Smokers Have a Higher Risk of Tooth Loss than Non-Smokers

It has been common knowledge for many years that the body’s ability to heal itself and recover from surgery is significantly hindered by the use of tobacco. It is for this reason that surgeons often require patients who need to undergo major surgery quit smoking 6 months prior to their surgery date. But did you know that recent studies have confirmed that regular smokers also have a significantly increased risk of tooth loss too?

According to the Journal of Dental Research the association between smoking and the incidence of tooth loss was stronger in men than women, and also stronger in younger versus older individuals. Researchers found female smokers were 2.5 times more likely to lose their teeth than a nonsmoker, while males smokers were 3.6 times more likely to lose their teeth. These findings were independent of other risk factors such as diabetes, and were based on 23,376 participants in three different age groups.

Most teeth are lost as a result of either severe tooth decay or periodontal disease. It has been common knowledge for many years that smoking is a strong risk factor for periodontal disease, so that may go a long way toward explaining the higher rate of tooth loss in smokers.

The good news is that researchers also found that smoking cessation was consistently associated with a reduction in tooth loss risk, with the risk of tooth loss approaching that of people who have never smoked after 10-20 years of cessation.



About the Author: Dr. Anthony Dailley is a practicing general dentist in Berkeley California. He has been practicing since 1981 and graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in Cell & Molecular Biology, and obtained his dental degree from the Pacific School of Dentistry. Dr. Dailley also holds a fellowship position with the International Congress of Oral Implantologist (ICOI). Dr. Dailley has also been a founder in a biotech company called NovaBay Pharmaceuticals and was a member of their board of directors from 1997-2014.  

Treating Gum Disease to Reduce Prostate Symptoms

You might be asking yourself, how in the world can prostate problems be related to gum disease?
Well according to a study conducted at Case Western Reserve School of Dentistry and the Departments of Urology and Pathology at University Hospitals Case Medical Center, symptoms of prostate inflammation, or what is referred to as prostatitis, were reduced by treating the patients’ gum disease. Studies like the Case Western study have clearly shown that gum disease not only affects the mouth but it is a system-wide condition that can cause inflammation in various parts of the body.

The Case Western study showed there was a very high correlation between men who had prostatitis and those with moderate to severe gum disease. Following a 4-8 week period of gum treatment for a group of men who had moderate periodontal disease and concurring prostatitis, the study showed that 77% of theses men also experienced a decrease in inflammation of their prostate glands and decreased PSA scores without any treatment being directed towards the prostate condition itself.

Prostatitis is just one of many systemic diseases such as cardiovascular disease,  diabetes, and kidney disease, that have shown a clear connection with periodontal disease. For these reasons and for the prevention of gum disease itself we always recommend regular dental visits along with twice a day flossing and brushing.



About the author: Dr. Anthony Dailley is a practicing general dentist in Berkeley California. He has been practicing since 1981 and graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in Cell & Molecular Biology, and obtained his dental degree from the Pacific School of Dentistry. Dr. Dailley also holds a fellowship position with the International Congress of Oral Implantologist (ICOI). Dr. Dailley has also been a founder in a biotech company called NovaBay Pharmaceuticals and was a member of their board of directors from 1997 -2014.

Have you ever wondered what it takes to be considered a good candidate for treatment with dental implants? Well, it turns out that there are many different factors that help determine if dental implants are right for your needs.

Do You Qualify for Dental Implants?

What makes dental implants in Berkeley completely unique among teeth restoration treatments is the fact that they are integrated into your jawbone through a biological process called osseointegration. It is this assimilation into your oral anatomy that allows your dental implants to work and feel just like your natural teeth. However, in order for this process to be successful, there are many standards you must meet. In fact, you may require a supplementary procedure before you can move forward with the implant procedure. Today, Dr. Anthony Dailley is blogging from Berkeley, CA to talk about the various factors that determine a patients candidacy for treatment with dental implants.

What Makes a Good Dental Implant Candidate?

There are many aspects of your health we look at before allowing a patient to move forward with the dental implant procedure. For instance, we check to make sure that each patients mouth is free of any dangerous oral conditions, as they can prevent implants from healing properly. It is also important that a patient be in good general health as well, as the procedure can be rather intense. Some patients may also not qualify for implant treatment because of their age. This is because when we are young, our teeth are in a state of change. A patient cannot move forward with the implant procedure until their teeth are finished growing.

A good candidate for treatment with dental implants will also be free of jawbone deterioration and gum recession. It turns out that, when you lose a tooth, both your jawbone and gums will begin to deteriorate because they are no longer able to get the exercise they need to stay healthy and strong. As a result of this deterioration, your jaw structure may be weakened to the point where it will no longer be able to support dental implants.

If you are suffering from either jawbone deterioration or gum recession, you may still be able to move forward with treatment using dental implants. Fortunately, we can perform supplementary procedures that can restore the damage done by these conditions. For instance, if you are suffering from jawbone deterioration, we can perform bone grafting to restore your jawbone back to a healthy state. This procedure takes bone samples from another part of your body, usually the hipbone, and grafts them to the deficient areas of your jawbone. For our patients with gum recession, a similar procedure, called soft tissue augmentation, can be performed.
Call and Schedule a Consultation in Berkeley, CA

In order to determine your candidacy for treatment with dental implants, you will need to call and schedule a no-obligation consultation with dental implant provider, Dr. Anthony Dailley, today. During your consultation, Dr. Dailley will perform a thorough examination to find out whether or not you might be a good candidate for treatment with dental implants. We will also take the time to address any additional questions or concerns you may have regarding the implant process at this time. We encourage you to contact us soon so that we can help you along your way to a restored smile as soon as possible!

About the author: Dr. Anthony Dailley is a practicing general dentist in Berkeley California. He has been practicing since 1981 and graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in Cell & Molecular Biology, and obtained his dental degree from the Pacific School of Dentistry. Dr. Dailley also holds a fellowship position with the International Congress of Oral Implantologist (ICOI). Dr. Dailley has also been a founder in a biotech company called NovaBay Pharmaceuticals and was a member of their board of directors from 1997 -2014.

Replace that Missing Tooth with a Dental Implant, Tiger!

 Tiger Woods recently made the trip out to Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy in order to surprise his girlfriend, Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn. Vonn was set to compete in the Alpine Skiing World Cup being held there, and was about to race the super-G for what would hopefully be her 63rd career World Cup win. During a rush at the podium after the race, a man with a shoulder mounted video camera stood and turned suddenly, causing his camera to collide with Woods’ face. This impact chipped one of Woods’ teeth and completely knocked out another. Despite the accident, Vonn was pleasantly surprised to see her boyfriend following her big win.

With dental implants, it is possible for Tiger Woods and our many teeth restoration patients to replace their missing teeth with beautiful restorations that function and feel just like natural teeth. Dental implants are titanium stakes that perfectly replicate natural tooth roots. This is possible because a process called osseointegration occurs, which is the acceptance of the implant by the body as a natural part of your oral anatomy. This process is possible because titanium is a metal that isn’t recognized by the body as a foreign material.

Dental implants receive many benefits because of osseointegration. For instance, dental implants are comfortable and reliable because they are held permanently in place by your jaw structure. In fact, dental implants use the same method your natural teeth do to work properly and stay in place. Dental implants also require no additional maintenance in order to stay healthy and strong. You will merely brush and floss your implants regularly, just like you do your natural teeth. So long as you are sure to take care of them, your dental implants can last you a lifetime.

 Call and Schedule a Consultation in Berkeley, CA

Because of how great of a treatment dental implants offer, it’s safe to say that Tiger Woods will be enjoying a new, restored smile very soon. And, since dental implants are carefully matched to each patients remaining natural teeth, chances are high no one will even be able to tell which tooth he had replaced. If you would like to learn more about the dental implant process or find out if you might be a good candidate for dental implant treatment, we encourage you to contact us and schedule a no-obligation consultation with dental implant provider Dr. Anthony Dailley today at 510-848-0114.

About the author: Dr. Anthony Dailley is a practicing general dentist in Berkeley California. He has been practicing since 1981 and graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in Cell & Molecular Biology, and obtained his dental degree from the Pacific School of Dentistry. Dr. Dailley has also been a founder in a biotech company called NovaBay Pharmaceuticals and was a member of their board of directors from 1997 -2014.

New Clinical Recommendations: Maintain Oral Health During Pregnancy

New clinical recommendations from the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) and the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) are urging expectant mothers to be diligent about maintaining their periodontal health as research has indicated that women with periodontal disease may be at increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes such as giving birth to a preterm or low weight baby.

Tenderness, redness, or swollen gums are a few of the indications of periodontal disease. Other symptoms include gums that bleed from toothbrushing, flossing, or eating, or even loose teeth. It is not uncommon for pregnant women to experience what is called “pregnancy gingivitis” during their pregnancy. These symptoms should not be ignored and it is important to see one’s dentist regularly during pregnancy. See Different Types of Gum Disease on our web site and see information about the different types of gum problems and how they differ.

The clinical recommendations released by the AAP and EFP state that nonsurgical periodontal therapy is safe for pregnant women. Routine brushing and flossing accompanied by regular trips to the dentist for prophylaxis and a comprehensive periodontal evaluation during pregnancy may decrease the chance of adverse pregnancy complications. By maintaining your periodontal health you are not only supporting your overall health, but also helping ensure a safe pregnancy and a healthy baby.

About the author: Dr. Anthony Dailley is a practicing general dentist in Berkeley California. He has been practicing since 1981 and graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in Cell & Molecular Biology, and obtained his dental degree from the Pacific School of Dentistry. Dr. Dailley has also been a founder in a biotech company called NovaBay Pharmaceuticals and was a member of their board of directors from 1997 -2014.