The Connection Between Gum Disease and Cirrhosis

More research comes out every week about the importance of oral health. That’s hardly a surprise to us at Alta Loma Dental Care, but we’re happy to see the effects of gum disease getting more attention. A new study examined the relationship between gingivitis and cirrhosis and found that periodontal therapy can have some unexpected benefits.

When the liver is healthy, it filters toxic substances out of our blood. But when it is chronically inflamed, it can develop scar tissue that prevents it from doing its job. The body will suffer widespread inflammation as a result, including in the brain, which can result in mood swings and a loss of cognitive function. Liver disease and gum disease can both be caused by smoking and excessive alcohol, so it is unsurprising that they would often be present in the same people. But gum disease is also common in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, despite their not seeming to share a common etiology.

To study the connection, researchers divided people with both diseases into a group that received gum disease treatment immediately and one that received it later. They found that when the patients were treated, their cirrhosis symptoms also significantly improved compared to the control group. Their cognition was better, and they had higher counts of gut bacteria that prevent inflammation. Scientists are still working out the exact relationship, but they’ve also found bacteria that cause gum disease in the liver. We hope our patients will take this research as evidence of how beneficial regular cleanings can be.

Alta Loma Dental Care is at 7283 Carnelian St, Alta Loma, California, 91701. To schedule an appointment, call 909-987-6268 or visit Alta Loma Dental Care and fill out a contact sheet.

 

A Whiter Smile Next Year

Everyone likes to make a make a great impression with a nice bright smile.  Alta Loma Dental Care provides an at-home whitening system to patients that you can use to whiten and brighten your smile gradually at home.  Patients with serious and minor stains can both see great results from this whitening treatment.  A consultation can help you determine how severe your stains are and what kind of results you can expect from a whitening treatment.  Come visit us about teeth whitening and start the New Year with your best smile!

To whiten your teeth at home, we outfit patients with whitening gel and a set of custom trays for application.  A dentist takes an impression of your teeth, and from this impression two custom trays are made for your top and bottom teeth.  The trays are made for you to take home and use by applying gel to the trays and then fitting them over your teeth. The dentist’s recommendation of how often to treat and how long each treatment should last may vary.  When following the dentist’s recommendations, most patients see results of teeth whitening 4-8 shades.

To learn more about teeth whitening and all the services we provide at our practice, visit www.altalomadentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment in our Alta Loma, CA office, call Alta Loma Dental Care at 909-987-6268.

Have You Had A Cleaning This Year?

The doctors and staff of Alta Loma Dental Care encourage all our patients to maintain a great oral health routine at home, but it is still important to come into the office for regular professional cleanings.  During the holidays, we want everyone looking forward to the New Year and maintaining great oral hygiene!  However much you brush and floss, some harmful bacteria grow in your mouth that cause gum disease and can only be removed by a dental professional.  Schedule a cleaning and ring in the New Year with your best smile!

It’s important to see a professional regularly not just to clean your teeth, but also to locate and monitor areas in the mouth that may need special attention, and a dentist can tell you if you may be missing a spot or skipping an important step in your regular oral care routine.  During a teeth cleaning, a hygienist thoroughly clean the area above and below the gum line with scaling tools to rid them of plaque and tartar. After the surfaces of the teeth are cleaned, the hygienist flosses between every one of your teeth and may apply fluoride if recommended by the dentist. Come see us for a cleaning to make a great impression during the holidays!

To learn more about the services we provide, visit www.altalomadentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment in our Alta Loma, CA office, call Alta Loma Dental Care at 909-987-6268.

Smoking with Sleep Apnea

Smoking cigarettes will exacerbate any respiratory condition, and it is proven to cause snoring and lead to obstructive sleep apnea.  Patients struggling with sleep apnea should come visit us at Alta Loma Dental Care for evaluation. We can help patients find relief from sleep apnea with a snore guard, but quitting smoking is up to you!

Smoking causes upper airway inflammation, meaning the swelling causes the airway to narrow and disrupts the flow of air to the nasal passage and throat.  This causes snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.  Cigarettes are highly addictive, and some smokers seek treatment for sleep apnea like a snore guard or CPAP machine, but continue to smoke. Smoking with sleep apnea not only puts more stress on the heart every day, but negates any treatment a sleep apnea patient is undergoing.

Habitual smokers may feel relaxed by one last cigarette for the day, but it actually creates more complications for restful sleep. Smokers can experience nicotine withdrawal overnight, causing more waking up and restlessness.  Quitting smoking cold turkey is very difficult, but even lessening the amount of cigarettes or avoiding smoking at nighttime can help you achieve more restful sleep.  Most smokers cannot quit on their own or on their first attempt, so don’t get discouraged!

To learn more about sleep apnea and the treatments we provide, visit www.altalomadentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment in our Alta Loma, CA office, call Alta Loma Dental Care at 909-987-6268.