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.
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.
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!
What Causes 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
Oral Cancer
What is oral cancer?
The term oral cancer includes cancers of the mouth and the pharynx (the back of the throat).
What puts someone at risk for developing oral cancer?
Tobacco and alcohol use. Most cases of oral cancer are linked to smoking and heavy alcohol use. Using tobacco plus alcohol together poses a much greater risk than using either substance alone.
HPV. Infection with the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus has been linked to oral cancer.
Age. Risk increases with age. Oral cancer most often occurs in people over the age of 40.
Sun exposure. Can of the lip can be caused by sun exposure.
Diet. A diet low in fruits and vegetables may play a role in oral cancer development.
What are the possible signs and symptoms of oral cancer?
- A sore, irritation, lump or thick patch in the mouth, lip or throat
- A white or red patch in the mouth
- A feeling that something is caught in the throat
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
- Difficulty moving the jaw or tongue
- Numbness in the tongue or other areas of the mouth
- Swelling of the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or become uncomfortable
- Pain in one ear without hearing loss
A person who has any of these symptoms for more than 2 weeks should see a dentist or doctor for an oral cancer exam. Most often, symptoms like those listed above do not mean cancer. An infection or another problem can cause the same symptoms. But it’s important to have the symptoms checked out- because if it is cancer, it can be treated more successfully if it’s caught early.
What is the oral cancer exam?
An oral cancer examination can detect early signs of cancer. The exam is painless and takes only a few minutes.
During the exam, a dentist or doctor checks the face, neck, lips, tongue, mouth, and the back of the throat for possible signs of cancer.
Diabetes: Dental Tips
If you have diabetes, make sure you take care of your mouth. People with diabetes are at risk for mouth infections, especially periodontal (gum) disease. Periodontal disease can damage the gum and bone that hold the teeth in place, and can lead to the loss of teeth. Periodontal disease may also make it hard to control your blood sugar.
Other problems diabetes can cause are dry mouth and a fungal infection called thrush. Dry mouth happens when you don’t have enough saliva. Diabetes may also cause the glucose level in your saliva to increase. Together, these problems may lead to thrush, which causes painful white patches in your mouth.
You can keep your teeth and gums healthy. By controlling your blood glucose, brushing and flossing everyday, and visiting a dentist regularly, you can help prevent periodontal disease. If your diabetes is not under control, you are more likely to develop problems in your mouth.
If you have diabetes, follow these steps:
- Control your blood glucose.
- Brush and floss every day.
- Visit your dentist regularly. Be sure to tell your dentist that you have diabetes.
- Tell your dentist if your dentures don’t fit right, or if your gums are sore.
- Quit smoking. Smoking makes gum disease worse. Your physician or dentist can help you quit.
If you notice dryness, soreness, white patches, or a bad taste in your mouth, or that your gums bleed when you brush and floss, please see your dentist.