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Humidity and our skin! Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Summertime can be a time for beach going, Barbeques and just all kinds of outdoor fun! However, summer brings more than just fun outdoor activities. It also brings humidity. While most people know how high humidity affects …
Aged Garlic Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Garlic is a nutrient that as a supplement or even spicy food enhancer can be found everywhere. The benefits of using garlic as either a supplement or even just as a spice to add to our food are numerous. …
Dental Bone Loss
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
Bone loss is a topic that every woman has heard of once they reach a certain age. However, men must also be concerned with bone loss! Typically, when most people think of bone loss they usually think of the hips or spinal area. However, bone loss in the mouth can and does occur. What can cause this bone loss? What are the signs of dental bone loss? And most importantly what can you do about it? Let us get into it, shall we?
To start with dental bone loss can occur in the teeth themselves. What happens is that there is a gradual loss of the bone portion of the tooth. In addition to losing bone in the teeth dental bone loss also refers to the deterioration of the bones that surround and support the teeth. Please see the attached pictures for before and after bone loss. (2)
What are the most common risk factors for dental bone loss? The most common cause for dental bone loss is gum disease! I have written a blog on gum disease, both periodontitis and gingivitis. So, for more information on this topic, I refer to that blog. Other risk factors include smoking, poor dental hygiene (including not receiving regular dental cleanings). Normally when you chew, bite, or even speak there is pressure applied to the teeth and their surrounding bones. This pressure will stimulate the repair and even strengthening of the bones. However, if you have a tooth removed for any reason this process does not occur and as a result the bone deteriorates. Thus, losing a tooth is a risk factor for dental bone loss. This is also why having bridgework or dentures can lead to dental bone loss. Certain trauma such as knocking out a tooth, cracking a tooth or even fracturing jaw bones can lead to dental bone loss. Even certain misalignments can lead to bone loss. For example, TMJ disorder, wisdom tooth eruption, general wear and tear and even having an over/under bite. (1) Poor nutrition as well as certain chronic conditions can increase the risk of dental bone loss. (2) If you have osteoporosis, when the bones become weak and brittle, you are at a higher risk of dental bone loss. Even certain tumors are a potential cause of dental bone loss. Osteomyelitis, which is inflammation in the bones can lead to dental bone loss. Certain prescription drugs can increase the risk of dental bone loss. (3) Having uncontrolled diabetes is also a risk for dental bone loss. Aging and age-related concerns can lead to dental bone loss. Lastly, tooth grinding is a significant risk factor as it wears away the teeth. (4)
What are the signs of dental bone loss? You may notice a change in the appearance of your teeth. For example, they may appear longer and thinner. You may notice bad breath. There may be receding gums. The teeth may feel as though they are unstable. (1) By unstable I mean you may notice that your teeth have begun to move, loosen, or even bleed. You may notice that your gums seem to “shrink.” Your gums may become swollen as well as start to bleed. There may be gaps between the teeth. (2)
What can you do to help reduce dental bone loss or even to reduce the risk of developing it?
Our product highlight will focus on Strontium, what it does and how to take it!
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Homemade Toothpaste from Invite Health Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Toothpaste is an interesting topic because to be frank everyone has their favorite brand. Which brand do I think is best? The one you will use! If you like strong peppermint that is great. But if …
Periodontal Disease and Gingivitis
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
Both gingivitis and periodontal disease are conditions in the mouth that involve an overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria. But just how are these 2 conditions related? What are the symptoms you may experience? How do you even develop these conditions? And just what can you do to reduce your risk factors and even reduce any symptoms of these oral diseases? Let us get into it, shall we?
While it is normal for our mouth to contain a certain number of bacteria, they are kept in check by the body. Several factors can disrupt this balance. This can lead to gum disease. The beginning stages or mild gum disease is called gingivitis. If this is not treated the inflammation can get progressively worse and then the gum disease will worsen to severe gum disease, or periodontitis. A straightforward way to think of this is that gingivitis is stage 1 and periodontal disease is stage 2. I know what you are thinking. That is great but Dr. Claire but WHAT is gum disease? When you have gum disease there is a film of bacteria that becomes plaque that is coating the teeth. Over time this leads to gum inflammation which then goes on to eventually cause damage to the gums and even lead to tooth loss over time.
How do you know if you may have gingivitis or periodontal disease? Gingivitis will typically have less severe symptoms than periodontal disease. These symptoms include red, swollen gums, gums that bleed when you floss or brush your teeth and sometimes just randomly. Periodontal disease will have symptoms that get worse as the disease progresses. Once again there may be red, swollen, bleeding gums. Additionally, there may be sore, sensitive gums and teeth. There may be bad breath. There may also be pain when you chew. There may also be loose teeth or teeth that change positions. Lastly you may notice that the gums are pulling away from the teeth. (1) How is gum disease diagnosed? Your dentist will check your gums for signs of inflammation and use a probe to measure pockets around the teeth. Just as an aside this may be both painful and bloody. They may also suggest x-rays to check for bone loss. (2)
How do you develop gum disease, or in other words what are the risk factors? Well to start with smoking, chewing tobacco, substance use, some medication and even certain chronic diseases such as diabetes all increase your risk. Additionally, not maintaining oral hygiene for any reason can increase your risk. For example, if you have misaligned teeth, they can be hard to properly clean. If you are not able to go to a dentist for routine dental work due to a lack of accessibility this can also increase the risk of gum disease. In my experience certain mental health disorders, such as depression, can impact proper dental hygiene practices. Genetics can also increase the risk of gum disease. Stress, as well as a lack of important nutrients can increase the risk as well. Lastly hormonal changes such as pregnancy and even puberty can increase risk as well. (1)
Gum disease can have series complications. The bacteria that is associated with gum disease can enter and travel to other parts of the body. Periodontal disease is linked to respiratory disease, RA, coronary artery disease, uncontrolled blood sugar, and both preterm and low birth weight. (3) As I said in my introductory blog periodontal disease can increase the risk of miscarriage or stillbirth. See my introductory blog on dental health for statistics on how gum disease impacts the heart.
What can you do?
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