Being Fit Enhances Oral Health, Too!

Posted on Jan 13, 2015 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

If your New Year’s Resolution to get fit is starting to lose steam, here is added incentive to continue – your SMILE!

A study showed that 63.1% of adults in the U.S. were either overweight or obese, with 36.6% as overweight and 26.5% obese. It is widely known that being overweight puts a strain on the heart, joints, and one’s ability to enjoy good overall health.

Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine researchers found indications that the risk of gum disease lowers when fat cells decrease. The study measured participants who were obese, with some of the participants undergoing bariatric surgery. All participants were given periodontal treatment along with oral hygiene instructions to follow at home. While both groups showed improvement, the surgery group showed the most favorable results.

Why? An overabundance of fat cells secrete more cytokines, which make insulin more resistant to proper effectiveness in the body. Thus, more sugar in the blood occurs. A reduction in fat cells makes insulin less resistant and aids in the response to periodontal treatment.

Another benefit relates to how the leptin hormone helps to regulate metabolism. Along with cytokines, leptin has been linked to inflammation. Because leptin production was reduced after bariatric surgery, periodontal treatment was shown to be more effective.

Inflammation from gum disease can erode bone and cause tooth loss. It also makes harmful oral bacteria easier to enter the blood stream. This bacteria has been linked to preterm birth, preterm births, diabetes and arthritis.

So, if that stationary bike is starting to look like a clothes rack again, rethink your commitment and know you’re giving your smile’s health an added boost!

 

As your dentist, this shows how intricately your oral health is tied to your overall health, and vice versa. Maintaining healthy gums and keeping your teeth in good condition prevents harmful bacteria from causing inflammation in the body. By the same token, having a healthy body seems to create a better foundation for the gums to battle harmful bacteria when it appears.

Alzheimer’s Disease And Oral Bacteria – New Findings

Posted on Jan 07, 2015 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

If you think that the bacterial build-up in your mouth from poor oral hygiene is just related to bad breath and cavities, be prepared for a jolt. According to researchers, the bacteria found in gum disease has been linked to brain tissue degeneration. Research has already found links between oral bacteria and heart disease, stroke, diabetes, arthritis, impotency, preterm babies and more. The correlation between oral bacteria and Alzheimer’s disease and dementia adds to a long, devastating list.

In one study, brain tissue samples from patients with and without dementia showed that a particular component of oral bacteria was found in 4 out of 10 Alzheimer’s disease tissue samples. This same bacteria component was not found in any of the brain tissue samples of people who did not have Alzheimer’s disease. This clearly showed an association between oral bacteria and Alzheimer’s disease, and not just a causal association.

Oral bacteria build-up can destroy healthy gum tissues, weakening them. The bacteria is able to enter the bloodstream through tears in diseased gum tissues, which can travel through the bloodstream to the brain. This can lead to degeneration in brain tissue that appears similar to Alzheimer’s disease.

This extensive research was conducted after a previous study on mice infected with specific periodontal bacteria. Researchers in this study found the bacteria traveled to the brain in mice, which prompted further studies involving humans.

An early-stage level of periodontal disease, gingivitis, exists in nearly 97% of the population. Gingivitis is one of the most common diseases found in humans and is more common than the common cold. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, nearly 64% of adults ages 65 and over have moderate or severe levels of periodontal disease.

The Alzheimer’s Association states that Alzheimer’s disease is the nation’s sixth leading cause of death. It affects over 5 million Americans, with one in three older adults dying from Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. The World Health Organization cites that about 36 million people globally are affected by Alzheimer’s disease. This figure is predicted to increase to 115 million by the year 2050.

Researchers think these bacterial components found in the brain may trigger a response by the immune system along with pathological changes. It is this chain reaction that the study shows can lead to Alzheimer’s. While the findings do not prove that oral bacteria causes Alzheimer’s disease, the links shown through research thus far are sound reasons to maintain good oral health.

Periodontal disease begins silently. You may not notice it in its early stages. However, gum disease is well underway by the time you see blood when brushing your teeth, have frequent bad breath, experience sore and swollen gums, and have gums that turn red rather than a healthy pink color.

Preventing gum disease requires minimal time and investment. Twice daily brushing (at least two minutes each time) and flossing will help keep oral bacteria to a minimum between your six-month oral hygiene exams and cleanings. If you are a smoker or take medications that are drying to oral tissues, consider hygiene visits every four months.

Alzheimer’s disease is a terrible way to spend those last years of life, and just as bad when we watch (or care for) people we love as they suffer through this nightmare. Keep your mouth as bacteria free as possible and stay involved with your general dentist to lessen your risk.

Gum disease will only worsen without treatment. In addition to creating susceptibility for serious diseases, it is the nation’s leading cause of adult tooth loss. If you are having symptoms of gum disease (as mentioned above), call our office at (828) 274-9440 for an examination.

A Healthier You Begins In Your Mouth!

Posted on Jan 02, 2015 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Many New Year’s resolutions pertain to getting fit and improving one’s health. While people switch to salads and spending more time on the treadmill, there are several ways to improve your overall health, all orally related.

Your mouth takes in an enormous amount of bacteria.When not removed, food particles create oral bacteria and reproduce in your mouth. This bacteria is the origin of periodontal (gum) disease, which is the leading cause of adult tooth loss. When oral bacteria enters the bloodstream, it can trigger an inflammatory reaction elsewhere in the body. Oral bacteria has been linked to serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, arthritis, preterm babies and impotency.

Renew your commitment for twice daily brushing and flossing and keep those 6-month exams and cleanings. If your gums are tender or bleed when you brush, call (828) 274-9440 for a periodontal exam. The sooner your gums are restored to a healthy state, the less is required are treatment time and expense.

And, don’t forget that digestion begins in the mouth. Proper chewing helps the body break down food so it is processed efficiently. When you chew hurriedly, you feel less sated as well as complicate the body’s ability to break food down. Resolve to never put food in your mouth before swallowing well-chewed food that’s already in your mouth. With each bite, put your fork or spoon down while you chew thoroughly.

Before you renew your gym membership, remember the ways you can improve your health by focusing first on your mouth. Your decisions and commitment can be a tremendous asset to your health (and savings to your wallet)! Happy 2015!

Differing Diagnosis From Dentist To Dentist

Posted on Nov 30, 2014 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Although treatment recommendations can occasionally vary from dentist to dentist, a long-term relationship is often an advantage. This enables you to be an active participant in your oral health with one dentist who can treat you according to your individual needs.

For example, hen one dentist diagnoses periodontal disease when it was not detected previously, it could be due to several factors. First, do you adhere to regular dental check-ups (exams, cleanings) on a 6-month schedule? Is your at-home oral hygiene regimen thorough (twice daily brushings, flossing daily)? Do you have proper repairs to existing teeth and gums (cavities filled, receded gums treated)? Do you keep your health history and medication list updated?

Like most diseases that form in our bodies, periodontal disease begins silently. It starts with oral bacteria build up and trigger gum disease. This destroys gum tissue and underlying bones that support tooth roots. When symptoms emerge, they include gums that bleed when you brush, persistent bad breath, tender and swollen spots around teeth, and gum recession. Once these symptoms are obvious, however, gum disease is rampant and typically requires treatment by a Periodontal Specialist.

Numerous findings associated with periodontal disease have shown a correlation between coronary artery disease and the bacteria of gum disease. It has also been linked to stroke, memory loss, diabetes, arthritis, preterm babies and more.

Ultimately, it is your commitment to maintaining your oral health that is just as important as the dentist you see. When a dentist detects periodontal disease at an early stage, keep in mind it will only worsen when care is delayed. Early treatment can save you time and expense for more involved treatment as it becomes more severe.

To learn more about the causes and stages of periodontal disease, the web site of the American Academy of Periodontology is an excellent source: www.perio.org. Or, call (828) 274-9440 for more information or to arrange an examination.