Whole Body Health

Without good periodontal (gum) health, there cannot be good general health. You can spend all day at the gym. You can have the best organic/ raw food/ juicing diet but gum disease unless controlled and treated in your mouth (the opening to the rest of your body) may have an impact on the rest of your health.

Current research on Periodontal disease points to auto immune links to the disease. In a recent course that I attend it was even described as arthritis of the mouth.

Systemic links to heart disease, stroke and certain respiratory problems; disruption of diabetic control; for ladies, increased risk of pre-term and low birth weight babies have been studied.

Research suggests that the bacteria that cause periodontal disease can pass through saliva. This means the common contact of saliva in families puts children and couples at risk for contracting the periodontal disease of another family member. Also, research proves that up to 30% of the population may be genetically susceptible to gum disease. Despite aggressive oral care habits, these people may be six times more likely to develop periodontal disease.

http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/periodontitis/print.html

We have been using laser technology in conjunction with a strict hygienist treatment protocol for many years now. This has increased our understanding and our success in tackling this growing problem.

To achieve maximum benefit, it is imperative to visit the dentist regularly to increase the chances of early diagnosis. Once diagnosed and after a lengthy discussion with you we would look to suggest the following protocol

1. Assessment of base line measures, including an in-depth chart and small detailed x-rays looking at each individual area of bone loss. We need to know where we started from to know where we are going.
2. Advice and help on how to maintain a clean and healthy mouth to increase the changes of a successful outcome.
3. Gentle but intensive hygienist therapy using special anaesthetic gels to make the process comfortable. This may be done over a number of visits or one visit, depending on your requirements.
4. Reassessment after a period of healing and homecare.
5. Further discussion and decision as to continue with hygienist therapy or consider laser therapy.

Please don’t wait until your teeth start falling out. If you are worried then come and talk to us. Hopefully we can give you some advice if, nothing else.

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