Mind your mouth

So many people struggle with alcohol and drug abuse and suffer from mental health problems. Poor mental health and risky behaviors can be devastating to the body and lead to poor physical health, including poor oral health.

Depression and stress can cause people to grind their teeth to the point of fracture. Eating disorders, like bulimia and anorexia nervosa, where the person throws up frequently, can cause tooth erosion, problems with the tongue, and difficulty swallowing . 

Tobacco use leads to stained teeth and eventually causes tooth loss because the gums and jaw bone have been affected. Pot users experience dry mouth and greenish-black staining on the teeth. Because marijuana burns at a hotter temperature than tobacco, pot smokers subject the tissue of their mouths to a high degree of heat. Research has now shown that e-cigarettes and vape are also damaging to the health, whether or not they contain nicotine (E-cigs may be useful in helping smokers quit, but more research is needed.)

Alcohol abuse dries out the tissues of the mouth and can damage the salivary glands. Use of alcohol and tobacco together are known to put people at higher risk for oral and throat cancers. Drinkers who also smoke are at a seventy-times higher risk of developing cancer versus those who use either tobacco or alcohol alone. 

People who use drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamine, or heroin, experience a multitude of dental health problems including stained and decayed teeth, loose teeth, dry mouth, inflammation of the mouth and gums, and sinus problems.

Drug and alcohol abuse affect every part of a person’s overall health but there are many ways to get help. If you are struggling with an addiction or feeling overwhelmed, please speak with someone today. You can’t keep your body healthy if your mind is hurting.

January 22 - 28 is National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week. For resource and other information visit: 

https://www.ncadd.org/blogs/in-the-news/national-drug-and-alcohol-facts-week-ndafw-is-coming-january-22-28-2018

additional source: Kisely S. No Mental Health without Oral Health. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry Revue Canadienne de Psychiatrie. 2016;61(5):277-282. doi:10.1177/0706743716632523.

This blog is not intended to treat or cure any disease. If you need medical or dental treatment, please seek the help of a doctor or dentist.

The Great American Smokeout, November 17, 2016

During the Great American Smokeout, held on the third Thursday of each November, the American Cancer Society asks smokers to quit even if just for one day. After 20 minutes of not smoking, heart rate and blood pressure decrease; after 12 hours, carbon monoxide levels in the blood drop. The longer a person stays smoke-free the more health benefits are gained.

image from cancer.org

Smoking also affects the mouth and teeth in very serious ways. 

Smoking increases risk for:

• oral cancer (cancer of the mouth)
• esophageal cancer (cancer of the throat)
• periodontal disease (gum disease that leads to bone loss)
• cavities
• tooth loss
• black hairy tongue (Google an image of it)
• dry mouth
• bad breath

Diseases caused by smoking and second hand smoke are preventable. Quitting, if only for one day, is the first step to better health.

For more information about The Great American Smokeout and how to quit smoking, visit:

http://www.cancer.org/healthy/stayawayfromtobacco/greatamericansmokeout/

cdc.gov, ada.org, cancer.org. This blog is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition. If you need medical or dental treatment, seek help from your doctor or dentist. If you smoke, QUIT!

November is American Diabetes Month

Diabetes and the Mouth

More than 30 million people in our country have diabetes, with another 80 million who are pre-diabetic and 7 million undiagnosed, making diabetes one of the largest health care concerns in our nation. The American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org) has declared November as American Diabetes Month to bring awareness to the disease.

In addition to complications such as heart attack and stroke, diabetics also suffer from oral health problems. Diabetes is an illness that clearly demonstrates how disease in the body can affect the mouth and how good oral health habits can impact the body in a positive way. 

Diabetics often have periodontal issues, especially bleeding gums. Since diabetics have a compromised immunity, their bodies have a hard time fighting infection and a hard time healing. This, along with high blood sugar levels, creates an environment ideal for plaque germs to thrive. 

Medications such as cholesterol and heart meds that diabetics often take to treat multiple systemic conditions can cause dry mouth, a serious oral condition. (See my post on dry mouth, http://bit.ly/1iVx5dE). Diabetics may also be prone to thrush, a fungal infection. This shows up in the mouth as sore red and white patches.

People with diabetes should take their medications, eat right, exercise,

A healthy diet is important for everyone.
(photo Y. Mikalopas)

and take very good care of their mouths. Diabetics should know their A1C test results (average blood sugar level,) and inform their dentist and dental hygienist of any medication changes or changes in medical treatment. Because the disease pathway of diabetes runs both ways, taking care of the teeth and gums can help diabetics keep blood sugar and infection under control.

In order to help people who have questions about diabetes, USA.gov is sponsoring a question and answer series on Facebook and Twitter over the next couple of weeks. Use #YesSalud to participate and to get more information.

This blog is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition or illness. Please see your medical or dental professional for treatment. Take care of yourself!

Your Heart in Your Mouth

"My heart was in my mouth" is an expression I have always loved and a friend of mine used to use it all the time.  At 14 years old she already had a job working in a local bodega, (that's the Brooklyn version of a convenience store only smaller and selling more beer and cigarettes than anything else,) and I thought she was super-sophisticated.  She certainly met a lot of colorful characters and nary a shift went by that something nerve-wracking hadn't happened along the bustling avenue where she worked.

The phrase came to mind the other day as I was reading an article on dental treatment of patients with heart disease.  It is so important that patients with cardiovascular disease inform their dentists and dental hygienists of any changes in their heart health or medications.  Certain procedures, such as valve replacement or stent placement, may require premedication or even delay non-emergency treatment.  Medications for heart disease, ranging from high blood pressure meds to blood thinners also have effects on the mouth such as increased bleeding or dry mouth. Patients who have had strokes may find it difficult to brush or floss due to loss or decrease of function on the affected side of the body and need to adjust their dental home care routine accordingly.

Although people with gum disease do have a higher incidence of heart disease even after accounting for other factors like diabetes or risky health habits like smoking and drinking, no definite cause and effect relationship between the two has been proven.  More research is being done to figure out this relationship and determine if treating gum disease can help to improve heart health in cardiovascular patients or even help to avoid heart problems in the first place.  Until that determination is made, however, it just makes sense to recommend that people with heart disease take excellent care of their teeth and gums.  Tooth decay and gum disease are completely preventable with good daily oral hygiene which reduces inflammation in the mouth as well as the rest of the body.

Brushing at least two times a day for two minutes and flossing every day keeps your mouth healthy, may keep your heart healthy, and will probably keep you from feeling like your heart is in your mouth at your next dental hygiene visit.

This information is not intended to treat or diagnose any condition.  If you have a dental or medical problem or concern PLEASE see your dentist or doctor!  

Diabetes and Your Mouth

Do you have diabetes?  Do you know your A1C?  Do you know that having diabetes can harm your gums and your teeth?  Not only can diabetes contribute to gum disease and cavities, having gum disease can make diabetes worse. 

An A1C test determines the average amount of sugar in your blood.  In general, consistent results of 5.7 to 6.5 are considered pre-diabetic and 6.5 and over is considered diabetic.  A level of 7 and above is considered uncontrolled. 

Diabetes is an inflammatory disease that affects the whole body and also has an effect on the mouth.  There are many signs of diabetes in the mouth.  Out of control blood glucose levels exaggerate the body’s response to germs that are present in plaque.  This results in inflamed, swollen gums and gum disease may progress very quickly in diabetics.  Germs in the mouth also use sugar as fuel so high blood sugar levels may lead to an increased incidence of cavities.  Dry mouth caused by medications or dehydration can contribute to cavities as well.  Diabetes may also cause thrush, a yeast infection in the mouth.   

The relationship between diabetes and gum disease is very well established.  It is so important to take excellent care of the teeth and gums if you have been diagnosed with diabetes.  If inflammation in the gums is not treated it can be very difficult to control blood glucose levels.  Brushing and flossing as well as regular dental hygiene visits are essential.  Treating other signs of the disease such as dry mouth is also necessary to prevent cavities.  If you have diabetes it is imperative to discuss any oral symptoms with your doctor, dentist and dental hygienist.

To learn more about diabetes, including symptoms and risk factors, visit the American Diabetes Association website where you can take their diabetes risk quiz:

http://www.diabetes.org/are-you-at-risk/diabetes-risk-test/?loc=atrisk-slabnav

(Like their website says “It takes only 60 seconds and it could save your life!”)

This information is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical or dental condition.  Please see your doctor or dentist for treatment.  You'll feel better and stop worrying!  

Drugs and Dry Mouth (The Top Five Prescription Drugs)

Dry mouth (also called xerostomia,) can be very uncomfortable.  Your entire mouth including the lips, tongue and throat can become very dry if saliva production decreases.  Having dry mouth can making eating uncomfortable or painful and can cause bad breath.  It can lead to higher levels of plaque, tooth decay, and dentures that are ill-fitting.  It may even cause an outbreak of thrush, a yeast infection that can occur in the mouth.  Unfortunately, dry mouth is a common side effect of many medications.  While saliva levels can return to normal if a medication is discontinued, this is not an option for many people.  If a medication needs to be taken for a long period of time or permanently, dry mouth must be managed to maintain the health of the mouth and teeth.  The mouth, after all, is meant to be a wet place!  Dry mouth symptoms can be managed by sipping water frequently, chewing sugarless gum or sucking on sugarless candies, using lip balms and with products like Biotene.  Biotene is sold in drug stores without a prescription as a rinse, spray or gel.  It acts by lubricating the mouth and holding in moisture.  (For more information see http://m.biotene.com/) There are also store brands available.  Since saliva production decreases during sleep, using this kind of product before going to bed may be very helpful.  It is also very important to continue to brush and floss regularly if you have dry mouth.  Below lists the five most commonly prescribed drugs. ( http://www.drugs.com/stats/top100/sales ) 

Three of them - Abilify, Nexium, and Advair Diskus - can cause dry mouth.

1-      Abilify (aripiprazole) – treats depression. 

2-      Nexium (esomeprazole) – treats GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) and reduces stomach acid.

3-      Humira (adalimumab) – treats rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriasis; also may be used to treat Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

4-      Crestor (rosuvastatin) – lowers “bad” cholesterol

5-      Advair Diskus (fluticasone & salmeterol) – for treatment of asthma and COPD.  

Dry mouth can interfere with your quality of life and the health of your mouth so speak with your doctor, dentist, dental hygienist or other health professional about ways to manage it.

This information is not intended to treat or diagnose any dental or medical problem or illness.  Please visit your medical or dental health professional if you need medical or dental treatment!