IF YOU SMOKE, QUIT!

How about this for another great reason to quit smoking? We all know smoking tobacco is really bad for your over-all health. But did you know that smoking is also the number one environmental/behavioral risk for gum disease? The fact is that smoking creates havoc in your mouth. If you smoke, the best time to quit is Today! In fact, after treatment of gum disease, your dental professional will most likely suggest that you give up tobacco to reduce your chances of having gum disease re-occur.

HEREDITY AND GUM DISEASE

As we discussed in our last posting, heredity plays a huge role in determining your risk for gum disease. One study suggests that half the population has a genetic predisposition to gum disease! Research involving identical twins, family histories, and periodontal disease have highlighted this risk. It has been suggested that children of parents with gum disease are 12 times more likely to harbor dangerous bacteria in the mouth that can lead to plaque and ultimately gum disease than the general population. Many experts believe the genetic link is a minor defect in the immune system that does not eliminate this harmful bacteria.

RISK FACTORS FOR GUM DISEASE

So you say, gum disease won't happen to you. You do everything right including proper brushing and flossing daily. You also have regular visits to dental professional for cleanings. That's fantastic, and it will greatly reduce your chances for gum disease, but it won't eliminate the chance entirely. Why? Because there are other important risk factors to consider. In addition, to proper dental hygiene, research has shown stress, diet, smoking, and viral infections can all play a role in the occurrence of gum disease. One study has even linked periodontal (gum) disease with obesity. Heredity also plays a major role in determining your risk for gum disease. We'll explore the heredity link further in our next posting.

GUM DISEASE AND OVER-ALL HEALTH

Recent medical research has linked gum disease (periodontal disease) to over-all health. Researchers now believe that gum disease may be related to serious health complications including heart disease and stroke.
How can gum disease do so much over-all health damage? Here's what many doctors believe is the connection: even the healthy mouth is full of bacteria. This is kept in check by regular oral maintenance (brushing and flossing). However, when gum disease is present, the bacteria is believed to gain entry into the blood stream and therefore a portal to the entire body.

Here some of the links between disease and gum health:

HEART DISEASE

Researcher have found that people with periodontal disease (gum disease) are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary pulmonary disease. Other studies suggest that gum disease can also exacerbate existing hearth conditions.

STROKE

Additional published studies have pointed to the a relationship between periodontal disease and stroke. One study concluded that people have suffered a stroke are much more likely than the control group to suffer from gum disease.

PREGNANCY COMPLICATIONS

Gum disease has been linked to pre-mature birth. That's why many experts say it is vital for a woman to maintain excellent oral heath prior to getting pregnant.

DIABETES

People with diabetes are more likely to suffer with gum disease than the general public. This may be because the diabetic is more prone to infection. Severe gum disease can also increase blood sugar levels creating even more complications.

OSTEOPOROSIS

The first stages of bone loss may be first evident in the teeth. Often, this will be discovered with routine dental x-rays. If bone loss continues to occur, the dentist will most likely suggest the patient discuss the problem with other healthcare providers.

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Again as shown is some of the above cases, arthritis sufferers have been shown to higher incidence of periodontal disease. One theory suggests that because of the debilitating nature of the disease, the patient is unable to perform the physical movements necessary of oral maintenance.

There is however good news in the battle against gum disease. LANAP (Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure) has become available throughout the United States as a patient-friendly alternative to traditional gum surgery. With LANAP, the trained and certified general dentist or periodontist utilizes a laser (Periolase MVP-7,Millenium Technologies, Inc) to treat gum disease. Unlike traditional gum surgery, LANAP requires no surgical cutting, scaling back the gums, or stitches. This results in much less pain and discomfort for the patient. In addition, it requires much less healing and recovery time.

As shown in the above examples, proper oral maintenance and promptly treating gum disease is a valuable investment in your over-all health.

WORD OF MOUTH

While on the Ameridontics web-site be sure to check out the patient testimonials (just go to the home page and click on the patient testimonial icon near the bottom of the page). These testimonials can be an invaluable resource for someone contemplating having the LANAP procedure. That's because they represent the point-of-view of patients who have had the procedure. The testimonials represent people from all walks of life including a teacher, church caretaker, real estate agent, homemaker, retiree, and even a radio personality. About the only thing they have in common is that they all had moderate to severe gum disease and they decided to treat it with LANAP at Ameridontics. Unlike "paid" testimonials each of these testimonials donated their time to help educate the public about the laser treatment of gum disease. All of the testimonials are in the patients own words and represent exclusively their own experiences with LANAP. We'd like to thank each and everyone ofthese testimonials for helping spread the word about LANAP and Ameridontics!

NIGHT AND DAY Gum Surgery!

One of the best ways to find out the difference between LANAP and traditional gum surgery is to talk to someone who has experienced both procedures. Recently, we had the opportunity to talk to one such patient who we will call "Mary Jo" (mainly because that's her real first name!). Years ago, Mary Jo had her gum disease treated with the traditional surgical cutting and stitches. She suffered complications from the surgery and her healing process was very slow. The treatment caused her a great deal of pain, which even after all these years, she could still re-count in vivid detail. Fast forward to about two years ago, still dreading gum surgery, she had need for another treatment. This time at the urging of her dentist, she choose LANAP at Ameridontics. Mary Jo calls the difference between the two treatments the difference between "night and day". She vows never again to have traditional gum surgery. The LANAP procedure was performed with little or no discomfort and she experienced none of the complications she had with gum surgery. She felt great the next day. She told us, "You need to tell people about the difference." Well Mary Jo, with your help, we just did!

DO YOU SUFFER WITH ANY OF THESE COMMON SYMPTOMS OF GUM DISEASE?

Gum disease in the United States has reached epidemic proportions. It is estimated that 85 percent of all adults suffer some form of the disease. About half of adults suffer with moderate or severe forms of gum disease.

So what are the common symptoms of gum disease? Here is some of most common evidence of periodontal disease: bleeding gums, bad breath, puffy inflammed gums and loose teeth are all signs of the oral condition. If you have any of these symptoms it's important you visit a dentist for a check-up. Your dentist will be able to diagnosis if you indeed suffer from gum disease.

If you are diagnosed with moderate or severe gum disease, it's important you act quickly. Here's why: periodontal disease will never get better on its own. It will only get worse. You need to know your treatment options. Of course, we recomment LANAP as the patient friendly option. The most important thing is that you get treated!

HOW "NEW" IS "NEW"?

Now that is a great question: just how "new" is "new"? Here's why we ask it: Recent media stories about the LANAP procedure have called it "new". Well, LANAP is a "new" in the sense that many people are just now discovering the procedure and it's benefits.
It is not new in the sense that the procedure has been developed and perfected over many years. The therapy and the laser used to perform it (The Periolase MVP-7, Millenium Dental Technologies, Inc) have been long in use in the dental communities. LANAP has been performed on thousands of patients throughout the United States with outstanding results. In fact, it is the only laser protocol that is FDA approved for the treatment of gum disease. The results from LANAP have been proven to be effective and predictable.
And, while that may not be "new" it is certainly "news" to many of us!