Gum Disease | Steve Sirin, DDS

Diabetes and 4 Other Reasons to See Your Elgin Dentist Today

April 15, 2019 by Athena Smiles

finger with diabetes test for elgin dentist blog

I’ve been established with a dentist in Elgin for several years, but I haven’t been able to convince my husband to go in. I recently read something about how there’s a link between gum disease and diabetes, but I don’t understand how the two are linked. He does have a diabetes diagnosis and takes daily medication for it. He’s actually really good about managing it and watching his sugars. I’m hopeful that if I can explain to him exactly how the link works, I can get him on board with at least going in for a cleaning and checkup. Are there any straightforward resources on this?

Thanks,

Hiromi

Dear Hiromi,

This is a great question! You’re spot on. Diabetes is one of many reasons why it’s important to get on a regular schedule with your Elgin dentist and stay on it.

Diabetes and periodontal disease are linked.

According to data compiled by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA), 95% of those diagnosed with diabetes also have periodontal disease. The inverse is also true. Another study indicated that people with periodontal disease have diabetes 93% of the time. While severe periodontal disease is prevalent, research shows it only impacts 10-15% of the population. The same is true of diabetes, which the CDC reports impacts slightly less than 10% of the population.

True, 10% of the population is nothing to shake a stick at. That’s more than 100 million people in the United States. However, if the two conditions weren’t linked, we’d see roughly 10% of diabetics with gum disease and only 10% of gum disease would have diabetes, in accordance with prevalence in the general population. We don’t. Virtually all people with diabetes have gum disease and virtually all people with gum disease have diabetes.

Given these high rates, many dentists will refer you back to your primary care physician for diabetes testing if periodontal disease is detected at your visit. Primary care physicians will refer you back to your dentist if you’re diagnosed with diabetes too. Ergo, chances are your husband’s doctor has already mentioned he should see his dentist, but things happen and it’s possible that’s not their protocol or your husband was overwhelmed with information when he was advised to go in for a checkup. That’s ok. It’s a life-changing diagnosis.

Researchers don’t know which comes first; diabetes or periodontal disease.

Although these two conditions are linked, researchers don’t know which comes first. It’s entirely possible the same conditions contribute to both or that the conditions come together to create the perfect storm, building upon one another.

At a very basic level, periodontal disease is an infection. As you and your husband probably know, high blood sugar makes it hard to fight infections and infections cause blood sugar to spike. At the same time, diabetes can cause blood vessels to thicken. That means they cannot transport oxygen and nutrients well, nor can they transport toxins away. This diminishes oral health and can increase infection risk. Meanwhile, the bacteria in the diabetic’s mouth is feasting away on the excess sugar, which also increases the risk of infection and tooth decay.

Diabetes and gum disease must be treated together.

If your husband is successfully managing his diabetes with medication, he’s won half the battle. However, it’s essential that he get checked for periodontal disease and be treated if he has it. If he doesn’t, his diabetes could worsen. Furthermore, his teeth, gums, and jaw bone are at risk due to the periodontal disease.

Diabetes isn’t the only reason to have a periodontal screening.

Many health conditions are correlated with periodontal disease. For example, heart disease, oral cancer, and respiratory ailments are too. Other conditions, such as osteoporosis and even HIV can have oral symptoms too. So, a visit to your dental office can genuinely safeguard your whole health.

Find an Elgin dentist who caters to cowards if dental anxiety is preventing you from getting care.

Oftentimes, people who put off dental treatment like your husband has been are actually suffering from dental anxiety or dental phobias. These are actually quite common! If so, and your dental office doesn’t offer higher levels of care, you may have trouble getting your husband to go in. Search for an office which “caters to cowards” or specifically helps those with dental anxiety. He might find it easier to book and follow through if he knows they’ll go at his speed and offer things like nitrous oxide to keep him comfortable during the appointment.

This blog is sponsored by Dr. Steve Sirin, an Elgin dentist who offers preventative and restorative care for the whole family—even those who would like a little help overcoming their anxiety.

My Dentist Accused Me of Being Diabetic

October 21, 2018 by Athena Smiles

I was visiting my dentist in Elgin the other day for an exam. The young lady who cleaned my teeth initially remarked that my gums were really bad and that I would probably need some kind of additional cleaning, a least in certain areas. This was troublesome, to say the least, because I’ve always had good teeth. I think she was probably just scraping my gums with her tools and making them bleed. As the appointment went on, she later asked me if I was diabetic. I thought it was odd because I updated my health form when I went in and did not check the box for diabetes, meaning she obviously did not read my paperwork. But, she did not take “no” for an answer. She kept pushing me and saying, “are you sure?” and “When were you tested last?”

At that point, I got upset and told her I was not and that maybe she should have read my paperwork. She ignored that and went on to say I have some of the hallmarks of diabetes. Well, I know about the condition. My good friend is diabetic. I can only surmise she was referring to my weight, which quite frankly, is offensive. Adding to that, her inability to do a simple cleaning without beating up my gums speaks volumes. Don’t they teach bedside manner in dental school anymore?

-Irked in Illinois

Dear Irked,

It sounds like your dental office could have handled the situation better, but there’s likely some merit to what your hygienist is saying and, chances are, your weight wasn’t what she was referring to.

You mentioned that you’ve always had good oral health and that, this time around, you experienced bleeding gums and were told you might need some form of deeper cleaning. Those things both signify that she was referring to periodontal disease. Most people think of this simply as gingivitis; they’ll see a bit of red when they brush or floss if they’re not keeping up on a schedule. That is the beginning stage of periodontal disease. What ultimately happens is that bacteria adheres to the teeth and causes gum irritation. The gums swell and start to pull away from the teeth, leaving pockets of space between the tooth and gums. Those pockets create the perfect environment for food and debris to collect, further enhancing bacterial growth and resulting in infections. It’s pretty intense when it reaches advanced stages, but whether it takes months or years to get there really depends on the person and his or her diligence. You can reverse it to some degree, too, so all is not lost.

But, here’s where it gets “interesting.” Scientists have discovered a major correlation between diabetes and gum disease. Almost one-third of people with periodontal disease are diabetic and about 95% of diabetics have periodontal disease, per the ADHA. In other words, one out of every three patients your hygienist sees with gum disease will be diabetic, but some might not even know it.

The mechanisms are not fully understood yet, but what we do know is that uncontrolled blood sugar causes your veins to thicken, which makes it harder for blood to move around. That means your gums will have a harder time getting the nutrients they need and your body will have a harder time removing waste. Researchers think there’s probably a bacterial link as well; that diabetics may have more of a specific type of “bad” bacteria or less “good” bacteria, but this research is still in its infancy. These things in mind, it’s easy to see how your oral health impacts your overall health and why gum disease is linked to diabetes, heart disease, and more.

This blog is sponsored Dr. Steve Sirin, an Elgin dentist dedicated to improving the health and aesthetics of Illinois smiles.

Will My Elgin Dentist Recommend Parodontax Toothpaste?

April 10, 2017 by Athena Smiles

I’m due for my regular cleaning and checkup with my Elgin dentist next month. To be totally honest, these things don’t always go so well for me. They usually tell me I need to brush better and the aftermath of the cleanings makes it look like there was a small war because of all the blood. I’m not squeamish and I know I need to do better, but life gets busy and then my plans always seem to fall apart. In any case, I just saw an ad for a new kind of toothpaste that’s supposed to fix bleeding gums and I’m wondering if this is the kind of thing my Elgin dentist will start to recommend. If so, I’ll just run out and get it now… I’m hopeful it will make a difference in how my next visit goes.

Thanks,

Doug

Dear Doug,

It sounds like you’re referring to parodontax, a company that has been marketing pretty aggressively lately. Let’s pick apart what their claims are, and you can decide for yourself if it will be of benefit, rather than waiting for the opinion of your Elgin dentist.

Their site claims:

Bleeding gums are one of the first signs of a gum problem. Gum problems can be caused by the accumulation of plaque. If left unaddressed, this may eventually lead to tooth loss. Brush your teeth twice daily with parodontax® Daily Fluoride toothpaste for overall oral care and to help improve the health of bleeding gums.

Their information is factual. If your gums are irritated from the buildup of plaque, they’ll eventually start to bleed. This is known as gingivitis, and it’s the starting stage of periodontal disease. If you leave it untreated, your gums will start to pull away from the teeth, leaving space for debris to become impacted and creating a space for infections to form. So, if you can catch this in the early stages and prevent your bleeding gums, that’s what you want to do. Here’s the first catch, though, brushing twice a day with virtually anything can improve and prevent gum disease. Their main tagline says nothing unique about the brand.

The ingredients are:

Sodium Bicarbonate, Purified Water, Glycerol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Rhatany Tincture, Cornmint Oil, Peppermint Oil, Coneflower (Echinacea) expressed Juice, Xanthan Gum, Myrrh Tincture, Tincture of Chamomile, Sodium Fluoride, Oil of Sage, Saccharin Sodium, Red Iron Oxide Colour. Contains maximum 1000 ppm of available fluoride when packed.

Looking at the ingredients, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) is a common ingredient in “natural” toothpastes because it can help scrub away stains. That’s normal, but here’s where it gets a little dicey: Rhatany Tincture. It’s an herbal remedy for gingivitis. The FDA doesn’t back any claims about it, but it’s generally believed to be effective because it’s a vasoconstrictor. In other words, it shrinks your veins and can stop blood flow. So, if it “works” and you stop bleeding, it may not be because you’ve healed your gums and removed plaque. It could well be your body responding to the tincture, in which case, you’re only masking the symptoms of your gum disease. Most of the other ingredients are used as painkillers in natural medicine.

Pretty terrifying, right? Even if you don’t correct your problems, you could mask the pain and bleeding associated with gingivitis and think you’re healthier, when really, you’re not. A pack of menthol cigarettes could do the same thing- nicotine is a vasoconstrictor too, and then menthol could work like the cornmint oil, peppermint oil, and echinacea. The difference is, you’ll never hear a doctor telling you to grab a pack of cigarettes to treat your gum disease. Obviously, there is a health benefit to this toothpaste and it’s not deadly, but the benefit is the fact that you’d be brushing. And, if seeing “improvement” makes you brush more often, then that’s a good thing. You’ll be treating your gum disease, too. On the other hand, a lot of this is smoke and mirrors and if your gum disease is caused by something not related to lack of brushing/ hygiene, such as an underlying medical condition, you may never know it because you’ve hidden the symptoms. Find ways to encourage yourself to brush and floss more and talk to your dentist about other contributing factors in gum disease if brushing and flossing are not enough to eliminate your symptoms.

This blog is sponsored by Elgin dentist, Dr. Steve Sirin.

Will Elgin Dentist Still Recommend Flossing Though There’s No Benefit?

January 20, 2017 by Athena Smiles

I’m curious to know if my Elgin dentist will continue to recommend flossing. I recently saw a news broadcast that talked about a study that revealed there’s no benefit to flossing. Is this for real? If it is real, how could they continue to justify telling people to keep doing it? I feel like I’ve been duped all these years and that flossing is the biggest scam we’ll see in our lifetimes.

-Vic

Dear Vic,

You’re partially right. A study came out at the end of last year that said that there is not enough evidence to prove there is a great enough benefit to recommend flossing across the board, but it’s a lot more complicated than that.

Vic, have you ever told the dentist or hygienist that you’ve been flossing when you really haven’t? A whopping 27% of the population admits to doing this and, yes, your Elgin dentist really does know when you fib about it, and not because he’s psychic, either. This statistic is highly relevant because most of the studies that have shown marginal oral health improvement after a patient begins flossing uses numbers based on self-reporting. These people said they flossed, and so they got included in the group of flossers. We don’t know if they really did, but if they’re representative of the general population, a little more than a quarter of them fibbed.

However, there were some studies done in which it was impossible to cheat. People had their teeth professionally flossed five times per week. Bingo! The prevalence of cavities between teeth dropped significantly for those folks. In all fairness, this can’t be related entirely to “cheaters.” A lot of people simply don’t know how to floss effectively, and so having a professional do it ensured that the spaces between those pearly whites were squeaky clean.

On top of this, most studies don’t account for other factors that can impact oral health. Were these people smokers, diabetics, or taking medications that can cause oral health issues? We don’t know. We do know that the group saw some improvement where gum disease was concerned, but not to the degree that a universal recommendation could be given.

The bottom line is that you should still be flossing and your Elgin dentist will undoubtedly tell you this. Hopefully, he or someone on his team will also spend some time with you showing you how to do it right, so you get the most benefit from it as well.

This blog is sponsored by Elgin dentist, Dr. Steve Sirin.

Do I Need to Have Invisalign Before I Can Get Veneers?

January 10, 2016 by Athena Smiles

I want to revamp my smile a little. I don’t think it really needs serious correction, but my eye tooth is twisted a little and a couple of the others are crooked. I’d also like to have whiter teeth. I’ve been doing a bleaching system at home, but it hasn’t kicked it up to the shade I want yet. Porcelain veneers seem to foot the bill and they can be done quickly, which I really like. My hope was to have some of the no-prep ones done, but my dentist says I have to do Invisalign first. That doesn’t make sense to me. I want the veneers done so I don’t have to go through all that. Is this normal protocol or is he just trying to get me to pay for services that I don’t need?

Thanks,

Ryan

Dear Ryan,

It is a little odd that your dentist wants you to go through Invisalign treatment before you get porcelain veneers. It could be that he’s worried about extreme crowding of your teeth. If that’s the case, Invisalign or some kind of orthodontic treatment would be necessary to improve the health of your gums. (Crowded teeth are harder to clean between, and this often results in gingivitis or inflamed gums.) Because of this, only he can explain why he’s recommending Invisalign first. Cosmetic dentists usually recommend one or the other, so it may be advantageous to have a consultation with one. If nothing else, he’ll be able to confirm what your regular dentist has told you, but if you go forward with treatment, you may prefer to have someone with more experience do the work- especially if your regular dentist doesn’t have a lot of successful cosmetic cases under his belt.

It’s also worth noting that the whitening treatments you can buy in the store are not as potent as the professional-strength kind that you can get from your dentist. Most dentists offer an in-office kind that will give you immediate results and also a take-home kit that’s just as effective, but works over a period of days or weeks. If you opt for Invisalign, you may be satisfied with that and the combination of professional whitening, rather than having to go all-out with porcelain veneers.

This blog is sponsored by Elgin dentist, Dr. Steve Sirin.

Is it Really a Dental Emergency to Have a Cleaning While Pregnant?

June 20, 2015 by Athena Smiles

I’m 16 weeks along with my first baby. Everything is progressing normally, but I had to go to the emergency dentist because I broke a tooth. I understood why that was urgent to fix, but I really don’t want to have any unnecessary treatment while I’m pregnant and the dentist wants me to have some kind of a deep cleaning. I know it’s been a while, but he wants me to have anesthetic and everything for it. I don’t understand why the cleaning can’t wait a couple months until after the baby is here or why I can’t just have a regular one to tide me over. Can you clear this up?

Thank you,

Georgia

Dear Georgia,

Congratulations on your pregnancy! This must be an exciting and hectic time for you, and you’ve probably already made all kinds of changes to help keep yourself and the little one healthy. Perhaps your cleaning isn’t a dental emergency, but should be on the list of things you take care of, just like any of the other changes you’ve made.

The shortened version is that researchers have done studies and they discovered that moms who have gum disease are more-likely to have premature babies, as well as low-birthweight babies. This, in and of itself isn’t a huge problem, but it does put the baby at risk for other complications. For instance, an early baby is more-likely to have respiratory or digestive problems and loss of vision or hearing. Smaller babies are more prone to have developmental disabilities and often develop motor skills at a slower rate. Oral health is so important during pregnancy that some insurance companies have begun covering an extra cleaning for expectant mothers.

In regard to the cleaning, it sounds like a traditional one is not enough to get all the buildup off, and the doctor wants to make sure your gums have the best chance at getting healthy again. He could have been referring to a debridement or scaling and root planning, either of which is sometimes called a “deep cleaning.” You’ll need to talk to the office to find out what all is entailed in your cleaning, and why it’s necessary. They’ll do a better job of showing you where they see signs of periodontal disease and can explain in greater detail what kind of cleaning you need and why it’s so. The biggest concern with treatment is usually anesthetic. Most ONGYNs tell their patients to steer clear of epinephrine, but your dentist likely has several alternatives in-office already.

If you’re still concerned, talk with your OB about it as well. She should be able to help settle some of your concerns and will likely be in favor of you having the cleaning done soon, too.

This blog is sponsored by Elgin dentist, Dr. Steve Sirin.

Is My Dentist Using Scare Tactics So I Get Invisalign?

May 20, 2015 by Athena Smiles

I went to the dentist for a basic checkup and he told me I should get Invisalign. I told him that I didn’t have any interest in cosmetic procedures. Really, my teeth are fine the way they are. No, they’re not perfectly straight, but I’m ok with that. I think it adds character and I’m not about to become a model anytime soon anyway. Well, then the doctor goes off about how I’m going to get gum disease and all kinds of cavities if I don’t do it. It really bothers me that he started off talking about how it will look nice, and then changed his story to how my teeth will suffer if I don’t do it. Was any part of what he was telling me true?

-James

Dear James,

It sounds like you and your dentist got off on the wrong foot and he rubbed you the wrong way. A lot of people choose to go with Invisalign because it can dramatically enhance your smile. It might be safe to say that the majority of people who get braces do so because they’re unhappy with having crooked teeth. When your dentist spoke with you, he probably assumed you were like most patients, which is why he started with aesthetics.

Realistically, though, having straight teeth is better for your oral health. When your teeth are crooked, it can be difficult to clean between them, which leads to decay. It is also harder to floss and keep your gums healthy, which leads to periodontal disease. Crooked teeth are not a death sentence, by any means, but correcting their alignment can often provide people with better long-term oral health. If you’re diligent with your home care and follow up with your dental checkups every six months (or more if it’s recommended), you’ll probably do just fine. If you start having gingivitis, bleeding gums, or decay on the surfaces between your teeth, you may want to revisit the idea of braces. On the other hand, you can always opt to do Invisalign now, and possibly prevent these problems in the first place.

This blog is sponsored by Elgin dentist, Dr. Steve Sirin.

Am I Too Old for Braces?

April 20, 2015 by Athena Smiles

I’m nearing the half-century mark and have battled with the decision to fix my smile for practically my whole life. Although it bothered me some, age has caused me to lose a couple teeth, and now my teeth seem more crooked than ever. I want to do braces and have a particular interest in Invisalign. Is there some cut-off date as to age for braces or Invisalign? If so, what are my other options?

Thanks,

Margie

Dear Margie,

There isn’t an age limit for braces. In fact, Invisalign is incredibly popular among adults because the aligners don’t look like braces. A lot of adults feel better about that as an option, because it doesn’t carry the same perceived stigma.

With that said, your missing teeth should be addressed as well. First off, losing teeth is not a natural part of aging. You weren’t specific as to what happened to them, but if periodontal disease played a role it, you’ll need to get that under control in the beginning. You’ll also need to discuss with your dentist which options are best to replace them. As you observed, these open gaps where the teeth were before allow the other teeth in your mouth to shift around fairly easily. So, having a replacement in mind before you begin treatment is important.

There are a myriad of alternatives which you may be a candidate for, depending on your overall oral health, position of your teeth, and other factors. For instance, porcelain veneers might be able to make your teeth appear like they’re in better alignment, though they won’t help ensure there is adequate space for replacement teeth.

Your best bet is to have a consultation with a dentist who has experience working with cosmetic cases, including braces and Invisalign. He’ll be able to assess what options are available for you, so that you can make an informed decision.

This blog is sponsored by Elgin dentist, Dr. Steve Sirin.

Why Are My Gums Still Sore Three Months After Getting Lumineers?

July 20, 2014 by Athena Smiles

My dentist placed eight Lumineers across my upper teeth about three months ago. I noticed right away that my gums were sore, but that usually happens with my dental work and I expected it to get better within a week or two. Unfortunately, it’s not getting any better. In fact, it’s worse now. I went out to dinner the other day and my gums actually began bleeding while I ate. One of my friends pointed it out to me- I was mortified. I excused myself from the table to go look and the tops of my Lumineers were covered in blood. Why haven’t I healed from my procedure yet?

Sincerely,

Meaghan

Dear Meaghan,

Try running your tongue over the front of your teeth. Did you feel an unnatural bump on your teeth, just below the gum line? Unfortunately, this is a fairly common problem experienced by people who have had Lumineers done. Since they utilize a different kind of process in which minimal structure is removed from the tooth, the dentist has to adjust the Lumineers precisely to avoid having that ridge. If he doesn’t, you wind up with a defect that not only stops your lips from naturally sweeping away plaque from the area, but also makes it much more difficult for you to manually clean it.

Schedule an appointment with the dentist who performed your Lumineers procedure so he can reevaluate his work and see if any adjustments can be made. If he does see room for improvement, your gums may heal rapidly with little to no additional help from you. Additionally, you can take extra care of your gums at home to try to improve things on your own or to speed up results after adjustments have been made. Rinse with warm salt water a few times a day. Be very diligent to clean well, but also very gently, with a soft-bristled tooth brush. Moreover, make sure you’re cleaning between your teeth. If floss isn’t working for you, try floss picks or something similar.

If all of these things fail to correct the gingivitis, it’s time for a second opinion. Schedule with an expert cosmetic dentist who will determine the cause of the issue and make adjustments or propose treatment as needed. Don’t be too surprised if part of that treatment involves replacing your Lunineers with a different veneer.

This blog is sponsored by Elgin dentist, Dr. Steve Sirin.