Gingivitis is a type of periodontal disease in which only your gums are affected. Gingivitis, according to the American Dental Association (ADA), is a milder and often reversible type of periodontal disease. However, it can lead to periodontitis — a more destructive and serious disease — if proper professional treatment and home care aren’t put into place. No tissue damage or irreversible bone damage is present in the gingivitis stage of periodontal disease.
Many people with gingivitis won’t experience any discomfort, particularly in its early stage. However, as the bacteria in plaque builds up, it can cause your gums to become inflamed, which may make them red and swollen. You may also experience blood when brushing your teeth, indicates the American Academy of Periodontology.
Causes of Gingivitis
The most common cause of gingivitis occurs when plaque builds up due to inadequate oral hygiene.
Other less common causes of gingivitis include:
* diabetes
* aging
* smoking
* improper nutrition
* hormonal fluctuation
* stress
* pregnancy
* substance abuse
* certain medications
* genetic predisposition
Up to 30 percent of people in the United States may be susceptible genetically to gum disease or are six times more prone to developing gum disease, according to the American Academy of Periodontology. Therefore, if one of your family members has gum disease, it may indicate that you have a higher risk of developing the condition as well. If you are one of these people who are more susceptible to developing gum disease, your dentist may recommend more frequent cleanings, check-ups, cleanings, and treatments.
Implications of Gingivitis
If gingivitis is left untreated, it can progress to periodontitis. In periodontitis, the bone and inside layer of your gum pulls away from your teeth, allowing small pockets to form. These small pockets are danger zones because they allow bacteria to collect, and can they can then become infected. As periodontitis progresses, these pockets deepen, resulting in even more bone loss and gum tissue damage. Eventually, teeth that were once anchored in place become loose. Tooth loss often follows.
Treatment of Gingivitis
In practically all cases, gingivitis can be reversed, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Treatment includes proper control of plaque, which consists of having a professional teeth cleaning, at least two times a year. It also includes daily teeth brushing, which will eliminate plaque from the surfaces of your teeth. You should also floss daily to remove plaque and food particles from in between your teeth.
Lifestyle and health changes may help decrease the risk of developing gingivitis or reduce its severity or progression. These lifestyle changes include stopping smoking, decreasing your stress, eating a well-balanced diet, and avoiding grinding and clenching of your teeth.
Does Oral Health Affect Your Heart?
Brushing your teeth every day keeps them cleaner, improves your breath, and reduces plaque buildup. But did you know that there may be a connection between your dental health and chronic illness? Some scientific evidence suggests that poor dental health may be linked to cardiovascular disease. Although more research is needed to explore this association, it provides yet another reason to brush your teeth twice per day, floss daily, and visit your dentist regularly.
Over 2,400 people die from cardiovascular disease each day, making it an immense public health problem. Cardiovascular disease occurs when arteries become harder, making it more difficult for blood to easily pass through your circulatory system. Plaques also build up in your blood vessels, further restricting blood flow. Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, affects nearly 75% of the U.S. population, according to the American Academy of Periodontology. It is a chronic inflammatory condition that can cause bone and gum tissue to deteriorate, causing bad breath, swollen or bleeding gums, sensitive teeth, and loose teeth.
If periodontal disease affects your teeth and cardiovascular disease affects your heart, what’s the connection between the two? Scientists have known for years that the two conditions share several risk factors. Increasing age, cigarette smoking, and type 2 diabetes increase your risk of developing both periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease. None of these risk factors, however, explain the causal mechanism connecting the two conditions.
According to a 2009 review article by the editors of the American Journal of Cardiology and the Journal of Periodontology, one possible explanation is inflammation. Moderate to severe periodontal disease triggers chronic systemic inflammation, affecting not only your mouth but also your circulatory system, leading to cardiovascular disease. Another hypothesis is that bacteria from your mouth can cause heart disease. People with periodontal disease have billions of bacteria and other microorganisms teeming in their mouths. Chewing food and brushing your teeth release these bacteria into the bloodstream. The Harvard Heart Letter reports that the types of bacteria that cause periodontitis have been associated with plaque buildup in your arteries.
Not all scientific findings have shown a relationship between the two conditions. In April 2012, the American Heart Association published a scientific statement in the journal Circulation denying that gum disease causes heart attacks or stroke. The American Dental Association’s Council on Scientific Affairs and the World Heart Federation also endorsed the statement, agreeing that there is no conclusive evidence that the conditions are related. More scientific research needs to be performed to determine the exact relationship between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease.
Although the scientific evidence has been mixed, periodontal disease can be very harmful to your health even if it does not lead to cardiovascular disease. It is important to reduce your risk of gum disease by careful tooth brushing, frequent flossing, and regular trips to the dentist.
From Dalseth Familiy and Cosmetic Dentistry: Promoting a healthy lifestyle
At Dalseth Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we believe that oral health is just one part of overall wellness. Studies show that lack of proper oral hygiene can be linked to systemic disease, low birth weight babies, and potential cardiac disease. The body can also have a effect on the oral cavity. For example, diabetes can cause in increased risk of periodontal/ gum disease. A lot of different medications can effect our mouth most importantly causing dry mouth and thus putting us at risk for cavities, such medications may include those for high blood pressure, depression, and cholesterol.
At Dalseth Dental we also promote healthy lifestyle with our team. For example Dr. Pascal and two other staff member ride their bicycles to work. Staff also enjoy a walk during the lunch hour or sneak in a quick run. Most recently, Dr. Pascal finished 7th in the Minneapolis Marathon on June 3rd. He said it was a beautiful day and appreciated having Dr. Dalseth and his wife cheer him on.
From Dr. Dalseth: Keep us informed!
Dentistry and medicine exist together and it is important that your dentist be aware of any and all medications that you are taking, including supplements such as St. John’s Wart. A person’s medication levels can be affected by antibiotics, local anesthetic, and even the things you eat and drink. A prime example is grapefruit juice and its interaction with cholesterol lower drugs like Zocor and Lipitor.
If you have a question about the medications you are taking and their interactions with food and your other medications it is important to discuss these with your doctor and pharmacist.
If I have braces, do I still need a dental checkup every 6 months?
Thanks for the question! Yes! In fact, it’s even more important that patients receiving orthodontic treatment visit our office regularly. When you’re wearing braces, food may be caught in places that your toothbrush normally can’t reach. This causes bacteria to build up and can lead to cavities, gingivitis and even gum disease. Believe it or not, an estimated 80 percent of American adults currently have some form of gum disease. Studies have shown a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, underscoring the importance of good oral health care. Our team will work closely with your orthodontist to make sure that your teeth stay clean and healthy while you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment.
If it has been more than six months since your last visit to our office, please give us a call! We look forward to your next visit!
Independence Day Facts, Tips, and Party invitations!
It’s hard to believe, but July is already here and half of 2012 has already passed! As July 4th approaches, our team thought it would be fun to share some facts and safety tips for celebrating our country’s independence day.
Fun Facts:
• Betsy Ross, according to legend, sewed the first American flag in May or June 1776, as commissioned by the Congressional Committee.
• The major objection to being ruled by Britain was taxation without representation. The colonists had no say in the decisions of English Parliament.
• The word ‘patriotism’ comes from the Latin patria, which means ‘homeland’ or ‘fatherland.’
• The first public Fourth of July event at the White House occurred in 1804.
• And what could be more fitting than spending the day in a place called “America”? There are five such places in the country, with the most populous being American Fork, Utah, with 21,941 residents. Check out American Fact Finder.
Safety Tips:
• Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
• Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
• To prevent a trash fire, be sure to douse the spent fireworks with plenty of water from a bucket or hose after fireworks complete their burning and before discarding them.
• Make sure fireworks are legal before buying or using them.
What are your plans this 4th of July? Share them with us! We’d love to hear what you and the rest of the community will be doing to celebrate! (Don’t forget to make sure there are no restrictions on fireworks! Check out this link to see if fireworks might be an issue for you this year.)
Also, check out these 4th of July party invitations, eGreeting cards, and delicious recipes!
July 4th eCard invitations!
Happy Independence Day eCards
Independence Day Recipes
Photo by shawnajean
I Want Straight Teeth!
Quick, think of your favorite movie star. Now picture their smile or just grab the latest edition of a celebrity gossip magazine. Chances are their teeth look straight. Most of the people gracing the magazines have porcelain veneers to get that straight, super bright smile, while some have had either braces or Invisalign. Veneers don’t actually straighten your teeth; they just appear that way. While I love treating patients with veneers, there is no substitute to actually straightening your teeth. If you’re looking in the mirror right now and you see crooked teeth, read on, it may just save your smile!
Contrary to popular belief, dentists want healthy teeth and good check-ups for all our patients. Crowded, rotated or misaligned teeth are the bane of a healthy mouth’s existence. These conditions lead to the following:
– Increased plaque and tartar build-up. Crowded areas are hard to clean leading to an increase in bacteria causing bad breath.
– More dangerous strains of bacteria. Our mouth always contains bacteria but it becomes more virulent in crowded areas. Studies have shown once crowded, rotated or misaligned teeth are straightened, a more healthy strain of bacteria returns as the dangerous strain disappears.
– Increase in tooth decay. With all that plaque forming in crowded areas and the challenge present in cleaning crowded teeth, decay rates increase and cavities form.
– Increase in gingivitis. Our gums are susceptible to the bacteria in crowded areas as well. Gingivitis is an inflammation in the gum tissue and a precursor to periodontal disease. If you look at your crowded or rotated teeth and see red, puffy gums that bleed easily, guess what? You have gingivitis.
– Teeth chipping or wearing down. When teeth are misaligned they wear down abnormally. Cracks and fractures are more likely to happen with an abnormal wear pattern. Aligning the teeth properly will help ensure your next visit to the dentist won’t be for a crown on a fractured tooth.
Whew, that’s a lot of stuff to consider! Don’t worry; help is available! There are two options to correct your teeth and get a healthy, beautiful smile.
Braces: The traditional bracket and wire method works well in any situation. With colorful elastics to hold the wires in place, kids will have tons of choices to get creative during treatment. For the discerning adult, ceramic brackets are available to blend in with the teeth, making treatment less visible to the casual observer. Average treatment time is 24 months.
Invisalign: For twelve years this aligner system has been straightening teeth. The best part about Invisalign: No Brackets or Wires! Clear aligners (similar to whitening trays) move your teeth into their desired position. They are designed by a computer to precisely fit just your teeth. Aligners are worn 24/7 except for meals and every two weeks you get a new aligner. Patients are seen in the office every six weeks and given three trays until their next appointment. Another great thing about Invisalign: You can eat what you want! Just remove the trays and indulge yourself with some delicious caramels or popcorn, while your friend in braces sits frustrated next to you. Invisalign works well but does have some limitations. It is very popular among adults since the trays are almost invisible. Average treatment time is 12 months.
Time to put that mirror down and give us a call to set up a Free Consultation. With interest free financing available, having straight, healthy teeth is attainable. You too can have that movie star smile!
Thank you,
Dr. Todd Weber
Bad Breath is No Good
Bad breath, also called halitosis, can result from poor dental health habits and may be a sign of other health problems. Bad breath can also be made worse by the types of foods you eat and other unhealthy lifestyle habits. You may not even be aware of your own bad breath, so if you’re concerned you may be suffering from it, talk to our team. We can help identify the cause and, if it’s due to an oral condition, develop a treatment plan to treat it.
There are many reasons for bad breath:
• What you eat can also affect the way your breath smells. Certain foods, such as garlic and onions, can have a very strong and lasting odor.
• If you don’t brush and floss daily, particles of food remain in the mouth, collecting bacteria, which can cause bad breath, not to mention tooth decay and gingivitis.
• Bad breath can be caused by dry mouth (xerostomia), which occurs when the flow of saliva decreases. Saliva is necessary to cleanse the mouth and remove particles that may cause odor.
• Tobacco products cause bad breath. If you use tobacco, ask us for tips on kicking the habit.
• Bad breath may be the sign of a medical disorder, such as a local infection in the respiratory tract, chronic sinusitis, postnasal drip, chronic bronchitis, diabetes, gastrointestinal disturbance, liver or kidney ailment. If this is the case, you may be referred to your family doctor or a specialist to determine the cause.
The good news is there are many ways to help eliminate bad breath from your life. Maintaining good oral health is essential to reducing bad breath, so schedule regular dental visits with our office for a professional cleaning and checkup. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to remove food debris and plaque, and don’t forget to brush your tongue, too!
June marks National Dairy Month!
In honor of June Dairy Month, our team would like to thank all of our hard working families in the Dairy Industry. You make us proud!
In fact, dairy is important to your overall health! A 2008 study from the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) found that regular consumption of dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yogurt, can lower your chances of contracting periodontal disease (also known as gum disease).
Results of the study show that adults who consume at least 55 grams of lactic acid a day are less at risk for gum disease. Eating dairy is not just healthy for building strong bones, but is essential for maintaining a strong, healthy mouth.
Celebrating 10 years with Dr. Dalseth!
Here at Dalseth Family and Cosmetic Dentistry love to share news about the office, staff, and patients. Like a lot of people, Facebook is a great avenue to share and catch up on what is new. This month we celebrated 10 year anniversaries for 4 employees. I would also like to give a shout out to Dr. Todd Weber. We have had the privilege of having him work with us for the past 5 years. He has been a great addition to the team, including introducing orthodontics and Invisalign. When you come in next time make sure you congratulate him and ask him about braces.
This May is also the 10th year in our current location, it is amazing how time flies! We want to thank all of our loyal patients for the trust and faith in our team. We enjoy seeing you and your family and appreciate when you share our name with your friends. If you have something to share with the rest of the Dalseth team leave us a review on our Google place page.