Category Archives: Gum Health

For Your Health-Smoking Kills Good Bacteria in the Mouth

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Smoking Kills Good Bacteria in the MouthSmoking and Oral Health: Disrupting the Body’s Balance

We all know that smoking affects oral health, increasing the risk of oral cancer and gum disease as well as staining teeth.  What you may not know is that smoking disrupts the natural balance of microbial ecosystems in the body by killing good bacteria in the mouth and weakening the immune system.

As reported by ScienceDaily, “According to a new study, smoking causes the body to turn against its own helpful bacteria, leaving smokers more vulnerable to disease”.

There is a certain amount of healthy bacteria that lives throughout the body, including the mouth.  The study, published in the Journal of Infection and Immunity and cited by ScienceDaily shows that the “the mouth of a smoker is a much more chaotic, diverse ecosystem – and is much more susceptible to invasion by harmful bacteria” than the mouth of a non-smoker.

Bacterial Biofilms

The healthy or good bacteria forms protective biofilms and helps to fight off the bad bacteria.  For those who smoke, it is harder for these bacterial ecosystems to regrow after cleanings.  Without these protective biofilms, harmful bacteria can proliferate much faster in the mouth of a smoker than a non-smoker.

“By contrast [with non-smokers],” said Kumar, “smokers start getting colonized by pathogens — bacteria that we know are harmful — within 24 hours. It takes longer for smokers to form a stable microbial community, and when they do, it’s a pathogen-rich community.”  In addition, the natural immune system of a smoker fights off the good bacteria, treating it as harmful instead of helpful, making it more difficult to maintain a balance.  Often, this immune response, which is at much higher levels than non-smokers, can lead to periodontal or gum disease and even bone loss.

This study adds to the list of the dangers and health risks of smoking and helps to illustrate one of the possible reasons that gum disease is higher in smokers than non-smokers.  If you would like more information on how we can help you with your oral health please call our office at 908-359-6655.

 

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Read the ScienceDaily’s full article

The Basics Of Avoiding Gum Disease

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Gum Disease has historically been a major cause of premature tooth loss. The incidence of this infection is very high worldwide, and is considered to afflict more than seventy-five percent of Americans to some extent. The good news is that gum disease, or periodontitis, is a preventable problem. Like dental decay, it is caused by bacteria which produce acid as a byproduct of the carbohydrates that they ingest. This acid irritates the gums and erodes the bone holding the teeth. So, in the simplest terms, if the bacteria are eliminated, no gum disease can develop. At the end of this article, you will learn how simple it is to diagnose this condition, and exactly what to do about it.

There are three basic stages of periodontal disease. The initial stage is called Gingivitis which simply means inflammation of the gums. This inflammation is easily recognizable because you will see or taste blood after brushing or flossing. In addition, the gums usually look a bit red and swollen in effected areas. Such inflammation is easily reversed with a visit to the hygienist and proper home care. What the hygienist does is inspect the gums for signs of inflammation and the build-up of tartar (called calculus, which is simply calcified plaque). She then thoroughly cleans the effected areas and polishes the teeth. Usually, this procedure will eliminate the bleeding and redness until the bacteria reorganize and recreate their inflammatory products. Patients who have regular professional cleanings in conjunction with proper brushing and flossing rarely develop more serious stages of this disease. Our job as dental professionals is to help you, our patient, avoid progressing beyond this initial stage of gum inflammation.

If the gum disease were permitted to progress to stage two, it would be more accurate, then, to call it “bone disease.” At this stage, the bacteria have progressed past the gums and are now into the bone. Most patients still experience no discomfort at this stage, but the attachment of the teeth is certainly compromised now. The loss of bone is now visible on the x-rays, and inflammmed gum pockets are deeper than three millimeters. A patient may notice that his or her gums are receding or pulling away from the teeth. And, you may consider that since the gums are attached to the teeth and to bone, then for recession to have occurred, the bone must have receded first. At this stage, more aggressive gum therapy is necessary to stop the further progression of periodontal disease. Usually deep cleanings and personalized home care plans are utilized.

In stage three of Periodontal Disease, the teeth have lost more than half of their attachment to the gums and bone. Patients at this stage of gum disease will experience more obvious inflammation (swelling and bleeding) as well as the loosening of the teeth. In more severe cases, the loss of teeth has or will occur. We have actually seen patients who have lost teeth during normal chewing as a result of this advanced bone infection. Such patients will require the help of a gum specialist, or periodontist, if they wish to save their teeth.

Now let us get to the heart of the matter – the inside secret, the bottom line. During your regular examination and cleaning appointments, we will measure the depth of the gum pockets around your teeth. If any are greater than three millimeters AND they are bleeding they must be treated. End of story. Untreated pockets WILL get worse, and the deeper the pocket, the more virulent are the bacteria which live there. As with nearly all oral conditions, prevention is the key.

Fortunately, today we have many modalities for treating this disease. We use ultrasonic scalers to comfortably remove the toxic deposits around the teeth. We use a wonderful product called Arrestin to deliver antibiotic directly into infected pockets. We even have a laser which can be used to remove infected tissue and sterilize pockets. And, finally, there are various adjuncts like fluoride, ClosysII toothpaste and rinse, and special cleaning aids which all assist in keeping gum tissues healthy.

If you have any questions or concerns about your periodontal health, please feel free to call our office at 908.359.6655 for answers. Or, you may send email to info@DesignsForDentalHealth.com.

NOTE: Originally posted on January 31st, 2008