This three-part article series provides an overview of the various factors, ailments and conditions that could be causing your breath to turn sour.

The Causes of Bad Breath

1. Oral Hygiene (or a Lack Thereof)

2. A Decayed Tooth

3. Gingivitis and Periodontitis

This two-part article series provides an in-depth look at the relationship between diabetes and oral health and how Rutherford residents living with this condition can better protect their teeth and gums.

There is a clear link between diabetes and the health of your teeth and gums. More specifically, people living with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing gum disease and vice versa. Fortunately, there are things Rutherford residents living with this condition can do to protect their smiles against the ravages of this disease and we shall be speaking to a dental implants professional in New Jersey about these measures in this two-part article series. First, however, let’s take a look at the oral health risks that come hand-in-hand with being a diabetic…

Diabetes and Oral Health Risks

If you are currently living with diabetes, you may find yourself at a greater risk of the following oral health issues:

Dry mouth: A condition characterized by the slowed production of saliva. This is problematic because your saliva plays an integral role in protecting your teeth and gums from bacteria.

Fungal infections: For example, thrush, which is terribly uncomfortable, both physically and in social situations.

Cavities: Soft holes in the dental enamel of your teeth caused by the acidic wastes produced oral bacteria. If left unfilled, these holes can become enlarged by further erosion, eventually forming a pathway into the “nerve” of the tooth at which stage infection can set in. “Untreated cavities can necessitate new teeth,” says a Rutherford dental professional.

Slowed healing: “People with diabetes sometimes tend to take a longer time to heal, which can lead to a problem after dental surgery,” explains a dental implants professional in New Jersey. “This can cause complications and a greater risk of post-operative infection. Dental implant patients with diabetes need to be watched a little more closely in the months following the placement of their new teeth.”

In spite of these oral health problems, there are steps that Rutherford residents living with diabetes can take to minimize the risk of permanent damage to their smiles.

The Link Between Diabetes and Gum Disease

“One of the greatest problems with diabetes is that it renders patients more vulnerable to gum disease and less able to fight off the kind of bacterial infections that lead to it,” explains a new teeth Professionals in Rutherford NJ. “These patients might initially experience gingivitis, which is the beginning stage of gum disease with symptoms that might include swollen, inflamed and spongy gums that easily tear and bleed when brushed or flossed. If allowed to progress, however, the infection can migrate deep down into the soft tissue surrounding the tooth roots, allowing deep pockets of bacteria and bacterial wastes to accumulate.”

“This infection doesn’t only cause tooth decay, it also destroys the ligaments and bone tissue that support the teeth, eventually leading to tooth loss. Many of the patients we treat suffer from gum disease and a significant number of these patients are also diabetic,” says the dental implants professional in New Jersey.

So, how can gum disease be treated and what can Rutherford residents living with diabetes do to mitigate the impact of this terrible disease on the health of their teeth and gums?

Stay Tuned for Part 2 to Find Out!

Many studies suggest a link between gum disease and serious conditions like heart disease. While the
evidence is not yet clear, it is compelling. According to the American

Academy of Periodontology, people with periodontal disease are

almost twice as likely to have coronary artery disease (also

called heart disease). And one study found a causal relationship of

oral infection as a risk factor for stroke.

Evidence Links Periodontal Disease and Heart Health

According to a recent study published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association
people who had higher blood levels of certain disease-causing bacteria

in the mouth were more likely to have atherosclerosis of the carotid

artery in the neck. Clogging of the carotid arteries can lead to stroke.

Atherosclerosis, also called "hardening of the arteries," develops when deposits
of fats and other substances in your blood begin to stick to the sides

of your arteries, clogging them like a plugged-up drain. If these plaques

ever block the blood flow completely, you could have a heart attack

or stroke, depending on the location of the blockage.

So what might hardening of the arteries have to do with gum disease?

No one is sure yet. Experts know that bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream
through the gums. These same bacteria have been found clumped in artery

plaques. So one theory is that these bacteria stick to the fatty plaques

in the bloodstream, directly contributing to blockages.

Other possibilities lie in the body's own defense mechanisms against bacteria. One of the
body's natural responses to infection is inflammation. It's possible

that as these oral bacteria travel through your body, they trigger a

similar response, causing the blood cells to swell. This swelling could

then narrow an artery and increase the risk of clots. That inflammation

could be the root of the problem adds to data researchers are gathering

that suggest more and more diseases, including periodontal disease,

heart disease, and arthritis, are partially caused by the body's own

inflammatory response.

But even if periodontal disease isn't actually causing heart disease, the connection could still
be important. For instance, periodontal disease might be an early sign

of cardiovascular problems. Heart disease can be hard to catch early,

because many of the conditions that precede it have no symptoms. You

won't ever feel your arteries hardening or your cholesterol rising.

But you might notice bleeding or painful gums.

What Can You Do To Protect Yourself?

If you're at risk of heart disease, do the obvious:

• Lose weight if you're overweight
• Eat healthy foods
• Exercise most days of the week
• Control any conditions that increase risk, such as diabetes, high cholesterol, or

high blood pressure

• Stop smoking
• Prevent oral health problems by daily effective oral hygiene and visiting your

dentist twice a year.

• If you already have periodontal disease, do not ignore it. Have it treated.

Many cases of periodontal disease can be treated by your general dentist.
More advanced cases will likely require treatment by a periodontist..

According to Dr. Robert L Machen, periodontist., "Gum disease affects 80% of the adult
US population to some degree. With increasing evidence of the

link between gum disease and other systemic diseases, it is all the

more important to practice preventive care if you are healthy and seek

definitive treatment if you are not."

For additional information

of gum disease and treatment options please visit our website www.austinimplants.com.

Are you female or male?

Studies suggest there are genetic differences between men and women that affect the risk of developing gum disease. While women tend to take better care of their oral health than men do, women's oral health is not markedly better than men's. This is because hormonal fluctuations throughout a woman's life can affect many tissues, including gum tissue.

Do your gums ever bleed?

Bleeding gums can be one of the signs of gum disease. Think of gum tissue as the skin on your hand. If your hands bled every time you washed them, you would know something was wrong. However if you are a smoker, your gums may not bleed, and therefore, “hide” the severity of your condition.

Are your teeth loose?

Periodontal (gum) disease is a serious inflammatory disease that is caused by a bacterial infection, and leads to destruction of the attachment fibers and supporting bone that hold your teeth in your mouth. When neglected, teeth can become loose and fall out. Loose teeth, even though nothing hurts, are a sign of periodontal or gum disease.

Have your gums receded, or do your teeth look longer?

One of the warning signs of gum disease includes gums that are receding or pulling away from the teeth, causing the teeth to look longer than before.

Do you smoke or use tobacco products?

Studies have shown that tobacco use may be one of the most significant risk factors in the development and progression of periodontal disease. Smokers are much more likely than non-smokers to have calculus form on their teeth, have deeper pockets between the teeth and gums, and lose more of the bone and tissue that support the teeth. And yet, smokers may have no signs or symptoms of gum disease because the smoke masks the underlying problems.

Have you seen a dentist in the last two years?

Daily brushing and flossing will help remove bacterial plaque and even keep calculus formation to a minimum, but it won't prevent gum disease or calculus from forming. A professional dental cleaning at least twice a year is necessary to remove calculus from places your toothbrush and floss may have missed. If you are prone to gum disease, more frequent professional cleanings will help maintain your periodontal condition.


How often do you floss?

Studies demonstrate that including flossing as part of your oral care routine can actually help reduce the amount of gum disease-causing bacteria found in the mouth, therefore contributing to healthy teeth and gums. Brushing, alone, will not keep your mouth and gums healthy.

Do you currently have any of the following health conditions?
i.e. Heart disease, osteoporosis, osteopenia, high stress, or diabetes

Ongoing research suggests that periodontal disease may be linked to these conditions. The bacteria associated with periodontal disease can travel into the blood stream and pose a threat to other parts of the body. Healthy gums may lead to a healthier body. High stress levels release hormones into the bloodstream that act as “food” for the bacteria that cause gum disease. When you are under stress, you are “feeding” the problem.

Have you ever been told that you have gum problems, gum infection or gum inflammation?

Over the past decade, research has focused on the role chronic inflammation may play in various diseases, including periodontal or gum, disease. Data suggests that having a history of periodontal disease makes you six-times more likely to have future periodontal problems. Periodontal disease is often silent, meaning symptoms may not appear until an advanced stage of the disease.


Have you had any adult teeth extracted due to gum disease?

Most gum problems are generalized among a number or teeth, and are not isolated to a single tooth. For this reason, if you have lost a tooth to gum disease, the likelihood exists that you have a gum condition that needs to be treated, even if nothing hurts or you are unaware of any symptoms.

Have any of your family members had gum disease?

Research suggests that the bacteria that cause periodontal disease can pass through saliva, and remain on your toothbrush. For this reason, it is unwise to share toothbrushes. Individuals with advanced gum problems should be aware that they can transmit this to another family member through their saliva. Also, research proves that up to 30% of the population may be genetically susceptible to gum disease. Despite aggressive oral care habits, these people may be six times more likely to develop periodontal disease.

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a silent disease. It is chronic, much in the way diabetes, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases are, and as such, must be treated, contained, and monitored by a dental professional. Except in extreme instances, early intervention will help an individual save their teeth in comfort and good function when suffering gum disease in NYC.

FALLACY: People who have gum disease are "dirty" and don't brush their teeth.

FACT: Research proves that up to 30% of the population may be genetically susceptible to gum disease. Despite aggressive oral care habits, these people may be six times more likely to develop periodontal disease. Once diagnosed, gum treatment may help them keep their teeth for a lifetime.

FALLACY: Gum disease doesn't affect overall health.

FACT: Emerging research links periodontal disease to other health problems including heart and respiratory diseases; preterm, low birth weight babies; stroke; osteoporosis; and diabetes.

FALLACY: Gum disease is a minor infection.

FACT: The mass of tissue in the oral cavity is equivalent to the skin on your arm that extends from the wrist to the elbow. Gum disease is not a small infection. If this area was red, swollen, and infected, you would visit the doctor as soon as possible. In a worst-case scenario, untreated gum disease could lead to tooth loss and a patient needing dentures. Dentures change your appearance, causes bad breath, and affects your ability to effectively chew food.

FALLACY: Bleeding gums are normal.

FACT: Bleeding gums are one of nine warning signs of gum disease. Other signs of gum disease include: red, swollen or tender gums; sores in your mouth; gums that have pulled away from the teeth; persistent bad breath; pus between the teeth and gums (leaving bad breath); loose or separating teeth; a change in the way the teeth fit together; and a change in the fit of partial dentures.

FALLACY: Gum disease affects all races and ethnicities equally.

FACT: While the severity may change, gum disease does affect all races and ethnicities.

FALLACY: Treatment for gum disease is painful.

FACT: Most gum treatments are not painful and do not cause patients to miss work or remain uncomfortable afterwards. New understanding of how best to use non-steroidal analgesics (ibuprofen, for example) go a long way to making gum treatment comfortable. When indicated, gum laser treatments (LANAP) are virtually painless. Our goal is to keep patients functioning at all times, while treating their gum disease and improving their oral health.

FALLACY: Gum disease is easy to identify, even in its early stages, so my dentist would tell me if I had it.

FACT: Millions of people don't know they have this serious infection that can lead to tooth loss if not treated. You should always get involved in your dental care, so that problems are detected in the early stages. You should inform your dentist if any signs of gum disease are present; or if any changes in your overall health or medications occurred in between visits. Most importantly, you should ask your dentist about your periodontal health and what method was used to evaluate its condition. Remember to ask about the depths of your periodontal pockets and have they changed. This level of participation enables you to work in a team approach with your dentist to identify subtle changes that may occur in the oral cavity.

FALLACY: Once teeth are lost, the only treatment options are crowns, bridges or dentures.

FACT: Dental implants are a permanent tooth-replacement option for teeth lost to trauma, injury or periodontal disease. Dental implants are natural looking and feel so much like teeth that many patients forget they are not real.

FALLACY: Cavities are the number-one cause of tooth loss.

FACT: Periodontal disease is the number-one cause of tooth loss. According to the 1996 American Dental Association/Colgate survey, U.S. dentists say gum disease is a more pressing oral health concern than tooth decay by a 2-to-1 margin.

FALLACY: Because gum disease is a bacterial infection, antibiotics can be used to treat it.

FACT: Research demonstrates that antibiotics can be a helpful adjunct to treating periodontal disease, but most often antibiotics treat the symptom and not the cause of gum problems. Antibiotics should not be used indiscriminately because of the possibility that resistant strains of bacteria could develop. So while antibiotics are used in conjunction to treating gum disease, they are not the first line of treatment when attacking a periodontal condition.

FALLACY: Pregnant women should skip professional dental checkups.

FACT: Like other organs and tissues in the body, teeth and gums are affected during pregnancy. In order to decrease the risk of damaging the gums and tissues surrounding the teeth, pregnant women should schedule an appointment for a periodontal evaluation. Untreated gum disease in pregnant women can lead to lower birth weights and premature births.

Gum disease is a treatable problem. The ramifications of untreated gum problems are too great to ignore, even if nothing “bothers” the patient. Only a dental professional can determine the state of your periodontal health associated with gum disease

By answering the quiz below and tallying up the points you score, you can determine whether you are at a grave risk of early, moderate or severe gum disease.

Gum disease is a prevalent problem in the United States in spite of all the high tech gadgetry we have to prevent and combat the full spectrum of oral illnesses. Most people suffering from this condition have no idea they have it and this comes down to (1) the irregularity with which they visit their dentist and (2) the fact that gum disease doesn’t tend to cause much pain! With the help of qualified and experienced Stratford dental implants specialists, we put together the following quiz to help you determine whether you might be one of the 80% of Americans who have gum disease!

Take the Quiz!

Answer the following simple questions and then tally up the points you scored from all your “yes” answers. You’ll find your assessment below.

Question 1: Take a look at your gums in the mirror. They should be a healthy pink in color. Do they look swollen or red? (Yes = 1 point)

Question 2: Has it been more than a year since you last had your teeth professionally cleaned? (Yes = 1 point)

Question 3: Do your gums ever bleed when you floss or brush them? (Yes = 1 point)

Question 4: Do you chew or smoke tobacco, whether it’s cigarettes, cigars or pipe? (Yes = 1 point)

Question 5: Are you older than 40? (Yes = 1 point)

Question 6: Have you ever had one or more of your natural teeth removed that wasn’t a wisdom tooth? (Yes = 1 point)

Question 7: Do your teeth look like they’ve become longer over time? In other words, have your gums receded exposing the roots underneath? (Yes = 2 points)

Question 8: Are you aware of a constant bad taste in your mouth and chronic bad breath, even after you’ve brushed your teeth? You may have to ask the honest opinion of someone you feel comfortable with. (Yes = 2 points)

Question 9: Have you noticed a change in the fit and feel of your bite? Have any of your teeth noticeably shifted? (Yes = 2 points)

Question 10: Have any gaps or open spaces developed between your teeth in recent years? (Yes = 2 points)

Question 11: Do your teeth feel loose and unstable? (Yes = 3 points)

Question 12: Has your oral hygienist or dentist made a point of recommending that you come for more frequent professional cleanings? More than twice per year? (yes = 3 points)

Question 13: Has your oral hygienist or dentist told you that the natural pockets between your teeth and gums are “deep”? (Yes = 3 points)

Your Score:

1 – 3 Points: “You could be in the early stages of gum disease,” say Stratford dental implants specialists. “If this is the case, your family dentist should be able to provide you with the treatment you need to improve your oral health. You should also increase your home oral hygiene efforts to help eliminate the bacteria irritating and infecting your gums.”

4 – 10 Points: “You are likely suffering from moderate gum disease,” say Stratford dental implants specialists. “You should definitely book yourself an appointment with a periodontist – a gum specialist – as you may require surgery to get your oral health back on track.

10 Points or More: “You are most definitely in trouble – severe gum disease. Don’t waste any time in seeking treatment from a gum specialist or you’ll end up completely toothless. You won’t only be looking at complete oral rehabilitation with All On Four dental implants; you could be at a high risk of developing a suite of potentially fatal diseases and ailments, such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and diabetes.