Treat Periodontal Disease with a Holistic Dentist

Holistic dentistry offers a comprehensive approach to treating periodontal disease. Holistic and biological dentists emphasize the body's natural healing abilities, utilizing the least possible invasive treatments, and the connection between oral health and overall well-being. So, how does a holistic dentist treat periodontal disease differently?

Our team focuses on three steps:

• Analyze the underlying issue.
• Personalize a treatment that targets the root cause, not just band-aid the symptoms.
• Evaluate, monitor the progress, and modify to yield successful treatment

Periodontal disease, commonly referred to as gum disease, is a pervasive dental issue affecting millions worldwide. It is characterized by inflammation and infection of the gums, which, if left untreated, can lead to tooth loss and other serious health complications.

Step 1: Analyzing the Problem

The cornerstone of holistic dentistry's approach to treating periodontal disease lies in its thorough diagnostic processes. Understanding the underlying issue of an individual's condition is crucial. This is achieved through:

Oral Microbiome Study: The oral microbiome plays a pivotal role in oral health. Analyzing the specific composition of bacteria in the mouth can reveal underlying causes of periodontal disease and guide the development of targeted treatment plans. This allows us to target the area of concern, hence providing patients with effective, personalized, and less invasive treatment.

Saliva Testing: Saliva testing is another essential diagnostic tool. It can provide insights into the acidity of saliva, offering valuable information on your ability to remineralize the teeth.

Periodontal Measurement: Measuring the depth of the gum pockets around the teeth is a direct method of assessing the severity of periodontal disease. It helps in determining the extent of the damage and the progression of the condition.

Step 2: Personalizing the Treatment

With a comprehensive understanding of the patient's oral health status, holistic dentists can craft personalized treatment plans. These plans are not only aimed at treating periodontal disease but also at promoting overall health and preventing future occurrences.

Treatment may include:

Laser Therapy: Utilizing cutting-edge laser technology, this non-invasive treatment helps remove the infection in gum tissue, promotes the regeneration of healthy gums, and roughens the surfaces of the teeth to allow gum tissue reattachment. It offers the advantages of reduced discomfort and faster healing times compared to traditional surgery.

Perio Protect: An innovative method that involves custom-fitted trays to deliver medication directly to the gums. This treatment is designed to manage the bacteria causing periodontal disease, offering a non-invasive and effective solution.

The treatment plan is tailored based on the individual's specific needs, considering factors such as the severity of the disease, the patient's overall health, and their lifestyle.

Step 3: Evaluating and Monitoring Progression

The holistic approach to periodontal disease treatment extends beyond the immediate procedure. Continuous evaluation and monitoring are vital to ensure the disease is being effectively managed and to adjust the treatment plan as necessary. This includes:

Regular Follow-ups: Scheduled visits to the holistic dentist allow for ongoing assessment of gum health and the effectiveness of the treatment plan.

Modifying At-Home Care: Empowering patients with knowledge and tools to maintain oral health at home is key. This may involve adjusting daily oral hygiene practices, dietary changes, and natural remedies to support gum health.

Monitoring Overall Health: Since holistic dentistry recognizes the link between oral health and general well-being, monitoring the patient's overall health is an integral part of the treatment process. This holistic perspective ensures that care is not only focused on the mouth but also considers the health of the entire body.

Treating periodontal disease with a holistic dentist involves a comprehensive approach that starts with a thorough analysis, follows through with personalized, innovative treatments, and ensures long-term success through continuous monitoring and care adjustments. This method not only addresses the immediate concerns of periodontal disease but also contributes to the patient's overall health and wellness, aligning with the holistic principle that the body is an interconnected system, and health should be approached in a comprehensive manner.

Selecting Seattle Dental Care – Biological Dental Care as your holistic dentist means you're opting for a dedicated team committed to accompanying you on your path to oral healing. Our commitment to your health extends beyond your appointments. We offer continuous support from post-operative care to your recovery process. If you're ready to experience the best biological dentistry, please contact holistic dentist Seattle at (206) 728-1330 or visit us at www.seattledentalcare.com. We will be happy to guide you further.

 

6 Mistakes You Make When Brushing Teeth

This week's blog is a special request from Phoebe with her personal experience. "I (Phoebe) have always thought there is no "proper" technique when it comes to brushing my teeth. All my life, I have been brushing my teeth using a firm toothbrush, with more than enough strength thinking brushing harder will remove all the buildup. Boy was I wrong! Not only I was brushing and flossing incorrectly, but using the wrong toothbrush. It was not until a few years ago, that I was corrected on my brushing technique. I realized then I may not be the only one who is accustomed to incorrect brushing and flossing."Upon Phoebe's request, we have researched some common mistakes patients make when it comes to brushing their teeth.

1. Using the wrong toothbrush.  Hard or firm bristled toothbrushes can wear away the tooth enamel, which cannot regrow. This will result in vulnerability to bacterial infection which may result in tooth decay.
2. Brushing too hard. Exerting too much pressure does not mean you are removing extra plaque or calculus, however, it may wear down your enamel and may result in gum recession.
3. Not brushing long enough. It is recommended to brush your teeth for 2 minutes to remove a decent amount of plaque.
4. Forgetting to floss. Brushing may remove the plaque and food debris from the front & back of the tooth, however, without proper flossing, there is still infection-causing plaque remaining in between the teeth, which we call interdental space.
5. Forgetting to clean your tongue. Your tongue can trap various bacteria, leading to bad breath, and teeth & gum infections. After brushing your teeth, remember to clean your tongue using your toothbrush or a tongue cleaner.
6. Using the wrong toothpaste. Each patient is built differently. A toothpaste that works for one person may not be a suitable choice for others. It is recommended to ask your dentist what type of toothpaste will be best for you based on your oral microbiome.

At Seattle Dental Care, our holistic dentists routinely monitor your oral microbiome as well as pH level and recommend a home care regimen personalized to your health. We will also review brushing and flossing techniques, during your dental visits. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about your oral microbiome, contact us.  contact holistic dentist Seattle WA at (206) 728-1330 or visit us at 2107 Elliott Ave Ste 210, Seattle, WA 98121. We will be happy to guide you further.

 

Is there a natural antibiotic? 

Yes, there is! It's called Ozone. 

Ozone is made of Oxygen - something we breath in.

Ozone Therapy has antifungal, antiviral, antibacterial properties, and promotes blood circulation.
At Seattle Dental Care, each treatment will follow ozone therapy to ensure the treatment site is clean, and disinfected without chemicals and toxins, and your body is ready for optimal healing.

To learn more, visit www.seattledentalcare.com or contact us via phone or email.

New Platform for Blogging

Good morning.

We wanted to inform everyone who regularly reads our blog that we've changed the way we will be posting. We will no longer be using Blogger as our platform to post, but rather we will now directly post everything to our new website. This consolidates everything into one place so that it is easy and effective for our patients and friends to find the information they need without having to search in 2 different places. Any information that you have read on this blog has been moved over to the website, so no information will be lost.

Please visit our new website www.seattledentalcare.com and click on the "Blog" tab. You can easily view our blog from there.

Thank you,
Dr. Richard Stickney DDS

Ceramic Implants- What's the Benefit?

Hello!

Today lets discuss a trending topic.. Ceramic Implants.

What is an Implant?

First of all, an implant is an artificial tooth root that anchors into the bone and acts as a tooth. Implants have only been around in the dental field for around 25 years or so, and the technology has come a long way since then. For many years we've been working with titanium dental implants, but the newest technology is pointing to all-ceramic dental implants.

Titanium vs. Zirconia Dental Implants:

Titanium is a strong metal, but as with most metals, it suffers corrosion. Corrosion is a gradual process of deterioration and happens when the metal reacts with the electrolytic environment in the human body. When the titanium is exposed to fluid or air, it develops a layer of titanium dioxide and forms a boundary between the metal and the body. Over time, the integrity of the titanium becomes weaker and weaker. The titanium implants also have two parts to them and thus have a prosthetic connection, which poses a weak spot for bacterial growth and possible gum irritation. Although titanium allergies are rare, metal sensitivities are not. This can pose a problem to the surrounding gum tissue and cause peri-implantitis, which affects the soft gum tissue as well as the surrounding bone and can cause the implant to fail.






Ceramic (or Zirconia) implants are all white and mimic the actual color of root structure. This is important for aesthetic purposes. If the gums were to recede at all after the implant was placed, there would be no grey line at the gingival margin of the crown. This gives the tooth a more natural look. With ceramic, the implant comes in one piece so there is no connection between the implant and the abutment, thus eliminating a weak area for bacterial growth. Ceramic is inert, non-corrosive and non-allergenic and easily accepted by the body. Since zirconia is a poor electrical conductor, it is able to withstand changes in temperature, from hot to cold, without corrosion, so the longevity and durability of ceramic is better than titanium in many cases.



If you are interested in knowing more about ceramic implants and how we are working with them in our office, give us a call at (206)-728-1330.

Be well,
Richard Stickney DDS PS

Avoiding Root Canals

Hello!

This week we wanted to discuss root canals. The best root canal is the one that never has to happen. But at times, they are necessary and we wanted to share with you what a root canal involves and how you could avoid needing one.

First of all, what is a root canal?


Here is an example of what the different parts of the tooth look like.

• The enamel of the tooth is the hardest substance in the body and is like a protective shell over the tooth.
• The dentin is the inner layer of the tooth and is not as strong as enamel.
• The pulp chamber contains nerves and blood vessels
• The root canal is the channel that supplies the tooth with nutrition by bringing blood vessels and nerves into the pulp chamber

The blood vessels and nerves bring the tooth needed nutrition and provide the tooth with feeling. At times bacteria can invade the tooth and the decay process begins. Once bacteria has gotten through the tough layer of enamel, the decay can progress much more rapidly. Decay that has reached the pulp chamber, will cause it to become infected and over time will die. If the infection remains in the tooth for a length of time, it will eventually make its way to the apex of the tooth, or the end of the tooth, and the infection will begin effecting the surrounding bone. Once the nerve has died, you cannot revive it. At this point a root canal or tooth extraction may be recommended.


Here is an example. You can see at the end of the root on the middle tooth there is a dark shadow. That is the infection. Because decay and infection are less dense than healthy tooth structure, it shows up darker on an x-ray.

The process of having a root canal done goes like this:

• An access point is drilled into the top of the tooth to get to the pulp chamber.
• The entry point for each canal is located.
• Files and irrigation are used to remove pulp and infection from each of the canals.
• Canals are sealed with gutta percha, a rubbery material that protects the inside of the tooth.

X-rays are taken throughout this process to ensure that all the pulp and bacteria have been removed and we've reached the apex of the tooth. A final x-ray is taken to be sure the tooth is completely sealed. And in our office, we use our dental laser to disinfect and kill bacteria as well.



There are microscopic tubules that make up the structure of the dentin. Bacteria from the pulp can reside and remain in the tubules and with traditional root canal therapy, it is very difficult, if not impossible to remove all bacteria from them. But with the use of our dental laser and a special tip designed for root canals, we are able to kill 99.7% of bacteria remaining. This is a benefit to the patient and the dentist.


(A microscopic view of the dental tubules)


How can I avoid needing a root canal or loss of a tooth?

The need for a root canal can be prevented with a few simple steps.

• Keeping your teeth clean. This one seems like a no brainer, but its probably the easiest way to prevent root canals. You can prevent cavities from developing by brushing and flossing your teeth every day.
• Regular bi-yearly visits to the dentist. At your dental visits all your teeth are checked for decay or trauma. Using a dental explorer and taking yearly x-rays we are able to detect decay as early as possible. When we can catch a cavity early, we reduce the amount of drilling, and prevent the decay from getting close to the pulp.
• Avoid trauma. Trauma to a tooth can cause the pulp to swell up and become inflamed. When this occurs inside the hard casing of the tooth, the swelling has no where to go, the access to the canals become cut off and the needed blood supply and oxygen cannot nourish the tooth and will cause the pulp to die. Trauma can be caused by a hit to the face or teeth, over drilling, or a bad bite.
• Regular regiment of anti-inflammatories. Supplements such as Vitamin C, Curcumin, and Fish Oil, are all used as anti-inflammatories. If you regularly take nutritional supplements, you reduce your risk of inflammation not only in your whole body, but also in the tooth, thus promoting healthy blood flow to each of your teeth.
• Cut back on sugar. Certain oral bacteria feed on sugar and excrete acid as a result. This acid breaks down the tough enamel layer of the tooth over time and causes decay. Such sugary items as carbonated beverages, sports drinks, sticky candies, and refined carbohydrates are all culprits in our diets that feed cavity causing bacteria. If you cannot cut these out completely, reducing the amount you take in will reduce the chances of caries, and the need to tooth removal or root canals.

For more information on Root Canals or other Frequently Ask Questions, please check out our new and redesigned website! Seattledentalcare.com

To your health,
Richard Stickney DDS PS

Help For TMJ

Good morning!

This post comes from a nice experience we had with our newest laser, the Biolase Epic, with one of our very own employees. Last Wednesday one of  my assistants, Katlyn, came to me and had a complaint about a TMJ issue. She said the muscle felt painful and she could barely open her mouth wide enough to eat, even feeling discomfort up into her ear. This was troubling to me, but I explained that moist heat along with some anti-inflammatory would help alleviate that discomfort. I also suggested to her that she try our new laser on the area for a few days and see how that would help. By the next day, her pain was virtually gone.

So how does this laser work?
The Biolase Epic puts out pulses of diode laser energy into the tissue followed by "down time" to allow the tissue to respond favorably. This laser provides temporary relief of minor pain. In this case, it helped relax that tense muscle that were causing her to feel pain and allowed her to eat and chew normally without any further discomfort. Again, this is a temporary relief of minor pain so along with further laser treatment, I recommend stretching and relaxation exercises so that in the future, it won't be as much of a problem.

We love to see positive results with treatments that we do, and we always appreciate any and all feedback on our laser procedures as well. We were very pleased to see such an immediate good result on this laser treatment, and will be using it more in the future for our TMJ patients. For more information about the lasers we use in our office, please visit our new website under "Laser Dentistry".

I hope you are all doing well,
Richard Stickney DDS PS