Gum Disease Therapy in Westchester County, NY
A Holistic Approach to Achieve Healthy Gums
Gum disease is a destructive process that leads to facial bone deterioration and can cause a systemic response that leads to all kinds of health problems. There are two elements of gum disease — one is infection and the other is inflammation. At The Center For Holistic Dentistry, we take a holistic approach to gum disease therapy in Westchester County, NY.
Gum Infections
What is commonly called dental plaque is actually a sticky coating loaded with disease-causing bacteria. As plaque forms and hardens on your teeth, the bacteria release chemicals that break down the lining of the gum tissue, allowing the bacteria to enter your gums. Eventually, the bacteria penetrate your body’s defenses and can get into your bloodstream. Once there, these disease-causing bacteria may contribute to disease in your blood vessels, heart, brain, and other areas.
Gum Disease & Inflammation
As the bacteria begin to eat their way into the lining of your gums, your body’s defenses rush to the site of the infection. Chemicals are released to trigger enlargement of blood vessels in your gums and bring extra blood and defensive cells from your immune system, resulting in swelling. Early in the infection, you may not even notice a difference, but over time, the problem will become more deep-seated and invasive.
Systemic Consequences of Gum Disease
The harmful bacteria involved in gum disease will eventually find their way through the body. Research has shown that bacteria that originate in the mouth will become embedded in the walls of major blood vessels leading to the brain, the heart, the lungs, etc. This can be a major contributing risk factor for common diseases that lead to a decline in your vitality over time, including heart disease, stroke, pancreatic cancer, and other life-threatening conditions.
In addition to migrating from the mouth into other areas and organs in the body, these bacteria continue to trigger immune system responses that result in, and contribute to, chronic systemic inflammation. Through this process, chronic gum disease contributes to chronic degeneration elsewhere in the body.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
- Bleeding gums
- Receding (shrinking) gums
- Gums that are red and puffy
- Persistent bad breath
Learn about the complications from gum disease and how it can cause life-threatening issues in the video below. Dr. Lerner shares his systemic holistic approach.
What is the Healthy Gum Program?
Making your gums healthy is as easy as 1, 2, 3! If you are dedicated to getting your mouth – and your body – healthy, you have come to the right place. Here is our three-step, holistic approach.
1st: Get Plaque Under Control
Brushing and flossing your teeth and using a water irrigation system such as Hydro Floss or Water Pik can keep your teeth clean, but it may not be enough. If your problem is localized, we often recommend the application of medication known as Arestin® to block the invasion of the bacteria into your gums.
For patients who have serious gum problems and difficulty getting their plaque under control, we will recommend the PerioProtect® program. It is an effective way of treating periodontal disease by cleaning out bacteria, allowing the body to heal, and reducing the need for surgery.
2nd: Identify & Address Systemic Factors
We frequently see signs of systemic inflammation as a result of the gums overreacting to dental plaque. Controlling the plaque and the body’s reaction is key to getting the problem under control. But there are other elements to consider, such as diet and biochemical balance.
Through our 37 years of experience and knowledge of natural healing, we offer you a thorough evaluation and recommend a nutritional treatment plan to counteract gum disease. Common denominators in systemic inflammation are toxicity — again, heavy metals are a contributor, as is an overly acidic condition of the body due to overconsumption of protein.
We consider the general biochemical balance of your body by measuring your salivary pH level as well as your calcium and phosphorous levels. The amount and frequency of your refined carbohydrate intake is also an important factor. Then, we evaluate your overall energy state, and if it isn’t optimal, we will treat the imbalance homeopathically or through other means.
3rd: Repair Damage to Your Gums
One of the consequences of gum disease is the development of gum pockets due to bone deterioration around your teeth. In the past, the only solution was to cut away gum tissue, making it easier to reach and remove the plaque. Thankfully, advances in technology and an increased understanding of gum tissue biology has given us more conservative methods to correct gum pockets.
The approach we use is Deep Pocket Therapy with New Attachment® using the Waterlase MD® Turbo laser. This is a gentle therapy for moderate to severe gum disease that promotes root surface re-attachment of the gums.
The laser energy of the Waterlase MD Turbo is especially effective for the treatment of inflamed tissue under the gums and the removal of hardened deposits sticking to the roots of your teeth. If you have periodontal disease, please give us a call today and make a decision to dramatically turn your health around!
Contact Us for Gum Disease Therapy in Westchester County, NY!
To experience our exceptional dental care, schedule your New Patient Exam by calling 914-245-4041 or by clicking here. Your appointment includes a comprehensive review of your health history and concerns, an evaluation of your teeth, bite, gums, and airway passage, low-radiation digital x-rays, and a discussion of your options with a personalized treatment plan. We look forward to meeting you!
As the premier holistic dental practice in Yorktown Heights, N.Y. and the Hudson Valley Region., our dentist and team at The Center For Holistic Dentistry also provide 5-star dental care to patients from White Plains, Cortlandt Manor, Katonah, Mount Kisco, Briarcliff Manor & Westchester County, N.Y., and the surrounding areas.