Oral Bacteria in Aging Populations

Oral hygiene is crucial for the preservation of teeth and the integration of implants. At The Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, we’ve seen a lot of people safely through the entire tooth replacement process. But as people age, their risk of oral health complications increases, which is why we wanted to provide some information about the connection between oral bacteria and overall health in the aging population.

Older Americans have higher rates of tooth decay than any population except young children. According to some estimates, 64% of them have periodontitis, which is the more advanced form of gum disease. People with periodontitis experience jaw bone deterioration, which makes their teeth likelier to come loose, migrate, or fall out. Their mouths also lose vertical dimension, causing bite problems. But oral bacteria will not necessarily remain confined to the mouth. They may enter the bloodstream through the dental pulp, an abscess in the gingival tissue, or through the lungs, and cause inflammation throughout the body. This would cause other prosthetics and replacement body parts, such as heart valves, to be at higher risk of premature failure. Oral bacteria that migrated to other parts of the body have also been implicated in rheumatism and Alzheimer's Disease.

It is certainly worthwhile for older people to maintain their regular brushing and flossing. They may want to consider electric toothbrushes and enlarged toothbrush grips. People with dry mouth may also want to use sugar-free gum to increase their saliva production and reduce their intake of sugary drinks, such as iced tea, sweetened coffee, and fruit juice. 

The Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania operate in Philadelphia, Folsom, and Clifton Heights. Visit Oral Surgery PA.

 

Bad Breath

Halitosis, or bad breath, can be a chronic condition. As providers of dentures, we at the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania take seriously signs of poor oral hygiene and related issues. A dentist can be a crucial ally in a patient’s fight against bad breath and the infections that are usually behind it.

Bad breath is a symptom of lots of ailments, but the odor usually comes from bacterial growth. Bacteria may be hiding in the papillae of the tongue, in gum pockets, and on the undersides of dentures or between dental bridges and the gum line. Diabetes, which damages blood vessels, increases people’s risk of gum infection. Another issues is acid reflux, which erodes teeth while also introducing foul-smelling gas into the oral cavity.

Improved hygiene will go a long way toward combatting bad breath, which can be seen as a precursor to gingivitis. Patients might also want to try using mouthwash and tongue scrapers, sucking on sugar-free candy, and if they suffer from acid reflux, refraining from red meat, alcohol, and citrus juice before bed. Sometimes the problem could be as simple as chemicals from garlic entering the lungs via the bloodstream, but consulting with us can help pinpoint the problem and ensure that oral prosthetics are in good working order.

The Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania operate in Philadelphia, Folsom, and Clifton Heights. Visit Oral Surgery PA.

 

How Gum Disease is Linked to Arthritis

The Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania are accomplished prosthodontists and often provide new teeth to people with severe gum disease. Periodontitis, the advanced form of gingivitis, can be treated, but it takes regular maintenance to prevent relapses. Recently, scientists have found evidence that it can also cause other diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) differs from some other forms of arthritis in that it is an autoimmune disorder. It causes the immune system to attack synovium, the tissue that lines joints, making the joints painfully swollen. Smoking and family history increase a person’s risk of RA, but scientists recently found evidence that it is triggered by a chemical process called hypercitrullination. During hypercitrullination, the body deforms a large number of proteins, leading to the creation of an excessive number of anti-protein antibodies. The antibodies subsequently turn on synovium cells.

The acid secreted by oral bacteria triggers hypercitrullination as a means of self-defense. Researchers also found some evidence that treating gum infections can reduce RA symptoms. As oral surgeons, our job is not only to provide periodontitis patients with prosthetic teeth, but also to educate them on cleaning their prosthetics so that they won’t suffer further decay. We hope that understanding the connection between gum disease and arthritis will motivate more people to seek treatment and to be diligent about their hygiene.

The Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania operate in Philadelphia, Folsom, and Clifton Heights. Visit Oral Surgery PA or call 215-463-4141.

 

Bad Breath

Bad breath, medically called halitosis, can be caused by bad oral hygiene and could be a sign of more serious health problems. Our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania restore and replace patient’s teeth using dental implants. To perform implants, our patients need to have enough quantity and quality of bone available. The bones in your mouth breakdown when gum disease reaches an advanced state, but halitosis is an early warning sign.

When teeth aren’t brushed and flossed regularly, food particles stick to your teeth and bacteria builds. We encourage patients to practice good oral hygiene by brushing twice a day and flossing. If you always have a bad taste in your mouth, gum disease may be forming because of plaque buildup. When left untreated, gum disease can spread to bones or tooth roots and require a bone graft.

Other potential causes for bad breath include yeast infections and cavities. We advise our patients to practice good oral hygiene such as regular brushing and flossing to prevent bad breath and other infections.

If you have any questions about oral hygiene, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.oralsurgery.pa.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania located in Philadelphia, call 215-463-4141.

Diabetes and Gum Disease

If you suffer from diabetes, your teeth may be in danger. At Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, we often do full-mouth restorations on people who need all their teeth replaced. But restorations are easier when patients still have stable jaw bone material, which is why we want our diabetic patients to be on-guard against periodontal disease.

People with diabetes are prone to experience chronic inflammation. Their arteries thicken, making it more difficult for their blood to deliver nutrients and immune agents to locations of infections. Consequently, diabetic people have a more difficult time fighting off gum pocket infections and have higher rates of gingivitis and periodontal disease than the general population. At its most extreme, periodontal disease causes gum and bone tissue to recede, leaving the teeth vulnerable to falling out.

Some evidence has emerged that gum disease may also make it harder for patients to regulate their blood sugar level, worsening other symptoms of diabetes. However, treatment of periodontal disease is associated with improved health. Regular oral hygiene and professional cleanings can help diabetic patients to avoid gum infections, and avoiding smoking can prevent inflammation. If a patient has diabetes, it may be possible for them to get implants, but they will still need to be especially vigilant about their oral hygiene.

Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania operate in Philadelphia, Folsom, and Clifton Heights. Visit Oral Surgery PA or call 215-463-4141.

 

Peri-Implantitis

Implants are a highly effective means of replacing lost teeth. At the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania in the Philadelphia area, we regularly see patients through the entire process of implant placement, osseointegration, and crown placement. But like natural teeth, implants need to be cared for, or else patients run the risk of developing inflammation or peri-implantitis.

The gum pockets are great places for bacteria to hide. As they feed, they produce acid that gets stuck to plaque, resulting in decay. But bacteria also inhabit the gum pockets of teeth that have been replaced by prosthetics and may cause inflammation there, as well. As with natural teeth, infected gums will swell and bleed, and prolonged exposure to acid can erode the metal implant post.

At its worst, peri-implantitis can dissolve the bone holding implants in place. This outcome is particularly unfortunate because an implant needs to be removed if it becomes mobile or more than 10% of the surrounding jaw tissue is lost in the first year after placement. However, if the infection can be caught in time and reversed, implants can stimulate the production of new jaw bone growth.

The Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania operate in Philadelphia, Folsom, and Clifton Heights. Visit Oral Surgery PA or call 215-463-4141.