Periodontal Treatment

While your smile is an outward expression of your inner value, the health of your smile is also related to your overall health.

Periodontal disease can result in adult tooth loss, inflamed, receding or bleeding gums and bad breath. It is also linked to serious medical conditions, including heart and pulmonary disease, stroke, pancreatic cancer, diabetes, and premature births.

Dr. Samaha’s innovative periodontal program incorporates home care, non-surgical treatments, laser therapy, and nutrition supplements to help you get healthy, stay healthy and enjoy a naturally beautiful smile.

Bleeding Gums & Periodontal Disease

Periodontal Disease is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and the bone supporting the teeth. Although it initially appears as bleeding gums, swollen gums, and receding teeth, If left untreated, it can lead to bone loss, teeth loosening, and the loss of teeth themselves. It is an inflammatory and infectious disease, and although anyone can get it, certain people are at greater risk than others.

Dr. Samaha has spent nearly all of her almost-30-year career in researching the least invasive, most effective methods for treating periodontal disease. Through the research conducted by her Perio Arts Institute, Dr. Samaha has developed a protocol that addresses the oral-systemic link between gum disease and whole body health, including the following standard-of-care:

• DNA testing to assess a patient’s genetic susceptibility
• DNA bacterial testing to determine the exact type and location of periodontal disease for customized treatment
• Blood tests for additional medical evaluation
• Pharmaceutical-grade anti-inflammatory nutrients for continued treatment
• Dental laser therapy to detoxify, disinfect, decontaminate and destroy diseased tissue.

This protocol typically requires no anesthesia because it creates little or no discomfort for patients—a welcome change from the traditional scalpel, surgical treatment.

How Do You Know?

So how do you know if you have periodontal disease? The American Academy of Periodontology suggests the following questions in order to find out:

• Do you ever have pain in your mouth?
• Do your gums ever bleed when you brush or floss your teeth or when you eat hard food?
• Have you noticed and spaces developing between your teeth?
• Do your gums ever feel swollen or tender?
• Have you noticed that your gums are receding (pulling back form your teeth) or that your teeth appear longer than before?
• Do you have persistent bad breath?
• Have you noticed pus between your teeth and gums?
• Have you noticed any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite?
• Do you ever develop sores in your mouth?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, please consult a dentist right away.

What are the Risk Factors for Periodontal Disease?

The American Academy of Periodontology cites the following causes and risk factors of periodontal disease:

• Tobacco use may be responsible for more than half the cases of periodontal disease among adults in the U.S. Smokers have a four fold increase in advanced cases of periodontal disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveal that 41.3% of daily smokers over the age of 65 are toothless.
• If you have a family member with periodontal disease, please seek evaluation for every member of the family. The bacteria that cause periodontal disease can travel through the saliva and contaminate those in close contact with one another.
• Genetics plays a significant role in periodontal disease, with up to 30% of the population genetically susceptible to gum disease. Those with the genetic marker, may be up to 60% more susceptible.
• Between ages 55-90, 47% of whites have the more serious form of gum disease called periodontitis. 59% of Mexican Americans and 70 % of African Americans in the same age group have periodontitis. People of Chinese heritage also have a high susceptibility. It is estimated that during their lifetime, at least 75% of the population will have periodontal disease.
• Pregnancy and other times of hormonal change in a woman increase susceptibility to gum disease.
• Emotional stress increases the chances of periodontal disease as it depresses the immune system’s ability to fight infection.
• Medications, especially oral contraceptives, anti-depressives, and certain seizure and heart medications.
• Diabetes increases the risk for any infection, including periodontal disease.
• Poor nutrition is especially risky for the periodontal tissues as they typically require a level of support beyond that of the rest of the body.
• Individuals with rheumatoid arthritis are twice are likely to have periodontal disease with moderate to severe jawbone loss.
• Other systemic conditions that interfere with the body’s immune system may worsen the condition of the gums.

If I Have Periodontal Disease, Can it be Treated?

The good news is that we can combat the onset of periodontal disease through diligent brushing and flossing, using toothpaste and mouthwash that specifically combat anaerobic bacteria and sulfur compounds, and improved nutrition along with beneficial nutritional supplements. Regular visits to your dentist for preventative care will support your dental health and allow you to know if you are at additional risk. Please contact Dr. Samaha today.