Research Closely Ties RA To Gum Disease

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

As a Periodontist, I treat all stages of periodontal (gum) disease. In early stages, the condition causes gums to bleed when brushing, bad breath and gum tenderness. As gum disease progresses, gums become red in color and pus pockets form at the base of teeth. Eventually, teeth loosen and may require removal. Gum disease, to no surprise, is the nation’s leading cause of adult tooth loss.

Over the years, research has found a correlation between the bacteria of periodontal disease and a number of serious health problems. Due to the inflammatory triggers associated with the oral bacteria of gum disease, it has been linked to heart disease, stroke, memory loss, preterm babies, diabetes and impotency.

For people who have rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the condition’s association with gum disease seems unlikely. Yet, research is showing a remarkably close connection.

It’s not only been determined that both gum disease and RA share a genetic likeness, their clinical makeup shows similar structures, primarily in pathogens. A pathogen is an agent in the body that causes disease or illness. The pathological processes that occurs in both gum disease and RA are almost identical.

While it is apparent that both conditions cause chronic inflammation in tissues that connect to bone, researchers have found that both diseases also 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.

RA is a debilitating disease that destroys joints. It is disabling and painful. In most cases, RA emerges gradually, often beginning with morning stiffness along with weak and aching muscles. Joint pain follows, with joints feeling sore and stiff. RA is typically found in the fingers, wrists, elbows, hips, knees, ankles, toes, shoulder and neck.

As inflammation from RA increases, joints become swollen with symptoms including fever, disfiguring of hands and feet, numbness and tingling. There is no cure for RA and lifelong treatment is required. Treatment may consist of medications, physical therapy, or even surgery.

Like RA, periodontal disease causes pain, swelling, and tenderness. As it worsens, the associatedinflammation can lead to destruction of the bone that supports teeth along with surrounding tissues.

In one 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.

What’s exciting about the findings of these research findings is how oral health correlates so closely to one’s overall health. Yet, it’s a bit scary at the same time. When you realize that the presence of gum disease can so greatly increase your risk for serious health conditions, it should send up alarms. However, even in this advanced age of modern medicine, nearly 75% of the U.S. adult population have some level of periodontal disease.

Help spread the word about the link between your oral health and a healthy body, especially to those you love. Emphasize the need for a thorough oral hygiene regimen at home as well as a commitment to 6-month dental check-ups and exams. If you have signs of gum disease (as mentioned above), seek treatment at your earliest convenience. Gum disease will only worsen and will require more treatment time and expense as it progresses.

Call 828-274-9440 to learn more.

How Gum Disease Forms – Dental Terms Made Easy

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

A friend who recently acquired a sail boat loves to talk about his new passion. Unfortunately, as he casually throws out terms such as halyard, fife rail, and jibe when describing his outings, I become “lost at sea” (pun intended!). Rather than stop his conversation at each unfamiliar term for an explanation, I tend to try to absorb what I can. More than not, I fail to truly grasp the actual picture of what he is sharing.

As a Periodontal Specialist, I have to continually remind myself that some dental terminology that’s second nature to me isn’t as clear to the patients with whom I’m communicating. Just as jibe means very little to me, terms like osseointegration and mandibular are not familiar ones, often leaving the patient drifting as the conversation begins to fall apart.

Although dental implant placement and gum recontouring are regular treatments our office provides, gum disease is the most frequent problem we treat. Gum disease in the U.S. affects over 70% of adults at some level. It is the leading cause of tooth loss and has been linked to heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, memory loss, arthritis, diabetes, preterm babies and impotency.

Because gum disease (also known as periodontal disease), begins without obvious symptoms, people often ignore the warning signs, which merely allows the disease to progress further. In order to help people have a clear, concise picture of how gum disease forms, I’ve broken the stages down in language that removes dental jargon.

• Oral bacteria – We all have bacteria in our mouths. That’s normal. However, it’s the excess of bacteria that is at the root of the problem. When oral bacteria are not brushed, flossed or rinsed from the mouth properly and on a daily basis, they band together and form plaque.

• Plaque – This is a sticky film that coats teeth. It also covers the gums and tongue but is not as obvious as what can be felt by running the tongue over teeth. The presence of plaque means the mouth contains more bacteria than saliva flow can handle. When plaque is not removed, oral bacteria continue to reproduce, thrive and form calculus.

• Calculus – Also known as tartar, this is actually a hardened form of bacteria that emerges from plaque. As a condensed colony of bacteria, calculus attaches to teeth 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 scraping away buildup on a regular basis, you can halt damage to gums and enamel.

• Gingivitis – This is actually the first stage of gum disease. In this stage, oral bacteria are attacking gum tissues and tooth enamel as they reproduce at a rapid rate. Signs of gingivitis are gums that bleed when brushing, sore spots and frequent bad breath. It is this stage, however, that can be self-treated. That is to say that an immediate response with proper measures can combat the problem before it worsens. This includes a minimum of twice daily brushing (at least two minutes each time) with a soft to medium bristle tooth brush and flouridated tooth paste. Daily flossing is also needed to remove food particles and bacteria between teeth. Tongue scraping is advised, also. This removes oral bacteria that is embedded in the grooves of the tongue. When a tongue scraper is not available, brush the tongue with your tooth brush after brushing teeth. Be sure to get to the back of the tongue where the greatest concentration of bacteria live. Drink lots of water and swish daily with an oral rinse that kills bacteria and provides added protection to enamel.

• Periodontal (Gum) Disease – When gingivitis is not resolved, the next stage you can expect will be periodontal disease. This is when the bacteria have moved down into the gum tissues and are eating away at gums and tooth enamel at a rigorous rate. Typical symptoms are red and swollen gums, gums that bleed easily when brushing, gums that pull away or loosen from teeth, exposing sensitive tooth root areas. Persistent bad breath is another symptom, which occurs even after brushing or chewing gum.

• Periodontitis – At this stage, gum disease is running rampant in your mouth. Gums are red and tender all the time. Pus pockets form at the base of some teeth. Some teeth will begin to loosen as bacteria eat away at the structures that support tooth roots. Eventually, some (or all) of your natural teeth will need to be removed.

I believe if the general population were more aware of the sequence that leads to full-blown gum disease, we’d have far less adults walking around with bacteria that causes internal inflammation. When oral bacteria enter the bloodstream through tears in diseased gum tissue, it can trigger inflammatory reactions that are the foundation of the severe health problems mentioned prior (heart disease, arthritis, etc.). We’d also have fewer adults dealing with the ordeals surrounding tooth loss.

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 determine the health of your gums, along with recommended treatment options, call 828-274-9440 to request an appointment.

Remember, if you are having any symptoms, these will only worsen when treatment is delayed. This typically means more treatment time and greater expense.

Diabetes Linked To Gum Disease, And Vice Versa

Posted on Jan 04, 2016 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Diabetes is a metabolic disease that stems from insufficient insulin secretion and/or insulin resistance. This results in the body’s abnormal metabolic processing of carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

Regardless of the advancements in treatment, a report published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine/National Institutes of Health states that diabetes is “a growing public health concern and a common chronic metabolic disease worldwide.”

Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared diabetes to be at a pandemic level. The prevalence of diabetes has increased dramatically over the past few decades and is expected to triple in the next decade.

Diabetes is considered a leading cause of death due to vascular complications attributed to the disease. The most common types of diabetes are type 1 (known as insulin dependent) and type 2 (non-insulin-dependent).

While diabetes affects all age groups, it is more common in adults. According to the American Diabetes Association, the majority of diabetics suffer from Type 2 diabetes, which usually begins after age 45. Initial indications of this disease are bad breath and bleeding gums.

Initial emergence of diabetes in the form of oral problems makes perfect sense to those in the medical and scientific fields. Various inflammatory diseases and periodontal (gum) disease have shown connections for decades. Not only are periodontal diseases said to be the 6th greatest complication of diabetes, one triggers the other. Periodontal disease is an inflammatory condition that can create inflammatory reactions elsewhere in the body.

Gum disease has been found to be more frequent and severe in patients with diabetes with poor glycaemic control. Proper management of diabetes for controlled glucose levels is helpful in preventing or treating periodontal disease.

It is advised that diabetics have more-frequent dental check-ups to avoid the inflammatory reactions of gum disease, and vice versa.

Symptoms of gum disease include seeing blood when brushing, persistent bad breath, gum tissue that pulls away from teeth (exposing tender tooth root portions) and sore gums. Any of these signs are reason for any individual to see a dentist before gum disease worsens. However, for diabetics, the need is more dire due to their existing vulnerability to inflammatory reactions in the body.

A periodontal examination will determine the presence of gum disease. If it exists, a treatment plan will be discussed. Call 828-274-9440, and at your earliest convenience. Gum disease will only worsen without treatment. Delayed care can result in greater treatment time and expense.

Quit Smoking For Your Smile – And More

Posted on Nov 09, 2015 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Wow – we are nearing the end of another year already. As is common for many Americans, new year’s resolutions are being considered as the holiday season is upon us. For smokers, cutting back or quitting altogether is a common resolution, for good reasons.

When you quit, NOT smoking can cut your risk for heart attack in half. If you quit before age 40, you can also reduce excess mortality that’s attributed to smoking by 90%. Quit before you turn 30 and you’ll reduce this by more than 97%. However, it’s not just YOU who benefits when you quit. Second-hand smoke contains at least 50 known carcinogens and other harmful chemicals.

Smokers shorten their life expectancy by 10–15 years on average. It is responsible for an estimated 30% of all cancer diseases and deaths and 90% of all lung cancers and increases the risk of lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, cervical cancer, cancer of the  kidneys, liver cancer, bladder cancer, stomach cancer and leukemia. Smoking or chewing of tobacco causes 80 – 90% of oral cancers (mouth, lips, throat).  Smokers who are also alcohol drinkers have a risk of oral cancer greater than the combined risk of those who only smoke and those who only drink alcohol. Smoking is also a cause for emphysema and other respiratory diseases, heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

Pregnant women who smoke create heightened risks of first trimester spontaneous abortions, placenta abruption, preterm births, low birth weight babies and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Women are also at risk for early menopause. Men who smoke have a higher risk for sperm abnormalities and impotency.

Tobacco contains chemicals that are known to be harmful to the body. Smokers also have an increased risk of periodontal (gum) disease, bad breath, stained teeth, an increase in dental plaque, and slow healing after extractions, gum therapy or oral surgery.

Smoking dries out the oral tissues, creating a vulnerable environment for the rapid growth of oral bacteria. Once gum disease begins, you can expect persistent bad breath, sore gums, gums that bleed easily when you brush and gums that turn red in color. As the disease progresses, pus pockets will form at the base of teeth. The teeth will become loose as the bacteria destroys bone and tissues that support tooth roots. Eventually, these teeth will require removal.

If you ever needed a reason to quit, look at the loved ones around you who not only breathe in the deadly smoke you exhale. Then, consider the health problems they’ll likely see you endure. Finally, imagine losing your smile and having to wear dentures or partials to replace the teeth you lost due to the effects of smoking.

There are a number of online support sources for those who wish to quit. Begin there, and be committed to keeping this resolution. Your life, literally, depends on it.