Epilepsy, Seizure Meds Have Oral Health Implications

Three million Americans suffer from epilepsy, a central nervous system disorder resulting in recurrent seizures, which can be frightening and potentially dangerous. Additionally, seizures may have implications for oral health and dental care, according to an article in General Dentistry, the clinical, peer-reviewed journal of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). If you suffer from seizures, it is crucial that you keep your dentist informed, according to author Eric T. Stoopler, DMD.

"It's extremely important for patients to give their dentist a thorough history of their seizures and lists of medications and dosages. Dentists also should be updated on patients' progress with their neurologists and other health care professionals," says Dr. Stoopler.

Seizures can be treated with medication or, in some instances, surgery; but antiseizure drugs often have side effects that can cause oral health problems or complicate dental procedures. Additionally, drugs commonly used in dentistry could induce seizure activity in epileptics.

Dr. Stoopler urges seizure sufferers to make sure their dentist is aware of their specific conditions. And most important, you should make sure that your dentist knows how to handle a seizure should you have one during a dental treatment, says Dr. Stoopler.

"Armed with the full knowledge of a patient's condition, a dentist can take all the necessary steps to ensure a safe and comfortable visit," according to AGD spokesperson Mark Ritz, DDS, MAGD.

At Suwanee Dental Care, we urge epileptics to visit the dentist frequently, as side effects such as dry mouth and overgrown gums require careful attention to oral hygiene.

Side effects of seizure medications:

• Increased incidence of infection
• Xerostomia (dry mouth)
• Gingival hypertrophy (overgrown gums)
• Delayed healing
• Bleeding gums
• Postoperative bleeding

Dental visit tips for epileptics:

• Take medication prior to your appointment.
• Inform your dentist of your complete medical history, including seizure history, medications and dosages and contact information for other health care providers.
• Schedule appointments within a few hours of taking medication.
• Tell the dental team immediately if you experience an aura.
• Avoid drinking alcohol before your appointment.

Gummy Smiles

Excessive gingival display or delayed passive eruption

When you smile, do you feel the appearance of your upper teeth is overshadowed by excessive gum tissue? Are you of the opinion that your upper teeth appear too short compared to the amount of gingival tissue displayed when you smile? If you answered “yes” to either of these questions, you may have a condition that is commonly called a “gummy smile” or excessive gingival display.

Gummy smile can have a negative affect on the esthetics of your smile. The good news is that a gummy smile can be corrected through various treatment options.

Causes of a Gummy Smile

There are several possible causes of gummy smile, including:

• An excessive display of gum tissue in your upper jaw can result from the abnormal eruption of the teeth. Teeth covered by excessive gum tissue appear short, even though they may actually be the proper length.
• The muscle that controls the movement of your upper lip could be hyperactive, causing your upper lip to rise up higher than normal. When this occurs, more of your gum tissue is exposed when you smile.
• The manner in which your upper jaw bone grew and developed could cause the appearance of a gummy smile. For instance, if there was an excessive bulging protrusion of the upper jaw within the gum tissue, you would experience an obvious gummy appearance when you smile.

Gummy Smile: An Esthetic Problem or Something More?

The smile line or esthetic zone — the teeth that are showing when you are smiling — is determined by several factors, including:

• The shape and size of your lips.
• Your facial muscles.
• The shape and size of your teeth.
• Your gum tissue.

The optimal smile line appearance should reveal the least amount of gum tissue possible. Gum tissue visible in the smile line should have balanced, even contours that are in harmony with the upper lip. It is for this reason that many people with a gummy smile or excessive gingival display feel their smile to be unattractive, oftentimes feeling reluctant to smile at all.

However, depending on the factors causing a gummy smile, more serious underlying dental conditions could be present. For example, if you have a gummy smile caused as a result of how the teeth erupted and how the jaw developed, you may also have an uncomfortable or improper bite that could ultimately affect your long-term oral health.

Gummy Smile Treatments

If you think you have a gummy smile, visit your www.suwaneedental.com for confirmation and treatment options. Your dentist will examine your mouth, teeth and gums to determine the extent of the excessive gingival display and any possible causes. This examination may involve conventional and/or digital impressions of your teeth and gums. You may also need X-ray imaging so that the tooth roots and jaw bone can be carefully examined.

Depending on the nature of your specific clinical condition, treatment for your gummy smile could include one or more of the following:

• Same-day laser treatments (in minor cases).
• Surgical lip repositioning.
• Orthodontics to move the teeth into more suitable positions.
• Surgical Sculpting of the gingival tissues and bone to create healthier and more attractive looking gum contours.
• Maxillofacial surgery to reposition the bone.

For example, according to the American Academy of Periodontology, a periodontist — a dentist specializing in the gums, soft tissues and other structures supporting the teeth — can perform a “crown lengthening” procedure to correct the appearance of a gummy smile. During this procedure, the periodontist will remove the excess gum tissue — and possibly bone — in order to expose more of the tooth’s surface. This Surgical Sculpting procedure can be performed on one or more teeth to create an even gum line or a more natural looking smile. As a result, gummy smile sufferers see more of their teeth when they smile and less of their gums.

The American Academy of Periodontology states that the benefits of crown lengthening procedures include increased comfort and confidence when smiling, eating and speaking, as well as improved periodontal (gum tissue) health.

Authored By: Allison DiMatteo

ORAL-SYSTEMIC HEALTH (YOUR ORAL HEALTH AND OVERALL HEALTH)

Researchers have found that periodontitis (the advanced form of gum disease that can cause tooth loss) is associated with other health problems such as cardiovascular disease, stroke and bacterial pneumonia. Likewise, pregnant women who have periodontitis may be at increased risk for delivering pre-term and/or low birth weight babies.

Although reports suggest that periodontitis may contribute to these conditions, it is important to understand that just because two conditions occur at the same time, doesn’t necessarily mean that one condition causes the other. The relationship could work the other way. For example, there is evidence that diabetics are more likely to develop periodontitis and have more severe periodontitis than nondiabetics. Or two conditions that occur together may be caused by a third factor. People who smoke or use alcohol are at increased risk of developing periodontitis and a number of other health conditions, including oral cancer.

Researchers are working hard to find out if periodontitis does have an effect on other health problems by looking at what happens when periodontitis is treated in individuals with these problems. If there was a cause and effect relationship, we would expect that a treatment that leads to an improvement in periodontal health would also improve other health problems. The results from initial studies are intriguing. For example, some studies suggest that treating periodontitis in people with diabetes can improve their blood sugar control, but other studies have not found this connection.

Given the potential link between periodontitis and systemic health problems, prevention of periodontitis may turn out to be an important step in maintaining overall health. In most cases, good oral health can be maintained with good daily oral hygiene (brushing and flossing) and regular professional care.

Tell your dentist about your overall health, especially if you have had any recent illnesses or have any chronic conditions. Provide a health history including medication use, both prescription and over-the-counter products, and let your dentist know when there are changes. Also, if you smoke, talk to your dentist about options for quitting smoking. This will help ensure that you get the most complete and appropriate care.