How Can You Fight Gum Disease?

How can you tell if you have gum disease?

A saliva test can determine the presence of bio-components and any oral fluids that may indicate periodontal disease.
Given that gum disease can lead to a number of health issues, including Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, strokes, birth complications, and cardiovascular disease, it is necessary that we take the necessary steps to ensure that our health is taken care of.
If your saliva test indicates concerning levels of periodontal pathogens, your dentist will provide you with a dental plan that will restrict the use of any aggressive antiseptics or antibiotics in order to cure your periodontal disease through a holistic approach.
A proper continued cycle of treatment will allow you to control your chances of re-infection.

The Sevalife Smile Pathways Services:

Smile Health Pathways —$62 (Saliva Test not included)
  • Oral health assessment
  • Five Factor assessments to determine root causes of smile issues
  • Medication review if appropriate
  • Smile care plan to include customized Foods
  • Self care /home care solutions designed just for you
  • Dental self-exam session
  • One on one follow up to ensure best ways to incorporate the smile care plan that will improve your oral health and fight gum disease
Smile Health Pathways and PerioPath Saliva Test—$175 (Including Saliva Testing)

 

  • Oral health assessment
  • Five Factor assessments to determine root causes of smile issues
  • Medication review if appropriate
  • Smile care plan to include customized Foods
  • Self care /home care solutions designed just for you
  • One on one follow up to ensure best ways to incorporate the smile care plan that will improve your oral health and fight gum disease
  • Results are sent to your home
  • A comprehensive report is provided on your periodontal health
  • Dental self-exam session
  • 2 week follow-up
  • 1 month follow up

PerioPath is a diagnostic tool that identifies the type of bacteria and the concentration of the bacteria present in the saliva. It also gives us an idea of how we can customize our treatment plans for each patient’s individual needs. This makes the periodontal disease treatment more personalized and allows for better outcomes. This test can be done in the comfort of your own home, with the support of our mind-body-smile team.

Our Mind-Body-Smile Health Consultation Includes:

  • An evaluation of existing health conditions and medications that may be impacting your oral health
  • A consultation for lifestyle changes that may be impacting your oral health
  • Dietary issues that may be impacting your oral health

A simple saliva test can help you identify harmful oral bacteria before symptoms arise and stave off the progression of periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease

Periodontal disease (also known as gum disease) refers to a common infection which damages the soft tissue, as well as, the attachments and bone supporting the tooth. Microorganisms like bacteria stick to the tooth’s surface and its surrounding pockets and multiply gradually. Periodontal disease occurs when the immune system reacts and releases toxins. Gingivitis or gum inflammation is what precedes this disease generally. In gingivitis, the gums might bleed and become red and swollen. In its early stage, the gums often become inflamed. However, it’s important to understand that all gingivitis doesn’t progress to periodontal disease. Periodontitis (a more serious form of periodontal disease) occurs when gingivitis is left untreated. In a person having periodontitis, the inner layer of both gum and bone can pull away from his/her teeth while forming small pockets. These small pockets between gums and teeth collect debris and might become infected. With the disease progressing, the pockets start to deepen and more gum tissues, as well as, bones are destroyed. As a result, the teeth become loose and the person starts experiencing tooth loss. In adults, periodontal disease together with tooth decay is two leading causes that trigger major dental hazards.

What is PerioPath and how it helps in periodontal disease?

PerioPath is an advanced diagnostic tool that helps to identify the kind of bacteria and their concentration present in a person’s saliva. As the specific bacteria, which are responsible for causing periodontal disease, are well-known to researchers and dentists, PerioPath helps to obtain a clear idea of the actual conditions of individual patients and to understand how each of them should be treated. It not only makes the treatment of periodontal disease more personalized but also lets dentists predict the outcomes more accurately.

Bacteria that cause periodontal disease​
Over the years, researchers have found that more than 350 different types of microorganisms remain present in the healthy mouth of the typical person and less than 5% of those species are associated with periodontal disease.

Application of PerioPath – personalizing periodontal disease treatment

With the help of PerioPath, dentists can identify the exact type of bacteria and their concentration and thus, can chalk out an appropriate treatment plan targeted at those certain bacteria. Though there’re different types of treatments available for curing periodontal disease, the most common ones include the following:

  • Proper oral hygiene: For any dental treatment to be successful, proper oral hygiene plays an utmost important role. So, if you’re having periodontal disease, you’d be advised by your dentist to maintain good oral hygiene while undergoing proper treatment.
  • Use of Periogen: Periogen is one of the most effective tartar softeners, as well as, inhibitors to be used after normal tooth brushing. This product has been proven to lower tartar buildup between professional cleanings by up to an amazing 45%. It eliminates a good amount of the bacterial and tartar buildup in the mouth which could lead to a reduction in the inflammatory process.
  • Deep cleaning: This treatment is also widely known as scaling and root planing. The primary objective of the initial treatment of periodontal disease is to eliminate the tartar and plaque buildup while disinfecting the mouth to obstruct the process of the disease. The smoothing of the root surface together with the elimination of tartar and deep plaque leads to reattachment and fast healing. It often results in reduced pocket depth as well.
  • Antibiotics: With the help of PerioPath, dentists are now able to figure out an appropriate antibiotic regimen for every individual patient. Dentists now can prescribe different antibiotics for different patients based on the specific types of bacteria and damages caused by them. The application of appropriate antibiotic treatment dramatically decreases the bacteria levels and thus, stops periodontal disease’s progress.

Other Services

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Dental Self-Examination​

The dental self exam is also integral to the health of your mouth as well as your overall health. Especially if you take medications or have a chronic illness that may impact your smile.
TAKE A TEST
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Smile Health Assessment

The Sevalife oral health assessment will help you focus on what may really be preventing you from reaching your smile health goals.
TAKE A TEST