Learn About Ulcers

About one in ten people in the U.S. have suffered from a burning, gnawing abdominal pain of a peptic ulcer at some point in their life.

Dickson dentist Dr. Gatgens explains that ulcers are basically a hole in your stomach or the protective lining of the upper part of the small intestine.

Most people think stress and a bad diet of fatty foods, and smoking are to blame for this painful ailment. It’s a popular belief that the excess of acidity plays a big role in developing ulcers.

But research shows that the H. Pylori bacteria is present in over 80% of stomach ulcers. Accent Smile Centers’ Dr. Gatgens explains that gum disease and deep gum pockets where bacteria gets trapped could increase the risk of the H. Pylori bacteria (associated with ulcers) and enter your bloodstream.

The Link Between Gum Disease and Ulcers

Bad oral health can lead or worsen certain conditions including heart disease, respiratory infections and osteoporosis.

People with gum disease are at a greater risk of having peptic ulcers since they have more plaque which contains that H. Pylori bacteria.

If this bacteria reaches your stomach, it will eat small holes of the stomach’s lining and result in an ulcer. So what can you do to prevent ulcers from developing in your stomach?

The key is great dental hygiene. You really need to take care of your mouth and teeth, go beyond brushing and flossing.

  • Eat a healthy diet containing mostly fruits and vegetables
  • Use an anti-bacterial mouth rinse to reduce plaque-related bacteria
  • Learn to de-stress
  • Take care of any unfinished dental work treatment
  • Work closely with your dentist, keep them informed of any health changes
  • No smoking
  • No snacking on sugary treats, it can lead to tooth decay
  • When brushing, don’t forget inner surface of teeth
  • When flossing, reach the gum line and curve floss into a C shape against tooth
  • Don’t brush too soon after eating, since it can erode the enamel

Visit Us

If your dental health is not in the best shape, visit Dickson dental office Accent Smile Center. Our team is well-versed in gum disease and can help you keep ulcers at bay.

We’ll take a look at your teeth, do some dental X-rays and prepare a dental plan that will allow you to put your best oral health forward. We offer various dentistry services from restorative to cosmetic dentistry and oral surgery.