Afraid Of Going To The Dentist? Fear Has Big Price Tag.

Posted on Aug 15, 2017 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

In my periodontal specialty, I see a large number of patients who have developed gum disease or have lost teeth because they were too afraid to go to a dentist. Some people have even avoided dental care for decades. Yet, like a leaky roof on a house, ignoring the problem only leads to bigger, more complicated issues to deal with eventually that can’t be avoided.

Dental fear is a major problem in the U.S. and is a contributing factor to developing periodontal disease. Because gum disease begins without obvious warning signs, it is often allowed to develop further. This can create more complex problems and the need for treatment that is more involved and costly than if caught early on.

Gum disease, at some level, affects over 47% of American adults. However, most Americans are unfamiliar with the typical warning signs. These include tender gums that bleed easily when brushing, bad breath and swollen gums. As the disease progresses, gums become redder from inflammation and may recede from teeth, exposing tooth roots segments that are sensitive to hot and cold.

While it is estimated that over 70% of adults have some level of dental fear, from anxiety to dental phobia (an uncontrollable reaction that causes some adults to shake, sweat or even cry when faced with a dental visit), there is no typical persona when it comes to who has dental fear and who does not. There is no common age, gender or educational level, nor is there a typical income level.

What is ‘normal,’ so to speak, is the fact that most dental fear exists because of a traumatic experience in a dental chair in the past. This may have been as a child when a dentist was too rough or forceful. It may have been as an adult when the patient was not yet numb, yet the dentist continued to work on a tooth.

Dental fear, once embedded in the brain, often triggers perceived pain in the future. What exacerbates it is how it leaves a patient feeling vulnerable. When reclined in a treatment chair and unable to see what is taking place in a sensitive area such as the mouth, there is a sense of not being in control. For those who have experienced pain thrust upon them in the past that continued beyond their pleas, this sensation of helplessness is not something that is easily overcome.

In our office, we frequently see patients because they are beyond what can be treated by a general dentist. A Periodontist specializes in all levels of gum disease. This means that we have the best potential to help you save your natural teeth, even when at advanced levels.

While red, inflamed gums may not sound highly serious, they are. Research has shown that the oral bacteria of periodontal disease can enter the bloodstream and create inflammatory reactions. This is known as systemic inflammation. This inflammation has been linked to serious health problems including pre-term babies, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, some cancers, impotency and even Alzheimer’s disease.

Apparently, healthy gums are important to having good, overall health. Your periodontal wellness is important and dental fear can be addressed so you can achieve a healthy, confident smile without feeling white-knuckled in the dental chair! We offer oral sedation, which is in pill form, for relaxation. We also offer I.V. sedation that creates a “twilight sleep” state.

Both sedation options are safe. Trained staff monitor sedated patients throughout treatment using special safety equipment. Both tend to erase most, if not all, memory of treatment afterward and recovery for both is fairly quick. Within hours for oral sedation and without 24 hours for I.V. sedation.

However, as a dental specialist AND a caring, compassionate caregiver, I have seen patients relax the most when they realize our goal is to make sure they are always comfortable. We never want a patient to feel helpless or vulnerable in our dental chair. Once a new patient explains their concerns about comfort and we discuss options to keep them relaxed and comfortable, we will determine – together – the best sedation and pace of treatment that fits.

Consider beginning with a consultation appointment so we can get to know one another. We can arrange to meet in our private consultation room that is removed from the clinical side of the practice. Here, we’ll sit in comfy arm chairs and have a conversation about your specific needs.

Call 828-274-9440 and let’s get your smile in great shape! After all, having a smile that looks as good as it feels is a reason, in itself, to smile!

Dementia Adds To Periodontal Disease Risk For Aging Population

Posted on Aug 08, 2017 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Our population is getting older, and not just that of the U.S.  Globally, nations are looking at an aging population and how to address the diminished physical and cognitive abilities facing them.

In Stockholm, Sweden, for example, researchers from the Karolinska Institute examined the data of over 58,000 persons between 2007 and 2015, including dental health data. Common problems associated with aging include xerostomia (dry mouth), root and tooth decay, and periodontal disease along with increased sensitivity to local anesthetics.

Researchers found that a reduction in the utilization of dental health services was more predominant in patients with neuro-degenerative diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s, a particular form of dementia. Those who experienced diminished cognitive function were at higher risk of developing several oral conditions, including periodontal disease. (http://www.dental-tribune.com/articles/news/europe/35704_frequency_of_dental_visits_dramatically_decreases_after_dementia_diagnosis.html)

Although forgetting twice-daily brushing and flossing and having regular dental visits may seem less urgent than tending to other health care issues, research is continually linking serious, and even deadly, diseases and conditions to the oral bacteria of periodontal disease. These include heart attack, stroke, diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, preterm babies, impotency, some cancers, and erectile dysfunction (ED).

The massive Swedish study is a reminder that older adults may need added assistance when it comes to making their oral health a priority. This applies to at-home oral care routines and having periodic dental check-ups. For those in the U.S., the need is now and only becoming more dire with each passing year.

According to the U.S. Census (https://www.census.gov/newsroom/facts-for-features/2017/cb17-ff08.html), “By 2060, people age 65 and older will comprise nearly one in four U.S. residents. Of this number, 19.7 million will be age 85 or older.”

And, the Centers For Disease Control & Prevention adds that life expectancy is nearing the age 100 mark with both sexes at 65 years having an average of another 19.3 years to live. While men at 65 years are looking at another 18 years (on average), age 65 women have an average of an additional 20.5 years.

These figures are especially alarming since studies show a dramatic decrease in the number of dental visits before and after a dementia diagnosis. The first step, obviously, is better organization to detect these patients and ensure they attend to their dental health.

If you have an aging loved one in your care who may be showing signs of dementia, consider ways to help them keep their oral health in good condition. This applies to those who have their natural teeth as well as those who wear dentures or partials. Many people assume that not having natural teeth eliminates the risk of developing gum disease. To the contrary, dentures and partials can rub sore spots on tender gum tissues, making them more vulnerable to bacterial penetration.

Begin by having a periodontist conduct a thorough periodontal examination to determine if there is the presence of periodontal disease. If not, he or she can help establish an effective at-home program to follow and schedule more-frequent dental check-ups.

Through research, we’re learning that maintaining good overall health starts with a healthy smile. Staying healthy throughout our lifetimes is a goal we can all strive for and an easy, loving way to help our aging population.

Call 828-274-9440.

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.

Protect Heart With A Healthy Smile

Posted on Feb 02, 2017 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

The human body is not only built to house bacteria, it is made to utilize some bacteria in a healthy way. For example, much of your gut bacteria help the digestive system operate more efficiently.

However, most of us know that a great number of bacteria strains can be harmful. This can happen when a cut becomes infected, the result of too much ‘bad’ bacteria. Although the body’s immune system responds to infection by sending white blood cells to conquer the ‘bad’ bacteria. At certain levels, however, rapidly growing bacteria can overwhelm white blood cells. This is when a doctor may prescribe an antibiotic to give your white blood cells added reinforcement.

Periodontal (gum) disease is an infection in the mouth. It begins when oral bacteria have accumulated beyond what the immune system can manage. As the infection spreads, gum disease destroys oral tissues and tooth-supporting structures, including bone, ligaments and tooth roots. Periodontal disease, not surprisingly, is the leading cause of adult tooth loss in the U.S.

As harmful as oral can be to the mouth, the problem can easily become more widespread, and more severe. Through tears in diseased gum tissues, this infectious bacteria can enter the bloodstream. As it travels throughout the body, research has found that it can trigger inflammatory reactions elsewhere. Studies have shown that the bacteria of gum disease is related to heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, arthritis, diabetes, some cancers, preterm babies and even impotency. Research is also finding a correlation between gum disease bacteria and Alzheimer’s disease.

One of the first correlations between oral bacteria and other serious health problems was found in heart disease. One notation of this was published in Harvard Medical School’s newsletter, Harvard Health Publications:

“In people with periodontitis (erosion of tissue and bone that support the teeth), chewing and toothbrushing release bacteria into the bloodstream. Several species of bacteria that cause periodontitis have been found in the atherosclerotic plaque in arteries in the heart and elsewhere. This plaque can lead to heart attack.

“Oral bacteria could also harm blood vessels or cause blood clots by releasing toxins that resemble proteins found in artery walls or the bloodstream. The immune system’s response to these toxins could harm vessel walls or make blood clot more easily. It is also possible that inflammation in the mouth revs up inflammation throughout the body, including in the arteries, where it can lead to heart attack and stroke.”

Generations ago, maintaining a healthy mouth was not the priority it has become today. And, the priority has garnered favor that goes far beyond the appearance of a smile. Because we now know our oral health is so closely related to our overall health, the medical community is taking a stronger standing in encouraging their patients to achieve good oral health.

As a matter of fact, a growing number of surgeons are advising their adult patients to have a periodontal check-up to ensure bacteria levels in their mouths will not burden the immune system’s ability in efficient healing. Ob-Gyn’s are also encouraging pregnant women to ensure their gums are healthy – for the sake of both the mother and their unborn baby.

Research has also shown that, by improving the oral health in diabetic patients, their insulin levels improve. This is also true for men who have elevated PSI levels, even when they receive no treatment for prostrate problems.

It is important to know the symptoms of gum disease. These include gums that bleed easily when brushing, tender or swollen gums, gum tissue that recedes from teeth, frequent bad breath, gums that deepen in color from a healthy pink, and pus pockets that form near the base of some teeth.

Don’t delay care. Gum disease will only worsen without treatment. Begin by seeing a Periodontist, who specializes in treating all levels of gum disease. Then, be committed to your at-home oral hygiene regimen. Twice daily brushing and daily flossing is necessary to keep oral bacteria at a manageable level. Also, stay current with your twice-a-year dental exams and cleanings, which give you a periodic clean slate and can catch problems while still small.

For more information, call 828-274-9440 or schedule a consultation. Your smile – and your body – will thank you!