Treating & Preventing Periodontal Gum Disease
Periodontal gum disease occurs when bacteria builds up below the gum line, causing irritation that forces gums to move away from the tooth roots. As the gums recede, more of the tooth is exposed to harmful bacteria and over time, the teeth become loose and can eventually fall out. In fact, gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among men and women in the U.S.
Almost half of American adults have chronic periodontitis, an advanced form of gum disease that taxes the immune system and may make it harder for your body to fight off other infectious challenges. Infections in your gums may also contribute to other chronic health problems like arterial inflammation.
Dr. Dutton and our dental team here in Redding encourages every patient to brush and floss daily, and we recommend cleanings and exams twice a year so we can support and monitor the health of your teeth and gums.
Saliva Testing
We provide MyPerioPath® Oral DNA Saliva testing to detect oral pathogens that cause gum disease and threaten oral & systemic health. This test provides early warning signs of oral pathogens and helps us personalize periodontal treatment for each of our patients. These tests can also let us know if the patient is at increased risk of Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes, Stroke and Birth Complications.
