Causes of Filling Failure

Previously on our blog, we’ve discussed warning signs of a failing dental filling. Patients at the Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Center in Austin receive high-quality care, but fillings have a limited lifespan and sometimes need to be replaced. This week, we’re discussing what factors could cause a filling to fail.

According to newly published research, some of the most common factors in filling failure are smoking, alcohol, and genetics. While there’s nothing that can be done about genetics except increasing vigilance, alcohol, and smoking are two factors which cause a variety of oral health problems and are linked to the failure of other prosthodontics. Smoking is associated with higher rates of implant failure, and although the study only examined smoking in men, alcohol was found to increase the risk in both sexes. Of course, continued tooth decay was already known to contribute to filling failure. Another interesting result of the study was that white fillings do not have a higher rate of failure than old amalgam fillings, meaning that they are an aesthetically-pleasing alternative with little risk.

Frederick Shaw, DDS, operates the Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group at 1500 W 38^th Street, Suite 34, Austin, Texas, 78731. To schedule an appointment, call 512-451-7491 or visit Frederick Shaw DDS and fill out a contact form.

 

Gum Disease and Stomach Cancer

We hope that all of our patients at the Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group in Austin are taking good care of their oral hygiene, but in case they aren’t, researchers have given them a new reason. According to a recent study, people with periodontal disease are at increased risk for stomach cancer.

There are many factors which raise the likelihood of gum disease and stomach cancer, with smoking being one of the most obvious. We also know that factors in the stomach, such as acid reflux, can have a negative effect on oral health. But this study provides evidence of a causative relationship between oral pathogens and precancerous stomach lesions. Research subjects who had stomach lesions also had higher rates of gingivitis and harmful bacteria and were frequently people who didn’t floss. Scientists believe that gum disease may help to explain the presence of stomach cancer in some people who don’t exhibit other known risk factors.  Given how deadly stomach cancer is, maintaining regular oral hygiene is a small price to pay to reduce the odds of contracting it. If you need help with gum inflammation, contact our office so we can help restore the health of your mouth, and hopefully, your stomach.

Frederick Shaw, DDS, operates the Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group at 1500 W 38^th Street, Suite 34, Austin, Texas, 78731. To schedule an appointment, call 512-451-7491 or visit Frederick Shaw DDS and fill out a contact form.

 

Alcohol and Oral Cancer

Among the people needing dental reconstructive surgery at the Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group are those battling oral cancer. Many people are aware that tobacco use is a major risk factor for oral cancer, and there is growing awareness that HPV is linked to cancer in the oropharynx. But the American Society of Clinical Oncology recently made news by announcing that alcohol on its own is also a potent risk factor.

The exact mechanism by which alcohol leads to oral cancer has long been debated. One theory holds that its chemical composition breaks down mouth tissue, and when the tissue rebuilds, its DNA may be compromised, causing tumors to develop. It is known with certainty, however, that smoking and drinking alcohol together massively increase the risk of oral cancer. But the new study from the ASCO found that even moderate or light alcohol use alone increases the risk. This is true regardless of the type of alcohol consumed, although people who drink heavily are still at much greater risk than moderate and light drinkers.

The good news is that the ASCO also found that ceasing use of alcohol lowers the risk of oral cancer in the upper aerodigestive tract (which includes the mouth and throat). In the long term, the risk of oral cancer in people who quit drinking declined to the level of people who never drank.

Frederick Shaw, DDS, operates the Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group at 1500 W 38^th Street, Suite 34, Austin, Texas, 78731. To schedule an appointment, call 512-451-7491 or visit FrederickShawDDS.com and fill out a contact form.