Gum Disease

One of the primary focuses of our practice is gum and bone disease. Our interest lies in diagnosing and treating the actual disease, rather than simply masking the symptoms. Our goal is to eliminate the inflammation and harmful organisms. Simply restoring the damaged or destroyed tissues, without eradicating the cause, would not actually be a solution, because problems will return. We provide comprehensive treatment to eliminate the disease and restore the damage, for lasting good health.

Patient education is one of the most important services that we provide. We will explain the current condition of your oral health, and we will discuss what can be done to improve it. Your daily habits and nutrition are an important part of the treatment plan. We will work with you to help you understand how the disease took hold in the first place, which is the key to preventing recurrence.

Gum disease causes inflammation and eventual destruction of oral tissues, but that is not the most dangerous aspect of it. The health ramifications of chronic degenerative disease are not confined to the mouth. Researchers have linked gum disease to a wide variety very serious health conditions.

The best-known disease of concern is coronary artery disease, which is the number one killer of men and women in the United States. There is a direct link between oral and coronary diseases. In fact, studies performed at Harvard have found oral bacteria present in plaque buildup on the walls of arteries. In one particular study, 100 patients were evaluated and every one of them had organisms associated with oral disease in their arteries.

In addition to heart disease, periodontitis has been associated with a number of other conditions. These include fibromyalgia, pre-term births, as well as rheumatoid arthritis, colitis, and virtually any other condition with a name ending in “itis,” which indicates inflammation. Prevention and treatment of periodontal disease is important for your overall health and quality of life, as well as your oral health.

If it has been longer than six months since you’ve had a dental checkup, or if you suspect that you may have gum disease, call us at and schedule an appointment.