Bad Breath? Do you have Periodontal Disease?

 

                                    Bad Breath: Causes, Concerns and Possible Cures

 

There are several causes of bad breath, an embarrassing condition that troubles everyone from time to time. However constant and unrelenting bad breath or halitosis may be more of a concern. Bad breath may be caused by eating certain foods, poor dental hygiene, smoking, dry mouth, medications, sinus conditions and periodontal disease. It may also be caused by certain other systemic illnesses such as kidney and liver disease, pulmonary or bronchial problems and intestinal disorders.

For the majority of people, 80-90% of those who have bad breath, the single most frequent cause are bacteria that live in the mouth. The waste products produced by some oral bacteria are sulfur compounds and it is these sulfur compounds that often cause breath problems.

Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection located in the tissues surrounding the teeth. Advanced forms of periodontal disease typically result in serious damage to the bone that holds the teeth in place. As this bone damage occurs, deep spaces form between the teeth and gums (termed periodontal pockets). These pockets provide an ideal location in which bacteria thrive and multiply and this is the cause of a person’s smelly breath.  Periodontal disease frequently produces a very strong distinctive foul odor that often discloses gum disease before a patient has actually been examined. Researchers have also found that the amount of volatile sulfur coating on the tongue of a person with periodontal disease is 4X greater than in people who do not have gum disease. Once deep gum pockets have formed a periodontist or other dental professional is needed to remove the bacterial infection that cannot be effectively treated with tooth brushing and flossing at home.

There are new and exciting methods of treating periodontal disease that do not involve surgery. A revolutionary alternative to traditional gum surgery is the Millennium PerioLase which is the NO CUT/ NO SEW /NO FEAR approach to treating gum disease. Scientist are also now suggesting that ORAL PROBIOTICS may be the greatest weapon against bad breath since the invention of the tooth brush.  These “Good Guy” bacteria control the growth of the bad bacteria living in the mouth and may reduce the risk of everything from gingivitis to full blown periodontal disease.

Continual bad breath may be an indication of a larger more involved dental or systemic problem. It makes sense to go to the dentist and find a solution before a minor problem becomes a major concern. Please call the office for more information.

REGULAR PERIODONTAL CARE CAN REDUCE ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

    

 

 

 

According to a study in the International Journal of Cardiology (March 1, 2013) there is a relationship between periodontal health and cardiac dysrhythmia. One of the most sustained cardiac dysrhythmias is atrial fibrillation.

 

Atrial fibrillation affected approximately 2.7 million Americans in 2012 according the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. Atrial fibrillation produces disorganized cardiac electrical impulses and places patients at significantly increased risks for clots, stroke and heart failure.

 

Studies have found that poor oral health pre-disposes patients to developing atrial fibrillation because of the increase in inflammation. Inflammation anywhere in the body lowers the immune system and puts stress on the body systems.

 

Periodontal disease is an inflammatory process that eventually destroys the gum tissue and the underlying bone support that holds teeth in place. The bacterial infection that causes gum disease can migrate to other parts of the body and compromise an immune system that may already be challenge from age, other disease processes or damaging life style habits. Poor oral hygiene is the major cause of gum disease, which has been found to be a potential risk factor for coronary heart disease, ischemic stroke and peripheral vascular disease.

 

The author of the study proposes that adequate oral hygiene combined with Regular and Frequent dental scalings are the best defense against gum disease and the increased inflammatory burden placed on the body. In a five-year study people who had dental scalings twice a year had a reduced rate of new onset atrial fibrillation compared with the group that did not have regular dental care.

 

For folks having to deal with heart problems or those wanting to prevent them routine dental care by professionals, along with diligent home care, may keep other serious health problems from interrupting or shortening you life. Call our office for a full periodontal evaluation.

 

772-283-1400 or go on our web site for more information.

 Please visit us on the web www.FollweilerPerio.com        

 

 

ALCOHOL AND ORAL HEALTH

  Robert D. Follweiler, D.D.S.

  Periodontology and Laser Technology

  901 East Ocean Boulevard   Stuart, Florida 34994

  772-283-1400

 Please visit us on the web  FollweilerPerio.com        

 

 

ALCOHOL AND ORAL HEALTH

 

 

Believe it or not alcohol abuse is often first detected in the dental office. Many adults are “closet drinkers” and even close friends and family members are unaware that their loved one or friend is abusing alcohol. These individuals have perfected ways of hiding their problem and seem to function, hold down jobs and care for their family adequately enough to hide their secret. Alcohol abuse in older adults often goes unnoticed by health care professionals because the natural aging process hides the symptoms.

 

 The United States Center for Disease Control defines” heavy” drinking as more than two drinks per day for men and more than one drink per day for women. “Moderate” drinking is defined as less than that per day. Alcohol abuse affects every system in the body. Excessive alcohol intake may be responsible for pancreatic and liver disease, weakened immune system resulting in frequent infections, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, nutritional deficiencies and increased risk of cancer.

 

Dental care professionals are often the first line of defense in the early detection of oral cancer, which affects approximately 34,000 people in the United States every year, resulting in approximately 6,900 deaths. Men are twice as likely to be diagnosed with oral cancer than women, and the average age of diagnosis is 62 years. More than 50% of oral cancers are diagnosed in the later stages resulting in poor survival rates. Only 50% of individuals with oral cancer survive longer than 5 years.

 

Some of the symptoms dentists see in patients with alcohol abuse problems are reduced salivary flow, (dry mouth leading to rampant decay) nutritional deficiencies, frequent infections and abscesses, painful, burning or swollen tongue. Additionally symptoms such as cracks and sores at the corners of the mouth (angular cheilitis) and oral candidiasis (thick white coating on tongue and cheeks) as well as red and inflamed gum tissues are often a very obvious signs of alcohol problems.  Psychological effects include cognitive problems, depression and dementia. Alcoholism is the third leading life-style related cause of death in the US and causes 79,000 deaths each year. 

Don’t be surprised or offended if your dental professional asks questions about your drinking habits.

 

They may be saving your teeth as well as your life.

Pregnancy and Oral Health

According to the Journal of Clinical Periodontology women experience more gingival inflammation in the second and third trimester of pregnancy as compared to the first trimester. This finding indicates that pregnant women should be aware of their dental health especially in the last trimesters of pregnancy. This in turn may reduce the bacterial load that can cause elevated inflammation and possible pre-term delivery.

 

Call our office and get your periodontal examination. Prevent preterm delivery! 772-283-1400

 

Get the Facts!

Periodontal Disease Fact Sheet

The Prevalence of Periodontal Disease

According to recent findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), half of Americans aged 30 or older have periodontitis, the more advanced form of periodontal disease. This equals approximately 64.7 million Americans.

The Causes & Symptoms

Periodontal disease is an inflammatory disease that affects the soft and hard structures that support the teeth. In its early stage, called gingivitis, the gums become swollen and red due to inflammation, which is the body’s natural response to the presence of harmful bacteria. In the more serious form of periodontal disease called periodontitis, the gums pull away from the tooth and supporting gum tissues are destroyed. Bone can be lost, and the teeth may loosen or eventually fall out.
Chronic periodontitis, the most advanced form of the disease, progresses relatively slowly in most people and is typically more evident in adulthood. Although inflammation as a result of a bacterial infection is behind all forms of periodontal disease, a variety of factors can influence the severity of the disease. Important risk factors include inherited or genetic susceptibility, smoking, lack of adequate home care, age, diet, health history, and medications.

The Perio-Systemic Connection

Several research studies have suggested that periodontal disease is connected to variety of other diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis. Scientists believe that inflammation may be the basis for the link between these systemic diseases. While periodontists are experts in treating oral inflammation, additional research is needed to better understand how treating periodontal disease may reduce the risk of developing other inflammatory diseases.

Diagnosing Periodontal Disease

Periodontists typically rely on a visual assessment of the patient’s overall oral condition in addition to charting pocket depths with a periodontal probe. This visual/mechanical method of assessing periodontal disease status can only tell whether or not disease is present. There are other tests currently available that go beyond basic and subjective visual assessment to provide dental professionals with the detailed genetic and biological information required to better determine the appropriate treatment regimen for each individual patient. This information includes evaluating the inflammatory burden that is causing periodontal disease, as well as looking at the patient’s unique genetic susceptibility to periodontal disease.

From the American Academy of  Periodontology www.perio.org

 

Now that you know the facts, call our office and get the exam!

772-283-1400

Bad Breath and the Info to Remember!

                    

 

 

 

 

 

 

      Bad Breath: Things to Remember

 

1. Bad breath does not come from your stomach.

The esophagus prevents this from happening. The source of most bad breath is smelly waste excreted by sulfur-producing bacteria that live in the oral cavity.

 

2.   Everyone gets bad breath at some point.

 

Bad breath does not necessarily indicate poor oral hygiene or sloppy personal grooming. It simply means that there is an excess of sulfur-producing bacteria in a patient’s oral cavity. Dehydration, spicy foods, postnasal drip, some medications or other factors can easily create an environment where bacteria thrive, resulting in breath odor.

 

3. Consistent and careful brushing and flossing alone may not improve bad breath.

 

Sulfur-producing bacteria are anaerobic (they thrive in places where there is little air exchange) and hide in the back of the nasal sinus and under the surface of the tongue where brushing and flossing cannot reach.

 

4. There are products and solutions that can help prevent bad breath such as specific cleaning techniques, mouth rinses and oral probiotics.

 Call our office for more information!

772-283-1400