IMPORTANCE OF PERIODONTAL CARE
Periodontal Care Starts with the Prevention of Periodontal Disease!
What is Periodontal Disease?
An infection of the gum and bone that hold the teeth in place. It is commonly called gum disease.
What causes this disease?
Dental plaque--a sticky mass of harmful germs. Dental scientists have found that about a dozen of the nearly 300 germs found in the mouth can cause gum disease. The American Dental Association reports that 80% of teenagers and adults suffer from Periodontal Disease. People with Periodontal Disease (gum problems, gingivitis) may be at higher risk for developing heart disease, stroke, uncontrolled diabetes, pre-term births and respiratory disease. Current protocols and preventive treatments are considered by many to be flawed.
A Major Problem
It is estimated that there are approximately 200 million people in the USA alone that are affected by some form of Periodontal Disease (gum disease, gingivitis) . Many oral health professionals are aware of this and thus have attempted to create products or procedures to be used in the dental offices to combat this disease.
History of Periodontal Care
In the 60's it was commonly believed that deep cleaning and some form of surgery, either curettage of the lining of the gum tissue, or surgical removal of the tissue was the treatment of choice. As research started to demonstrate that periodontal disease was more related to plaque and bacteria in the gum space, more attention was given to its removal by chemical agents and oral antibiotics.
In the early 90's use of lasers gained popularity as it removed the infected tissue lining along with plaque and bacteria. More and more attention has now been given to attacking the harmful bacteria, which are now recognized as the main contributors to periodontal disease. Popular products presently being used are:
- Antibiotic gels syringed into the gum space
- Chemical rinses
- Time released antibiotic chips placed into the gum space
- Chemical flushes into the gum space
- Stronger oral antibiotics
These invasive chemical - antibiotic approaches are having some success in periodontal treatment, thereby decreasing the amount of periodontal procedures such as curettage and surgery, the overall satisfaction of both doctor and patient is in want. These antibiotics can be compromising to the immune systems of the patient. Thoughthese antibiotic approaches do help the periodontal tissues, they mask the real problem by treating the symptoms not the root of the problem. What is further distressing is that the treatments are extremely expensive and often lack a comprehensive approach to the treatment of the whole mouth.
To effectively develop a periodontal program that works it must be based on a natural healing approach rather than on a continual reliance on antibiotics and chemicals.
The result would be a mostly preventive all natural approach that would treat the entire mouth, be less invasive and have a greater rate of compliance.
Mouth Body Connection
In July of 1998, the American Academy of Periodontology launched an effort to educate the public about new findings that support that infections in the mouth can play havoc elsewhere in the body.
Evidence has continued to mount to support these links. While more research needs to be done to say definitively that people with periodontal disease are at higher risk for developing heart disease, stroke, uncontrolled diabetes, pre term births and respiratory disease, periodontists do know that periodontal disease is a bacterial infection, and therefore a cause for concern.
Heart Disease
Several theories exist to explain the link between periodontal disease and heart disease. One theory is that oral bacteria can affect the heart when they enter the blood stream, attaching to fatty plaques in the coronary arteries (heart blood vessels) and contributing to clot formation. Coronary artery disease is characterized by a thickening of the walls of the coronary arteries due to the buildup of fatty proteins. Blood clots can obstruct normal blood flow, restricting the amount of nutrients and oxygen required for the heart to function properly. This may lead to heart attacks.
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