Chain Reaction Of Oral Bacteria

Posted on Mar 05, 2015 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Keeping a clean, healthy mouth should be a top priority for American adults. Yet, it is often taken lightly until something hurts. To illustrate the domino effect of oral bacteria’s buildup in the mouth, follow its typical path:

• Failure to brush and floss on a regular basis allows bacteria in the mouth to reproduce, LEADING TO…

• Plaque, a sticky film on teeth, forms from bacteria accumulation. This hardens into a cement-hard substance known as calculus (or tartar), LEADING TO…

• Calculus eats into tooth enamel and gum tissues, causing cavities and gum disease, LEADING TO…

• Early symptoms of gum disease are frequent bad breath, sore and swollen gums, gums that bleed easily when brushing, and pus pockets, LEADING TO…

• The number one cause of adult tooth loss is gum disease. When teeth are lost, the jaw bone supporting them resorbs, or shrinks in mass, LEADING TO…

• Declining bone from tooth loss contributes to bite misalignment, LEADING TO…

• Chipped and worn teeth, jaw joint disorder, headaches, migraines, ringing ears, dizziness, and facial pain are attributable to bite misalignment, LEADING TO…

• Untreated gum disease hastens the process of tooth loss and discomfort with an increased potential for gum disease bacteria to become bloodborne. Oral bacteria in the bloodstream can LEAD TO…

• Inflammatory reactions can be triggered by the bacteria of gum disease. It has been linked to heart disease, stroke, arthritis, diabetes, preterm babies, impotency and more, LEADING TO…

• Costly and debilitating (even deadly) health problems that originate with oral bacteria can be prevented with good oral hygiene, regular dental check-ups and tending to repairs while problems are still small.

Don’t let the chain reaction of oral bacteria put your health at risk, cost your enormous amounts of money, destroy your smile and make you more susceptible to life long health struggles. Take charge of your overall health by tending to your oral health! Call (828) 274-9440 to arrange a thorough examination. This is your first step to a confident smile and healthier you.

Simple Steps To Minimize Oral Bacteria

Posted on Mar 04, 2015 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

As a Periodontist, I have a daily view of the destruction possible by oral bacteria. Rotten, damaged teeth and diseased gum tissues are the result of bacteria buildup in the mouth. However, you can take simple measures to minimize oral bacteria and its overgrowth in the mouth. One way is limiting the frequency of eating and drinking.

Every time you eat or drink something (other than plain water), an acid attack begins in your mouth. This is the initial part of the digestive process. However, what’s in your mouth feed bacteria, helping them to reproduce. While sugary and starchy foods and drinks provide bacteria with an ideal substance for growth, all foods contribute.

Limit your eating to mealtime and avoid snacking. If you must snack, select carrots, celery and foods that actually ‘scrape’ teeth as you chew. Cheeses are other good choices, as they help to neutralize oral acidity.

Flossing and tongue scraping are highly beneficial measures that require minimal time. If you have difficulty flossing, try an electronic version. A tongue scraper is an inexpensive tool but brushing your tongue after tooth brushing (especially towards the back of the tongue) can dislodge a tremendous amount of bacteria embedded in the tongue.

Finally, be sure to keep your 6-month cleaning appointments. During these, destructive plaque buildup is removed and signs of gum disease can be noted. Early signs of gum disease are gums that bleed when brushing, sore and swollen spots on gum tissue, frequent bad breath, and gums that are red rather than a healthy pink.

If you’re past due on dental check-ups or having symptoms of gum disease, contact us at (828) 274-9440 for an appointment. Tending to oral bacteria early can help you avoid costly treatment in the future.

Losing Teeth & The Problems Of Missing Teeth

Posted on Mar 02, 2015 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Contrary to what many older adults think, losing natural teeth is not a normal part of the aging process. Periodontal (gum) disease is the nation’s leading cause of adult tooth loss and is easily preventable with simple measures applied on a daily basis.

Those with the highest susceptibility to gum disease are…
•    Males over the age of 35
•    Adults who fail to have professional dental care
•    Not brushing teeth
•    Smoking
•    Having diabetes, high blood pressure or rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Teeth most commonly lost because of gum disease are in the front of the mouth rather than back teeth.

Although health issues such as diabetes and arthritis can make you more vulnerable to develop gum disease, this doesn’t mean you cannot take measures to overcome risk factors. Too, instances like smoking and twice-daily tooth brushing are choices you make.

Missing teeth compromises the appearance of a person’s smile, causing them to become self-conscious about smiling.  While the esthetic repercussions of missing teeth are significant, dental challenges caused by missing teeth are even more problematic. The space left by missing teeth needs to be filled to avoid teeth drifting.  Drifting teeth have a long list of challenges to oral health and the appearance of your smile, including:

• Compromised chewing efficiency
• The tooth above or below the missing tooth growing too long
• Neighboring teeth moving out of alignment
• More challenges with food accumulation, which promotes bacterial growth
• Uneven chewing patterns, which strains jaw joints and can lead to worn teeth, tooth fractures and chips, clenching and grinding, and headaches
• Loss of jaw bone mass in the extracted area
• Facial changes and biting/chewing problems in the area of tooth loss
• Increased incidences of accidental tongue biting & ulceration

When a tooth is lost, it is imperative that the tooth be replaced, preferably soon after. Dental implants not only restore the look and feel of a natural tooth, they recreate the presence of a tooth root in the jaw bone. This helps halt bone loss and protects your facial structure and the natural alignment of your bite.

If you have lost teeth, contact us about regaining the look, feel and function of a confident smile through dental implants. Call (828) 274-9440 for a consultation.

Pregnant? Hormonal Changes Increase Potential For Gingivitis

Posted on Feb 27, 2015 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Women who are pregnant should take extra measures to maintain a healthy mouth, for their own health as well as that of their unborn babies. Studies have shown a correlation between gum disease and premature birth. One study showed that pregnant women with gum disease were 4 – 7 times more likely to deliver prematurely (before week 37) and underweight babies than mothers with healthy gums. Mothers with the most severe periodontal (gum) disease delivered most prematurely, at 32 weeks.

Blame varying hormonal levels. During pregnancy, hormonal changes increase the risk for gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and periodontal disease. This is the cause for approximately 40% of women developing gingivitis during pregnancy, referred to as pregnancy gingivitis.

An increased level of progesterone in pregnancy makes oral bacterial growth easier, which forms gingivitis. Progesterone also makes gum tissues more sensitive to plaque. For those who have significant gum disease prior to pregnancy, being pregnant can make the condition worse.

Gum inflammation typically appears between the second and eighth month of pregnancy. Signs of pregnancy gingivitis range from gums that are red rather than a healthy pink. Gums will often bleed when brushing teeth and be swollen and tender in spots.

The goal is to prevent pregnancy gingivitis before it occurs. Be committed to a thorough oral hygiene regimen at home, which includes brushing twice a day, flossing daily and swishing with an antimicrobial mouth rinse. Be sure to keep your 6-month cleanings and exams. These will remove any plaque buildup that has occurred between visits.

If you are seeing signs of gingivitis or gum disease (pregnant or not), call us at (828) 274-9440 for an examination. Once your gums are restored to a healthy state, maintaining a healthy mouth can be a simple part of your daily routine.