CHICAGO – August 20, 2002 – Answer: A toothbrush. As summer comes to an end, many Americans are rushing to their favorite vacation spot to enjoy the final days of summer. The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) surveyed 71 periodontists to offer oral health tips and ensure consumers stick with their oral hygiene regimen while on vacation.

“Most consumers naturally spend more time thinking about which outfits they are going to pack for their vacation than their oral health needs,” said Kenneth Bueltmann, D.D.S., president of the American Academy of Periodontology. “This is unfortunate because there are several things to take into consideration regarding your oral health especially if you are traveling abroad.”

For example, 59 percent of periodontists surveyed recommend storing toothbrushes in containers with air holes that allow bristles to completely dry, killing oral bacteria, and keep other family members’ toothbrushes from touching. Ninety-seven percent recommend cleaning these travel containers before and after travel. Yet more than one-third of all patient respondents indicated that they never thought to clean their containers.

In order to avoid bacterial growth when traveling or at home, some periodontists recommended that patients wash their toothbrushes periodically in the dishwasher, store it in the refrigerator or place it in a cup with mouthwash.

“It is important to disinfect your toothbrush and storage container frequently to kill potentially harmful bacteria that could cause periodontal disease, a serious bacterial infection that destroys the attachment fibers and supporting bone that holds teeth in the mouth,” said Bueltmann. “In addition, allow your toothbrush to dry completely in an opened-air environment after each brushing. The bacteria, most harmful to the gums, are anaerobic, which means they will die if they are exposed to oxygen.”

For those traveling out of the country, 74 percent of periodontists suggest using bottled water to brush teeth to avoid the possibility of becoming ill due to the various microorganisms sometimes found in foreign water supplies. Other respondents recommended boiling water if bottled water is not available. The majority of periodontists indicated that toothbrushes should be kept a safe distance away (2-5 feet) from the sink and toilet to avoid water contamination.

Putting It in a Nutshell:

• Pack extra oral hygiene accessories, as they may not be available in remote areas.
• Disinfect your toothbrush before and after your trip.
• Keep oral hygiene instruments dry and clean.
• Store your toothbrush in a container that has air holes when traveling.
• Keep toothbrushes safely away (approx. 2-5 feet) from the sink and toilet to avoid water contamination.
• Wash your hands thoroughly before flossing and brushing.
• Use bottled water to brush teeth when you are traveling abroad.
• Floss and use mouthwash if you forget your toothbrush and are unable to purchase a new one.
• When purchasing a toothbrush while traveling abroad, make sure you select a soft-bristled brush.
• If you run out of toothpaste, brush with water. As long as your technique is correct, plaque will still be removed.
• Do not share toothbrushes. Oral bacteria can be passed to other family members and can potentially spread periodontal diseases.

The good news is that more than 91 percent of patients surveyed continue their normal oral care routine while on vacation. The bad news is that only 27.5 percent of patient respondents brush their teeth two minutes or longer, while more than double the percentage of periodontist respondents (67.6 percent) recommend this regimen. Moreover, more than one-third of patient respondents don’t feel either they’re using the proper brushing technique or are not certain if they are.

Dr. Bueltmann explains that technique is everything. “If you don’t have the proper technique when brushing and flossing teeth, you won’t be cleaning as well as you could and you possibly might be harming your teeth and gums.”

Periodontal diseases are silently making their way into millions of Americans’ mouths and may represent a far more serious threat to their health than previously realized.

Approximately 15 percent of adults between 21 and 50 years old and 30 percent of adults over 50 have periodontal disease. Recent research has revealed that periodontal infections may contribute to the development of heart disease, increase the risk of premature, underweight babies and pose a serious threat to people whose health is already compromised due to diabetes and respiratory disease.

In September, the AAP is hosting its Annual Meeting in New Orleans to discuss periodontal diseases and their systemic links and new treatment techniques that periodontists can use to combat the disease.

A referral to a periodontist in your area and free brochure samples including one titled How to Brush and Floss are available by calling 800-FLOSS-EM or visiting the AAP’s Web site at www.perio.org.

About the AAP

The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) is the professional organization for

CHICAGO – February 27, 2003 – If you lose one tooth or many teeth due to an accident or trauma, you know that you’ve also lost the ability to smile and eat with ease. Replacing the teeth with dentures or partial teeth may not give you the same confidence that the real teeth did. A dental implant, on the other hand, does look and feel like a real tooth. A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed into the jaw, and holds the replacement tooth, teeth or bridge.

Recent case studies published in the Journal of Periodontology found that placing implants immediately after tooth extraction resulted in a high percentage of clinical success, and that using a temporary fixed crown restoration may provide a better opportunity to meet patient needs. In the first study, ten patients received a total of 15 implants placed immediately after removal of 15 single-rooted teeth. Case Study Abstract *

In the second case, a temporary fixed crown restoration was placed immediately after the bone reconstruction, and the final crown was permanently placed 6 weeks after surgery. Case Study Abstract *

“This is exciting news because in the past, dental implants weren’t placed until two to nine months after the tooth was extracted,” explained Antonio Barone, D.D.S. and lead researcher of one of the studies. “We observed no complications during the healing period, and found that implants placed immediately after tooth extractions have advantages such as prevention of jawbone deterioration, reduced number of surgical procedures and reduction of treatment time.”

“Implant dentistry has improved dramatically in the last 20 years,” said Gordon Douglass D.D.S., president of the American Academy of Periodontology. “Although more research needs to be conducted, the concept of placing an implant and in some cases a crown immediately after tooth extraction provides a better opportunity to meet patient needs. An implant is the ultimate in tooth replacement enhancing the smile and preventing bone loss due to the loss of the tooth or teeth.”

A referral to a periodontist in your area and free brochure samples including one titled Dental Implants: Teeth that Look and Feel Just Like Your Own are available by calling 800-FLOSS-EM or visiting the AAP’s Web site at www.perio.org.

About the AAP

The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) is the professional organization for

CHICAGO–June 2, 2003–A case report published in this month’s Journal of Periodontology reported that minocycline, a commonly prescribed antibiotic in the treatment of acne and rheumatoid arthritis, can cause the teeth and bone to discolor, which may make gum tissue to appear blackish-blue in color. Patients who take this drug or healthcare professionals who prescribe it should be made aware of the possibility of oral discoloration. Case Report Abstract *

Mayo Clinic researchers were presented with a 29-year old white female patient referred to the periodontics department by her dermatologist for an evaluation of the dramatic blue appearance of the gum tissue and bone surrounding her teeth. A review of her medical history indicated that she had been taking 50 mg of minocycline four times a day for the past 17 months.

“We informed the patient that in addition to the bone discoloration, her permanent teeth could also become discolored with continued use of minocycline. And, unlike the periodontal bone, teeth discoloration from minocycline does not always resolve after discontinuation of the therapy,” said Phillip J. Sheridan, D.D.S., Mayo Clinic, Periodontics, Department of Dental Specialties. “In this patient’s case, the dermatologist elected to change antibiotics to treat her acne.”

“This case definitely ‘drives home’ the importance of collaboration between medical and dental professionals,” said Gordon Douglass, D.D.S. and president of the American Academy of Periodontology. “Periodontists have known for awhile that medical drugs can affect a person’s oral health, and this is a reminder for patients to inform their dental professionals of all medications they are taking.”

For example, over 400 medications produce dry mouth, which can be damaging to the gum tissue, including periodontal disease and tooth decay. Other drugs like calcium channel blockers, phenytoin (used for treating seizures) and cyclosporine (used following organ transplants) may also cause gingival overgrowth.

According to this case report, approximately three to six percent of long-term users of minocycline will develop dental staining. This discoloration does not harm the teeth, bone or gum tissue, but is the reason behind the blackish-blue appearance of the gums. The periodontal bone can become discolored from minocycline therapy and show through the gum tissue, causing it to appear discolored as well.

“Like acne, periodontal disease can take away a person’s confidence and smile,” said Douglass. “Also like acne, periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection. Whereas acne inflames the walls of the hair follicles causing the walls to inflame and break, periodontal disease destroys attachment fibers and supporting bone that hold the teeth into the mouth.”

A referral to a periodontist in your area and free brochure samples including one titled Periodontal Diseases: What You Need to Know are available by calling 800-FLOSS-EM or visiting the AAP’s Web site at www.perio.org.

The American Academy of Periodontology is an 8,000-member association of dental professionals specializing in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of the teeth and in the placement and maintenance of dental implants. Periodontics is one of nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association.

For more information, contact the AAP Public Affairs Department at 312/573-3243 or 312/573-3242.

CHICAGO – September 18, 2003 – Reality television has become a popular form of primetime entertainment. The latest topic helps people enhance their features from head-to-toe through plastic surgery. However, if a patient already has a bacterial infection in the body or mouth, the surgical procedure may have to be postponed.

On one episode, the patient was unable to proceed with breast augmentation because of a bacterial infection in her mouth known as periodontal disease. The periodontist and plastic surgeon were concerned that the bacteria in the patient’s mouth may affect the outcome of her plastic surgery.

“Periodontitis is a bacterial infection of the gums, bone and periodontal ligament. The bacteria from periodontitis can enter the blood stream and cause systemic complications,” said Gordon Douglass, D.D.S., and president of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP). “The bacteria in the bloodstream can compromise recovery from any surgery, but is particularly problematic for patients receiving implants, transplants or replacements of body parts since it may cause these procedures to fail. Before undergoing surgery, patients should have a periodontal examination to ensure that they don’t have bacteria in their mouth that may affect their recovery.”

In addition to treating the periodontal infection, the patient’s smile may also improve. This is important because a smile is often one of the first things people notice about another person. “When watching people on television receive a total makeover, it’s obvious that the appearance of the person’s smile can greatly affect their self-esteem. I see this in my practice everyday,” said Douglass.

Now that Americans are living longer, cosmetic surgery has become more popular. Oral plastic surgery has also felt this trend as it has experienced a significant shift toward cosmetic-related surgery to help improve the smile.

Excessive gum tissue can create a “gummy” smile, but the periodontist can perform a crown lengthening procedure to remove excess gum tissue and expose an ideal smile. Conversely, a person’s teeth may appear too long if their gums have receded or shrunk. This can often be corrected with soft tissue graft procedures. Dental implants, an artificial tooth root placed into the jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge, can be used to replace missing teeth.

“These procedures improve the smile, and are functional as well,” said Douglass. “A soft tissue graft can reduce further recession and bone loss, and in some cases reduce tooth sensitivity. Crown lengthening uncovers the tooth or teeth and improves its function. After the procedure, my patients can’t stop smiling, and it’s very rewarding when a patient says that periodontal plastic surgery changed their life by making them look and feel younger.”

A referral to a periodontist in your area and free brochure samples including one titled Periodontal Diseases: What You Need to Know are available by calling 800-FLOSS-EM or visiting the AAP’s Web site at www.perio.org.

About the AAP

The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) is the professional organization for

CHICAGO – February 13, 2004 – Appearing on a recent episode of reality TV, periodontist and member of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), Jeff Ganeles, DMD, showed how immediate loading dental implants transformed a patient’s smile in just a few visits. This event gave Americans a look at the future of implant dentistry, making the thought of dentures primitive and traditional dental implants routine technology.

“Today, patients’ expectations are much higher because of advances in technology and medicine,” explains Ganeles. “They want treatment methods that not only eliminate disease but also replace defective parts and make them feel whole again. Removable solutions such as dentures and partials used to be generally accepted, but increasingly my patients insist on more instantly gratifying, permanent options such as immediate loading dental implants.”

A dental implant, which looks like a small post or cylinder, is an artificial tooth root placed into the jaw to hold a replacement tooth, bridge, or denture in place. Using traditional dental implant methods and procedures, it typically takes two to six months for the bone and implant to bond together to form anchors (osseointegration). During this time, patients can wear a removable temporary tooth replacement option over the implant sites.

Improved technology affords some patients the luxury of immediate loading dental implants, whereby a periodontist places the implant immediately following tooth extraction and attaches a temporary fixed tooth replacement. “Although more research needs to be conducted, I have observed no complications during the healing period, and found that immediate loading implants can have notable advantages such as prevention of jawbone deterioration, reduced number of surgical procedures, reduction of treatment time, and better patient acceptance,” states Ganeles.

“We’ve come a long way with tooth replacement technology,” notes Michael P. Rethman, DDS, MS, and president of the AAP. “Today, the optimal solution for most patients is dental implants, and in some cases immediately loading implants.”

This is good news for patients who experience sadness, depression and embarrassment with tooth loss because they have lost the comfort and confidence of a natural smile. “Many also find that dentures, bridges and other dental appliances come with problems of their own,” Ganeles comments. “I’ve been told by my patients that getting implants changed their lives, making them look and feel younger and healthier.”

Consequently, it’s not just the “maturing” population that is electing implants to repair their smiles and restore their facial structure. In an online poll of periodontists, thirty-one percent report that half or more of the implants they place are for baby boomers – people ages 35 to 54, while forty-three percent state that more than half of the implants they place are for individuals between the ages 55 to 79. According to the poll, the top reasons for tooth loss leading to implant placement were periodontal diseases, tooth decay and accidents, violence or injuries.

Dental implants are intimately connected with the gum tissues and underlying bone in the mouth. Since periodontists are the experts who specialize in precisely these areas, they are ideal members of the dental implant team. Periodontists not only have experience working with other dental professionals: they also have special knowledge, training, innovation, and facilities that patients need to attain the natural looking and feeling smiles the want.

A referral to a periodontist in your area and free brochure samples including one titled Dental Implants: Teeth that Look and Feel Just Like Your Own are available by calling 800-FLOSS-EM or visiting the AAP’s Web site at www.perio.org.

About the AAP

The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) is the professional organization for

CHICAGO – April 7, 2004 – Many Americans are spending their tax refunds on periodontal plastic surgery, according to an online poll of consumers conducted recently on the American Academy of Periodontology’s (AAP) Web site.

“This patient survey confirms what periodontists see in their practices,” said Michael P. Rethman, DDS, MS, and president of the AAP. “One out of 4 periodontists polled said they perform most periodontal plastic surgery procedures during ‘tax time’ – the months of April through June.”

Click for Detailed Survey Results

Cosmetic surgery has become so popular in the United States that it is the hottest topic for reality television. Periodontal plastic surgery has also felt this trend as it has experienced a significant shift toward cosmetic-related surgery to help improve the smile.

“I elected to have periodontal plastic surgery, because I hated my gummy smile,” explained Denise Riddle. “I’m thrilled with the results, and every day someone compliments me on my smile.”

Excessive gum tissue can create a “gummy” smile, but the periodontist can perform a crown lengthening procedure to remove the excess gum tissue and expose an ideal smile. Conversely, a person’s teeth may appear too long if their gums have receded or shrunk. This can often be corrected with soft tissue graft procedures.

If patients have missing or damaged teeth, a dental implant is an artificial tooth root placed into the jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Implants also prevent bone loss that often accompanies dentures, and look and feel like the original tooth.

“The results are rewarding for the periodontist, restorative dentist and the patient,” said Jonathan Cole, D.M.D., private practitioner in DuBois, Pennsylvania. “Prior to surgery, patients tell me they hate smiling because they don’t want people to see their teeth. After surgery, they smile with ease and confidence. Patients have even told me they can’t believe this change makes them look so much younger and instills much more confidence in their personality.”

“The periodontist plays an integral part in the appearance and health of the smile,” said Kevin Moore, D.M.D., restorative dentist in Clarion, Pennsylvania. “The patient cannot achieve a winning smile without the periodontist and dentist working together to reshape the gumline or remove the gum infection.”

“Periodontal plastic surgery improves the smile, and is functional as well,” said Rethman. “A soft tissue graft can reduce further recession and bone loss, and in some cases reduce tooth sensitivity. Crown lengthening uncovers the tooth or teeth and improves its function since the patient can once again feel the tooth.”

The AAP online survey found that almost a third of those surveyed will use their tax refunds for periodontal plastic surgery.

A referral to a periodontist in your area and free brochure samples including one titled Periodontal Surgery: What Can I Expect are available by calling 800-FLOSS-EM or visiting the AAP’s Web site at www.perio.org.

About the AAP

The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) is the professional organization for

CHICAGO—March 19, 2008—A smile is one of the most universally recognizable facial expressions, helping to depict an individual’s happiness, confidence, attractiveness, sociability and sincerity. And now, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Periodontology (JOP), the official publication of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), a smile may also help convey healthy teeth and gums. Researchers found evidence that periodontal, or gum, disease may negatively affect an individual’s smiling patterns and deter someone from displaying positive emotions through a smile. Study Abstract *

The study, conducted at the University of Michigan, evaluated the smiling patterns of 21 periodontal patients while viewing a segment of a comedy program. At predetermined measurement points throughout the segment, the researchers assessed three dimensions of each patient’s smile: the horizontal width of the mouth in millimeters, the open width of the mouth in millimeters, and the number of teeth shown. In addition, the researchers also noted the number of times the patient covered his or her mouth while watching the segment. Individual perceptions of how the patient’s quality of life is affected by oral health were also considered. The data were then evaluated along with a clinical exam of the patient’s periodontal health.

“Since periodontal disease is prevalent in such a large number of adults, we sought to investigate if the disease affects a person’s smiling behavior,” said study author Dr. Marita R. Inglehart. “Smiling plays a significant and essential role in overall well-being. Previous findings suggest that smiling can affect social interactions, self-confidence and can influence how people perceive one another.”

The study findings indicated that periodontal disease can certainly impact how a person smiles. The more symptoms of gum disease found in a patient’s mouth, such as periodontal pockets between four to six millimeters deep or loose, moving teeth, the more likely the patient was to cover his or her mouth when smiling or to limit how widely the mouth opened during the smile. In addition, the more gum recession seen in the patient, the fewer teeth he or she showed when smiling. The way patients perceived their quality of life as a result of their oral health was also significantly correlated with the number of teeth affected by periodontal disease.

“It is already widely known that periodontal disease is connected to systemic health,” said Dr. Susan Karabin, DDS, President of the AAP. “These results help demonstrate that periodontal disease may affect more than just overall health. It can also impact actual quality of life, making caring for one’s teeth and gums all the more important.”

Find out if you are at risk for periodontal diseases by taking the Academy’s risk assessment test. A referral to a periodontist in your area and free brochure samples are available by visiting the AAP’s Web site at www.perio.org. or by calling 800-FLOSS-EM.

About the AAP

The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) is the professional organization for