Tips For Arthritis Sufferers To Protect Oral Health

Posted on May 14, 2013 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

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

RA is the nation’s leading cause of disability and limits the daily activities of over 7 million Americans. Because we understand the physical limitations RA can cause, the following tips are provided to make your oral hygiene at home easier.

• Water irrigators can remove food particles and plaque between teeth.

• Electric toothbrushes and floss holders can reduce the amount of effort required by the hands.

• Wrap toothbrush handles with a sponge hair roller to create a more comfortable, 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 are taking medications that are drying, oral rinses are available to help maintain oral moisture. Minimize caffeine, alcohol, and smoking, all which are drying to oral tissues.

With a good oral care commitment, RA sufferers can maintain a healthy smile and prevent tooth loss. If you suffer with arthritis, overcoming the physical limitations to protect your smile will result in a constant reminder that YOU are in charge of your health!

More & More Adults Choosing Dental Implants

Posted on May 06, 2013 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

We are seeing an ever-increasing number of adults who opt for a dental implant or implants over other tooth replacement options. For most patients, the one and only ‘disadvantage’ of an implant is the initial cost, which is typically higher than other options in tooth replacement. However, the long-term benefits of an implant greatly outweigh the additional upfront expense. Over time, the health advantages alone make implants a better investment. Also, dental implants are designed to last a lifetime. No crown-&-bridge combination, partial or denture can outdo the longevity of an implant.

From a Periodontist’s point of view, implants are especially superior in how they function BELOW the gums. Although you cannot see how implants are held in the bone, this foundation gives implants the same stability as that of natural tooth roots. Additionally, the presence of an implant keeps the bone from ‘resorbing,’ or shrinking. When tooth roots are no longer present in the bone, implants recreate the stimulation needed to maintain its mass.

Another bonus is the ability of an implant to hold one, two or more teeth without needing the support of adjacent teeth. Unlike a crown-&-bridge combination or some partials, a dental implant supports teeth on its own. With dental implants, there is no need to crown neighboring, otherwise healthy teeth merely to support replacement teeth.

Interested in learning more? Call (828) 274-9440 to arrange a consultation to discuss your needs and have your questions answered.

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.

Affordable Periodontal Care

Posted on Apr 24, 2013 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

There are few things that add so much to your life than a healthy smile. Not only does the health of your mouth impact your overall health, having a great smile tends to boost self-confidence, self-esteem and causes people to smile more often, projecting a positive and upbeat individual.

When a patient decides they cannot afford needed dentistry because “my insurance won’t cover it,” it is the insurance company who is smiling. Insurance firms are profit-making companies. Their goal is to cover ‘basic necessities’ rather than what will enhance your long-term well-being.

For those who make their own decision on what they want, we offer excellent payment options. These enable patients to enjoy the benefits of a confident smile while making monthly payments that fit their budgets. Many of these options require no down payment and are interest free. Some treatments are also tax deductible.

Our goal is to help patients achieve the healthy smile they desire regardless of their insurance coverage. For those patients who know ‘where there’s a will, there’s a way,’ I frequently hear, “It’s the best investment I ever made!” once their new smile is part of their life.

To discuss payment options, call (828) 274-9440 for a consultation. Your new smile may be adding joy to your life soon!