Substance Use
What % of those w/ a SUD have gingivitis?
36%
What % of those w/ alcoholism have gingivitis?
82%
What % of Baltimorians have gingivitis?
42%
What % of Baltimorians have gum disease?
47%
What % of nurses in America have gingivitis?
42%
How does toothbrushing matter in SUD recovery?
A landmark study by the University of Utah School of Dentistry found that integrating comprehensive dental care into SUD programs caused patients to stay in treatment twice as long and resulted in an 80% increase in program completion.
How does toothbrushing matter in Alcoholism recovery?
Untreated, chronic dental pain is a primary trigger for relapse. During active addiction, alcohol or other substances often mask the pain of severe cavities; once sober, this pain surfaces abruptly. Resolving dental issues prevents individuals from self-medicating to escape physical discomfort.
How reversible is gingivitis?
According to clinical data published in StatPearls, roughly 80% of individuals with localized gingivitis achieve complete oral health after a single session of professional therapy (scaling and polishing) combined with improved home hygiene.
What % of Marylanders have gingivitis?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 46% to 50% of U.S. adults aged 30 and older have some form of periodontal (gum) disease, which starts out as early-stage gingivitis.
Does regular toothbrushing lower the risk of gum disease?
Poor oral hygiene increases the risk of severe gum disease (periodontitis) by two to five times compared to good oral hygiene
SUD comorbidities besides gum disease?
Mental health conditions: Depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Physical health conditions: Chronic pain, HIV, hepatitis C, or heart disease.
Multiple substances: Using more than one drug or alcohol dependency at the same time
Alcoholism comorbidities besides gum disease?
Mood disorders: Depression and bipolar disorder frequently happen with AUD.
Anxiety disorders: Conditions like panic disorder, social phobia, and PTSD often overlap with heavy drinking.
Other substance use: Using nicotine, cannabis, or prescription drugs alongside alcohol is very common.
Personality disorders: Antisocial personality disorder frequently links to early alcohol problems.
What % of Baltimoreans suffer from Alcoholism?
16.7% (about one in six) of adults in Baltimore are binge drinkers, and public health data shows that about 36% of people entering substance treatment programs in the city cite a drinking problem.
Who is most at risk for gingivitis?
The top factor is poor oral hygiene, but several other triggers make gum inflammation much more likely. Skipping regular brushing and flossing lets sticky plaque build up and harden into rough tartar, which irritates the gums.
What are the stages of gingivitis?
Four stages: Gingivitis, Mild Periodontitis, Moderate Periodontitis, Advanced Periodontitis
Why does substance use disorder affect your gums?
Substance use disorder affects your gums through a combination of reduced blood flow, lack of saliva, physical wear, and changes in daily care habits
Why does alcoholism affect your gums?
Alcoholism affects your gums by changing the health of your mouth, weakening your body's defenses, and causing physical irritation. Heavy alcohol use leads to gum disease, bleeding, swelling, and even bone loss around the teeth.
What % of Baltimoreans suffer from a Substance Use Disorder?
An estimated 17.3% of Baltimore City residents (ages 12 and older) have a Substance Use Disorder (SUD). This rate is significantly higher than the statewide average for Maryland, which sits at roughly 8.5%. The epidemic touches nearly every corner of the community: a Johns Hopkins University study revealed that 40% of Baltimore area adults know someone who has struggled with drug addiction.
Who is most at risk for gum cancer?
Gum cancer most often affects adults over the age of 60, and it is about twice as common in men as it is in women. Smoking cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or using smokeless tobacco (like chewing tobacco or snuff) is a leading cause. Smokeless tobacco places users at an especially high risk for cancer directly on the gums where the product is held in the gums.
What do nurses emphasize in oral healthcare or toothbrushing?
Brush for a full two minutes twice a day and to clean between teeth daily using floss
Signs of healthy gums and teeth?!
Firm texture: Gums should feel tight and fit snugly around each tooth.
Healthy color: Gums range from light pink to dark pink or brown depending on your natural skin tone.
No pain or bleeding: Brushing and flossing should not cause discomfort or bleeding.
Clean surfaces: Teeth are free of visible food particles, sticky film, and heavy staining.
How to keep healthy teeth and gums?! (Hint: 1st step)
Maintaining healthy teeth and gums requires brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between your teeth daily.
What % of recovery programs in America integrate faith and recovery?
Nationally, studies (such as those reviewed by Faith Counts) estimate that roughly 73% of addiction treatment programs incorporate some form of spiritual or higher-power component, largely through 12-step models like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous.
What is the difference between gum disease and gum cancer?
Gum disease is a common bacterial infection caused by plaque, whereas gum cancer is a serious abnormal growth of malignant cells on the gum tissue.
What health diseases are comorbid with gingivitis?
Poorply controlled diabetes, smoking, nutritional deficiencies, or medications that cause dry mouth and gum overgrowth.