How To Save Money At The Dentist

Posted on Apr 25, 2017 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

When we purchase or lease an automobile, we realize there are maintenance requirements to ensure our investment stays in good working order. We have oil changed, fluids checked, and tires rotated or replaced. We do this because we know the consequences of not tending to the upkeep of an auto can be costly.

Your oral health also requires regular maintenance. In addition to twice daily brushing and daily flossing, 6-month dental check-ups and cleanings are needed to prevent problems from occurring. By avoiding problems, we save ourselves from costly and time-consuming treatment.

Prevention is key when it comes to both oral and overall health. A 2014 report on National Health Expenditures estimated that U.S. adults spend nearly $10,000 annually on health care. And, dental expenses are extra. According to the Government Accountability Office, the average annual out-of-pocket for dentistry increased by 26% between 1996 – 2010, from $520/year to $653/year.

Like tending to our vehicles, caring for our dental health is necessary. If ignored, the result is more than losing natural teeth. Research now shows that the infectious bacteria of periodontal (gum) disease can trigger inflammatory reactions elsewhere in the body. It has been linked to heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, some cancers, diabetes, arthritis, preterm babies and impotency.

Gum disease is the nation’s leading cause of adult tooth loss. It is estimated that over 47% of adults over age 30 have some level of gum disease. For those over the age of 65, 64% are said to have moderate to severe gum disease. Symptoms include tender gums that bleed easily when brushing, persistent bad breath, gums that darken in color, gums that recede from teeth and expose darker tooth root sections and pus pockets on gums.

As a Periodontist, the majority of the problems I treat are one that were essentially preventable. With the proper home care and regular dental check-ups, you can save money by avoiding problems and costs for repairs. For those that do arise, early treatment helps to minimize expenses. This is why your regular dental cleanings and exams are so important.

Between visits, the goal is to keep oral bacteria levels to a minimum. While brushing twice daily is important, we urge patients to get into the habit of flossing. This is a significant benefit in the fight to keep oral bacteria buildup from damaging tooth enamel and gum tissues.

For those who floss daily, it only takes a minute. By removing particles caught between teeth, you can reduce oral bacteria growth tremendously. Find flossing awkward? Our hygienist can show you how to comfortably hold floss and move it easily between teeth (even those hard-to-reach teeth). However, for those who have dexterity problems, an electronic flosser can make the task easy yet still effective.

Another way to greatly reduce oral bacteria is to use a tongue scraper. This small tool uproots oral bacteria that are embedded in the tongue. Scrape back to front over the tongue 2 – 3 times and rinse after each pass. Brushing your tongue after brushing teeth is also helpful in removing bacteria from the tongue.

For many, a surprising cause for oral bacterial growth is ‘dry mouth.’ Saliva flow is designed to continually rinse oral bacteria out of the mouth. When saliva levels are low, oral bacteria accumulate and reproduce quickly. When your mouth is dry, you may notice that your breath odor is bad. This results from an overgrowth of oral bacteria.

Causes for a dry mouth are smoking, alcohol, caffeine and some medications as well as mouth breathing, including snoring. The aging process and health conditions such as anemia, hypertension, arthritis and diabetes also contribute to dry mouth.

To lessen the negative effects of dry mouth and enjoy fresher breath, drink water throughout the day. If you take medications that are drying to the mouth, ask your doctor if alternatives are available. For frequent dry mouth, purchase an over-the-counter mouth rinse that is designed to replenish oral moisture. Be sure the ingredients do not include alcohol, which is drying to the mouth even in this form.

Remember, your smile is more than teeth and gums. It is an important part of your overall health and well-worth the care you give it. In addition to avoiding costly dental problems, a healthy mouth will reward you with fresh breath and a confident smile. Plus, when you keep your natural teeth, you avoid a long list of expenses and associated problems for replacement teeth.

If you are missing teeth or have tender gums that bleed easily when brushing, call 828-274-9440 for an appointment.

Vitamin C Good For Oral Health

Posted on Apr 12, 2017 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

According to the Journal of Periodontology, people who consume at least 180 mg of vitamin C per day give their gums and teeth a healthy boost. As an anti-inflammatory, Vitamin C also binds cells to build connective tissue with collagen. Vitamin C has even been shown to increase bone regrowth, which helps to restore healthy teeth.

Dietary sources of vitamin C include coconut water, citrus, red peppers, brussel sprouts, broccoli and tomatoes. Getting your C through food sources is best since most chewable vitamin C is highly acidic, which can erode tooth enamel. If you aren’t getting sufficient vitamin C through your diet, non-acidic alternatives are an over-the-counter vitamin C that comes in powder form or vitamin C chewing gum, which is also non-acidic.

Healthy teeth and gums mean fresher breath and save you time and money by decreasing your risk for gum disease and cavity repair. While foods and vitamin supplements are beneficial to maintaining a healthy mouth, having a professionally cleaned mouth is to your advantage. If you haven’t had regular dental cleanings, arrange an examination by calling 828-274-9440.

Also, be aware of the signs of gum disease. These are tender gums that bleed when brushing, swollen and achy areas on gums, gums that darken in color, receded gums and persistent bad breath. Gum disease only worsens without treatment. It is the nation’s leading cause of adult tooth loss. If you have any of these symptoms, call promptly so treatment can be scheduled without delay.

How Periodontal (Gum) Disease Begins & Progresses

Posted on Apr 12, 2017 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Periodontal (gum) disease begins without obvious symptoms. This is likely why it is allowed to progress. Yet, even when gum disease is fully underway, the warning signs are often ignored. For example, some people assume that seeing blood in the sink when brushing is a sign they are doing a good job rather than a symptom of inflamed gum tissues. (It’s not!)

Acquiring gum disease is easier than you might imagine. The following is the typical process of gum disease:

•  Accumulation Of Oral Bacteria: Our mouths are a warm, moist environment. Every day, it takes in an enormous amount of bacteria. Bacteria is on food, lipstick, and even the toothbrush we use. Bacteria in our bodies, including our mouths, is a fact of life and something we can process – at certain levels. The problem begins when too much bacteria accumulate.

•  Plaque: Without regular and thorough brushing, flossing, saliva flow and diet, oral bacteria can reproduce rapidly in the mouth. Their accumulation over the course of a day forms a sticky film you feel on teeth. This film, known as plaque, can form in just the brief time between your morning tooth brushing and evening brushing.

•  Tartar (or Calculus): In about 48 hours, sticky plaque film can harden into tartar. Tartar (also known as calculus) is a hardened form of oral bacteria that attaches to teeth. Tartar will continually reproduce and amass as oral bacteria subsist on tooth enamel and gum tissue.

•  Gingivitis: This is the first stage of gum disease. At this point, gum tissue is under attack. Gums are tender and bleed easily when brushing. You may have an aching sensation in some areas and your breath will be frequently bad. By taking effective measures at this point, you have an opportunity to restore your gums to a healthy state. Halting gingivitis at this point is important to avoid its progression to gum disease.

•  Periodontal (Gum) Disease: At this level, the gums are inflamed and tender. Gum tissues will darken in color and begin to pull away from some teeth, exposing darker root portions. Your breath will be frequently offensive. As gum disease worsens, pus pockets form on gum tissues and teeth will loosen. Gum disease can lead to the need to remove some teeth. It is the nation’s leading cause of adult tooth loss.

An estimated 47% of American adults have some level of gum disease. As devastating as tooth loss can be, research has been associated the bacteria of gum disease with serious health problems elsewhere in the body.

Oral bacteria can become bloodborne through tears in diseased gum tissues and has been shown to cause inflammatory triggers. This systemic inflammation has been associated with heart attacks, stroke, high blood pressure, some cancers, arthritis, diabetes, preterm babies and impotency. Yet, gum disease is one of the most preventable of all diseases with simple measures.

Re-examine your at-home oral care routine. Twice daily brushing, daily flossing, drinking plenty of water and limiting snacking, sweets and caffeine help to keep your mouth healthy between regular dental check-ups and cleanings. And, those check-ups are vital to keeping a healthy smile. During these visits, accumulated tartar can be removed and signs of early gum disease can be noted.

Good oral health practices can save you much in time and money by avoiding procedures to repair problems. Too, keeping a healthy mouth means you are helping to protect your overall health by lowering risks associated with oral bacteria. With proper care, you can easily enjoy a lifetime of healthy smiles.

If you are experiencing symptoms of gum disease, call 828-274-9440. As a specialist in all levels of gum disease, we can help you restore your oral health.

Is Your Mouth Frequently Dry? Oral Bacteria Thrive In A Dry Mouth.

Posted on Mar 30, 2017 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Okay, let’s admit it – we all have not-so-fresh breath at times. Upon wakening in the morning, after several cups of coffee, or indulging in a garlicky dish – we all have times that leave us hoping to avoid close interactions.

Occasional bad breath is fairly normal in situations as described above. Other than its source being certain foods (which can emerge from the stomach and linger long after consumption), smelly breath odor is most commonly the result of oral bacteria buildup.

It’s normal for every mouth to contain a certain amount of bacteria. It’s when the bacteria levels accumulate beyond what is manageable that creates the unpleasant stink of bad breath.

One source of persistent bad breath is periodontal (gum) disease. Frequent bad breath is a symptom of gum disease and is often accompanied by gum tenderness, seeing blood in the sink when brushing, or gums that deepen in color. If your breath odor is not coming from gum disease, however, your problem is likely related to a dry mouth.

Xerostomia, commonly known as ‘dry mouth,’ is a frequent state of oral dryness. Saliva is your mouth’s natural rinsing agent that helps cleanse oral bacteria from the mouth. This keeps bacteria to a minimum and their ability to cause problems at low risk.

When saliva flow is depleted, however, bacteria ‘hang around’ in the mouth longer and multiply rapidly. As oral bacteria thrive, reproduce and amass, the initial result is plaque. Plaque, the sticky film you can feel on teeth, also has an odor.

Periodic dry mouth can occur from consuming alcoholic beverages, coffee and certain medications. Although sugary drinks don’t necessarily dry oral tissues (unless they contain caffeine), sugar provides an ideal food for bacteria reproduction. When these beverages are both sugary and caffeinated, your mouth gets a one-two punch when it comes to oral bacteria growth.

Medications, such as antihistamines and some prescribed for depression and urinary incontinence can contribute to dry mouth. Medical conditions, including acid reflux, sinus infections, diabetes and bronchitis can also cause dry mouth. A bad cold, snoring or just being in the habit of breathing through the mouth are drying as well.

And the worst culprit of all for dry mouth? Smoking.

To begin, we examine patients who have a dry mouth to determine its source. Once the reason for your breath odor has been found, simple measures can often resolve the problem. These include:
 – Brush at least two minutes, twice daily. Use a tongue scraper or brush your tongue with your toothbrush after brushing teeth.
 – Floss daily. If this is difficult or awkward for you, purchase an electronic flosser.
 – Drink lots of water throughout the day. (Sports drinks do not count!) If you take medications that have drying side effects, use an oral rinse that replenishes saliva. There are several available over-the-counter.

Having fresh, confident breath begins with a clean, healthy mouth. If you have symptoms of gum disease or feel you have persistent bad breath, call (828) 274-9440 to schedule an examination.