Treatment of Gum Disease Boulder CO
Procedures >> Gum Disease
Gum Disease
The earliest form of gum disease, gingivitis, is an inflammation of the gums caused by oral bacteria. Periodontal disease is a disorder involving bacterial infection of the gums and bone. It is present when inflammation and infection destroy the tissue that supports teeth, including the gums, the periodontal ligaments, and the surrounding bone. Periodontal diseases are the most common chronic infections affecting humans.
Bleeding gums associated with periodontal disease allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream. The presence of this bacteria in the blood can have a negative effect on our overall health. Numerous research studies have linked periodontal diseases to an increased risk for:
Cardiovascular disease (the leading cause of death in the United States)
Stroke
Respiratory diseases
Pre-term, low birth-weight babies
Complications with diabetes
Prostate cancer
Our treatment goal is to improve the health of the gums and eliminate bleeding , leading to an improvement of overall health. Patients who receive comprehensive treatment for periodontal disease may very well reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
The causes of periodontal diseases are multifactorial in nature. Risk factors include but are not limited to:
Age
Gender
Poor oral hygiene
Infrequent dental visits
Medical (diabetes, smoking, pregnancy, medication)
Genetics (family history of disease and tooth loss)
Restorative (poor fitting or deteriorating dental work)
Cavities
Misaligned teeth
Poor nutrition
Decreased immunity (illness, stress)
The standard of care that we provide to every patient at every recare visit is an in-depth screening of periodontal tissue using probe measurements, health history assessments, patient education, and treatment. We pride ourselves on evaluating and educating patients about their clinical situations and present them with therapeutic options to prevent, correct, or manage their disease.
Treatment of Gum Disease
While our team attends a great deal of continuing education through out the year, we also stay ahead with the latest technologies in dentistry. We use microsonics to remove plaque and tartar (no more scraping!), and laser technology to help in the treatment of periodontal disease.
Both Dr. Kalfas and hygienist Kim Anderson are laser certified.
