Emerging science indicates that women with periodontal diseases may be at a greater risk of delivering preterm, low birth weight babies. Preventive oral care services should be provided as early in pregnancy as possible. The second trimester is the ideal time to treat the gum tissues. The presence of acute infection, abscess, or other potentially disseminating sources of sepsis may warrant prompt intervention, irrespective of the stage of pregnancy.
- AAP academy report
In a word…yes. The bacterial strains that cause gum disease have been shown to be transmitted from spouse to spouse, mother to child, and human to pet and vice versa! Still want to let your dog lick you in the face?
Those without a history of gum disease are recommended to have their teeth cleaned every 6 months. However, if you have had a history of gum disease, then it is advisable to have them cleaned every quarter. The reason for this is that it takes 90 days for the harmful bacteria in your mouth to repopulate following a cleaning. In most people, this bacteria won’t cause bone loss. However, if you have a genetic predisposition for gum disease or smoke, then you are more likely to have deterioration of the gums and bone at a much more rapid rate.
Teeth grinding usually does most of its work at night when we are asleep. It has been reported that we generate 10x the force at night than we might during the day. In the healthy mouth, this will result in chipped teeth, teeth wear, and the formation of notches on the tooth (near the gumline). When there is some history of gum disease or inflammation then the grinding will potentiate and exacerbate the bone loss. In other words, grinding or clenching will induce more bone loss and ultimately recession. A simple night guard will minimize the effects.
Periodontal disease involves the loss of the bone that support the teeth. Unfortunately, adding supplements such as Vitamin D, calcium, etc. will not make much of a difference, unless you are severely malnourished in those minerals or vitamins. Keeping the bacterial load down (good oral home care and consistent dental cleanings) is the most effective way to minimize the bone loss. And of course, don’t smoke.
Smoking has been found to be one of the biggest causes of gum diseases (2.5-3x higher risk). Because you can have a direct effect on this (by not smoking at all!), the best way to prevent gum disease is to quit smoking. In addition, smokers heal much worse. Surgical and non-surgical outcomes will not have as positive an outcome in a smoker as opposed to a non-smoker.
Lately the buzz in dental implants is this “teeth in a day” moniker. Unfortunately, the whole truth is not being conveyed. Very few patients actually will qualify for this. Typically, you must have adequate bone (which is usually not the case if the teeth have been missing for a while or the tooth was lost to infection) and require a denture. So, if you only need a tooth or two replaced, you are out of luck. The typical wait time is 2-4 months, depending on if it is on the top or bottom jaw. As most things in life go…if it’s too good to be true, it probably is.
This has to be one of the most frequently asked questions at our office. The truth: unless you are a child or have a high propensity for cavities, you hardly even need toothpaste. Many toothpastes tout “whitening” , “cavity prevention”, or “gum disease prevention”, but there really is minimal benefit other than freshening your breath. That said, I always use toothpaste. I recommend using a tartar control toothpaste with little additional additives, i.e. peroxide, whitening agents, special flavoring, etc. Get what’s on sale and preferably one that is endorsed by the ADA (almost all are).
People without a history of gum disease should see a dentist for teeth cleanings every 6 months on average. However, if you have a history of gum disease or have dental implants, then it is advisable to have them cleaned every 3 or 4 months. Studies show that bacteria repopulate in the mouth after 90 days, so anyone that has a predisposition to developing gum disease needs more frequent cleanings.
If you notice any red or white patches in your mouth, then you should have them looked at. Most lesions that are benign will subside in a couple of weeks, so anything that seems odd that has been present for more than may require a biopsy. If the lesion is sore or tender, then this could be a sign that it is worsening. Oral cancer is often tough to detect in its early stages, but there are adjunctive tests out that can catch them early. Oral cancer has a poor survival rate, so early detection (like all forms of cancer) is imperative.
