The Advantages Of Seeing A Periodontist


Posted on Jul 13, 2017 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Some patients’ periodontal needs can be managed by their general dentist. However, as signs of periodontal disease grow, coupled with research that indicates a correlation between periodontal disease and other chronic diseases, periodontal treatment may resolve at a more effective level through the expertise of a trained specialist. Patients who have moderate or severe levels of periodontal disease, or patients with more complex cases, are often best managed through ‘team treatment’ between a general dentist and periodontal specialist.

What Is A Periodontist? The American Academy of Periodontology explains a periodontist as a “dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease, and in the placement of dental implants. Periodontists are also experts in the treatment of oral inflammation. Periodontists receive extensive training in these areas, including three additional years of education beyond dental school. They are familiar with the latest techniques for diagnosing and treating periodontal disease, and are also trained in performing cosmetic periodontal procedures.

“Periodontists often treat more problematic periodontal cases, such as those with severe gum disease or a complex medical history. Periodontists offer a wide range of treatments, such as scaling and root planing (in which the infected surface of the root is cleaned) or root surface debridement (in which damaged tissue is removed). They can also treat patients with severe gum problems using a range of surgical procedures.

In addition, periodontists are specially trained in the placement, maintenance, and repair of dental implants.”

On their web site, the American Academy of Periodontology lists the symptoms of gum disease as:

  • Red, swollen or tender gums or other sore areas in your mouth
  • Bleeding while brushing or flossing
  • Gums that recede or pull away from teeth, causing the teeth to look longer than before
  • Loose or separating teeth
  • Pus pockets between your gums and teeth
  • Persistent bad breath
  • A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
  • A change in the fit of partial dentures

Additionally, the site features an explanation of the various stages of gum disease (https://www.perio.org/consumer/types-gum-disease.html).

Please know that you do not have to be referred to our office for care. While we want you to receive regular dental care once your mouth is restored to optimal health, we can suggest a general dentist for you if you do not have one.

Our goal is to ensure you are receiving the care you need to be healthy and to keep your natural teeth. As research continues to show, the health of your mouth has an impact on the health of your body.

Begin with a consultation or ask for a thorough periodontal exam by calling 828-274-9440. Let our specialty restore your teeth and gums to good health and confident smiles!

 

Losing Teeth Can Lead To Shrinking Jaw Bone


Posted on May 24, 2017 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

If you’ve worn dentures or partials for ten years or more, take a moment to literally see what is going on with your jaw bone.

Remove your denture or partial and look in the mirror. You may notice deep wrinkles around your mouth. The corners of your mouth may turn downward even when you smile. Your mouth may appear to be slightly sunken in, moreso than when you had your natural teeth. You may have jowls on the sides of your face.

These are all telltale signs of bone loss. This occurs beneath the gum tissue because your jaw bone is shrinking. Here is why this occurs.

Healthy Jaw Bone Vs Bone Loss From Missing Teeth

When a tooth root is removed from the jaw bone, the bone is no longer nourished and stimulated by the root. Thus, a process known as ‘resorption’ begins. Resorption is a term used to describe a shrinking or declining mass of jaw bone.

Bone resorption also leaves adjacent teeth susceptible to the effects of bone loss. As the area of bone declines in height and width, neighboring teeth are at a greater risk of cavities, gum disease, and tooth fractures. It is a fact that when a tooth is lost, the one next to the one missing is most likely the next to be lost.

And, it’ not just tooth loss that contributes to a shrinking jaw bone. The pressure on the gums from wearing a denture or partial denture adds to the rate of bone loss. For those who sleep in their dentures, this constant pressure accelerates this rate even more.

For people who opt to replace a tooth (or teeth) with a crown-&-bridge, they can also expect bone loss. Over time, this can be detected through a gap that appears between the bridge and gums. In a smile, this gap may be visible.

As a periodontal specialist, the most common complaint I hear from those who wear dentures or partials is having discomfort while eating. Many long-time denture and partial wearers experience sore spots on tender gum tissues. This occurs because their appliances move when chewing.

This movement is the result of the declined bone mass that supports the denture. This gum-covered ‘ridge’ where teeth were once held flattens as the jaw bone declines in height and mass. Because a denture or partial is made to contour to this ridge, it begins to slip as the bone shrinks. This is when people tend to use denture adhesives and pastes more frequently.

To avoid discomfort when eating, denture wearers may adjust their diets to consist of soft foods that dissolve easily in the mouth. In many cases, these diets lack the nutritional benefits of fiber, vitamins and protein necessary for a healthy body. Due to fear of embarrassing slips, people also begin to avoid social gatherings where food is the centerpiece.

It stands to reason that there is a need to replace more than the presence of teeth. This is why so many dentists and dental specialists now recommend Dental Implants. Over the years, they have proven to be a successful alternative to dentures and partial dentures.

There are many advantages to Dental Implants. From a health standpoint, I see their ability to halt bone loss as a leading benefit. Dental implants are placed in the jaw bone, recreating the stimulation of tooth roots. This helps to preserve the strength of the jaw bone while restoring biting strength and chewing stability.

I also like that Dental Implants are self-supporting since they use the jaw bone for support. They do not rely on having otherwise-healthy, natural teeth crowned for the mere purpose of supporting replacement teeth (as in crown-&-bridge combinations).

From a value perspective, Dental Implants are an excellent investment. With proper selection, placement and care, they are designed to last your lifetime. And, it’s an investment you’ll enjoy every day as you comfortably eat foods you love, smile and laugh without worry, and wake up with a smile!

There is much to know as to why keeping your natural teeth is so important. However, when tooth loss does occur, you can protect your health and well-being by replacing them with Dental Implants. With Dental Implants, you are able to avoid the long-term repercussions of bone loss.

Ask about Dental Implants to restore a natural look and feel while you protect surrounding teeth and bone structure. As a Periodontist with advanced training in the diagnosis and placement of all types of implant systems, I can recommend options that will work best for your individual situation.

Call 828-274-9440 to learn more or ask for a consultation appointment to personally discuss your needs and preferences. If you’ve already experienced a great deal of bone loss, I’ll explain methods to rebuild your bone to a healthy level, often with no grafting needed.

Special Care Of Oral Health Needed For Moms-To-Be & Unborn Babies


Posted on May 16, 2017 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

With pregnancy comes a long list of guidelines to ensure a healthy baby. From day one, pregnant women must monitor what they eat, drink and breathe as well as medications they should and should not take.

A growing number of obstetricians are adding a very important item to the mom-to-be list. For their patients who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, they are recommending a thorough periodontal examination to reveal signs of gum disease.

Periodontal (gum) disease bacteria is a potent threat to any individual, as research continues to show. It is the nation’s’ leading cause of adult tooth loss and has been linked to heart disease, stroke, some cancers, diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure and impotency.

Gum disease bacteria can be a destructive force far beyond the mouth. How?

It is felt that the infectious bacteria of gum disease can enter the bloodstream through tears in weakened gum tissues. Once bloodborne, oral bacteria can trigger inflammatory reactions that can be the catapult for a number of serious health problems, including those listed above.

For pregnant women, hormonal changes during pregnancy increase their risk for periodontal (gum) disease. This is why nearly half of pregnant women develop Pregnancy Gingivitis, a form of gum disease. Symptoms include swollen, tender gums that bleed easily when brushing.

Because of their susceptibility, the risk for full-blown periodontal disease is higher for moms-to-be, which extends to their unborn babies. As a matter of fact, nearly one-third of pregnant females will acquire periodontal disease because of their vulnerability to inflammation. Research has shown that gum disease increases the risk for pre-term delivery (prior to 37 weeks) and babies of low birth weight (less than 5.5 lbs.).

One study showed the preterm birth rate for women without gum disease to be approximately 11% compared to nearly 29% for pregnant women with moderate to severe periodontal disease. It has also been shown that gum disease increases the likelihood for late-term miscarriage and pre-eclampsia. When oral bacteria reach placental membranes via the bloodstream, inflammatory reactions can trigger pre-eclampsia or early labor.

As research continues, the links between the oral health of moms-to-be and their unborn babies are becoming more profound. In one study, pregnant women who had higher blood levels of antibodies to oral bacteria also had higher incidences of preterm birth and babies of low birth weight. These elevated antibodies have been found in amniotic fluid and fetal cord blood samples of infants who were preterm or of low birth weight at birth.

When periodontal disease is present, however, successful treatment has shown to lower the risk of preterm births. A periodontal specialist is trained to treat all levels of disease in a way that is safe for pregnant women (as well as all patients).

Symptoms of gum disease include gums that bleed when brushing, swollen or tender gums, receded gums or gums that darken in color. If you have any of these symptoms (whether pregnant or not), you are urged to schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience by calling 828-274-9440. Gum disease will only worsen without treatment.

Protect Heart Health With Healthy Smile


Posted on May 01, 2017 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Bacteria in our bodies is normal. Certain bacteria are actually beneficial, such as bacteria in the gut that enhances the digestive process. The body is also equipped to handle ‘bad’ bacteria. However, when too much bad bacteria invade the body, the immune system becomes overburdened.

The body’s natural defense response, white blood cells, aren’t always capable of tackling bacteria beyond certain levels. For example, a cut that becomes infected has surpassed what the white blood cells were able to handle. To give your immune system added reinforcements, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic.

Periodontal (gum) disease is an infection in the mouth. This occurs when oral bacteria’s growth has accumulated beyond what the immune system can manage. As gum disease destroys oral tissues and the structures that support teeth, this infectious bacteria doesn’t always stay confined in the mouth.

Through tears in weakened gum tissues, the bacteria of gum disease can become bloodborne. This allows it to travel throughout the body and cause systemic inflammation. As a result, serioud health conditions can occur. The bacteria of gum disease has been linked to a long list of problems including heart attack, stroke, memory loss, preterm babies, diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, impotency and some cancers.

To understand this connection (related to heart attacks), Harvard Medical School’s newsletter provides an easy explanation: http://www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/heart-disease-oral-health

In the article, they break the process down as: “In people with periodontitis (erosion of tissue and bone that support the teeth), chewing and toothbrushing release bacteria into the bloodstream. Several species of bacteria that cause periodontitis have been found in the atherosclerotic plaque in arteries in the heart and elsewhere. This plaque can lead to heart attack.

“Oral bacteria could also harm blood vessels or cause blood clots by releasing toxins that resemble proteins found in artery walls or the bloodstream. The immune system’s response to these toxins could harm vessel walls or make blood clot more easily. It is also possible that inflammation in the mouth revs up inflammation throughout the body, including in the arteries, where it can lead to heart attack and stroke.”

The symptoms of gum disease include gums that bleed easily when brushing, tender gums, gum recession, frequent bad breath, gums that darken from a healthy pink to red, and pus pockets that form near the base of some teeth. Gum disease affects nearly 47 percent of American adults. It will worsen without treatment and, to no surprise, is the nation’s leading cause of adult tooth loss.

Decades of research have proven that our oral health is intricately related to our overall health. By achieving and maintaining a healthy smile, you’ll be doing your whole body good! Be committed to your 6-month dental exams and cleanings along with a thorough at-home oral care regimen. Twice daily brushing and daily flossing help to keep oral bacteria at manageable levels. Drink plenty of water throughout each day and avoid sugar.

For more information on having excellent oral health, call 828-274-9440.

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