Understanding Terms Associated With Gum Disease

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

Occasionally, I catch myself using dental terminology during patient conversations. As a Periodontist, ‘perio-talk’ is second nature to me. Deep down, however, I know it isn’t always clear to my patients.

I believe that patients are better participants in their oral health when they understand specifics of their individual needs. When I say ‘perio’ instead of ‘gum tissue,’ the patient doesn’t always ask for a better explanation, even though they may not be sure of the term’s meaning. This leaves us both at a loss – the patient doesn’t fully grasp their needs and recommended solution and I have a patient who is unsure of the ‘why’ and ‘how.’

Although dental implant placement and gum recontouring are regular treatments we provide, periodontal (gum) disease is the most frequent problem we treat. Gum disease affects over 47% of American adults and is the nation’s leading cause of tooth loss. It has been linked to heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, memory loss, arthritis, diabetes, preterm babies and impotency.

Because gum disease begins without obvious symptoms, people often ignore the warning signs. This tends to allow the disease to progress further. As a basic explanation of how gum disease forms, I’ve listed the progression below — with dental terminology omitted!

• Oral bacteria – Bacteria in our mouths is normal. However, an overload of bacteria is how the problem begins. When oral bacteria are not removed on a daily basis, they amass and form plaque.

• Plaque – This is a sticky film that coats teeth and covers the gums and tongue. It can be felt by running the tongue over teeth at the end of the day before you brush. Plaque forms quickly, from the time you brush in the morning to the time of your evening brushing. The presence of plaque signals that your mouth is harboring more bacteria than saliva flow can rinse away. When plaque is not removed on a daily basis, oral bacteria thrive, reproduce, and harden into calculus.

• Calculus – Also known as tartar, calculus is a cement-hard mass of bacteria that develops from plaque. This colony of bacteria attaches to tooth enamel and can only be removed with special instruments used by dental professionals. This is why your 6-month check-ups and cleanings are so important. By preventing the formation of calculus or having it scraped off on a regular basis, you can avoid damage to gums and enamel.

• Gingivitis – This is the first stage of gum disease. Here, oral bacteria reproduce at a rapid rate while attacking gum tissues and tooth enamel. Signs of gingivitis are gums that bleed easily when brushing, sore gums, and frequent bad breath. When tended to promptly, gingivitis can be halted and reversed. Treatment requires twice daily brushing (at least two minutes) with a soft to medium bristle tooth brush and flouride toothpaste. Daily flossing is also needed to remove food particles and bacteria between teeth. Tongue scraping is advised to remove oral bacteria embedded in the grooves of the tongue. An alternative to a tongue scraper is to brush the tongue with your tooth brush. Be sure to get to the back of the tongue where the greatest concentration of bacteria are embedded. Drink lots of water and swish daily with an oral rinse that kills bacteria. Limit sugar-laden foods and beverages as well as caffeine (which is drying to oral tissues).

• Periodontal (Gum) Disease – When gingivitis progresses, the next stage is periodontal disease. This is when oral bacteria are at a deeper level, eating gum tissues and tooth enamel while creating inflammation. Typical symptoms are red and swollen gums, gums that recede and expose sensitive tooth root areas, and persistent bad breath.

• Periodontitis – This advanced stage of gum disease includes infectious bacteria that cause the gums to be red and tender all the time. In addition to the symptoms of previous stages of gum disease, pus pockets form at the base of some teeth. Some teeth will loosen as bacteria attack the structures that support tooth roots. Eventually, teeth will require removal. Even worse, this potent bacteria can enter the bloodstream through tears in diseased gum tissues. This has been found to trigger internal inflammation that has been found to contribute to the severe health problems mentioned prior (heart disease, arthritis, etc.).

I believe if the general population were more aware of the sequence that leads to full-blown gum disease, we’d have healthier adults, far less people who wear dentures or partials, and people who are enjoying confident smiles. If you are experiencing symptoms of gum disease, please remember that these will only worsen when treatment is delayed.

I hope I’ve provided a helpful explanation of how oral bacteria progresses and how it effects your oral and overall health. For an examination to assess the health of your gums along with recommended treatment options, call 828-274-9440 to arrange a consultation appointment. We will discuss your current situation and potential treatment options.

Study Links Pancreatic Cancer And Oral Health

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

Numerous studies have found links between oral bacteria and serious health problems that extend far beyond the mouth. The inflammation triggered by infectious oral bacteria have been linked to heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, preterm babies and even impotency.

Now, findings from one study reveal periodontal (gum) disease bacteria as a potential contributor to pancreatic cancer. While this has been suspected from the results of previous studies, this long-term study focused primarily on how the risk exists.

The study analyzed DNA from saliva samples from over 360 adults who eventually developed pancreatic cancer. Researchers compared these samples to the DNA in saliva of a similar number of adults who remained healthy.

Adjustments were made in both groups for variations in age, race, sex and body mass as well as alcohol use, smoking and being diabetic. Subjects who developed pancreatic cancer within two years after the DNA samples were taken were omitted to eliminate pre-existing factors that could influence statistical outcomes.

With the findings from prior research, this study allowed researchers to zero in on two specific types of periodontal disease pathogens. Researchers noted that one pathogen was more prevalent in the saliva of participants who developed pancreatic cancer, who showed a fifty-nine percent greater risk of developing pancreatic cancer. The second pathogen was shown to increase this risk by fifty percent.

Because it is typically not diagnosed until at advanced stages, pancreatic cancer has a deadly track record. This year, over 50,000 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Less than ten percent will survive more than five years.

For years, research showed that the infectious bacteria of periodontal disease could enter the bloodstream through tears in diseased gum tissues. It was found to be a trigger for inflammatory reactions elsewhere in the body. This has been linked to heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, preterm babies, impotency and other cancers.

In early stages, periodontal disease begins with tender gums that bleed easily when brushing and frequent bad breath. As it progresses, the gums become tender and swollen, deepen in color from a healthy pink to red, and cause persistent bad breath. Eventually, teeth will loosen and may require removal. Because over sixty-five percent of American adults have some level of periodontal disease, it is the nation’s leading cause of adult tooth loss.

Hopefully, the general public will learn of extensive research results that show that periodontal disease bacteria is destructive and deadly. As findings from further studies continue to be revealed, it is important to be proactive when it comes to the symptoms of periodontal disease. Remember, gum disease will only worsen without treatment.

Call 828-274-9440 to arrange a consultation. I’ll be happy to answer your questions and recommend ways to help you achieve a healthy, confident smile.

Gum Disease & Prostrate Health

Posted on Apr 11, 2016 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

All bodies contain bacteria, some are even good for us. However, the human body was built to tackle the bad kind by sending white blood cells to battle the bacteria that can lead to infection. Although this is our body’s reaction to bacterial accumulation, some infection spreads beyond what white blood cells can handle.

This can be seen in a cut that goes unwashed and untreated. As bacteria multiply, inflammation sets in. This is what causes redness and swelling as white blood cells arrive to tackle the enemy. When the white blood cells are overwhelmed, an antibiotic may be needed to overcome the overload that the white blood cells cannot combat.

Systemic inflammation is similar, except it cannot be seen like the redness or swelling from a cut. This internal inflammation in the body can simmer without being obvious. With chronic inflammation, the reaction can’t turn itself off. While the white blood cells will back off when a cut heals, chronic inflammation inside the body continues for no reason.

Although invisible, this continual inflammation can contribute to a number of serious health problems. For example, research has found links between systemic inflammation and heart attacks, arthritis, diabetes, some cancers, preterm babies and even Alzheimer’s Disease.  Now, researchers have begun to take a closer look at periodontal disease, a bacterial infection in the mouth, as being a potential trigger of internal inflammation.

As oral bacteria accumulate in the mouth, periodontal (gum) disease develops, thrives and spreads by eating away at gum tissues, tooth enamel and supporting bones. When the bacteria of gum disease enter the bloodstream through weakened gums, inflammatory reactions can create destruction far beyond the mouth.

Research now shows a potential link between oral bacteria and Prostatitis, an infection of the prostate. Prostatitis, an inflammatory disease, causes a frequent urge to urinate and a burning sensation or pain during urination.

The connection between periodontal disease bacteria and Prostatitis was recently noted in a study conducted at Case Western University. Researchers from Case Western’s School of Dental Medicine and the Case Medical Center’s Department of Urology & Pathology found that the symptoms of Prostatitis could be greatly improved by treating gum disease.

In their study, all participants had moderate to severe levels of periodontal disease. Those in the study also had inflammation of the prostrate gland with higher than normal prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels.

During the study, one group of participants were treated for gum disease while having prostrate symptoms and PSA levels monitored. The other group received no treatment for their gum disease while prostrate symptoms and PSA levels were monitored. Neither group was given treatment for their prostate conditions during the study.

PSA levels were measured in both groups after one month and again after two months. Researchers noted an overwhelming majority with noticeably lower PSA levels in the group who received treatment for gum disease. Hopefully, these findings can help Prostatitis patients achieve better treatment results.

As studies continue, it is obvious that your oral health is closely connected to your overall health. By avoiding bacteria overload in the mouth, you reduce the risk of triggering inflammatory reactions elsewhere in the body. Additionally, your smile will avoid problems that are time-consuming and expensive to treat.

Common symptoms of gum disease are tender gums that bleed when brushing, persistent bad breath, gums that turn red, gums that loosen from teeth and pus pockets that form at the base of teeth. If you have any of these symptoms, you should also know that periodontal disease is the leading cause of adult tooth loss in the U.S.

Obviously, the potent bacteria of gum disease is nothing to ignore, as research continues to find links between it and serious health problems. Take good care of your body AND your smile! Call 828-274-9440 to schedule a thorough examination. If signs of gum disease exist, we can make recommendations for treatment to restore your smile to a healthy state.

Post-Menopausal Women At Higher Risk For Gum Disease

Posted on Jan 26, 2016 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Menopause is typically accompanied by hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue and moodiness. Once a female enters the post-menopausal phase, these symptoms may subside while a new problem emerges. Research has shown that being post-menopausal heightens the risk of tooth loss.

Studies have revealed that bone loss in postmenopausal women can be accompanied by a greater risk for periodontal (gum) disease. A study published by the National Institutes of Health cited that post-menopausal females with signs of osteoporosis had an increased liklihood of gum disease when compared to post-menopausal women with no signs of osteoporosis.

It has long been known that a reduction in estrogen levels contributes to bone loss. Post-menopausal women may also experience a reduction of saliva, which increases the potential for cavities.

The estrogen drops of menopause also increase the risk for heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease. While hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can alleviate symptoms associated with estrogen deficiency, replacing estrogen may also prevent some of the chronic illnesses common to postmenopausal women.

Our goal is to provide care to each patient that takes their overall health into consideration. This is why we ask you to keep your health history and medication list up to date. This information enables us to customize your care to your unique needs. This can also help you avoid problems or minimize those that do emerge.

If you are post-menopausal, be especially aware of the signs of gum disease. These include gums that bleed when brushing, sore or tender gums, receded gums that expose darker tooth root sections, gums that darken in color, persistent bad breath or pus pockets that form at the base of some teeth. Call 828-274-9440 to schedule an examination at your earliest convenience.