OPEN WIDE!   You may think you have a preconception plan all figured out:  take vitamins, no alcohol or sushi, are vaccinations up to date?, and of course go to as many  movies as possible while you still can!   But are you planning to schedule an appointment with your dentist too? 

Getting a complete dental examination, including an evaluation of your gum health, before you conceive is as important as an overall medical check-up.  Mounting research has indicated a link between poor oral health and pre-term birth, low birth weight, and possibly pre-eclampsia.

The Journal of the American Dental Association found that pregnant women with chronic gum disease were four to seven times more likely to deliver prematurely (before 37 weeks) than those with healthy gums; women in the group with more severe periodontal disease delivered even earlier (before 32 weeks)

Another study shows that women with gingivitis who received periodontal therapy before 28 weeks gestation had a significantly lower incidence of perterm low-birthweight babies than women who did not receive periodontal therapy. (American Academy of Periodontology)

Symptoms of gum disease:

Red, tender, or swollen gums.

Gums that bleed when you brush or floss (no, this is not “normal”!!!)

Dark red, or receeding gums

Bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth

Loose teeth

Some people have no symptoms at all

If you have a family history of gum disease, you may be at a greater risk.

Dr. Hughes at Boulder Valley Dental in Louisivlle, Colorado

303-666-8820

Recently our new team member Stephanie and I were having a quick conversation about the effects of periodontal disease on our systemic health. Stephanie, being new to the dental scene has been doing some  in-depth research on our laser gum treatments (LANAP) and was shocked to hear that periodontal disease can cause pre-term labor in pregnant women. I, being in the dentistry field for the past 12 years, realized that I forget that not all people have access to my dental hygiene journals and multiple sources of periodontal information. And, unless you have been diagnosed with periodontal disease, it is hard to find a platform to speak on this subject.  I realized that most of the population probably isn’t aware of the effects periodontal disease can have on our systemic health. It made me ponder “how can I get this information to the public?” I figure this is a start. Here is some information on the devastating effects periodontal disease can have on pregnant women. Research has shown that having an active periodontal disease can increase the risk for preterm births and low term birth weight in babies by seven times.  Pre-term pregnancy is defined as a gestation of less than 37 weeks and low birth weight is defined as less than 5lbs. 8 oz.  The American Academy of Periodontology strongly recommends that any woman considering pregnancy have a periodontal evaluation before conceiving.  The reason for this is when disease there is significantly more bacteria present in the oral cavity. Subsequently,  during pregnancy your immune response is lowered so as to not harm the fetus. With a lower immune response comes an increased opportunity for bacteria to grow, therefore increasing the bacteria load exponentially. When disease is present in the oral cavity it increases you chances of bleeding gums upon daily homecare routines (brushing and flossing). When this happens bacteria can enter your blood stream and travel to the placenta triggering biological fluids that induce labor and/or prevent the fetus from maturing at a healthy rate .

If diagnosed with periodontal disease it is encouraging to know that we can treat the disease with laser gum treatments. Based on the severity of the disease we now have options to treat the disease in a very comfortable manor. The LANAP procedure which is the first FDA approved laser treatment for gum disease is highly effective in not only removing the bacteria present, but only removing the diseased tissue and leaves behind the healthy tissue to regenerate. Due to minimal post-op sensitivity, faster healing time, minimal post-op recession, and overall patient satisfaction, I feel the LANAP (laser assisted new attachment procedure) treatment is far superior than the cut-and-sew procedure periodontist have done in the past.  Thank goodness dentisty has progressed to a more comfortable and effective way of treating gum disease. I think this will help the population conquer their fears of dentistry and start taking care of their oral health which directly impacts their systemic health.

“Hidden” Gum Infections Can Lead to a Stroke or Heart Disease!  Find Out How Comfortable and Quick our Gum Therapies Can Be With Conscious Sedation.

New studies link gum disease to stroke, heart disease, diabetes, low birth-weight babies and more.  The truth is, if you haven’t been to a dentist in over 5 years, chances are you have gum disease right now and don’t even know it.  Conscious sedation dentistry can help you reverse years of dental neglect in just a few hours.

So what does gum disease have to do with your health?  For starters, gum disease is an infection of the tissues that support the teeth, including the bone.  As with any infection, bacteria can travel through the bloodstream and affect other areas of the body.  Gum disease is usually caused by dental neglect.

The early stages of gum disease, called gingivitis, affects only the gums.  Without treatment, the condition progresses into advanced periodontitis, which eventually destroyes gum tissues, ligaments and bone that holds your teeth in place.  You healthy teeth can acutally start falling out of your unhealthy gums.

But that’s not the only loss that can occur.  As the infection spreads, there is a greater chance that it can reach your heart and other vital organs with serious, sometimes fatal consequences.  Studies have made a connection between plaque build-up in the gums and plaque build-up in the arteries.

Some form of gum disease affects as many as 50% of the population.  You do not have to be in pain or have symptoms to have gum disease.  You could have this serious condition right now and not even know it.

The accumulation of calculus, the hardened plaque that forms around the teeth and under the gum line, leads to gum disease.  Calculus deposits form “pockets” in the gums.  These deep pockets open the door to spreading infection. 

The only way to remove calculus is through regular in-office, professional dental cleanings.  The truth is, without frequent cleaning (two to three times per year) gum disease is inevitable.

Perhaps you’re feeling uneasy or anxious about having an oral exam and teeth cleaning.   You are not alone, I see guests in our office weekly who have similar anxieties and fears.   We acknowledge your fears and can help you experience dentistry unlike you have in the past.   I invite you to contact us.  Dont let dental anxiety rob you of your enjoyment, your youthful smiles and a healthy life.

Compassionately,

Dr. Tracey Hughes

It has been known that oral health is an important indicator to the body’s overall health. It is estimated that there are 20.8 million diabetics in the United States that is roughly 7% of the population and surprisingly6.2 million people don’t know that they have this disease.  Having diabetes increases your susceptibility to infections.  Individuals with diabetes are four times more likely to develop chronic gum infections which leads to tooth loss. More importantly individuals with poor blood sugar level control will get gum disease more severely and also have more frequent recurrence. Controlling periodontal disease may improve a diabetics response to insulin therefore, increasing their chances for controlling their blood sugar levels.  Periodontal disease is linked with tobacco use, obesity, medication side effects(such as dry mouth) and genetic predisposition.  Treating periodontal disease will lead to lowering inflammation throughout the body and therefore improving your body’s overall health.

Exploring possible links… Some researchers suspect that bacteria and inflammation linked to periodontitis play a role in some systemic diseases or conditions.  Likewise, diseases such as diabetes, blood cell disorders, HIV infections and AIDS can lower the body’s resistance to infection, making periodontal disease more severe.

Several studies link chronic inflammation from periodontitis with the development of cardiovascular problems.   Some evidence suggests oral bacteria may be linked to heart disease, artery blockages and stroke.

People with diabetes often have periodontal disease.  And diabetics are more likely to develop and have more severe periodontitis than non-diabetics.  Some studies suggest periodontitis can make it more difficult for diabetics to control their blood sugar.

Pregnant women with moderate to advanced periodontal disease have an 8 fold increased risk of having a pre-term, lowbirth weight baby with potential pregnancy complications.

Dr. Tracey Hughes and Kim Anderson, RDH at Boulder Valley Dental Center in Louisville, CO work together as a team to reduce periodontal inflammation as a risk factor in your overall systemic health.  If you are not sure if you have periodontal disease, we will be happy to provide you with a simple periodontal screening.