Happy New Year! It is hard to believe that 2016 zoomed past so quickly but here we are. We wish you much success in this coming year. Here are some interesting tidbits for your reading.
The Periodontal /Systemic connection:
As we already know, periodontal disease has a relationship with diabetes, heart issues, stroke, adverse pregnancy outcomes, obesity, erectile dysfunction, cancer, respiratory diseases and kidney diseases. It now also has a triggering and sustaining inflammatory immune response for rheumatoid arthritis and possibly Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, it is extremely important to diagnose and treat periodontal disease.
Bleeding gums are not normal. The appearance of bleeding gums may just be poor home care or neglect, but it can also mean systemic issues such as diabetes, HIV, Lupus or other autoimmune issues are present.
Periodontal disease affects over 50% of the adult population. Are you recognizing it and addressing it in your office? Is the 6 month regular recall enough maintenance? Are you or your hygienists cleaning the teeth subgingival, utilizing adjunctive and localized antibiotics where necessary?
If a patient continues to present with probing depths over 4mm, chronic bleeding, puffy tissues and root planing and scaling is not resolving these issues, what do you do? Often, minimally invasive therapies are not enough and as periodontists we have therapy options that you may not have in your office. Our goal is get your patients healthy and help you maintain them. Early diagnosis and prevention is the key to a healthy and happy patient population.
Vacation?
Are you or your patients going on vacation? If so make sure any dental issues are addressed before leaving. Changes in pressure from flying or even scuba diving can lead to dental pain, sinus issues, and broken teeth due to clenching and grinding.
Jolene’s tip:
The winter weather can lead to very dry skin and even dry mouth syndrome. Place a humidifier in your bedroom to minimize the lack of moisture to sooth your dry tissues. Make sure you thoroughly clean it on a weekly basis with bleach to eliminate mold and bacteria.