The Holistic Approach to Gum Disease
Periodontal disease – more commonly known as gum disease – affects almost 90 percent of the population at some point in their lives. Gum disease makes itself known, so if you have symptoms such as red or swollen gums, tender or bleeding gums, painful chewing, loose teeth, or bad breath that is impossible to resolve, it’s important to come to our holistic practice to find out whether or not you have periodontal disease.
There are varying levels of gum problems. Gingivitis is a type of gum inflammation. Periodontitis is an inflammation of the tissues that support the teeth – reaching this serious level of the disease can result in deep tooth loss and bone loss. Both gingivitis and periodontitis are caused by bacterial plaque, which essentially refers to germs that are present on your teeth.
Certain medical diagnoses can strike fear into anyone’s heart – cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and yes, even gum disease, which is the number one reason for tooth loss. While it’s estimated that about 30 percent of the population is genetically predisposed to developing gum disease, the reality is that periodontal problems are not difficult to prevent. Diligence and common sense can often be enough to keep your mouth healthy.
Gum disease is a common condition, but it isn’t well understood. There are varying levels of periodontal disease, some of which require extensive, long-term treatment.
The most important thing to remember is that the soft tissue of your gums is the gateway to the rest of your body. This is a good thing – nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and water pass quickly and easily into the bloodstream this way.
Unfortunately, when your gums aren’t healthy, they allow detrimental bacteria to flow through, which has led some medical experts to conclude that gum disease and the accompanying inflammation can be tied to heart disease, stroke, and other inflammatory conditions.
Side Effects of Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is not only responsible for problems with your teeth and gums. Some research has linked periodontal disease to inflammation throughout the body, which indicates that this oral health problem could lead to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, and even certain types of cancer. It may be hard to believe that neglecting your teeth could also lead to such dire consequences for the rest of your body, but your mouth and overall well-being are most certainly interconnected.
Holistic Treatment of Gum Disease
When you visit our holistic dentistry practice for gum disease treatment, you’ll experience a unique, thorough, high-tech treatment. Relying on powerful microscopes, Dr. Gashinsky can see the severity of periodontal disease in order to determine what stage of gum disease you may be in and how best to approach treatment.
Often, Dr. Gashinsky will resolve periodontal disease with highly effective laser and ozone treatments which clear the areas of bacteria and begin to rebuild a healthy foundation for your teeth and gums. For example, our LANAP® procedure is an amazing breakthrough in periodontal treatments. This patient-friendly, minimally-invasive procedure is a great improvement over standard gum surgery. If you have been told you need scalpel and suture gum surgery, there’s a laser alternative you need to learn about.
Additionally with holistic gum treatment, our iodine irrigation system helps prevent the introduction of harmful bacteria into the gums. Herbal remedies are used to promote faster, natural healing.
The key thing is not to wait. If your gums are bothering you in any way, you need to come to our office for consultation and treatment. Your health is important to us, and timely treatment will prevent a worsening situation.
