PatientFYI: Recent studies continue to suggest a relationship between gum disease and cardiovascular disease (CVD).  Given the considerable health burden associated with CVD, involvement of gum disease in the development of cardiovascular pathologies could have various implications.There is increasing evidence relating infection to hardening of the arteries and stroke events.  Recently, blood concentrations of a certain protein (a systemic maker of inflammation) were shown to predict the risk of a future heart attack or stroke.  Similarly, increased serum levels of this protein have been observed in periodontal patients.  Therefore, a chronic inflammatory burden of periodontal infection may directly contribute to cardiovascular disease, possibly mediated by inflammation including this protein.

What is the Evidence?  Bearing in mind this plausible biological explanation of a relationship between periodontitis and CVD, what evidence supports this association?  A number of studies have evaluated this association found an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) ranging from 20% to 100% associated with periodontitis.

Although future research is required to assess the relationship between periodontal disease, tooth loss and CVD, better oral self-care, regular professional cleanings and an emphasis on the retention of teeth are recommended.

PatientFYI: A kiss is not JUST a kiss!!!  Researchers at Case Western Reserve University School of Dentistry had dental students kiss bacterial culture plates to tell how much bacteria is transferred in a kiss.THE RESULTS:

- A 12-second kiss has double the bacteria of a 2-second kiss.

- Lipstick reduces bacteria.

- Kissers with mustaches spread more bacteria than kissers with a hairless lip.

- More bacteria are on lips when kissing occurs first thing in the morning.

Not that we would want to discourage anyone from kissing, we would however encourage conscientious home care.  Brushing with a fluoridated toothpaste not only make teeth stronger and more resistant to decay, but also slows down how fast bacteria reproduce.  And of course we can’t say enough about the benefits of flossing and using a tongue scraper in reducing the levels of bacteria in the mouth.  Although it is nice to share, let’s not share germs.

It has been shown in others studies than if one person has gum disease (which is caused by bacteria), it can be transferred to their partner.  So besides good home care make sure you keep up on your regular preventive dental visits.

At Shwedel Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, it is our goal to keep your smile beautiful and your mouth healthy.  Should you have any questions about this or any other dental related topic including the latest ways to give you a beautiful smile, please contact us at 313-292-5590 or visit our website www.shwedeldental.com. We are looking forward to seeing you soon!

Click here to view the embedded video.

PatientFYI: Recent research has shown that most Americans are not doing a simple activity that will keep their smiles looking beautiful, reduce cavities, prevent tooth loss and as many dentist and physicians now believe – significantly reduce the chance of heart disease and strokes.

Even though most of our patients swear they do this activity, according to the American Dental Association, more than 90% of Americans don’t!  That simple activity?  You guessed it – it’s flossing your teeth.  And a quick and strenuous attempt to floss right before your dental visit doesn’t fool us!  But please read on, because there is hope for everyone!!

Flossing is the best way to clean bacteria and debris from the spaces in between your teeth and underneath your gums.  Left in place, that harmful film can cause cavities and gum disease, eating away at the bone that actually holds your teeth in place and causing your teeth to loosen and eventually be lost.  Scarier yet – recent research has linked gum disease to heart disease and strokes.   So don’t throw in the towel (or floss!) yet.

Any activity requires practice.  You couldn’t drive without lessons and a few thousand miles on the road.  You couldn’t type the first time you sat down at a keyboard.  And though flossing is much easier than either of those activities, many people try it a few times and then frustratingly proclaim “I can’t floss!”  Well with a little patience and practice you can!  And some of the better flosses on the market (such as “Glide”) make it much easier than it was in the past.

At Shwedel Family and Cosmetic Dentistry we really want you to keep your teeth the rest of your life and be as healthy as you possibly can.  That definitely involves flossing every single day – and we know you can do it!  Feel free to give us a call at 313-292-5590 and we will arrange for one of our fantastic hygienists, Gaye, Cheryl or Marissa, to give you a free flossing lesson.  Or just ask during your regular cleaning appointments.  No one is a “natural born flosser,” it takes practice.  So there is nothing to be embarrassed about, and your beautiful smile will last a lifetime!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Gingivitis, which may affect more than one-half of the U.S. adult population, is a condition commonly attributed to lapses in simple oral hygiene habits. However, a new study shows that development and reversal of gingivitis at the molecular level is apparently much more complicated than its causes might indicate.

Research conducted jointly by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Procter & Gamble (P&G) Oral Care has found that more than 9,000 genes – nearly 30 percent of the genes found in the human body – are expressed differently during the onset and healing process associated with gingivitis. Biological pathways associated with activation of the immune system were found to be the major pathways being activated and critical to controlling the body’s reaction to plaque build-up on the teeth. Additionally, other gene expression pathways activated during plaque overgrowth include those involved in wound healing, neural processes and skin turnover.

Results of the study are published in the December 2009 edition of the Journal of Periodontology. This study is the first to successfully identify gene expression and biological pathways involved with the onset and healing process of gingivitis.

Gingivitis is characterized by gums that are red, swollen and tender and that bleed easily during brushing and flossing. If untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontal disease, which has been studied extensively for its possible relation to heart disease, diabetes and pre-term birth. Researchers said that understanding how gingivitis develops and resolves on a molecular level can possibly provide critical insights into gum disease prevention, as well as new treatments.

“The study’s findings demonstrate that clinical symptoms of gingivitis reflect complicated changes in cellular and molecular processes within the body,” said Steven Offenbacher, D.D.S., Ph.D., the study’s lead author and director of the UNC School of Dentistry-based Center for Oral and Systemic Diseases. “Understanding the thousands of individual genes and multiple systems involved in gingivitis will help explain exactly what is occurring in a person’s body at the onset of the disease and how it relates to their overall health.”

The build-up of plaque formed during the onset of gingivitis represents the overgrowth of bacteria as a biofilm on the teeth above and below the gum line. Biofilms can form in other parts of the body and are known to be involved with health conditions, such as urinary tract infections, ear infections and chronic sinusitis. Researchers believe learning about how the body interacts with bacteria overgrowth during gingivitis could provide insight into a variety of bio-film-associated diseases.

Meet Dr. Sorkin! on PatientFYI

Click here to view the embedded video.

PatientFYI: Whether you’re preparing for Valentines Day or are just in the mood for some love, you’re probably fully aware of the connection between the state of your mouth and the quality of your kisses. Still, a little reminder never hurts. Here’s the skinny on getting lucky without embarrassment (from your mouth, anyway)!

Kick the Smoking Habit

I’m sure you’re very familiar with the smoking lecture. Not only do tobacco products taste awful to your partner, but they put you at greater risk for oral cancer and periodontal (gum) disease. Why put so much effort into knocking your sweetheart’s socks off if you aren’t going to be around to pick them up? If you don’t kick the habit for your partner, do it for yourself.

Don’t Chew Gum

The best smooches are spur of the moment, so it’s best to be prepared for them. Besides, sugary gum can lead to tooth decay, AKA cavities. If you must chew gum (maybe you want your breath to be in top shape), choose a sugar-free variety.

Brush and Floss

Nothing leaves an impression like bad breath, but it’s not the kind of attention you want. Besides, healthy white teeth will help you build confidence in your smile. Brushing your teeth and gums is a good start, but take it a step further and floss each night. You’ll dislodge food particles and remove odor-causing, not to mention tissue- and tooth-destroying, bacteria. If you don’t have your toothbrush handy after you eat, at least rinse your mouth out with warm water. There are also a number of handy little dental products available for great breath on the go.

Take good care of your partner by caring for yourself. If you find that your gums are exceptionally tender or swollen, or if you have habitually bad breath, make an appointment with our office for a check up!

Dr. David Grayson: Periodontal (gum) disease is prevalent throughout the adult population in the United States and elsewhere. Untreated, it can lead to pain, swelling, abscesses and eventually tooth loss, and the loss of the supporting bone in the jaws.

More people above the age of 35 lose a tooth from gum disease than they do from cavities or decay. Periodontal disease is the number-one cause of tooth loss. According to the 1996 American Dental Association/Colgate survey, U.S. dentists say gum disease is a more pressing oral health concern than tooth decay by a 2-to-1 margin It is not curable, and should the jawbone deteriorate there is little that can be done to reverse it. It is however, very treatable, both surgically and non surgically.

What is less known, is the relationship between periodontal disease and other more serious diseases. There have been several studies done to explore the relationship between periodontal disease and other, more serious diseases. A study done is Sweden, among young, urban adults, indicated an increased risk of premature death from cancer, circulatory or digestive diseases1. Similarly, a study done in the United States by Michaud et.al.2 shows an increase in cancer risk in a large population of male health professionals with periodontal disease and jawbone loss. These findings indicated a significant association between periodontal disease and blood, kidney and pancreatic cancer. A third study found that severe gum disease could hasten death in people with diabetes. Researchers at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) found that people with diabetes with periodontal disease had increased death rates due to cardiovascular disease and renal (kidney) failure, which are two major complications of type 2 diabetes. The findings underscore the need for good oral hygiene in people with diabetes, who are particularly prone to gum disease.

The evidence that periodontal disease causes the cancer is unproven and is in dispute. What is not disputed however, is the fact that there is a significant correlation between incidences of gum disease and certain types of cancer.

Similarly, there is a relationship between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease. Studies have shown that a certain enzyme C-reactive peptide is elevated in both cardiac disease and periodontal disease. Similarly, there is a direct relationship between periodontal disease and Type II (adult onset) diabetes. In fact, at a recent lecture given by the prestigious Joslin Clinic for Diabetes, and attended by this author, it was stated that if the gum disease is treated, the diabetes improves, and if one treats the diabetes, the gum disease improves.

So what does this mean for the average dental patient?

First, it is important that regular, six-month checkups be a part of one’s health regimen. Second, if the dentist detects periodontal disease during a routine examination, it must not be ignored. This condition must be treated as soon as is possible. While periodontal disease cannot be cured completely and the damage already done cannot be reversed, the deterioration that can result from the disease can be slowed or halted. Last, it is critical that the dentist and the physician communicate with one another in order to establish a common strategy in the treatment of these seemingly related diseases.

The Dental Hypnosis Center of New Jersey

1.
Soder B, Jin L,Klinge B, Soder P. Periodontitis and premature death: a 16 year longitudinal study in a Swedish urban population. J.Periodontal Res 2007; 42;361-66.
2.
Michaud DS, Liu Y, Meyer M, Giovannucci E, Josipura K. Periodontal disease, tooth loss and cancer risk in male health professionals: a prospective cohort study Lancet Oncol 2008; 9; 550-58.

PatientFYI: Periodontal (gum) disease is an infection of the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth. It is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. In the more advanced stages of periodontal (gum) disease, called periodontitis, the gums and bone that support the teeth can become seriously damaged. The teeth can become loose, fall out or have to be removed by a dentist.

Find a great Dentist to treat Periodontal Disease today

Avoid Tooth Loss

Mitigates Greater Health Problems

Gets You Back To Great Oral Health

You Can Have Periodontal Disease And Have No Warning Signs

That is one reason why regular dental checkups and periodontal examinations are very important. Treatment methods depend upon the type of disease and how far the condition has progressed. Good oral hygiene at home is essential to help keep periodontal disease from becoming more serious or recurring. You don’t have to lose teeth to periodontal disease. Brush, clean between your teeth, eat a balanced diet, and schedule regular dental visits for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

Click here to view the embedded video.