Gum Health &
Fresh Breath
What is gum disease?
Gum disease is caused by an overgrowth of disease-causing bacteria that triggers an inflammatory response in the body. This begins with the inflammation of the gums, know as gingivitis, and if left untreated can progress to periodontists where permanent damage to the bone and supporting structures around the tooth occurs.
Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults but it can affect more than just your smile. Recent studies are beginning to show a strong link between gum disease and several systemic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease, diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and preterm low-birth-weight babies.
Seven out of 10 Canadians will develop gum disease at some point in their life but since there is little pain associated with it, many are unaware they have it until they see a dental professional. Regular visits with your dental hygienist can detect early signs of gum disease so we can take a proactive approach to your oral health for overall health.
What Causes Gum Disease?
Bacteria or 'Bad Bugs'. Our mouth is home to trillions of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, this is known as the oral microbiome. In health, the good and bad bugs coexist without a problem but if there is a disturbance in this balance due to poor oral hygiene, illness, diet, stress, habits, antibiotics, or overuse use of antimicrobial products, the 'bad bugs' may begin to flourish and cause disease.
Our Approach
We take a microbiological approach to treating gum disease. Gum disease is preventable and can be reversed when caught early so early detection is crucial. During your dental hygiene appointment, we will complete a thorough gum assessment as well as a plaque analysis where we look at a sample of your plaque under a microscope to identify an overabundance of 'bad bugs'. This allows us to take a more proactive and customized approach to treatment as well as monitor the success of treatment.
Treatment
Treatment is customized to each client's needs and may include the following:
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Debridement/Irrigation (removal of plaque & tartar above and below the gumline) with EMS Guided Biofilm Therapy
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Herbal/Essential Oil subgingival irrigation to reduce bacterial
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Antimicrobial Chlorahexidine Varnish
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Personalized homecare plan
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Natural and effective oral care products
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Dietary counseling
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Smoking cessation
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Referral to supportive healthcare provider (homeopath, naturopath, holistic nutritionist, dentist, periodontist)
What is Halitosis?
The presence of certain bacteria in the mouth can contribute to oral malodor or bad breath. As the bacteria metabolizes the sugars we consume they release volatile sulfur compounds (VSC). These VSC's are the source of bad breath. Breath mints and gum only mask the problem and antibacterial mouth rinses may make halitosis worse. To treat the cause of halitosis we identify what bacteria is the source of the odour, treat the bacteria, and focus on re-balancing the oral microbiome.