Want To A Healthy Body? Begin With A Healthy Mouth.

Posted on Jun 15, 2016 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

I love being in this profession. Being a Periodontist, I’ve witnessed a number of advancements in dental technology, techniques and materials. I have also followed scientific research that has made enormous strides in connecting oral health with our overall health.

Time and again, studies keep showing how closely related the health of your gums is to the prevention and reduced risk for some serious health problems. Research has found links between the oral bacteria of periodontal (gum) disease to heart disease, stroke, memory loss, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, some cancers, impotency, preterm babies and more.

The culprit is apparently in the ability of oral bacteria to trigger inflammation elsewhere in the body. When gum disease has weakened the tissues in the mouth, the bacteria is able to enter the bloodstream. As it travels through the body, it can set a series of negative reactions into motion.

Knowing this potential, it’s no surprise that a growing number of surgeons are now advising patients to have their gums checked prior to surgery. Additionally, Ob-Gyns have started recommending pregnant patients to be especially diligent in having and keeping their gum health in good shape.

Some recent research findings has shown a predisposition to the deadly pancreatic cancer. Over several years, researchers at the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society collected oral samples as part of a cancer prevention and screening study. They noted elevated levels of two oral bacteria in pancreatic cancer patients. One oral bacteria was found to create a 59% higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer with another creating a 50% greater likelihood of developing this deadly disease.

The mouth can also reveal indications of some diseases, even before it is diagnosed. For example, Celiac Disease (an autoimmune disease that causes damage the small intestine) can create defects in tooth enamel. These may appear as yellow, white or brown spots on teeth or cause pits or band-like grooves to form.

Knowing this, it simply makes good sense to take VERY good care of your oral health. Yet, only half of American adults brush twice a day and nearly 80% don’t floss. These actions take just minutes a day and can make an enormous difference in your oral health, and apparently, your overall health as well.

Reconsider your oral health commitment, knowing that you’re doing a favor to your smile AND your body! And, be watchful for signs of gum disease, which include tender gums that bleed when brushing, swollen areas, gum recession or gums that darken from a healthy pink color to red.

Call (828) 274-9440 if you suspect you may have gum disease or have not seen a dentist on a regular basis.

Sedation Can Help Relax Dental Patients

Posted on Jun 10, 2016 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

In our office, many procedures involve incisions into tender gum tissues. As a Periodontal practice, it is necessary to penetrate periodontal tissue in order to treat some levels of gum disease. It is also necessary to open up gum tissues to place dental implants. And, in repairing gum recession, performing gum grafts or recontouring gum tissues, incisions may be part of the process.

We pride ourselves on providing optimal comfort to all patients – for any procedure. However, we are aware that many people have developed gum disease or lost natural teeth as a result of dental fear. Being afraid of dental visits prevents a great many adults from having regular dental care. As a matter of fact, it is estimated that nearly 70% of American adults have some level of dental fear.

Just as a general dentist does prior to a filling or extraction, we use novocaine to numb the areas in the mouth being treated. However, we also offer I.V. sedation to help patients be totally relaxed throughout their procedure.

For fearful patients, I.V. sedation (also known as ‘twilight sleep’) places them in a sleep state prior to and throughout their procedure. Although the patient may be able to respond to my request to things like, “Turn your head a little towards me,” they are essentially sedated to the point of snoozing. This removes the anxiety of anticipating things such as sounds or smells that may evoke thoughts of pain.

Another benefit of I.V. sedation is its ability to erase most or all memory of the procedure afterwards. While a few patients may remember hearing my voice a time or two, the time is generally erased from their memory. All most remember is a peaceful sleep.

I.V. stands for intra-venous, which is translated as “in the vein.” The sedation is administered by a drip into a vein, typically in the arm. Patients are in a sleep-like state very quickly thereafter. Throughout your time, you will be closely monitored by a trained staff member who uses advanced safety equipment.

Once your treatment is completed, the I.V. is removed and you will be monitored for a recovery period in our office. Your companion will then return you home where you will relax or even nap for a brief time until you feel back to normal. We do advise that I.V. sedated patients avoid driving or using machinery for 24 hours.

Some patients who have no dental fears prefer the relaxation effects of I.V. sedation. Certain procedures that require lengthy appointments can be tiring and I.V. sedation is an advantage to the patient in being comfortable while in a dental chair in one position for long treatments.

Our ultimate goal is to restore our patients to a healthy, confident smile. We believe this can be accomplished with gentle hands and a respectful environment. In many situations, sedation can be advantageous to providing a positive experience and successful outcome.

If you have dental fears or wish to discuss comfort options related to periodontal or dental implant procedures, feel free to call us at 828-274-9440.

 

Feel Good When You Smile, From The Inside Out!

Posted on Jun 01, 2016 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

What makes you smile? REALLY smile?

You may find yourself smiling joyfully when a child or grandbaby smiles at you. A favorite comic or a funny movie may cause you to open up and smile or laugh. Isn’t it great to smile? Smiling just seems to make us feel great!

However, certain reasons leave many adults feeling self-conscious about smiling, causing them to conceal their smile or ‘hold back’ rather than reveal a full smile.

An attractive smile looks good and creates an impression of an upbeat, happy individual. Healthy teeth and gums also project good health standards. And, people who feel good about their smile tend to smile more often.

The benefits of an attractive smile actually go much deeper than enhancing one’s facial appearance. Research has shown that smiling activates endorphins, which are the ‘feel good’ chemicals in the brain. Studies also show that faking a smile when you don’t feel like smiling tricks the brain into releasing endorphins.

Smiling can also add years to one’s life. Some studies indicate that people who smile more often can add ten years to their lifespans, on average. People who frown more often live an average of three years less!

There are a number of reasons that can make individuals feel less apt to smile openly. Cosmetic flaws, such as teeth that are stained or crooked, can detract from the appearance of a smile. As a Periodontist, I see people who have severe gum disease, missing teeth or a gummy smile.

If you are not smiling as often or as openly as you’d like, let’s start with the foundation of your smile — your gums. The health of your periodontal (gum) tissues provides the foundation for your teeth. If you are experiencing symptoms of gum disease, you may have gum recession. This is when the gums pull away from the teeth, exposing darker sections of tooth roots.

Gum disease also causes frequent bad breath and tender gums that turn red in color versus the pink tint of healthy gums. The disease can cause gums to bleed when brushing and eventually leads to loose teeth. In some cases, teeth have to be removed. As a matter of fact, gum disease is the nation’s leading cause of adult tooth loss. And, studies have shown that nearly half (47.2%) of American adults suffer with some level of gum disease. (https://www.perio.org/consumer/cdc-study.htm)

When teeth are lost, many people worry about wearing dentures or partials. Typical concerns are teeth that don’t look (or feel) natural, embarrassing slips, difficulty eating certain foods and chewing discomfort. These common problems have motivated many adults to opt for Dental Implants.

Dental Implants are positioned in the jaw bone, restoring the same, stable foundation as that of natural tooth roots. This restores your ability to bite and chew the foods you love comfortably and confidently. And, since the teeth attached to the implants are custom-designed for each individual, creating an improved smile appearance is incorporated into the process.

If a gummy smile prevents you from smiling widely, repairing it can be done in a single visit, in most cases. This repositions the gum tissue that arches the teeth most visible in a smile. For many who have a gummy smile, the procedure enables them to finally open up and smile without feeling awkward.

Crown lengthening can also add beautifully to the appearance of a smile. This recontours the gums so the smile line (the gums over teeth) is more even.

Healthy teeth and gums can make a dramatic improvement in one’s appearance, self-esteem, confidence level. Let this year be the year of your best smile! Begin with a consultation to discuss a confident smile that you’ll share openly and often! Call 828-274-9440 for an appointment.

Dental Fear & Gum Disease In The U.S.

Posted on May 25, 2016 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

In dentistry, caregivers are always encouraging you to be committed to your 6-month exams and cleanings. These periodic visits help to remove buildup that can lead to damage to teeth and gum tissues. Too, they are often able to catch small problems while treatment needs are still minimal.

It is very difficult, however, to coax a fearful patient into a dental office. Typically, many avoid regular care and only force themselves into a dental chair because they are in pain. By this time, many treatment needs are more involved, more costly and require greater treatment time. This tends to acerbate the problem, merely adding to their dread of dental visits.

It is estimated that up to 75% of American adults have some level of fear associated with dental visits. This is a huge number! So, as a Periodontist, it’s no surprise that nearly half of the adults in the U.S. have some level of periodontal (gum) disease.

Even a thorough oral hygiene routine at home misses bacteria on occasion. When oral bacteria are not quickly removed by thorough brushing and flossing, they amass together and form a cement-hard colony that attaches to tooth surfaces. This accumulation of bacteria reproduces rapidly as they eat away at tooth enamel and gum tissues.

This hardened mass of bacteria is known as calculus, or tartar. It can only be removed by special instruments used in a dental office by a dentist or dental hygienist. If not removed, it continues to thrive and expand.

As oral bacteria consume gum tissues, inflammation begins. This causes tender gums that bleed when brushing. As it progresses, you may notice persistent bad breath and gums that darken to red versus a healthy pink color. Gum tissues may recede, exposing sensitive areas of tooth roots.

Eventually, the infectious bacteria will penetrate the gums and attack below the gum line. This is when the inflammation can damage the bone structures that support tooth roots. Pus pockets may also form on gums and teeth may loosen. As a matter of fact, periodontal disease is the nation’s leading cause of adult tooth loss.

While people who avoid dental visits may try to be ultra-diligent in their home-care routine, it’s easy to be susceptible to oral bacteria. A number of factors heighten your vulnerability, including dry mouth and what you eat.

Dry mouth occurs due to a wide range of factors. Some medications have a drying affect on the mouth. Certain foods and beverages contribute to dry mouth, especially those containing caffeine and alcohol. Smoking is very drying to oral tissues. And, the aging process leaves us with drier mouths.

Eating sugary foods and many carbohydrates are just as detrimental to your oral health. Many Americans snack during the day, often on chips, crackers and candy bars – which are then washed down with sugary sodas. All this converts into a sugar based super-food in the mouth that provides oral bacteria with sustenance that super charges their reproduction.

So, even as a twice-daily brusher and daily flosser, you are not immune from developing gum disease. Avoiding regular dental check-ups is a sure recipe for needing treatment down the road that may have easily been prevented.

How does a fearful adult overcome their problem so they can have the dental care they need? I believe it begins with a conversation. This time together helps us to understand the background to your fears — when they began, how long you’ve had them, etc. I’ll explain the various comfort options that will help to relax you as well as ‘signals’ you can do to indicate you’d like a break.

When many fearful patients understand they are in control of their care, they are more willing to have the care they need. However, it is equally important that they develop a sense of trust with their caregivers. Feeling that the goal is to help them avoid uncomfortable sensations should be evident throughout each visit.

When more adults are able to release their fears and have the dental care they need, we will hopefully see a nation of healthier smiles and less tooth loss. Until then, encourage fearful individuals you know to consult with dentist after dentist until they find one they feel is sensitive to their unique needs.

In our office, consults are held in a private consultation room that’s removed from the clinical side of the practice. Here, we sit in a living room-like setting to discuss your specific needs and options that are recommended for your goals.

Call 828-274-9440 to schedule a time when we can meet.