As we have studied the role of our oral health in relationship to our overall health, we have learned that Inflammation is a root cause of most diseases. This includes inflammation in the mouth and how it relates to the rest of the body. Recent studies have proved a cause and effect relationship between our mouths and our hearts.
In general, 3 out of 4 adults in America have some form of inflammation characterized by bleeding gums and bone loss around the teeth. There are really only two ways that you can be:

1. No inflammation – this is characterized by gums that don’t bleed and normal bone characteristics and levels.
2. Periodontal (Gum) infection: gums that bleed.

In periodontal infections, there may or may not be any bone loss. Gums that even have a small amount of bleeding are NOT healthy. A little bit of disease leads to a little more. Gum infections may or may not hurt. There may or may not be any bone loss. With inflammation, you are 4x as likely to have a heart event and 2x as likely to have a stroke and / or develop insulin resistance and diabetes. However, once it has gained a foothold, it will progress unless it is controlled. It is a disease that cannot be cured, only controlled.
That is where we come in. We CANNOT take your disease away from you. However, we can set up the environment for you to control it for the rest of your life.
Using the Dental Fitness Program, we can assess your risk by measuring the control that you have of your plaque and bleeding, and assessing the amount of bone loss around the teeth. A score of 90% or above in plaque and bleeding means that you have control in your mouth and the environment is healthy. Scores less than that require customized care plans that will create the environment for wellness.
As with anything, your home care is a vital part of moving toward wellness. The control is yours. Only you are able to determine what your preferred future will look like.