Periodontics

May 12th World Gum Health Day 2024

Nearly 45% of the world population has oral diseases (cavities, periodontal disease, etc.) which surpasses all other non-communicable diseases (cancer, mental disorders, diabetes, cardiovascular, and chronic respiratory diseases). The European Federation of Periodontology annually draws attention to periodontal conditions (gingivitis, periodontitis, peri-implant mucositis, and peri-implantitis) that can affect overall health, and strives to improve oral hygiene for all.

Infographic from the European Federation of  Periodontology based on research by the Economist Impact regarding five takeaways from the white paper. Photo of family brushing teeth among text.

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Associations between periodontitis and systemic diseases - EFP/Wonca/Curasept Project

A recent publication in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology evaluates the associations between periodontal diseases and non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), obstructive sleep apnea and COVID-19 complications.

A healthier smile starts with you.

Take control of your dental health.

We are here to help.

Periodontitis in the news

A recent report published by Economist Impact has a lengthy summary of the importance of treating periodontal disease, and being proactive regarding treatment.

“Now is the time to take gum disease seriously: A roadmap for improving oral health in the United States” Click the link below to be directed to the report.

A healthier smile starts with you.

Take control of your dental health.

We are here to help.

Happy Holidays!

As we gather with family and friends in the coming weeks, we at Upper Peninsula Periodontics want to wish all of our patients and partner offices a safe and happy holiday season!

We also would like to remind everyone there are a few things you can do at home to help reduce inflammation in your mouth and body. Diet Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids―including oily cold-water fish (salmon, tuna, herring, or sardines) and walnuts―have been found to reduce inflammation. The body does not produce these acids naturally, and they can come only from consuming certain foods. Additionally, antioxidant-rich green tea has been shown to reduce inflammation in the body.

Exercise

People who exercise regularly demonstrate fewer incidences of periodontal disease than those who do not exercise regularly. While moderate exercise may help reduce inflammation in your body, extreme exercise (such as marathon running) can actually increase systemic inflammation. Exercise also reduce stress, another risk factor for periodontal disease. Stress has a negative impact on the body’s ability to fight infection and inflammation. It’s a good idea to discuss your exercise plan with a health professional to ensure that it’s a good fit for your lifestyle.

Brushing and Flossing

The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) recommends brushing twice a day and flossing daily as a part of a daily oral health routine. You should also undergo a comprehensive periodontal evaluation every year to assess the health of your gums. If periodontal disease does develop, your periodontist can develop an effective treatment plan for your unique needs.

A healthier smile starts with you.

 Take control of your dental health.

 We are here to help.

Tobacco Use and Periodontal Disease

The most recent statistics regarding use of cigarettes in the United States from 2019 found 14.0% of all adults (34.1 million people) currently smoked cigarettes: 15.3% of men, 12.7% of women.

Here are some key points in regards to cigarette use and periodontal disease:

Cigarette use increases the likelihood of periodontal disease by 2.7 times.

Heavy cigarette use (more than a pack per day) increases the amount of bone loss by 6-7 times.

Cigarette smoking influences composition of the plaque and how your body responds to plaque.

A low-oxygen environment creates a favorable subgingival environment for colonization by anaerobic bacteria (which can be more aggressive) caused by vasoconstriction of the blood vessels as a result of exposure to nicotine and decreased oxygen tension locally.

For more information: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/index.htm

A healthier smile starts with you.

Take control of your dental health.

We are here to help.

Periodontitis and Diabetes

According to recent Centers for Disease Control publications, 34.2 million people have diabetes in the United States, which is approximately 1 in every 10 people. Furthermore, the number of undiagnosed individuals is approximately 1 in 5. Prediabetes is a condition with elevated blood sugar levels, but not clinically high enough to be categorized into type 2 diabetes. In the United States, 88 million adults (more than 1 in 3) have prediabetes, and more than 8 in 10 adults have elevated blood sugars levels and are unaware. If you have prediabetes, losing weight by eating healthy and being more active can cut your risk of getting type 2 diabetes in half.

Diabetic patients are 2 to 4 times more likely to develop periodontal disease, than compared to non-diabetic individuals. Periodontal disease in diabetic patients tends to present with more severe bone loss and aggressive disease activity. Treating periodontal disease in diabetic patients can improve blood sugar levels, and prevent further bone loss or additional tooth loss.

A healthier smile starts with you.

Take control of your dental health.

We are here to help.

Avoiding dental treatment?

Scared of the dentist? Welcome to the club! Half of Americans feel this way. Within a smaller group of individuals this fear is so severe that they refuse to be seen by a dentist. Delaying dental treatment can cause unnecessary pain and discomfort, could lead to more involved treatment and higher overall cost. There are a variety of concerns patients have, which ranges from previous experiences, to not wanting to accept reality that something may be wrong. The severity of anxiety or fear of the dentist can vary from slightly apprehensive to completely debilitating. Other ways to ease your nerves are to ask questions over the phone or read up on various topics/subjects to inform yourself. Share your concerns with our office staff, and we will do everything we can to help make your appointment more comfortable.

A healthier smile starts with you.

Take control of your dental health.

We are here to help.

Sore teeth? Sore jaw?

Clenching.

Grinding.

Gritting.

These are all common names for bruxism, or occlusal parafunction, which occurs when a person positions their teeth together and applies significant force.

Jaw clicks?

Jaw pops?

Jaw locks?

These sounds and sensations could be signs that there are dysfunction and/or deterioration of the masticatory system (muscles, ligaments, bones, connective tissue, teeth, and nerves). Intervention can be as simple as stress management or more involved depending on the severity and symptoms. Both temporomandibular joints work in conjunction with one another, and excessive stress, strain, or trauma can damage one or both of them. If you have concerns with your teeth or jaw joint, you should reach out to your dental provider for a thorough evaluation.

A healthier smile starts with you.

Take control of your dental health.

We are here to help.

Mouth rinses: so many options to choose from...

Question: Should I use _____________ mouth rinse?

Answer: That depends. Not to dodge the questions, however, some self-assessment questions should be posed: Is your current oral hygiene habits effective? Are you missing areas of your mouth that need attention? Is plaque control a problem?

If you have wandered down the dental supply isle at your local grocery store or pharmacy lately, the number of options are a bit overwhelming. We suggest that you first identify what is the primary goal of this rinse: Plaque control? Whitening? Anti-microbial? Sensitivity? Fluoride supplement? After narrowing your search, look for options that fit your desired criteria. As for frequency of rinsing, ask your dentist what would be right for you and your situation. Other thoughts on mouth rinses include: do you have a dry mouth? are your gums sensitive? do you have a lot of dental restorations (fillings and/or crowns)? Alcohol based rinses can exacerbate the effects of dry mouth and can be hard on the gums in certain individuals. Many options are now formulated to be alcohol free, to alleviate dry mouth and irritation to the gums.

If you have questions regarding your daily oral hygiene routine and which products are right for you, reach out to your dental provider and ask directed questions.

A healthier smile starts with you.

Take control of your dental health.

We are here to help.