Mid Wilshire Dental Care
Scientific Wellness Assessment
Are you at risk for heart disease, stroke, diabetes or cancer?
Find out how dentistry can safeguard your health
Find out if you are risk...and discover how to reduce your risk. Today, thanks to sophisticated diagnostic testing, it is possible for you to know your risk for the major systemic diseases that kill over 70% of Americans. Armed with that knowledge, you can make lifestyle changes to lower your risk.
The Mid Wilshire Dental Care Scientific Wellness Assessment includes tests for:
- Periodontal Disease (Bacteria Test & Florida Probe Pocket and Bleeding Analysis)
- Heart Disease Risk (C-Reactive Protein)
- Diabetes Risk (A1c)
Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease, or gum infection, is common in three out of four adults. Bacteria in the mouth can live below the gum line and if not properly removed on a daily basis with good oral hygiene, can cause infection and inflammation. The resulting infection can lead to bone loss and tooth loss, but can also allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream. Dangerous bacterial infection, characterized by inflammation in the arteries, can extend throughout the body. This contributes to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, some cancers and even pre-term/low birth weight babies.
The Florida Probe Computer Analysis
The Florida Computer Probe analysis measures bleeding and pocket depth. The two measurable symptoms of periodontal disease are bleeding and formation of periodontal pockets around teeth. Traditionally pocket depths were measured by hand, which can give varying results from operator to operator. Science has now developed a far more effective and accurate measurement system - the Florida Computer Probe. The computer allows the recording of 192 bleeding and pocket depth measurements painlessly in minutes.. The pressurized tip means that measurements are standardized for all users and not a matter of opinion. The precise measurements are documented, saved, and the test results can be shared with your medical doctor and family.
When you have a sore throat, your doctor will want to know if the cause is a bacterial infection such as strep and do a culture. Likewise, if you have bleeding gums and/or pocketing, the next step is to determine if the cause is dangerous “anaerobic” bacteria that can trigger inflammation and even get into your arteries.
The Periodontal Pathogen test is simple and pain free. Your hygienist will sample your dental plaque on a test strip, and place it in an incubator. In 5 minutes the results will indicate your degree of infection. The proper action to take depends on the severity of the measurements. Improved home dental hygiene and dental products may resolve moderate gum infection. More severe cases may require a series of in-office deep cleaning and laser treatment and possibly targeted antibiotics. The goal is to remove the bleeding, heal the pockets, and control bacteria and prevent it from entering the bloodstream.
High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Test
RP is a protein produced by the liver in response to inflammation. It has been shown to cause blood clots and high CRP can increase the risk of a heart attack by a factor of 5. Periodontal disease increases inflammation and can be reflected in your CRP score. For proper gum therapy it is recommended that all patients periodontal symptoms and infection be tested before and after treatment.
Glycated Hemoglobin or A1c Testing
When your blood Sugar spikes it puts a little spot on your blood or hemoglobin. The percentage of your hemoglobin that is glycated is the best measure of your average blood sugar. The inflammatory chemicals produced by periodontal disease affect blood sugar control and can double the chance of developing diabetes. Removing the infection can improve your blood sugar control if you are a diabetic...and help prevent you from becoming diabetic if you are pre-diabetic. Both the CRP and A1c test can be done by your hygienist with a simple finger stick test, which is then sent the laboratory. We can then review your results at your next appointment
Soft Tissue Laser
The laser’s primary role is to reduce or eliminate the bacteria along with infected or diseased soft tissue of the periodontal pocket. The laser also assist in the organization and formation of a stable clot to help re-establish the attachment of the soft tissue to the root structure of the tooth, minimizing pocket depth and preventing further apical migration of the attachment.