Is there a Link Between Heart Disease and Gum Disease?

Research studies have shown that there is a strong association between periodontal disease and other chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, pregnancy complications, and respiratory disease.

Periodontal disease is characterized by chronic inflammation of the gum tissue, periodontal infection below the gum line and a presence of disease-causing bacteria in the mouth. Halting the progression of periodontal disease and maintaining excellent standards of oral hygiene will not only reduce the risk of gum disease and bone loss but also reduce the chances of developing other serious illnesses.

There are several theories that explain the link between heart disease and periodontitis. One such theory is that the oral bacteria strains which exacerbate periodontal disease attach themselves to the coronary arteries when they enter the bloodstream. This, in turn, contributes to both blood clot formation and the narrowing of the coronary arteries, possibly leading to a heart attack.

A second possibility is that the inflammation caused by periodontal disease causes a significant plaque buildup. This can swell the arteries and worsen pre-existing heart conditions. An article published by the American Academy of Periodontology suggests that patients whose bodies react to periodontal bacteria have an increased risk of developing heart disease.

If you have any questions or would like to set up a consultation, request an appointment here.

Smoking and Gum Disease

Your smile is the extension of who you are, the first impression for mosts. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, half of the adults age 30 and older suffer from some form of gum disease. Gum disease comes with silent symptoms that often are easy to overlook.

It’s no secret the health benefits of quitting smoking and not smoking at all. Smoking increases an individual's risks of various types of cancer, such as cancer in our lungs, pancreas, stomach and anywhere else in our bodies. Smoking also can lead to respiratory diseases and other different health factors. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Cigarette smoking harms nearly every organ of the body, causes many diseases, and reduces the health of smokers in general.” It contributes to causing more than 480,000 deaths each year in the United States. This is nearly one in five deaths.

By quitting smoking, not only does your overall health can improve, your smile and gums benefit as well. Here are a few reasons why smoking impacts your gums, teeth and overall smile in a negative way.

• Stained teeth and tongue
• Slow healing after a tooth extraction or other surgery
• Difficulties in correcting cosmetic dental problems 
• Gum disease
• Oral cancer

If you have any questions or would like to set up a consultation, request an appointment here.

3 Unusual Gum Disease Risk Factors

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, half of adults age 30 and older suffer from some form of gum disease. That is 1 in 2 people suffer from gum disease. Gum disease comes with silent symptoms that often are easy to overlook. “The main cause of periodontal (gum) disease is plaque, but other factors affect the health of your gums,” according to the American Academy of Periodontology.

Gum diseases are caused by lack of oral hygiene, not flossing or brushing your teeth. However, there are other factors that may increase your risk of gum disease. Here are three unusual gum disease risk factors to look out for.

1. Stress
Stress can cause various health problems and one of those is gum disease. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, “research demonstrates that stress can make it more difficult for the body to fight off infection, including periodontal diseases.” Stress may cause gum disease to go away, once you have it.

2. Teeth Grinding
Grinding your teeth or clenching your teeth puts force on your gum tissues supporting your teeth and can cause gum disease to accelerate. Not to mention, the negative impacts this has your teeth itself and your jaw.

3. Medications
Different types of medications can cause various side effects to our oral health, such as a dry mouth and others. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, “some drugs, such as oral contraceptives, anti-depressants, and certain heart medicines, can affect your oral health.”

2 Common Questions for a Periodontist

A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the soft tissues of the mouth and the underlying jawbone which supports the teeth. A dentist must first graduate from an accredited dental school before undertaking an additional three years of study within periodontology residency training program, in order to qualify as a periodontist.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, half of adults age 30 and older suffer from some form of gum disease. Gum disease comes with silent symptoms that often are easy to overlook.

Here are 2 common questions you may have for a Periodontist.

My gums bleed when I brush, what should I do?

The first stage of gum disease (also known as periodontal disease) is gingivitis. Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gum tissue caused by bacteria wherein the gingival tissue becomes red, swollen and forms blood blisters inside the pockets of gum tissue surrounding your teeth (periodontal pockets). When these blood blisters are disturbed by either brushing or flossing they break open and blood rises to the top of the gingiva where you can see it.

There are many reasons gums bleed. However, almost all these problems involve plaque or bacteria that mixes with food and settles around the gum line. In most cases, bleeding gums (whether because of poor oral hygiene or tooth positioning) are exacerbated by plaque.

If your gums are bleeding when you brush, you need to see a dentist. If you're cleaning your teeth thoroughly, brushing twice a day, flossing once a day, and using a mouth rinse, then your cleaning technique might be causing the bleeding, or you could have hardened plaque (calculus) on your teeth that should be cleaned out. Dr. Wentz will advise you about regular cleaning appointments and even special root-planing appointments that might be necessary to eliminate your bleeding gums.

How often should I brush and floss?

You should floss everyday and brush your teeth at least twice a day, every morning and before you go to bed. Brushing and flossing help control plaque and bacteria that causes dental disease. Establishing a healthy oral hygiene routine will help ensure your smile is always healthy and looking great.

Plaque is a film of food debris, bacteria, and saliva that sticks to the teeth and gums. The bacteria in plaque convert certain food particles into acids that cause tooth decay. Also, if plaque is not removed, it turns into calculus (tartar). If plaque and calculus are not removed, they begin to destroy the gums and bone, causing periodontal (gum) disease.

Plaque formation and growth is continuous and can only be controlled by regular brushing, flossing, and the use of other dental aids.

 If you have any questions, or would like to set up a consultation, request an appointment here.

Take a Smile Analysis

A smile says a lot about you and hiding your smile is not a way to go through life. Your smile affects your self-image, and can greatly influence the quality of your interactions with your friends, neighbors and any other individual. Many people hold back from laughing or smiling because they are uncomfortable about their appearance when they do.

We have designed a “Smile Analysis,” that will help you appraise your smile. Take the full analysis here:

The Correct Way to Floss

We all have gone to the dentist fearing a particular question, deciding whether to be honest or fib. “Have you been flossing?” We all know the importance of flossing and the health benefits flossing has on our gums, teeth and overall health.

Flossing is one of the best defenders against gum disease. Gum disease comes with various symptoms that are silent and difficult to notice at first. Our personal oral hygiene routine plays an important role in achieving a healthy smile, starting with out gums.

By flossing daily, we ensure that our teeth are as clean as possible (between teeth and under our gumline). Flossing disrupts plaque colonies from building up, preventing damage to the gums, teeth, and bone.

1. Take 12-16 inches (30-40cm) of dental floss and wrap it around your middle fingers, leaving about 2 inches (5cm) of floss between the hands.

2. Using your thumbs and forefingers to guide the floss, gently insert the floss between teeth using a sawing motion.

3. Curve the floss into a "C" shape around each tooth and under the gumline. Gently move the floss up and down, cleaning the side of each tooth.

Floss holders are recommended if you have difficulty using conventional floss. Learn more on how to take your personal home care to the next level.

3 Questions You may Have for Periodontist

At Lubbock Periodontics, we want to ensure you have plenty of healthy reasons to smile. We believe a smile is a universal language and that your smile affects your self-image, and can greatly influence the quality of your interactions with others. Many people hold back from laughing or smiling because they are uncomfortable about their appearance when they do.

If you’re wondering about your smile, gum disease or even have a question for a periodontist, here are a few answers to our most common questions.

Can children be at risk for developing periodontal disease?

Chronic gingivitis is common in children. This can cause gum tissue to swell, turn red and bleed easily. Aggressive periodontitis can affect older children such as teenagers, even young adults. Localized aggressive periodontitis can mainly affects the first molars. Children should still learn the importance of keeping their teeth and gums healthy to prevent periodontal disease in the future. Children should brush their teeth twice a day and learn how to floss properly- if children learn how to floss at an early age, they will be more likely to make it a lifetime habit. These two simple acts will help protect their teeth and gums from periodontal disease.

What are common signs and symptoms of periodontal disease?

Because gum disease symptoms are silent and go unnoticed until an advanced stage, it can be difficult for people to notice. However, you should still be on the lookout for the signs and symptoms, which include:

• Red, swollen or tender gums or other pain in your mouth
• Bleeding while brushing, flossing, or when eating certain foods
• Gums that are receding or pulling away from the teeth, causing the teeth to look longer than before

Learn about more other symptoms in our previous blog post above.

What can I do at home to prevent periodontal disease?

The best way to prevent periodontal disease is to take good care of your teeth and gums at home. This includes brushing your teeth after every meal and before bedtime, flossing at least once each day, and seeing your dentist or periodontist for regular exams twice a year. Spending a few minutes a day on preventative measures may save you time and money of treating periodontal disease!

When Should I see a Periodontist?

You may have heard of gum disease, the importance of flossing and keeping your teeth healthy.
Gum disease (or periodontal disease) affects millions of people every year, it’s the leading cause of tooth loss among adults. Seeing a periodontist and recognizing the symptoms of gum disease can help your smile healthy.

A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the soft tissues of the mouth and the underlying jawbone which supports the teeth. A dentist must first graduate from an accredited dental school before undertaking an additional three years of study within periodontology residency training program, in order to qualify as a periodontist.

So if your wondering, when you see a periodontist and how a periodontist can help your smile, consider if you have or are experiencing one of the following symptoms.

• Red, swollen or tender gums or other pain in your mouth
• Bleeding while brushing, flossing, or eating hard food
• Gums that are receding or pulling away from the teeth, causing the teeth to look longer than before
• Loose or separating teeth
• Pus between your gums and teeth
• Sores in your mouth
• Persistent bad breath
• A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
• A change in the fit of partial dentures

Because gum disease symptoms are silent and go unnoticed until an advanced stage, it can be difficult for people to notice. Millions of people don't know they have this serious infection that can lead to tooth loss if not treated. If you have any questions, or would like to set up a consultation, request an appointment here.

National Oral Cancer Month

April is National Oral Cancer Awareness Month! This month, the goal is to raise awareness on the importance of performing monthly self-exams and recognizing the signs of oral cancer. “According to MouthHealthy.org, the ADA’s consumer website, over 51,500 people are diagnosed with cancers of the mouth, throat, tonsils and tongue each year.”

Be sure you are checking for anything that looks and feels abnormal:

• Any sore or ulceration that does not heal within 14 days.
• Any abnormality that bleeds easily when touched.
• A lump or hard spot in the tissue, usually border of the tongue.
• A sore under a denture, which even after adjustment of the denture, that does not heal.
• A lump or thickening that develops in the mouth.

“Historically, those at an especially high risk of developing oral cancer have been heavy drinkers and smokers older than age 50.”  If you notice any unusual changes to your gums or mouth, contact us. 

Gum Disease and Kids

Did you know periodontal disease can also affect children? According to AAP, aggressive periodontitis and generalized aggressive periodontitis are types of gum disease in children.

Types of Periodontal Disease in Children: 

Chronic gingivitis is common in children. This can cause gum tissue to swell, turn red and bleed easily. Aggressive periodontitis can affect older children such as teenagers, even young adults. Localized aggressive periodontitis can mainly affects the first molars.

Generalized aggressive periodontitis may begin around puberty and involve the entire mouth. Symptoms include the  inflammation of the gums and heavy accumulations of plaque. Eventually it can cause the teeth to become loose.

Overall puffiness in gums, bleeding and recession are all noticeable symptoms of gum disease. Some simple ways to avoid gum disease in children is to establish a oral hygiene routine that involves brushing and flossing every night. Schedule dental visits for periodontal check-ups, and regular cleanings. Checking your child's mouth, especially when they are young, can also help identify symptoms, before they get worse.

3 Things to Do if Your Gums are Bleeding

As your brushing your teeth you notice a bit of pink when you spit out toothpaste or while flossing. It may not seem like a big deal, however if your gums are bleeding constantly, do not ignore it. This can be a sign of periodontal disease.

Switching up your oral health routine can also contribute to slight bleeding. Here are three things you can do if your gums are bleeding.

• Tools: You have begun flossing and brushing regularly, congratulations! However, if you are experiencing bleeding, take a second look at your tools such as your toothbrush. “Although it might seem that a toothbrush with medium or firm bristles cleans your teeth and gums more deeply or thoroughly, harder bristles usually just cause irritation – which can be why your gums are bleeding.”

• Diet: “What you eat and when you eat it also plays a part in keeping your gums from bleeding. Foods that contain lots of sugar or simple carbohydrates increase your risk for tooth and gum problems, as sugar creates an ideal environment for plaque to form. Commit to a diet that is low in sugar and high in the necessary nutrients found in foods like vegetables.”

• Mouthwash: Utilize mouthwash to wash away bacteria and plaque. There are various types of mouthwash, so be sure to use the appropriate one for your oral health needs. 

Healthy Tips for a New Year

It’s time for a new year, new habits and new resolutions. January is the perfect time to create new habits that are healthy and that your teeth will thank you for in the future.

1. Brush Enough: How long are we supposed to brush our teeth? The ADA recommends brushing for at least two minutes, twice daily. Need help discovering how long is 2 minutes? Try listening to short song, cue up a two-minute timer on your phone to give yourself the time you need to thoroughly clean your teeth.

2. Change Your Toothbrush: An easily avoidable habit we can change is to switch out our toothbrush every 3-4 months.

3. Floss! Floss! Floss! Flossing is obviously a huge health benefit most people overlook. Like brushing, flossing must be done properly so that, when you reach between teeth, you actually get to the germs that are stuck there. Keep in mind the floss should rub against the teeth in a motion that creates a forward or backward 'C' shape, wrapping the floss around each tooth.

4. Stop Snacking: Ideally, you want to avoid snacking. If snacking is a big issue, be sure to brush your teeth after  because it can allow food particles and sugar to remain on your teeth for too long, providing fuel for bacteria that feeds on it.