Preventive Dentistry

There really is a Link between untreated gum disease and an increased risk of serious health conditions!

Keeping your teeth & gums healthy can increase you life expectancy. Visit their web site at www.CentersforDentalMedicine.com to learn more. Dr. Wilkin's office is an official Center for Dental Medicine.
CDM

Research has shown, and experts agree, that there is an association between periodontal (gum) diseases and other chronic inflammatory conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, certain cancers and Alzheimer's disease. Treating inflammation may help manage periodontal diseases but may also help with the management of other chronic inflammatory conditions and autoimmune diseases.

Sometimes the only way to detect periodontal disease is through a periodontal evaluation. A periodontal evaluation may be especially important if you:

  • Have a high risk for periodontal diseases.
  • Have heart disease, diabetes, respiratory disease or osteoporosis, or are thinking of becoming pregnant.
  • Have a family member with periodontal disease. Research suggests that the bacteria that cause periodontal disease can pass through saliva. This means the common contact of saliva in families puts children and couples at risk for contracting the periodontal disease of another family member.
  • Have bleeding gums or a sore or irritation in your mouth that does not get better within two weeks.

    • If left untreated, the gum disease causes bacteria to be released into your blood stream that travels throughout your body. This type of bacteria has been shown to increase plaque in the blood and result in a hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). Increased plaque and less flexibility of blood vessels is a primary cause of serious heart and health problems including:

    Stroke
    A study of fatty deposits in the carotid arteries of stroke sufferers shows that 70% contain bacteria and 40% of that bacteria comes from the mouth

    Diabetes (pancreas)
    Diabetics with gum disease are also more likely to have heart disease than those without gum disease. Recent studies also show a relationship of gum disease to pancreatic cancer.

    Heart Disease
    Bacteria in combination with the blood-clotting cells called platelets form a clump that travels through the blood stream. These groups of bacteria and platelets irritate vessel walls and may promote the formation of blood clots that can damage the heart. Inflammation also produces a protein that can irritate the interior of blood vessels creating sites where fatty deposits can form.

    Spontaneous pre-term births
    Women with gum disease are 7 to 9 times more likely to give birth prematurely to low birth-weight babies. Researchers believe that the low-grade infection causes damaged cells to release inflammation-causing substances that have been linked with pre-term birth.

    Are You At Risk For Periodontal Disease?
    Dr. Wilkin can perform a simple test called The “BANA” test that reveals the presence and general levels for bacteria indicated as risk factors for periodontal disease. Early BANA testing, paired with good hygiene practices can save you thousands of dollars (and your teeth!) over a lifetime!

    We provide comprehensive solutions to get your teeth and gums healthy, including Testing for Bacteria that can harm you, Laser Gum Treatments and the use of Medications to treat the Bad bacteria.


    Laser gum treatments – We use state of the art lasers to disinfect the areas of your gums that are being destroyed by gum disease. No cutting of your gums with the patient friendly laser.
    Today, there is no good reason to lose your teeth unnecessarily or jeopardize your health infection in your mouth called dental caries.

    How Would You like to Prevent Cavities Even Before They Start?

    We Have Good News! Dr. Wilkin can now screen for and treat dental cavities - even before they start! This process is called CariFree. CariFree identifies and treats this bacteria before they cause cavities.

    So instead of waiting for cavities to happen and then just treating the symptoms by filling them, we can now get to the cause of the cavities and prevent them!
    Tooth bacteria left untreated can cause tooth decay and cavities, which can lead to the need for crowns, bridges, and root canals or ultimately tooth loss.
    The CariFree screening process prevents you from having decay and fillings, and only takes a minute.

    Ask Us About CariFree and Get Control of Your Oral Health Today!