Dennis Mihalka D.D.S. - Life Smile

Gum and Bone Disease: the Killer

Are You Infected?

It's in all the news!!! Gum and bone disease (Periodontal Disease) is implicated as playing a role in heart disease, strokes, pre-term pregnancies, duodenal ulcers, respiratory infections and even diabetes. This information is significant. Gum disease is highly prevalent...up to 80% of our population are infected.

What does periodontal disease do to my body?

Masses of bacteria, food particles and saliva accumulate to form bacterial plaque. That's the white, sticky, soft mass that builds up on and between your teeth each day. After several days of accumulation, the bacteria cause your skin (the gums) to ulcerate and bleed. You may not notice the bleeding at first, as it primarily occurs in the tiny space between the gums and teeth (under the gumline). These wounds provide an open door through which bacteria enter your blood stream.

Once bacteria are moving around in your body, they form plaque on the inside of blood vessels and heart chambers. The plaque attaches to other tissues, inflammation occurs and ulceration is possible. Clumps of plaque can break lose and form blockages in your brain an/or other critical organs, resulting in strokes and other complications. This is serious business!

Why is this disease so difficult to cure?

Consider this: bacteria associated with gum disease are in your mouth every day, 24/7. Their favorite environments are the "pockets" between your gums and teeth where it is a warm, nutrient-rich, dark, environment, perfect for growing bacteria.

Cleaning your teeth optimally and regularly is vitally important. If that's not happening, the supporting bone around your teeth can be dissolved, resulting in deeper pockets and eventual tooth loss. This is a stubborn disease with devastating consequences.

Help! How can I get rid of it?

Unfortunately, entrenched gum disease does not give up and in fact, many studies indicate that it never goes away. This is the challenge we all face.

However, there are ways to control and minimize the effects:

Our Part:

• Professionally clean (root plane) your teeth above and below the gums to remove all the hard deposits (the calcified bacterial plaque).
• Use a state-of-the-art laser to remove the infected, heavily inflamed tissues lining those diseased pockets to promote the growth of new, healthy tissue. The laser vaporizes the bacteria in the pockets, creating an optimum environment for gums.
• Follow up with Supportive Periodontal Therapy appointments every 2, 3, 4 or 6 months, depending upon the effectiveness of your oral hygiene, your healing capacity and disease aggressiveness to create a new environment that provides the highest potential for healing.
• Coach and encourage you toward improving your home techniques.

Your Part:

• Maintain clean teeth and pockets by using a toothbrush, floss, other tools and anti-microbials (products like Therasol...one of the best!).
• Be faithful in keeping your Supportive Periodontal Therapy appointments with us.

Does my dental insurance help cover the treatment of periodontal disease?

Fortunately, insurance companies cover some of this expense but most have their contractual and frequency limitations. Their coverage is based on their contract with your employer, not by the aggressiveness or state of your periodontal disease. No matter how severe the disease might be, insurance companies place limits on how often you can have treatment and the level of disease required before you receive coverage.

Once you have "pockets"' the former healthy tissue cleanings of just the enamel become root cleanings into the pockets. This is more time-consuming, more demanding and requires greater skill. The frequency of these cleanings will be based on the response of the tissue to treatment and your home care.

The Good News!

A defining line for periodontal disease is in the numbers. When you have a periodontal exam and we call off numbers like 2's or 3's...count yourself fortunate. You have a manageable situation. With regular Supportive Periodontal Therapy in our office and your diligent homework, you can maintain healthy teeth and gums! It's more often now than ever that you'll hear cheers in the office when a patient's pockets have improved from 5's to 3's and their tissues are pink, firm and healthy!

If you hear numbers like 5's and 6's you'll know that the work will be more involved and the potential for losing a tooth is something that is more likely to occur if the disease progresses. We'll be working closely with you to improve your situation and make every tooth count!

In these cases you will be encouraged to increase your home care and maintain it to ensure continued good reports.

The very best part about this information is that you are now aware of a situation that can be controlled and/or improved and contribute to a healthier you! Here's to your health!

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