Confronting Gum Disease

By Todd McCracken, DDS

Published on July 21, 2006

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, gum disease is the most prevalent disease in the world today. Many researchers suspect that gum disease may also be directly linked to heart disease and strokes. Unfortunately, it is perhaps the least diagnosed and treated of all diseases of comparable magnitude. The biggest reason for this may be that it is a somewhat silent disease, and pain and discomfort only occur in its latter stages. By that time, significant bone loss has already occurred.

Gum disease is caused by specific strains of bacteria. There are special ways that a patient can be tested for these bacteria in the dental office. New technology allows us to test for them before damage occurs. Genetics are also another predisposing factor. Genetic testing is available, yet has not been proven to be particularly advantageous.

Facing Reality

So, let's say you have been diagnosed with gum disease. How does that make you feel? Concerned, in disbelief, frustrated? Many of my patients express these feelings. "How could this happen?" they ask. They brush and floss. In fact, in some case the reason they don't regularly visit the dentist is because they don't seem to have any problems.

Again, gum disease is caused by a bacterial infection. Those affected will require professional assistance to diagnose and treat the disease, and to maintain their health. Currently, gum disease is not curable, but it is controllable. Because of the growth rate of the bacteria involved, those diagnosed with the disease need to see their dentist every 90 days.

Treatment

Treatment for gum disease ranges from quite simple to quite extensive. The initial treatment involves deep cleaning of gum pockets and perhaps even immune system enhancement with nutraceuticals (nutritional supplements) dispensed by the practitioner. These have no side effects and are not costly. Advanced treatment can include bone and soft tissue grafting, conventional flap surgery, extractions, and laser therapy.

The Benefits of Laser Therapy

I personally have used several of these treatment methods mentioned above on my patients. Each method has its benefits and potential risks as well as potential outcomes. Of these treatment methods, my preference is laser therapy. Laser therapy is very selective, affecting only specific tissues; it leaves healthy gum tissue untouched. It is also specific in the depth at which it works. Other benefits of laser treatment include the following:

• Boasts a 99.9% kill rate of bacteria
• The wavelength used is not absorbed in bone or tooth structure
• Does not require cutting with a surgical knife
• Controls all bleeding, and cauterizes nerve endings,
• Requires little to no pain medications after treatment (usually nothing stronger than ibuprofen).

Typically, patients can return to work the next day and notice remarkable changes in the gum tissues in the few days that follow.

The objective in treating gum disease is to reduce the amount of bacteria present so that the body can do what it does best -- heal. Once this is accomplished, and so long as the bacteria count is controlled to keep it at a reasonable level, a person's natural defenses are strong enough to protect the body.

So you may be asking yourself why I am so supportive of laser therapy. Well, yes, I do use it, and have for several years, and I have seen the results. But most importantly, I too am a periodontal patient, and can speak from personal experience. For more information about the use of lasers in dentistry, visit www.laserdentistry.org on the Internet.

Todd McCracken, DDS, is an active member of the Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistry, the American Dental Association, the Texas Dental Association, and the First District Dental Society. He is also Master of the Academy of Laser Dentistry, and an active dental surgeon at East Texas Medical Center in Clarksville, Texas.

For more information on the author, please visit www.cosmeticdentalctr.com