You Can Beat Gum Disease!

Our office proudly offers the PerioProtect method for treating periodontal disease

PerioProtect is a minimally invasive yet effective method to treat gum disease and bad breath by delivering the proper medications to the source of the infection, the bacteria underneath the gums.  It is a comprehensive approach that is customized for each individual patient.

The goal of the treatment is to manage biofilms, communities of bacteria, growing between the spaces, or pockets, between the teeth and gums. The method is a combination of treatments involving anti-bacterial therapy used in conjunction with mechanical debridement treatments.

The anti-bacterial therapy involves a tray delivery of doctor-prescribed medications to chemically debride biofilm from the periodontal pocket and alter the pocket's microbiological environment to disrupt biofilm growth. The most commonly prescribed agents are oxidizing or oxygenating agents, such as hydrogen peroxide, but in certain cases it may also include certain antibiotic agents or herbal medications. 

Mechanical debridement (traditional cleaning procedures) are undertaken once the bacterial population is under control in order to minimize the risk of introducing bacteria into the bloodstream. This involves the removal of tartar and other debris from around and under the gums. Upon treatment you will acheive oral health, fresher breath, better general health and whiter teeth.  This procedure may be covered by your dental and/or medical insurance.

Its important to note that periodontal diease is not only the cause of:  

• Bleeding gums when brushing or flossing
• Receding gums (teeth appear longer)
• Obvious plaque, tartar or calculus
• Spaces developing between your teeth
• Swollen, red or tender gums
• Persistent bad breath
• Sensitive teeth
• and Teeth that are loose or mobile

But is also related to:

• Type 2 Diabetes
• Heart Disease
• Respiratory Disease
• Blood Clots
• Strokes
• Preterm and Low Birth Weight Babies
• and Chronic Inflammation

Image of biofilm from a periodontal pocket.

The theories linking oral bacteria to other diseases explain that the mouth may be a portal for bacteria to spread to the rest of your body.

If you have been diagnosed with gum disease for example, pathogenic bacteria are likely forming colonies that cause localized inflammation and damage in your gum tissue. Those bacteria may enter the blood stream through small ulcers in your gum tissue.

© MSU Center for Biofilm Engineering, used with permission.

The growth of bacteria in periodontal pockets occurs in three stages. After the first stage of attachment, the bacteria form a colony with a filmy or slimy protective covering. The most advanced stage of bacterial growth involves clumps of bacteria detaching from the colony to form new infections.

© MSU Center for Biofilm Engineering, used with permission.

The bacterial infection, like the colony growing on the tooth surface in this illustration, spreads when small clumps of bacteria detach in a “seeding” effect to form new infections. Left unchecked, bacteria growing in the protective colonies in periodontal pockets can lead to the destruction of teeth and eventually the bone supporting the teeth. Because the bacteria may spread through your body to threaten more than your teeth and gums, it is important to talk to your doctor about your risk factors and treat any infected areas of your mouth.

ASSESSING YOUR RISK FACTORS FOR DISEASE
People who have a family history of disease may be genetically predisposed and need to discuss ways to protect their health with their doctor. It is important for everyone to eat right, not smoke, and take care of their oral health.

Heart Disease, Stroke, Hardening of the Arteries (atherosclerosis)
Once oral bacteria enter the body, they may cause inflammation, which in combination with fat deposits can lead to a build up of plaque clogging blood flow and to a build up of blood platelets causing blood clots. These conditions may be responsible for heart attacks, strokes, and other dangerous health conditions.

Diabetes
Controlling gum disease has a positive effect in controlling diabetes. Diabetic patients with gum disease have a higher blood sugar level and require more medication to manage their diabetes. When the gum disease was treated, the blood sugar levels decreased and stayed lower for 3 months.

Respiratory Disease
The bacteria present in gum disease have also been located in lung tissue in patients with lung abscesses. Biopsies of the diseased lung tissue found the same bacteria that are present in the gum disease.

Alzheimer’s Disease
The bacteria associated with Alzheimer’s Disease have been isolated in the periodontal pockets and along the nerves from the teeth to the brain tissue. When these bacteria are introduced into brain cultures, beta amyloid is formed, which is the substance that is a cause of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Pre-term and Low Birth Weight Babies
Pregnant women also have an increased incidence of gum disease. It has been demonstrated that an inflammatory product caused by the bacterial gum infection can cause a woman’s uterus to contract. Pregnant women with gum disease have a 57% incidence of low birth weight babies and a 50% greater incidence of preterm deliveries. Researchers continue to examine these correlations to determine the relationship between gum disease and pregnancy.

As research continues, it is important to understand that oral bacterial infections are serious and that they should be treated.

Call our office and schedule a free consultation to find out if this treatment is right for you.