Gum Health
The Primary Cause of Lost Teeth
Gum disease is a sneaky destroyer of teeth, and it causes more tooth loss than simple decay
does. In fact, you might not notice gum disease right up until you lose your teeth. So how
do you know if you’re in trouble? Symptoms include bleeding gums when you brush or floss and
loose or shifting teeth. Already infected? Don’t worry. If you’ve been informed you need gum
surgery, you will be thrilled to discover that it’s now possible to control gum disease with
an assortment of non-surgical methods.
Gum Disease Has Connections to Heart Disease, Stroke, and Even Cancer
Modern medical studies have caused many doctors to reach an unsettling conclusion: gum disease,
stroke, and heart disease are linked. Since heart disease is often deadly, it is obvious that
gum disease should be treated – pronto. The American Dental Association’s statistics show that
as many as 8 out of 10 Americans already suffer from periodontal (gum) disease. If this were
any other illness, such as AIDS or tuberculosis, it would be heralded as an epidemic! In fact,
most dentists think this should be the case. However, they also realize that gum disease hasn’t
been labeled an epidemic because of the impression that “no one ever dies from it.” The worst is
that you lose your teeth. Not pleasant – but certainly not life-threatening. But perspective
within the medical community is changing.
A recent 2017 study was
done by the researchers at the University of Buffalo NY on 65,869
postmenopausal women. This study is the first national study focused on women, and particularly
older women. It has found that women who had a history of gum disease had 14 percent increased
risk of overall cancer. It is the first study to find an association between periodontal disease
(gum disease) and gallbladder cancer risk in women and men. The risk for periodontal disease (gum
disease) was highest for esophageal cancer.
We Do Have Good News!
If your periodontal disease is an advanced case, surgery is usually required. Fortunately, this
procedure is almost always successful in controlling the condition. With milder cases of periodontal
disease, there are effective NON-surgical treatments that, when united with better dental hygiene,
can effectively halt the spread of the disease. And now that the threat gum disease represents has
been documented, most dental insurance plans provide coverage to pay for available treatment.
Defeat Gum Disease Painlessly
Dr. Salmons is excited to offer his patients a formidable weapon in the fight against gum disease.
ARESTIN™ comes in a powder form, containing microspheres of antibiotic, which are not visible
to the naked eye. These microspheres transport a time-released treatment directly to the point of the
infection (the spaces between the gums and teeth). ARESTIN wipes out the bacteria that produces gum
disease. The best part is that it’s all painless!
Have You Been Told You Need Gum Surgery?
Our practice uses laser technology for the non-surgical treatment of gum disease, with results that
might have been considered miraculous not too many years ago. The procedure is minimal and patient
friendly, and the results have been overwhelmingly positive. We use an advanced dental laser to ensure
your treatment is virtually painless. This laser is safe and effective, and is FDA approved. This
breakthrough process actually can regenerate bone lost through years of gum disease.
Laser Treatment of Cold Sores
Are you a cold sore sufferer? Those unsightly blemishes around your mouth and on your lips are also
likely painful. These sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus, which can cause ongoing breakouts
even after creams and ointments have been used to treat individual sores. Well, we have a fantastic
solution! Dr. Salmons can use a laser to kill the virus and help you heal faster. The treatment can
provide immediate relief of itching and pain, and over time, eliminates the virus so breakouts are further
between and eventually even stop completely. If you’ve begun experiencing early signs of a breakout, laser
treatment can prevent the blisters from forming. So don’t delay! Ask us about this today.
We can help arrest your gum disease and bring your smile back to health. Give us a
call today at (712) 239-5900.
