Thinking Outside the Box Means Thinking Outside the Tooth

There is substantial research linking gum (periodontal) disease to serious conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and even pancreatic cancer. Instead of addressing these systemic disease at advanced stages, why not be pro-active and deal with less pain by creating a healthy mouth.

Our mouths are the easiest line of access for bacteria to enter our bodies. Gum disease starts off as plaque, an opaque bacterial film, which eventually hardens forming tartar or calculus. Calculus deposits harbor bacteria, which infect the gums. In early stages, this is called gingivitis, characterized by red swollen gums that bleed when you brush your teeth. Many people experience bad breath and an unpleasant taste in their mouths as well.

Unchecked gingivitis progresses to periodontitis, a much more serious form of the disease where periodontal pockets are formed, separating teeth from the gums and supporting bone structure. Without treatment, infection becomes severe and the pockets deepen, harboring bacteria (which then enters the blood stream), and eventually resulting in tooth loss. Gum disease is a chronic condition, and the effects are wide-spread. The chronic infection of gum disease exacerbates other systemic diseases previously mentioned above.

The way to repair the damage is to get rid of the infection and close up the pockets. This is where thinking "outside the box" comes in. Until recently treating gum disease meant cut and sew flap surgery (aka, scalpel surgery and sutures). Most dentists are trained to treat gum disease by cutting through healthy tissue on the surface to "scrape out" the infected, underlying gum tissue. Modern technology and the use of a specific laser and protocol have proven successful in treating gum disease, which in turn can help control diabetes and lower the risks of heart disease and stroke.

This "out of the box" successful, laser-alternative protocol I am referring to is called Laser Assisted new Attachment Procedure (LANAP). The LANAP protocol is the only laser-assisted procedure certified by the FDA for treatment of periodontitis or gum disease. This breakthrough procedure can actually regenerate new gum and bone tissue, as shown in dental university studies and among my own patients. I can honestly say the LANAP protocol is a patient-friendly, minimally invasive procedure that is a great improvement over traditional gum surgery.

Be an informed patient/consumer. Always ask what your alternatives are. With the advancement of science and modern technology, there is no reason to settle for old-fashion, "traditional" solutions.

Treating Gum Disease Helps Rheumatoid Arthritis Sufferers

ScienceDaily (May 29, 2009) — Here's one more reason to keep your teeth healthy. People, who suffer from gum disease and also have a severe form of rheumatoid arthritis, reduced their arthritic pain, number of swollen joints and the degree of morning stiffness when they cured their dental problems. http://tinyurl.com/kkyush

Gum Disease Can Lead to Gestational Diabetes

We know increasingly that gum or periodontal disease has a global negative effect on our health. The evidence for this is being discovered everyday. See more evidence here: http://tinyurl.com/cslqpp

LANAP Results on Video

Let's take a look at great results from Dr. John McAllister. LANAP is not a magic wand, but a powerful technique for controlling gum disease and preserving teeth and tissue. Please view here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dd846LBK9GQ

Green Tea For Healthy Gums?

A study recently published in the Journal of Periodontology, uncovered yet another benefit of green tea consumption. Researchers found that routine intake of green tea may also help promote healthy teeth and gums. See the story here. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090305183128.htm

Super Glue Dentistry????

Not recommended, I can tell you from experience super glue in the mouth does not work. Check out this story: http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/web_extra_video/Woman_uses_Super_Glue_on_teeth

Dr. Eric Johnson to Speak at the Townie Meeting 2009

Dr Eric Johnson has been invited to speak at the 2009 Townie Meeting this April in Las Vegas, NV. The site of the meeting is at Caesar's Palace. The Townie Meeting is an annual event, with a strong program of speakers presenting many programs on differing facets of dentistry. Dr Johnson will be presenting a program about implementing LANAP, (Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure) in the general dental practice. LANAP is a groundbreaking, minimal-invasive procedure for gum disease (periodontitis) that is an alternative to conventional cut and sew surgery. The program is sponsored in part by Millennium Dental Technologies, makers of the Periolase, the laser used in the LANAP procedure, and also The Institute for Advanced Laser Dentistry (IALD), the exclusive provider of training and education to dentists of the LANAP protocol. Dr. Eric Johnson is a general dentist practicing in Torrance, CA and is a Certified Instructor for the IALD.