Can My Dental Health Be Connected to My Physical Health?

A recent article in the Huffington Post states...“During the winter months we’re all susceptible to colds, coughs and chesty viruses due to the drop in temperature.

"What people must remember, particularly those highlighted as vulnerable, is that prevention can be very basic. Systemic links between gum disease and overall health have been well documented, and at this time of year keeping up good oral health can really help stave off illness."

He added: "Simply brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste, cleaning in between teeth daily with interdental brushes or floss, cutting down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks and visiting the dentist regularly, as often as they recommend will be a great starting point.

"If you have swollen gums that bleed regularly when brushing, bad breath, loose teeth or regular mouth infections appear, it is likely you have gum disease.

Visit our website at www.sutordds.com, get in touch with us at 812-333-4550 or check out our office facebook to learn more about how Dr. Sutor can help you discover the state of your oral health.

STRESSING OUT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON?

Money worries, family in town for the holidays, Christmas shopping, believe it or not, the season’s stresses may show up in your mouth.

Watch out for signs of stress-related oral disorders!

Research has shown that emotional factors played a significant role in the development of adult gum (periodontal) disease. Researchers also discovered that the severity of gum disease increased with amount of stress (from spouse, children, lack of companionship, finances or work) experienced in a patient’s previous 12 months.

Fight those Holiday Stressers with the following helpful hints...

Remove the source of stress. If that’s not possible, these other activities may help reduce your tension:

Counseling
Exercise such as yoga or jogging
Relaxation or meditation
Massage
Physical therapy

It’s also important to continue to practice good oral hygiene. People who are going through stressful events tend to compromise their oral care. To prevent stress from affecting your oral health, you should continue to brush twice a day, floss every day and have your gums and teeth regularly evaluated by your dentist.

Dr. Sutor & his team here at the Periodontal & Dental Implant Center of Southern Indiana wish all of our family and friends the happiest of holidays and a Merry Christmas!

Don't Let Bad Breath Ruin Your Christmas Kiss!

Tis the season for mistletoe...don't let bad breath ruin your Christmas kiss!

Men's Health - October 2011 had a great article on making sure to have your dentist/periodontist check out your bad breath dilemma. Check it out online!

Christmas hint from the elf: Pick yourself up a pack of eucalyptus gum!

Merry Christmas from our office to you all!

Dental Health Throughout the Stages of Your Life

Stages of your Life - 20's & 30's

Things to keep an eye on:

Sensitivity - the aging process causes gums to recede naturally which exposes the rooth of our teeth; enamel begins to soften as well. These 2 occurences can cause shock or zing when eating something cold. Proper brushing techniques are key to avoiding receding gums as well as using a soft bristled brush and hold it at a 45 to 60 degree angle toward your gums - gently brush up and down, not side to side; as that side to side motion can be hard on our gums. Choosing a toothpaste or mouth rinse with fluoride can also be helpful. Dr. Sutor does a minor surgical procedure here in our office that can repair the tissue around a root where gum tissue has receded. Call our office and speak to one of our experienced team members about how Dr. Sutor can help with this very common gum condition.

Stress - Stress can cause grinding and gnashing of your teeth. Often this occurs while you're sleeping so you are unaware of it. This type of trauma to your teeth causes your teeth to wear down and increases your risk for cavities. You should check with your dentist if you often wake up with headaches or a sore jaw. He/she can fit make you a protective mouth guard for you to wear at night.

Soda - Soda pop is very acidic, and the acid content in those soda can erode enamel of our teeth. Using a straw can decrease the liquid's contact with your teeth, and make sure to rinse out your mouth with water after you drink. It seems odd, but don't brush your teeth immediately after you have acidic foods or drinks as it can actually worsen the erosion.

Cosmetic Considerations - It is not too late for braces at any age to fix a uneven or crooked smile. Invisalign is a nice alternative to the traditional braces and can work equally as well. Check with your dentist or an orthodontist to find out your options.

Stages of your Life - 40's

Older Fillings - Whether you have a white or tooth colored filling or a silver filling, over time fillings begin to loosen, crack, and wear down causing decay in our teeth. See your dentist regularly for them to evaluate the condition of your fillings.

Gums - Research has shown that there is a link between periodontitis (gum disease) and an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory conditions, and many other health issues. If your gums are sore or red, or if they bleed when you floss, talk to your dentist, who should refer you to a peridontist (Dr. Mark Sutor :)) so that they can properly evaluate the stage of your gum condition. There are so many up to date ways to treat gum disease at this time that you can have this condition treated many times with minimal discomfort and time involved. Dr. Sutor has successfully treated thousands of Hoosiers with a variety of stages of gum disease over the last 20 years. In recent years, he has begun using a unique laser that provides patients the same quality of treatment with minimal discomfort. Call our office to find out more!

Exercise Level - Whether you believe it or not, how active you are, may determine the health of your smile. Studies have shown that people who had the lowest BMI were at the lowest risk for periodontal disease. Results did not determine for sure why people who take care of their bodies seem to take better care of their teeth, but that did seem to be the case.

Cosmetic Considerations - While we love to enjoy our coffee, tea and wine, over time they may tend to cause staining of your teeth. Talk with your dentist about the different whitening options available to you whether in office or over the counter.

Stages of your Life - 50's & 60's

Dry Mouth - Medications can often cause your to experience a "dry mouth". Saliva is very important to flushing away unwanted bacteria so it is important to keep your mouth moist by drinking lots of water, chewing sugarless gum, and sucking on sugarless candies. Dr. Sutor's hygienist will often provide our patients with Biotene, a fantastic line of dental toothpaste, mouth rinse, gum cleanser, etc...that assists with relieving oral dryness and the symptoms of a dry mouth.

Your Bones - As you age, your risk of weakening of the bones or osteoporosis, increases significantly. Older women with osteoporosis have been shown to be more likely to lose teeth. Dental x-rays taken by your dentist or specialist can help identify osteoporosis symptoms such as loose teeth. Check with your medical doctor about calcium and vitamin D that could be added to help decrease your chance of osteoporosis. Dr. Sutor's office has a CT scan xray machine on site as well as digital x-rays that can assist with diagnosing possible oral symptoms of osteoporosis.

Suspicious Sores - Sores that don't go away within 2 weeks can sometimes be a sign of a more serious condition. Check with your dentist or periodontist (Dr. Mark Sutor :)) if you have questions about suspicious sores you may have in your mouth. Dr. Sutor has been able to help diagnose numerous different oral conditions over the years and would be happy to evaluate your concerns at anytime.

We hope that this information has been helpful. We would love to have the opportunity to chat with you about your dental concerns! Call our office at 812-333-4550 or visit our website at www.sutordds.com. You can also check us out on facebook, twitter, and you tube. Periodontics & Dental Implant Center of Southern Indiana - Dr. Mark Sutor, the place people come to have a healthy smile!

Dealing With Cracked Corners

Cracked Corners of the Mouth
Understanding angular cheilitis or perleche

Cracking of the corners of the mouth is a common condition that is frequently seen in both the offices of dermatologists and dentists. It is known as perleche or angular cheilitis (“angular” – angles; “cheil” – lip; “itis” – inflammation). Perleche is derived from the French word, “lecher,” meaning to lick, and is characterized by excessive licking of the affected areas — either as a result of irritation or because of it. This condition is further characterized by redness and cracking of the skin at the corners of the lips.

There can be a variety of causes with the majority of them being “local,” meaning they arise from inside or around the mouth. Although uncommon, systemic (bodily) diseases may predispose to perleche as well. Once the corners of the mouth are fissured or cracked, saliva accumulation and contamination can lead to infection. The most common infection is from yeast called, “candida albicans.”

Outside The Mouth Going In

Perleche is found most often in children and younger adults who drool during their sleep and/or have orthodontic braces. In older adults, part of the aging process causes skin wrinkling with superficial or deep lines extending from the mouth and down the chin called, “marionette lines.” Wrinkling is the result of skin thinning from sun damage and constant exposure to the environment over the years, and with fat and connective tissue loss, the lips thin as well. Perleche may be more evident in the winter with colder weather and drier air. Cracking of the corners of the mouth, and subsequent licking to keep them moist, sets the stage for infection.

Inside The Mouth Going Out

Conditions inside the mouth leading to perleche include anything that affects normal and healthy saliva flow or causes mouth dryness that in turn leads to infection.
Other causes include:
Denture stomatitis (“stoma” – mouth; “itis” – inflammation) is an inflammation of the tissues under a denture. If dentures are not removed and cleaned regularly, dryness and subsequent chronic yeast infections can develop.
A lack of teeth, especially the back teeth that support the face, cheeks and lips, can lead to bite collapse with subsequent cracking or fissuring at the corners of the mouth, also giving rise to a prematurely aged look.
Systemic (general body) conditions like iron-deficiency anemia, B vitamin deficiency, diabetes and cancer can also lead to changes in the health and integrity of the oral mucous (mouth) membranes.
These conditions can predispose people to yeast infections, and perleche at the angles of the mouth.

Fixing The Cracks At The Corners

Chronic yeast infections may cause only minor discomfort while acute infections can affect the whole mouth and throat. In either case, they can be treated with a course of oral or topical antifungal (yeast) medication. Nystatin may be used as a troche (a small medicated lozenge designed to dissolve) that is rinsed with and then swallowed so that it works in the mouth and throughout the body. Antifungal ointments can also be applied liberally to the corners of the mouth several times a day to clear infection. They may be used in combination with a steroid ointment to control redness and inflammation, as well as zinc oxide paste or ointment, which is a barrier (skin) repair agent that has antifungal properties.
If infection arises from inside the mouth, it is likely to recur if only the corners of the mouth are treated. Chlorhexidine rinses can also be used to treat minor oral yeast infections. It is also effective for cleaning and scrubbing dentures; however, it is important to leave them out at night.
Optimal oral health and proper lip support from within the mouth can lessen or remove the cracking and wrinkles at the lip corners.
Although not as common, any systemic conditions that cause perleche will also need to be treated. Your dentist should also replace any missing teeth and ensure that dentures are properly fitting. Optimal oral health and proper lip support from within the mouth can lessen or remove the cracking and wrinkles at the lip corners. He/she should verify that oral hygiene is good, gum tissues are healthy and teeth decay free.
Modern dermatology can provide a variety of ways to treat lip wrinkles and marionette lines associated with perleche, and improve skin quality in general. This ranges from proper skin care to laser resurfacing. Facial fillers and fat may be used to replace the loss of connective tissue in the lips and provide support due to aging. Laser, fillers and other techniques can be used to remove both superficial and deep wrinkles and result in a healthier, rejuvenated appearance. This subject will be covered more fully in an upcoming issue of Dear Doctor magazine.

A Patient Shares Her Story

Wisdom Teeth Removal = A Pleasant Experience?

Another one of the many services Dr. Sutor provides is wisdom teeth extraction.
Not all general dentists are eager to remove wisdom teeth, either because they feel they are too difficult, or just not a service they are comfortable offering their patients. That's when they will usually refer a patient out to a surgeon. Specialists do these types of extractions routinely, therefore are much better equipped the majority of the time to offer this type of procedure.

Having a periodontist remove these wisdom teeth is also easier on the patient as it is typically a much quicker process and less traumatic. A patient can use oral sedation or nitrous with Dr. Sutor and can have a pleasant dental experience. Another benefit to having a periodontist remove your wisdom teeth is the delicacy with which they deal with removing the teeth and managing the surrounding gum tissue which can affect your overall dental health for years to come.

We would love the opportunity to consult with you if you have concerns about wisdom teeth removal or if your general dentist has suggested you have this type of procedure done.

Feel free to call us today at 812-333-4550 or visit our website and request an appointment on www.sutordds.com. You can also check us out on Facebook/Twitter/You Tube.