Root Planning and Gum Disease
12/10/2005
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- More than half of adult Americans suffer from gum disease -- but they may not even know it.
In many cases, treatment involves cutting and stitching, but the federal Food and Drug Administration recently approved a new laser treatment.
"There are so many studies now that correlate gum disease with heart disease and diabetes and Alzheimer's (disease) and low-birth-weight babies," said dentist Dr. Christopher Walinski.
Patients who underwent the procedure said they did not experience bleeding, swelling or discomfort.
"The laser is used to open up the infected tissue," Walinski explained.
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11/27/2005
Lying in the dentist's chair the other day, employing my Lamaze breathing techniques, I had several hours to contemplate my situation. There's no point in hiding the truth any more, it's time I confessed to you all. I have gingivitis.
Unfortunately, I have plenty of company. An estimated 80 percent of Americans suffer some form of gum disease. It's high time to come out of the closet about it. Perhaps sharing my story will help others avoid this fate. If you are squeamish about teeth, read on at your own peril. This is not a pretty story.
As you may know, our mouths are rather unsavory neighborhoods from a bacteriologic standpoint.
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10/14/2005
Periodontal disease is usually seen as a chronic inflammatory disease. An acute infection of the periodontal tissue may occur, but is not usually reported to the dentist. The tissues that are involved in periodontal diseases are the gums, which include the gingiva, periodontal ligament, cementum, and alveolar bone. The gingiva is a pink-colored mucus membrane that covers parts of the teeth and the alveolar bone. The periodontal ligament is the main part of the gums. The cementum is a calcified structure that covers the lower parts of the teeth.
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10/09/2005
If You Have Diabetes
From Marian Eure,
Your Guide to Senior Health.
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Periodontal Treatment and Other Oral Diseases
It's important for you to know how well your diabetes is controlled and to tell your dentist this information at each visit.
See your doctor before scheduling treatment for periodontal disease. Ask your doctor to talk to the dentist or periodontist about your overall medical condition before treatment begins.
You may need to change your meal schedule and the timing and dosage of your insulin if oral surgery is planned.
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10/01/2005
CIGNA Dental Oral Health Maternity Program
CIGNA Dental has followed the research that shows women with periodontal (gum) disease may be at increased risk for pre-term babies. That's why we are launching our new CIGNA Dental Oral Health Maternity Program, which enhances benefits for pregnant members with CIGNA medical and fully-insured dental coverage.
We hope this will encourage pregnant members to have an oral health exam and to seek needed treatment for gum disease.
Effective 1/1/06 CIGNA Dental will cover periodontal scaling and root planing performed during pregnancy at 100% for eligible members.
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