Your Breath and Your Health

This week's post is kind of a follow up to my last post on gum disease. Bad breath truly can be a debilitating affliction, it also is one of the major concerns patients have when they come to see me. Bad breath issues can be caused by several factors, from certain foods we eat to problems with acid reflux disease. Often it has it's origins from the bacteria in our mouth, including the ones responsible for periodontal disease and tooth loss.
In addition to bad breath and loose teeth, periodontal disease may have consequences for our entire body. There is solid evidence suggesting that infections originating in the mouth can spread to other areas, affecting major organs such as the heart, brain and lungs.  Furthermore, research has shown that there is an association between periodontal diseases and other chronic inflammatory conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

Researchers have found that people with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from heart disease as those without periodontal disease. Oral bacteria can affect the heart when they enter the blood stream, attaching to fatty plaques in the coronary arteries and contributing to clot formation. Blood clots can obstruct normal blood flow, restricting the amount of nutrients and oxygen required for the heart to function properly. This may lead to heart attacks.

Additional studies have pointed to a relationship between periodontal disease and stroke. In one study that looked at the causes of periodontal disease as a risk factor for stroke, people diagnosed with suffering from a stroke were found more likely to have periodontal disease when compared to those in the control group.

In addition, medicine is becoming increasingly aware that periodontal disease may contribute to a host of other problems.  It can make it more difficult for people who have diabetes to control their blood sugar. Bacteria from the oral cavity can contribute to pneumonia or cause complications in patients who suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Pregnant women suffering from periodontal disease are seven times more likely to give birth prematurely. The mouth truly is the gateway to our body, so if brushing, flossing and using a tongue scraper can't kill your bad breath get it checked out. 

A Healthy Smile… More than just your Teeth

So I decided to dust off this blog of mine and post some more things I feel might be interesting to my patients or anyone else out there for that matter. I was reminded of this blog when I had a new patient presenting with a tooth ache and several teeth needing to come out. The patient hadn't seen a dentist in a long time and was surprised to hear that the tooth bothering him couldn't be saved. " I brush every day and never had a cavity" he said. Which was true, but the gums and bone holding his teeth in place was so eroded that I could not save an otherwise healthy tooth. 

When we think of a healthy smile the first thing that comes to mind are straight, white teeth.  The truth is that healthy teeth are only half of our smile, the other half are healthy gums.  Often overlooked, gums give our teeth the strong foundation they need.  Healthy gums enable us to keep our teeth for a lifetime while gum disease, often painless can cause loose teeth. 

The primary causes of gum disease are the bacteria that make up plaque, the sticky colorless film that forms on our teeth.  If not removed each day by brushing and flossing plaque causes the gums to become tender and inflamed. Gingivitis is the mildest form of gum disease, resulting in red, swollen gums that bleed easily.  If left unchecked the plaque can harden and form into calculus, a rough substance that tightly adheres to teeth.  Calculus is a haven to both bacteria and their destructive byproducts, toxins.  As the gum disease establishes itself and progresses into deeper levels of the gum tissue it begins to create pockets around the teeth that can ultimately result in destruction of a tooth’s retentive fibers and supporting bone.  The advanced infection is known as periodontal disease; the tooth may loosen, cause pain, swelling and ultimately require removal.

When it comes to treating periodontal disease early detection is key. In the early stages most treatment involves a special cleaning which removes plaque and calculus from around the tooth and smooths the root surfaces.  More advanced cases may require surgical recontouring of the bone and repositioning of the gum tissue so it will be easier to keep clean.  After the professional treatment sticking to a maintenance program is crucial for patients who want to maintain the results of periodontal therapy.  Visiting the office every three to four months for spot cleaning and observation as well as smoking cessation and regular brushing and flossing are essential steps for a successful treatment outcome. 

There really is no reason to lose teeth in this day and age. I have a lot of patients in their 80s and even 90s with a functioning dentition. Regular exams and basic home care really can go a long way, since healthy gums not only are part of your healthy smile, they are one of the foundations to a healthy life.