Prostate Health Connection To Gum Health Revealed

Posted on Mar 27, 2017 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

For decades, research findings have shown health risks related to the effects of systemic inflammation. This is chronic inflammation inside the body that continually simmers and can’t turn itself off. While this inflammatory ‘boil’ is not obvious, it has been found to contribute to a number of serious health problems.

Research has found links between systemic inflammation and heart attack, stroke, memory loss, arthritis, diabetes, some cancers, preterm babies, impotency and even Alzheimer’s Disease.  In their quest to track down potential triggers of internal inflammation, researchers have been taking a closer look at periodontal disease, a bacterial infection in the mouth.

Periodontal (gum) disease begins when there is an over-accumulation of bacteria in the mouth. As bacteria reproduce and thrive, they attack gum tissues and the structures that support teeth. When this infectious bacteria enters the bloodstream through weakened gums, it can create inflammatory reactions that can set into motion the potential development of serious conditions.

Symptoms of gum disease include tender gums that bleed easily when brushing, persistent bad breath, gums that turn red, receded gums and pus pockets that form around teeth. Because many people are unaware that these symptoms are so harmful, periodontal disease is estimated to exist at some level in over 47% of American adults. Thus, it is no surprise that gum disease is the nation’s leading cause of adult tooth loss.

In addition to the health problems listed above, new research has shown a possible connection between gum disease bacteria and Prostatitis, an infection of the prostate. Like periodontal disease, Prostatitis is an inflammatory disease. Prostatitis causes a frequent urge to urinate and a painful or burning sensation during urination.

The connection between periodontal disease bacteria and Prostatitis was revealed as a result of a study by researchers at Case Western University’s School of Dental Medicine and the Case Medical Center’s Department of Urology & Pathology. They found that Prostatitis symptoms were greatly improved by treating gum disease, even when prostrate treatment was withheld.

In the study, all participants had moderate to severe levels of gum disease. Additionally, each had inflammation of the prostrate gland with higher than normal prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels.

The participants were divided into two groups. One group consisted of men who were treated for gum disease. The other group received no treatment for their gum disease. Throughout the study, both groups had prostrate symptoms and PSA levels monitored but none received treatment for their prostate conditions.

At one-month and two-month marks, the PSA levels were measured in both groups. The findings showed that an overwhelming majority of those who were treated for gum disease had significantly lower PSA levels.

While these findings may help Prostatitis patients achieve better treatment results, the study reinforces how closely our oral health is connected to our overall health, even more than previously thought. Based on the study, just managing oral bacteria levels can reduce the risk of triggering inflammatory reactions in the body. In addition, we avoid oral problems that can be costly and time-consuming to treat.

Obviously, the potent bacteria of gum disease is nothing to ignore. As research continues to find links between it and serious health problems, we will share them. For now, take good care of your body AND your smile! If you have any of the symptoms associated to gum disease, call 828-274-9440 to schedule an examination. As a periodontal specialist, I am trained to treat all stages of gum disease.

Best To Replace Tooth With Dental Implant Promptly After Removal

Posted on Mar 23, 2017 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Even with the best of care, a tooth needs to be removed. Removal may be necessary because of an injury or break that extends below the gum line. Occasionally, removal is necessary when a tooth needs repair beyond what a crown can provide. When it is necessary to remove a tooth, there are several reasons to replace it immediately.

For many people, appearance is an important reason for placing an implant and crown right after tooth removal. Immediate replacement means they can avoid having an awkward and embarrassing gap in their smile. More importantly, however, is making sure that neighboring teeth are kept in their proper positions.

When an open area exists, the teeth on either side and the one above (or below) no longer have their reinforcement. The teeth on each side will tilt inward to the open area and the tooth above will grow longer. This begins a process of bite misalignment.

The delicate balance of upper to lower teeth is vital to your oral health, and beyond. A misaligned bite leads to cracked, broken, fractured or chipped teeth. Because an improper bite places strain on the jaw joints (TMJ), it can lead to frequent headaches, migraines, worn teeth (from grinding or ‘bruxing’), sore or popping jaw joints, difficulty opening the mouth fully, ear ringing, dizziness and sore facial muscles.

Before other teeth can move, it is wise to replace the tooth. As a lasting solution to a missing tooth, many adults choose to replace it with a dental implant immediately following removal. In addition to helping neighboring teeth hold their proper positions, another advantage is the prevention of bone loss. By inserting an implant immediately after a tooth is removed, you minimize the risk of bone loss, or ‘resorption.’

The process of resorption is when a tooth root is no longer present in the jaw bone. Because tooth roots stimulate and nurture the bone, their absence leads to bone shrinkage over time.  The declining foundation of bone places adjacent teeth at the greatest risk of being the next to be lost. This tends to set off a domino effect. Statistics show that the next tooth you’ll lose will be the next tooth in line.

Another benefit of immediate implant placement is the preservation of natural gum contours. Within days of having a tooth removed, the natural arch of gum tissue and the ‘points’ of gum tissue that dips between the top of each tooth will start to flatten. Placing an implant promptly following tooth removal helps to preserve the natural contours of your gum tissues. And the gums provide a natural frame for teeth, offering both esthetic appeal and protection.

Immediate replacement is also beneficial when two (or several) teeth in a row are missing. Because implant treatment fees are largely based on the number of implants placed, having one implant support a bridge of teeth saves you money while also preserving natural gum contours.

Additionally, since the positions for an implant (depth, angle, etc.)  in your jaw bone is already at proper dimensions, placing an implant following removal greatly simplifies treatment time, healing and procedural requirements.

To discuss immediate placement implants or any type of dental implant, call 828-274-9440. As a Periodontist, I have advanced training and skills in the diagnosis and placement of all types of implant systems. Begin with a consultation to discuss the implant best for your needs, the implant process and associated fees.

Diabetics Wise To Give Oral Health Added Attention

Posted on Mar 13, 2017 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Diabetes is a metabolic disease that occurs when the body is unable to properly process carbohydrates, fats and proteins.. It stems from insufficient insulin secretion or being resistant to insulin.

The American Diabetes Association reports these statistics among adults in the U.S. (http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/statistics/):

Diabetes is a leading cause of death due to the vascular complications it causes. The most common types of diabetes are type 1, which requires insulin control, and Type 2, which is the non-insulin dependent form.

Diabetes is far from being a problem isolated to the United States. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared diabetes to be at a pandemic level with a prevalence that has risen dramatically over recent decades. They estimate that the number of those affected by diabetes will triple over the next decade.

Regardless of the advancements in treating diabetes, the U.S. National Library of Medicine & National Institutes of Health reports that it is “a growing public health concern and a common chronic metabolic disease worldwide.”

Although diabetes affects all age groups, it is most common in adults. According to the American Diabetes Association, the largest segment of those who suffer with diabetics have Type 2 diabetes, which usually begins after age 45. However, over 18,000 youth are diagnosed with diabetes each year.

In a study study published in the journal Diabetes Care, the Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) noted that the annual medical expenses for youth with diabetes to be over $9,000, compared to less than $1,500 per year for youth without the disease.

Early warning signs of Type 2 diabetes are bad breath and bleeding gums, which are also symptoms of gum disease. Gum disease has been found to be more frequent and severe for patients who have poor control of their diabetes. By properly controlling glucose levels, diabetics can greatly help in the prevention of periodontal (gum) disease, which is the nation’s leading cause of tooth loss. Well-controlled glucose levels also help when it comes to the successful treatment of gum disease.

For many years, the medical and scientific fields studied the connections between inflammatory diseases such as diabetes and periodontal disease. With gum disease being the sixth greatest complication of diabetes, they noted that diabetes would initially reveal symptoms in the form of oral problems. However, continued research has shown that one can even trigger the other.

Periodontal disease is an inflammatory condition that can create inflammatory reactions elsewhere in the body. This is because its bacteria can enter the bloodstream through tears in weakened gum tissues. As it travels throughout the body, it can cause inflammatory triggers elsewhere.

Because of the connections between diabetes and periodontal disease, diabetics are strongly urged to have dental exams every 3-4 months (versus the standard of every 6 months) to avoid the inflammatory reactions of gum disease, and vice versa. Diabetics should also respond to any signs of gum disease promptly, rather than wait for their next visit.

Symptoms of periodontal disease include gum tenderness, bleeding gums when brushing, frequent bad breath, receding gums and gums that darken in color. When these signs are present, seeing a Periodontal specialist is advised so the most appropriate treatment can be discussed.

Because diabetics have a greater vulnerability to inflammatory reactions in the body, the need for prompt treatment warrants immediate response. Call 828-274-9440 to arrange an appointment. And remember, gum disease only worsens without treatment, resulting in greater treatment time and expense with delays.

Arthritis Patients Urged To Keep Oral Health In Tip-Top Shape

Posted on Feb 06, 2017 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

As a Periodontist, I have spent my career seeing how destructive periodontal (gum) disease can be to the mouth. Imagine an infectious bacteria so potent it destroys gums, eats into tooth enamel, an damages the bone and tissues that support tooth roots.

To no surprise, gum disease is the nation’s leading cause of adult tooth loss. It affects an estimated 47% of American adults yet is often ignored until symptoms become unbearable. Symptoms include gums that bleed easily when brushing, sore and swollen gums, gums that darken in color, gums that recede from teeth, persistent bad breath, pus pockets that form on gums at the base of some teeth and loosening teeth.

Modern research has found a link between the bacteria of gum disease and serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke, memory loss, preterm babies, diabetes and impotency. The connection occurs from inflammation that is triggered when the infectious oral bacteria of gum disease enters the bloodstream through weakened gum tissues.

For people who have rheumatoid arthritis (RA), research is showing a strong connection to periodontal disease through the inflammatory triggers brought on by this potent oral bacteria.

Research has found that gum disease and RA share a genetic likeness. Their clinical makeup shows similar structures, primarily in pathogens, which are agents in the body that cause disease or illness. Studies have shown that the pathological processes that occur in periodontal disease and RA are almost identical.

Both conditions cause chronic inflammation in tissues that connect to bone. Yet, researchers have also noted that both diseases have a similar inflammatory trigger. Also alike is the particular species of bacteria found in periodontally-diseased oral tissues and tissues that surround joints in those who suffer with RA.

In another study, a particular pathogen associated with periodontal disease was found to activate the same destructive process of rheumatoid arthritis. It has also been shown that, by treating periodontal disease in RA patients, RA symptoms often improve. This is likely due to the system’s reduced burden of oral inflammation.

RA is a debilitating and painful disease that destroys joints. RA typically emerges on a gradual basis, often beginning with morning stiffness and weak, aching muscles. Joints that are stiff and sore follow, typically affecting the fingers, wrists, elbows, ankles, toes, hips, knees, shoulder and neck.

As inflammation from RA increases, joints swell and are often accompanied by fever, disfiguring of hands and feet, numbness and tingling. There is no cure for RA and lifelong treatment is required, including medications, physical therapy or surgery for certain cases.

These research findings show just how closely our oral health relates to our overall health. Hopefully, as more Americans become aware of how gum disease can increase one’s risk of serious health conditions, its prevalence will decline. With proper oral hygiene measures, including a thorough oral hygiene regimen at home, gum disease rates will drop.

Be committed to your oral well-being just as you are your heart health, prevention of cancers and your vision. If you have signs of gum disease (as mentioned above), call 828-274-9440 to arrange an appointment, and promptly. As a specialist in this field, I can assure you that gum disease will only worsen without treatment.