Poor Oral Health Linked To COPD
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive disease making breathing difficult. It is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 12 million people are currently diagnosed with COPD and there are likely just as many more who are undiagnosed. Smoking is a significant risk factor for COPD.
Researchers now indicate that poor oral health is a risk factor for COPD. Major factors are plaque buildup, gingivitis and periodontitis. Careful screening by your dentist is essential.
Plaque linked to heart disease
Filed under: Dental Health, Health Related, Periodontal disease
A new article has linked subgingival bacteria (the main component of plaque) to heart disease. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD’s) are still the most common cause of death in industrialized countries. Known risk factors for CVD’s include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and male gender. However, accumulating evidence points to a bacterial or viral cause, with the bacteria in plaque becoming prime suspects.
Excellent home care is always an excellent course of action, but having your dentist screen for plaque buildup and periodontal disease is vital. In the future, there may be further screening tests to determine which type of plaque you may have and how likely you are to be susceptible to heart disease.
Dental Implants
What are dental implants?
Implants are man-made ‘anchors’ that look like cylinders or screws. They are artificial replacements for natural tooth roots.
Implants are used in upper and lower jaws. They are made of titanium and other materials that are compatible with the human body. They attach to the jawbone and gum tissue to become a stable base for one or more replacement teeth.
How old is dental implant technology?
Dental implants have been used for several decades. More patients are using them as an option to replace missing teeth, according to the American Dental Association. One survey shows that more than 1.5 million implants were placed in a recent year.
Why consider dental implants?
There are plenty of reasons to replace missing teeth. If there’s a noticeable space between teeth when you smile or speak, its likely a cosmetic concern. Some missing teeth also affect speaking or chewing.
If you are self-conscious about having missing teeth or wearing dentures, dental implants may be an alternative that’s right for you. Dental implants are the closest thing to a natural tooth. It offers comfort and stability.
Who can benefit from dental implants?
Patients of all ages have chosen dental implants to replace either a single tooth, several teeth, or to support partial or full dentures. Dental implants help restore the ability to chew food. They help fill out a face that could otherwise look ’sunken’ because of missing teeth. Unlike dentures, implants are not removed for overnight soaking and cleaning. No adhesives are needed.
What steps are involved with dental implant treatment?
Treatment is generally a three- part process that takes several months. In the first step, the dentist surgically places the implant into the jaw, with the top of the implant slightly above the top of the bone. A screw is inserted into the implant to prevent gum tissue and other debris from entering.
The gum is then secured over the implant, where it will remain covered for approximately 3-6 months while the implant fuses to the bone. There may be some swelling and/ or tenderness for a few days after the surgery, so pain medication is usually prescribed to alleviate the discomfort. A diet of soft foods, cold foods and warm soup is often recommended during healing.
In the second step, the implant is uncovered and the dentist attaches an extension, called a post, to the implant. The gum tissue is allowed to heal around the post. Once healed, the implant and post can serve as the foundation for the new tooth.
In the third and final step, the dentist makes a custom artificial tooth, called a dental crown, based on a size, shape, color, and fit that will blend with your other teeth. Once completed, the crown is attached to the implant post.
Who’s a good candidate for tooth replacement with implant treatment? You are, if you are in good health and have healthy gums and adequate bone to support an implant. You must be committed to thorough oral hygiene to keep your mouth healthy and schedule regular dental visits.
Ask your dentist if implants are an option for you.
Source: American Dental Association
How to reduce bad breath (halitosis)
Bad breath, or ‘halitosis’ can be an embarrassing problem. Here are a few tips to help reduce it:
- Stay hydrated. Drink a lot a water.
- Chew sugarless gum.
- Brush your tongue.
- Brush daily for 2-3 minutes.
- Floss daily
- Get regular cleanings, as advised by your dentist.
- Have a dentist or hygienist make sure your dental work is in good condition.
- Do not use mouthwash more that twice a day.
- Limit halitosis inducing food and drink such as coffee, garlic, and onions.
If you’ve tried these tips and you or your mate notices halitosis, please contact your dentist for an evaluation.
Quick Tips For Patients To Reduce Tooth Hypersensivitiy
- Use a soft toothbrush.
- Brush with a sensitive toothpaste or one with enhanced remineralization properties.
- Chew sugarless gum with remineralization properties.
- Use a fluoride mouthwash 1-2 times a day.
- Avoid placing too much pressure on the toothbrush while brushing. Use a light grip.
- Limit acidic foods/beverages such as soda pop, citrus fruits and their juice, jams, wine, coffee, pickles, vinegar and sauerkraut.
- Avoid all tobacco products.
- Ask your dentist if these tips don’t seem to be working!
How Is Periodontal Disease Treated?
Filed under: Dental Health, Health Related, Periodontal disease
The main goal of treatment is to control the infection. The number and types of treatment will vary, depending on the extent of the gum disease. Any type of treatment requires that the patient keep up good daily care at home. Additionally, modifying certain behaviors such as quitting tobacco use, might also be suggested as a way to improve treatment outcome.
The dentist, periodontist, or dental hygienist removes the plaque through a deep-cleaning method called scaling and root planing. Scaling means scraping off the tartar from above and below the gum line. Root planing gets rid of rough spots on the tooth root where germs gather, and helps remove bacteria that contribute to the disease.
Medications may be used with treatment that includes scaling and root planing, but they cannot always take the place of surgery. Depending on the severity of gum disease, the dentist or periodontist may still suggest surgical treatment. These are some medications that are currently used:
- Prescription antimicrobial mouthrinse
- Antiseptic ‘chip’
- Antibiotic gel
- Enzyme suppressant
Surgical treatments are also sometimes used to treat periodontal disease in areas that are not responding to non-surgical treatments. Surgical options include:
- Flap surgery
- Bone and tissue grafts
When considering any extensive dental or medical treatment options, you should think about getting a second opinion. Make sure you have had a complete explanation of the treatment plan and that you are comfortable with the dentist and office you are going with.
How Do I Know If I Have Periodontal Disease?
Symptoms are often not noticeable until the disease is advanced. They include:
- Bad breath that won’t go away
- Red, tender, or swollen gums
- Painful chewing
- Loose teeth
- Sensitive Teeth
Any of these symptoms may signal a serious problem which should be checked by a dentist. At your dental visit:
- The dentist will ask about your medical history to identify underlying conditions or risk factors (such as smoking) that may contribute to periodontal disease.
- The dentist or hygienist will examine your gums and note any signs of inflammation.
- The dentist or hygienist will use a tiny ruler called a ‘probe’ to check for periodontal pockets and to measure any pockets. In a healthy mouth the depth of these pockets is usually between 1 and 3 millimeters.
- The dentist or hygienist may take an x-ray to see if there is any bone loss.
- The dentist may refer you to a periodontist, a specialist who treats gum disease.
Who Gets Periodontal Disease And How Can I Prevent It?
People usually don’t show signs of gum disease until they are in their 30’s or 40’s. Men are more likely to have periodontal disease than women. Although teenagers rarely develop periodontitis, they can develop gingivitis, the milder form of gum disease. Most commonly, gum disease develops when plaque is allowed to build up along and under the gum line.
What can I do to prevent gum disease?
- Brush your teeth twice a day (with a ‘ADA’ approved fluoride toothpaste)
- Floss daily
- Visit the dentist routinely for a check-up and professional cleaning
- Don’t use tobacco products
More on this subject soon!
Risk Factors For Periodontal Disease
- Smoking. Smoking is one of the most significant risk factors associated with the development of periodontitis. Additionally, smoking can lower the chances of some treatments.
- Hormonal changes in girls/ women. These changes can make gums more sensitive and make it easier for gingivitis to develop.
- Diabetes. People with diabetes are at higher risk for developing infections, including periodontal disease.
- Stress. Research shows that stress can make it more difficult for our bodies to fight infection, including periodontal disease.
- Medications. Some drugs, such as antidepressants and some heart medicines, can affect oral health because they lessen the flow of saliva. (Saliva has a protective effect on teeth and gums.)
- Illnesses. Diseases like cancer or AIDS and their treatments can also affect the health of gums.
- Genetic susceptibility. Some people are more prone to severe periodontal disease than others.
Next- more on periodontal disease!
What Causes Periodontal Disease?
Filed under: Dental Health, Health Related, Periodontal disease
Our mouths are full of bacteria. These bacteria, along with mucus and other particles, constantly form a sticky, colorless “plaque” on teeth. Brushing and flossing help get rid of plaque. Plaque that is not removed can harden and form bacteria-harboring “tartar” that brushing does not clean. Only a professional cleaning by a dentist or hygienist can remove tartar.
Gingivits
The longer plaque and tartar are on teeth, the more harmful they become. The bacteria cause inflammation of the gums that is called “gingivitis.” In gingivitis, the gums become red, swollen and can bleed easily. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that can usually be reversed with daily brushing and flossing, and regular cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist. This form of gum disease does not include any loss of bone and tissue that hold teeth in place.
Periodontitis
When gingivitis is not treated, it can advance to “periodontitis” (which means “inflammation around the tooth.”) In periodontitis, gums pull away from the teeth and form “pockets” that are infected. The body’s immune system fights the bacteria as the plaque spreads and grows below the gum line. Bacterial toxins and the body’s enzymes fighting the infection actually start to break down the bone and connective tissue that hold teeth in place. If not treated, the bones, gums, and connective tissue that support the teeth are destroyed. The teeth may eventually become loose and have to be removed.
Next- Risk Factors