Periodontal Therapy

A beautiful, healthy smile is much more than straight, white teeth. The importance of healthy gums is often overlooked—our gums and jawbone act as the foundation of our teeth. If the foundation is not healthy, our smile will not last.

Since the mouth is part of our body, periodontal disease needs to be looked at as also a systemic disease and not only a localized disease of the mouth. As biological and holistic practitioners, we understand the intricate relationship between oral and systemic diseases.
Fortunately, periodontal (gum) disease is a largely preventable condition, and the Holistic Dental Center of New Jersey offers periodontal therapy to help improve and protect the health of your gums.

What is Periodontal Therapy?

Gum disease is prevalent amongst today’s population affecting nearly half of adults aged over 30 years, and the likelihood of developing periodontal disease only increases with age.
Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease, which can be reversed through attentive gum disease treatment. Generally, gingivitis is signified by inflamed gums that bleed easily.
If gingivitis is ignored and worsens, it becomes full-blown periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is progressive and comes in varying degrees:

• Mild periodontitis: Gum pockets begin to form, and bone and tissue loss around the tooth starts.
• Moderate periodontitis: More bone and tissue destruction occurs, causing bone level reduction and possible loosening of teeth.
• Severe periodontitis: At this stage, extensive bone and tissue loss happens, and the teeth are becoming loose and are at risk of falling out.

You may be familiar with getting a bi-annual dental cleaning, but periodontal therapy is different from a routine dental cleaning. Conversely, holistic periodontal therapy is an approach that addresses the root cause of gum disease and prevents it from worsening. Through biological periodontal treatment, people maintain the health of their teeth and gums.

Gum Disease and Chronic Inflammation

Regardless of where it is located, inflammation is bad news for the body. Inflammation is the immune system’s response to harmful stimuli, for example, when tissues are damaged by bacteria, trauma, toxins, or any other cause. Consequently, damaged cells release chemicals that cause our blood vessels to leak fluid and cause swelling and redness.
Inflamed gums are a risk factor for systemic disease, including periodontal disease, resulting in an increased likelihood of bacteria and pathogens entering the bloodstream. Thus, causing and worsening more widespread health issues connected to chronic inflammation, including:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Diabetes
• Aspiration pneumonia
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Colorectal cancer
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Adverse pregnancy outcomes

Who Can Benefit From Holistic Periodontal Gum Treatment

Holistic periodontal disease treatment aims to protect the gums by preventing infection systemically. Understandably, people who suffer from gum disease can benefit from holistic periodontal therapy. However, patients with other systemic issues (such as Lyme Disease, Diabetes, and Leaky Gut) may also benefit from proactive periodontal treatment. Even pregnant women are at risk for pregnancy gingivitis due to hormonal changes, so it’s wise to seek dental treatment for the best interest of the health of mother and child.

How is Periodontal Therapy Maintained?

While most people are instructed to visit their dentist every six months for a check-up, we generally suggest that our team performs holistic gum treatments every 3 to 4 months, contingent on your individualized progress. As previously stated, periodontal disease is not one-size-fits-all. So, we may also recommend treatment for receding gums as a secondary gum disease treatment depending on the severity of your periodontal disease. After evaluating your smile, your dentist will develop a game plan with your current health status and oral health goals.

LANAP® is an FDA-cleared laser treatment regarded as a healthier, less painful, and more successful treatment than conventional periodontal gum treatment. At our Millburn, NJ office, we offer LANAP as a minimally invasive laser treatment option to:

• Reverse bone recession
• Regenerate ligaments and bone

How Our Holistic Gum Treatments Stands Out

Generally speaking, conventional periodontal disease treatments focus on treating and managing symptoms of periodontal disease. Comparatively, holistic and biological periodontal disease treatment concentrates on prevention and addressing the root cause when problems arise.
At the Holistic Dental Center of New Jersey, we offer holistic gum treatments through a series of biological periodontal therapies. Our protocol is designed to help patients not just treat the symptoms of gum disease but address the dental disease at its core by:

• Reducing bacterial load and chronic inflammation
• Employing various modalities (including lasers and a wide range of ozone therapy forms)
• Healing the body from within to promote healthy teeth and gums

Our comprehensive approach is intended to eliminate gum disease for whole-body wellness.