less than 5 years of experience. Because your choice of who places your implants can have an impact on their success, choose carefully. Having a successful outcome will save you time, money and allow you to enjoy your dental implant without undue delays. To begin, ask for a consultation. During this time, I’ll answer your questions and make recommendations. Call 828-274-9440 to schedule.

Every doctor wants their patients to enjoy a positive experience when it comes to any procedure. While not all aspects of treatment are within the control of the doctor, being thoroughly communicative with patients on ways THEY can enhance the success of their implants is as important to us as the exceptional care you’ll receive.

Each Tooth Has A Beneficial Role To Other Teeth

Posted on Aug 31, 2015 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Imagine a chair. It is designed with four legs to ensure the chair seat has a sturdy foundation. Yes, you could sit in a chair with a missing leg, but its stability would be far less. Plus, the pressure would be greater on the three remaining legs, weakening their strength over time. Eventually, one of the legs will crack or loosen from its attachment to the seat, soon followed by the other legs.

This is a good illustration for your teeth. Each one has importance to the other teeth in your mouth. For example, when one tooth is lost and not replaced, the open space no longer serves as an abutment to the tooth above or below. The teeth on both sides are also left without a bolstering neighbor. This gap enables neighboring teeth to move out of their proper positions.

Because an open space allows a tooth above or below to grow longer or the teeth on each side to tilt, a long list of problems is then set into motion. The teeth that grow longer or tilt typically cause chips, cracks or fractures to other teeth since the bite is now out of alignment. A tooth that fractures below the gum line will require removal.

Bite misalignment also leads to worn teeth since it triggers night-time grinding. Clenching during sleep can also occur, creating frequent headaches or migraines, sore jaw joints, pain in facial and neck muscles, ear ringing and difficulty opening the mouth.

The open space from the missing tooth leads to yet another ordeal. Without natural tooth roots in the jaw, the bone that once held the root begins to shrink. As the bone in this area declines in mass, bordering tooth roots are now vulnerable to a thinning foundation of bone. It is a fact that a missing tooth makes an adjacent tooth the most likely to be lost next.

So, add all these issues together and you have a whopping number of dental repairs and costs ahead. What’s the wisest move when a tooth is lost? Replacing a missing tooth with a Dental Implant restores the presence of a tooth root in the jaw bone. This halts the potential for bone loss. The replaced tooth also helps surrounding teeth to hold their proper positions, greatly reducing the potential for chips, cracks and the many problems associated with bite misalignment.

Although Dental Implants are more expensive, the costs are upfront. Dental Implants do not decay and are designed to last your lifetime. Implants also have one of the highest success rates of all implant-in-bone treatments. Too, unlike a crown-&-bridge combination, you won’t have continued bone loss or need otherwise healthy natural teeth crowned for the sole purpose of supporting a replacement tooth. Overall, they are a far better investment than any form of tooth replacement option.

Before you make a final decision on tooth replacement (for one or more missing teeth), call us at (828) 274-9440. We will explain the process and advantages of Dental Implants so you can make the decision that is best for your individual situation.

Signs Of Gum Disease

Posted on Aug 19, 2015 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

When something is wrong with our vehicles, we typically see a warning light. These may indicate low oil, a door not shut tight or even a tail light outage. Seeing these lights gives us reason to react promptly since ignoring the problem could have serious, and even deadly, outcomes.

Your mouth also sends off warning signs when something is wrong. For example, an ache coming from a tooth may indicate a cavity or crack. A sore spot in the mouth could be caused by a canker sore or warning sign of oral cancer.

Warning signs of periodontal (gum) disease can occur and should not be taken lightly. Gum disease begins with sore spots on gum tissues. You may notice some blood in the sink when brushing teeth. Your mouth may feel ‘icky,’ having a sticky feeling. You may sense you have bad breath more frequently, even shortly after brushing.

Unfortunately, these signs are often ignored, allowing gum disease to progress further, which it will. Signs of its advancement includes gum tissues that pull away from teeth, typically exposing tender, darker root sections of teeth. Your gums will bleed easily and swollen spots may appear near the base of teeth. The gum tissue will likely darken from a healthy pink color to a deeper red.

Gum disease is the nation’s leading cause of adult tooth loss. Additionally, it has been associated with a number of serious health risks. The oral bacteria of gum disease has been linked to heart disease, high blood pressure, memory loss, arthritis, diabetes, preterm babies and impotency.

Gum disease will not improve without treatment and will eventually lead to tooth loss. Don’t delay care when you experience the very first warning sign. Early treatment will save you in time and expense – and may save your teeth! Once your mouth is restored to a healthy state, we’ll help you maintain it by recommending home care steps combined with periodic check-ups.

Call 828-274-9440 if you have any symptoms of gum disease. Time is of the essence.