The connection between dental health and heart health has recently become more clear due to several studies that found oral bacteria in the arterial plaques of heart patients. Inflammation is the driving force behind arterial disease and along with many other factors, pathogens from the mouth lead to inflammation in the blood vessels.

So How Do the Pathogens Get There?

50% of the population over 30 years old has gum disease. Inflamed and bleeding gums act as an open wound, and the pathogens involved with gum disease are released into the blood stream during chewing and brushing.

How Does This Lead to Heart Disease?

The disease agents flowing through the blood attach themselves to the wall of arteries, causing inflammation those areas. The body sends cholesterol to these sites in order to patch up the affected areas, but these cholesterol plaques cause narrowing of the arteries, which increases blood pressure. An increase in blood pressure damages the blood vessels and causes the heart to work harder to pump blood into all the tiny blood vessels in the body. Additionally, the plaques can break free from the artery wall and get caught in a blood vessel, stopping blood flow to the brain or vital organs. This is called a stroke.

What Can Be Done About It?

From a dental standpoint, meticulous oral hygiene at home is a must. You should floss and brush your teeth twice daily for at least two minutes. Using a power toothbrush like our Oral-B GENIUS brushes will help with your efficiency. However, a professional dental cleaning is the only way to remove the hardened calculus deposits on teeth that initiate the inflammatory response that is the hallmark of gum disease. Additionally, a heart-healthy diet provides many benefits for our dental health too. We’ll cover that in another post!

Consult with Our Expert Team

We provide therapies to treat, as well as prevent gum disease in our Waynesville, NC dental office. Let’s work together to keep you heart-healthy and smiling!

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Each year, thousands of young adults leave for college, and for many, this is the first time they have been away from home for an extended period. Without Mom or Dad on hand to crack the whip, many students easily slide into bad habits afforded them by the freedom of the college lifestyle. Late night pizza runs, Red Bull-infused study sessions, hurried ramen noodle meals, post-breakup ice cream binges, and a multitude of eye-popping desserts in the cafeteria all contribute to the dreaded “freshman 15.” Invariably, students arrive home for the holidays looking more…well, more.

Dental Consequences of the “Freshman 15”

At Michael Gillespie Family Dentistry, we also notice the “freshman 15″—as in 15 new cavities! Or 8, or 5, or 11. The same poor health habits that lead to weight gain have the added disadvantage of promoting tooth decay. Couple this with a relaxed approach to brushing and flossing and you have a recipe for dental disaster.

5 Cavity Prevention Tips

To prevent having a mouth afflicted by tooth decay, bad breath, and gum disease at the end of the semester, have your student follow Dr. G’s Dental 101 Course Guidelines:

Make Daily Oral Hygiene a Priority

Brush your teeth with a fluoridated toothpaste and either a manual toothbrush or an electric toothbrush twice a day for two minutes each time. Floss between your teeth at least once a day with string floss or a Waterpik^® water flosser, and rinse your mouth at least a few times a week with an alcohol-free antibacterial/antiplaque mouthwash.

Limit Unhealthy Foods & Beverages

Limit your consumption of refined sugars, such as pizza, potato chips, soda, candy, etc. Moreover, limit beverages that can damage your teeth, like soda, coffee, fruit juice, energy drinks, and sports drinks.

Eat Tooth-Healthy Foods

As much as possible, eat fresh vegetables, whole fresh fruit, dark leafy greens, nuts, fish, lean protein, and foods high in calcium like yogurt and cheese.

Drink Water & Chew Sugar-Free Gum

Drink plenty of water throughout the day, and consider chewing sugar-free gum after snacks and meals to stimulate saliva production and to help wash away residual food particles.

Schedule Your Checkup

When you’re visiting home, make sure to come visit us for your routine dental cleaning and checkup. Every six months, we want to make sure your oral health is in A+ condition.

Extra credit points and a confidence boost to all students that call their family at least weekly! Share this post with your student to help them have excellent dental health while pursuing their studies. Be sure to remind them to schedule their cleaning and checkup. Contact us for more cavity-prevention tips.

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School days, school days, dear old Golden Rule days! Now that summer is fading, it is time to develop a good routine for success at school and at home. Here are several tips to ensure you get an “A” in dental health in this upcoming school year!

Get an Exam Before School Starts

This will allow you to address any problems before you get busy with academics, sports, and other activities.

Develop a Daily Flossing & Brushing Regimen

Floss your teeth first to remove food debris and plaque, then brush with an ADA-approved toothpaste. Two minutes, twice daily. Stop by our office and pick up a free 2-minute tooth timer, compliments of our team!

Pack Healthy Snacks & Lunches

Forego the sugary drinks and snacks that can lead to tooth decay. Instead, pack your lunchbox with raw fruits and vegetables, cheese, and yogurt. Skip sodas and substitute milk or water. Our bodies are 60% water, so stay hydrated!

Wear a Sports Mouthguard

Many dental emergencies can be prevented by wearing a simple “boil-and-bite” mouthguard, which can be found in many local drug stores. Protect those permanent teeth from flying elbows and helmets!

Best wishes for a successful school year. We can’t wait to see what you accomplish! Be sure to visit us every six months.

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You’ve waited all year for your summer vacation, and the last thing you need is to have it ruined with dental issues! Here are several tips to prevent and handle tooth problems while traveling.

Pack the essentials for daily oral hygiene & an emergency.

Make sure you pack your toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss. Bring a container of Ibuprofen or Tylenol in case you or fellow travelers need pain relief. If you have a temporary crown in place, take some temporary dental cement in case it dislodges. If you need an antibiotic pre-medication for dental treatment, have some on hand.

Add our number to your contact list.

Many dental issues are not true emergencies and some advice over the phone may help in determining if you actually need to seek care. Don’t hesitate to call Michael Gillespie Family Dentistry at 828-456-9007 to discuss your problem with us. That’s why we’re here!

Brush with bottled water.

Most places have potable water, but if you find yourself in an exotic country, or even camping in the backcountry, you want to avoid parasites. Give yourself peace of mind by brushing with bottled water.

Take it easy out there!

Since we practice in a vacation area ourselves, we have seen many emergencies for travelers over the years. One of the most common is a fractured tooth. Avoid chewing ice and hard candies, and be careful in your activities. We have treated people who have fallen in creeks, dove into shallow pools, and fallen while skating. Fractured teeth are more complicated to treat while traveling, so be watchful of your surroundings!

Have your teeth checked before you travel.

A complete exam, both visual and radiographic, allows us to evaluate any potential problems that need to be addressed before you leave. Schedule your appointment by contacting us today!

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The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 50% of Americans have gum disease. So what, exactly, is gum disease?

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an infection of the gum tissues caused by bacteria in the mouth. It begins when dental plaque is not adequately removed, allowing the plaque to mineralize and adhere to the teeth. These hardened plaques are referred to calculus or tartar. The body recognizes these deposits as foreign, much like a splinter, and sends its’ blood cells to attack and remove them. This causes the tissues to become inflamed and bleed easily. The bony ridges that anchor the teeth are also attacked, leading to bone loss and loose teeth.

You can prevent or minimize periodontal disease by being meticulous with your dental home care. Having your teeth cleaned and evaluated by your dental professionals will also help prevent these traumatic tissue changes.

We Have a complete periodontal prevention and maintenance program at our office, and use specialists for severe cases that require additional therapy. Don’t lose your teeth to gum disease! Call us for a professional evaluation in our Waynesville dental office.

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month. This is a great time to get informed on the causes, signs, and symptoms of oral and oropharyngeal cancer.

• FACT: Approximately 80% of oral cancer patients use tobacco. Tobacco use, both smoking and smokeless forms, has a well-established link to oral cancer. Be aware of any color or textures changes in the lips, cheek pouch, or side of tongue.
• FACT: Approximately 70% of oral cancer patients are heavy drinkers. The combination of drinking and smoking together exponentially increases the chance of oral cancer.
• FACT: 35% of oral cancers are positive for Human Papilloma Virus 16. This is likely due to an increase in the acceptance of oral sex. These cancers are more typical in the back of the throat and oropharynx.
• FACT: Most oral cancers are detected in Stage III or IV, when the 5-year survival rate is 20-50%.

If a self-examination reveals difficulty in swallowing, as well as any lumps, bumps, ulcers, or discolorations of the oral tissues, do not hesitate to get a professional screening. Our oral cancer exam consists of a tactile and visual exam using Oral ID fluorescence technology to aid in the diagnosis of oral lesions. We perform this exam as part of our routine 6-month check-ups and for all new patients. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information. You may also click HERE to visit the American Cancer Society page on oral cancer.

Research has found that people with gum disease are twice as likely to have heart disease. The link between the two is still being studied, but it is a fact that the same bacteria found in the mouth is found in the blood vessels of those who suffer from hardening of the arteries. Inflammation of the oral tissues breaks down the barrier between the mouth and the underlying connective tissue, releasing bacteria into the blood stream. It is thought that this bacteria adheres to fatty deposits in the blood, contributing to blockages. This initiates an inflammatory response which causes the walls of blood vessels to swell, reducing blood flow. Blood pressure can increase, which can cause clots to form and plaques to break loose from the walls, possibly leading to strokes. In addition to improving heart health by following a low-fat, high-fiber diet, exercising regularly, and avoiding smoking, your dental health regimen can aid in lowering your risk for cardiovascular disease. We recommend:

• Having a complete dental cleaning, including a doctor’s exam and diagnostic x-rays done at the interval recommended by your dentist. The interval will vary according to your particular need.
• Brush and floss your teeth adequately in the morning and before bed. We recommend the Oral-B Genius Power Toothbrush, which enables you to access all surfaces of the teeth more efficiently than a traditional toothbrush.
• Eat foods high in Vitamins A and C which contribute to oral health. These include oranges, strawberries, bell peppers, broccoli, and kale, among others. These are also rich in antioxidants.

A healthy smile equals a healthy heart. Don’t hesitate to contact us to see how we can help you get both!

Many adults who had orthodontics in their youth have experienced orthodontic relapse, in which the teeth shift back to their original state. The thought of wearing braces again is not appealing to many adults and that’s where ClearCorrect aligners can fill the gap.

The procedure involves impressions of both arches, either with traditional impression material or with our new digital optical scanner. These are uploaded to the ClearCorrect lab, where the teeth are manipulated digitally into the ideal set-up. Using 3D printing technology, a series of firm, plastic aligners are fabricated. Each aligner moves the teeth incrementally until they are ready for the next in the series. This is repeated until the teeth reach their ideal place in the arch.

Treatment generally takes from 3-12 months, depending on the amount of straighening needed. We have been providing orthodontic services for over 16 years. ClearCorrect is another tool in our orthodontic bag that allows us to straighten teeth for adults. This month we are offering complimentary orthodontic assessments. All new cases started in January and February 2018 will receive a $100 Amazon gift card!

 

A beautiful smile is a social asset as well as a sign of good health. Teeth that are properly positioned are easier to clean and therefore, maintain for a lifetime. At our Waynesville, NC office, Michael D. Gillespie, DDS offers several modes of orthodontic treatment to straighten teeth for children and adults alike.

• Traditional braces — a rchwires are affixed to small brackets that are bonded to the teeth. Today’s brackets are smaller and move teeth more quickly than in the past.
• ClearCorrect — a series of clear aligners are worn for two weeks at a time and are virtually invisible. Clear aligners are ideal for minimally crowded and rotated teeth.
• Inman Aligner — a removable appliance consisting of a spring assembly that provides light forces to each side of the arch, gently straightening the teeth.

Through January and February, we are offering a complimentary assessment to see if we may meet your orthodontic treatment goals. Call our Waynesville, NC office at 828-456-9007 to see if our tooth straightening options are a possibility for you. As an added bonus, each orthodontic case started in January and February will receive a $100 Amazon gift card! The office of Michael D. Gillespie, DDS is located at 611 S. Haywood Street in Waynesville, NC.

ind out how this long-term tooth replacement could boost your appearance!

Dental implants are pretty amazing restorations because they are the only ones that actually both look and even act similarly to natural teeth. This is because our Waynesville, NC, dentist Dr. Michael Gillespie places this small, biocompatible titanium post into the jawbone, where it naturally fuses together with the bone and tissue in your mouth so that you can enjoy a permanent and stable base from which to hold a false tooth.

Plus, dental implants offer an array of wonderful benefits for your oral health that you probably didn’t even realize. Here are just some of the ways that getting dental implants in Waynesville, NC, could greatly improve your smile:

They preserve the overall strength and durability of your jawbone and prevent bone loss (one of the most common complications of tooth loss). No other tooth replacement options actually stimulate the jawbone.

Since the implant prevents jawbone deterioration you also won’t have to deal with structural changes in your face that you would have to deal with if your jawbone began to lose density. Those with bone loss will eventually deal with signs of premature aging since the jawbone will start to recede, causing issues like sunken cheeks.

Once an implant is placed this will fill the gap in your smile where your missing tooth used to be. Filling that gap prevents the rest of your teeth from shifting into that open space, which can lead to crooked teeth, gaps between teeth and other misalignments.

Once an implant fuses together with the jawbone you now have a restoration that could last you the rest of your life. Plus, you won’t have to worry about the implant moving or shifting around in your mouth (like you might have to deal with if you have dentures). This means both speech and chewing are fully restored. So go ahead and enjoy all of your favorite foods again!

With a beautiful, full smile again that you can feel confident in you’ll also feel better about the way you look. Perhaps you were canceling social gatherings because you were embarrassed by gaps in your smile. With implants, now you are ready to improve your appearance and your social life!

If you are ready to get dental implants from our Waynesville, NC, dentist then it’s time you gave us a call. We would be happy to schedule a consultation for you.