Gums and Teeth are Meant to be Together!

Your teeth and gums want to be best friends. When they are both happy they literally protect the rest of your body systems from bacterial invasion. We cannot stress enough how important it is to establish and maintain a consistent oral health care system.

Visiting us twice a year for your semi-annual cleanings and exams can make a huge difference. If you want to keep your teeth throughout your life, give them a few minutes of attention every single day. Consider it an investment in your future. 

February Newsletter is Here!

Did you receive your eNewsletter this week from our Team? Here is a copy in case we missed you. Please call to update your email address with us if you are not receiving office communications. 

December Newsletter Updates!

December's Newsletter has been sent to all of our patients. If your email has changed, please let our office know. We have some very exciting changes in our office this month. 

Best Wishes to each of our wonderful patients.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Dr. Clark & Team

Lebanon Soup Kitchen Donation for 2019

Great News! Thanks to our wonderful patients, the 2019 donation to the Lebanon Soup Kitchen was $275.00. We appreciate your willingness to make this possible each year.

October is National Hygiene Month

Here is our latest eNewsletter. If you did not receive this via your email, please contact us to update that information. Enjoy!

Alarming Link Between Untreated Gum Disease and Oral Cancer

As you can see from our logo, laser dentistry is very important to Dr. Clark. He has invested time, money, and education into bringing this state-of-the-art technology to our office.  He has seen many lives transformed because of this technology. 

Fight Gum Disease.com featured this article about the link between gum disease and oral cancer: 

The Alarming Link Between Untreated Gum Disease and Oral Cancer

Oral cancer accounts for just 2-4% of all cancers, but that number is on the rise. Because of the lack of pain associated with oral cancer, early detection and treatment plans are unfortunately rare. Gum disease is also often undertreated due to a lack of noticeable symptoms. Gum disease, if left untreated, can have a whole host of effects on your mouth and body — including the loss of your teeth. New research suggests that gum disease and oral cancer may be more related than we thought.

What is Porphyromonas gingivalis?

Now, porphyromonas gingivalis — bacteria found in chronic gum disease — is being blamed partially for the development of oral cancer. P. gingivalis is the bacteria “most highly associated with the chronic form of periodontitis, and can be detected in up to 85% of the disease sites,” according to a study in the Journal of Periodontology.

According to nutritional periodontist Dr. Alvin Danenberg, “the aggressive behavior in dental plaque may be a direct result of chronic systemic inflammation and a compromised host response. Once P. gingivalis becomes pathogenic, the immune system has a difficult time killing it.”

As a chronic condition, P. gingivalis is capable of not only causing damage to the periodontal region, but also spreading to other parts of the body, causing other diseases. A study found that oral cancer cells and cancer stem cells became more aggressive after repeated infection by P. gingivalis.

Treating gum disease to prevent oral cancer

Treatment of P. gingivalis, then, is critical in the prevention of oral cancer. The LANAP protocol is a treatment method that can get into the spaces underneath the gum tissues around the teeth that are infected with P. gingivalis. It’s also the only treatment method FDA cleared as scientifically proven to regenerate bone and tissue lost to gum disease.

Making sure you are regularly seeing your dentist and asking them to scan for gum disease is the first step to making sure your oral health stays in tip top shape. Don’t let something that seems mild snowball into a life-changing event.

Recap

• Both gum disease and oral cancer are undertreated due to lack of symptoms
• New research suggests a link between the bacteria that causes gum disease, P. gingivalis, and oral cancer
• The spread of P. gingivalis from your mouth to the rest of your body can also cause other illnesses, including other types of cancer
• Regular dental checkups and effective treatment of gum disease are necessary to ensure both your oral and overall health

Getting More Mileage from Your Mouth

The American Dental Association has a fun analogy comparing our oral health care health to a car's health. 

Getting oil changes, stopping for gas and going through the car wash are the things you do without a second thought to keep your car in tip-top shape. So what are you doing for your teeth? Prevention is the best medicine when it comes to taking care of the things you depend on most. Get the most mileage out of your mouth by using these strategies in your dental care routine.

Watch What Gets In Your Grill
A grill on a car keeps harmful things from getting under the hood. Think of your own grill as a filter system for your entire body. Everybody’s mouth is full of germs—some good, some bad. The bad ones can cause cavities and gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss. Severe gum disease is also associated with other medical problems, like diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

Keep Your Fuel Tank Full
You wouldn’t put just anything in your fuel tank, so be aware of what you're putting in your mouth. Keep your engine running with a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables. 

Practice Preventative Maintenance
Your car won’t get very far without fresh oil and proper tire pressure. Your teeth also need regular care. Daily brushing and flossing are the best ways to keep your mouth healthy. 

Get a Tune Up
Taking your car in for a tune up can extend the life of your vehicle and catch small repairs before they turn into big fixes. Regular visits to your dentist and good dental habits can prevent many dental diseases and will keep you smiling for years to come.