Dental Talk – Terms You May Hear

Posted on May 12, 2015 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

In patient conversations, I occasionally catch myself saying things like “…your mandible” when “lower jaw” is a more familiar way to say the same thing. As a periodontist, some dental terms are so common to me that I forget I can lose good connection with patients.

I hope I avoid discussing your oral health in unfamiliar terms. However, if I slip, never hesitate to ask questions so you fully understand everything during my explanations.

Some terms that aren’t always familiar ones may include:

• Anterior Teeth: The six upper or six lower front teeth.
• Bone Resorption: Loss of jaw bone that supports tooth roots.
• Bruxing: Grinding or gnashing of teeth, typically while asleep.
• Calculus: Hard residue that forms on teeth due to plaque buildup.
• Mandible: The lower jaw.
• Maxilla: The upper jaw.
• Palate: Hard and soft tissue forming the roof of the mouth.
• Plaque: A sticky substance composed of bacteria and food debris that accumulates on teeth.
• Prophy: Cleaning of the teeth for the prevention of gum disease and tooth decay.
• Scaling & Root Planning: Removing plaque and calculus from tooth surfaces above and below the gum line.
• Tartar: A common term for calculus, a hard deposit that adheres to teeth and can only be removed by dental tools.

We want our patients to always be in-the-know when it comes to dental wellness. I hope our conversations leave you fully informed so you are an active participant in achieving and maintaining a healthy smile!

Read Label Before Purchasing Mouthwash

Posted on May 08, 2015 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Mouthwash is a common component of many oral hygiene routines at home. For many patients, we recommend certain mouthwashes for their ability to kill oral bacteria, add fluoride, and treat particular mouth sores. Too, some mouthwashes are advised following extraction of teeth to curtail bacteria in areas where brushing must be postponed.

While many people assume mouthwash is a beneficial addition to brushing and flossing, not all are recommended by our office. Some mouthwashes contain alcohol, which dries out oral tissues. Even though alcohol kills oral bacteria, it also serves as a drying agent. This actually increases your risk for cavities and bad breath since alcohol decreases saliva flow.

Saliva is the mouth’s natural cleanser, keeping oral tissues moist and moving bacteria (and food particles that cause bacterial growth) out of the mouth. Some medications, smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages can also lead to dry mouth.

Additionally, it is suspected that regular use of mouthwash containing alcohol can lead to dental erosion.

Mouthwashes that contain alcohol have also come under fire for increasing the risk of oral cancer. Although these findings are still in research stages, it is suspected that alcohol becomes a carcinogen in the mouth, which is a cancer causing agent. Researchers have found that oral cancer risk is five times higher for those using alcohol-containing mouthwashes, even if they are non-smokers.

Like any product, always read the label of mouthwash before purchasing. Look for alcohol-free types and those with fluoride additives. Use after brushing and flossing and practice a gargling action to get the mouthwash to the back of your mouth. Since the back of your tongue harbors more oral bacteria than the front, consider using a tongue scraper prior to mouthwash. This loosens oral bacteria that are embedded in the tongue’s surface. You can also brush your tongue with your toothbrush following teeth brushing.

Remember, any mouthwash use is an addition to brushing and flossing, never as a replacement. However, certain mouthwashes can help keep your breath fresher, decrease your risk for cavities and support your oral health overall. Swish away!

Too Old For Dental Implants? No, Unless You Smoke!

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

Dental Implants are nothing new, having first ‘formally’ emerged in the 1950’s. Over the past few decades, they have been perfected to provide a dependable tooth replacement system. There are now many types of Dental Implants, designed to accommodate various needs and preferences. While Dental Implants are designed to last a lifetime (having up to a 98% success rate), like anything that’s not a natural part of the body, there is a potential for failure.

Dental Implants are highly beneficial, restoring one’s natural ability to bite and chew comfortably. Because they recreate stimulation to the jaw bone like that of natural tooth roots, they also help to halt bone loss. This bone loss can contribute to the loss of neighboring teeth as well as changes in facial appearance. If you’ve seen someone with a mouth that seems collapsed into the face, this ‘granny look’ is a common result of bone loss due to missing tooth roots.

Any age can have a successful outcome with Dental Implants. Extended studies have shown that age is not a factor in implant success, with an equal success rate in younger and older patients. For example, a study of 133 adults over the age of 80 and having no teeth showed that the elderly patients had treatment results comparable to those achieved in younger age groups. The factors that enhance one’s potential to have a successful outcome, at any age, are having healthy gums and enough bone to hold the implant. Patients must also be committed to good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups.

What is a significant contributor to implant failure is smoking. Studies have shown that smokers have more calculus (tartar) than nonsmokers. Calculus is a cement-like buildup on teeth that is an intense accumulation of oral bacteria. When gum tissues are already battling a bacterial onslaught, their ability to accept Dental Implants and enable successful healing is not good.

In studies, smokers were 3 – 6 times more likely to have gum diseases than nonsmokers. Smoking dries out oral tissues in the mouth and decreases the production of saliva. Likely due to less saliva and constricted blood flow, smokers have less gum bleeding and redness. This can lead to the assumption that they have healthy gums. Smoking also hinders healing in your mouth, making treatment much more difficult.

To illustrate this point, one study found that smokers were twice as likely as nonsmokers to lose teeth in the five years after completing treatment for gum disease. Smokers also don’t respond as well to oral surgery treatments. Dental implants are much more likely to fail in people who smoke, because of poor bone healing.

Researchers who have studies how tobacco smoke affects oral tissues say it appears to interfere with the body’s natural ability to fight disease and promote healing. Apparently, smoking affects the way gum tissue responds to all types of treatment, possibly due to tobacco chemicals that interfere with blood flow to the gums. This slows the healing process and makes treatment results less favorable.

Pipe and cigar smokers and those who use smokeless tobacco are just as likely to have Dental Implant complications than those who smoke cigarettes. According to a study at Temple University, 18% of former cigar or pipe smokers had moderate to severe gum disease, three times the amount found in non-smokers.
Pipe smokers have rates of tooth loss similar to cigarette smokers.

The Surgeon General has good news for those wanting (or trying to) quit smoking. A recent study reported that people who had quit smoking 11 years prior had nearly the same rate of gum disease as those who never smoked.

Can’t quit? Reducing the amount you smoke can also make a difference. One study found that people who smoked over a pack and a half a day were 6 times more likely to develop gum disease than nonsmokers. Those who smoked less than a half pack per day had only 3 times the risk.

While every Dental Implant placed is intended to provide a successful outcome for a lifetime, regardless of one’s age, those who smoke need to accept the risks for failure. The first step is a thorough evaluation of your gums and assessment of bone mass to support Dental Implants. From there, we can help you take the first step towards the ability to eat the foods you love and laugh with confidence! Call (828) 274-9440 for an appointment.

Mouth Sore? Could Be A Canker Sore.

Posted on Apr 26, 2015 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Because of the devastating statistics associated with oral cancer, any sore or unusual spot in the mouth should be monitored carefully. However, some sores that occur inside the mouth can be canker sores.

A canker sore is a painful spot that appears on the tongue, inside of cheek or on the soft palate. Canker sores are white or gray circles with a red outline. They may begin with a tingling or burning sensation before the sore appears.

While stress or tissue injury is often suspected to be the reason canker sores arise, their exact cause is actually unknown. Tissue damage can occur from things like wearing braces, biting the inside of the cheek or a tooth that cuts into tender oral tissue. Citrus or acidic fruits and vegetables can also be a possible cause of canker sores.

Canker sores may also be caused by a compromised immune system, B vitamin or iron deficiency, or diseases such as Crohn’s disease or celiac disease.

Fortunately, a canker sore doesn’t last long with discomfort subsiding in just a few days. They typically heal completely in less than two weeks. To speed healing, a prescription mouth rinse or ointment can be provided. Discomfort can also be lessened by some over-the-counter medications.

For people who have reoccurring canker sores, they should avoid citrus, spicy or acidic foods. Using a soft-bristled tooth brush is also advised.

A Periodontist specializes in treating gum tissues and should be contacted when canker sores seem unusually large, are multiplying or last longer than two weeks. Also, see a Periodontist when canker sore pain becomes extreme or is accompanied by a high fever. Call (828) 274-9440 for prompt attention.