Periodontal Disease........What Causes It?

Periodontal gum disease is an infection of the gums that can result in tooth loss. Gingivitis is a form of periodontal disease. Having gum disease is a bothersome and stressful experience, especially if you end up having to have some or all of your teeth removed. There are several causes of gum disease, including the following:

Make sure to get a regular cleaning and check-up

Genetics

•  Some people are more inclined to have gum disease, especially if there is a family history of having it.  It is common to inherit certain traits that makes an individual more susceptible to periodontal disease.  It is worth noting, that periodontal disease is often caused by certain bacterial strains that inhabit an individuals mouth.  These strains are passed from parent to child through direct exposure and not genetics.  Often the reason gum disease is prevalent in a family is due to innocent exposure by a parent tasting food with the same utensil a child is using or rinsing a pacifier in their mouth before giving it to the infant, thus passing these pathogens to their children.  Often these types of events are unavoidable and the reason why some families struggle with gum disease and others do not.

Stress 

• Stress makes it harder for your body to fight off any infections, including gum disease.  Leaving the oral environment susceptible to decline. 

Teeth grinding

•  Grinding your teeth puts extra pressure on the sensitive areas of your teeth and gums.

Smoking

• Smoking and other tobacco use is one of the leading causes of gum disease.

Hormonal changes

• Pregnancy and puberty are just a few of the hormonal fluctuations that can make your gums more sensitive and susceptible to gum disease.

Obesity

• Being overweight often means you are not getting the nutrients that your body needs. This can increase your chances of developing gum disease.

Other diseases

• If your body is weakened by other diseases, such as cancer or AIDs, you have a higher chance of gum disease because your immune system may not be able to fight infections.

Medications

• There are certain medications that can increase your chances of gum disease, including oral contraceptives.

The best thing for you to do to prevent periodontal gum disease is to maintain a healthy mouth. Brushing and flossing daily is essential. Regular checkups with your dentist are also necessary to ensure that your teeth and gums are clean and healthy. Only your dentist will be able to help you ward off gum disease before it takes control. Keep your smile as beautiful now as it was when you were a child by following a strict dental regimen. Your teeth will thank you later.  Give us a call if you have any questions (512) 992-2822 or contact us at Rigby Advanced Dental.

Dry Mouth......What Causes It?

Ever experienced a dry mouth?  We all need saliva to moisten and cleanse our mouths, keep bacteria under control, and to help us digest our food properly.  If we don’t produce enough saliva, we experience a dry mouth, which can be uncomfortable.

There are several causes for dry mouth, also known in medical terms as Xerostomia.  Causes range from:

• A side effect from prescription and non-prescription drugs used to treat everything from depression and anxiety, cols and allergies, acne, diarrhea, and asthma.
• A side effect of certain diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
• A side effect of muscle relaxants and sedatives.
• A side effect for medical treatments that may have damaged the salivary glands, such as radiation and chemotherapy treatments.
• Dehydration from excessive sweating, fever, blood loss or burns.
• Lifestyle choices, such as smoking or chewing tobacco.

Besides being uncomfortable, dry mouth can lead to more serious problems, such as increasing a person’s risk of gingivitis and gum disease.  Treatment is often a very simple process.

If you think dry mouth is caused by medicines or prescriptions, talk with your doctor about the dosage and other options.  If you aren’t sure what is causing your dry mouth, you can change some of your daily habits.

• Drink more water to keep your mouth moist.
• Suck on sugar free candy to help increase saliva.
• Protect your teeth by visiting your dentist regularly.
• Breath more though your nose, not through your mouth.
• Add moisture to your bedroom with a room vaporizer.
• Use an artificial saliva substitute.

If you or any family members have further questions, please contact us and we would be happy to discuss any concerns.  Why wait.......call today (512) 992-2822 or visit our website Rigby Advanced Dental.

Pregnancy and Dental Work.......What To Expect and Do! Part 4

In part three of our series on “Pregnancy and Dental Work,” we discussed some questions we frequently hear about dental care from women who are expecting. Today we’re going to change it up and answer some of those “not-so-frequently-asked” questions.

• Do pregnant women really lose one tooth per child?  Thankfully, this is just an old wives’ tale. It is absolutely not true. The thinking goes that your growing baby can somehow sap calcium from your teeth if they’re not getting enough. But the truth is, if you practice good oral hygiene, you’re no more likely to lose a tooth during pregnancy than during any other time in your life. If a pregnant woman loses a tooth, it’s far more likely caused by untreated gingivitis or poor oral hygiene.
• What if toothpaste makes me sick?  Nausea and morning sickness can be triggered by all sorts of things, including toothpaste. If you find this is the case for you, then start by trying a different flavor. Many brands now offer flavors beyond traditional mint. Whatever you do, don’t stop brushing your teeth! Stopping brushing can lead to far more serious problems than nausea. If switching toothpastes doesn’t seem to be helping, ask your dentist about other options.
• Will dental treatments affect my nursing?  While it’s very unlikely that any dental medications or treatments will affect your breast milk since such a small amount (1 to 2% of your dose) is actually excreted, you should always carefully discuss any and all medications with both your dentist and your doctor. If your baby was born prematurely or has any other conditions, be sure you exercise every caution regarding any medications that you take. Also, in case you were wondering, the taste and/or quality of your milk will not be affected by dental treatments.

To learn more, check out Rigby Advanced Dental and schedule your free consultation now.

Pregnancy and Dental Work.......What To Expect and Do! Part 3

Continuing our series from the other day on “Pregnancy and Dental Work,” today we’d like to answer some of the questions we hear most often from pregnant women.

• Is it safe to see the dentist while I’m pregnant?  Absolutely. Just be sure you let your dentist know that you’re pregnant. The second trimester is the best time to get your regular dental checkup. During your first trimester, your baby’s organs are still developing, and they’re highly sensitive. During the last half of your last trimester, you and your baby are also very sensitive to outside influences. (Not to mention that it might just be plain uncomfortable to try to sit in a dental examination chair for any period of time.) You should put off any major procedures until after your baby is born, if at all possible. Discuss any questions you have with your dentist, so together you can determine the best possible plan for you and your baby.
• What if I have a dental emergency?  If you have a dental emergency while you’re pregnant, seek professional assistance as soon as possible. You can discuss treatment options with your dentist and obstetrician (for example, what medicine and/or anesthesia is safe). Don’t ignore pain in your mouth. Besides the possibility that your body could be signaling you that something is wrong, trying to cope with pain can increase stress on both you and your baby. You also want to avoid spreading an infection or having a dental problem escalate into something much more severe.
• Can I have an X-ray at the dentist when I’m pregnant?  Most dentists do not recommend having X-rays while you’re pregnant. You should, however, still get your regular checkup (minus the X-rays). Again, if you have a dental emergency: Don’t put off treatment. You and your dentist can determine the best possible solution together.

For more information, or to schedule your free consultation your next dental exam, contact Rigby Advanced Dental, and keep coming back for more posts in our series on “Pregnancy and Dental Work.”

Pregnancy and Dental Work.......What To Expect and Do! Part 1

Since pregnancy is in our thoughts these days we figured it would be a good time to review the topic when considering dentistry.

Oral hygiene may be the last thing that comes to mind when you learn that you’re pregnant, but just as it affects nearly every other aspect of your body, it also affects your mouth.

Pregnancy gingivitis -- Pregnancy gingivitis has the same symptoms as regular gingivitis (red, swollen, tender, receding and/or bleeding gums), but some of the causes are different. It can start as early as the second month and continue throughout your entire pregnancy. During your pregnancy, your hormone levels are constantly changing. Increased progesterone can spur the growth of certain gingivitis-causing bacteria. Additionally, your immune system often changes during pregnancy, which can affect the way your body responds to these bacteria.

The techniques to treat gingivitis are the same whether you’re pregnant or not. Practicing good oral hygiene is key, especially when you have an increased risk of gum disease. Be sure to continue brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing your teeth every day. Additionally, you may want to use a mouthwash to help fight off bacteria. Even though it’s not clear whether rinses containing alcohol may be harmful for your growing baby, you should look for an alcohol-free mouthwash, just the same. You also want to be sure to keep up with your regularly scheduled checkups. The best time of your pregnancy to do this is the second trimester.

Pregnancy granuloma -- Granuloma is simply a fancy name for “a growth.” Up to 10% of women will develop a granuloma on their gums during pregnancy. While these growths are not tumors and they’re not dangerous, certainly they can be uncomfortable. Granulomas typically form during the second trimester, most often found in women with pregnancy gingivitis. Although these growths will go away on their own after you give birth, you can have them removed if they’re interfering with your day-to-day activities like eating, drinking and talking. Poor oral hygiene plays a big role in the formation of granulomas. When you’re pregnant (as always), you should be sure to keep up with your regular dental checkups and daily care of your mouth.

Look for upcoming posts in our series on pregnancy and your teeth. To learn more, check out Rigby Advanced Dental and schedule a hygiene visit now.