Men’s Prostrate Health Improved By Healthy Gums

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

You may have read warnings about internal inflammation. Inflammation is actually the body’s reaction to protect against a harmful presence. It’s a good thing. An example would be the redness and slight swelling around a cut. The body is trying to heal itself by sending its guardian force of white blood cells to combat bacteria during the process.

However, medical research has found that sometimes this inflammation is unable to turn itself off. This is known as chronic inflammation, which has now been linked to serious health problems, including cancer, heart disease, allergies, diabetes and depression.

With chronic inflammation, white blood cells are called to respond to an infection even though no infection exists. This confused immune reaction then causes the white blood cells go rogue. They begin to attack internal organs and even other cells.

Like other infections in the body, the root cause of periodontal (gum) disease is bacteria. When an overload of oral bacteria gather, white blood cells are signaled to begin the healing process. Like other diseases, gum disease can worsen beyond what a troop of white blood cells can handle. This creates oral bacteria that can enter the bloodstream and trigger inflammatory reactions elsewhere.

Prior research has linked the inflammation of gum disease bacteria to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, arthritis, preterm babies and impotency. Now, a recent study at Case Western University shows a potential correlation between prostatitis (an infection of the prostate) to gum disease bacteria.

Prostatitis causes difficulty urinating and a frequent urge to urinate. In the study, participants were all males showing periodontal disease symptoms as well as elevated PSA levels (prostrate specific antigen). Notable improvement in PSA levels was shown within one month after they received treatment for gum disease. This improvement occurred just as notably in those who received no prostrate treatment during this time.

Because of prior research, many cardiologists urge their patients to have screening and treatment, if needed, for periodontal disease prior to surgery. These latest findings related to prostrate health may cause urologists to encourage patients with prostrate problems to achieve and maintain good oral health as well.

If you are experiencing symptoms of gum disease, the condition will only worsen without treatment. Gum disease is the nation’s leading cause of adult tooth loss. Common symptoms of gum disease, in early stages, include tender gums that bleed while brushing, persistent bad breath, swollen gums around teeth and gums that turn from a healthy pink to red. As periodontal disease advances, pus pockets will form on gum tissue and teeth will begin to loosen.

A Periodontist has advanced training in the diagnosis and treatment of gum disease. Through this care, your mouth can be restored to a healthy state, giving you the foundation needed to maintain good oral health for a lifetime. Call (828) 274-9440 for an examination or visit the web site of the American Academy of Periodontology: www.perio.org.

Aging Process For Females Could Up Risk For Gum Disease

Posted on Jul 29, 2015 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

As a man, I’ve been made well-aware that menopause is no picnic! From hot flashes to fatigue, night sweats to moodiness, men would be hard-pressed to endure the lengthy menopausal phase.

How does this relate to your oral health? Once post-menopausal, your risk for developing periodontal (gum) disease and experiencing tooth loss increases, particularly in the first decade.

As estrogen levels decline, bone loss increases. Studies now show that bone loss in postmenopausal women can be accompanied by a higher risk of gum disease. One such study determined that post-menopausal women with osteoporosis had a notably higher risk of gum disease than did women with no indications of osteoporosis.

Along with a higher risk of gum disease, post-menopausal women may experience a reduction of saliva, increased dental caries and taste alterations. Estrogen decline after menopause also increases the risk of heart disease, osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s.

For women on hormone replacement therapy (HRT), the restoration of estrogen has been shown to help post-menopausal women be less susceptible to these health issues. This is based on the recommendations of your physician and your receptiveness to using an HRT, of course.

While your oral health is our emphasis, your overall health is also a concern. The two are simply meant to work together. However, it’s natural that adults develop particular risk factors due to the aging process. Our goal is to make recommendations to help you avoid problems in the first place or treat any that arise early to save you time and money.

Begin with a healthy foundation. Call 828-274-9440 for a thorough examination to get your oral health in great shape!

Pace Brushing After Mealtime

Posted on Jul 23, 2015 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

In an effort to protect our teeth from accumulating bacteria that causes cavities, bad breath and gum disease, brushing after each meal is wise advice. Right?

Well, right — but there is a proper ‘time delay’ for brushing to avoid damage to tooth enamel. This is because anytime you eat or drink, your mouth endures an ‘acid attack.’ These acids weaken tooth enamel, and brushing too soon can cause damage to the enamel. Naturally, consuming highly-acidic edibles such as tomatoes or orange juice ramp up the acidity level of these attacks.

When eating stops, it takes about 20 minutes for an acid attack to subside. To avoid wearing away tooth enamel, avoid brushing for at least 30 minutes after eating or drinking. If you know you’re going to consume something high in acid ahead of time, brush your teeth first and then swish with water afterwards.

Oral bacteria are able to penetrate a tooth easily without its protective shell of enamel or enamel that is worn thin. This can result in cavities and weakened teeth that can lead to cracks or fractures. If a fractured tooth breaks below the gum line, the only recourse is to remove it. Then, an entirely new set of challenges begin.

Obvious high-acid consumables are citrus, coffee, wine, tomatoes (including sauces and catsup) and colas. However, foods and beverages that may have a higher acid content than you realize include corn, olives, blueberries, dairy products, white rice, white bread, bagels, eggs, peanuts and beer.

Our goal is to help you AVOID problems that could lead to any oral disease as well as tooth loss. Timing your brushing just right can help!

The Challenges Of Dentures

Posted on Jul 16, 2015 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

At every age, it is important to stay socially active. Being involved with others is good for our overall well-being as it nurtures our innate need for community. So many social activities seem to include food as the centerpiece. When unstable dentures cause an individual to feel uneasy when eating or speaking, they begin to decline invitations due to fear of embarrassing slips or clicks.

A common complaint of long-time denture wear is the unstable fit. Even though a denture may have fit securely when first made, over time it will begin to move while eating. Biting and chewing contributes to uncomfortable rubbing. Just having nuts or seeds become trapped between the gums and denture can painfully pierce tender gum tissues.

Bone loss causes the fit of the denture to change due to an ever-shrinking jaw bone. This is the result of no longer having natural tooth roots in the jaw bone. Without tooth roots to stimulate the bone, it slowly shrinks, or resorbs.

Denture wearers can actually see the extent of bone resorption by looking in the mirror without their denture in place. They’ll likely see deep wrinkles around the mouth with the corners of their mouth turning downward, even while they smile. Jowls form as facial muscles release from the shrinking jaw. The mouth may appear to collapse into the face with the chin becoming more pointed.

Dentures can also make it difficult to eat a healthy diet. To avoid uncomfortable rubbing on tender gums from denture movement, people tend to transition to a diet of soft foods that dissolve easily with minimal chewing. Unfortunately, these foods lack protein and fiber needed for good health. It is not surprising that denture wearers have higher incidences of gastrointestinal problems and take more medications than non-denture wearers.

To minimize ‘rocky dentures,’ relines may help, temporarily. However, modern dentistry offers a far better option that overcomes all the challenges of living with dentures – Dental Implants. Unfortunately, a denture’s cheaper price tag has kept many people stuck in the a miserable situation.

Dentures simply aren’t a good substitute for natural teeth. Although they may seem better than being without teeth, dentures actually contribute to a number of problems. The pressure of wearing dentures speeds up the rate of bone loss and, for those who sleep in their dentures, the pace of resorption is nearly double.

Dentures are an antiquated solution for tooth replacement. No adhesive or reline will ever make a denture a practical alternative for missing teeth. For today’s active adult, Dental Implants provide a dependable option that restores chewing stability and laughing confidence. And even though the cost is higher, for one’s overall health and well-being, they’re a bargain.

Today’s implant dentistry offers many options. Learn those that are best for your needs and budget in a Consultation appointment. Call (828) 274-9440 to schedule a time.