This Week in Perio

AAPHD supports study linking perio, heart disease

15 May 2012 15:03:23 CDT

The American Association of Public Health Dentistry agrees with the conclusions of the recent literature review published by the American Heart Association that found strong proof of an association between periodontal disease and heart disease. People with periodontal disease have a greater chance of having heart disease than people with healthy gums, and the link between periodontal disease and heart disease exists separately from other risk factors, such as cigarette smoking, diabetes or obesity, the AAPHD noted in a press release. (May require free registration to view article.)

Gum disease may not cause heart disease, heart attacks, stroke

15 May 2012 15:03:23 CDT

Does gum disease lead to heart attacks and strokes? For decades, the answer has been "yes," and we've all been urged to brush and floss regularly. But now some researchers say there's just one problem: After reviewing more than 500 studies on the connection between the two diseases, they can't find any conclusive evidence that there really is a causal link. An American Heart Association expert panel of cardiologists, dentists and infectious disease specialists found that, while inflammation from gum disease can affect blood vessels, it's unlikely that it causes heart disease.

Good vibrations: Pain free at the dentist

15 May 2012 15:03:23 CDT

You can keep your teeth and gums healthy. Most problems with teeth and gums can be prevented by taking these steps.

Hormones can affect gum disease

15 May 2012 15:03:23 CDT

If you're a pregnant woman dealing with morning sickness or a menopausal woman suffering through hot flashes, your gums are probably the last thing on your mind. However, dentists say women need to pay special attention to oral health care or risk health complications. Changes in hormone levels during many phases of a woman's life — starting with puberty and menstruation right through to pregnancy and menopause — can affect how her gums react to plaque, dentists say. "Gum disease is inflammation and a chronic low-grade infection," said Dr. Michael Verber of Verber Family Dentistry in Camp Hill. "We go to the doctor for other infections, but we tend to ignore gum disease."

Take a bite out of gum disease: What you should know

15 May 2012 15:03:23 CDT

Almost every American enjoys showing a big, bright smile, or feeling their fresh, smooth teeth with their tongue following a good brushing. But even if your teeth are pearly white, you could still be at risk for periodontal disease. In the U.S., approximately 80 percent of adults will experience gum disease in their lifetime, which can cause symptoms ranging from inflammation to bone damage. In gum disease, bacteria infect the tissues that support your teeth. The bacteria attack below the gumline, creating pockets of infection. The disease has two main stages: gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis only involves inflammation of the gums, and is reversible, while periodontitis is destructive to the tissues that surround and support the teeth, and is harder to treat.

Tired of loose teeth? Implants have come a long way

15 May 2012 15:03:23 CDT

Jim Cribbett of Riverton, Ill., had dentures since he was 25 years old. By the time the retired program analyst and National Guard assistant fire chief was 64, he was tired of worrying about his lower dentures. "Lowers just do not stay in," Cribbett says, a complaint common among people who wear dentures. Eating certain foods, such as crunchy apples, can be difficult with dentures. Then there's worry they will slip in public. Cribbett opted for a relatively new procedure to solve these problems: a surgical procedure called dental implants.

The connection between oral health and other health

15 May 2012 15:03:23 CDT

What can your mouth tell you about the rest of your body? Quite a lot, according to recent research that has found clear associations between periodontal disease and a range of serious medical problems, including heart disease, diabetes and premature births. Not every researcher is prepared to say periodontal disease, a bacterial infection of the gums that can cause tooth loss, is responsible for these conditions. However, the links between oral health and the rest of your body do provide one more reason to pay attention to the state of your teeth and gums.

Girls facing grown-up diseases

15 May 2012 15:03:23 CDT

Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, high cholesterol, and gum disease — all conditions we associate with adults. But not anymore! More and more young girls are being treated for these very adult diseases.

Vengeful teeth-pulling dentist story deemed a hoax

15 May 2012 15:03:23 CDT

Remember the tale of the jilted Polish dentist who pulled all the pearly whites from the mouth of her ex-boyfriend? Turns out the story has no teeth. The report that dentist Anna Mackowiak removed all her ex-boyfriend's teeth after he came into her dental office complaining of a toothache turned out to be false.

Risk factors revisited

15 May 2012 15:03:23 CDT

Risk factors are the primary determinants of the course periodontal disease takes by the variety of mechanisms in which they influence the development, progression, resolution, and recurrence of the disease. Risk factors are actually only one category of a wider group of risk elements. There are risk determinants such as genetics, age, gender, socioeconomic status, and stress; risk markers such as previous history of periodontal disease and bleeding upon probing; and risk indicators including HIV/AIDS, osteoporosis, and infrequent dental visits.