This past weekend our Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics group had its annual meeting in Scottsdale, AZ. (Why we go to a great resort and stay indoors for three days is beyond me!) The topic of this meeting was The Relationship between Periodontal Disease and Systemic Disease, and the evidence is really getting scary.
There are three points I want you to remember, and this will be on the test!
1. Many of the disease causing bacteria and viruses we see and suffer from, have to have a way to get into your body. If your gums are leaking (bleedy), then that means there is a wound there, and it is easy for these bugs to get into your bloodstream. The main thing is to eliminate "leaky gums" so that pathological organisms can't get there!
2. Many chronic systemic diseases that we thought we knew the causes for, now are thought to be the result of bacteria or viruses. One speaker suggested that today, probably 20% of cancers were generally attributed to viral attack, but he thought in five years that would probably be 50%. Just think, half of all cancers caused by viruses! One of great concern today is the HPV, or human papilloma virus, which is the cause of much cervical cancer, and many oral cancers today in young people. But research is also showing us relationships between oral infections and heart disease, diabetes, and stroke incidence!
3. Today, we can test your mouth earlier with a painless bacterial DNA test to see which bacteria are there, and also what the relative bacterial load is there for that species. That will tell the dentist what antibiotic to use and what treatment regimen would be most likely to work.
Dentistry has been really guilty of ignoring this disease, and often not treating it until actual bone damage had occurred. Today, we are focusing on full time health, prevention of early disease, and the systemic health that occurs when someone is infection free.
If you have any question about this, please don't hesitate to call and ask for our help. 903-581-1777.
Here is what to look for with periodontal health:
1. Gums that bleed - anytime. Just like the skin on your hand, your gums shouldn't bleed when you brush or floss. Ever.
2. Persistant bad breath. It is an infection, and you know how that can smell!
3. A bad taste in your mouth- also the result of an infection.
4. Loose teeth are a bad sign, that means that bone has been lost and it is awfully difficult to get it back, if it is possible at all.
Websites you might want to peruse:
http://www.tyler-smiles.com
Hope you have a happy Thanksgiving season!
