Periodontal disease can be considered another way for the body to let us know the whole machine is in "dis-ease". Of the body is a machine, the immune system is the engine that must be kept tuned in order for all the parts to work together.

Dentistry, being technical in nature, allow us the tools and procedures to treat gum disease. We can remove deposits from under the gums, smooth the teeth, repair or replace old fillings with materials that are more compatible with tissue, show the individual better ways to keep the teeth clean, but we can't make the body stronger so it can heal itself. Only you can do that!

Most of us know there is no easy way out. It all comes back to life choices. Let's review the basics:

1. Eat whole, fresh foods, especially 5 servings of fresh fruits and veggies daily.
2. Exercise! What, where, when, and how can be as individual as you are. Just do some at least 3 times a week.
3. Get enough rest. This varies between individuals, but chances are you need more. Take time to smell the roses (like when you are out walking!)
4. Don't smoke! Besides all the bad stuff we already know, smokers are three times as likely to have Periodontal disease then non-smokers, regardless of home care habits.

If you want to go a little further in building your immune response, especially during your periodontal treatment, we suggest these basic supplements:

1. Vitamin C. It's a must for proper tissue healing, helps fight infection, and enhances the immune system. Take 500-1000mg two times a day. Current research says Ester C is better used by the body, and always take vitamins in capsule form.
2. Multivitamins with B complex. Vitamins are necessary for a multitude of functions within the body. The B-complex helps the immune system cope better with daily stress. Even when we try to eat all the right foods, we can't always be sure the fruits and veggies contain the amounts of vitamins nature intended. Vitamins are quickly depleted after harvesting and during shipping.
3. Minerals. This group is terribly underestimated. Minerals are necessary for all messages being transmitted from the brain to all muscles, organs, and the nervous system. A deficiency can cause "short-circuiting" in all parts of the body. This is an even greater problem since over-farming and one-crop farming has stripped nutrients from the soil. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides put nothing back into the soil or the foods we eat. Research indicates that liquid Colloidal Minerals are best absorbed by the body.
4. CoEnzyme Q10. Enzymes are protein substances found in all living things and this one is found in all cells of the body. It is the energy the cells need to perform their various functions. As with most things, stress, aging, poor nutrition, and infection reduce the body' ability to manufacture CoQ10. A deficiency of this enzyme has been linked to heart problems, high blood pressure, periodontal disease, and immune problems. CoQ10 should be taken with fats to insure absorption.

This information is just the tip of the iceberg of information available today. We all try to practice what we preach and have found improved health. If you want more details please don't hesitate to ask. We can point you in the right direction but everyone needs to seek out and travel the path best suited for them.

DENTAL SEALANTS

WHERE AND WHY TEETH DECAY: Two areas of tooth are especially vulnerable to cavities. One is the smooth surface facing each adjacent tooth; food and bacteria lodge between teeth and create an environment that leads to acid formation and decay. Cavities in this location are very effectively prevented by flossing and fluoride. The other prime location for decay is the biting surfaces of the back teeth. In most people, these acquire tiny defects in the enamel surface even as the teeth form. These defects, called "pits and fissures," are the perfect place for trouble to begin once a tooth has emerged into the mouth. Fluoride is not very good at preventing decay in this location, but sealants are. Most tooth decay in children and teens occurs on the chewing surfaces of the sixteen permanent back teeth. The object of dental sealing, then, is to place a permanent, durable, non-toxic material on the biting surfaces so bacteria can be excluded and decay can be prevented.

HOW ARE SEALANTS APPLIED? Applying sealants is relatively easy and completely painless. They are usually applied by a Dental Hygienist. First, the biting surfaces are cleaned. Then the teeth to be sealed are dabbed with a mild acid solution (similar in strength to lemon juice). This roughens the surface so that the sealant can bond to it. Next, the sealant is painted onto the tooth where it flows into the pits and grooves and is hardened by a light in about 60 seconds. Applying sealants requires no drilling or removal of tooth structure.

WHO SHOULD HAVE THEIR TEETH SEALED, AND WHEN? In our opinion, sealing should be standard practice with all growing children, and should be considered by some adults as well. The ideal time to seal a tooth is when it first erupts from the gums, before decay has time to start in the pits and fissures. A sensible practice would be for a child to have an appointment for sealing shortly after each of the sixteen permanent back teeth come in. This may seem like an extravagance at first, buy why wait until a cavity appears and tooth structure needs to be removed for a filling? The average life span of a filling is about seven years, and then the filling needs to be replaced. By preventing the filling in the first place, you are also preventing a lifetime of replacing that filling. The cost of sealing a tooth is consistently less than the cost of having a tooth filled.

Sealing produces the greatest protection right after the tooth emerges, but is well worth doing throughout the teenage years. Many college students develop new cavities when they leave home because the acquire the typical college diet of snacking on foods that are highly decay causing (foods and snack that they were not allowed to eat frequently at home). The best parting gift to the student going away to college might well be a visit to their hygienist for sealing all the back teeth. New decay usually diminishes in adult life, but adults who find themselves developing cavities can benefit from sealants as well.

HOW LONG DO SEALANTS LAST? A single treatment can last anywhere from five to ten years to a lifetime. However, 15% of the time the sealant can come off or chip and loosen. This situation is easily recognized and can be fixed at the recare visit. It is very important to maintain twice yearly dental exams and preventive visits. Our office will replace or repair sealants for up to three years as long as the child has been seen for their twice yearly recare visits.

HAVE SEALANTS BEEN THOROUGHLY TESTED? Sealants have undergone extensive testing in controlled clinical studies. These studies have shown sealants to be effective, easy to apply, cost effective, and non toxic. Sealants are approved and have been recommended by the American Dental Association, the National Institute of Dental Research, and the American Public Health Association.