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Posts for: January, 2018

The Health of Your Mouth Could Affect the Rest of Your Body

By Marblehead Smile Design & Family Dental
January 29, 2018
Category: Oral Health
Tags: oral health  
TheHealthofYourMouthCouldAffecttheRestofYourBody

“No man is an island….” So wrote the poet John Donne four centuries ago. And while he meant the unity of humanity, the metaphor could equally apply to the interdependence of the various parts of the human body, including the mouth. According to recent scientific research, your mouth isn’t an “island” either.

Much of this research has focused on periodontal (gum) disease, an infection most often caused by bacterial plaque that triggers inflammation in the gum tissues. Although an important part of the body’s defenses, if the inflammation becomes chronic it can damage the gums and weaken their attachment to the teeth. Supporting bone may also deteriorate leading eventually to tooth loss.

Avoiding that outcome is good reason alone for treating and controlling gum disease.  But there’s another reason—the possible effect the infection may have on the rest of the body, especially if you have one or more systemic health issues. It may be possible for bacteria to enter the bloodstream through the diseased gum tissues to affect other parts of the body or possibly make other inflammatory conditions worse.

One such condition is diabetes, a disease which affects nearly one person in ten. Normally the hormone insulin helps turn dietary sugars into energy for the body’s cells. But with diabetes either the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or the available insulin can’t metabolize sugar effectively. The disease can cause or complicate many other serious health situations.

There appears to be some links between diabetes and gum disease, including that they both fuel chronic inflammation. This may explain why diabetics with uncontrolled gum disease also often have poor blood sugar levels. Conversely, diabetics often have an exaggerated inflammatory response to gum disease bacteria compared to someone without diabetes.

The good news, though, is that bringing systemic diseases like diabetes under control may have a positive effect on the treatment of gum disease. It may also mean that properly treating gum disease could also help you manage not only diabetes, but also other conditions like cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, or rheumatoid arthritis. Taking care of your teeth and gums may not only bring greater health to your mouth, but to the rest of your body as well.

If you would like more information on treating dental diseases like gum disease, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Good Oral Health Leads to Better Health Overall.”


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Why You Should Still Floss with an Implant-Supported Bridge

By Marblehead Smile Design & Family Dental
January 21, 2018
Category: Oral Health
Tags: oral hygiene   dental implants  
WhyYouShouldStillFlosswithanImplant-SupportedBridge

Losing teeth to tooth decay or periodontal (gum) disease is never easy. But with implant-supported bridgework, you can regain lost function and appearance with a restoration that could last for many years.

Don’t think, though, that dental disease woes are a thing of the past with your new implants. Although your restoration itself can’t be infected, the supporting gums and underlying bone can, often through bacterial plaque accumulating around the implants. The bone that supports the implants could deteriorate, dramatically increasing your chances of losing your restoration.

It’s essential, then, that you keep the area between the bridge and gums clean of plaque through daily hygiene. This definitely includes flossing around the implants.

Flossing with an implant-supported bridge will be different than with natural teeth: instead of flossing between teeth you’ll need to thread the floss between the bridge and gums. Although this is a bit more difficult, it can be done with the help of a floss threader, a device with a loop on one end and a long, thin plastic point on the other—similar to a sewing needle.

To use it, thread about 18” of floss through the loop and then pass the threader’s thin end first through the space between the bridge and gums toward the tongue until the floss threader pulls through. You can then take hold of one end of the floss and then pull the threader completely out from beneath the bridge. Then, you wrap the ends around your fingers as you would normally and thoroughly floss the implant surfaces you’re accessing. You then release one end of the floss, pull out the remainder, rethread it in the threader and repeat the process in the next space between implants.

You also have other hygiene tool options: prefabricated floss with stiffened ends that thread through the bridge-gum space that you can use very easily; or you can purchase an interproximal brush that resembles a pipe cleaner with thin plastic bristles to access the space and brush around the implants.

Some patients also find an oral irrigator, a handheld device that sprays a pressurized stream of water to loosen and flush away plaque, to be an effective way of keeping this important area clean. But that said, oral irrigators generally aren’t as effective removing dental plaque as are floss or interproximal brushes.

Whatever flossing method you choose, the important thing is to choose one and practice it every day. By keeping bacterial plaque from building up around your implants, you’ll help ensure you won’t lose your restoration to disease, so it can continue to serve you for many years to come.

If you would like more information on caring for your dental work, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation.


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Gum Disease can Prevent Your Gums from Protecting Your Teeth

By Marblehead Smile Design & Family Dental
January 06, 2018
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: gum recession  
GumDiseasecanPreventYourGumsfromProtectingYourTeeth

Your mouth is a lot like the Wild West — home to millions of bacteria and other microbes, some of which are definitely not “the good guys.” But your teeth are well-protected from these hostile forces and their acidic waste products: with enamel shielding the visible part of your tooth, your gums protect the parts you can’t see.

As effective as they are, though, your gums aren’t invincible: their greatest threat is periodontal (gum) disease. This bacterial infection arises from plaque, a thin film of bacteria and food particles accumulating on teeth due to inadequate brushing and flossing.

The infected tissues soon become inflamed (red and swollen), a natural defensive response from the immune system. The longer they’re inflamed, however, the more likely they’ll begin detaching from the teeth. The gums may eventually shrink back or recede from the teeth, often causing them to appear “longer” because more of the tooth is now exposed to view.

Gum recession doesn’t bode well for your teeth’s survival: the exposed tooth and underlying bone can become even more susceptible to infection and damage. In the end, you could lose your tooth and portions of the supporting bone.

Treatment depends on the severity of the gum recession. In mild to moderate cases, we may only need to perform the standard gum disease treatment of removing plaque and calculus from all gum and tooth surfaces (including below the gum line) with special instruments. This helps reduce the infection and allow the gums to heal and re-establish attachment with the tooth. In more advanced cases, though, the recession may be so extensive we’ll need to graft donor tissue to the area using one of a variety of surgical techniques.

Although the right treatment plan can help restore your gum health, there’s another approach that’s even better — preventing gum disease in the first place. You can reduce your disease risk by practicing daily brushing and flossing and visiting your dentist regularly or when you see symptoms like gum swelling or bleeding. Taking care of your gums won’t just save your smile — it might also save your teeth.

If you would like more information on diagnosing and treating gum disease, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Gum Recession.”


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  • 2018
      • June (1)
        • 3 Reasons for Blood Pressure Checks During Dental Visits
      • May (3)
        • Julianne Hough Shares a Video - and a Song - After Wisdom Teeth Come Out
        • Recreational Marijuana Could Increase Your Risk of Gum Disease
        • See How Well You're Removing Daily Plaque with a Plaque Disclosing Agent
      • April (2)
        • Don't Let Sports or Energy Drinks Rob you of Your Teeth's Enamel
        • Dental Magic Transforms Smiles
      • March (2)
        • Baseball, Tobacco and Oral Cancer
        • Get Ahead of Bite Problems with Interceptive Orthodontics
      • February (2)
        • 'Simple' Tooth Extractions are a Common Dental Procedure
        • Steely Dan Founder's Death Highlights Importance of Early Cancer Detection
      • January (3)
        • The Health of Your Mouth Could Affect the Rest of Your Body
        • Why You Should Still Floss with an Implant-Supported Bridge
        • Gum Disease can Prevent Your Gums from Protecting Your Teeth
  • 2017
      • December (2)
        • In Today's NFL, Oral Hygiene Takes Center Stage
        • Boost Your Overall Health by Reducing Gum Inflammation
      • November (2)
        • Why Dental Visits are a Smart Idea - Even on a Limited Budget
        • Weather the 'Storm' of Teething with These Comfort Tips
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        • Vivica's Veneers: the Making of a Hollywood Smile
        • Loose Permanent Teeth is a Problem - take Action Now
        • Oral Health Concerns for Preteens
      • September (2)
        • A Teen with a Missing Tooth May Need to Wait on a Dental Implant
        • Master Illusionist Benefits from the Magic of Orthodontics
      • August (2)
        • Dental Care is Difficult but not Impossible for a Special Needs Child
        • Jamie Foxx Chips a Tooth - This Time by Accident!
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        • Here are the Facts on the Impact of Metal Allergies on Dental Work
        • Chrissy Teigen's Teeth-Grinding Troubles
        • Tooth Troubles for NBA Star Isaiah Thomas
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        • A Bonded Retainer Could be a Preferred Choice over a Removable One
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        • Prevent White Spots on Teeth While Wearing Braces with Diligent Oral Hygiene
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        • Look at Your Options for Saving a Tooth First Before Replacing it
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        • Kathy Bates Plays It Smart With Professional Teeth Whitening
        • Antibiotics Before Implant Surgery Could Lower Infection Risk in Some People
      • February (2)
        • Any Time, Any Place: Cam Newton's Guide to Flossing
        • A Root Canal Can Stop Tooth Decay and Save Your Tooth
      • January (3)
        • Noah Galloway's Dentally Dangerous Dancing
        • Simplify Your Toothpaste Purchase by Looking for These Ingredients
        • New Front Teeth for a Teenaged David Duchovny
  • 2016
      • December (1)
        • 3 Surprising Foods That Could Help You Fight Tooth Decay
      • November (2)
        • Nancy O'Dell on Making Oral Hygiene Fun for Kids
        • Ensure the Best Outcome with the Right Care for a Teen's Missing Tooth
      • October (2)
        • Jimmy Fallon Can’t Catch a Break - Except in His Tooth
        • Where - and How - Does it Hurt? Getting to the Source of Tooth Pain
      • September (3)
        • Dr. Travis Stork: If Only I'd Worn A Mouthguard!
        • RPDs Offer Another Tooth Replacement Option for those on a Tight Budget
        • Sofia Vergara: 'Obsessed' With Oral Hygiene
      • August (2)
        • If You're Considering Braces, Here's How They Work
        • Jason Derulo's Ideal Match
      • July (2)
        • 4 Dental Care Areas to Keep in Mind for the Senior Adult in Your Life
        • Beyonce Makes Flossing a Family Affair
      • June (2)
        • There's a Good Reason for Adults to Consider Orthodontics - Better Oral Health
        • Game, Set, Match: Milos Raonic Says A Mouthguard Helps Him Win
      • May (2)
        • Oral Irrigation can be an Effective Alternative to Traditional Flossing
        • Actor David Ramsey Says: Don't Forget to Floss!
      • April (2)
        • New Antiviral Drugs can Help you Break the Cold Sore Outbreak Cycle
        • Eden Sher and the Lost Retainer
      • March (3)
        • Regular Screenings Could Help With Early Oral Cancer Detection
        • No "Glee" in Tooth Grinding
        • The Type of Mouthrinse you use Could be Doing More Than Freshen Breath
      • February (2)
        • A Toothless Tiger?
        • Persistent Jaw Pain After an Injury Needs Immediate Attention
      • January (2)
        • Tom Hanks' Abscessed Tooth Gets Cast Away
        • Anchorage Devices Provide More Accuracy, Less Treatment Time for Braces
  • 2015
      • December (3)
        • Dr. Travis Stork: Don't Ignore Bleeding Gums
        • Orthodontic Headgear: What It Is and Why It May be Needed
        • Dwight Howard: A Bright NBA Star With a Smile to Match
      • November (2)
        • Sleep Apnea and Behavioral Problems in Children: How Your Dentist Can Help
        • Neil Patrick Harris: What the Oscars Host Treasures Most
      • October (3)
        • Dental Care of Prime Importance for Children with Special Health Needs
        • America's (Dentists) Got Talent - for Fixing Damaged or Missing Teeth!
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