Yikes! My Denture Is Full Of WHAT?!!!

Posted on May 21, 2013 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

These days, Americans are more aware of keeping bacteria at bay by regular hand-washing and proper food handling. Yet, little publicity has been devoted to the bacterial presence in dentures and partials.

The material that holds the replacement teeth of dentures and partials is porous. This means that bacteria can become embedded in it. Not only do bacteria reproduce at a rapid rate, these organisms eat, and therefore produce waste, continually in your mouth.

This bacterial buildup can result in painful inflammation, cracking at the corners of the mouth, redness and soreness. But, once established, disease-causing microorganisms (like Candida albicans, for example) won’t go away on their own. Ridding them may require powerful antifungal medications.

Full and partial denture-wearers must rinse their appliances after every meal and soak them in disinfectant solutions nightly. Not only is this process burdensome, many people sleep in their dentures and partials. The warm, moist, dark environment this provides is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. As bacteria builds, the eventual result is an infection called periodontitis. This form of gum disease can result in painful and serious problems, such as increased inflammation in the body.

Yet, oral bacteria can cause devastating damage far beyond one’s mouth. Research has shown that the bacteria of gum disease can become bloodborne throughout the body via tears in gum tissue. These bacteria can trigger (or increase) inflammation that research has shown to contribute to coronary artery disease, diabetes, preterm babies, stroke, and arthritis.

Because dental implants are held by the jaw bone, they restore chewing comfort and biting stability. Dental implants allow you to eat the foods you love and laugh without worry. Dental implants help to preserve the jaw bone by recreating the stimulation once provided by natural tooth roots. They are safe and, when properly selected, placed and maintained, will last all your life.

If you’re ready to rid yourself of dentures and partials, call (828) 274-9440 to discuss the dental implant alternative. Like other adults, your life will enjoy many, many advantages!

Tips For Arthritis Sufferers To Protect Oral Health

Posted on May 14, 2013 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

If you are an arthritis sufferer, you are twice as likely to develop periodontal (gum) disease. Gum disease is the country’s number one cause of tooth loss and has been linked to serious health problems. These include coronary artery disease, stroke, diabetes, and memory loss. Findings published by the Journal of Periodontology stated that patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) had an average tooth loss of 11.6 teeth compared to 6.7 teeth of other participants in the study.

RA is the nation’s leading cause of disability and limits the daily activities of over 7 million Americans. Because we understand the physical limitations RA can cause, the following tips are provided to make your oral hygiene at home easier.

• Water irrigators can remove food particles and plaque between teeth.

• Electric toothbrushes and floss holders can reduce the amount of effort required by the hands.

• Wrap toothbrush handles with a sponge hair roller to create a more comfortable, thicker grip.

• Replace knob-type faucets with levers, which are easier to turn on and off.

• Insufficient saliva in the mouth increases the risk of bacterial growth. Drink plenty of water to keep your mouth moist. If you are taking medications that are drying, oral rinses are available to help maintain oral moisture. Minimize caffeine, alcohol, and smoking, all which are drying to oral tissues.

With a good oral care commitment, RA sufferers can maintain a healthy smile and prevent tooth loss. If you suffer with arthritis, overcoming the physical limitations to protect your smile will result in a constant reminder that YOU are in charge of your health!

Gum Disease, Inflammation & Foods To Pass Up

Posted on Apr 29, 2013 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection and inflammation of the gums that causes loss of the bone that support teeth.  Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury and infection. However, chronic inflammation creates an over-production of immune cells that actually damage, rather than repair. Rampant inflammation can lead to cancer, arthritis, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, as well as other major health problems.

To aid your body’s ability to keep inflammation in check, it is important to maintain a healthy mouth. Your mouth can be a tremendous source of bacteria, which can develop into gum disease. When gum disease weakens oral tissues, this bacteria can enter the bloodstream. Research has already associated the inflammatory reaction of oral bacteria with a list that includes coronary artery disease, stroke, memory loss and diabetes.

This information, in itself, should be enough to motivate adults to brush (at least twice daily) and floss every day. However, it is also important to keep those six-month dental exams and cleanings. This allows removal of bacteria-laden plaque, which can occur between visits (even for diligent brushers and flossers).  Plaque build-up is what your Hygienist is scraping off, and no amount of brushing or flossing will remove it.

In addition to maintaining good oral health, you may be interested in a list of foods that may actually add to harmful inflammation. While everything in moderation is always wise, some foods are more irritating and tend to exaggerate inflammation. They include:

MSG – This preservative and flavor enhancer is a chemical that has been shown to have inflammatory responses. While more research is needed to understand why MSG causes inflammation, we already know that the human body does not tolerate it well.

Sugar – Excess sugar in the body creates havoc in a number of ways. While the body goes through intricate maneuvers to process it, the end result is inflammation.

White Bread – White bread is refined to nothing more than fast-digesting carbohydrates that irritate the body. Both white bread and pastas break down quickly into sugar, leading to higher sugar levels in the blood.

Gluten – Sensitivity to gluten can lead to bloating or digestion problems. It is believed that these symptoms could be an inflammatory response.

Alcohol – Alcohol becomes sugar as soon as the body begins to break it down. A small amount of alcohol is tolerable – even beneficial. However, too much allows bacteria to easily enter the linings of the intestines. This can lead to irritation and inflammation.

Trans Fats – Many processed foods are full of hydrogenated oils (manmade fats), which can damage the cells that line your blood vessels.  This results in ‘plaque buildup’ in arteries.

We’ll keep you posted on new findings as they are published. In the meantime, if you’ve been irregular with oral hygiene at home or infrequent with your dental check-ups, call us for a periodontal exam. It’s one of the wisest ways to help protect your overall health and well-being! Call (828) 274-9440 to schedule.

Start With Your Smile To Be Healthy From Head To Toe!

Posted on Mar 07, 2013 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

There will never be a substitute for regular tooth brushing and flossing to help avoid developing periodontal (gum) disease.  Combined with regular dental check-ups, having a thorough home care commitment is paramount in avoiding bacterial build-up. However, because people are more susceptible to oral issues, here are ways to bolster your time at the sink.

• Eat a well-balanced diet. Some foods can promote healthy teeth and gums, particularly those that contain Vitamin D, Omega-3 and Calcium. These have been shown to help in reducing the risk for periodontal disease.

• If you smoke, you should know … Smoking is very drying to tissues in the mouth, which increases your risk for periodontal disease. A dry mouth is a major contributor to developing periodontal disease!

• Stay in shape! Studies show that people who are at a healthy weight and are physically fit have a lower risk for periodontal disease than those who are sedentary.

• Keep stress levels low. Stress has been found to contribute to a number of health problems, including gum disease. Research shows that stress increases cortisol, which can intensify bacterial damage to the gums and bones that support teeth. Another study revealed that stressed out people are more likely to neglect their oral hygiene.

• Be committed to annual physicals. Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease. It has been associated with  diabetes, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis and much more. Annual screening for systemic disease can enable you to have early treatment, and in turn, benefit your periodontal health.

Periodontal disease, if untreated, can lead to tooth loss and cause problems with other systems of the body. Because your periodontal health has been shown to correlate to overall health, keeping both your oral health and overall health in good condition will keep you smiling, from head to toe!