Unfortunately if you want to keep your teeth longer then you have to take care of them longer. That is the hard part. The good news is that on the whole Americans are keeping their teeth longer.
It is estimated that around 178 million Americans are missing one tooth and more than 40 million Americans have lost all of their teeth. However as we age the problem unfortunately gets worse with around 30% of Americans between 65-74 not having any natural teeth.
There are many reasons that individuals lose their teeth from menopause, to dry mouth conditions to poor dental hygiene and a lack of adequate dental insurance. A worrying trend is that there is a prevalence of severe tooth loss among individuals with chronic diseases and now 6 out of 10 individuals in the US have a chronic disease. Many factors such as menopause, heart medication and dry mouth can exacerbate these problems as well diabetes which is unrelenting in the damage it does to the periodontium.
Periodontitis is one of the leading causes of tooth loss. The buildup of plaque, tartar and bacteria can have devastating effects on the gums over time. This causes inflammation below the gumlime and can cause inflammation in the rest of the body making you a poor host for COVID 19 - one of the reasons that those with periodontal disease react worse to COVID infections.
Unfortunately few patients know about the links between periodontitis and cardiovascular disease and we do our best here to educate patients about the links to the cardiovascular system, the elevated risk for cancers and Alezheimers. Most of my diabetic patients are aware of the bi-directional relationship between periodontal disease and blood sugars. We now know it is essential to control the level of periodontal disease in an effort to tame blood sugars and vice versa.
My tips to patients with periodontal disease are as follows:
- Brush 3 times a day. Using a fluoride toothpaste and be careful not to brush the gums. Be aware of over brushing and use a soft brush going gently over the teeth.
- Floss every day.
- See the dentist every 6 months.
- If you have periodontal disease then be diligent about deep cleanings. Ask your dentist for antiseptic chips or antibiotic microspheres that can help with reducing space between pockets.
- Use an antimicrobial mouthwash.
Since COVID 19 we have seen a definite uptick in periodontal disease and dental emergencies among our patients. The worrying part is how this translates for the country as a whole since total body health and mind is inextricably linked to the condition of our teeth. We will know in 10 or 15 years what the effect of COVID 19 and missed trips to the dentist has caused. In the meantime I can only practice what I preach.
Jim Sarji, DDS
Jim Sarji, DDS is a dentist in Park Slope and thepractice owner of Advanced Gentle Dentistry of Park Slope. The practice was started 20 years ago in Park Slope and offers teeth cleanings, root canal treatments, dental fillings, dental crowns, dental implants, emergency dentistry, dental bridges, emergency dentistry and all forms ofcosmetic and general dentistry. The practice is open Monday to Saturday and accepts most insurances. If you are looking for an emergency dentist in Park Slope and you have a dental emergency the call us on 718-499-2375.
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