Periodontal Therapy Overview

The Importance of Prevention

We tend to neglect our oral health, the truth is, it’s like leaving a sore the size of your palm on your arm. All of our pockets in our gums add up to the size of our palm! Having that much infection is something we should treat immediately, just like any other infection on our body. 

What happens when we leave gum infection untreated?

• Increased risk of heart attack/stroke
• Difficulty controlling diabetes
• Increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s/Dementia
• Pre-term birth or low-weight baby
• Infection spreads through partners, children, and family

Pure Holistic Dental cares about your health, not just your teeth. We want to be sure that you have your teeth and your health for a lifetime. That is why we offer gum therapy cleanings at our office! Roughly 80% of Americans have gum disease or periodontal disease, it goes unnoticed since pain doesn’t occur until the late stages. 

Warning Signs of Periodontal Disease

Many factors contribute to gum disease and periodontal disease development. Most symptoms are similar, however, periodontal disease causes permanent bone loss in your jaw. Your lifestyle and even genetics can affect the progression of gum disease. So what can you control? Your diet and lifestyle, along with bacterial plaque. Plaque is a sticky film that is produced by the bacteria in your mouth, they release toxins that deteriorate the natural fibers holding your teeth and gums together. When these fibers are destroyed, a pocket is formed, allowing further destruction. When it reaches this point, you will need to seek the help of a dental professional to eliminate the bad bacteria and restore your gum health. 

Signs and Symptoms:

• Loose teeth
• Sensitive teeth
• Bleeding when flossing or brushing
• Bad breath 
• Pain from chewing 
• Gum recession 

Options to Treat Gum Disease

It’s important to make an informed decision when it comes to your health. The doctors and hygienists at Pure Holistic Dental are here to help guide you and go over your options. 

Debridement or Deep Scaling

A debridement involves removing tartar and calculus to create a smooth surface where bacteria have less to attach to. When a hygienist performs a scaling and root planing, they will be able to remove the buildup under the gumline and create a smooth surface on the roots of the teeth. During these cleanings, the hygienist will disrupt the biofilm that is full of food and bacteria and remove it from the gums.

Follow up visits may be required to assess your gum health as well as how home care has improved.

LAPT (Laser Assisted Periodontal Therapy) 

At Pure Holistic Dental, we are always evolving and implementing new technological discoveries in our practice. The use of lasers has been more prevalent in dentistry as a minimally invasive tool. Using laser assisted gum therapy we are able to target the infected tissue below the gum to remove cells that trigger inflammation. LAPT can even help prevent or slow the loss of jaw bone. 

Laser therapy will follow a deep scale, this extra step will leave you with more healthy tissue. The laser will simultaneously kill the bacteria that cause gum and periodontal disease, in addition, it will stimulate the gum pockets to heal. It does so by increasing circulation and revives the gums for gum attachment. 

Oxygen Tray Therapy from PerioProtect

For our patients who need a little extra help at home, we are able to prescribe Oxygen Therapy Trays! These trays are custom fitted to your teeth and gums! They are incredibly easy to use, patients will wear these trays for 10-20 minutes a couple times a day as needed. Medication is placed in the tray by the user, the design of the tray pushes and seals the medication into areas missed by a toothbrush or floss. These trays are designed to fight infection and promote reattachment of the gums. Not to mention they freshen your breath and gradually whiten your teeth! 

These trays are non-invasive and tailored to you, pocket-to-pocket. This provides daily protection and helps you get the most of your homecare. Another benefit of the Oxygen Therapy Trays is that your dental cleanings get easier! When you are using your traysm they soften the buildup on the teeth which makes them easier for our hygienist to remove. They also help you bleed less, this is helpful in the event you need any dental work done, it helps our dentists completely your treatment more efficiently and comfortably. 

How To Reach Optimal Health

What is the best way to get the best results? It depends case to case, but most of the time, combining these treatments will help you reach the best results. Not only will it help you address the issue at hand, it will continue helping you in your lifetime. Bone loss is irreversible but we will do our best to stop it if we can, or at least slow it down to help you manage! You can protect your oral and whole body health and we will be here to help!