Holistic Gum Disease Treatment for Better Oral and Overall Health
Dr. Christopher Naranjo believes what affects the mouth, can affect the entire body. Using a modern and holistic approach, gum disease can be managed and improved.
Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is a gum infection that can destroy the jaw bone and is completely avoidable with proper care and management. In our practice, deep cleanings are gently performed using ultrasonic tools. These cleanings can be performed with or without the use of local anesthetic. Special attention is directed towards re-establishing the natural flora of microbes in the mouth to ensure improvement. We also carry products that have clean ingredients, prebiotics, and vitamins to return your mouth’s natural microbiome. Ozone therapy can be used as an adjunct to periodontal therapy. Ozone is a natural element that is often misunderstood as a pollutant.
Dr. Christopher Naranjo and his team at Greenbelt Dental Health in Austin, Texas, work with patients to educate them on how to avoid the development of gum disease and ways to manage it.
What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is an infection that develops in the mouth’s soft tissues. Bacteria can form in the mouth and hide in pockets between the gum tissues and the teeth. These pockets breed bacteria and worsen the infection, resulting in inflamed gum tissue, lost jawbone, and loose teeth. Think of this as the mouth’s version of “leaky gut”. The inflammation of your gums does not allow it to perform as a barrier between the outside and inside of your body, permitting bad bacteria to enter your body. Biologic dentists have known that there is a strong correlation between periodontal disease and rheumatoid arthritis, coronary artery disease, cerebral vascular disease, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, bacterial pneumonia, and pregnancy complications. This condition can be prevented with proper oral health habits, bacterial management, and periodontal cleanings.
What Types of Gum Disease Can Develop?
Gum disease is the broad term used to describe periodontal infections. However, there are several stages that this condition can be diagnosed at. The first stage is known as gingivitis. This stage is characterized by bleeding of the gums and inflammation. If the condition is not diagnosed and treated at this point, it can progress into periodontitis, which is a more severe infection involving the jaw bone that requires periodontal cleanings and gum infection treatments such as scaling and root planing. The use of ozone and laser therapy can help control detrimental bacteria. Periodontal disease cannot be cured but can be controlled with the help of a trained and experienced dentist with knowledge and skills in the field of periodontal services.
What Happens With an Early Diagnosis and Treatment?
Patients who only get to the stage of gingivitis will be able to reverse the condition and restore their oral health with the help of a dental professional. Through the use of ultrasonic tools, diligent debridement, and bacterial management (through ozone, specific rinses, or laser therapy), periodontal disease can be manageable. If your periodontal disease is advanced and severe permanent damage has been done, you may require more intensive treatments and a referral to a Periodontist.