Let Dr. Ross help
you keep your teeth for your lifetime!
Did you know that 1 out of every 4 people who have periodontal
disease will suffer a heart attack or stroke? Scary stuff,
right? Well, it doesn't have to be.
Dr. Ross is one of the leading experts in the fields of Periodontics
and Dental Implantology!
Dr. Ross's mission is to place you on a regular program to
monitor the overall health of your mouth
How Often Do I Need to See My Dentist
or Periodontist?
The American Academy of Periodontology recommends that periodontal
patients report to their dentist or periodontist every three
months for cleanings or periodontal maintenance. Periodontal
patients are people that have been diagnosed with periodontal
disease (those with 5mm periodontal pockets or greater), have
previously been treated for periodontal disease, or have proven
to be susceptible to periodontal disease.
Once you fall into one of these three categories, you are
best served with four cleanings per year for the rest of your
life!
The placement of dental implants does not change this regimen.
Dental implants can also suffer from periodontal disease if
plaque gathers under the gum tissue. This form of periodontal
disease is called peri-implantitis. A periodontal patient
benefits when the four annual cleanings are alternated between
their dentist and periodontist, two cleanings per year in
each respective office.
If you have any signs of periodontal disease, call Dr. Ross!
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PERIODONTAL DISEASE
Periodontal disease is a localized or generalized infection
bone around our teeth. This differs from gingivitis which
is solely restricted to the gingiva or gum tissue. Patients
get the periodontal infection when plaque gathers around their
teeth. If this plaque is not removed by brushing & dental
floss it can creep below the gum-line. If not removed from
underneath the gingiva (by flossing, WaterPik, a professional
cleaning, etc.) the plaque calcifies or hardens. This material
is then called calculus or tartar. Calculus cannot be removed
with flossing and requires a dental cleaning. If left on the
root surfaces the calculus initiates a response that includes
bone resorption. Bone loss is indicating by periodontal pocketing.
This periodontal disease can often times be prevented with
proper oral hygiene (brushing and flossing) and routine trips
to the dentist for cleanings. Ongoing research also indicates
a clear link to a patient's susceptibility, immune response
and genetic links in patients.
Many systemic conditions can contribute to the susceptibility
and progression of a periodontal infection. Cigarette smoking
is the most common situation resulting in accelerated bone
loss. The number of years a patient smokes is the most telling
factor. Other conditions such as Diabetes are also critical
in the patient's periodontal health! Call Dr. Ross today at
the Pinellas Dental Specialties Institute to inquire about
your periodontal health and learn about treatment options
to save your teeth.
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PREVENTING
PERIODONTAL DISEASE
In most cases the prevention of periodontal disease is
ensured by two important factors. First a regular routine
of visiting your dentist for professional cleanings is required.
The American Academy of Periodontology states that 4 cleanings
per year, or every 3 months, is recommended for prevention.
This is because of a patient's inability to clean at the necessary
depths underneath the gum. Flossing has limited effectiveness
at depths over 3mm. unfortunately, even with the most diligent
dental home-care, people still can develop some form of periodontal
disease. Genetic susceptibility, immune responses, & inflammatory
pathways all play a role in the bone resorption process of
periodontal disease. There are also systemic factors that
play a role in the progression of periodontal disease and
the resultant infection and tooth loss: Diabetes, the length
of time a patient has been a smoker, stress, etc.
In addition nutrition can play a large role in your periodontal
health. Please visit the Nutrition section on the Pinellas Dental Specialties website to learn more about the connection
between periodontal disease and nutrition. Dr. Ross' wife
Evelyn is available for nutrition counseling in Largo, FL and can be easily reached at Evelyn@drkenross.com.
Contact Evelyn today to get on the road to periodontal health
as it relates to your nutritional needs!
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RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN PERIODONTAL DISEASE and SYSTEMIC DISEASE
Periodontal Disease Increases The Risk For Heart Attack
and Fatal Stroke
Twenty percent (1/5) patients with severe periodontal disease
are at risk to suffer a heart attack or fatal stroke. A 6000
person study has confirmed that periodontal disease is associated
with early signs of heart disease. Patients with moderate
or severe periodontal disease have a higher chance of thickened
carotid artery walls than those with no disease. Certain bacteria
live in the plaques that thicken the arterial walls. Patients
with severe periodontal disease had oral bacteria in over
40% of arterial plaques.
Periodontal Disease Causes PreTerm Low Birth Weight Babies
In a 2004 study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill, Drs. Offenbacher and Beck found female pregnant patients
with periodontal disease are 5 times more likely to give birth
to a pre-term low birth weight baby. Other studies have confirmed
that one out of five babies given birth to mothers with periodontal
disease suffer from pre-term low birth weight.
Periodontal Disease May Influence the Course of Diabetes
Mellitus
In the Compendium (2000) Dr. Louis Rose reported
a review of research on the link between periodontal disease
and diabetes. A clear relationship has long been established
between diabetes and periodontal attachment loss. Attachment
loss, and ultimately tooth loss, is more prevalent in diabetics
with periodontal disease. Evidence now suggests that periodontal
infections in individuals with diabetes have an adverse effect
on glycemic control. In addition there is a significantly
higher incidence of proteinuria and macrovascular complications
in diabetics with severe periodontal disease. These macrovascular
complications include stroke, transient ischemic attack, angina,
MI, and heart failure).
Retained Third Molars Enhance Chance of Periodontal Disease
In a study by Elter, et al., the Third National Health and
Nutrition Survey determined that the presence of visible third
molars resulted in a 1.3 times greater chance in having gingival
bleeding and two times greater the chance for periodontal
probing depths greater than 5 mm on the adjacent second molar.
There is also an increased risk of periodontal defects in
the anterior region with retained third molars. The mandible
is more prevalent than the maxilla. In all of these instances
smoking was found to double the patient’s risk of periodontal
infections.
Osteoporosis May Increase Risk of Periodontal Loss
A study reported in the Alpha Omega Journal found there might
be a link between bone density reduction and tooth loss from
periodontal disease. here appears to be link between bone
mineral density and clinical attachment loss in postmenopausal
white and Asian populations. his information coupled with
previous studies connecting the number of teeth in the jaw
and bone density seems to associate these two factors.
Chronic Inflammation Linked To Severe Periodontal Disease
Researchers at the University of North Carolina found that
levels of C-Reactive Protein (CRP) are higher in people with
severe periodontal disease. CRP is produced in the body when
inflammation is present and is a good predictor of impending
heart attacks. Periodontal diseases are chronic and low grade
in a majority of cases, which leaves the heart vulnerable.
Bacterial Plaque Can Increase Risk Of Pneumonia
Dental plaque pathogens linked with pneumonia in the elderly:
A study from the State University of New York at Buffalo has
found that good oral health may help protect the elderly from
contracting pneumonia. They have shown that dental plaque
is a reservoir of respiratory pathogens that can cause pneumonia
of elderly institutionalized patients. Twenty-eight out of
forty nine patients in this study were found to have respiratory
pathogens in their dental plaque samples. This study is suggesting
a link between the burden of dental disease and the incidence
of respiratory events.
Link Established Between Periodontal Diseases and Respiratory
Diseases
An increase in the bacterial burden may play a role in exacerbation
or progression on COPD. An improvement in oral hygiene and
treating periodontal disease could decrease oropharyngeal
colonization by pathogenic bacteria. This reduction could
reduce death from serious respiratory infections. (Dentistry
Today, August 2003).
Alcohol Abuse Results In A Higher Incidence Of Periodontal
Disease and Potentially Precancerous Lesions
One third of the patients in this study were at risk for a
precancerous lesion or periodontal disease, which the researchers
attribute to alcohol consumption. 82% of the patients had
a severe gingival inflammation. This study was co-authored
by Dr. Sebastian Ciancio of the State University of New York
at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine.
Link Between Obesity and Periodontal Disease Found
The prevalence of periodontal disease among young adults,
ages 18-34, was 76% higher than that among normal weight young
adults. There was also an association found between underweight
young adults and a decreased prevalence of periodontal disease.
Reasons given for the association between obesity and periodontal
disease included: less than the recommended dietary allowance
for calcium and vitamin C, and chronic stress. These factors
proved more prevalent in this particular age group. (Case
Western Reserve, 2003 as reported in the Journal of the American
Dental Association).
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Dr. Ross
Will Put A Smile On Your Face!
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