Gum Disease and Cirrhosis

Better oral health can improve overall health. At Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, we’re excited to share news about dentistry with our patients. Recent studies have shown a promising link between combatting periodontal disease and combatting cirrhosis, which we hope will inspire people to take better care of their gums.

When the liver is inflamed for a long time, it risks scarring over and not being able to filter harmful chemicals as well. This is cirrhosis, and it results in inflammation throughout the body and diminished cognitive ability. Cirrhosis and gum disease commonly occur in the same people due to alcohol and smoking, but gum disease is also unusually common in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This prompted researchers to study if the two conditions affected each other.

In a recently published study, scientists compared people with cirrhosis who underwent periodontal therapy to people who did not. They found that people who were treated for gum disease had fewer toxins that impede cognition and more bacteria that reduce inflammation. More research is needed to determine why better oral hygiene would improve cirrhosis symptoms. Scientists have theorized that people without gum disease inhale less disease-spreading bacteria. But if someone is struggling with their health, a dental cleaning is an important step toward recovery.

Kathleen M. Falsey, D.D.S., operates Bayberry Dental Care at 8014 West 171^st St, Tinley Park, Illinois, 60477. To schedule an appointment, call 708-802-8300 or visit Bayberry Dental Care and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Alzheimer's Disease and Oral Bacteria

If you’ve kept up with your brushing and flossing, you might see some unexpected benefits later in life. That’s the conclusion of several recent studies investigating a link between oral bacteria and Alzheimer’s disease. Patients suffering from gingivitis can expect compassionate treatment at Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, but we wanted to pass along this news to inspire our readers to keep up their oral hygiene.

One of the bacteria species that causes gum disease is Porphyromonas gingivalis. It secretes an enzyme called a gingipain that is commonly found in brains and spinal fluid, but is especially common in people with Alzheimer’s. Testing on animals revealed that gingipains destroy brain cells and trigger the production of substances that comprise the neural plaque that disrupts Alzheimer’s patients’ neurological function.

Additional recent studies have shown that P. gingivalis is able to spread from oral infections into neural fluid, including in the brain. Scientists do not expect oral bacteria to be the sole cause of Alzheimer’s, but they say this could be an important piece of the puzzle and are developing new drugs based on this research. We know that Alzheimer’s patients have difficulty maintaining their oral hygiene, and this could create a feedback loop. However, patients may be able to prevent Alzheimer’s from beginning by keeping their teeth clean and keeping regular dental appointments.

Kathleen M. Falsey, D.D.S., operates Bayberry Dental Care at 8014 West 171^st St, Tinley Park, Illinois, 60477. To schedule an appointment, call 708-802-8300 or visit Bayberry Dental Care and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Diabetes and Gum Disease

If you suffer from diabetes, you are especially vulnerable to gum disease. We treat all our patients with compassion at Bayberry Dental Care, and we want them to understand how their oral health ties into their overall health. In the cases of people with diabetes, we are committed to providing the support they need to keep their gums strong and free of pain, and we want them to know more about why working with us is so important.

Studies consistently show that people with uncontrolled blood sugar have elevated levels of gingivitis symptoms such as bleeding gums, redness, and soreness. The exact connection is not completely understood, but we do know that people with diabetes have a more difficult time fighting infections in general. Inflammation is the immune system’s initial response to an infection or injury. It helps to isolate pathogens, but prolonged inflammation can ultimately damage tissues. If gingivitis progresses into periodontal disease, the gums and jaw bone tissue will recede, leaving teeth loose and sensitive.

At regular dental examinations, we provide thorough cleanings that will help stop gingivitis from developing. We also provide scaling and root cleaning to remove decay from the gum pockets that patients can’t reach on their own. Despite their elevated risk, it is possible for people with diabetes to maintain good oral hygiene. Best of all, there is evidence that other diabetes-related inflammation tends to improve as patients’ oral health improves.

Kathleen M. Falsey, D.D.S., operates Bayberry Dental Care at 8014 West 171^st St, Tinley Park, Illinois, 60477. To schedule an appointment, call 708-802-8300 or visit Bayberry Dental Care and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)

Dry mouth isn’t just frustrating; it also increases the risk of oral infections. At Bayberry Dental Care, we offer treatments for getting this condition under control and preventing the damage it causes, but we want our patients to know why they should seek help.

Saliva helps to keep bacteria from growing out of control by removing food debris. It also provides teeth with an environment in which they can maintain their protective membranes, decreasing the odds of a crack developing through which bacteria could infect their pulp. Many cases of dry mouth occur as a side-effect of medications, but older women are particularly at risk for Sjögren’s disease, which dries out the eyes, as well as the mouth.

Drinks which are high in caffeine, alcohol, and sugar are contributors to dry mouth. Patients should try cutting back on them and chewing sugar-free gum or candy in order to stimulate more saliva production. They may also need to buy throat moisturizers as a substitute if they cannot get a medication causing dry mouth changed. Humidifiers can help people with dry mouth to sleep better at night, and with better sleep, the overall performance of their immune system should improve.

Kathleen M. Falsey, D.D.S., operates Bayberry Dental Care at 8014 West 171^st St, Tinley Park, Illinois, 60477. To schedule an appointment, call 708-802-8300 or visit BayberryDentalCare.com and fill out a contact sheet.