Methamphetamine Use and Oral Health (Meth Mouth)

Posted by Joseph R. Nemeth, DDS, MaCCS | Posted in , , , , , , , , | Posted on 10:16 AM
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Methamphetamine Use and Oral Health (Meth Mouth)

Methamphetamine use is on the rise in the U.S. because Meth is cheap, easy to make and causes a high that lasts up to 12 hours.  Dental health professionals need to be aware of this trend and be prepared to handle cases of Meth Mouth that come into their practices.  Meth use has been linked to severe oral health effects along with being a potent central nervous system stimulant that can cause brain damage that can be permanent.  Dental health professionals should be prepared to recognize the signs of Meth mouth and understand the treatment considerations for users of this drug.

What Dental Professionals should be prepared to look for:       
  1. Decay in teenagers and young adults that is unaccounted for and accelerated.
  2. A pattern of decay that is distinctive, often on the buccal smooth surface of the teeth and the interproximal surfaces of anterior teeth.
  3. Patients who have a “malnourished” appearance due to the fact that Meth acts as an appetite suppressant.     

3. 
What should Dental professionals do if they suspect Methamphetamine use?
  • Take a thorough dental and medical history before completing a comprehensive oral evaluation.
  • Convey consternation about the dental findings to the patient or the parent if the patient is a minor child.
  • Be prepared to give the patient the phone number of a local physician, if the patient is receptive to a medical consultation, and know how to focus on the physician’s protocol so that the patient knows what to anticipate.
  • Employ preventive measures such as topical fluoride treatments.
  • Try to persuade the patient to drink water instead of drinks high in sugar content and carbonation.
  • Be guarded when administering local anesthetics, sedatives, nitrous oxide or general anesthesia, and prescribe narcotics cautiously.
  • Take advantage of the opportunity to educate your patient about the risks associated with and the dangers of methamphetamine or any illicit drug use.



Are you a Dental Professional who sees cases of Meth Mouth in your practice and how do you handle it?

Are you a Dental Professional who has seen a recent rise in the number of patients in your practice whom you suspect are Meth users as some studies suggest?

Are you a Dental Professional who has questions about this topic or other related topics and want others to weigh in?
 
Visit our "Hygiene Forum" Facebook Fan Page to participate in this discussion or post your responses here.  You can also visit our practice website to get more information on a variety of topics surrounding gum disease Michigan, Michigan dental implants, cosmetic periodontal procedures, advanced bone grafting, soft tissue (gum) grafting and so much more.  You can also reach our practice via email at jodi@drnemeth.com or by phone at 248.357.3100.  Follow us on Twitter to get up to the minute information.


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Michigan Periodontist Receives Rave Reviews From One of His Patients

Posted by Joseph R. Nemeth, DDS, MaCCS | Posted in , , , , | Posted on 8:08 AM
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Some of our best patients are referred by some of our best patients! Here's what one patient had to say in a letter she wrote to Dr. Nemeth and staff following her treatment.

"To Dr. Nemeth, Cannot thank you enough for all your expertise and skill since being in your care all these years, my painless/no complications surgery and your constant patience and compassion! To The Staff: Thank you for your courtesy andprofessionalism and to all for the beautiful flowers."                          

                                                                              Sincerely, Carmen Parks
Thank you, Ms. Parks for allowing us to publish your kind words.  We truly appreciate all feedback our patients give us.  Please feel free to send your thoughts on Joseph R. Nemeth, DDS and Associates to jodi@drnemeth.com.

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Mother’s Gum Disease Linked to Infant's Death

Posted by Joseph R. Nemeth, DDS, MaCCS | Posted in , , , , , , | Posted on 1:45 PM
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Pregnant woman's gingivitis caused baby to be stillborn, scientists say

For quite some time now, evidence has shown a link between gum disease and a variety of other health related issues including stroke, heart attack, many cancers, rheumatoid arthritis, premature births, low birth weight babies and many others. In an msnbc article posted Friday, January 22, 2010, scientists say that a pregnant woman's gum disease caused her child to be stillborn.

A new study shows that pregnant women with untreated gum disease may be risking more than their teeth. They may actually be putting the lives of their unborn babies at stake.

Pregnant women have long been warned about the dangers of gum disease and the effects it can have on their unborn children. They've been told that, left untreated, gingivitis and periodontitis can cause not only premature births but can also cause babies to be born too small and underdeveloped. Now, for the first time, scientists have been able to link the bacteria from an expectant woman's gums to an infection that caused a full-term infant to be stillborn. The study was published in Obstetrics and Gynecology on Thursday, January 21, 2010.

After a 35-year-old woman from California contacted scientists from Case Western University to investigate the death of her unborn child, the discovery was made which linked the death to the gum disease bacteria. In earlier studies by the same scientists, results showed that an oral bacteria called Fusobacterium nucleatum could cross the placenta in mice. The California woman questioned whether or not the same bacteria could spread from the bloodstream to the placenta in humans.

Once a woman has bleeding gums, bacteria in the mouth can easily get into the bloodstream, but generally, this type of bacteria can be easily eradicated by the immune system of the pregnant woman. Because of special conditions that exist only in the womb, scientists suspect that the human fetus can be more susceptible.

Yiping Han, an associate professor of periodontics and pathology at Case Western University, the author of the study, says, "Once the bacteria are in the blood, they can go almost anywhere. The placenta is an immunosuppressed organ, compared to other organs like the liver and the spleen. And that makes it easy for the bacteria to colonize the placenta."

The California woman told researchers that she had experienced signs of gum disease during her pregnancy including heavy bleeding from her gums; however, bleeding gums aren't unusual in pregnant women. In fact, about 75 percent of pregnant women develop bleeding gums due to normal hormonal changes; but mild gum disease can be treated simply by brushing and flossing more often. However, a small percentage of pregnant women with more serious cases of gum disease will require dental surgery during their pregnancies.

Pregnant women with uterine infections that can harm a fetus usually contract the infection by bacteria that work their way up from the vaginal canal; but the researchers in this case detected a bacteria in the stillborn baby not typically found in the vaginal canal, says Han. Plaque samples were taken from the California woman's teeth and were found to contain the exact same strain of the oral bacteria found in the deceased baby's stomach and lungs.

Dr. Richard Beigi, an obstetric infectious disease specialist and an assistant professor of reproductive science at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center warns that women shouldn't be overly alarmed by the new study. Since this is just a single case, pregnant women with bleeding gums should not overreact.

*source: www.msnbc.com

Linda Carroll, msnbc.com contributor: updated 8:43 a.m. ET, Fri., Jan. 22, 2010

Still, there's an important lesson to be learned. Pregnant women should be diligent about their oral health and should not ignore the signs of gum disease including bleeding gums. If you are a pregnant woman who has more questions about the risks of gum disease to your unborn child, visit www.drnemeth.com or call 248.357.3100.

Michigan Periodontist, Dr. Joseph Nemeth and his staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have or to schedule an appointment for a periodontal evaluation. Dr. Nemeth will work closely with your OB/GYN to come up with a treatment plan that is safe and effective for both you and your unborn baby.



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Non-surgical Periodontal Therapies

Posted by Joseph R. Nemeth, DDS, MaCCS | Posted in , , , , , , | Posted on 12:49 PM
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Many times early stage periodontal disease can be treated with nonsurgical periodontal therapy. This is generally accomplished by a procedure called Therapeutic Scaling & Root Planing.

Therapeutic Scaling & Root Planing is a meticulous treatment designed to remove toxins and bacteria from root surfaces of the teeth allowing the body’s immune system to begin the healing process. It is designed to eliminate bacteria that cause periodontal disease and to shrink periodontal pockets that harbor bacteria. We use ultrasonic and hand instrumentation to remove plaque and calculus from root surfaces, irrigants to disinfect these areas, and fluoride to de-sensitize root surfaces and prevent decay.

In severe cases of periodontal disease, this therapy often precedes surgical therapy. This is done to improve overall tissue quality prior to surgery and also to help limit the areas requiring surgery.

Antibiotics may be used to help control the growth of bacteria that lead to periodontal disease. In some cases, the doctor may place a small amount of antibiotic in the periodontal pocket after therapeutic scaling and root planing. This is done to control infection and to encourage normal healing, and studies have shown that it may be effective at shrinking the size of infected periodontal pockets.

Our practice also became one of the first in the country to offer patients treatment using the Perioscopy System, a fiberoptic technology that allows us to see deep into gum tissue and around the roots of teeth without surgery. This enhanced viewing provides major support for thorough cleanings and diagnostic capabilities.

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What are Patients Saying About Jospeh R. Nemeth, DDS and Associates?

Posted by Joseph R. Nemeth, DDS, MaCCS | Posted in , , , , , | Posted on 3:05 PM
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From our patients:

Dear Dr. Nemeth and staff…

Thank you so much for helping me overcome something that I thought would devastate one of the most important days of my life. I appreciate you fitting me in on an emergency basis and taking such good care of me. The cold sore was so big and it was so important to look perfect for my wedding pictures. You gave me piece of mind and a dramatically smaller and easy to conceal blemish. I cannot thank you enough.


Or visit the google maps review section and read Dr. Nemeth and Associates online reviews: http://tinyurl.com/yhrpluy

If you'd like to learn more about Joseph R. Nemeth, DDS and Associates, visit www.drnemeth.com or call (248) 357-3100.

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Pigmentation Removed from Gum Tissue By Michigan Periodontist, Dr. Joseph Nemeth

Posted by Joseph R. Nemeth, DDS, MaCCS | Posted in , , , , , | Posted on 2:35 PM
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Unusual gingival pigmentation occurs commonly among patients. Many patients complain of having dark brown blemishes throughout their gum tissue. Practically any level of pigmentation problem can be overcome with today’s advances in dental technology. Through a minimally invasive and relatively pain-free procedure, blemished gum tissue can be restored resulting in a more cosmetically-pleasing smile.


To learn more about this minimally invasive cosmetic gum procedure, call Dr. Joseph Nemeth and Associates at 248.357.3100 or visit us on the web at www.drnemeth.com.

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Michigan Periodontist Performs Connective Tissue Grafting Procedures

Posted by Joseph R. Nemeth, DDS, MaCCS | Posted in , , , , | Posted on 8:40 AM
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Connective tissue grafting is a procedure designed to treat areas where significant recession of gum tissue has occurred, exposing the root surfaces of the involved teeth. Recession can cause many problems, including an esthetically compromised smile and increased sensitivity and discomfort. It can also lead to pr

oblems such as root decay.

Connective tissue grafting covers the area of recession with your own gum tissue. It is highly successful and provides excellent esthetic

results.

Alloderm® Grafting has the same goal as connective tissue grafting -- to treat areas of recessed gum tissue. The difference is that instead of using the patient’s own tissue for grafting, we use an alternative known as Alloderm that also provides excellent results.

If you'd like to learn more about gum grafting procedures, watch our youtube vid http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYKcV44gUSQ .

You can also visit www.drnemeth.com or call 248.357.3100

to learn more about Michigan gum disease treatment.

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