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Current Scientific Evidence Does Not Establish Cause and Effect Relationship Between Gum Disease and Heart Disease or Stroke

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A new report published today in Circulation, the journal of the American Heart Association (AHA), states that current scientific evidence does not establish a direct cause and effect relationship between gum disease and heart disease or stroke. Additionally, the evidence does not establish that gum disease increases the rate of heart disease or stroke.

The report was developed by an AHA expert committee comprised of dentists, cardiologists and infectious disease specialists. The ADA’s Council on Scientific Affairs appointed a representative to the committee that examined 537 peer-reviewed studies on the subject in order to develop the report. The CSA then reviewed the report and agreed with its conclusions.

The report acknowledges the value of good oral hygiene to maintain good overall health but noted that current scientific data do not indicate whether regular brushing and flossing or treatment of gum disease can decrease the incidence of atherosclerosis, which is the narrowing of the arteries that can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
The ADA has posted a press statement on the report and ADA News has further coverage. Should your patients ask you about the association between oral health and overall health, this Journal of the American Dental Association patient page and the ADA’s press statement can be provided free to your patients.

Posted in Flossing, Gum Disease, Link between gum disease and heart disease, Oral Health, Regular Cleanings, Teeth and Gums | Tagged , , , , , , , |

Orofacial Pain

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Pain in just about any other area of the body, for the most part, can be tolerated to a certain point as one hopes that it will just go away. Orofacial pain, however, usually sparks an almost instant reaction to seek what is causing the problem and wanting to treat the cause of the pain as soon as possible.

Orofacial pain can manifest in many different ways. Sensations of discomfort can occur in any region of the face, including the mouth, ears, eyes, and also in the neck and the head. Since this area of the body performs the functions of swallowing, communication, smell, sight, taste, and breathing, it is very important that these areas are at their peak of performance.

There are many different causes of orofacial pain as listed below.
-Pain arising from the dysfunction of the bones, joints, or muscles
-Functional changes in the central nervous system
-Vascular pain
-Neurovascular, which can cause cluster headaches and migraines
-Ulcers throughout the mouth
-Abscesses or dental decay
-Periodontal disease

Even if the pain seems to be radiating from one specific area of the face, this even includes headaches, patients usually have undergone many dental procedures, have had many medical tests that include x-rays, CT scans, and even MRI’s. Patients may have even seen multiple doctors and specialists that have prescribed different prescriptions.

Orofacial pain may require many different approaches and actions from a trusted dentist. To receive a correct diagnosis, it will require time and understanding from both the patient and the dentist. The patient must keep an accurate description of the pain history so that the dentist can more accurately diagnose the origin of the pain.

As the patient, you may want to wait out the pain to see if it gets better, or perhaps you just feel as if you do not have the time to get it taken care of. The problem is, with orofacial pain, the root of the problem can become very dangerous if left unattended. Seeking out a dentist as soon as possible can save you both time and money in the long run.

Posted in Dental Pain, Headaches, Jaw Pain, Mouth and Jaw Pain, Oral Health, Orofacial Pain | Tagged , , , , , , |

Dental Terminology for the Everyday Patient

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What is dental and oral disease?

There are many different diseases of the mouth, teeth and gums that can cause decay, pain, bleeding, and tooth loss. Taking care of your mouth and regular visits to your dentist for checkups and cleaning can help prevent problems before they start.

Cavities or Caries

Decay happens when food particles and bacteria (germs) are not removed from your teeth. The decay creates a hole in the tooth called a cavity. Cavities are also called dental caries. Untreated tooth decay—or cavities—and gum disease can lead to tooth loss. Cavities are the most common disease of childhood, five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever.

Early tooth loss from poor dental health can cause problems in children such as underweight, poor appearance, impaired speech, inability to concentrate and school absences. Tooth loss in adults affects their appearance, limits the foods they can eat and contributes to nutrition problems that can affect other areas of the body.

Gum Disease

Gum disease is an inflammation or infection of the gums and bone that support the teeth. Gingivitis is the early stage, and the gums become inflamed. Periodontitis is the next stage when infection sets in causing the gums to pull away from the teeth. This is called gum pocketing. The third stage is advanced periodontitis, when gum pocketing and bone loss cause the teeth to become loose. The teeth may fall out or have to be removed.

Recent studies have indicated a connection between periodontitis and heart disease. Researchers believe there is a link between oral bacteria and clogged arteries and blood clots. They have also found links between oral bacteria and pre-term babies, diabetes, pneumonia and osteoporosis.

Posted in Cavities, Early Tooth Loss, General Dentistry, Gum Disease, Importance of Regular Check ups, Oral Health, Regular Cleanings, Teeth and Gums | Tagged , , , , , , |

That Jaw Pain Could be TMJ

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Temporomandibular Joint Disorders, or “TMJ,” can cause extreme discomfort and disfunction of the jaw. TMJ involves the jaw joint, jaw, and muscles of the face around the jaw that control chewing and movement of the jaw. When in correct working order, the temporomandibular joint works effectively in order for the joint to connect to the temporal bone and lower jaw. With a healthy TMJ, the joints should be flexible allowing smooth and pain free movements of the jaw. The TMJ is responsible for all jaw movements such as talking, eating, yawning, and chewing. As a result, when something goes wrong with the TMJ, individuals can find themselves in a serious pain.

While the exact cause of TMJ trouble is still undetermined, it’s most likely caused by issues with the muscle surrounding the jaw or with the parts of the temporomandibular joint. TMJ often occurs to those who may have been in an accident and experienced a heavy hit to the head or whiplash. Furthermore, traits like clenching and or grinding the teeth can contribute to TMJ. In addition, arthritis in the joint can cause TMJ. In reality, even stress could potentially lead to TMJ; when the muscles around the face are tensed, the TMJ joint is effected.

Symptoms of TMJ will often include:

-Difficulty opening mouth wide
-Getting jaws “stuck” or locked
-Pain in the jaw area, face, neck, shoulders, or ear
-Swelling of the face
-Problems with bite when chewing
-Dizziness
-Headaches
-Earaches
-Upper shoulder pain
-Toothaches

Thankfully, there are treatments available for TMJ that should leave individuals feeling back to normal. Depending on severity and specific cases, treatments can range from simple to aggressive. To start out with, most individuals will be advised to eat soft foods to take pressure off of the joint, apply hot and cold packs to the joint area, and to wear a night guard to help prevent grinding or clenching of teeth. More aggressive treatments may include injections, radio wave therapy, and certain types of nerve stimulation.

If you’re suffering from TMJ, don’t hesitate to get in touch with your dentist immediately.

Posted in Dental Pain, Grinding teeth, Headaches, Jaw Pain, Mouth and Jaw Pain, Orofacial Pain, TMJ Therapy, Toothaches | Tagged , , , , , , , , , |

Regular Dental Check-Ups Important to Oral Health AND Overall Health

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Dentists’ areas of care include not only their patients’ teeth and gums but also the muscles of the head, neck and jaw, the tongue, salivary glands, the nervous system of the head and neck and other areas.  During a comprehensive exam, dentists examine the teeth and gums, but they also look for lumps, swellings, discolorations, ulcerations—any abnormality.

When appropriate, they perform procedures such as biopsies, diagnostic tests for chronic or infectious diseases, salivary gland function, and screening tests for oral cancer.
In addition, dentists can spot early warning signs in the mouth that may indicate disease elsewhere in the body.  Dentists’ training also enables them to recognize situations that warrant referring patients for care by dental specialists or physicians. Despite all we know about the importance of oral health to overall health, to people’s self-esteem and to their employability, state and federal policies continually sell dental care short.

•Most states spend 2 percent or less of their Medicaid budgets on dental services.

•Only 16 states offered substantive coverage for adult Medicaid enrollees in 2007.

•An estimated 164 million work hours are lost each year due to oral disease.

Posted in General Dentistry, Healthy Teeth, Importance of Regular Check ups, Oral Cancer Screenings, Oral Health, Oral Health related to Heart Health, Regular Cleanings | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , |

Cracking Up: How the Cracked Tooth Syndrome Occurs

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Cracked tooth syndrome is a real phenomenon that occurs when hairline fractures are found on any tooth in the mouth but this occurs most often in the back teeth. There are several different reasons that a tooth may crack such as large fillings, missing teeth, grinding of the teeth, or teeth that have had root canals. Certain symptoms are associated with teeth that have cracks and some teeth will experience none. Dental professionals will be able to spot these fracture lines and they may be able to take a color photo of cracked teeth to document the severity.

Back teeth have five surfaces that may become infected with a cavity. When a large filling is placed in these teeth, the potential for a crack to form is high. Silver colored fillings are called “amalgam” and they are composed of a type of metal that flexes with use. Over a long period of time, large fillings weaken the tooth and cracks may form around these amalgam fillings. They may begin as hairline fractures and become deeper if they are left untreated.

Teeth fit together like a puzzle piece and when one piece of the puzzle is missing, the rest of the teeth are left to bear forces from everyday use. When one tooth is expected to withstand the force of chewing that is usually designed for two teeth, the tooth that is bearing extra weight may become weak and show signs of cracked tooth syndrome.
Grinding teeth as a result of stress or habit can aid in the cracked tooth syndrome. When grinding occurs at night, without the mediation of a night guard, it is difficult to control how much wear is placed on the teeth. Grinding may increase your chance of cracked tooth syndrome.

Teeth that have had root canals are weak due to the live part of the tooth being taken out. Once the blood supply to the tooth is gone, the tooth can become brittle and prone to breakage.

If left untreated, cracked teeth may break off in pieces if a force, sometimes biting into a peanut, occurs unexpectedly.

Posted in Cracked Tooth syndrome, Dental Emergency, Dental Pain, Grinding teeth, Mouth and Jaw Pain, Orofacial Pain, Toothaches | Tagged , , , , , , |

Toothaches: Serious. Pain.

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Those who have experienced a toothache know that it can be excruciating. They are painful because they are usually quite serious. Luckily, most of these issues can be fixed with prompt intervention by a dental professional.

Some toothaches are not serious. Teeth are usually more sensitive after a visit to the dentist and it is quite common for patients to experience tooth pain for several days after having dental work done. In addition, fleeting discomfort after exposure to extreme temperatures is also not serious. Patients in this situation may want to use toothpaste for sensitive teeth and ensure that they are brushing their teeth and gum lines twice a day but should not need to run to the dentist unless the discomfort persists.

Toothaches can come from “cracked tooth syndrome.” This happens when a tooth, usually a molar or one with a large filling, develops small hair-line cracks. These cracks weaken the tooth, causing pain. Cracked tooth syndrome can typically only be fixed by a root canal or by extraction of the tooth. Patients who grind their teeth should let their dentist know. He can prescribe a mouth guard to reduce the likelihood of a cracked tooth.

The most common cause of toothaches is some sort of decay. When teeth decay the pulp inside can become inflamed, infected, or both. This presses on the nerve and causes pain. It is important that patients immediately visit their dentists when this happens. The dentist can not only alleviate the pain but can also treat the underlying decay. In some cases a simple filling can fix the problem but in others more severe treatments like root canals are necessary.

There are also two main non-dental causes of toothaches. A sinus infection can cause “transferred” pain in a patient’s upper teeth to accompany pain in the sinus. More seriously, a heart attack will also frequently cause pain in a patient’s left jaw and in the teeth on the left side of their mouth. This must be immediately treated.

In any case dental pain can be debilitating. Dental pain caused by decay frequently also brings bad breath, adding insult to injury. Since most toothaches will not go away by themselves, patients should avail themselves of a dentist’s services as soon as possible after the pain begins.

Posted in Cracked Tooth syndrome, Dental Pain, Headaches, Mouth and Jaw Pain, Orofacial Pain, Toothaches | Tagged , , , , , |

Do you Experience Jaw or Mouth Pain?

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Jaw and mouth pain can take many forms: sharp or dull, unbearable or just a minor ache. Sometimes it’s constant, sometimes it’s only when you bite or chew. It can be limited to one spot, or spread over your entire mouth. But whatever form your jaw or mouth pain takes, a restorative dentist can help ease it.

There are many things that can cause jaw and mouth pain, ranging from minor problems to potentially life-threatening diseases. These can include:

* infections of the teeth or jaw
* problems with the temporomandibular joint, the “hinge” of the jaw
* misaligned teeth and/or bite problems
* abscesses and other gum infections
* damaged or broken teeth
* impacted wisdom teeth
* cancer of the jaw or mouth
* pinched nerves or other nerve damage

Many of these conditions also have external signs, such as bad breath and damaged and ugly teeth. You may also have difficulty holding your jaw properly, making it harder to speak, chew, or smile. So getting your jaw or mouth pain treated can make you look better as well as feel better.

The important thing is to remember that pain is always a sign that something is wrong, and that if it’s left untreated, it can lead to even worse problems down the line. Besides the pain, you could end up losing teeth, losing bone from your jaw, and weakening your body’s ability to resist infections.

Don’t delay treating your jaw or mouth pain. Visit http://todaysdentistryllc.com to find how restorative dentistry can correct your problems and relieve the pain. A skilled restorative dentist can diagnose your problem and work to realign or repair damaged teeth. This can include using fillings or crowns to strengthen damaged teeth and improve your bite and removing infected teeth and replacing them with dentures or bridgework. You will come away looking better, feeling better, and with your pain relieved.

Posted in Jaw Pain, Oral Health, Orofacial Pain, Porcelain Veneers, Restorative Dentistry | Tagged , , , , , |

Ease Your Fears of Going to Dentist with These Helpful Hints

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Here are some ways to ease angst about the dentist’s office:

• Know if you’re an early bird or a late riser. Schedule your appointments during the time of day that’s best for you. “Come in the morning if you’re a morning person, or late in the afternoon if you’re an evening person.” You’ll be in a better mood and better frame of mind.

• Prepare the night before. “Get a good night’s sleep.” If you have trouble sleeping the night before a visit, calling your dentist’s office and asking if they can provide you with a sleep aid.

• Talk, lots. Make a list of what it is that bothers you about going to the dentist, whether it’s fear of painful procedures or lack of control over what’s going on, and talk your dental anxiety with your dentist. “The most important thing you can do is communicate with everyone, right from the beginning.  A lot of people come in with anxiety and fears, and they’re embarrassed, but we do this all the time and we understand.” We also suggest developing signals, such as raising your hand, between you and your dentist, in the event that you do start to feel pain or discomfort.

• Distract yourself. Dentists offices are getting decidedly high-tech these days, providing patients with distractions while they’re in a chair. See if your office can provides movies or TV to shows to view for patients, which are especially helpful for lengthy procedures.  If your dentist prefers a low-tech atmosphere, bring your own headphones and music. It will help drown out unpleasant sounds like drills, suction tubes, and anything else that can raise your blood pressure.

Posted in Dental Anxiety, General Dentistry | Tagged , , , , , |

Do You Have Sore Gums That Bleed?

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Most people know that brushing your teeth and flossing every day are important for a healthy mouth. But dental visits are also essential for identifying common problems in the mouth like gum disease, which can cause sore gums that bleed, especially after brushing. In fact, a survey conducted by the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) revealed that 75% of adults in the United States have gum disease. Luckily, seeing your dentist for regular visits can prevent this common but damaging condition.

Gum disease can range from mild inflammation to a loss of the tissue that helps support your teeth. Gingivitis is mild inflammation of the gums that often occurs at the beginning of gum disease, causing red, swollen gums that bleed. Oftentimes, gingivitis is reversible with regular hygiene habits, such as brushing, flossing and consistent cleanings by your dentist. Gingivitis does not cause tissue loss or bone damage, but it can lead to a more serious condition called periodontal disease if left untreated.

Periodontal disease occurs when inflammation of the gums, teeth and surrounding tissue result in damage to the oral cavity. With periodontal disease, bacteria on the teeth break down the gums, bones and other tissues that support the teeth. The result is inflamed gums that pull away from the teeth and often become infected. Symptoms include swollen gums, bleeding, bad breath and loose teeth. You may also notice pain when chewing food or brushing your teeth. With early treatment, your dentist can diagnosis the condition and treat diseased gums before permanent damage occurs. This is why general dentistry, the foundation of all dental care, is so important for healthy gums.

Gum disease is a common condition, but you can prevent gum disease by visiting your dentist regularly for cleanings and exams. Good hygiene is also essential for keeping a clean, healthy mouth free of dangerous bacteria, because daily brushing removes plaque and bacteria that lead to gum disease. See your dentist for regular cleanings to remove this plaque and promote healthy gums. If you notice signs of gum disease like sore, bleeding gums after brushing, call your dentist immediately for an appointment.

Posted in General Dentistry, Gum Disease, Healthy Teeth, Importance of Proper Brushing | Tagged , , , , , , , |

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