Finding a Periodontist in Denver - A Google Search Story

What every mother-to-be needs to know

Baby Steps to a Healthy Pregnancy and an On-Time Delivery

The test came back and it's positive – you're pregnant. Congratulations! Your mind is exploding with excitement, and you are creating a mental “to-do” list. While your list of tasks and questions continue to grow, it's important to take the necessary steps to ensure an on-time and safe arrival of your most precious cargo yet.


You've probably heard a few old wives' tales about pregnancy, including “A tooth lost for every child.” While it seems far-fetched, this wives' tale is actually based loosely in fact. Just as your tissues in your body are affected by pregnancy, so are your teeth and gums. What you probably didn't know is that the health of your gums may also affect your baby-to-be.

How does pregnancy affect your teeth and gums?

About half of women experience pregnancy gingivitis. This condition can be uncomfortable and cause swelling, bleeding, redness or tenderness in the gum tissue. Conversely, a more advanced oral health condition called periodontal disease (a serious gum infection that destroys attachment fibers and supporting bone that hold teeth in the mouth) may affect the health of your baby.

Is periodontal disease linked to preterm low birthweight babies?

Studies have shown a relationship between periodontal disease and preterm, low birthweight babies. In fact, pregnant women with periodontal disease may be seven times more likely to have a baby that's born too early and too small. But what causes periodontal disease during pregnancy? The likely culprit is a labor-inducing chemical found in oral bacteria called prostaglandin. Very high levels of prostaglandin are found in women with severe cases of periodontal disease.

“Any infection, including periodontal infection, is cause for concern during pregnancy,” said Gordon Douglass, D.D.S., president of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP). “Pre-existing periodontal disease or periodontal disease that increases in severity during pregnancy can also increase a woman's chances of a preterm low birthweight baby. Because periodontal disease is often “silent,” many women don't know they have it, so a periodontal evaluation is definitely a good idea prior to becoming pregnant.”

Treating periodontal disease and/or removing gingivitis may also prevent other oral complications. “Beginning in the second or third month of pregnancy, expectant mothers often experience increased gingivitis also called pregnancy gingivitis that increases in severity throughout the eighth month,” said Douglass. “Significant progression of pregnancy gingivitis can lead to more severe periodontal infections.” The increase in estrogen and progesterone levels during this time causes the gums to react differently to the bacteria in plaque. This reaction causes swelling, bleeding, redness or tenderness in the gum tissue.

“The good news is women who treat their periodontal health prior to pregnancy decrease their chances of experiencing pregnancy gingivitis.” said Douglass. “Women should always take extra care of their oral health because their hormonal fluctuations can affect many tissues, including gum tissues.”

What if I'm diagnosed with periodontal disease during pregnancy?

If you're diagnosed with periodontal disease, our dental hygienists,  Dr. Versman and/or Dr. Heller might recommend a common non-surgical procedure called scaling and root planing. During this procedure, your tooth-root surfaces are cleaned to remove plaque and tartar from deep periodontal pockets and smooth the root to remove bacterial toxins. Research suggests that scaling and root planing may reduce the risk of preterm births in pregnant women with periodontal disease. The added bonus is that the procedure should alleviate many of the uncomfortable symptoms associated with pregnancy gingivitis, such as swelling and tenderness of the gums.
As you make your way through your “to-do” checklist, remember to check off a visit to your dentist or Periodontal Associates. This baby step benefits you and your unborn baby.

Premature births: the answers can't come soon enough

According to the March of Dimes, premature births have soared to become the number one obstetric problem in the United States. Many premature babies come into the world with serious health problems. Those who survive may suffer life-long consequences, from cerebral palsy and mental retardation to blindness.
The March of Dimes has launched a $75 million, five-year campaign to raise public awareness and reduce rates of preterm birth and increase research to find the cause. Until all of the answers are in, the March of Dimes recommends the following to reduce the risk and/or effects of a premature birth:

• Consume a multivitamin containing 400 micrograms of the B vitamin folic acid before and in the early months of pregnancy.
• Stop smoking.
• Stop drinking and/or using illicit drugs, or prescription or over-the-counter drugs (including herbal preparations) not prescribed by a doctor aware of the pregnancy.
• Once pregnant, get early regular prenatal care, eat a balanced diet with enough calories (usually about 300 more than a woman normally eats), and gain enough weight (25 to 35 pounds is usually recommended).
• Talk to your doctor about signs of premature labor, and what to do if you show any of the warning signs.

Be sure to share this important health information with the Mommies-to-be in your life.
For an appointment in the Denver area, please contact Periodontal Associates at 303-755-4500.

The Best and Worst Foods for your Teeth

According to MSNBC.

The BEST foods for your teeth:

1. Raw fruits and vegetables - An apple a day keeps the cavities at bay.
2. Water, water, water!
3. Low/non-fat dairy products. Yogurt is an especially good choice because it promotes healthy bacteria
4. Sugarless gum - Helps promote saliva. Sugarless gum with Xylitol fights acid that creates cavities

The WORST foods for your teeth:

1. Hard and sticky candies. No surprises here!
2. Dried fruit - The water has been removed and you're left with a lot of sugar. Don't stop eating these, just remember to drink water or brush afterwards.
3. Berries - Blueberries, strawberries, blackberries. Anything that will stain a t-shirt, will stain your teeth. Just remember to drink water after enjoying this healthy treat.
4. High sugar drinks - Juices and smoothies.
5. Sodas - Both regular and diet.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Have you hugged your Hygienist lately?

Dental Hygienists: Your Mouth’s Best Friend

If you’ve been to a dentist recently, you’ve probably noticed something has changed. Your hygiene appointment is no longer just a cleaning. Today’s dental hygienists are as instrumental in early detection of oral problems as a dentist. Recently, the American Dental Hygienists’ Association formally recognized the importance of a hygienist’s role with regard to their patients’ oral health. At Periodontal Associates in Aurora, we are pleased to have Michelle and Carolyn as part of our team fighting the battle against tooth decay and maintaining healthy gums and bones in Denver and the surrounding communities.

 

During your appointment, your dental hygienist will:

• review your medical history

• remove the plaque and tartar from your teeth

• do a pocket-depth check of your gums to look for any signs of periodontal disease

• take x-rays (if indicated)

• clean, polish and floss your teeth

• check for signs of oral cancer

• explain how to treat or prevent any issues that seem troublesome

• formulate a home care plan to keep your mouth healthy

 

At Periodontal Associates, our hygienists will also follow up this treatment with an easy home care plan for you. You may notice your mouth is a little healthier. If so, you have one important member of our Denver dental team to thank, your hygienist.

 

 

 

Dairy Products: Good for Your Teeth and Your Gums

Got Dairy?

According to the American Academy of Periodontology, eating dairy products not only fortifies bone and tooth health, but may also help promote gum health. In a recent study, people who consumed the lactic acid in foods like milk, cheese and yogurt reported it significantly improved the depth of pockets and firmness of attachment to gums, both indicators of periodontal disease. And studies show that good periodontal health may contribute to good health overall.


So hit the dairy aisle. It can go a long way to keeping your body–and your mouth–in tip-top shape.

Could Good Oral Health Prevent Dementia?

Connection Between Periodontal Disease and Alzheimer's Disease

Periodontitis is a lifelong, highly prevalent, chronic inflammatory disease associated with stroke, cardiovascular disease, systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction.

A new study by Noble et al published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry suggests there may also be a relationship between periodontal disease and dementia.

Dementia is a major public health problem likely related to a complex interaction between genetics, smoking and diseases associated with systemic inflammation, including  diabetes and stroke. These risk factors have a similar systemic inflammatory profile to periodontitis which suggests that they may also provide a common pathway of atherogenesis related to systemic inflammation.

In a study of 2,355 people aged 60 years and older, Noble et al reported an association between a common periodontal pathogen, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and cognitive impairment. The researchers found individuals with high levels of P. gingivalis had 200 percent increased incidence of impaired verbal memory and subtraction test performance. This association adds to a growing body of evidence for a relationship between poor oral health and dementia.

Oral health problems including periodontal disease, caries, edentulism and inadequate preventive care are more prevalent with increasing age resulting in increased exposure to periodontal pathogens.

One possible reason is a decreased ability to perform plaque control due to arthritis and other physical impairments. Exposure to periodontal pathogens is ubiquitous in older adults who often suffer from arthritis and thus have more difficulty keeping their mouths healthy.

Furthermore, cognitive function is thought to be associated with nutrition. Loss of teeth in older adults may be associated with poor nutrition. Consequently, there may be a relationship between loss of teeth and artherosclerotic changes.

Could Good Oral Health Prevent Dementia?

In an editorial commentary, Dr. Robert Stewart at the Institute of Psychiatry Kings College London, notes the oral health of people with cognitive impairment should, at the very least, receive more clinical attention.  He adds: "If there are good reasons to suspect a link between oral health and cognition, why has this received so little attention to date? The obvious but rather prosaic reason is the historic separation between medicine and dentistry. Clinical specialists have long been a hindrance to effective research (an example being the lack of attention paid to the vascular etiology of dementia) and it is about time that we accepted that disorders do not necessarily follow the way we structure our professions."

Reach for the Floss

Still Not Flossing? 

More Reasons Why You Should 

We know you hate it, but flossing really does preserve the health and aesthetics of your smile. Here's how to do it right.
By Lisa Zamosky - WebMD the Magazine

Every six months, you visit the dentist for a cleaning -- and likely a lecture about the importance of flossing. But if you're like many dental patients, the advice travels in one ear and out the other -- much like, well, dental floss gliding between the spaces of your teeth.

"There is no instant gratification with flossing -- that's the problem," says Alla Wheeler, RDH, MPA, associate professor of the Dental Hygiene Program at the New York University School of Dentistry. "Patients don't think it does anything."

But flossing does about 40% of the work required to remove sticky bacteria, or plaque, from your teeth. Plaque generates acid, which can cause cavities, irritate the gums, and lead to gum disease. "Each tooth has five surfaces. If you don't floss, you are leaving at least two of the surfaces unclean,"Wheeler explains. "Floss is the only thing that can really get into that space between the teeth and remove bacteria."

Flossing, Wheeler says, might also be an overlooked fountain of youth. Gum disease can ruin the youthful aesthetics of your smile by eating away at gums and teeth. It also attacks the bones that support your teeth and the lower third of your face. People who preserve the height of that bone by flossing look better as they age.

Choosing the Right Dental Floss

Most floss is made of either nylon or Teflon, and both are equally effective. People with larger spaces between their teeth or with gum recession (loss of gum tissue, which exposes the roots of the teeth) tend to get better results with a flat, wide dental tape. If your teeth are close together, try thin floss (sometimes made of Gore-Tex) that bills itself as shred resistant.

Bridges and braces call for a defter touch to get underneath the restorations or wires and between the teeth. Use a floss threader, which looks like a plastic sewing needle. Or look for a product called Super Floss that has one stiff end to fish the floss through the teeth followed by a spongy segment and regular floss for cleaning. 

The most important thing, though, is to choose floss you'll use. "I tell my patients, 'I don't care if you use shoe laces as long as you floss,'" Wheeler says. (Just kidding, of course.)

Flossing Tips

Keep it clean with these flossing tips from Edmond Hewlett, DDS, associate professor of restorative dentistry at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Dentistry:

Perfect your flossing technique. Use a piece of floss 15 to 18 inches long, slide it between the teeth, wrap it around each tooth in the shape of a "C,"and polish with an up and down motion.

Don't worry about a little blood. "Bleeding means the gums are inflamed because plaque has built up and needs to be cleaned away. Don't let that deter you," Hewlett advises. Bleeding after a few days, however, could be a sign of periodontal disease. Talk to your dentist.

Get a floss holder. If you lack the hand dexterity to floss, try soft wooden plaque removers, which look similar to toothpicks, or a two-pronged plastic floss holder. Both allow you to clean between teeth with one hand.


For more information on flossing and gum disease, visit http://www.periodontalhealth.com or call 303-755-4500 today to schedule a consultation appointment.