Archive for the ‘Health Implications’ Category

Do you have bad breath, bleeding gums when brushing or flossing, loose teeth or history of tooth loss?  If you answer yes to any of these questions, then you may have periodontal disease. Gum disease is very common. Unfortunately most people don’t even know that they have periodontal (gum) disease.  It isn’t until it is too late when their teeth start getting loose that they want to do something about it and many times it is too late and they have to have their teeth removed or need extensive treatment.  In fact, with recent research linking the risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke and low birth weight babies with periodontal disease and bleeding gums it is critical to have your mouth assessed for this infective disease. The bacteria in the gums leach out in the blood stream requiring the body’s immune system to constantly fight off these invaders.

This constant and chronic immune response is not a good thing because it causes chronic inflammation. Over the past 3-4 years research has been showing that chronic systemic inflammatory diseases such as periodontal disease can increase the level of a substance called c-Reactive protein. The liver releases this substance in response to systemic inflammation.  As the level of c-reactive protein increases so does the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as stroke, heart attack, and diabetes according to multiple clinical studies. In fact, testing for C-reactive protein in a blood test may be an effective early warning test for asymptomatic, or presymptomatic heart disease.

Listed are chronic systemic diseases that can increase the c-Reactive protein levels in the blood.

We find that the c-reactive protein levels can significantly fall once the periodontal disease is treated which in effect can reduce their risk for heart attacks, stroke, diabetes and low weight preterm babies. In addition to the treatment in our office, we work to boost the body/s immune system by using anti-oxidants. For smokers, we highly suggest to them that they become part of a smoking cessation program. If you are in a high risk category and don’t know your status of periodontal disease then have it evaluated.  The c-reactive protein levels are evaluated by blood tests and since this is important indicator your periodontal status should also be tested.  This is to protect you and your heart.  If you don’t have a dentist you can contact our office at (586) 247-3500.  Our Dental Office is located in Shelby Township, Michigan — Southeast Michigan in Macomb County.

Dentures – The emotional and physical ramifications discussed.

Even though this article may not pertain to you there is most likely someone in your life who has dentures or will need them in the future.  There are around 40 million Americans who are denture wearers so this is applicable to many readers.

When a person needs to have their teeth removed due to dental decay or periodontal disease there are both physical and emotional issues that need to be addressed. If at all possible it is usually best to save the teeth and fabricate a removable partial denture (sometimes referred to as a bridge) that attaches to the remaining natural teeth.  If this is done properly and maintained with regular dental visits and cleanings it should provide years of service to the patient.  If for some reason the natural teeth can’t be saved then dentures are inevitable.

• Emotional: Loosing a tooth or many teeth is a significant event on one’s life as it may lead to the feeling of getting older, depression because they experience the loss of one of their body parts, or the fact that they are so embarrassed because they feel like a failure which can lead to depression and the need for themselves to become recluse.  A huge fear that denture wearers have is that if they sneeze or laugh too much that the denture will fall out.   This is a reality and a huge embarrassment for those who have a loose fit in their dentures.  It is necessary to be supportive to those who we love when they go through this process.  It also takes time to adjust to dentures since they are foreign plastic plates that are only held in by suction on the top denture and just sit there on the lower.  Lower dentures sit on top of the bone with the lips pushing them one way and the tongue pushing them the other.  Food doesn’t taste the same with dentures because the upper plate covers the palate and therefore temperature is not transferred. Denture wearers can only generate about 25% of the biting force as those who have natural teeth so it is very difficult to bite down hard to chew hard food.
• Physical: There are many changes that take place after loosing teeth.  After a tooth is lost the bone that used to support it starts to collapse into the hole.  Placing an implant in the extraction site can preserve the bone and be used to hold a denture in with a snap in fit.
• Effects of bone loss: Over time as bone shrinks the face can become more sunken in because there isn’t enough support for the lips and face so things start to sag.  Dentures can be made to add needed underlying support to look more youthful and natural. It amazes me when a denture is properly made what a difference it makes.  It is also necessary to place the teeth in the proper position so the patient looks natural and not like their teeth are too long or too short.

It is obvious that those who are currently using dentures or those who will be in need of them in the future are literally dental handicaps.  These are prosthetic and are only a substitute for the natural teeth.  If at all possible we will attempt to use at least some of the natural teeth to support the denture.  Everyone is different and their mouths present with different issues.

It becomes apparent to those who are neglecting their teeth that they need to make a decision for their future by taking care of them and getting them examined.  I have seen a number of young adults who sip on pop and sports drinks throughout the day who have decay throughout the mouth.  Unfortunately some of them will need to have their teeth removed and the shame is that this is all preventable.

What is common is that everyone wants to look nice, eat well and avoid embarrassment.  Even though dentures are difficult to get used to and aren’t like natural teeth a well made set can make a difference.  Contact our dental office in Shelby Township, Michigan (Macomb County) at (586)247-3500 for a free dental consultation to see if we can help you out.

I asked Helen, a patient of mine in her late 70’s who regularly reads my “Ask The Gentle Dentist” column what she would like to see in my June Ask the Dentist column.  She thought it would be a good idea for me to write an article on the Periodontal Disease / Gum Disease.  This was inspired because a friend of hers was recently diagnosed with adult onset diabetes and Periodontal and Gum Disease.  I posted an article some time ago on the co-relationship between Periodontal and Gum Disease and other systemic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.  Smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and Periodontal Disease / Gum Disease all create inflammation in the body and are potential agents that can cause heart disease.

There is accumulating evidence and data that shows that the bacteria that causes Periodontal Disease / Gum Disease gets into the blood system creating chronic inflammation.  This chronic inflammation activates a protein called C-Reactive Protein into the blood eventually creating a higher risk of stroke, heart attacks by hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) in coronary (heart) and carotid arteries.

Diabetes is a growing problem that now affects over 7% of Americans and is still on the rise.  In fact, in the 1980s there were 5 million people diagnosed and now there are over 23 million. About 30% of diabetics are not even diagnosed. The most common reason why there is such a rapid rise in the incidence is because of the sedentary lifestyle that Americans are living.  Fast foods, high sugar drinks, lack of exercise has created an obese population. In fact the CDC states that over 26% of Americans are obese (120% of normal body weight)!!   Obviously watching diet and exercise can go a long way to a better, healthier body.

What is diabetes?  Insulin is a naturally occurring hormone made naturally in the body.  When carbohydrates are eaten the body rapidly breaks it down to simple sugars which are rapidly absorbed into the blood stream.  Insulin is then released in response to the high levels of blood sugar.  Insulin allows the sugars to penetrate into the cells of the body when it is needed.  Diabetes is therefore the inability of the cells to absorb the blood sugar due to a lack of this insulin

There are three types of diabetes:

• Type 1 is where the body’s immune system actually destroys the cells that make insulin.  This is genetic in nature and is usually diagnosed at an early age. It is also the most severe form of diabetes.
• Type 2 is also known as adult onset diabetes.  In this situation the body doesn’t create enough insulin.  90-95% of diabetics are type 2, but this number is rising at an alarming rate.
• Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy, but after birth the body rebounds back to health.

Diabetics are at risk for blindness, Stroke, amputation of toes and legs, Heart attack, numbness, kidney failure, early death, and Periodontal Disease / Gum Disease. A well controlled diabetic who exercises and eats properly has the same risk of these problems as a healthy individual.  It is therefore important to take medicines along with diet and exercise to live a somewhat normal life.

Periodontal (gum) disease is described as a bacterial infection and inflammation of the bone and soft tissues that hold the teeth into the jaw.  This infection usually is not painful or sometimes not easily seen without a proper diagnosis by your dentist.  The bone around you teeth that is dissolved from the disease will never come back but with proper treatments the bone level can stabilize.

You know you have Periodontal Disease / Gum Diseaseif you have bad breath, your gums bleed when brushing or flossing and/or your teeth are loose and shift around.    Since it is usually not painful (like most chronic diseases) you may have Periodontal Disease / Gum Disease and not even know about it.

Periodontal Disease / Gum Disease is considered to have a bidirectional relationship with diabetes.  In other words diabetes affects the severity and complications of Periodontal Disease / Gum Disease and the periodontal disease affects diabetes and the ability to control blood sugar levels.  The National Diabetic Association states this and research supports this claim.

The bottom line is that if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with diabetes you are at risk for Periodontal Disease / Gum Disease.  If you have a difficult time in regulating your blood sugar then a periodontal evaluation is critical so that you not only can save your teeth, but potentially save your life.

Do me a favor and mention this article to your physician so that they can also be informed and team up with dentist’s to combat this serious problem.

For more information on this please visit the American Heart Association www.AmericanHeart.org website.

If you have questions or comments you can email me at DrAntolak@TheGentleDentist.com or phone us at (586)247-3500

If you have diabetes and desire a free dental consultation please give us a call.  Our dental office is located in Shelby Township, Michigan (Macomb County) at 22 Mile and Hayes.