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Periodontal disease has been linked to many severe health conditions including diabetes and heart disease. Researchers in Germany appear to have found a correlation between periodontal disease and a type of oral cancer.
Recently published in the journal Head and Face Medicine, the study found that the monitoring and treatment of chronic periodontitis might help reduce a potential cause of oral squamous cell carcinoma. “Our findings underline the necessity of implementing a periodontal regime in the dental office,” said study author, Dr. Maximillian Moergel.
Chronic gum disease, periodontitis, is one of the most prevalent infections worldwide and Dr. Moergel sees patients that have oral cancers but do not have the usual history of drinking and smoking. He stated, “Thus we were interested in a possible relationship of chronic periodontitis and the development of cancer.”
This study found a link between periodontal disease and oral squamous cell carcinoma. Importantly, the study also found that treating periodontal disease could perhaps reduce the incidence of the oral cancer.
An oral cancer screening is an important part of every oral examination. Patients at higher risk for oral cancer include: older men, people who smoke, people who drink alcohol and people who have an oral HPV infection. Patients with chronic gum disease should also seek regular screenings and should treat their gum disease to reduce risk.
Please contact Rothfus Family Dental in Medford, OR today at 541-858-7994 to schedule your next visit.
Rheumatoid arthritis and oral health do have a link. For patients with arthritis it is especially important you see the dentist regularly to help prevent gum disease. Research shows a strong connection between gum disease and arthritis. A German study published in the Journal of Periodontology showed that people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has more gum disease than people without RA. The researchers found that RA patients were eight times more likely to develop gum disease than people without RA.
The key to the link between these two conditions seems to be inflammation. Inflammation is what happens when our immune system responds to viruses and bacteria. Gum disease is caused by bacteria and triggers this inflammatory process. RA is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly triggers inflammation even though there are no viruses or bacteria to fight. Researcher Dr. Scott Zashin suggests that it may be possible that the immune system is stimulated by the mouth infection and inflammation “setting off a cascade of events where inflammation develops at the site of joints or arthritis.”
The Journal of Periodontology published additional research that showed that when people with severe RA cleared up their gum disease, their pain and other symptoms improved. This research from Case Western Reserve University showed that patients who received both standard RA treatment AND treatment for their gum disease reported significant improvements in their symptoms compared to the control group who had only received the RA treatment.
Next – some tips for RA patients to make their home oral health care a little easier.
Please contact Rothfus Family Dental in Medford, OR today at 541-858-7994 to schedule your next dental hygiene appointment. We can help keep your gums in tip top shape.
The long-term health care costs for diabetic patients can be staggering. In 2008 the American Diabetes Association reported that diabetes was in the top 10 for the most expensive diseases in the US. A recent review of insurance company data showed that insured diabetic patients who received dental treatment for gum disease saved health care dollars – almost 25% versus patients who did not have dental treatment.
The link between periodontal disease and diabetes is well established. People with diabetes are much more likely to develop gum disease and those patients with gum disease have a harder time controlling their blood sugar. Creating a partnership between patient, dentist and physician to help maintain good oral and overall health is key.
For some diabetic patients calling to make an appointment to visit the dentist is scary idea. Dental fears and dental anxiety cause many patients to put off urgently needed care, sometimes for years. Sedation dentistry can be the solution. Various types of sedation can be used depending upon the needs and health of the patient. Often we can resolve years of neglect in a very short time with no anxiety or discomfort for the patient.
Please contact Rothfus Family Dental in Medford, OR today at 541-858-7994 to find out more information about your sedation dentistry options and to schedule your appointment. You can have the healthy, beautiful smile you’ve always dreamed of.
Rothfus Family Dental in Medford, Oregon is very warm and welcoming. From the moment you walk in the entrance, you immediately get the feeling that this is not your typical dental office.
The doctors have designed the office to feel more like a warm inviting home, than a stereotypical Medford dental clinic. This homey feeling invites your entire family in to experience dentistry in a relaxed calming environment.
Kid friendly and adult approved the team at Rothfus Family Dental are experts at family dentistry allowing your children to feel safe and at ease. Rothfus Family Dental in Medford, OR is the place to go for general family dentistry in the Rogue Valley.
Your entire family is in good hands at Rothfus Family Dental. We love to start seeing kids at the age of 2. Learning to have a good experience in the dental office is crucial to the dental health of your child. Many adults had “bad” experiences at the dentist as a child, and we want to make sure that doesn’t happen to your children. Your child will learn good oral hygiene and will develop good habits that can last a lifetime. Happy kids make happy teeth.
Dr.’s Karla and Randall Rothfus share the common goal of making sure everyone that comes to Rothfus Family Dental is treated with dignity and respect. They won’t judge your dental condition and make you feel bad. They are glad that you have made the decision to come to the dentist, and they want to make you a lifetime patient, so no matter what shape your teeth are in, they work with you to come up with a treatment plan to meet your needs. Remember, you’re in the drivers seat, we just help you get to where you want to go.
The doctors at Rothfus Family Dental in Medford, Oregon put a special emphasis on preventive dentistry. The use of dental sealants to prevent cavities in the grooves of teeth, and fluoride treatments to strengthen and harden your teeth are both designed to protect and preserve your own natural tooth structure. They want to see you and your children learn good oral hygiene techniques and nothing makes them happier than seeing your child make the “no cavity club”. This is very rewarding for the child and makes parents proud of their child’s achievement. There’s nothing like positive reinforcement to reward good behavior.
Offering a variety of dental services and seeing patients of all ages at one location is the goal of a true general dental practice. We want to earn your business. If you are looking for a new Medford, Oregon dentist, we are here for you. We offer the following services:
At Rothfus Family Dental, it’s our goal to provide you with the highest level of dental services and care in a safe and caring environment. We want to be there for your entire family, whether you’re 3 or 103.
Providing most aspects of dentistry in one location makes us a true Medford, Oregon general dental practice. We also utilize the most advanced dental techniques, equipment and materials, so that the dentistry you receive will last for many years to come.
Earning your trust and treating you how we would want to be treated is the basis we want to build our dental relationship on. We want to be your dental care provider for a lifetime, and we want to make you a raving fan of our office. We provide Medford, Oregon family dentistry and Rogue Valley dental services.
Call us today to schedule a dental appointment. You’ll be happy you did, because at Rothfus Family Dental, we are… “Making Smiles Happen, Daily.” Medford, Oregon Family Dentistry – (541) 858-7994
Our office is conveniently located and accessible all major roads.
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