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Gum disease is now considered to be an important contributor to heart
disease. Bacteria and inflammatory products from persons with gum disease
are believed to enter the blood stream, become attached to the atherosclerotic
plaques in blood vessels and trigger blood clots. The C-reactive
protein test predicts the risk of heart disease by measuring a person’s
level of circulating inflammation.
Recent studies have shown that treating a person’s gum disease
is accompanied by a decrease in their C-reactive protein levels, thereby
lowering their risk of heart disease. Get your blood tested today
for C-reactive protein. It could be a lifesaver.
What is periodontitis?
Periodontitis or gum disease is an infection of the supporting structures
of the teeth (the gums and the jawbone). It is usually caused by
bacteria that live in the mouth. Left untreated, periodontal disease
can lead to tooth loss.
The good news is that periodontal disease is treatable and can even
be prevented.
Bacteria, like pollens, have allergens on their cell surfaces. For
the gum disease sufferer, these bacterial allergens trigger inflammation,
which leads to gum and bone loss. The medications we prescribe block
the allergens from causing inflammation. Our perioscopy treatment
removes the plaque and calculus that holds the allergens under the gum.
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How is periodontal disease treated?
Periodontal disease requires the services of a specialist. As
a periodontist, Dr. Pawlowski is specially trained in the field and provides
the highest quality care possible. He works with your general dentist,
serving as an extension of your dentist’s skill, care and judgment.
Although some periodontists use surgery to treat periodontal disease,
Dr. Pawlowski has pioneered the use of a non-surgical approach, which
combines perioscopy and medication.
This approach is less painful than periodontal surgery; it is less expensive;
and more importantly it is more effective than surgery in treating periodontal
disease.
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What type of medication do we use to treat gum disease?
We typically start treatment with a combination of antibiotics specially
designed to attack the bacteria that harbor the allergens responsible
for gum disease. This is followed by maintenance on Periostat,
a safe medication designed to block the inflammation caused by bacterial
allergens. When combined with a microscopic removal of tartar from the
tooth roots, periodontal disease can be safely and reliably arrested.
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How is plaque harmful?
Plaque buildup is one cause of periodontal disease. When regular
brushing and flossing don’t clear away the plaque, it can harden
into a hard, brownish substance called tartar. Plaque and tartar
contain bacterial allergens that stimulate inflammation in the gum tissues. It
takes a dental professional to remove tartar.
Plaque begins forming on teeth 4 to 12 hours after brushing. It
plaque becomes tartar, it’s harder for you to dislodge new plaque
and bacteria. That’s why it’s so important to brush
at least twice each day and to floss daily.
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Contact us today.
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