Alzheimer's and Gum Disease

We frequently see the effect gum disease has on dental stability at the Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group. Weakened gum tissue makes it easier for teeth to fall out and implants to fail. But teeth aren’t the only things imperiled by gum disease. New research has shown a link between Alzheimer’s disease and oral bacteria, drawing new attention to how closely tied oral health is to the rest of the body.

Porphyromonas gingivalis, one of the bacteria species that causes gum disease, defends itself against white blood cells by secreting toxic enzymes called gingipains. Although gingipains are common, scientists found them at elevated levels in the brains and spinal fluid of people who displayed symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Further research determined that gingipains trigger the creation of neural plaque, which disrupts brain function and leads to Alzheimer’s.

In the past few months, new research was published on the movement of P. gingivalis in living humans. Scientists found evidence that P. gingivalis can travel from the mouth to the brain and that it likely speeds the development of Alzheimer’s. Although they do not believe the gum disease is the sole cause of neural plaque formation, it does seem to be a significant contributor. People with Alzheimer’s are also less able to care for their gum health, creating a vicious circle. We encourage all our patients to maintain regular dental appointments so they can get deep cleanings and to carefully monitor themselves for signs of gingivitis. Their teeth aren’t all that’s on the line.

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.

 

GERD and Sleep Apnea

When we repair and replace teeth at the Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group in Austin, we are often fixing damage caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Acid reflux causes enamel erosion on the back teeth, making them more sensitive. In order to prevent it, patients need to understand how it has been linked to another disease with dental repercussions, obstructive sleep apnea.

The two diseases are often comorbid and mostly occur in people who are overweight. It is possible that one contributes to the other. When people suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, their bodies move their jaws in an attempt to keep their airways open. They may be doing this in response to the acid in their esophagi obstructing air flow. When people grind their teeth in their sleep, enamel is lost and they often wake up with pain in their teeth, as well as their jaw, head, and neck muscles. This pain may also cause them to get less or lower-quality sleep.

Recent studies have shown that common treatments for sleep apnea, such as CPAP machines, also reduce the frequency of acid reflux, leading scientists to think sleep apnea may cause the brain to send a signal which contributes to acid reflux. Other things people can do to reduce their risk of acid reflux include cutting back on dairy and fatty meats, as well as onions, garlic, alcohol, and chocolate, and avoiding large meals before bed.

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.

 

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.

 

Can People with Diabetes Get Implants?

November is American Diabetes Month, and at the Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group, we’re dedicated to helping our patients manage how these diseases affect their oral health. People with diabetes have higher rates of periodontal disease than other people, which means they may wind up needing prosthetic teeth.

Gingivitis and its advanced form, periodontal disease, result from bacteria eating sugar stuck to the teeth. People with elevated blood sugar are at worse risk of developing gingivitis, and people with periodontal disease tend to experience more bouts of uncontrolled blood sugar. In the worst cases, they lose teeth as a result, but doctors historically questioned whether they were good candidates for implants. Diabetes causes wounds, including the surgical incisions necessary for implant placement, to heal more slowly, and inflammation was believed to harm implants. However, newly collected data published in the Journal of the American Dental Association found that people with uncontrolled diabetes do not suffer unusually high rates of implant failure. They may take longer to heal from incisions and case-by-case consultations are always necessary, but it looks like people with diabetes can benefit from prosthodontics.

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.