Category: San Diego Dentist Association

When a tooth needs a large repair on the chewing surface to replace an area of decay, an inlay is the right type of restoration in many cases. Made of dental composite, porcelain or perhaps other materials, a dental inlay from a San Diego Dentist Association member can help preserve a tooth that might otherwise need a crown or other more aggressive restoration.

Indeed, an inlay restoration is considered a safe and conservative approach to keeping a tooth healthy when a filling is ill-advised. Inlays can last for many years and are a strong, durable, custom-made choice that’s right in a variety of situations.

You may be a good candidate for an inlay restoration if you have:

• Certain kinds of breaks or fractures
• Decay on the chewing surface of a tooth
• A large filling that’s failing or broken
• A root canal that doesn’t impact the outside edges of a tooth
• Or certain other circumstances as well.

What’s Involved In Getting An Inlay?

Once you and your SDDA dentist have decided that an inlay restoration is the right choice, two appointments will do the job. At the first, the dentist will remove the decay or damage and take an impression of the tooth involved. This impression is sent to a dental lab where a precise replacement piece – the inlay – is made. A temporary restoration is put in place at this first appointment.

At the second appointment, the temporary restoration is removed and the permanent custom-made inlay restoration is placed. The dentist will check that you can bite, chew and speak correctly and can make adjustments if necessary. They will also give you details on how to take care of the inlay, which is similar to taking care of a natural tooth. The key to longevity is good oral hygiene, a smart diet and dental visits on the schedule your dentist suggests.

If you think an inlay restoration might be right for you, reach out to a San Diego Dentist Association member right away. The sooner your contact someone, the smaller and easier the restoration will be, in many cases. Quick action may save you money too. There are also other restoration choices available – because every dental and oral health problem has a solution, and everyone in and around San Diego deserves access to the right dental services for their needs.

Would you like to know if an inlay restoration is right for you? Call (619) 745-6870

It’s possible to have a beautiful smile and great function for eating and speaking without dentures and without pain. When you turn to implant-supported dentures, you’re opting for a modern solution to missing teeth. Getting the smile you want shouldn’t cause you pain or discomfort, and this traditional denture alternative is barely invasive but offers you dentures that don’t rock, squeak or move.

Implant-supported dentures from your chosen San Diego Dentist Association member, including the often-recommended All-On-Four procedure, are affordable, trusted by dentists, loved by patients and a simpler alternative to regular dental implants. With implant-supported dentures, there’s no surgery and nothing complicated or prohibitively expensive. Countless people have been helped by this modern method of supporting dentures, and you can be too. Without pain or embarrassment, you can wave goodbye forever to loose, uncomfortable and poorly fitted dentures.

Life-Changing Results

Some researchers estimate that 90 percent of patients who choose dentures for their whole arch teeth replacements are dissatisfied in some way. They experience painful jawbone conditions, poor fits and other complications that can be eliminated with implant-supported dentures.

When compared to other procedures that use large implants, the narrow nature of implants used for All-On-Four and similar implant-supported denture procedures makes them superior. They’re almost noninvasive and certainly more convenient because these implants can bear the weight of dentures sooner. They are less expensive to place and simpler work for the dental office, reducing hassles, costs and time in the chair for patients.

Specific benefits of dentures supported with implants include:

• They’re much less expensive than a full arch of traditional implants.
• These sturdy full-arch teeth replacements don’t require adhesives.
• Because they’re mounted in the mouth, they function similar to natural teeth.
• Ease of cleaning. These dentures can be brushed like natural teeth and are removable at the dentist’s office for thorough cleaning.
• Gum tissue and bone are not lost over time as with traditional dentures.

Implant-supported dentures have been created to be less expensive and less invasive than other options and require no incisions, no stitches and no hassles. You can return to your normal life quite quickly, which isn’t possible with larger implants. At the dental office, you’ll be in the chair only a short amount of time, and you will be treated while numbed with a local anesthetic. There’s no need for putting you out with a general anesthetic.

A Case Study

Consider the case of 67-year-old San Diego dental patient Jemma (not her real name). Her life has been radically improved by a short time in the dental chair setting up her implant-supported dentures. She experienced a full decade of problems with traditional dentures – 10 full years of problems that included pain, a bad fit and more. Her life was changed forever, just as yours can be.

Here’s what she said: “I was elated the moment I felt and saw the results. I felt like a new person. People complimented me on how good I looked without ever knowing what I had done. I felt truly wonderful about myself for the first time in all those years. I can’t believe I lived with agony and embarrassment for so long, and I’m so glad it’s no longer necessary. I used to go around the house without my dentures and sometimes even venture to the mailbox or even a convenience store without them because they were so painful. I was self-conscious, but I just couldn’t wear them unless I had to.”

Jemma’s San Diego dentist found that her dentures simply weren’t made very well and were rubbing in several places, causing sores on her gums and painfulness in her jaw. She was no longer able to move her jaw correctly from compensating for the pain. She did not eat or chew properly, and she often avoided speaking up around new people so they wouldn’t notice the way she talked.

After get implant-supported dentures, everything changed for her.

Jemma continued: “I’m not afraid of smiling or talking or eating what I want, even in front of people. And I’m not ashamed of my dentures. If someone is having problems with dentures and thinks it’s time to move on to something better, I suggest they do what I did.”

Cost Of Implant-Supported Dentures

One reason people turn to old-fashioned dentures instead of implants to restore their missing teeth is the cost. Traditional implants can cost from $3,000 to $4,500 per tooth, but a complete set of implant-supported dentures can cost only $2,500, perhaps a bit more depending on the specifics of your case. That means you may be able to get a complete set of teeth for what just one implant costs. Your original dentures can often be used to help keep costs low.

Even better, people who were denied traditional implants because of insufficient jawbone available will often find that this modern alternative will work for them and costs much less than the alternatives they were considering in the past. Just 2 mm of healthy bone is required for the implants with these newer alternatives.

Dental providers understand that many people who need teeth replacement are retired and live on small pensions or social security income. Often, it’s hard to get people with low disposable income to spend on themselves for dental solutions, but the low price of implant-supported dentures makes it possible for even people on a low fixed income to have beautiful, comfortable teeth.

Osteoporosis, Bone Health, And More

Many older women and some men suffer from osteoporosis, a condition that causes bone to be weak. For these and others who are worried about bone health, implant-supported dentures are a smart option. Only four small titanium posts need to be implanted into the jaw for the All-On-Four procedure, and these can be implanted at an angle to reach the best bone. Existing dentures are then relined with silicone to create a comfortable hold with minimal need for healthy bone and no potentially harmful surgery. In most cases, stitches aren’t required, and swelling and discomfort are minimal if at all.

Additionally, those who choose implant-supported dentures don’t have to worry about the cosmetic and speaking concerns that come with some other types of replacement teeth. Many who get traditional dentures experience side effects like sunken faces that results from bone loss and changes of the jawline. There are also often problems with dentures moving around in the mouth, meaning speech can be slurred. And that says nothing of the painful sores and rubbing of ill-fitted dentures. Modern dentures fitted on implants can be so comfortable, however, that you can forget you’re wearing them, and there are fewer side effects.

Implant-supported dentures have been available for years now and have proven that they can make a significant difference in the lives of their users. No matter your age, level of health or activities, you will be able to talk, chew and laugh without worry after you’ve had this simple procedure done. Yet many people still do not realize that this different kind of denture is available and is cheaper than many other restorations.

Find Out If This Is Right For You

Dentists sometimes find it difficult to reassure patients that implant-supported dentures really can work, but dental professionals around the nation and the world have seen again and again that these procedures help people who are dissatisfied with regular dentures and can’t afford regular implants.

Although there is a range of dentures and dental implant options available, no other single procedure type offers as much potential as implant-supported dentures.

There are a number of companies that manufacture and provide small implants. For a healthy patient with enough bone in the jaw, implant placement should be simple, quick and efficient for the patient and for the dentist. There is no reason any dentist can’t do it, but many don’t yet know of this procedure or haven’t yet taken the plunge to offer it. It will likely become more and more popular so that eventually all local dentists will offer it, but right now, you must shop around. Or you could choose an SDDA dentist because they all offer this innovative and remarkable procedure.

Maybe some of the dentists that don’t offer implant-supported dentures are simply untrained or perhaps unwilling because they aren’t yet aware of the surprising list of benefits that mounting dentures on implants offer to patients – including being both cheaper and less invasive than other treatments.

Perhaps implant-supported dentures are right for you. This procedure and its benefits are available to a wide range of denture wearers who haven’t been able to make peace with their dentures. SDDA dentists offer this and other solutions and can discuss with you the benefits, the very low risks and anything you want to know before opting for a new and better way of replacing your teeth.

Other solutions are also available, and SDDA dentists provide a full range of cosmetic, restorative, and preventative dental services for others in your family, so you can establish a relationship that benefits everyone in your household. It’s a good idea for a healthy, happy family with smiles that look great and mouths that are comfortable and function well. Why not reach out to a dentist now?

To find out if implant-supported dentures are the right choice for you, call (619) 745-6870

Accurate diagnosis of gum disease requires a dental exam by a dentist or dental professional. A periodontal disease exam is part of the regular dental exam by San Diego Dentist Association members and includes checking with a special probe that carefully and gently measures the depth of pockets between teeth and gums, called sulci. A sulcus should be about 3 mm or less and should not bleed. If some are deeper, gum disease may be present.

Periodontal disease is diagnosed by your dentist or dental hygienist during a periodontal examination

A complete gum disease exam takes into account:

• How much bleeding there is
• How deep pockets are
• If there is the movement of teeth
• If inflammation is present
• And more.

After determining which signs are present, the dentist can make a determination about whether you have gum disease or not. If you do, stages include:

Gingivitis. This early stage of periodontal disease means plaque and bacteria have irritated the gums, and this irritation is causing bleeding as well as pain and tenderness. At this stage, the disease is often treated easily.

Periodontitis. As plaque hardens to tartar over time, it accumulates at the gum line, causing gums to pull away, creating deep pockets around teeth. These pockets fill with bacteria that start to erode tissue and perhaps even bone. Gums are irritated and inflamed in the impacted area.

Advanced periodontitis. Involving more tartar, more bacteria, and more severe problems, tissue and bone are further impacted to the point that the bone can’t support teeth, and ligaments are damaged or destroyed. Teeth can be lost if not treated at or before this stage.

With proper diagnosis and treatment by a San Diego Dentist Association member, the prognosis can be good for gum disease.

For a free Gum Disease consultation, call (619) 745-6870.

Healthy Teeth, Happy Smiles

How gum disease is treated depends on how much damage has already happened. A recommended course of action can be developed only after you have had a thorough dental evaluation. If you don’t have this disease treated, plaque, as well as tartar, debris, and bacteria, can build up between your teeth and gums, forming pockets of irritation and infection. As the disease progresses, gum tissue can be lost and bone can deteriorate, causing teeth to become loose, unsupported, and eventually fall out.

If gum disease is caught during its earliest stage, called gingivitis, it may not cause long-term, permanent damage. The best treatment may be a thorough dental cleaning. Your dentist will also provide home-care instructions for brushing and flossing. Additionally, you may be encouraged to visit a dentist more often to keep problems in check.

When gum disease is more advanced, a deep cleaning may be required. This cleaning process called scaling and root planning takes away tartar below the gum line. Usually, the process is done in stages while your mouth is numbed. Scaling gets rid of tartar and debris while planning smooths rough areas beneath the gum line so gums can re-adhere to teeth and heal. As gums improve, pockets shrink, reducing and perhaps even eliminating the gum disease. Other recommended treatments may include oral antibiotics, medicated mouthwashes, and the use of an electric toothbrush.

If your gum disease is even more advanced, pockets may not close and your gums may not completely heal after the treatments above. Surgery may be necessary to effectively clean teeth and reduce the size of pockets. Your dentist or periodontist will consider all options before recommending pocket reduction surgery or any other surgical procedure.

For reliable gum disease consultation and treatment from a gentle, experienced professional who wants to help, reach out to a San Diego Dentist Association member now.

Call (619) 745-6870 for a free Gum Disease consultation.

Gum disease treatment can get you on the right track, but you must take the right actions in the future to maintain good oral health. If you don’t brush and floss, plaque can form on your teeth and harden into tartar in as little as 24 hours. You can prevent this from happening by cleaning your teeth twice a day or more. Seeing a dentist for a cleaning and exam twice a year or as recommended removes whatever you miss and spots problems that may be developing.

Following gum disease treatment, your dentist will probably recommend that you visit the dental office for treatment more often than twice a year – perhaps quarterly. During these visits for periodontal cleanings, the depth of pockets between teeth and gums will be measured to make sure they’re the same or getting better. The plaque above and below the gum line that you haven’t removed will be removed as well.

Periodontal maintenance refers to a procedure carried out to clean your teeth thoroughly

Your visit may also include:

• X-rays, which can help assess teeth root positions and detect bone loss
• Examination of previous restorations, including fillings, crowns, and bridges
• A check for decay
• An oral cancer screening of your entire mouth, including lips, tongue, face, and cheeks
• Professional polishing to remove remaining stains and smooth tooth surfaces above the gum line, and
• Hygiene recommendations about how you can brush or floss more effectively, perhaps including recommendations of ozone rinses, an electric toothbrush and more.

Smart oral hygiene and frequent periodontal cleanings can help you maintain the health of your gums and teeth as well as your overall health.

Choose a San Diego Dentist Association member for gum disease maintenance that will keep your oral health on track now and in the future.

For a free consultation on Gum Disease, call (619) 745-6870

Nothing is more crucial to excellent oral health than brushing and flossing. While visiting a dental office twice a year for a checkup and cleaning are also important, a home care regimen can get rid of plaque and associated bacteria before it becomes tartar that must be removed by a dentist’s tools. Good home care makes every dental visit easier and quicker and prevents gum disease, among other things.

Specifically, good brushing and flossing can help you in the following important ways:

Preventing decay. One major cause of tooth loss is decay from plaque and bacteria buildup. Plaque has acids in it that eat away at tooth enamel. Once a tooth is damaged, you can experience a toothache, which may be hard to treat and expensive as well.

Preventing disease. Left untreated, gum disease gets worse and worse over time, causing gum recession, jawbone erosion and tooth loss. Bacteria from plaque can enter the bloodstream through diseased gums and cause health issues throughout the body, including heart disease and stroke. Good home oral hygiene keeps gums healthy to prevents these issues.

Preventing bad breath. Most halitosis is from left-behind food particles and the rotting of teeth and gums that they cause. Regular at-home oral care gets rid of these bacteria so your mouth is healthier and smells that way too.

Preventing staining. Everyday foods and drinks can cause staining – including coffee, tea and cola. But brushing and flossing can remove staining from food from your teeth before it have time to cause discoloration.

How To Brush Your Teeth Effectively

Teeth need to be brushed twice a day to stay clean. Some people brush after every meal, but at a minimum, you should brush each morning and before bed each night. Skip hard-bristled brushes and use a soft brush that’s gentle for your gums. The toothbrush head should be small enough to reach everywhere in your mouth. And you should replace the brush at least every 3 months or so.

If you aren’t getting your teeth clean enough with a regular toothbrush, an electric toothbrush may be the answer. In fact, the San Diego Dentist Association as well as the American Dental Association have determined that the oscillating, rotating heads of an electric toothbrush clean better than a manual toothbrush.

To brush effectively, follow these steps:

• Hold the brush against the teeth near the gumline at a 45-degree angle most of the time.
• Brush all teeth, especially paying attention to the area near the gumline, where you should brush in small circles.
• Keep it gentle – because excess pressure can brush away tooth enamel over time and injury your gums.
• Remember to brush your tongue and the insides of your cheeks as well as all teeth (especially back teeth) to get rid of plaque, food particles and bacteria.
• Brush biting and chewing surfaces with back and forth motions to get into grooves.

How To Floss Your Teeth Effectively

Brushing can’t help you with plaque and particles below the gumline or between teeth. Flossing takes care of these things that a toothbrush can’t reach. Flossing can also help with preventing and minimizing gum pockets that are part of periodontal disease. All types and flavors of floss work about the same.

To floss effectively, follow these steps:

• Use about 18 inches of any kind of dental floss.
• Wrap ends around your middle fingers, leaving a gap between your hands of about 2 inches to work with.
• Guide your flossing with your thumbs and forefingers as you go between all teeth.
• Pull the floss into a c-shape around every tooth as you slip the floss below the gum line.
• Move the floss in an up and down motion to remove caught plaque and debris.
• Remove floss carefully to avoid damaging your gums.

If you would like a professional to clean your teeth, examine your mouth and teach you to brush and floss better, reach out to an SDDA dentist now.

The primary goal of San Diego Dentist Association members for each patient is a lifelong beautiful, healthy smile – and your goal for your dental and oral health is probably along those lines too. The key to a fetching, functional smile with teeth and gums at their best is good home care. It’s crucial that you take care of your teeth between dental visits, and that includes eating well, good oral care, and much more.

A good home care regimen should include the following:

Brushing. Teeth must be brushed twice a day with an ADA-approved soft bristle brush. The most important time to brush is before bed. Proper brushing includes:

• Holding the brush at a 45-degree near the gums and brushing in small circles. Bristles should maintain contact with the gums for the best cleaning and massage of the gums and improved health of gum tissue.
• Carefully brushing inner and outer surfaces as well as the biting surfaces of every tooth.
• Thoroughly brushing your tongue to get rid of bacteria that causes decay and bad breath.
• Using an electric toothbrush if you want a much more effective way to remove plaque and debris. They’re easy to use, more fun than a regular toothbrush, and can clean several teeth at once.

Ozone-infused water. Using oxygenated water to kill bacteria, prevent and perhaps even reverse gum disease is recommended for everyone and is essential for those with compromised oral health or a history of gum disease. A 1000 mgh ozone unit can infuse water in the reservoir of any brand of water flosser, and that water can then be used for gum and oral irrigation. Home ozonizing units can be purchased from SDDA dentists.

Flossing. Brushing cleans much of a tooth’s surface, but it doesn’t get between teeth and under the gumline where bacteria can take its toll. Flossing gets into those areas to get rid of stubborn plaque and bacteria so it can’t damage teeth and gums. Here’s how to floss correctly:

• Wrap approximately 18 inches of dental floss around the middle fingers, leaving about 2 inches between them as the working section.
• Guide the floss gently between teeth using forefingers as your guide. A sawing motion works best, being careful not to cut into gums but to clean the full length of the tooth.
• Pull the floss into a c-shape as you clean around the sides of the tooth as much as possible.
• If you find this difficult, consider using dental tape, a floss holder, or dental picks, which work nearly as well and are much easier to use.

Rinsing. After brushing and flossing, rinsing with regular or ozonated water helps further remove plaque, bacteria, and remaining food particles. Rinsing is also crucial after every snack or meal, whether you take the time to also brush or not. An over-the-counter mouthwash is great for rinsing for most people, but your dentist may recommend something else in certain circumstances.

Other things your dentist suggests. Your dentist may suggest the use of a tongue cleaner, rubber tip stimulator, interdental brush, oral irrigator or medicated rinse. These are recommended for specific purposes and should not be forgotten.

For a dental appointment and to learn more about home care, reach out to a San Diego Dentist Association member now.

If you would like professional help with your oral hygiene, call us at (619) 745-6870.

When you’re pregnant, your body experiences a range of hormonal changes that can increase your risk of gum disease, which can put your baby at risk. Choosing the right dental team can help you maintain great oral health during pregnancy and beyond. There’s no more important time in your life to get good dental care.

If you’re pregnant and also have diabetes, your risk is even greater, and you need to get in touch with a dentist right away to ensure that your health and the health of your unborn child are protected.

Periodontal disease usually starts will slimy yellowish plaque in the mouth that is not cleaned away. This plaque powers bacteria to grow, irritate your gums, and eventually destroy soft tissue, teeth, and bone. Bacteria can establish colonies in pockets between teeth and gums, causing gum recession that makes teeth unstable and eventually unviable.

Along with pregnancy comes massive hormonal swings, and these are in part to blame for the increased risk of gum disease in pregnant women. The harmful effects of gum disease also interact with pregnancy to cause additional risks, including preeclampsia, premature birth, and low birth weight.

Expanding On The Connection

Pregnant women can be prone to gum disease

There are three primary theories that attempt to explain the strong link between gum disease in pregnant mothers and problems for her and her unborn child:

Bacteria spread. As the number of bacteria in a pregnant woman’s mouth increases, these harmful bacteria get into the bloodstream and spread throughout her body – as they do in others with gum disease. But it’s different for pregnant women because the two most common places for bacteria colonies to develop are in the coronary arteries and in the mammary glands.

Prostaglandins. These hormone-like lipids are generated at the site of infection and tissue damage, so they’re high in people with gum disease. They’re also established labor-inducing chemicals, meaning that when they are present, women are more likely to give birth early.

C-reactive protein. Gum disease forces an immune system response, and c-reactive proteins are known to be at higher concentrations in the blood when inflammation is present. These proteins are linked to heart disease, blood clots, preeclampsia, and many other issues.

Treating Gum Disease In Pregnant Women

Gum disease in pregnant women can be treated in ways that are safe for both the mother and the unborn child. It is essential that periodontal disease is stopped and prevented from spreading so that this condition and the conditions that interact with it don’t compromise health.

Your dentist begins your gum disease exam with a full look at the mouth, including your teeth and jawbone as well as your gums. After making a diagnosis, they may recommend a variety of treatments. One of the most common is scaling and root planning to thoroughly clean teeth and eliminate pockets where bacteria can hide. They will also provide home-care instructions for improving your oral health during pregnancy and beyond.

Oral health is important through all life stages, and the right dental team can support you through your pregnancy and help you achieve the best possible health for a great outcome.

Every member of the family can benefit from good dental and oral health, so why not reach out to a San Diego Dentist Association member now?

You may find it hard to believe, but it’s true: There’s a significant, well-researched link between heart disease and stroke and oral health problems, specifically gum disease. Research has shown that having periodontal disease increases the likelihood that you will suffer a stroke, and it has also shown that if a patient has acute cerebrovascular ischemia, the patient often has gum disease as well.

This is just part of the interaction between gum disease and cardiovascular disease that the right dentist can help you overcome when you visit regularly. Gum disease caused by bacteria around your teeth gets worse over time, and so do many of the diseases with which it interacts. Your dentist can help you overcome your oral health concerns for better overall health.

The Gum Disease And Cardiovascular Link

Gum Disease, Heart Disease, and Stroke

As coronary arteries fill with fatty substances, those substances can build up to a level where heart disease is present and the heart cannot process oxygen properly or do its job of pumping blood throughout the body. That means the heart must work harder to maintain oxygen levels in the blood – for as long as it can manage it. As heart disease progresses, patients often develop blood clots that cause heart attacks.

Anyone with a basic scientific understanding can see how gum disease can make heart disease worse. That’s why it’s important if you have a risk for heart attack or stroke to work with both a cardiologist and a dentist to stay as healthy as possible.

There are three scientific theories that further explain the interaction between a heart condition and gum disease:

Spreading of oral bacteria. Bacteria present in the mouth from gum disease can get into the bloodstream and move throughout the body, potentially interacting with fatty protein buildups and leading to clotting.

C-reactive proteins from inflammation. C-reactive proteins are present where there is inflammation in the body because they result from an immune system response. These proteins are known to have a negative cardiovascular impact that can lead to an increased risk of symptomatic heart disease.

Weakened immune system. When people have high levels of bacteria in the mouth, they also often have weak, underperforming immune systems. That means any health problems they develop get worse quickly, and that includes heart disease.

Diagnosis and Successful Treatment

If you have heart problems, you must be vigilant against developing gum disease. When you visit an SDDA dentist, they will conduct a full exam to understand the health of your gums, teeth, and jawbone, which also may include digital x-rays and other simple diagnostics. They may then recommend a deep cleaning to remove bacteria from your mouth and keep it from coming back, perhaps including scaling and root planning. Antibiotics may be part of the plan too.

For your consultation that gets you started with gum disease treatment, reach out to a San Diego Dentist Association member now. It’s a smart decision for overall health and a beautiful, vibrant smile.

If you have questions or would like a free consultation regarding Gum Disease, Heart Disease, and Stroke, call us at (619) 745-6870.

Lung and respiratory disease have been shown in studies to be linked closely with periodontal or gum disease. Indeed, gum disease can cause or worsen respiratory conditions including bronchitis, pneumonia, and even emphysema.

If you find the link hard to believe, you’re not alone. But it’s been well-established. Gum disease begins with small colonies of bacteria. If it isn’t treated, the bacteria take hold, breaking down gums and connecting tissue, and creating pockets between the teeth and gums where bacteria can flourish. The gums and eventually surrounding bone recedes, and this leads to tooth loss and reduction in jawbone mass. Gum disease is treatable if detected early, but many people don’t pay attention to symptoms until they get severe.

Periodontal disease has been linked in research with respiratory problems that include bronchitis, emphysema, COPD, pneumonia, and more. The bacteria in the mouth can spread around the body, particularly easily to the lungs. For patients with existing lung problems or compromised immune systems, fighting off the spreading infection can be difficult.

More On The Gums-Lungs Connection

A new study suggests that periodontal disease may increase the risk for respiratory infections

Gum disease and lung disease are linked in a number of ways according to a growing volume of research. Here are four of the most well-established ways these conditions are linked:

Spreading bacteria. Bacteria that have established themselves in your gums can easily spread down to the lungs with little in between to stop them. These bacteria can cause respiratory problems and make those that already exist worse. This interaction forms the primary basis of the gums-lung connection that can be devastating to overall health.

Poor immune system. People with chronic breathing issues often have a suppressed immune system as well, and that can allow the bacteria from gum disease to spread quickly and without challenge. Low immunity makes both conditions get worse quicker.

Smoking. The respiratory disease often results from smoking, the most common easily modifiable factor that leads to lung disease. Smoking also negatively impacts the gums by slowing down the mouth’s healing processes and allowing gum disease to take hold in a larger part of the mouth and more severely.

Additionally, lung tissue gets inflamed when it comes in contact with certain bacteria, just as gums do. A direct causal link exists between inflamed mouth tissue and inflamed lung tissue, which prevents oxygen from being processed in the lungs efficiently.

Gum Disease Diagnosis and Treatment

For patients dealing with both gum disease and lung disease, a combined approach is necessary – involving the right doctor and a well-informed dentist. They should make sure they aren’t working at cross purposes on treatment. Most dentists offer both surgical and nonsurgical gum disease solutions, based on how bad the problem is and other factors.

Once the dentist knows what needs to be done and how much bone and tissue loss has already happened – through an exam, digital x-rays, and other diagnostics – the first step toward resolving the gum disease and improving overall health is usually a deep cleaning to remove as much bacteria as possible. This may include deep scaling, root planning, and other procedures aimed at keeping bacteria from coming back. In some cases, antibiotics are also used.

Dental office treatment for gum disease by the right dentist often provides quick relief from irritation and inflammation and leads to better oral and overall health. In turn, this can lead to a reduction in the chance and severity of respiratory disease, and that can help you breathe easier.

When you’re ready to take control of your health, a San Diego Dentist Association member can help. For every dental and oral health problem – including periodontal disease that interacts with and negatively impacts respiratory disease – the right dentist can help make things better.