Gum Disease Therapy in Yorktown Heights, NY
A Three-Step, Holistic Approach to Healthy Gums
Gum disease is a destructive process that leads to the deterioration of the bone supporting your teeth 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 Yorktown Heights, NY.
Infection in Gum Disease
What is commonly called dental plaque is actually a sticky coating loaded with disease-causing bacteria. As the plaque forms and thrives on your teeth, the bacteria release chemicals that begin the breakdown of 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, your heart, your brain, and other areas.
Inflammation in Gum Disease
As the bacteria begin to eat their way into the lining of your gums, your body’s defenses will rush to the site of the infection. Chemicals are released and trigger enlargement of blood vessels in your gums, or swelling, to bring extra blood and defensive cells from your immune system. Early in the infection, you may not even notice a difference, but over time the problem will become more deep-seated and more invasive.
The Whole Body Consequences of Gum Disease
The bacteria involved with gum disease will eventually find their way through the body. Research has shown 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. They can be a major contributing factor to common diseases that lead to a decline in your vitality over time. They will contribute to an increased risk of 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 responses of our immune system that result in and contribute to chronic systemic inflammation. Through this process, chronic gum disease contributes to chronic degeneration elsewhere in the body.
How Do I know if I have gum disease?
- Do you have bleeding gums?
- Are your gums receding?
- Are your gums red or puffy?
- Do you think you may have 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.
Healthy Gum Program
Making your gums healthy is as easy as one, two, three! 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: Getting Your 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 sometimes it is not 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: Identifying & Addressing Systemic & Constitutional Factors
We frequently see signs of systemic inflammation as a result of your gums over-reacting to plaque building up around the teeth. Controlling the plaque and the body’s reaction to it is key to getting the problem under control. But there are other elements to consider, such as diet and biochemical balance.
Applying our 37 years of experience with and knowledge of natural healing, we give you a thorough evaluation and recommend a nutritional treatment plan to counteract gum disease. Common denominators in systemic inflammation are toxicity, again heavy metals may contribute and an overly acidic condition of the body due to consumption of too much protein.
The general biochemical balance, in particular, your salivary pH and the level of calcium and phosphorous in your body should be taken into consideration. The amount and frequency of your refined carbohydrate intake is also an important factor. Then, we evaluate your overall energy state, and if it is defective, we will treat the imbalance homeopathically or through other means.
3rd: Repairing the Damage Done to Your Gums
One of the consequences of gum disease is the development of a gum pocket due to deteriorating bone around your teeth. In the past, the only solution was to cut away gum tissue, making it easier to reach the plaque building up on the teeth. But now, due to advances in our understanding of the biology of gum tissue and advances in technology, we have much more conservative methods that allow us 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 advanced 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!
Learn More About Gum Disease Therapy in Yorktown Heights, 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.