Use Your ‘Sheltering In’ Time To Expand Dental Knowledge

Posted on Mar 25, 2020 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Whether by requirement or feeling the need to reduce susceptibility to COVID-19, many people in the U.S. are “sheltering in.” I think of how this is likened to the term “hunker down” when hurricanes or tornadoes are present. However, “sheltering in” is requiring lengthy periods of being housebound.

Although that may seem depressing, people all over the world are getting rather creative at how they’re managing. With the internet, we are able to stay connected, share jokes and encouragement, and relay tips and important info to one another.

You may have seen music being performed on the balconies of homes in Italy and by policemen in the streets of Germany. People who are close to hospitals are applauding the caregivers as they enter and leave.

There are many uplifting things occurring in the midst of this trying time. I hope you are using your time positively and keeping your mind and body active. These will help you get through this time with greater resilience and a ready-to-go attitude once our country is getting back to normal.

In the meantime, I thought I’d share some terms used in dentistry you may find helpful once dental offices are back up and operating on a normal schedule. Some include:

• Perio – This is actually a shortened version of ‘periodontal,’ which describes the pink, soft tissues in the mouth. Your periodontal health relates to your gum tissues, primarily.

• Buccal – This is dental lingo that refers to the front sides of teeth or gum tissues on the side of the cheeks.

• Lingual – This term describes the sides of teeth facing the tongue. A way to remember this is to think of the tongue “lingering” in the mouth and the sides of teeth and tissues surrounding it.

• Prophy – A prophy is actually a dental cleaning, which is meant to support the gum tissues by removing plaque and tartar that has accumulated on teeth since your last cleaning. A prophy is recommended every six months to help manage this buildup. When too much tartar (or calculus) accumulate on teeth, it can cause inflammation that goes deeper into gum tissues. Once this inflammation is active, a prophy likely won’t remove the extent of the damage nor halt its progress. When this occurs, the typical recommendation is a…

• Scaling & Root Planing – This procedure is a deep cleaning that goes beneath the surface of gum tissues and teeth. This is typically performed while the gums are numbed. Because some areas are time-consuming to clean, scaling and root planing is often performed in…

• Quadrants – A ‘quad,’ if you remember your high school math lessons, is a fourth of something. In the mouth, your quadrants are the top right side of the mouth, top left, lower right and lower left. If you use one of the newer electronic toothbrushes, you may get a ‘beep’ when it’s time to move from one quadrant to another. This allows you to give sufficient attention to each quadrant in the mouth so you’re doing a thorough job at each brushing.

• Pits and Fissures – Natural teeth may seem smooth. From a dentist’s view, each tooth has a distinct surface. This is especially true for teeth with larger “tops.” The grooves in these teeth are ideal hiding spots for bacteria since a toothbrush has a more difficult time sweeping them away. This is why some people have sealants applied, especially children who are still learning good brushing techniques.

• Bruxing – Simply, bruxing is the grinding or clenching of teeth, typically during sleep. Although tooth grinding is often blamed on stress or anxiety, it can also occur when teeth are misaligned (crooked).

Although we try not to use terminology that is unfamiliar to patients, we occasionally slip. Hopefully, you will speak up and question these so you stay fully informed as you make decisions that are best for your smile.

While your schedule may be anything but ‘normal’ during this period, we hope you’ll stay committed to your routine of twice daily brushing, flossing daily, limiting sugar and snacking, and drinking plenty of water to keep the mouth moist.

We look forward to “life as we know it” soon! Let’s pray this is short-lived and our nation is restored to a healthy, active country – with even greater appreciation for these gifts!

What You Eat & Drink May Be Compromising Your Oral Health

Posted on Mar 05, 2020 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Everyone would like to have healthy bodies and brains. We all know that the best way to enjoy a full, active life is to eat a nutritionally balanced diet, get regular exercise, have periodic screenings and checkups, and stay socially involved.

Yet, in our attempts to live as we should, things like improper movements while exercising or an overloaded social calendar can actually backfire on us, having negative results. Sometimes, it’s what we don’t know in our quest for bettering our lives that can lead to damaging consequences.

Take, for example, your diet. Do you squeeze lemon in your water? Do you relax with a glass of wine each evening? Are you a chocolate lover who has switched to dark as a healthier choice?

Although these are all good for you in some ways, when it comes to your teeth and gums, they can cause problems over time. Knowing what can occur may save you much in costly dental treatment in the future.

There are a number of foods and beverages that contribute to periodontal (gum) disease, cavities, and tooth loss. Some may even surprise you, which include:

Caffeine: Caffeinated beverages such as coffee, tea, colas, and many energy drinks can have a drying effect on oral tissues. Having “dry mouth” means there is insufficient saliva flow. This leaves the mouth without its natural ‘rinsing’ agent, which is what helps to flush out bacteria to maintain manageable levels. Without this, oral bacteria have an environment where they can rapidly breed and thrive. Since bacteria accumulation is the origin of most oral problems, this heightens the risks for your oral health.

Wine: Although wine (especially red) is believed to be a healthy drink, it is the way it is consumed that makes it a particular problem for teeth and gums. Whenever you eat or drink something, an acid attack begins in the mouth. While this is an initial part of digestion, this acid is highly potent; so much that it can soften tooth enamel for up to 30 minutes after. This makes teeth more prone to decay. Because most people drink wine in sips over time, this merely extends the acid surge period. When wine’s acidity combines with digestive acids in the mouth, you place teeth at a doubly higher risk for decay. (This also applies to any alcoholic beverage, especially drinks with sweetened mixers.)

Citrus & Acidic Foods & Beverages: The acidity in citrus (such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruit) can be tough on tooth enamel and tender gum tissues. This also includes tomatoes and tomato-based foods such as spaghetti sauce, catsup, salsa, etc. that can have a highly acidic effect.

Sugar & Carbohydrates: Globally, Americans are the leading nation for sugar consumption. We also love our carbs, which essentially break down as sugar in the mouth. Oral bacteria love these foods, too, because they supercharge their ability to reproduce. Because many sweet and carb-laden foods stick to teeth longer, their ability to cause damage is even greater.

Snacking: As mentioned earlier, eating or drinking triggers an acid attack in the mouth. This means for every sip of cola or granola bar bite, an acidic bombardment occurs in the mouth for approximately 30 minutes. When the mouth endures these frequent acid attacks, the damage to precious tooth enamel will catch up to you in the form of cavities.

Research has shown that the health of teeth and gum tissues is intricately connected to your overall health. Serious diseases have been linked to the bacteria of gum disease. These include heart disease, stroke, diabetes, arthritis, some cancers, preterm babies, impotency, and Alzheimer’s disease. These bacteria, once in the bloodstream, trigger serious reactions that are obviously harmful far beyond the mouth.

Start by reading these tips on maintaining a healthy mouth…

• When snacking, eat what you wish in a brief amount of time rather than pace eating over an extended time.
• Be conscious of what alcohol you drink. Try to limit your drinks to 1 or 2 a day and omit sweet mixers. Between each drink, take gulps of plain water and let it linger in the mouth for a few seconds before swallowing. Or, swish in the bathroom between each drink. This helps dilute oral acids and rinse them from the mouth before they can damage tooth enamel.
• Brush at least twice a day and floss daily. By removing bacteria that has accumulated in the mouth, you’ll help to decrease the risk for gum disease and cavities. Although many people feel wine is a healthy drink, remember – it is highly acidic. When this acidity mixes with oral acids, your mouth is bombarded with a potent assault strong enough to soften tooth enamel.
• Limit sugar and snacking. If you like a sweet treat during the day, choose an apple or wait until a meal and have the treat while an acid attack is already underway. This will help you avoid triggering a new one.

Having a healthy mouth will help you to smile more confidently and give your overall health a leg up by minimizing bacteria that originate in the mouth.

If you have signs of gum disease (tender, bleeding gums and frequent bad breath), you should see a periodontal specialist as soon as possible. Gum disease does not improve without treatment and is the nation’s leading cause of adult tooth loss.

Call 828-274-9440 to schedule an appointment.

 

 

Aging Adults Need Extra Measures To Prevent Gum Disease, Tooth Loss

Posted on Feb 17, 2020 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Whether visiting a primary care physician, ophthalmologist (eye doctor), dermatologist, or orthopedist, adults in the over-50 category often hear the same comment from their doctor.

“You’re getting older so…”

As we age, the body begins to succumb to wear and tear. The skin sags, bones weaken, joints ache, hearing dulls, and eyesight wanes. More precautions and measures are advised to keep the body operating comfortably and efficiently as we age.

The same is true for your teeth and gums.

Although people tend to react to an odd spot on the skin or blurry vision, things like having a frequent ‘dry mouth’ or gum recession are often brushed off as temporary or just a normal part of growing older.

Yet, the hazards of ignoring the signs and symptoms associated with gum disease and tooth loss should never be taken lightly. Research shows that your OVERALL health is dependent upon a healthy mouth and proper function in biting and chewing.

Here are some typical oral challenges experienced by seniors:

• Having a dry mouth: The tissues inside the mouth need to be kept moist. Saliva flow is designed to do this. However, with age, the flow of saliva is less plentiful. Just as the skin and hair get drier with age, the mouth endures this same consequence. When saliva flow is less efficient at rinsing bacteria from the oral cavity (inside of the mouth), bacteria grow at a more rapid rate. This means bacteria accumulation occurs more frequently than twice-a-day brushing can control.
We advise drinking plenty of filtered water throughout the day, minimizing caffeinated drinks that are drying to oral tissues (coffee, tea, colas), and using an oral rinse twice a day that is formulated to replenish oral moisture. Alcohol and smoking are especially drying to oral tissues. Be especially committed to maintaining adequate oral moisture if you smoke or drink.

• Less efficiency with at-home oral hygiene: Aging causes the fingers to be less nimble and stiffens joints. This is a particular challenge when it comes to brushing and flossing. Angling a toothbrush to reach all areas in the mouth and proper flossing maneuvers require manual dexterity that becomes less capable when the rigors of aging are involved.
We advise using an electric toothbrush 2-3 times a day. Flossing can be done using an electric water flosser. However, we still recommend manual (string) flossing where you can reach. Keep in mind that crowding of natural teeth (which tends to worsen with age) creates particular challenges for reaching nooks where bacteria hide and breed. Use extra time to ensure you are reaching those areas when you brush and floss.

• Medications that interfere with oral health: The average adult in the 65-79 age group has over 27 prescriptions filled each year. (https://www.statista.com/statistics/315476/prescriptions-in-us-per-capita-by-age-group/). Although your health may dictate taking these drugs, it is wise to be aware that some can be detrimental to your oral health.
For example, Coumadin, a commonly prescribed blood thinner, can cause more bleeding during certain procedures. Too, many meds have the side effect of oral dryness. Some prescribed for osteoporosis, bisphosphonates (known by Fosamax, etc.) have been linked with jaw osteonecrosis. The risk for jaw necrosis, or death of the jaw bone, is highest with procedures that directly expose the jaw bone, such as tooth extractions and dental implant placement.
Some herbal supplements can also cause side effects for some dental patients. For example, Ginkgo Biloba and Vitamin E can act as blood thinners. When combined with aspirin, the combination may cause difficulties in blood clotting. Be sure to provide a complete list of ALL medications you take (including vitamins and herbal supplements) at each appointment. This enables us to tailor your treatment to your specific needs.

• Hormonal changes: Post menopausal females are at higher risk for gum disease and subsequent tooth loss due to declining estrogen levels. Thus, these women have greater risk for bone loss or osteoporosis as well as inflamed gum tissues around the teeth (called periodontitis). When there is bone loss of the jaw, it can result in tooth loss. Receding gums are a sign of this bone loss since more of the tooth surface is exposed to the causes of tooth decay.

Why are your teeth and gums so important as you age?

As a periodontist in Asheville for over 30 years, I’m still surprised by the number of people who assume that losing natural teeth is to be expected with age. Yet, I see many patients who have kept the majority of their natural teeth well into their 80’s and 90’s.

Although dental implants are excellent replacements for missing teeth, there is nothing as good as the teeth God gave you. They’re referred to as “permanent” teeth for a reason; they were intended to be just that. Regardless of the replacement method, the ability of natural teeth to support neighboring teeth and provide stimulation to the jaw bone is unsurpassed.

Having the ability to comfortably and efficiently bite and chew is vital to having a healthy body. When dentures or partials compromise the ability to eat a diet of healthy foods – and chew food properly – gastrointestinal problems are common.

Too, bacteria overgrowth in the mouth is the cause of gum disease. Periodontal disease is the nation’s leading cause of adult tooth loss. Its bacteria can also enter the bloodstream, causing inflammatory reactions far beyond the mouth.

Advanced gum disease bacteria has been linked to a number of serious health problems. These include heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, memory loss, some cancers, impotency and Alzheimer’s disease.

Obviously, maintaining healthy gums and keeping your natural teeth is important. If you’ve experienced tooth loss, we can replace them with dental implants. These are the closest thing to the natural teeth you had and will restore stability and dependable biting and chewing.

If your gum health needs improvement or there are signs of gum disease, we can structure a program that restores healthy gums and helps you maintain your oral health between visits.

Although gum disease can exist without obvious signs or symptoms, the most commonly noticed are:

• Red, swollen or tender gums
• Seeing blood in the sink when brushing
• Receded gums
• Loose or separating teeth
• Pus pockets on gum tissues
• Sores in the mouth
• Persistent bad breath

When these indications exist, it is important to seek periodontal treatment as soon as possible. Gum disease only worsens without treatment, requiring more time and expense to rid this serious, even deadly, inflammatory disease.

With proper measures, you can enjoy healthy gums and natural teeth throughout your lifetime. Call 828-274-9440 to schedule a periodontal examination or ask for a consultation to get to know us. New smiles are always welcome!

Ties Between Obesity And Gum Disease

Posted on Dec 05, 2019 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

QUESTION: What do obesity and periodontal (gum) disease have in common?

ANSWER: They are both inflammatory diseases.

So, how could having healthy gums impact your weight?

Although the connection between obesity and gum disease may seem far-fetched, Researchers from Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine followed their similar path that lead to inflammation.

Obesity in the U.S. has become a severe problem. People who are obese have a body mass index of over 30 percent. That means that nearly one-third of their overall weight is made up of fat. Over 35 percent of American adults are categorized as obese.

Obesity can lead to a long list of serious health problems, including:
• Heart disease and stroke
• Type 2 diabetes
• Certain types of cancer
• Osteoarthritis
• Digestive problems
• Sexual problems
• Sleep apnea

By the same token, gum disease is nothing to take lightly. It can have dire consequences far beyond the mouth.

Gum disease is an infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place. It’s typically caused by poor brushing and flossing habits that allow plaque – a sticky film of bacteria – to build up on teeth and harden.

In its initial stage, Gingivitis, it causes the gums to become red, swollen, and bleed easily. In advanced stages, gum disease can destroy the bone and tissue structures that support tooth roots, causing sore, bleeding gums and the need to remove some teeth.

Periodontal disease is associated with an increased risk for:
• Heart disease and stroke
• Type 2 diabetes
• Certain types of cancer
• Arthritis
• Impotency
• Preterm, low birth weight babies

Notice the similarity between the health risks of obesity and periodontal disease?

Studies have concluded that changes in body chemistry affect metabolism, which trigger inflammation–something present in both gum disease and obesity. Because gum disease has been shown to occur in people who are more susceptible to inflammation, the same holds true for being more susceptible to obesity.

While further research on the connection is needed, it is hoped that treatment of one can positively impact the other. For example, by successfully treating periodontal disease, the path to achieving a healthy weight could be a more successful goal as well.

If your 2020 resolutions include a healthy weight goal, then start with a healthy smile. Begin with a periodontal examination by a specialist in periodontics. By reducing inflammation that originates in the mouth, the top-down effect may be the “leg up” you need to move forward for reaching your weight goals.

Call 828-274-9440 to schedule or to learn more about our Asheville periodontal dental office.