Sierra Centre - Perio Protect Treatment System

You are not alone. Millions have gum disease, gingivitis or periodontitis!

The disease is the body’s response to a bacterial infection in your gum tissue. Common symptoms of oral bacterial infections in the gum tissue include:

• Bleeding gums when brushing or flossing
• Receding gums (teeth appear longer)
• Obvious plaque, tartar or calculus
• Spaces developing between your teeth
• Swollen, red or tender gums
• Persistent bad breath
• Sensitive teeth
• Teeth are loose or mobile

Bacterial infections develop when food, bacteria, and tartar are left on the teeth. In the beginning, an infection can develop along the gum line. The bacteria form a community called a biofilm that grows down into the space or pocket that develops between the teeth and gum tissue. The biofilm is protected by a slimy covering produced by the bacteria in the community.

As the aerobic bacteria in the biofilm consume the oxygen in the pocket, the microbiological environment of the pocket is more suitable for dangerous anaerobic (no oxygen) bacteria. Biofilms grow rapidly and need to be managed every day. Brushing, flossing, and regularly scheduled professional cleanings are recommended. But if a biofilm takes root and is left unchecked, biofilms can damage the gums, teeth, and bone.

The three main strategies for the control of biofilms include placing time-released antimicrobial medication below the gum line, placing oxidative agents below the gum line, and physically scraping the biofilm from the teeth and root surfaces. (JADA, August 2009). Dentists also have new laser options that may be appropriate for some patients. It’s important to talk to your Sierra Centre Doctor and hygienist about your conditions and treatment options. And it is important to treat the disease if you have it!

Perio Protect - Patients Relate Success of Using the Perio Protect Method

To learn more about how Perio Protect and Sierra Centre for Dental Wellness
can help you fight your Periodonititis, please call (403) 297-9600 to book your appointment.

Sierra Centre - Healthy Gums

Due to the quick turnover of cells in your mouth, your gums are a primary indicator of your overall dental health and may be an indicator of systemic disease. Whatever your age, it's important to keep your mouth clean, healthy and feeling good. And it's important to know the state of your periodontal health.

What are the Signs of Gum Disease?

Gum Disease is rarely painful, especially in the early stages. Although there may be no visible signs, some of the common indications of Gum Disease are:

• Gums that bleed when you brush or floss (healthy gums do not bleed)
• Gums that are red, swollen, or tender
• Gums that have pulled away from the teeth (receded)
• Pus (infection) between the teeth and gums
• Loose permanent teeth or separating (drifting) teeth
• Changes in the way your teeth fit together when chewing
• Persistent bad breath

What are the Dangers of Gum Disease?

Gum Disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults. More importantly, the infection releases toxins into the bloodstream leading to serious health risks.

Is There a Cure?

Non surgical forms or gum treatment can effectively be used to treat and control even advanced cases of Periodontitis (Pyorrhea). However, the  more advanced the disease, the more likely it will lead to tooth loss. Prevention and Early Detection are your best defenses against Gum Disease. It is critical to catch and treat Gum Disease early before destruction of bone and tissue has compromised your oral health.

How Can I Prevent Gum Disease?

Even the best "brushers" in the world will naturally build up tartar on their teeth. This means that even patients with "healthy" gums and teeth should see their dentist regularly to remove the build-up of tartar and check for the formation of new cavities. Patients with Gum Disease, or patients that build up large amounts of tartar, may need to have their teeth cleaned more frequently to help control the amount of bacteria in the mouth. At your regular recall appointments (cleanings), we always evaluate the condition of your gums.

A thorough exam, which includes x-rays, visual inspection, and an analysis of hard and soft tissue, helps determine the health of your gums.

If you have potential fears about getting your teeth checked then you may be a candidate for sedation dentistry.This option makes treatment easy even for the most fearful patients.

Sierra Centre - Fresh Breath

Bad breath treatment (Halitosis) must get to the source of the problem if it is to be effective. Over 80% of the bacteria that lead to bad breath originate at the back of the tongue. Bad breath treatment must reach this area if they are going to change the condition.

Bad breath treatment is an important part of good oral health. Bad breath may be a sign of an unhealthy mouth or some other unfavorable medical condition. Periodontal disease, gum disease, and sinus infections may all cause bad breath. Stomach disorders are also a common cause of bad breath. Each of these areas will be looked at during your visit to our office.

Bad breath treatment that only covers the odor is not really treating the problem. A thorough cleaning to eliminate disease around the gums along with the use of tongue scrapers, floss, brushing and professional rinse products to eliminate bacteria all are helpful in creating fresh breath.

The average mouth is full of bacteria, which is found especially on the tongue because of the way it is; this is one of the causes of bad breath. During and after eating some food debris gets left on the tongue, causing anaerobic bacteria to multiply there. These produce Volatile Sulfur Compounds (VSC) which generate odor that smell of hydrogen sulfide, similar to rotten egg smell. Certain strong foods, after digestion, can also produce odor which makes your exhaled breath small bad.

Flossing and brushing are important parts of bad breath treatment. Dentists recommend soft-bristled toothbrushes. A professional strength antibacterial mouthwash may also be necessary if your bad breath treatment requires more agressive therapy.

What You Can Do To Control Bad Breath

Some basic bad breath control steps you can take to prevent from bad breath:

1. drink water throughout the day - this helps wash away the sulphur compounds and increase the level of salivation.
2. stimulate salivation - saliva not only helps wash away the food particles that bacteria feed upon along with their waste products, it is filled with oxygen and therefore helps the beneficial bacteria population grow while naturally reducing the numbers of anaerobic bacteria present in the mouth. You may want to try chewing some sugarless gum (anaerobic bacteria love sugar and protein) or simply sucking on some hard candy to stimulate salivation.
3. Brush after every meal so that the anaerobic bacteria do not have food particles to feed upon.

Sierra Centre - Heart Attack/Stroke Detection

Heart Disease

Several theories exist to explain the link between periodontal disease and heart disease. One theory is that oral bacteria can affect the heart when they enter the blood stream, attaching to fatty plaques in the coronary arteries (heart blood vessels) and contributing to clot formation. Coronary artery disease is characterized by a thickening of the walls of the coronary arteries due to the buildup of fatty proteins. Blood clots can obstruct normal blood flow, restricting the amount of nutrients and oxygen required for the heart to function properly. This may lead to heart attacks.

Another possibility is that the inflammation caused by periodontal disease increases plaque build up, which may contribute to swelling of the arteries.

Researchers have found that people with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease as those without periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease can also exacerbate existing heart conditions. Patients at risk for infective endocarditis may require antibiotics prior to dental procedures. Your periodontist and cardiologist will be able to determine if your heart condition requires use of antibiotics prior to dental procedures.

Stroke

Additional studies have pointed to a relationship between periodontal disease and stroke. In one study that looked at the causal relationship of oral infection as a risk factor for stroke, people diagnosed with acute cerebrovascular ischemia were found more likely to have an oral infection when compared to those in the control group.

Arthritis

It is believed that the proteins related to inflammation associated with periodontal disease may also be the same proteins that cause some forms of arthritis. Studies have found an increase in arthritic type pain in patients with increased levels of periodontal disease or inflammation in their mouths.

Sierra Centre - Diabetes Detection

People with diabetes are more likely to have periodontal disease than people without diabetes, probably because diabetics are more susceptible to contracting infections. In fact, periodontal disease is often considered the sixth complication of diabetes. Those people who don't have their diabetes under control are especially at risk.

A study found that poorly controlled type 2 diabetic patients are more likely to develop periodontal disease than well-controlled diabetics are.

Research has emerged that suggests that the relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes goes both ways - periodontal disease may make it more difficult for people who have diabetes to control their blood sugar.

Severe periodontal disease can increase blood sugar, contributing to increased periods of time when the body functions with a high blood sugar. This puts diabetics at increased risk for diabetic complications. Thus, diabetics who have periodontal disease should be treated to eliminate the periodontal infection.

Diabetic Control

Like other complications of diabetes, gum disease is linked to diabetic control. People with poor blood sugar control get gum disease more often and more severely, and they lose more teeth than do persons with good control. In fact, people whose diabetes is well controlled have no more periodontal disease than persons without diabetes. Children with IDDM (insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus) are also at risk for gum problems. Good diabetic control is the best protection against periodontal disease.

Studies show that controlling blood sugar levels lowers the risk of some complications of diabetes, such as eye and heart disease and nerve damage. Scientists believe many complications, including gum disease, can be prevented with good diabetic control.

Blood Vessel Changes

Thickening of blood vessels is a complication of diabetes that may increase risk for gum disease. Blood vessels deliver oxygen and nourishment to body tissues, including the mouth, and carry away the tissues' waste products. Diabetes causes blood vessels to thicken, which slows the flow of nutrients and the removal of harmful wastes. This can weaken the resistance of gum and bone tissue to infection.

Bacteria

Many kinds of bacteria (germs) thrive on sugars, including glucose -- the sugar linked to diabetes. When diabetes is poorly controlled, high glucose levels in mouth fluids may help germs grow and set the stage for gum disease.

Smoking

The harmful effects of smoking, particularly heart disease and cancer, are well known. Studies show that smoking also increases the chances of developing gum disease. In fact, smokers are five times more likely than nonsmokers to have gum disease. For smokers with diabetes, the risk is even greater. If you are a smoker with diabetes, age 45 or older, you are 20 times more likely than a person without these risk factors to get severe gum disease.

Periodontal diseases are infections of the gum and bone that hold the teeth in place. In advanced stages, they lead to painful chewing problems and even tooth loss. Like any infection, gum disease can make it hard to keep your blood sugar under control.