Sugar – Your Smile Wants You To Know The Truth

Posted on May 08, 2017 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

What is one of the most common diseases across the globe? Dental decay – thanks to sugar. And, Americans are the biggest consumers on earth.

As a matter of fact, when researchers from the University College London and the London School of Hygiene studied public health records from around the world, they found that sugar consumption in the U.S. was off the charts.

According to their findings, nearly 90 percent of America’s school age children have experienced tooth decay and 92% of adults have had cavities. To grasp the extent of our sugar problem, compare the U.S. statistics to Nigeria, a country with a diet very low in sugar, where only 2% of the population have had tooth decay.

Why is sugar such a problem for teeth? It is how it reacts in the mouth when saliva combines with oral bacteria. Although all food and beverage activate an acid surge in the mouth (as part of the digestive process), sugar super-charges oral bacteria. Combined with acid’s ability to soften tooth enamel for 20-30 minutes, you have a higher risk for tooth decay.

Oral bacteria are living, eating and breeding organisms. They thrive in colonies as they subsist on gum tissues and tooth enamel. As bacteria levels grow, the gums become inflamed. This is the initial stage of periodontal (gum) disease and the nation’s leading cause of adult tooth loss.

Although the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends no more than 5% of daily caloric intake from sugar, or less than 25 grams, the average American consumes 82 grams daily. That translates into over 19 teaspoons of sugar per day and 66 pounds each year, per person.

What has led Americans to become so overloaded with sugar, and carbohydrates, in general? Consider that cheap, easy snacks and beverages are everywhere we turn. There is hardly a check-out line anywhere in the U.S. where you can’t reach out and add a candy bar or package of gum to the order.

In the U.S., sugar overload begins early. The television is saturated with youth-targeted commercials for sweet cereals, cookies and candy. School vending machines are stocked full of sugary drinks and snacks. Even daily vitamins have taken the form of sweetened ‘gummies.’

It’s easy to see the toll this is taking on our children. Childhood obesity is out of control. The Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) reports that the U.S. percentage of children with obesity “has more than tripled since the 1970s. Today, about one in five school-aged children (ages 6–19) has obesity.”  https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/obesity/facts.htm

With all the negatives surrounding sugar consumption, you’d think we Americans would be more determined to cut back. However, there is a good reason that our new year’s resolutions are so often broken when it comes to limiting its intake. Sugar is addictive.

In MRI scans, sugar is shown to activate the same regions of the brain as those activated by cocaine use. Like drug addiction, research has found that the more sugar you consume, the more you need since you develop a tolerance, which are symptoms of substance dependence.

Yet, like giving up cigarettes or drugs, people overcome addictions every day. With sugar, it is recommended that, rather than going ‘cold turkey,’ to switch to honey or agave (which are processed in the body more as food). When sugar is closer to the WHO’s recommended 5% mark of daily caloric intake, the pay off will be pleasing, to your waistline and your smile.

By reducing your intake of sugar and carbohydrates, you lower your potential for damage by oral bacteria. This will reduce your risk for cavities and gum disease when coupled with a thorough at-home routine of daily flossing, twice a day brushing and drinking plenty of water.

Limiting sugar in your diet will also save you money when considering the time and expense for dental treatment you’ll avoid! That may be the sweetest reason of all!

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.

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.

Dental Fear Can Cause Little Problems To Become Big Ones

Posted on Apr 20, 2017 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

It is estimated that over 70% of American adults have some level of dental fear. For some, this fear prevents them from having regular exams and cleanings — visits that are designed to help you avoid problems in the first place or catch those that do occur at early stages while they’re easier to treat.

Dental fear causes many people to delay care, which can greatly increase time and expense for more complex treatment in the future. For example, keeping gums healthy through regular care is a small investment when compared to the expenses to treat gum disease.

A healthy, confident smile helps people to feel good about smiling, which means they tend to smile more often. Research has shown that smiling boosts one’s mood, self-esteem and self-confidence. This is because the act of smiling causes the release of endorphins, the brain’s ‘happy’ chemical. It has been shown that even faking a smile creates this same ‘natural high.’

For those who avoid dentistry because of fear, enjoying the benefits of a confident smile can be a challenge. Without regular dental care, many adults develop periodontal (gum) disease or lose natural teeth, even with a committed oral hygiene regimen at home.

In our office, we understand that perceived pain can seem just as real as actual pain. This is why we offer Oral and I.V. Sedation (twilight sleep). Both forms of sedation help patients relax before and throughout treatment. Too, both are effective at erasing most or all memory of the procedure afterward.

With the help of sedation, many procedures can be completed in just one or two visits. For lengthy procedures, sedation helps patients to combine several appointments into just one or two.

Today’s dentistry can be a comfortable, pleasant experience – for all patients. For many fearful patients, however, the key lies NOT in being sedated, but finding the right dentist. Feeling assured that you are in gentle hands, are respected, and in control of the pace of your care is the best way to overcome your dental fears – for good!

In our office, we are pleased that many patients who once had dental fear have overcome their fears to achieve healthy, confident smiles. Many no longer need sedation, knowing we are committed to their comfort at every visit.

If fear has kept you from regular dental visits, you may have some level of gum disease. Gum disease is the nation’s leading cause of adult tooth loss. Additionally, the potent bacteria of gum disease has been shown to trigger systemic inflammation. This can create serious health problems far beyond the mouth.

Begin with a friendly conversation with our phone staff. They’ll be happy to arrange a consultation if you’d like to begin with a conversation to have your questions answered. Call 828-274-9440 to schedule.