Friday, January 15, 2016

Smoking and it's devastating affect in the oral cavity!!!!!

You are probably aware of the devastating effects that smoking and tobacco use can have on your heart, lungs, and other organs. However, you might not be familiar with the whole other “mouthful” of problems caused by tobacco use. For example, tobacco use is a significant risk factor in the development and progression of periodontal disease, which is a major cause of tooth loss in adults.
The sooner you take aim at your tobacco use and quit, the closer you will be to healthy teeth and gums!

Tobacco users are more likely to have calculus, dental plaque that hardens on your teeth and can only
be removed during professional cleanings. If this calculus is not removed and it remains below the
gum line, the bacteria in the calculus will infect the gums causing redness and swelling, otherwise known as inflammation. This inflammation damages the tissues that support the teeth, including the bone. When this happens, the gums can separate from the teeth, forming pockets. Tobacco users often have deeper pockets than people who do not use tobacco. These pockets can then fill with more bacteria, which leads to more inflammation. If the infected pockets are left untreated, the gums
may shrink away from the teeth, making teeth appear longer and possibly causing them to become
loose and fall out.

The detection of periodontal disease is often more difficult in tobacco users. This is because the nicotine and other chemicals found in tobacco products can hide the symptoms  commonly associated with periodontal disease, such as bleeding gums. Since the detection of periodontal disease in tobacco users can be difficult, necessary treatment is sometimes delayed.

Treating periodontal disease in tobacco users can be a difficult task, but not an impossible one. Smoking and tobacco use reduces the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the gingival tissues, weakening the body’s defense mechanisms. This can slow down the healing process and make periodontal treatment results less predictable. For example, dental implants that are placed in a tobacco user’s mouth fail more often than they would in a patient who does not use tobacco. Additionally, the actual treatment of periodontal disease can vary widely depending on how far the disease has progressed. If caught in the early stages, simple nonsurgical periodontal therapy may be used.

Because the treatment of periodontal diseases can be more difficult in tobacco users, your periodontist will urge you to quit your tobacco use. Quitting seems to gradually erase the
harmful effects of tobacco use on periodontal health. One study showed that 11 years after quitting,
a former smoker’s likelihood of developing periodontal diseases was not much different from one who had never smoked. And with the increasing amount of research indicating that periodontal health
may be related to overall health, reducing your risk of periodontal disease is more important than ever. Start taking aim at quitting your tobacco use today and move one step closer to a lifetime of
periodontal health and happy smiles!

Tips To Help You Quit

• Try to pick a stress-free time to quit
• Ask for support from friends and family
• Start to exercise to relieve stress and improve health
• Get plenty of rest
• Eat a well-balanced diet
• Join a support group
• Brush your teeth often
• Spend more time in places where smoking is prohibited
• Find a substitute, such as sugarless gum

Friday, January 8, 2016

Relationship between gum disease and heart disease: how your periodontist can help

Working Together for Healthy Gums and a Healthy Heart

Gum disease and cardiovascular disease are both major public health issues that impact a large
number of Americans every day. While these two diseases impact separate areas of the body,
research indicates that periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease are connected; having one disease may actually increase your risk of developing the other. Inflammation’s Role
Periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease are both considered chronic inflammatory
conditions. Inflammation is the body’s instinctive reaction to fight off infection. Inflammation is
initially good for your body because it helps in the healing process. However, chronic and
prolonged inflammation can lead to severe health complications. Researchers believe that
inflammation provides the basis for the connection between gum disease and heart disease. And
now, periodontists and those who treat cardiovascular disease are working together to provide the
best care to patients.

The Perio-Cardio Connection 

In July 2009, a consensus paper was published in both the Journal of Periodontology and The American Journal of Cardiology. The paper was jointly developed by periodontists and cardiologists. Periodontists are dentists with advanced training in the treatment and prevention of periodontal disease, and cardiologists are doctors who specialize in treating diseases of the heart. The paper summarizes the evidence that links periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease, and  provides clinical recommendations for periodontists and cardiologists to use in managing their patients living with, or at risk for, either disease.  
           

What does this Mean for You?

You might be surprised when your periodontist now asks even more questions about your medical
history, especially questions about your family history of heart disease and any behaviors that
may affect your heart health such as smoking. Your cardiologist may start to ask you about your dental history and might even look in your mouth to evaluate your teeth and gums! These new
recommendations are intended to help periodontist and cardiologists better manage your risk factors for future disease progression, and ensure your wellbeing. Hopefully by working together with your periodontist to ensure healthy teeth and gums, you will also ensure a healthy heart throughout your entire life.

Since several studies have suggested a link between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease, it is more important than ever to take care of your teeth and gums! Brush your teeth twice each day, as well as floss once each day. It is also important to  see your dental professional for routine check-ups. To learn more about gum disease, visit perio.org.

Visit my facebook page for more info on CVD and Gum Disease at https://www.facebook.com/MastersInstitute/
or just search for Dr George Duello and Team

Friday, December 11, 2015

Important info for people with diabebtes! See my office facebook page ( https://www.facebook.com/MastersInstitute/?ref=bookmarks ) to read more about tooth loss and diabetes

Diabetes and Periodontal Disease: A Two-Way Relationship

The American Diabetes Association defines diabetes as a serious disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches, and other food into energy needed for daily life. Approximately 23.6 million Americans have diabetes;
however, 5.7 million of them have not yet been diagnosed.

If you or someone you know has diabetes, you already understand the importance of keeping the disease under control. However, you may not know that good oral health not only keeps the mouth and gums free from periodontal disease, but also might have a significant impact on the control of diabetes. Periodontal disease is an inflammatory response to a bacterial infection that, if left
untreated, may cause damage to the tissues and bone surrounding the teeth and may even lead to tooth loss. People with diabetes are three to four times more likely to develop periodontal disease, which, like any other infection in the body, can impair their ability to process and/or utilize
insulin. Additionally, people with diabetes tend to have more severe levels of bone loss, and often
experience more aggressive disease activity. This can ultimately lead to tooth loss, which can make chewing and digesting food difficult. For people with diabetes, this can have a devastating impact on the ability to maintain proper nutrition and control blood sugar levels.

Just as diabetes can increase a patient’s chance of developing periodontal disease, research
suggests that periodontal disease may make it more difficult for people who have diabetes to control their blood sugar. Periodontal disease increases the body’s systemic inflammatory signals that serve to increase blood sugar. This contributes to increased periods of time when the body functions with an unhealthy blood sugar level. Consequently, it is important for people with diabetes to treat periodontal disease to eliminate the infection for optimal metabolic control.

Periodontal disease is a leading complication of diabetes; therefore, it is important for people with diabetes to know their treatment options. If detected early, a periodontist can provide treatment that can stop the gum disease and bring the gums back  to a state of health, preventing additional bone or tooth loss. In fact, periodontal treatment has been shown to improve blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, suggesting that treating patients’ periodontal disease could decrease insulin requirements.

If diabetes is well controlled, treatment will be similar to the treatment of someone who doesn’t
have diabetes. In the early stages of gum disease, treatment usually includes scaling and root planning, a procedure in which plaque and calculus are removed from the pockets around the tooth and near the gums. People with diabetes may want to schedule their dental appointments early in the morning after they have eaten a normal breakfast in order to stabilize and prevent a severe or sudden drop in blood sugar levels. Upon determining a treatment plan, your periodontist and physician will work together to help you control both your diabetes and gum disease.

Friday, November 20, 2015



DR. DUELLO  at the AAP


Dr. Duello returned from the American Academy of  Periodontology  meeting on Wednesday. he lectured on "Transitioning the Full Arch Terminal Dentition, to a Fixed Implant Solution". Dr. Duello invited his colleague James Mace, DDS  to co-lecture with him. 

Dr. Mace, a general dentist in Washington, MO has collaborated with Dr. Duello on many cases in the past 15+ years. They have become close friends over the years and that relationship hit the "Big Stage" at the AAP meeting. Congratulations to both on a well prepared and well received presentation.

While at the meeting Dr. Duello attended many seminars and mini lectures, providing him with the latest information in the Periodontic field. Dr. Duello was so involved in the learning experience at the AAP meeting that he didn't even have an opportunity to enjoy any extracurricular activities in Florida!!!!


He presented three hands-on live demonstrations focusing on the All-on-4 treatment concept at the Nobel Biocare booth. The All-on-4 treatment concept is an innovative technique that allows for an immediate-function, full-arc, implant-supported prosthesis without the need for any bone grafting procedures even when bone atrpohy exists. Dr. Duello is privileged to be a contributing consultant to Nobel Biocare the largest and most innovative implant company in the world.                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Continuation of our discussion about Nutrition & Oral Health

Nutrition plays an important role in overall wellness, including oral health. Eating well and maintaining a healthy diet can help reduce the risk of developing problems in your mouth, including
periodontal disease. In fact, including certain foods as part of a nutritious diet has actually been shown to play a role in the prevention of  periodontal disease.

Lactic Acid & Calcium

Most people know that dairy products can help build strong bones. What some may not know is that consuming dairy products may also reduce your risk for developing periodontal
disease. A recent study determined that individuals who regularly consume 55 or more grams of foods containing lactic acid, commonly found in dairy products such as yogurt, have a lower instance of gum disease. Dairy products are also a good source of
calcium which has been shown to lower the risk of severe periodontal disease. The American Dietetic Association advises that adults should consume at least three servings of calcium each day to help keep your jaw bone strong and your teeth in place.

Vitamin C

When a cold is coming on, many people reach for the vitamin C. But this vitamin may do more than just fend off the sniffles; it may reduce the risk of periodontal disease. According to a study, consuming less than 60 mg of vitamin C each day can put you at slightly higher risk for developing certain types of periodontal disease. And this isn’t recent news! In fact, in the late 18th century, sailors away at sea would eat limes to prevent their gums
from bleeding! According to the Institute of Medicine, the recommended dietary allowance for vitamin C is 60 mg per day – or about 1 orange.

Vitamin D

Sometimes known as the “sunshine vitamin”, vitamin D can help lessen inflammation associated with periodontal disease. Research shows that foods fortified with vitamin D such as milk, eggs, sardines, and tuna fish, as well as moderate exposure to sunlight, can provide you with the amount of vitamin D required to stay healthy.

Healthy Diet

There may be more reasons to watch what you eat other than maintaining a healthy weight. Studies indicate that obesity may be linked to periodontal disease. Obesity can be the
result of an unbalanced diet, which may lack the nutrients known to help prevent gum disease. Also, excessive consumption of sugary drinks such as soft drinks and foods high in sugars, trans-fats, and sodium are often associated with increased tooth decay and can have a negative impact on periodontal health. Without the proper nutrients from a healthy diet, the body can have a  hard time fighting off infections such as periodontal diseases. And routinely including such things as lactic acid, calcium, and vitamins C and D in your diet have been shown to possibly reduce the occurrence of gum disease. So next time you go to the grocery store or sit down for a meal, remember: eat right to smile bright!

Eat Well and Brush Well

While nutrients such as lactic acid, calcium, and vitamins C
and D have been shown to have a possible effect on periodontal
diseases, patients should  be aware that a well-balanced
diet alone is not a substitute for periodontal care. It is important
to follow up every healthy meal with proper brushing and flossing!

Monday, November 16, 2015

Read to post to LEARN MORE about how your DIET/NUTRITION can affect your ORAL HEALTH!!!!


NUTRITION AND ORAL HEALTH


Milk does a mouth good


Adults who consume at least three servings of calcium each day have another reason to smile. A new study published in the July, 2000 issue of the Journal of  Periodontology found that people who get enough calcium have significantly lower rates of periodontal disease, a leading cause of tooth loss.

Researchers found that men and women who had calcium intakes of fewer than 500 milligrams, or about half the recommended dietary allowance, were almost twice as likely to have periodontal disease, as measured by the loss of attachment of the gums from the teeth. The association was particularly evident for young adults in their 20s and 30s.

The relationship between calcium intake and periodontal disease is likely due to calcium’s role in building density in the alveolar bone that supports the teeth. Periodontal disease is an infection caused by bacteria that accumulate in pockets between the teeth and gums. Eventually, the infection can break down and destroy the tissues and bone that support the teeth. But, if the jaw bone is kept strong with enough calcium, it may be better able to withstand the bacterial onslaught.

Calcium is necessary for healthy bones, teeth, muscle contractions and other body functions. However, according to the American Dietetic Association, about three out of four people do not meet their daily need. Good sources of calcium include dairy foods such as milk, yogurt and cheese, dark green veggies, fortified orange juice, as well as rice and beans.

A relationship between calcium intake and periodontal disease makes sense in light of other new
research linking osteoporosis with tooth loss. However, people need to keep in mind that several other important risk factors exist for periodontal disease, including tobacco use, oral hygiene habits, genetics, diabetes, certain medications and stress. In addition to drinking milk, ask your dentist or periodontist about the state of your periodontal health to help prevent tooth loss. He or she can help you identify and control the risk factors for periodontal disease


Nourish your smile

A diet low in important nutrients can make it harder for the body’s immune system to fight
off infection. Because periodontal disease is an infection, a well-balanced diet benefits your
oral health.

In addition to calcium, research has shown that not getting enough vitamin C may put
you at increased risk for periodontal disease, especially if you smoke. Good sources of
vitamin C include dark colored fruits and vegetables, such as oranges, green and red peppers, broccoli and strawberries.

Here’s some other nutritional recommendations to help keep you smiling:

  • Keep your mouth moist by drinking lots of water. Saliva is important in warding off tooth decay and periodontal disease because it washes away food and neutralizes plaque. If you have dry mouth, your dentist or periodontist can recommend various methods to restore moisture, including sugarless gum, oral rinses or artificial saliva products. 
  • Foods that are sticky, such as raisins, fruit rolls and candy, can cling to the teeth and promote tooth decay. Brush and floss after eating sticky foods. 
  • Good nutrition plays an important role in protecting the oral health of diabetics. Research shows increased serum triglyceride levels in uncontrolled diabetics seems to be related to greater attachment loss and probing depths, measures of periodontal disease. Reducing cholesterol and serum triglyceride levels, preferably through diet and exercise, may be the most important change that diabetics can make to improve their quality of life, as well as their oral health.
  • Research shows that a diet high in wide variety of plant based foods helps to provide the antioxidants needed to fight diseases that are caused by high levels of free radicals (metabolic toxins) in the blood stream. 

Monday, November 9, 2015

Dr. Duello will be Lecturing at the American Dental Association & the American Academy of Periodontology this November

Dr. Duello at the ADA

Dr. Duello returned to his practice on Monday, November 9, 2015 after attending the American Dental Association 2015 Annual Meeting in Washington, DC. Approximately 21,000 dentist and staff were in attendance at this meeting.   This is one of the largest dental meetings in the world.   After many years of lecturing, Dr. Duello was honored to be invited to speak for the first time at the ADA Annual Meeting.  Despite some rain on Saturday, it was a very pleasant experience for Dr. Duello.


He gave two lectures over the weekend while in attendance. The first lecture was in cooperation with the American Academy of Periodontology on "Implant Treatment in the Esthetic Zone" .                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Photo was taken just before the lecture began          




The second program was a panel discussion involving 5 specialties entitled " Myth vs. Realities: Dental Implant vs Root Canal Therapy.  Both programs were well attended and excellent audience participation occurred.   Dr. Duello was especially pleased with the caliber of presenters at the round table discussion.

In addition to Dr. Duello, panelists for this course were:
Dr. Michael Glick, professor and William M. Feagans Chair, School of Dental Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY; editor of The Journal of the American Dental Association; and a diplomate of the American Board of Oral Medicine.
Dr. Stuart Lieblich, clinical professor at the University of Connecticut; in private practice of oral and maxillofacial surgery; and a co-principal investigator on a national study on the use of antibiotics for oral surgical procedures.
Dr. David Little, adjunct clinical professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Dental School; maintains a private dental practice in San Antonio, Texas.
Dr. Jaime Lozada, professor and director of the Advanced Education Program in Implant Dentistry at Loma Linda University; past president of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry; and a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Oral Implantology.
Dr. Daniel Meyer, an endodontist and the ADA chief science officer.
Dr. Alan Gluskin, a course panelist and professor and co-chair of the department of endodontics at the University of the Pacific.

 Dr. Duello and the other panelists took a moment to pose for a photo op.

Following his lecture, Dr. Duello was able to take in some of the famous sites in Washington, DC.  After lecturing on Saturday morning, he visited the Smithsonian Aerospace Museum, the National Gallery, and the News Museum.   To complete his visit, Dr. Duello viewed the White House from the South Lawn and the front of the White House from the North View.   

Dr. Duello at AAP

Dr. Duello will be presenting two lectures at the American Academy of Periodontology's (AAP) international meeting in Orlando FL November 13-16, 2015. He will be presenting on implant treatment. The first presentation is entitled" Transitioning the Full Arch Terminal Dentition to a Fixed Implant Solution". His second presentation will be a live hands on demonstration titled "Surgical & Restorative Procedures for the Edentulous Patient Using the All-on-4 treatment concept.More to follow when Dr. Duello returns.....