Research continues to provide data supporting the link between periodontal (gum) disease and your overall health. Data has shown an increased risk with heart disease, stroke, diabetes, osteoporosis, lung disease and even Alzheimer’s to name a few.
Periodontal disease is caused by bacteria that are present in your mouth. You have anywhere from 600 to 2 million bacteria in your mouth at any given time. Out of these bacteria there are about 6 to 10 varieties that are labeled as “the bad guys.” These bacteria get together and form colonies on the root surfaces called plaque biofilm. These are very complex colonies that when formed slowly eat away at the bone that holds your teeth in place.
Periodontal disease is an infection that destroys the bone and supporting structures of the teeth. As the tissue and bone breakdown, a space is created between the gum and the tooth. This space is called a pocket. As the infection progresses the pocket deepens. As the pocket deepens you lose more bone and eventually will lose the tooth.
Although there is no cure for periodontal disease, we are very successful in treating and maintaining the infection. We treat the infection by using low level microsonic instrumentation to thoroughly clean the root surfaces of this biofilm. After the root surfaces are clean, we use a thin laser fiber under the gum to disinfect the pockets. Our goal in this treatment is to create a healthy environment that allows your body to heal itself.