Chronic Illness is related to Mouth Germs !

What You Need to Know.

The dental profession has known for decades that the condition of a person’s mouth is directly related to their overall, general health and well-being. Now it appears that the medical community at large is recognizing and even encouraging more research into this connection. It turns out that inflammation and bacterial infections in the mouth are linked to conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and even pregnancy issues! Taking care of your teeth and gums is not just about having an attractive smile, it can be essential in staying healthy.

What do we know?
We know that bacterial infection and tissue inflammation are important factors in the development of gum and bone (periodontal) disease. We know that inflammation is also a major factor in the development or worsening of many chronic illnesses. Ironically, inflammation is the first response of a healthy immune system to injury, infection or irritation. It is only when the inflammation spreads or the source of the injury, infection or irritation is allowed to continue, that the entire body suffers.

Here’s why:
Blood vessels dilate around the site of an infection, often causing swelling, redness and heat. White (infection killing) cells rush to an affected area with the purpose of surrounding the bacteria and preventing their spread.
If the infection and the source of the infection is eliminated by the white cells, the situation is resolved. If the cause of the inflammation does not go away or gets worse, the inflammatory process continues.
If the inflammatory process is overwhelmed by infection, the white cells just keep trying. The body recognizes trouble in the system and continues to ignite defenses. If nothing is done about the source of an infection, the swelling, heat, and attack of the white cells will affect more than just the bacteria. Damage can occur to organs, blood vessels, joints and even nerves.
An overstressed inflammatory system also does not do its job of killing bacteria. They can spread and eventually travel throughout the body, doing even more damage.
So, if bacteria in the mouth are not controlled, which is what can happen in chronic gum and bone (periodontal) disease, the body may never shut down the “full body” inflammatory process. Why, because the cause of the inflammation, the bacteria in the mouth, continue to incite the process. It can just go on and on.
The longer bacteria and the inflammation they cause are allowed to spread from the mouth, the higher the chance for damage to the body as a whole.

What can we do?
Here at our office we have many methods of helping people control bacteria in the mouth. We actively look for and treat periodontal disease so that our patients can maintain a healthy immune system. This may include more frequent professional cleanings, or more extensively; root planing and scaling of the teeth to remove diseased tissues and bacteria. In some cases certain medicines may be recommended, and we will provide you with detailed home care instructions and help with your daily mouth cleaning routines. With the mouth germs brought under control, the body’s immune system can begin the healing process.

Even if no dentist has ever previously told you that you need gum and bone care, new conditions require new treatment. It is not uncommon for even “regular” patients to develop mouth infections from time to time and need more than “just a cleaning” such as they have had in the past. Just as a person may develop high blood pressure, having never had it in the past, so may a person develop gum and bone disease. Our bodies change and face challenges all the time.

We are here to help you maintain the health of your mouth, which in turn will make you a healthier person.

Reference: Carrington Dental News

Start care early to ensure your child’s smile rocks

What better time to think about your child’s dental health than February — National Children’s Dental Health Month?

The start to a lifelong smile begins as early as six months after your baby is born, when you might begin to see the first tooth come in.

These first “baby” teeth, or “primary” teeth, should not be ignored. Even though the baby teeth eventually are replaced by permanent adult teeth, it’s important to care for them.

Baby teeth should remain healthy and in place until they are lost naturally, since they will help your baby chew and eventually speak, as well as help the jaw develop and save room for the permanent teeth.

Remember, too, that a healthy smile helps children feel good about themselves and how they look to others. You want your child’s smile to rock.


Dental visit before first birthday

The American Dental Association recommends every child should visit a dentist by his or her first birthday. This age 1 dental visit will allow you and your child to feel comfortable in the dental office, and the dentist will check to see if the teeth are growing properly and look for any other problems or signs of early tooth decay.

You might be surprised to know that tooth decay is the most common childhood disease. It is seven times more common than hay fever and five times more common than asthma. But there are some easy steps you can take to protect your child’s teeth: Clean your baby’s gums with a moist, soft cloth or piece of gauze. As soon as the first tooth comes in, start brushing with a little water on a soft-bristle toothbrush designed for babies.

Never put your baby to sleep with anything other than water in the bottle or sippy cup. Prolonged exposure to sugary drinks, such as juice, formula or even milk, can lead to tooth decay.

Never dip a pacifier in honey or anything sweet before giving it to your baby. Be sure to talk to your dentist about your child’s fluoride needs. Infants need fluoride to help developing teeth grow strong and to help prevent cavities.

Your child’s primary teeth (baby teeth) will start to come in about the age of 6 or 7 months. Since the gums can become sore as the teeth are coming into place, your baby may be uncomfortable and fussy. When this happens, try rubbing the gums gently with your finger, or giving your baby a cool teething ring on which to chew.

Be sure to talk with your dentist about other ways to make your child more comfortable as the primary teeth come in.

It is recommended that water, rather than fluoride toothpaste, is used until your child is 2 years old. Once your child is able to spit, he or she may be able to brush his or her teeth by using a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste while you assist.

Have the child spit out the toothpaste.


Permanent teeth

Your child’s permanent teeth will start to come in between the ages of 6 and 7 and will continue to come in through the teenage years — possibly even during early adult years. Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily will be important habits to adopt.

Limiting snacks and sugary foods and drinks also will go a long way toward keeping the teeth healthy and cavity free.

Of course, regular checkups with the dentist are essential.

Your dentist can spot problems, such as tooth decay, and begin treatment before they become more serious and costly to treat.

Regular checkups also allow for professional cleanings and fluoride applications that will keep the teeth strong.

Your dentist may apply dental sealants to the chewing surfaces of your child’s permanent back teeth to further protect against decay. These chewing surfaces have deep pits and grooves in which food and plaque can build up and destroy the enamel surfaces of the teeth.

Rock your child’s smile by providing them with a well balanced diet, limited snacks, ensuring that they brush and floss, and scheduling regular dental checkups.

Brought to you by the 600 members of the West Michigan District Dental Society in Kent, Ottawa, Ionia, Montcalm and Mecosta counties. West Michigan District Dental Society dentists are also members of the Michigan Dental Association.

 

The Stats on Soft Drinks

The average World wide consumption of soft drinks is 89.8 liters per person per year.

Americans drink 49.78 Billion liters per year!

Japan drinks 21.6 liters per year.

Ireland drinks 126 liters per person per year.

Australia drinks 100 liters per person per year.

21% of all the sugar consumed in the average American diet comes from soft drinks.

 Drinking 1 soft drink per day increases a child's risk of becoming obese 60%.

One 20 oz bottle of pop has the equivalent of 42 packs of sugar.  (As shown on the left.)

Reference: Nutrition and More

Periodontal Maintenance

It only takes twenty four hours for plaque that is not removed from your teeth to turn into calculus (tartar). Daily home cleaning helps control plaque and tartar formation, but those hard to reach areas will always need special attention.

Once your periodontal treatment has been completed, your dentist and dental hygienist will recommend that you have regular periodontal maintenance or cleanings, usually four times a year. At these cleaning appointments, the pocket depths will be carefully checked to ensure that they are healthy. Plaque and calculus that is difficult for you to remove on a daily basis will be removed from above and below the gum line.

Good oral hygiene practices and periodontal cleanings are essential in maintaining dental health and keeping periodontal disease under control.