Gum Disease - Fact vs. Fallacy

Get the facts about this serious infection!  

 FALLACY: Tooth loss is a natural part of aging.
     FACT:  With good oral hygiene and regular professional care, your teeth can last a lifetime.  However, if
                  gum disease goes untreated, it can lead to tooth loss. Gum (periodontal) disease is the
                  primary cause of tooth loss in adults 35 and over.

FALLACY: Gum disease doesn't affect overall health.
     FACT:   Recent research links periodontal disease to other health problems such as heart and respiratory
                   diseases, preterm or low birthweight babies, stroke, osteoporosis and diabetes.

FALLACY: Bleeding gums are normal.
     FACT:   Bleeding gums are one of nine gum disease symptoms.  Think of your gum tissue like the skin on
                   your hands, if your hands bled every time you washed them, you would know something is
                   wrong.  Other signs of gum disease include; red, swollen or tender gums, sores in your
                   mouth, gums that have pulled away from the teeth, persistent bad breath, loose or separating
                   teeth and a change in the way your teeth fit together.

FALLACY: Pregnant women should skip professional dental checkups.
     FACT:   Teeth and gums are affected during pregnancy like other tissues in the body.  In order to
                   decrease the risk of damaging the gums and tissue around the teeth, pregnant women should
                   schedule an appointment for a periodontal evaluation.  

FALLACY: Cavities are the number -one cause of tooth loss.
     FACT:    Periodontal disease is the number-one cause of tooth loss.  Gum disease is a more pressing
                    oral health concern than tooth decay.

If you regularly have bleeding gums, tender gums or loose teeth it is very important to see your dentist and have a comprehensive periodontal examination.  If you do not have a dentist, please contact us www.cdadental.com . You can read more about gum disease at:  www.perio.org 

Dental X-rays are Safe

Dental X-rays are very valuable tools which help dentists detect and treat oral health problems at an early stage.  There are many oral health problems that cannot be detected by doing only a visual examination.  Dental X-rays can show early stage cavities, gum disease, infection at the root of a tooth and some types of tumors.  Recently however, some news reports have questioned the safety dental X rays, suggesting that they can lead to a type of brain tumor called a meningioma.

The American Dental Association (ADA), reviewed this study and found that the participants were required to remember dates of dental X-rays that had been taken years earlier.   Studies have shown that the ability to recall such information is often imperfect, thus making the results unreliable.  The study also points out that some of the subjects received dental X-rays decades ago, when X-ray technology produced higher levels of radiation and patients were exposed for a longer time due to the slower speed of the film.

Despite this study, the American Dental Association maintains that dentists should continue to use dental X-rays when necessary for diagnosing and treating the patient. The ADA strives to provide guidelines for dentists to ensure that radiation exposure is as low as possible, and recommends that dentists use precautions against radiation such as protective aprons, thyroid collars, and fast X-ray processes like E or F speed films or digital X-rays. At Clearwater Dental Associates, we have been using digital X-ray technology since 2006.

It is always important to discuss procedures with your dentist before any dental procedure, including dental X-rays.  They will help you understand what is going to happen, and why getting an X-ray is the best decision for your teeth at the time.

Your Medication and Dry Mouth

Nearly half of all Americans take at least one prescription medication on a daily basis, including many that can cause dry mouth.  Because older adults frequently use one or more of these medications, they are at a much higher risk for having dry mouth problems.

More than 500 medications can contribute to dry mouth including; antihistamines for allergies or asthma, blood pressure, decongestants, pain medications, diuretics and antidepressants.  Long term dry mouth can lead to extensive tooth decay, mouth sores and oral infections.

Normal saliva production allows the teeth to be constantly bathed in a mineral rich solution that helps keep the teeth strong and resistant to decay.  Having chronic dry mouth can also make dentures less comfortable to wear because there is not a thin film of saliva to help them adhere properly to the gum tissue.  Dry mouth in denture wearers can also lead to painful denture sores, dry and cracked lips, and an increased risk or oral infection.  Dr. Donald Clem, president of the American Academy of Periodontology states, " With decreased saliva flow, we can see an increase in plaque accumulation and the incidence and severity of periodontal diseases."

If you suffer from uncomfortable dry mouth, it is very important to have regular dental visits to be sure there is no evidence of active tooth decay.  Also, be sure to carry an up-to-date medication list with you to each dental appointment.

Some ways to relieve dry mouth include;  increasing your fluid intake, chewing sugarless gum, sucking on ice chips or sipping water.  Avoiding tobacco products, limiting caffeine, alcohol and carbonated drinks can also help.  Often we recommend over the counter dry mouth products which may include an oral moisturizer liquid or spray.  Sometimes it is necessary to use a prescription strength fluoride toothpaste, especially if active decay has been diagnosed.

If you notice that you have dry mouth, we urge you to have an examination by your dentist to evaluate your condition and prescribe any necessary treatment.