Sick Gums May Invite Respiratory Problems

Recent research indicates the naughty bacteria in your gums that contribute to Periodontal (Gum) Disease may raise your risk of upper respiratory infections.

An article published in the Journal of Periodontology shows that taking good care of your teeth and gums may prevent breathing problems, pneumonia and acute bronchitis. It seems the bacteria can enter the windpipe and get lodged in the lungs, raising your risk of illness.

Did you brush and floss this morning? If so...you just did your respiratory system a favor.

Watch your mouth...because spit happens!

Watch It...Kissing Can Cause Cavities!

Dentists have long observed the familial tendencies of dental health. Healthy teeth and gums tend to be passed down from parents to offspring but there are also cases where we see inexplicably disastrous mouths from the same parental genetic contribution. Conversely, we observe offspring who demonstrate healthy teeth and gums from genetically compromised oral heritage. Not to confuse the issue further, but individuals may have decay free teeth and sick gums or healthy gums and very decay prone teeth! The folks who have both decay prone teeth and sick gums often end up with either: 1. An extraordinarily expensive mouth to maintain in terms of time and money; or 2. Dentures.

Research is revealing secrets about how the bacteria that contribute to dental destruction get distributed. A recent article by Jessica  at www.buzzle.com caught my interest and I want to share it with you. 

Do you have questions about your mouth? I have over 30 years of experience in family dentistry and I have excellent specialists in all fields of dentistry to resource. I'll field your inquiries and do the best I can to answer your questions or direct you to someone who can.

Remember...Watch Your Mouth Because Spit Happens! 

Ask the Dentist

Is there anything you've ever wanted to ask a dentist?

                              


I'll field your questions or direct you to a source for further study. I have over 30 years of experience in family dentistry and I can resource excellent practitioners in all the specialties of dentistry...just for you.

Let your fingers do the talking!





Remember, Watch your Mouth...because Spit Happens.

Instant White Choppers

Can we talk frankly? Whitening your teeth is really, really addictive. No, not chemically...emotionally. Because we love to see our teeth get whiter & brighter and once we see even a hint of change, we want more. In our look good-feel good society, folks with crooked, missing or dingy teeth are looked down upon as second class citizens, so naturally it's seductive to desire a dazzling smile.

The current whitening options are: 1. Visit your dentist for impressions that result in custom tray insertion for up to two or more weeks and spend $400 to $600, or 2. Store purchased, whitening agent impregnated cellophane that you apply via oral gymnastics for two or more weeks @ $25, or 3. A dentist's office visit of 2 hours for power whitening for between $600 to $1000.

The ingredient that whitens teeth is essentially the same for all applications and it is called peroxide.

Now, for the Facebook crowd that needs instant results, Proctor and Gamble is introducing Crest 3D 2-Hour Express Whitestrips (What a mouth full!). P & G marketing admits 'sure, it's peroxide heavy' but they insist it's enamel safe. You'll invest about $55 for a one year supply. Is it too good to be true? I don't know but it won't take long for the public to find out. If you're still not satisfied with the over-the-counter results you can always use the traditional methods ~ call your dentist.

While dentistry isn't aware of any ill affects to the teeth from this treatment be aware of this risk: FRIGHT WHITE. This results from over exposure to whitening; the addicts who have very white-susceptible teeth and just plain don't know when to say when!




Watch your mouth...
                                 Because Spit Happens!

If you've EVER had Oral Sex...You NEED to read this!

Edited January 27th, 2012: In an article today in USA Today by Liz Szabo she cited a study published recently in the Journal of the American Medical Association confirming that the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is mostly spread through sex rather than more casual contact such as kissing.

Studies show that about 42% of women have a current genital HPV infection and about 80% of women are infected with HPV by age 50. Oral HPV infection is nearly three times as common in men as in women but research doesn't explain why.

Parents worried that teenagers might spread HPV through kissing, take some comfort in this recent study.

More and more dentists are diagnosing an STD-related cancer. The pervasive but often silent Human Papillomavirus (HPV) has been finding its way into mouths. But how so, you ask? Here's the connection in a..................nutshell.

1. A guy gets HPV through vaginal sex with an infected partner.
2. The infected guy receives oral sex (protected or not) from a woman; she picks up the virus. OR: the infected guy has protected or unprotected vaginal sex with a woman who gets cervical HPV. She then has vaginal sex with a new partner, who later passes HPV back to her through oral sex.
3. HPV infected cells live and multiply in the mouth.
4.  HPV infected cells may develop into        precancerous, then cancerous lesions.

The symptoms mimic those associated with everyday cough, colds and flu...BUT it's the lingering aspect that should trigger further evaluation. Here are a few symptoms for instance...

• Changes in your voice or ability to swallow
• Painful sores in the mouth
• Long term hoarseness or unexplained persistent cough
• Pain or swelling in the lymph nodes or neck that last more than two weeks
• A persistent sore throat

The significance of the symptoms lies in the length of duration and if you experience these symptoms for longer than two weeks without explanation: See a physician.

Oral cancer can show up as tumors, cracks, or lesions on your throat, voice box, tonsils or tongue and oral cancer is tricky to catch. There is a test that is simple to administer and you can read about it at http://www.oraldna.com/Professionals/oral-hpv-testing.html .

Watch your Mouth...
                                 Because Spit Happens!

Is it OK for my gums to bleed just a little when I brush?

Generally speaking, healthy gums don't bleed. Occasionally, patients will experience minor bleeding after brushing and flossing that is nothing to worry about, especially if you see a dentist regularly.

However, bleeding that recurs or does not stop after a few days could indicate a more serious condition and you should consult a dentist asap. Also, people taking medications like blood thinners may experience bleeding.
Avoiding the bleeding issue is not the answer either. If the gums are bleeding from bacterial inflammation, the dentist can identify the cause and treat it. If however, there is a medical problem a visit to your physician is critical to prevent or correct the irregularity.

If you washed your hands and they bled, you'd freak out and seek immediate medical attention, right? Then, think of your gums as the skin of your mouth.

But if you're too scared to visit a dentist and too stubborn to go to the doctor, just remember: All Bleeding Stops...Eventually. 

Oil Pulling to treat Gum Disease?

In a recent article published by Dr. Peter Gott, an MD who writes a syndicated Q & A feature, Oil Pulling for Periodontal Disease treatment was discussed. I've practiced dentistry for 30 plus years and had never heard of such a treatment. The patient asking about the remedy had used it successfully and sought Dr. Gott's opinion. Dr. Gott had never heard of it either and he visited http://www.oilpulling.com/ to check out the technique and research the authors. The recommended therapy is to rinse for 10 minutes daily with Sesame Oil, by the way. I agree with Dr. Gott that there is likely no harm in using Sesame Oil and in fact it may be of some limited benefit, I have a suspicion that the patient's claim of being CURED of gum disease is questionable at best. She said she visited a dentist and he confirmed her success! I hear outlandish stories virtually every day from patients who claim they've been cured of something or other with home remedies, including witchcraft. I don't argue with them, but frankly, I'm more likely than not to just verbalize some acknowledgment of their success and move on to the business of the day. I'm not going to change their mind anyway.

Periodontal Disease is a well studied and researched malady. I think it is more likely that the patient became acutely aware of her condition; improved the quality of her brushing (and hopefully flossing) therefore reducing the disease causing bacteria harming her gums. The rinse of choice was simply a little icing on the cake.

What do you think? Doctors, have you heard of this remedy? Have any readers tried this therapy? If so, please post a comment.

Remember, you don't have to floss all your teeth.Just the ones you want to keep!