subject: Treat Periodontal Disease With Laser Assisted Therapy To Protect Your Mouth And Body [print this page] Periodontal (gum) disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, which makes it more important than ever to take proper care of your teeth. Without regular visits to your Brookfield dentist, and a proper at-home oral health care regimen, you can say bye to your teeth. With an ever-growing link between the health of your mouth and your overall health, it is more important than ever before you take that extra step to protect your teeth. The development of plaque can not only lead to tooth decay and other oral complications, but the bacteria that develops can also find its way into your body.
The good news is that gum disease is completely preventable with good dental health habits. And if symptoms arise, your dentist offers many treatment options to help you eliminate the infection and save your teeth. Treatment in the past included scaling and root planning. Today, one of the newest, most advanced gum disease treatments available is non-invasive laser therapy.
The Connection Between Your Oral and Systemic Health
A major disease with an oral health connection is heart disease - the number one killer of men and women. Heart disease claims more victims than all forms of cancer and AIDS combined. According to the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA) in 2005, more than 80 million people had one or more forms of cardiovascular disease. Various research studies have shown a connection between heart disease and key bacteria in periodontal disease. While research continues to explore this link, dental hygienists are instrumental in identifying the presence and extent of the periodontal infection and work with patients, both to treat existing periodontal problems and to prevent future complications.
What is Laser Therapy?
Laser therapy has quickly become an increasingly valuable resource that is provided for patients of this Brookfield dentist. The laser is used for periodontal therapy in addition to many of your dentist's traditional treatment. In many cases, laser therapy may eliminate the need for periodontal surgery, which saves time and pain. With the laser, your dentist vaporizes the diseased tissue while leaving the healthy tissue intact. Next, the laser kills the bacteria that are presently causing periodontal disease. Lastly, the laser will stimulate the body to heal the diseased area.
By utilizing laser therapy, your dentist in Brookfield offers fewer traumas, less pain, less cost and healthier gums and bone that are supporting your teeth. The laser can also be used to treat canker sores, and cold sores, which typically last for 14 days. The laser is used to eliminate the pain immediately, healing the sores within a day or two.
What is the bottom line? There is still so much to be learned about the connection between your oral health and general health, but one thing is for sure - inflammation is not good for our health and gum disease causes chronic inflammation. Talk to your Brookfield dentist for more information on how you can properly care for your teeth and gums to further prevent the development of general and oral health complications.
