Treating Periodontal Disease Holistically
Periodontal disease – more commonly known as gum disease – affects almost 90 percent of the population at some point in their lives. Gum disease makes itself known, so if you have symptoms such as red or swollen gums, tender or bleeding gums, painful chewing, loose teeth, or bad breath that is impossible to resolve, it’s important to see your holistic dentist to find out whether or not you have periodontal disease.
There are varying levels of gum problems. Gingivitis is a type of gum inflammation. Periodontitis is an inflammation of the tissues that support the teeth – reaching this serious level of the disease can result in deep tooth loss and bone loss. Both gingivitis and periodontitis are caused by bacterial plaque, which essentially refers to germs that are present on your teeth.
Holistic Treatment of Gum Disease
When you visit a holistic dentistry practice for gum disease treatment, you’ll experience a unique, thorough, high-tech treatment. Relying on powerful microscopes, your dentist can determine the severity of periodontal disease in order to determine what stage of gum disease you may be in and how best to approach treatment.
Often, a holistic dentist will resolve periodontal disease with highly effective laser and ozone treatments which clear the areas of bacteria and begin to rebuild a healthy foundation for your teeth and gums. An iodine irrigation system also helps prevent the introduction of harmful bacteria into the gums. Herbal remedies are used to promote faster, natural healing.
Side Effects of Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is not only responsible for problems with your teeth and gums. Some research has linked periodontal disease to inflammation throughout the body, which indicates that this oral health problem could lead to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, and even certain types of cancer. It may be hard to believe that neglecting your teeth could also lead to such dire consequences for the rest of your body, but your mouth and overall well-being are most certainly interconnected.
Learn more about the all-important tooth-body connection and the holistic treatment of periodontal disease by making your appointment with Dr. Vladimir Gashinsky at his Millburn, NJ, holistic dentistry practice.