Can Oral Health Be Linked to Dementia?

Oral Health is Your Window to A Healthy Body

According to dental researchers, there is a relationship between oral health habits and dementia. In reviewing a University of California study, oral health habits may affect whether a person develops dementia later in life. Researchers measured oral health habits of residents of a Laguna Hills, CA retirement community between 1992 and 2010. They followed 5,468 adults with no previous diagnosis of dementia age and a median age of 81 and determined that participants who reported brushing their teeth less than once per day had up to a 65 percent greater risk of developing dementia than those who brushed three times daily. 

Oral health is a necessary part of overall wellness, and your dentists at South Coast Family Dentistry strongly recommend twice yearly visits for an exam and professional cleaning to remove plaque and tarter buildup and keep decay and disease at bay. Our patients who have been diagnosed with periodontal disease may need more frequent visits depending upon the progression of their oral disease.

Schedule your appointment today by calling us at (541) 982-2175 or click here to request your appointment online! We look forward to serving our Coos Bay and North Bend, OR area patients!

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month

Since people with diabetes are at a greater risk of developing some oral health problems, this is a good reminder of the importance of staying. Some of the common oral health problems associated with diabetes are: gum disease, fungal infections, infections and delayed healing. Periodontal (gum disease) is no laughing matter; it's also connected to heart disease and other health-related issues.

Our friends at www.perio.org tell us:

Diabetic patients are more likely to develop periodontal disease, which in turn can increase blood sugar and diabetic complications.

People with diabetes are more likely to have periodontal disease than people without diabetes, probably because people with diabetes are more susceptible to contracting infections. In fact, periodontal disease is often considered a complication of diabetes. Those people who don't have their diabetes under control are especially at risk.

Research has suggested that the relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes goes both ways - periodontal disease may make it more difficult for people who have diabetes to control their blood sugar.

Severe periodontal disease can increase blood sugar, contributing to increased periods of time when the body functions with a high blood sugar. This puts people with diabetes at increased risk for diabetic complications

For more information and to watch a video on how diabetes can impact your oral health, visit the MouthHealthy A-Z page on Diabetes.

Ready to learn more and schedule your appointment?
We are accepting new patients, and both of our doctors at South Coast Family Dentistry have experience in treating patients with gum disease. Give us a call today at (541) 982-2175 or visit our website for more information.

Why Do I Need A "Deep Cleaning"?

Some patients will need more than a professional cleaning (prophy) for their dental care. Patients with signs of gum disease (periodontal disease) may require more therapeutic types of cleanings to remove harmful plaque and bacteria from below the gumline and on the roots. Your doctor and hygienist will work together to properly diagnose the extremity of your Periodontal Disease and recommend a proper course of treatment.

Gum Disease (Periodontal Disease)
The American Association of Periodontists state that gum disease accounts for approximately 70% of all tooth loss in adults. Early signs of gum disease include bleeding gums when flossing or brushing and gums that are red, inflamed, or swollen.

Gum disease and tooth decay are caused by the same bacteria. These bacteria form plaque beneath the gum-line, which eats away at the bond between tooth and gum. If deterioration is allowed to continue, "pockets" form in between the teeth and the gums. Pockets deeper than 3ml may require special treatment to remove the bacteria and plaque. Without treatment and continuous maintenance, gum disease will eventually weaken the bonds that hold the teeth in place.

There is no permanent treatment for gum disease. However, it can be kept under control with proper personal hygiene and regular visits to a trained dentist or hygienist.

For more information on whether you need a deep cleaning, or to schedule your next cleaning appointment with our Coos Bay, OR and North Bend, OR dentists at South Coast Family Dentistry, give us a call!