TTC_03_15_17_Vol.13-No.20.p1-12
TTC_03_15_17_Vol.13-No.20.p1-12
TTC_03_15_17_Vol.13-No.20.p1-12
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Page www.TheTownCommon.com March <strong>15</strong> - 21, 20<strong>17</strong><br />
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Health & Wellness<br />
By J. Peter St. Clair, DMD<br />
I understand that periodontal<br />
disease is a major cause of tooth<br />
loss in adults, but is there anything<br />
I can do about it?<br />
Gum disease—periodontal<br />
disease—often progresses slowly,<br />
without pain, over a long period<br />
of time. This is one reason why it<br />
is common among older adults.<br />
The longer the disease goes<br />
undetected and uncontrolled, the<br />
more damage it causes to gums and<br />
other supporting tissues. Although<br />
periodontal disease is caused by<br />
bacteria, other factors can increase<br />
the risk or severity of the condition.<br />
These include food left between the<br />
teeth, smoking, smokeless (spit)<br />
tobacco use, badly aligned teeth, illfitting<br />
bridges or partial dentures,<br />
poor diets and some systemic<br />
diseases such as diabetes.<br />
Although periodontal disease is<br />
common, it can be controlled or<br />
arrested. In its early stages, it can<br />
be reversed. Treatment of advanced<br />
cases may require surgery. Look for<br />
these warning signs and see your<br />
dentist if you notice any of them:<br />
bleeding gums when you brush; red,<br />
tender or swollen gums; gums that<br />
Surgeons who are rude or<br />
disrespectful can result in<br />
patients having postoperative<br />
complications, a recent study<br />
in the JAMA Surgery journal<br />
concluded.<br />
The two-year study was a big<br />
one, involving 32,<strong>12</strong>5 patients.<br />
Researchers examined the<br />
records of all those patients,<br />
looking for patterns of medical<br />
complications within 30 days of<br />
surgery. They correlated Patient<br />
Advocacy Reporting data from<br />
patients and family members<br />
who had complained about<br />
rude behavior with the data<br />
from patients who experienced<br />
Brighter Smiles...<br />
Dental Changes with Age – Part 2<br />
have pulled away from the teeth;<br />
pus between your teeth and gums<br />
when the gums are pressed; loose<br />
teeth or teeth that are moving apart;<br />
any change in your bite; any change<br />
in the fit of your partial dentures;<br />
constant bad breath or bad taste.<br />
My dentures don’t feel as<br />
comfortable as they once did.<br />
Before I see the dentist, should I<br />
try some different products myself<br />
to try to improve them?<br />
Your dentures were made to<br />
fit precisely. If they are cared for<br />
properly, they do not change<br />
shape. They can become loose due<br />
to natural changes in the gums<br />
and bone supporting them. As the<br />
jawbone begins to shrink, so do the<br />
gums. In addition, the teeth wear<br />
over time and become less effective<br />
during chewing. Most dentures<br />
should be replaced every 5-8 years.<br />
When your dentures do not fit<br />
properly, see your dentist as soon<br />
as possible so adjustments can be<br />
made. Professional relining of the<br />
denture may extend its lifespan.<br />
Do not try to change the fit of your<br />
dentures yourself. This can damage<br />
them and make them unrepairable.<br />
If I have full dentures, do I really<br />
need to see the dentist as often as<br />
before?<br />
Even if you no longer have<br />
your natural teeth, you should<br />
see your dentist once a year for an<br />
oral examination. The dentist will<br />
examine your mouth to check for<br />
any problem with the gum ridges,<br />
the tongue and the joints of the jaw,<br />
Senior Scene<br />
Rude Surgeon Should Raise Red Flags<br />
surgical complication, medical<br />
complications or readmission.<br />
The end result: Nearly 14<br />
percent of those patients had<br />
complications such as surgicalsite<br />
infections, pulmonary or<br />
renal conditions, stroke, urinary<br />
tract infections and more. Each<br />
complaint in the preceding<br />
two years increased the chances<br />
of a patient experiencing<br />
complications.<br />
The problem extends to more<br />
than the doctor being brusque<br />
or rude to a patient. If a doctor<br />
acts that way toward a nurse,<br />
anesthesiologist or any member<br />
of the medical staff, that person<br />
might be hesitant to speak up if<br />
something seems suspect during<br />
the surgery.<br />
Of course, malpractice is a big<br />
worry for doctors and hospitals.<br />
as well as screen for oral cancer. For a<br />
variety of reasons, many older adults<br />
are more susceptible to oral diseases,<br />
including oral cancer. About 95<br />
percent of all cancers are found in<br />
people over age 40. However, many<br />
of these cancers are treatable if<br />
detected early. Oral tissues are also<br />
checked for signs of other diseases<br />
that can first manifest themselves in<br />
the mouth.<br />
I am currently taking medication<br />
that my physician prescribed for<br />
me. Can this affect my dental<br />
treatment?<br />
When your dentist asks for your<br />
medical history, be sure to provide<br />
complete, up-to-date information<br />
on your health. Inform your dentist<br />
if you have experienced recent<br />
hospitalization or surgery, or if<br />
you have recently been ill. Also tell<br />
the dentist the names, doses and<br />
frequency of any medications you<br />
are taking, whether prescription<br />
or over-the-counter products, and<br />
the name of your physician. This<br />
information will help the dentist<br />
to select the most safe and effective<br />
method of treatment for you.<br />
….to be continued<br />
Dr. St. Clair maintains a private<br />
dental practice in Rowley and<br />
Newburyport dedicated to healthcentered<br />
family dentistry. If there are<br />
certain topics you would like to see<br />
written about or questions you have<br />
please email them to him at jpstclair@<br />
stclairdmd.com. You can view all<br />
previously written columns at www.<br />
jpeterstclairdentistry.com/blog.<br />
Part of this study was to point<br />
out to high-risk doctors just how<br />
their interpersonal behaviors,<br />
with patients as well as medical<br />
staff, can cause negative physical<br />
outcomes that can lead to those<br />
lawsuits.<br />
So, what can you do as a<br />
patient? It’s tempting to read<br />
comments that patients leave in<br />
doctor-rating websites. Know,<br />
however, that the worst doctors<br />
can get glowing online reports,<br />
real or not. Your best bet is to<br />
schedule a consultation with your<br />
potential surgeon. Ask a lot of<br />
questions. A good doctor should<br />
be glad to have an informed<br />
patient and will happily tell you<br />
what you want to know without<br />
belittling you or being rude.<br />
(c) 20<strong>17</strong> King Features Synd.,<br />
Inc.