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My Blog

Posts for: February, 2019

Take Care of Your Gums, Take Care of Your Heart

By Edward C. Monroe DDS PA
February 25, 2019
Category: Oral Health
Tags: gum disease   oral health  
TakeCareofYourGumsTakeCareofYourHeart

At this time of year, hearts are everywhere you look, so it's fitting that February is American Heart Month, a time to focus on cardiovascular health. Cardiovascular disease, which includes heart disease and stroke, is the number one cause of death around the world. But did you know that there's a link between the health of your heart and the health of your mouth?

People with advanced gum disease have a higher risk of having a heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular event, but what is the connection? For one, oral bacteria found in gum disease can enter the bloodstream, where it has been found in artery-clogging plaque. In addition, untreated gum disease has been determined to worsen high blood pressure, a major contributor to heart attack, stroke and heart failure. One study reported that when gum disease was treated, high blood pressure fell by up to 13 points. But perhaps the most significant common denominator between gum disease and heart disease is inflammation, according to many researchers.

Gum disease is the most common inflammatory disease, affecting nearly 50% of US adults over 30, and 70% of those aged 65 and older, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. The body's inflammation response is a key weapon in fighting infection. However, when there is chronic low-level inflammation such as occurs with untreated periodontal (gum) disease, many adverse health effects can result. In one Harvard University study, chronic inflammation was found to triple the risk of heart attack and double the risk of stroke.

The relationship between gum disease and heart disease is still not completely understood, but there's no denying that a connection exists between the two, so it's worth doing what you can to take care of both your gums and your cardiovascular health. Here are some tips:

  • Eat a heart-healthy—and gum-healthy—diet. A diet low in refined carbohydrates, high in fiber, vitamins C and D, antioxidants and Omega-3s has been shown to lower inflammation, benefitting your gums and your heart.
  • Quit smoking. Using tobacco in any form is a risk factor for developing both gum disease and heart disease.
  • Take care of your oral health. Gum disease can often be prevented—and reversed if caught early—simply with good oral hygiene, so be diligent about brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day.
  • Come in for regular cleanings and checkups. Regular cleanings can help keep your gums healthy, and an examination can determine if you have gum disease. Be sure to tell us about any medical conditions or medications.

As you think about what you can do to take care of your heart health and overall health, don't forget your gums. If you have questions about how to improve your oral health, call us or schedule a consultation. You can learn more in the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Good Oral Health Leads to Better Health Overall” and “Carbohydrates Linked to Gum Disease.”


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We may Need to Build up the Bone in Your Jaw before Implants

By Edward C. Monroe DDS PA
February 15, 2019
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: dental implants   bone grafting  
WemayNeedtoBuilduptheBoneinYourJawbeforeImplants

Dental implant technology has advanced at such an astounding rate in recent years that you can now walk into a dentist's office with a problem tooth and out the same day with a new one. Unfortunately, not all dental situations allow for this possibility.

For example, you might be considering an implant many years after losing a tooth. But there's a potential problem: there might not be enough supporting bone. While an implant might still be possible, inadequate bone complicates the matter.

Because implants are essentially tooth root replacements, they require a certain amount of bone for stability and the best attractive outcome. As a general rule, implants need to be surrounded by  at least 1.5-2.0 millimeters of healthy bone to support an implant. But you might not have enough if your tooth has been missing for awhile, regardless if you have or haven't worn dentures or other restorations.

That's because bone has a life cycle in which older cells die and newer ones form to take their place. As we chew or bite, the force generated travels up through the teeth to the bone to stimulate this new growth. Without a tooth the bone doesn't receive this stimulus, which can slow the growth rate. Over time the affected bone can lose its volume and density.

If we find you've experienced loss to the point your bone won't support an implant, that doesn't automatically mean this popular restoration is out of the picture. But it will require us first performing a procedure known as augmentation or bone grafting to help rejuvenate some of the lost bone.

With grafting, we place processed bone grafting material in the jaw through a minor surgical procedure to form a scaffold for new bone to grow upon. After several months this can result in several millimeters of new growth maintaining the width of the underlying bone, which in turn may be able to support an implant.

Bone grafting is quite common, often performed at the same time as tooth extraction if there's going to be a time lag before installing an implant. Even if performed later, though, it can successfully rejuvenate lost bone and make it possible for you to take advantage of durable, life-like implants.

If you would like more information on dental implants, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Dental Implants after Previous Tooth Loss.”


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Dental Injury Is Just a Temporary Setback for Basketball Star Kevin Love

By Edward C. Monroe DDS PA
February 05, 2019
Category: Oral Health
Tags: celebrity smiles   dental injury  
DentalInjuryIsJustaTemporarySetbackforBasketballStarKevinLove

The March 27th game started off pretty well for NBA star Kevin Love. His team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, were coming off a 5-game winning streak as they faced the Miami Heat that night. Less than two minutes into the contest, Love charged in for a shot on Heat center Jordan Mickey—but instead of a basket, he got an elbow in the face that sent him to the floor (and out of the game) with an injury to his mouth.

In pictures from the aftermath, Love’s front tooth seemed clearly out of position. According to the Cavs’ official statement, “Love suffered a front tooth subluxation.” But what exactly does that mean, and how serious is his injury?

The dental term “subluxation” refers to one specific type of luxation injury—a situation where a tooth has become loosened or displaced from its proper location. A subluxation is an injury to tooth-supporting structures such as the periodontal ligament: a stretchy network of fibrous tissue that keeps the tooth in its socket. The affected tooth becomes abnormally loose, but as long as the nerves inside the tooth and the underlying bone have not been damaged, it generally has a favorable prognosis.

Treatment of a subluxation injury may involve correcting the tooth’s position immediately and/or stabilizing the tooth—often by temporarily splinting (joining) it to adjacent teeth—and maintaining a soft diet for a few weeks. This gives the injured tissues a chance to heal and helps the ligament regain proper attachment to the tooth. The condition of tooth’s pulp (soft inner tissue) must also be closely monitored; if it becomes infected, root canal treatment may be needed to preserve the tooth.

So while Kevin Love’s dental dilemma might have looked scary in the pictures, with proper care he has a good chance of keeping the tooth. Significantly, Love acknowledged on Twitter that the damage “…could have been so much worse if I wasn’t protected with [a] mouthguard.”

Love’s injury reminds us that whether they’re played at a big arena, a high school gym or an outdoor court, sports like basketball (as well as baseball, football and many others) have a high potential for facial injuries. That’s why all players should wear a mouthguard whenever they’re in the game. Custom-made mouthguards, available for a reasonable cost at the dental office, are the most comfortable to wear, and offer protection that’s superior to the kind available at big-box retailers.

If you have questions about dental injuries or custom-made mouthguards, please contact our office or schedule a consultation. You can read more in the Dear Doctor magazine articles “The Field-Side Guide to Dental Injuries” and “Athletic Mouthguards.”


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Archive:

  • 2019
      • December (1)
        • Here's How We Can Jazz up Your Holiday Smile This Season
      • November (3)
        • For a Smooth Transition, Be Sure Your New Dentist Has Your Dental Records
        • Lady Gaga Wasn't "Born This Way?"
        • Seek Coordinated Treatment If You Have Both TMD and Fibromyalgia
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        • Implant Failure Is Rare, but Possible. Here Are a Few Ways to Avoid It
        • These Popular Drinks Could Put Your Enamel in Danger of Erosion
        • A Different Kind of "Chip Shot" for Pro Golfer Danielle Kang
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        • If Appropriate, Antibiotics before Implant Surgery Could Reduce Infection Risk
        • 3 Reasons to See a Pediatric Dentist
        • Dental Sealants Give Children an Added Boost Against Tooth Decay
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        • Master Illusionist Benefits from the Magic of Orthodontics
        • Despite Some Online Sources, Root Canals Don't Cause Disease
        • Preventing Decay in Primary Teeth Promises Better Health Now and Later
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        • Anchorage Tools Help Orthodontists Correct Complex Bite Problems
        • Baseball's Francisco Lindor Shines as "Mr. Smile"
        • How to Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthy During Pregnancy
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        • Improve Your Dental Health by Mastering Your Brushing Skills
        • See Your Dentist ASAP to Save Your Loose Tooth
        • Fifth Harmony's Camila Cabello Chips a Tooth, but Concert Still "Worth It"
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        • Dentures with Implants Could Help You Avoid Bone Loss
        • You Might Avoid a Root Canal with This Tooth-Saving Procedure
        • Simple Steps to Follow if Your Child has a Toothache
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        • Bobby Bones Dances His Way to Dental Damage
        • A Minor Procedure Could Make Breastfeeding Easier for You and Your Baby
        • April Is National Facial Protection Month
      • March (3)
        • A Dental Exam Could Uncover an Eating Disorder
        • Singer Dua Lipa Sees the Wisdom in Postponing Tour Dates
        • Your Age Doesn't Have to Keep You from a Straighter Smile
      • February (3)
        • Take Care of Your Gums, Take Care of Your Heart
        • We may Need to Build up the Bone in Your Jaw before Implants
        • Dental Injury Is Just a Temporary Setback for Basketball Star Kevin Love
      • January (3)
        • Stay Hydrated in Winter for Better Year-Round Oral Hygiene
        • 3 Ways Orthodontic Techniques Could Prevent a Poor Bite
        • Want to Keep Enjoying Winter Sports? Wear a Mouthguard!
  • 2018
      • December (3)
        • Neil Patrick Harris: What the Oscars Host Treasures Most
        • Lasers Could be the Future for Gum Disease Treatment
        • Simple or Surgical? Choosing the Right Kind of Tooth Extraction
      • November (3)
        • Don't Let GERD Ruin Your Teeth's Health
        • Noah Galloway's Dentally Dangerous Dancing
        • Moderate Your Child's Juice Drinking to Lower Tooth Decay Risk
      • October (3)
        • No Need to Fret Over Implant Surgery
        • Dental Implants can also Support Other Traditional Restorations
        • Steely Dan Founder's Death Highlights Importance of Early Cancer Detection
      • September (3)
        • Have Your Loose Tooth Examined as Soon as Possible
        • Correcting a Poor Bite Improves Dental Health as Well as Smile Appearance
        • Keep Up Good Dental Habits in College to Protect Your Teeth and Gums
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        • Kathy Bates Plays It Smart With Professional Teeth Whitening
        • Diabetes Doesn't Have to Stop You From Acquiring Dental Implants
        • World Cup Soccer Coach-Dentist Saves the Day!
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        • Fan of Superhero Film Black Panther Breaks Steel Wire...with Her Mouth!
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        • Gum Disease is Still a Threat to Your Dental Implants
        • Keep Alert for this Extreme Form of Gingivitis
        • How Kathy Bates Retains Her Movie-Star Smile
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        • 3 Possible Timing Scenarios for Getting Your New Implant
        • Stop Gum Disease Before it Becomes a Major Health Issue
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        • Jamie Foxx Chips a Tooth - This Time by Accident!
        • It's Spring Cleaning Time...for Your Teeth!
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        • Your Health Could Affect the Longevity of a Dental Implant
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        • Change Your Smile for the Better with Porcelain Veneers
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        • These 3 Tasks Show How Saliva is Amazing
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        • A Toothless Tiger?
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        • Use the Same Prevention Strategy to Defeat Tooth Decay and Gum Disease
        • In Today's NFL, Oral Hygiene Takes Center Stage
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        • Jimmy Fallon Can’t Catch a Break - Except in His Tooth
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        • Johnny's Teeth Aren't Rotten Any More
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        • New Front Teeth for a Teenaged David Duchovny
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        • Actor David Ramsey Discusses Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
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        • Expert Advice: Vivica A. Fox on Kissing and Oral health
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        • Don't Put Off Getting Treatment for Your Sensitive Teeth
        • Jason Derulo's Ideal Match
        • With Proper Care, you can Lower Your Risk of Tooth Loss as You Age
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        • Keep Ahead of Potential Sidetracks to Your Child's Oral Health
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        • Start Early with Your Baby's Dental Care
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        • America's (Dentists) Got Talent - for Fixing Damaged or Missing Teeth!
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        • A Royal Fix
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330 West Pennsylvania Avenue
Southern Pines, NC 28387
(910) 695-3334

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* For your convenience, our office is open 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM throughout the month.

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