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Category:
Published: February 2008
Laser-Assisted Dental Hygiene
For generations, a link between infections in the mouth and general health has been thought to exist. Over 50 years ago, Charles Mayo, founder of the Mayo Clinic, stated that excellence in dental health can add ten years to a persons life. For the past ten years, research has actually been done linking heart disease, stroke, low birth weight, and pre-term delivery to periodontal infection in a persons mouth.
Today, the majority of the population, including healthcare practitioners, has been exposed to information regarding this connection between oral disease and infection, as well as general body health. The research continues to support this link, and it is easy to find articles in the media that validate this conclusion. Infection in the mouth causes changes in the body. These changes can help cause undesirable health conditions.
We have always encouraged patients, especially those with generalized systemic problems, to keep their mouths as dentally healthy as possible. We have done this, and continue to do this, by the thorough removal of plaque and calculus, also known as tartar. We have also used antiseptic mouthwashes and topical antibiotics in treating periodontal infections.
We are fortunate in dentistry to have recently added another tool to help us control periodontal infection in a more effective way. This is the use of lasers that actually kill the bacteria in the periodontally-infected tissues in a persons mouth. Since we have been using this in our office, patients have found the use of the low energy diode laser, when accompanied by topical anesthetic, to be a relaxing experience. The laser is placed into the affected area and moved in specific, controlled orientations for specific times, dependent upon the infection. The results, after the completion of this regimen of therapy, will be what we believe to be a healthy mouth without infection.
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