If you were building a home, you wouldn’t want to make the investment only to find it was built over an old, cracked sewer. The same applies to having a periodontal exam and necessary treatment prior to restorative work (crowns, bridges, fillings, partials, etc.).

For example, say you need a new bridge. Placing it in a mouth that is compromised by gum disease is a recipe for failure. This is because the bone and tissue damage of gum disease can cause the crowned teeth supporting the bridge to fail.

Some people aren’t aware they have gum disease in its initial stages since there are no obvious symptoms. Like many diseases, such as cancer, heart disease or diabetes, symptoms are not apparent in early stages and people are unaware they exist. When symptoms do emerge, however, it is because the disease is well underway and the body’s immune system can no longer combat its development.

This is also the case with periodontal disease. As the amount of oral bacteria become greater than your defenses can handle, it destroys healthy bone and tissue. You likely won’t notice there is a problem until symptoms become obvious. Early symptoms include persistent bad breath, sore gums that bleed when you brush, gums that recede and expose tender tooth roots, and gum tissue that is red in color rather than a healthy pink.

Don’t risk a lost investment when it comes to dental repairs. A healthy foundation will protect your smile’s investment for many years!

The Journal of Dental Research recently published results from a National Health & Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), indicating that one out of two American adults over age 30 have periodontitis. The findings highlight the extent, severity and prevalence of periodontal disease in our population.

The findings reveal that over 47% of adults have periodontal disease, which jumps to 70% in adults over age 65. Men have a higher incidence than women (56% vs. 38%), with smokers at 64%.

What makes this survey unique is that the data collected was the first to use full-mouth periodontal examinations. Since 2003, the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) has been working closely with Centers For Disease Control (CDC) for an accurate accounting of periodontal disease in the U.S. The NHANES study was the first to use full-mouth periodontal examinations, rather than partial mouth protocols.

Partial mouth exams involve two randomly selected sections at two sites per tooth. Because periodontal disease is not distributed evenly in the mouth, prior surveys likely underestimated its prevalence. The full-mouth periodontal exam measured six sites per tooth for all teeth.

These findings support the need for greater awareness among our nation’s adults. Because of the relationship between periodontal disease and diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, periodontal disease should be acknowledged as a major public health concern.

If you are an arthritis sufferer, you are twice as likely to develop periodontal (gum) disease. Findings published by the Journal of Periodontology stated 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. Periodontal 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.

RA is the leading cause of disability and limits the daily activities of over 7 million Americans. We are sensitive to the physical limitations RA can cause and offer these tips to make oral hygiene at home easier.
• Use water irrigators to help remove food particles and plaque between teeth.
• Electric toothbrushes and floss holders can reduce the effort required by hands.
• Wrap toothbrush handles with a sponge hair roller for a 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 take medications that are drying, oral rinses can help. Minimize caffeine, alcohol, and smoking, all of which are drying to oral tissues.

With a good oral care commitment, RA sufferers should be able to maintain a healthy smile and prevent tooth loss. If you suffer with arthritis, overcoming the physical limitations to protect your smile will serve as a constant reminder that you have a ‘good grip’ on your health!

While baby boomers are cautious about some symptoms that can signal serious health conditions, an Academy of General Dentistry survey found that 63% of ages 45 to 64 were unaware that symptoms in their mouths may be linked to a more serious condition.

For instance:
• Bad breath and bleeding gums can indicate diabetes – The American Diabetes Association reports that 90 to 95% of diabetics suffer from Type 2 diabetes, which usually begins after age 45. Unfortunately, only 29% of the baby boomers surveyed were aware of this connection.

• After the age of 45, the risk of developing heart disease triples. – According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the leading killer of Americans. While a sore and painful jaw can be a warning sign that a heart attack may be looming, a whopping 60% surveyed did not identify these symptoms as warning signs.

Researchers believe that certain diseases often manifest themselves in the mouth. The survey revealed that 25% of baby boomers, although unaware of the connection of these symptoms, had experienced at least one of the symptoms they ignored.

We encourage patients to share any oral symptom they’ve experienced so we can help you keep your teeth and gums healthy as well as pinpoint areas that may require medical care.