PERIODONTAL DISEASE
60% of seniors suffer from periodontal disease. Are you one of them?
Periodontal (gum) disease is an inflammatory disease. Inflammation is currently being viewed as one of the underlying factors contributing to common systemic diseases.
Oral hygiene
Is the most important factor in maintaining periodontal (gum) health, due to the build-up of gum disease causing bacteria under the gums.
As gums get irritated, they swell, creating a space between the gums and the tooth. This space is called a perio pocket and bacterial can build up there.
Do you know that
Periodontal Disease can cause 57 Health Issues?
In North America, 60-65 percent of adults over the age of 65 are affected by gum disease. The biggest risk factors for periodontal disease at an early age are smoking and uncontrolled Type II Diabetes. Viruses and Fungi can also be present under the gums, contribute to periodontal disease, and could then make their way into circulation.
Research is showing that 57 systemic conditions could be linked to periodontal disease, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
How to test for
Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease treatment is entering a very exciting time. We now have the technology and ability to check a patient’s saliva for the bad inflammation producing, gum disease causing bacteria.
This test is very simple
The patients simply swishes with a provided solution, we send it to the lab, then get results showing whether the patient is at, below, or above the normal threshold for particular inflammatory, gum disease causing bacteria. These bacteria can get into circulation and cause inflammation, affecting other organ systems.
Periodontal disease is associated with arterial disease
Research continues to show that there is strong supporting evidence that periodontal disease is associated with arterial disease, and has adverse cardiovascular effects. In addition to outside factors there are certain genes that are associated with inflammation. These all play a critical role in periodontal disease, Type II Diabetes, and cardiovascular disease severity.
No Reason to Delay
Treating Periodontal Disease
The traditional method of periodontal disease treatment involves calculus (long-standing, hardened, build-up) removal. This is typically called Scaling and Root Planing (SRP) or a deep cleaning and is typically done on one side of the mouth per visit. We apply topical anesthetic gel to make the injection gentler.
We then numb the side of the mouth that will be worked on and use instruments called scalers to literally scrape the calculus, hardened build-up, from the tooth surface. Much of the calculus is in that gum pocket formed between the gum tissue and the tooth. At this stage, the bacteria containing build up is too hard for the patient to be able to get it off on their own.
Cavitron machine
We sometimes use a machine called a Cavitron, which has a vibrating tip that releases a constant stream of water. We use these tips to try to scrape off some of the hardest and most stubborn build up. Proper home care and oral hygiene is necessary to maintain the results following the deep cleaning. A significant number of patients do not floss property. Patients should be educated in the proper flossing technique, or advised to use a Waterpic.
Choose our Approach
The most modern periodontal treatment techniques build on this approach. They focus on reducing the amount of inflammatory, disease-causing bacteria using rinses as well as antibiotics following the deep cleaning. This would be a more comprehensive total mouth disinfection approach.
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