TTC_03_15_17_Vol.13-No.20.p1-12

Page www.TheTownCommon.com March 15 - 21, 2017
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Health & Wellness
By J. Peter St. Clair, DMD
I understand that periodontal
disease is a major cause of tooth
loss in adults, but is there anything
I can do about it?
Gum disease—periodontal
disease—often progresses slowly,
without pain, over a long period
of time. This is one reason why it
is common among older adults.
The longer the disease goes
undetected and uncontrolled, the
more damage it causes to gums and
other supporting tissues. Although
periodontal disease is caused by
bacteria, other factors can increase
the risk or severity of the condition.
These include food left between the
teeth, smoking, smokeless (spit)
tobacco use, badly aligned teeth, illfitting
bridges or partial dentures,
poor diets and some systemic
diseases such as diabetes.
Although periodontal disease is
common, it can be controlled or
arrested. In its early stages, it can
be reversed. Treatment of advanced
cases may require surgery. Look for
these warning signs and see your
dentist if you notice any of them:
bleeding gums when you brush; red,
tender or swollen gums; gums that
Surgeons who are rude or
disrespectful can result in
patients having postoperative
complications, a recent study
in the JAMA Surgery journal
concluded.
The two-year study was a big
one, involving 32,125 patients.
Researchers examined the
records of all those patients,
looking for patterns of medical
complications within 30 days of
surgery. They correlated Patient
Advocacy Reporting data from
patients and family members
who had complained about
rude behavior with the data
from patients who experienced
Brighter Smiles...
Dental Changes with Age – Part 2
have pulled away from the teeth;
pus between your teeth and gums
when the gums are pressed; loose
teeth or teeth that are moving apart;
any change in your bite; any change
in the fit of your partial dentures;
constant bad breath or bad taste.
My dentures don’t feel as
comfortable as they once did.
Before I see the dentist, should I
try some different products myself
to try to improve them?
Your dentures were made to
fit precisely. If they are cared for
properly, they do not change
shape. They can become loose due
to natural changes in the gums
and bone supporting them. As the
jawbone begins to shrink, so do the
gums. In addition, the teeth wear
over time and become less effective
during chewing. Most dentures
should be replaced every 5-8 years.
When your dentures do not fit
properly, see your dentist as soon
as possible so adjustments can be
made. Professional relining of the
denture may extend its lifespan.
Do not try to change the fit of your
dentures yourself. This can damage
them and make them unrepairable.
If I have full dentures, do I really
need to see the dentist as often as
before?
Even if you no longer have
your natural teeth, you should
see your dentist once a year for an
oral examination. The dentist will
examine your mouth to check for
any problem with the gum ridges,
the tongue and the joints of the jaw,
Senior Scene
Rude Surgeon Should Raise Red Flags
surgical complication, medical
complications or readmission.
The end result: Nearly 14
percent of those patients had
complications such as surgicalsite
infections, pulmonary or
renal conditions, stroke, urinary
tract infections and more. Each
complaint in the preceding
two years increased the chances
of a patient experiencing
complications.
The problem extends to more
than the doctor being brusque
or rude to a patient. If a doctor
acts that way toward a nurse,
anesthesiologist or any member
of the medical staff, that person
might be hesitant to speak up if
something seems suspect during
the surgery.
Of course, malpractice is a big
worry for doctors and hospitals.
as well as screen for oral cancer. For a
variety of reasons, many older adults
are more susceptible to oral diseases,
including oral cancer. About 95
percent of all cancers are found in
people over age 40. However, many
of these cancers are treatable if
detected early. Oral tissues are also
checked for signs of other diseases
that can first manifest themselves in
the mouth.
I am currently taking medication
that my physician prescribed for
me. Can this affect my dental
treatment?
When your dentist asks for your
medical history, be sure to provide
complete, up-to-date information
on your health. Inform your dentist
if you have experienced recent
hospitalization or surgery, or if
you have recently been ill. Also tell
the dentist the names, doses and
frequency of any medications you
are taking, whether prescription
or over-the-counter products, and
the name of your physician. This
information will help the dentist
to select the most safe and effective
method of treatment for you.
….to be continued
Dr. St. Clair maintains a private
dental practice in Rowley and
Newburyport dedicated to healthcentered
family dentistry. If there are
certain topics you would like to see
written about or questions you have
please email them to him at jpstclair@
stclairdmd.com. You can view all
previously written columns at www.
jpeterstclairdentistry.com/blog.
Part of this study was to point
out to high-risk doctors just how
their interpersonal behaviors,
with patients as well as medical
staff, can cause negative physical
outcomes that can lead to those
lawsuits.
So, what can you do as a
patient? It’s tempting to read
comments that patients leave in
doctor-rating websites. Know,
however, that the worst doctors
can get glowing online reports,
real or not. Your best bet is to
schedule a consultation with your
potential surgeon. Ask a lot of
questions. A good doctor should
be glad to have an informed
patient and will happily tell you
what you want to know without
belittling you or being rude.
(c) 2017 King Features Synd.,
Inc.