Discover How Damaging Gum Disease Can Be on Your Overall Health

Gum disease is one of the most common dental problems seen by dentists. Millions of adults in the United States have some form of the disease and don’t even know it! Fortunately, there are various ways it can be treated as long as you take the necessary steps to seek help for your inflamed, bleeding gums. Discover what a holistic dentist in Weyauwega has to say about gum disease and its negative impact on your oral and overall health.

Gum Disease 101

There are essentially three stages of gum disease: gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis. When plaque and tartar build around the gum line, this is considered the early stage (gingivitis). At this point, you and your dentist can work together to reverse it with regular dental cleanings and good oral habits practiced at home. Should the plaque and tartar spread beneath the gum line and create gum pocket formations, you’re now experiencing periodontitis, which often requires advanced methods of treatment to fix.

The final stage is advanced periodontitis, which can result in bone and tooth loss. When this happens, it is likely you will need to begin discussing ways to replace your missing teeth as well as how to regain some of the bone that is deteriorating in your jaw.

How Gum Disease Takes a Toll on Your Mouth and Body

Apart from the poor gum health, bone and tooth loss, your body can be negatively impacted as a result of gum disease. How? The moment infection and inflammation enter your bloodstream, you can begin to notice problems developing throughout your body. Everyone responds differently because the infection can spread to one area or many.

Some of the ways your body can be affected include:

• Heart disease (i.e. heart attack, stroke)
• Diabetes
• Cancer
• Neurological disorders (i.e. Alzheimer’s, Dementia)
• Respiratory disease
• Low birth weight
• Premature birth

The mouth and body are interconnected, which should come as no surprise. It is the job of your holistic dentist to ensure any treatment method not only benefits your teeth and gums but your body as well.

How to Put Yourself Back On Track to Better Gum Health

Gum disease doesn’t have to be a permanent fixture in your life as long as you are treated in a timely manner. There is a multitude of ways to care for your gum health, some of which include:

• Scaling and Root Planing: If caught early enough, your dentist can perform a scaling and root planing procedure, which includes removing the plaque and tartar from beneath the gum line and smoothing out the roots of the teeth.
• Ozone Therapy: This is, by far, the gentlest way to remove gum disease. By exposing the gums to enriched oxygen, bacteria can be eliminated. Ozone therapy increases blood flow and helps the gums to fight off infection and heal. Used in combination with other treatments, it is the least invasive procedure you can receive.
• Laser Periodontal Therapy: In cases where the gum disease is more advanced, your dentist can use the diode soft tissue laser to quickly remove bacteria from beneath the gum line and infected tissue. This process is painless and involves very little swelling or bleeding.
• Chao Pinhole Technique: Because periodontal disease can cause gum recession, your dental professional used to perform a gum graft to fix the problem; however, the Chao Pinhole Technique involves placing a small hole into the gums and using special tools to gently move and massage the gum line back into its original place.

Take your gum health seriously. If you noticed you are exhibiting any signs or symptoms associated with periodontal disease, talk to your dentist as soon as possible about possible treatment methods to get back your oral and overall health back on track.

About the Author
Dr. William Twohig has dedicated the last 20 of his 40 years of practicing dentistry searching for alternative methods to offer his patients. Working with a large group of natural practitioners, chiropractors, acupuncturists, traditional doctors, and specialists, he and his staff practice a natural and holistic approach. Taking gum health seriously, Dr. Twohig and his team offer periodontal disease treatment that is designed to remove the infection and get you back on the path to better oral and overall health. To find out how we can help you, visit our website or call (920) 867-3101.