The first modern studies to connect periodontal infection with heart disease appeared in the mid 1990’s and were amplified by a surgeon general’s report published in 2000. Initially these reports were thought to be a rehash of the old “focal theory of infection”. The focal theory was described in a journal article in 1891, and purported that severe periodontal infection, termed Smutz Pyorrhea, was the source of many systemic conditions. This theory was popular until after WWII and was the rationale for thousands of full-mouth extractions of teeth.

Oral – Systemic Connection Today: The correlation between periodontal disease with many chronic systemic conditions

Studies conducted in the last 15 years have shown a definite correlation between deep periodontal pockets and generalized periodontal infections with many chronic systemic conditions. These include: cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, pre-term/low birth weight babies, and respiratory infections. This does not mean that periodontitis causes heart attacks. Many factors such as age, genetic profile and family history, diet, living and working conditions, stress and habits also contribute and ultimately determine your overall health. The fact is that gum disease can be another risk factor, increasing your chances of a bad outcome with the above conditions.

The bottom line: Why take the chance?

Brushing, flossing and a couple of cleanings a year are cheap and painless insurance that could lower your risk of heart, lung and systemic problems. The most risky conditions are isolated deep pockets which harbor gram-negative motile pathogens and generalized moderate to deep pockets often associated with red, swollen, tender gums and bad breath odor. New laser procedures can effectively and painlessly treat the isolated conditions and the Perio Protect Trays are an excellent guard when the condition is more generalized.

If you know you have significant periodontal problems or want an evaluation to see if you do have such a condition, contact us to set up an appointment for a check-up.

An impression is made of each dental arch and the resulting model is sent to a Perio Protect approved dental lab for fabrication of the trays. When the trays return the patient is taken through a video education DVD and instructed in the insertion and removal of the appliance. To activate the function of the trays an antimicrobial medication is placed inside and the trays are put into the mouth. The frequency of use and the length of time the trays are worn is determined by the dentist in relation to the severity of the periodontal disease. For severe cases, 4 times a day for 15 minutes each is needed.. For maintenance only, once a day for 10 minutes is recommended.

Patients describe the Perio Tray as comfortable and the treatment as easy to do. Treatment with the Perio Protect Method may sometimes, but not always, eliminate the need for more invasive procedures. It is a wonderful adjunct to regular tooth cleanings for preventing further periodontal problems in a maintenance regimen. If you have bleeding gums, sensitive teeth, obvious plaque, tartar or calculus, persistent bad breath, swollen, red or tender gums, spaces developing between your teeth, receding gums, or loose or mobile teeth please contact us for an exam to see if the Perio Protect System may be of help to you. Use of the Trays during maintenance may also prevent the systemic connection between diseased gums and your heart and respiratory systems.

This is the latest non-invasive therapy for deep periodontal pockets. Step one is to gently remove the epithelial lining from the pocket with the Nd-yag laser. Then the Erbium-yag laser assists in removing all the plaque and tartar deposits from the root surface. Cavitron and hand scaling are used to refine the root surface. The alveolar bone is then stimulated with laser energy to initiate osteogenesis (bone regeneration). Lastly the pocket is closed with a blood clot coagulated by the laser. This is all completed under local anesthesia and is no more painful than a deep cleaning. No sutures of flapping of tissue is needed.

The basis of this treatment is that by removing the bacterial component of the pocket, (sterilizing the pocket with the laser), cleaning the tooth root of all debris, stimulating the surrounding bone and closing the pocket with a blood clot, the stage is set for the body to heal the area much as our skin heals a cut or scrape. It takes a little time for the healing to occur, usually a few months. The pocket remains mostly closed and slowly the underlying bone and connective tissue rebuild and strengthen the tooth. Sometimes it is necessary to repeat the procedure as the pocket depth shrinks to recharge the healing potential. Since the procedure is short and painless this is a simple 30 minute job.

It is important that during the healing period the tooth is not in hyperocclusion. That is, being hit too hard by the opposing tooth. For that reason it is often necessary to adjust the bite and protect the involved teeth with a nightguard. This therapy promises wonderful help for severely infected gums without the need for conventional surgery

However, it is interesting to note that the vast majority of people with chronic bad breath have healthy gums. We now know that almost all halitosis (bad breath) is caused by bacteria on the back of the tongue breaking down mouth proteins into odor causing compounds.

Bacteria scraped from back of tongue

Vigorous tongue scraping will help with bad breath, but for some people this is still not enough. Specialized testing and treatment is available for those patients, and complete elimination of the problem can be expected.

Tongue Scraper

Numerous tongue scrapers are on the market. This appliance from Omni Dental is very effective and is available at our office.

If  you are having problems with your mouth and you smoke, it would be advisable for you to quit or at least cut back to ½  pack per day if possible.  There are at least 12 different ways that cigarette smoke adversely effects the oral tissues but the bottom line is that it results in bone loss around the teeth.  This process is usually painless but when enough bone is gone the teeth begin to get loose  and painful.  At that time the only practical treatment in many cases  is to extract the teeth.

Smoking Equals Gum Disease.

If you smoke, make an appointment with a Periodontist.  He can prescribe treatments, medications, and therapies which can dampen the effects of tobacco and  help to preserve your teeth.  Preventing tooth loss is the least expensive and least painful way of  dealing with gum disease.