Have GOOD Breath For The Holidays! And Ban BAD Breath Forever!

Posted on Dec 05, 2018 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

The holidays are a time when friends and family bring us closer together. Whether sitting side-by-side at the table or in close conversations at cocktail parties, we find ourselves a little more conscious about our breath odor than perhaps we normally would be.

Of course, we’ve all encountered that individual who has the memorable bad breath. And, what a terrible impression that leaves, which tends to be forever associated with that person. Fortunately, there are easy ways to avoid having bad breath in these situations and to have fresher breath throughout the year.

It is important to know that bad breath is typically the result of accumulated oral bacteria. It’s as simple as that. And, it’s as difficult as that. Like aging garbage, bacteria in the mouth that amass to high numbers create an odor — a stinky odor.

There are a number of things that contribute to the ability of these icky organisms’ ability to reproduce. One that may surprise you is having a dry mouth.

A dry mouth may seem less inviting as a breeding ground for bacteria since they typically thrive in environments that are warm, moist, and dark. However, when saliva flow is unable to efficiently cleanse bacteria buildup from the mouth, they are easily able to reproduce.

A dry mouth is rather common today. A large percentage of common medications (including anti-depressants, decongestants, and anti-histamines) have a side effect of oral dryness. Too, many beverages contribute to a dry mouth. These include colas, coffee, tea, and those containing alcohol.

Another way that oral bacteria can run rampant has to do with our oral hygiene routines. To be truly thorough in cleaning tooth surfaces, it is recommended to spend two minutes per brushing, twice a day. That applies to both manual and electronic toothbrushes.

Even so, it is estimated that nearly one-third of American adults brush their teeth for an insufficient amount of time. Even worse, about that same amount fail to brush twice a day. This means that a frightening number of bacteria are left to grow and thrive in these mouths.

When you factor in that brushing only tackles about half the amount of bacteria in the mouth, you’re left with a tremendous amount that are able to grow and thrive. You may be surprised to learn that the tongue harbors anywhere from 58 to 65 percent of the bacteria in your “oral cavity.”

Oral bacteria love to embed in the tiny bumps and grooves of the tongue since they are not easily dislodged. Thus, it’s necessary that the tongue be involved in your oral hygiene regimen at home to keep bacteria levels under control.

Some toothbrushes have a “tongue scraper” on the reverse side of the bristles that’s an effective option. Or, you can just brush your tongue with the bristles after you’re teeth are brushed. Be sure to reach towards the back of the tongue where the majority of bacteria exist.

Another challenge for maintaining control of oral bacteria have to do with the eating habits of the American population. While “three squares” were once the norm, today’s American has more of a “grazing” schedule.

For example, your “average Joe” may have breakfast, a mid-morning latte, lunch, a mid-afternoon snack, dinner, and a bowl of popcorn or ice-cream while watching television. Throw in coffee, colas, and tea in with this consumption, you have a pattern that works against your smile.

Although saliva is designed to rinse the mouth consistently during the day, this frequency in eating poses more of a challenge than it is capable of handling. Too, food has more opportunities to becomes stuck between teeth. For those who do not floss daily, these bits are left to rot, adding to bacterial growth.

So, how do you avoid being “the one who has bad breath”? It begins with your time at the sink. Slow down! Spend at least two minutes each time you brush. Don’t scrub your teeth but allow the brush to sweep over them, especially near the gum line. Spend extra time, too, going over the tops of large teeth that have deep grooves.

Tend to your tongue. Either brush your tongue or use a tongue scraper. You’ll be removing a tremendous amount of bacteria that can form bad breath.

Floss daily. If it’s difficult for you, ask our hygienist to work with you on your technique so it is comfortable and efficient. You can also purchase an electronic flosser (water flosser). These are affordable and proven to be just as effective as manual flossing.

Drink plenty of water throughout the day. If you take medications that are drying, consider using an oral rinse formulated to replenish moisture (available over-the-counter). If you’re having a beverage that contains alcohol, drink a glass of plain water between each drink. This not only adds moisture to the mouth, it will dilute the acids in the mouth for less potential damage to tooth enamel (and lessen staining).

Not mentioned prior but very important to avoiding oral bacteria buildup – keep your six-month dental cleanings and exams without fail! These visits remove plaque and calculus (or tartar), which are nothing more than gathered bacteria.

These small measures will help you avoid cavities, gum disease, AND be the one who’s easy to get close to at any gathering! If you have tender gums, gums that bleed when brushing, or frequent bad breath, however, you should arrange to see a periodontal specialist as soon as possible.

A periodontist is a dental specialist who has advanced training in the diagnosis and treatment of all stages of periodontal (gum) disease. He or she is your best way to have a confident, “get close” smile! Call our Asheville periodontal office at 828-274-9440 to learn more.

 

 

 

 

If You Smoke, Your Smile Takes The First Hit.

Posted on Nov 06, 2018 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

First, let me assure you that this article is NOT a lecture about the health hazards associated with smoking cigarettes. We assume you’ve heard many of those statistics and warnings before.

However, as a Periodontist, I would be remiss if I didn’t begin by sharing the rather unique view I have of what it does to the inside of an adult mouth. With this in mind, I’ll share some perspectives you may not know.

When it comes to a smile, be aware that smokers have a greater risk of periodontal (gum) disease, more frequent bad breath, higher plaque levels, stained teeth, and slower healing following extractions, gum treatment and oral surgery.

The primary reason for this is because smoking has a drying effect on oral tissues. Without moisture that moves bacteria out of the mouth, this creates an ideal breeding environment for oral bacteria.

As oral bacteria reproduce and multiply in the mouth, the bacteria become infectious and inflame gum tissues. This is the beginning of gum disease. In the initial stage, known as gingivitis, symptoms include frequent bad breath, tender gums, and gum tissues that bleed easily when brushing.

As it progresses, bad breath becomes persistent, gum tissues turn red, and pus pockets form at the base of some teeth. Eventually, this potent bacteria attack bone structures that support teeth and tissues surrounding tooth roots. This causes teeth to loosen and can lead to the need for tooth removal.

Gum disease is the nation’s leading cause of adult tooth loss. You may be surprised to learn that losing teeth is highly detrimental to your overall health. Studies show that people who wear dentures die ten years earlier than those with natural teeth, on average. Denture wearers take more medications, have more gastrointestinal problems, and are less socially active.

Smoking is also attributed to nearly a third of all cancer diseases and deaths. Pregnant women who smoke have a greater risk for first-trimester spontaneous abortion, preterm births, low birth weight babies (under 5.5 lbs) and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Women who smoke are risk having early menopause while men who smoke are at higher risk of impotency.

On average, smokers decrease life expectancy by 10–15 years. That’s pretty scary. As hard as it is, kicking the habit is well worth the benefits, which can be obvious almost immediately. These often include:

• Immediately: You halt the contribution of ‘second-hand smoke,’ which puts at least 50 carcinogens and other harmful chemicals in the air. If you have children, you’ll eliminate them waking up with ‘smoker’s cough.’
• Within 2 days: The sense of smell and taste return and damaged nerve endings begin to regenerate.
• Within 3 days: Breathing becomes easier with fuller air intake as the lungs start to repair.
• Within 2 weeks: Blood circulation in the gums is restored. The risk of heart attack declines.
• Within 6 weeks: Overall circulation has improved, walking has become easier and your chronic cough has cleared.

In our periodontal dental office, we don’t lecture our patients. We respect them and work with each on an individual basis. Our goal is to help you keep your smile in good shape, keep your natural teeth, and avoid the hazards of periodontal disease.

For those who have lost natural teeth, a periodontist has advanced training in the diagnosis and placement of dental implants in addition to the treatment of all stages of gum disease.

If you are experiencing signs associated with periodontal disease, the condition will only worsen without treatment. The earlier you treat gum disease, the less-involved treatment will be. Call 828-274-9440 to schedule an initial appointment. It is not necessary to be referred.

 

Being Overweight Can Make You More Susceptible To Gum Disease.

Posted on Oct 22, 2018 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

An alarming percentage of Americans are more than just fat, they are obese. Obesity is when body mass index is 30 or greater. According to the Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), the prevalence of adults in the U.S. who are categorized as obese was 39.8 percent in 2015~2016. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5813989/)

This means that nearly one-third of an obese adult is made up of fat. And, it’s not just our country that suffers from toting an excessive load of weight. In 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that approximately 600 million obese adults were obese with numbers expected to rise due to high-calorie diets and sedentary lifestyles.

An oft-unknown side effect of obesity is chronic inflammation, which has been found to exacerbate other inflammatory disorders, including periodontitis (advanced gum disease). The systemic effect of obesity seems to trigger a predisposition to a variety of serious health conditions. In addition to a higher risk for periodontal disease, these include Type 2 Diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

These findings are nothing new, however. Over a decade ago, the Journal of Dental Research reported that “The possible causal relationship between obesity and periodontitis and potential underlying biological mechanisms remain to be established; however, the adipose tissue actively secretes a variety of cytokines and hormones that are involved in inflammatory processes, pointing toward similar pathways involved in the pathophysiology of obesity, periodontitis, and related inflammatory diseases.” (http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/154405910708600503?journalCode=jdrb)

As research continues to study the cause-&-effect, Periodontists have learned that obese patients have a 6 times higher potential to develop periodontal (gum) disease. While the role of a periodontal specialist is to tend to the oral well-being of patients regardless of their BMI, addressing this higher risk with obese individuals can be a sensitive issue.

Losing weight is not easy. And, research has even shown that factors such as sleep quality and what we eat (as much as how much we eat) can cause the brain to make the path to shedding pounds even more difficult.

For instance, studies have shown that sugar can be addictive. Sugar consumption even activates the same regions in the brain that react to cocaine. Giving up sugar to the recommended 6 teaspoons per day limit can be rather challenging for those who have a “sweet tooth.” (https://www.brainmdhealth.com/blog/what-do-sugar-and-cocaine-have-in-common/)

Insufficient sleep also complicates the brain’s ability to regulate hunger hormones, known as ghrelin and leptin. Ghrelin stimulates the appetite while leptin sends signals of feeling full. When the body is sleep-deprived, the level of ghrelin rises while leptin levels decrease. This leads to an increase in hunger.

The National Sleep Foundation states that “people who don’t get enough sleep eat twice as much fat and more than 300 extra calories the next day, compared with those who sleep for eight hours.” (https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-topics/the-connection-between-sleep-and-overeating)

As difficult as losing weight can be, it is important to be aware of risk factors that can make you more vulnerable to gum disease, which is the nation’s leading cause of adult tooth loss. Early symptoms include gums that are tender, swollen, and may bleed easily when brushing teeth. This stage is known as gingivitis, which can be reversed with prompt and thorough oral hygiene measures.

As it worsens, however, the inflammation of oral bacteria can lead to persistent bad breath, receded gums that expose sensitive tooth roots, and gums that darken in color. If untreated, pus pockets can form on gums and teeth may loosen, eventually requiring removal.

There is no doubt that an association between obesity and periodontal disease exists. Overweight adults should take special precautions to maintain good oral health, both at home and through regular dental check-ups. This is particularly important since the bacteria of gum disease has been linked to serious health problems because of its ability to trigger inflammatory reactions. These include heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, some cancers, preterm babies, impotency, and Alzheimer’s disease.

If you are experiencing symptoms of gum disease, however, it is paramount that you be seen by a periodontist promptly to halt further progression. A periodontist is a dental specialist who has advanced training in treating all stages of gum disease as well as in the placement of dental implants.

Call 828-274-9440 to schedule an initial examination and consultation.

Gum Health Is A Factor In Sexual Health For Men

Posted on Oct 15, 2018 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Men in their 30s who suffer with severe periodontal (gum) disease are 3 times more likely to have erection problems, according to a study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine. (https://www.perio.org/consumer/erectile_dysfunction)

This supports previous research that shows links between periodontal disease and heart disease, a common contributor to erectile dysfunction. Although solid findings have not found the connection points of cause-&-effect, the association is thought to be related to inflammation brought on by gum disease bacteria.

These are all valid reasons that men should take an active role in the health of their teeth and gums before other areas of the body are affected. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention estimate that nearly half of U.S. adults have periodontal disease. Of that, 56 percent of males have gum disease and over 38 percent of females have some level of it.

Other areas where periodontal health has been associated with the status of men’s health, in particular, include prostate health, heart disease, impotence and cancer. For example, research has found that men with a history of gum disease are 14 percent more likely to develop cancer than men with healthy gums. Additionally, 59 percent  of men are more likely to develop pancreatic cancer with 49 percent more likely to develop kidney cancer  and 30 percent more likely to develop blood cancer (such as leukemia).

Periodontal disease, according to numerous research, is now found to be associated with a long list of serious health problems. In addition to those listed above, it has been linked to arthritis, diabetes, preterm babies, erectile dysfunction (ED) and even Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, gum disease is the nation’s leading cause of adult tooth loss.

Gum disease is one of the easiest of all diseases to avoid. Twice daily brushing and dail flossing take only minutes per day. Having 6-month dental check-ups and cleanings are structured to help you maintain healthy gums and be cavity free between visits. And, if problems do exist, they can be caught early so treatment needs will be minimal.

Men can do a better job of protecting their overall health by keeping their gums healthy. It is also important to know the symptoms of gum disease. These include gums that bleed when brushing, sore or swollen spots on gums, persistent bad breath, and gums that are red rather than a healthy pink color.

If you have any of these symptoms, call (828) 274-9440 or tap here to schedule an examination appointment as soon as possible. Gum disease will only worsen without treatment.