Oral Wellness

The most common cause of tooth loss among adults is not decay, but gum disease, medically known as periodontal disease. Nine out of ten adults have gum disease at some level. Three out of four adults over 50 years of age have bone loss. Not only is this bad news for our mouths, but studies show association with periodontal disease and heart disease, diabetes, and low birth weight in infants. This is believed to be due to the chronic inflammation that comes with untreated periodontal infections. One of the markers for this is ‘C-Reactive Protein’ which your physician or dentist can order a blood test to look for elevated levels. An elevated C-Reactive Protein is a much better indicator of the possibility of a cardiovascular accident than an elevated Cholesterol measurement.

Does this mean we are doomed to lose our teeth with age? No, not at all. We can very predictably diagnose the progression of periodontal disease and offer treatment recommendations that will minimize bone loss and preserve your smile for a lifetime, even if you live well into your 80s or 90s! In all cases, your personal daily home care is the basis for this preventive program.

How do we diagnose periodontal disease?

  • Examination
  • Digital radiographs (x-rays)
  • Pocket depth measurements (periodontal probing)
  • Oral DNA test - Tests for DNA of bacteria that are known to cause periodontal disease. Shows not only which bacteria are present, but the ‘load’ of bacteria. If above a threshold, then a specific antibiotic can be prescribed to help eliminate infection. Quick and painless test. Small pieces of paper are placed into the infected gum area, then sent to the lab to get the results.

What do we look for?

  • Visual appearance (redness or swelling)
  • Pocket depth measurements (1 to 3mm = normal range; > 4mm = disease)
  • Bleeding upon gentle probing; lining of gum tissue is inflamed or ulcerated
  • Mobility (tightness or looseness) of teeth; this relates to bone loss or traumatic bite forces which complicate periodontal therapy
  • Furcation involvement (bone loss between roots of molar teeth)
  • Recession (exposed root surfaces); this relates to bone loss and/or improper aggressive tooth brushing and/or traumatic bite forces and/or tooth position exposing roots surfaces.

Depending on the diagnosis of periodontal disease, different treatments are recommended. We will explain all the treatment options and tailor the treatment to each patient’s situation.

When treatment is complete, we re-evaluate the patient’s periodontal health by checking the tissues after five to six weeks of healing and proper home care. After optimal health is attained, it must be maintained with daily home care and professional maintenance at an interval that works for the patient’s body, usually a three to four month interval for most periodontal patients.