Smoking & Oral Health

Posted on Dec 22, 2014 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Smokers already know they are taking health risks. However, many smokers are unaware of the negative oral health issues when it comes to tobacco use.

For example, research shows that smokers lose more teeth than nonsmokers. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, about 20 percent of people over age 65 who have never smoked are toothless, while over 41 percent of daily smokers over age 65 are toothless.

It’s no surprise to Periodontists that following periodontal treatment or any type of oral surgery (including implant placement), patients who smoke have longer healing times with less predictable treatment outcomes. Other oral problems include a heightened risk for oral cancer, bad breath, stained teeth, loss of taste, gum recession, mouth sores, tooth loss and deep wrinkling around the mouth.

As a smoker, you also have a far greater increase for periodontal disease. One reason is your increased susceptibility to calculus. This is the plaque that hardens on teeth and can only be removed through a professional cleaning.

When calculus is not removed, the bacteria it harbors can destroy gum tissue and cause gums to pull away from teeth. As a result, teeth look longer and are more vulnerable to bacteria. As bacteria growth develops into periodontal disease, sore pockets form between teeth and fill with bacteria, destroying tissues and supporting bone. Eventually, the teeth become loose and require removal.

Cigarette smoke contains a deadly mix of more than 7,000 chemicals. Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body and diminishes your overall health. Nearly 50 percent of those who don’t quit smoking will die of smoking-related problems.

Quitting is not easy but the benefits are almost immediate. Your circulation improves, your blood pressure starts to return to normal and breathing becomes easier. You’ll also have a healthier mouth.

A new year is an ideal time to kick the habit. The American Cancer Society’s web site, www.cancer.org, is an excellent resource for smokers who are trying to quit. Or, call us at (828) 274-9440 for more information.

How Plaque Forms And Why You Should Prevent It

Posted on Dec 05, 2014 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Want to save yourself from costly and time-consuming tooth and gum problems? Read on to know where most of the problems begin, and how to avoid them.

Plaque is a sticky substance in the mouth that results from chemical reactions when bacteria, carbohydrates, food particles, and saliva combine. When food particles and saliva mix in your mouth and aren’t properly removed, this results in a build up on teeth that creates oral bacteria. Plaque accumulation on teeth leads to an attack on enamel, causes bad breath, yellow teeth, cavities and oral decay. Brushing and flossing twice a day is the best way to remove plaque and keep your teeth, gums and breath in good condition.

The beginning of plaque formation occurs as you chew carbohydrates, which are components of most of the foods we eat. As the carbohydrates combine with the natural bacteria in the mouth, an acid is created. This acid can eat at tooth enamel and triggers the production of oral bacteria. When the acid and saliva mix with rotting food particles in the mouth, the accumulation of oral bacteria becomes sticky and attaches to teeth.

Once plaque forms on teeth, you have a limited amount of time to remove it before it hardens. Most plaque hardens within 48 hours, becoming so hard within days that removal can only occur with special tools used by your dentist or dental hygienist. It cannot be brushed or flossed away.

Plaque can be prevented or controlled by maintaining a low carbohydrate diet. Although it’s not possible to avoid all carbohydrates, limiting sweets, bread, cereal, potatoes and sugary drinks will help greatly.

Additionally, it is important that you brush and floss twice a day. Brushing removes plaque build up on teeth and leftover food particles that contribute to bacteria build up. Brush for a minimum of two minutes each time and be sure to brush the top, front and back of all teeth. Daily flossing removes food particles and debris from between teeth, further decreasing the potential for plaque to form in the first place.

Remember, if plaque has formed on your teeth but hasn’t hardened into tartar, thorough brushing and flossing in a timely manner can remove it. If, however, tartar has formed on teeth, you’ll need a dental cleaning to have this bacteria-filled attachment removed from teeth.

Bleeding, sore gums indicate the bacteria build up has progressed to periodontal disease. This will require more than a dental cleaning. Call (828) 274-9440 to curtail costly damage to your teeth and gums.

Differing Diagnosis From Dentist To Dentist

Posted on Nov 30, 2014 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Although treatment recommendations can occasionally vary from dentist to dentist, a long-term relationship is often an advantage. This enables you to be an active participant in your oral health with one dentist who can treat you according to your individual needs.

For example, hen one dentist diagnoses periodontal disease when it was not detected previously, it could be due to several factors. First, do you adhere to regular dental check-ups (exams, cleanings) on a 6-month schedule? Is your at-home oral hygiene regimen thorough (twice daily brushings, flossing daily)? Do you have proper repairs to existing teeth and gums (cavities filled, receded gums treated)? Do you keep your health history and medication list updated?

Like most diseases that form in our bodies, periodontal disease begins silently. It starts with oral bacteria build up and trigger gum disease. This destroys gum tissue and underlying bones that support tooth roots. When symptoms emerge, they include gums that bleed when you brush, persistent bad breath, tender and swollen spots around teeth, and gum recession. Once these symptoms are obvious, however, gum disease is rampant and typically requires treatment by a Periodontal Specialist.

Numerous findings associated with periodontal disease have shown a correlation between coronary artery disease and the bacteria of gum disease. It has also been linked to stroke, memory loss, diabetes, arthritis, preterm babies and more.

Ultimately, it is your commitment to maintaining your oral health that is just as important as the dentist you see. When a dentist detects periodontal disease at an early stage, keep in mind it will only worsen when care is delayed. Early treatment can save you time and expense for more involved treatment as it becomes more severe.

To learn more about the causes and stages of periodontal disease, the web site of the American Academy of Periodontology is an excellent source: www.perio.org. Or, call (828) 274-9440 for more information or to arrange an examination.

Having Teeth Pulled Will NOT Solve Dental Problems

Posted on Nov 20, 2014 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

I see patients on a fairly regular basis who feel like there is a revolving door at their dentist’s office. No matter how often they go, another need soon arises that requires treatment. Having their teeth pulled and wearing dentures can seem like their only solution.

Most patients who have this issue have some underlying gum problems. Many adults are unaware that the problems they experience in their mouths originate with oral bacteria. This bacteria is what creates the sticky film in the mouth that forms plaque. Plaque destroys healthy enamel and eats away at gum tissues. Under the surface, the bacteria attacks gum tissues that support tooth roots.

At first, gum disease has no symptoms. However, once the disease is running rampant, you’ll notice persistent bad breath, swollen areas of gums around teeth, gums that bleed easily when you brush and receded gums that expose tender tooth roots.

Not only does oral bacteria create problems in the mouth, it can become bloodborne through tears in gum tissues, traveling to other parts of the body. It can trigger an inflammatory reaction that is so harmful, it has been linked to coronary artery disease, stroke, preterm babies, diabetes and memory loss.

If you feel you are always in the dental chair, begin with a periodontal examination by a Periodontal Specialist. This specialist is trained to diagnose and treat all stages of gum disease and restore your mouth to a healthy state. Once this is done, missing teeth should be replaced, preferably with dental implants.

Although dental implants are initially more expensive than dentures or partials, they are a far wiser investment. Designed to last your lifetime, dental implants do not require the support of neighboring teeth. This means that crowning natural, adjacent teeth for the sole purpose of supporting a bridge or partial is not necessary. Additionally, dental implants do not contribute to bone loss of the jaw bones, which is common with wearing dentures.

Finally, ensure remaining teeth are optimally healthy with the help of a skilled dentist. He or she will structure a thorough program of maintenance and make repairs to eliminate the pattern of ‘patch-&-fill’ dentistry that creates a frustration for your life, and your smile.

Most dental offices offer financial options that enable you to make affordable payments while enjoying the benefits of a healthy, confident smile. The commitment of achieving a worry-free mouth will provide lifelong rewards, including a smile that gives you daily pleasure!

Begin with a consultation and periodontal exam. Call (828) 274-9440 to schedule.