Dry Mouth or Xerostomia

Dry Mouth is a symptom rather than a specific disorder. Saliva cleanses the mouth and begins the digestive process as foods are chewed. Adequate saliva flow coats and lubricates the mouth. When dry mouth or xerostomia occurs, soft tissues get irritated and inflamed and are more susceptible to oral infections. Without the cleansing and shielding effects of adequate salivary flow, tooth decay and periodontal disease become more prevalent.   Constant dryness and lack of protection provided by saliva contribute to bad breath.  In denture wearers, dentures feel less comfortable without the thin film of saliva to help them adhere properly to the mouth.

Causes of Dry Mouth

Prescribed and over the counter medications have emerged as the most common cause of dry mouth.

Medications including  antihistamines, decongestants, pain killers, diuretics, anti hypertensives and anti depressants are among 400 other medications that have side effects of dry mouth.

Aging does minimally reduce the salivary flow.

Radiation of head and neck

Emotional stress 

Autoimmune disease like Sjogren’s  syndrome and diabetes

.

Hormonal alterations associated with  pregnancy and menopause have been associated with dry mouth.

Symptom Relief

Chewing sugar free gum or candy to stimulate salivation

 Drinking frequent sips of water

Use of alcohol free oral rinses

Restricted use of caffeine, alcohol and carbonated beverages

Regular check- ups and teeth cleaning are more important in mouths experiencing  xerostomia  to minimize decay and periodontal disease.  Additional fluoride products may be recommended to safeguard your dental health.

Visit www.mydentistchino.com for additional information.

Pregnancy and Gum Infections

If you are pregnant, please call your dental office today and schedule to have your teeth cleaned as soon as possible.

Comprehensive Periodontal Examination

Evaluation of patient's periodontal status requires obtaining a relevant medical and dental history and conducting a thorough clinical and radiographic evaluation.

1. A medical history should be evaluated to identify predisposing conditions that may affect treatment, patient management and outcomes. Such conditions include diabetes, hypertension, pregnancy, smoking, substance abuse and medications and other existing conditions that impact traditional dental therapy.

2 A dental history including the reason for the visit and information about past dental and periodontal care and records will be useful.

3.TMJ and other extra oral structures must also be evaluated.

4. Intra oral tissues and structures including oral mucosa, muscles of mastication, lips, floor of mouth, tongue, salivary glands, palate and the oro pharynx should be examined.

5.  Examination of teeth and their replacements should include observation of missing teeth, condition of restorations, caries, tooth mobility, tooth position, occlusal and interdental relationships, signs of para functional habits and pulpal status.

6 Current radiographs  for evaluating status of periodontium and dental implants.

7.Determination of plaque and calculus distribution.

8. Periodontal soft tissue and peri implant tissue examination.

9. Probing depths, clinical attachment levels and bleeding on probing is evaluated.

10. Muco gingival relationships including abnormal frenulum attachments, gingival recession and deficiencies of keratinized tissue.

11. Presence, location and extent of furcation invasions.

Additional diagnostic aids like diagnostic casts, microbial and other assessments add value  to a thorough examination..

Based on the results of the examination, a diagnosis and proposed treatment plan should be presented to the patient. Patients should be informed of the disease process, therapeutic alternatives, potential complications, the expected results and the patient's responsibilities in treatment. Consequences of no treatment should be explained to the patient.

"Toothbrushes Trump Seat Belts"

 As important as seat belts are as a preventative measure, toothbrushes have a far greater impact on the health and longevity of the American public.

According to NHTSA, seat belts save over 13,000 lives a year, nationwide. While few of our patients die from a car crash, many will succumb to heart attack or cancer.  Periodontal disease is a significant risk factor for heart attack, stroke, low- birthweight infants and some forms of cancer.  Estimates are that about 80% of American adults suffer either from gingvitis or periodontal disease.  Using a tooth brush and eliminating periodontal disease reduces the chances of sufferring from these life altering medical conditions.

The Oral Systemic connection has long been an established fact but it has recently been relabeled "The Theory of Focal Infection"  The bacteria  originating in mouth enter the blood stream and infect the blood vessel walls of the heart.. Bacterial products in the blood can also stimulate liver production  of C-reactive protein and fibrinogen, both directly linked to heart attacks.

Although periodontal disease is one amongst the many other risk factors like smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol ,stress,  lack of exercise &  genetics, the combination of these factors add layer upon layer of increased risk of suffering a heart attack.  Periodontal disease is an important risk factor for strokes. Periodontal disease increases the likelihood of a heart attack by 24-35%.

In a recent study, a direct correlation between the amount of periodontal bacteria present and blood pressure has been established.

Totally wiping out periodontal disease will eliminate 158,000 heart attacks, nearly half of which are fatal.  Add to that the thousands of lives that would be saved by reducing cancers, controlling diabetes, preamature births etc- from a public health point of view, tooth brushes save more lives than seat belts!!!
 

The Mouth is the Mirror to your Body

Oral Health: The Mouth-Body Connection

Years ago, a physician who suspected heart disease would probably not refer the patient to a gum specialist. The same went for diabetes, pregnancy, or just about any other medical condition. Times have changed. The past 5 to 10 years have seen ballooning interest in possible links between mouth health and body health.
"Physicians are taking a more holistic approach to their patients’ overall health," says Sally Cram, DDS, PC, consumer advisor for the American Dental Association. And for good reason. In one recent study, people with serious gum disease were 40% more likely to have a chronic condition on top of it.

What Your Dental Health Says About You

It's easy to ignore the effects of poor oral hygiene because they're hidden in your mouth. But gum disease may point to problems with diabetes and heart disease and loose teeth could be a sign of osteoporosis. Could it be that a healthy mouth means more than just a sparkling smile? And what could your dentist learn about you the next time you open wide?

• Read more about what your mouth says about you

Additional Links:

• Bad Breath: a Sign of Something More Harmful?
• Diet and Healthy Teeth
• 13 Healthy Habits to Improve Your Life
• Tooth Whitening: What Works and When to Say No

© 2008 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

In this article, WebMD answers two questions about the mouth-body connection. Why can the health of your mouth affect your whole body? And why are simple habits like daily brushing and flossing more important than you might think?

Your Mouth, the Gateway to Your Body

To understand how the mouth can affect the body, it helps to understand what can go wrong in the first place. Bacteria that builds up on teeth make gums prone to infection. The immune system moves in to attack the infection and the gums become inflamed. The inflammation continues unless the infection is brought under control.
Over time, inflammation and the chemicals it releases eat away at the gums and bone structure that hold teeth in place. The result is severe gum disease, known as periodontitis. Inflammation can also cause problems in the rest of the body.

Oral Health and Diabetes

The working relationship between diabetes and periodontitis may be the strongest of all the connections between the mouth and body. Inflammation that starts in the mouth seems to weaken the body’s ability to control blood sugar. People with diabetes have trouble processing sugar because of a lack of insulin, the hormone that converts sugar into energy.
"Periodontal disease further complicates diabetes because the inflammation impairs the body’s ability to utilize insulin," says Pamela McClain, DDS, president of the American Academy of Periodontology. To further complicate matters, diabetes and periodontitis have a two-way relationship. High blood sugar provides ideal conditions for infection to grow, including gum infections. Fortunately you can use the gum disease-diabetes relationship to your favor: managing one can help bring the other under control.

Oral Health and Heart Disease

Though the reasons are not fully understood, it’s clear that gum disease and heart disease often go hand in hand. Up to 91% of patients with heart disease have periodontitis, compared to 66% of people with no heart disease. The two conditions have several risk factors in common, such as smoking, unhealthy diet, and excess weight. And some suspect that periodontitis has a direct role in raising the risk for heart disease as well.
"The theory is that inflammation in the mouth causes inflammation in the blood vessels," says Cram. This can increase the risk for heart attack in a number of ways. Inflamed blood vessels allow less blood to travel between the heart and the rest of the body, raising blood pressure. "There’s also a greater risk that fatty plaque will break off the wall of a blood vessel and travel to the heart or the brain, causing a heart attack or stroke," Cram explains.

Oral Health and Pregnancy

Babies born too early or at a low birth weight often have significant health problems, including lung conditions, heart conditions, and learning disorders. While many factors can contribute to premature or low birth weight deliveries, researchers are looking at the possible role of gum disease. Infection and inflammation in general seem to interfere with a fetus’ development in the womb.
Though men have periodontitis more often than women do, hormonal changes during pregnancy can increase a woman’s risk. For the best chance of a healthy pregnancy, McClain recommends a comprehensive periodontal exam "if you’re pregnant or before you become pregnant to identify whether or not you’re at risk."

Oral Health and Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis and periodontitis have an important thing in common, bone loss. The link between the two, however, is controversial. Cram points out that osteoporosis affects the long bones in the arms and legs, whereas gum disease attacks the jawbone. Others point to the fact that osteoporosis mainly affects women, whereas periodontitis is more common among men.
Though a link has not been well established, some studies have found that women with osteoporosis have gum disease more often than those who do not. Researchers are testing the theory that inflammation triggered by periodontitis could weaken bone in other parts of the body.

Oral Health and Smoking

Not smoking is one of the most important things you can do for your mouth and your body. According to the CDC, a smoker’s risk of severe gum disease is three times higher than someone who does not smoke.
"Nicotine in cigarettes causes blood vessels to constrict," McClain tells WebMD. This interferes with your gums’ ability to fight infection. Not only that, smoking interferes with treatment -- gum surgeries tend to be more complicated and recovery more difficult.

Oral Health and Other Conditions

The impact of oral health on the body is a relatively new area of study. Some other mouth-body connections under current investigation include:

• Rheumatoid Arthritis. Treating periodontal disease has been shown to reduce pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis.
• Lung Conditions. Periodontal disease may make pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease worse, possibly by increasing the amount of bacteria in the lungs.
• Obesity. Two studies have linked obesity to gum disease. It appears that periodontitis progresses more quickly in the presence of higher body fat.

The Bottom Line on Oral Health

One thing is clear: the body and mouth are not separate. "Your body can affect your mouth and likewise, your mouth can affect your body," says McClain. "Taking good care of your teeth and gums can really help you live well longer." This means brushing twice a day, flossing once a day, and going for regular dental cleanings and check-ups.
Cram stresses the importance of letting your dentist know your full family medical history. And, she adds, "if you have periodontal disease, make sure you see your dentist frequently and get it treated promptly, before it progresses to the point where you begin losing teeth or it starts to affect your overall health.

Call Dr. Cherukuri for more information on the Mouth Body Connection 909 627 6699 or visit us at www.chinosmiles.com