The American Academy of Periodontology estimates that nearly 80% of Americans have some form of gum disease. Approximately 50% of cases are considered moderate to severe. As a biological dental office, it really is our responsibility not only to recognize and treat this localized, infectious disease in the oral cavity, but also to comprehend the systemic effects that the mouth has with the rest of the body. This relationship between systemic health in the body and oral health is bi-directional.Our biological practice incorporates this bi-directional holistic concept. The most important message we communicate to our patients is, "if you are going to treat periodontal infection, you absolutely must treat the whole body." People with gum disease are not "healthy people who have sick gums." They are unhealthy people.The best way to improve overall health (like the mouth) is to place the chemistry of your body in balance. Disease, irrespective of where it appears, is a body imbalance. Opportunistic conditions exist for bacteria, viruses, yeasts, parasites and molds to flourish and attack your body until balance is restored.Is there a solution to treating periodontal disease which will improve short term together with long term success? I think the answer is to provide nutritional support for the body along with an effective non-surgical method of periodontal therapy.Most people would prefer an alternative solution to the conventional "cut and sew" surgical procedures. They are often painful, require weeks of healing, and worse, are largely ineffective at curing periodontal disease long term unless systemic considerations are also taken into account.I consider Biological Periodontal Therapy to require three basic steps for long term success.First, remove the pathogens. This is considered the acute phase of therapy that will usually require 3 -5 visits to complete.This step starts with irrigating the complete mouth with an antimicrobial rinse that contains essential oils and herbs. These help reduce the initial exposure of microforms into the blood stream before periodontal therapy begins.Next, the periodontal pockets are treated as needed with gross debridement, root plane and scaling and sub-gingival irrigation in order to get rid of the offending microforms and calculus that are present.Utilizing the phase contrast microscope, your progress is checked toward disease eradication. This can be a great visual display of the bacteria level in the mouth which often motivates patients to keep the steps necessary for their improvement.Each appointment is concluded with a full mouth irrigation having an antimicrobial rinse and polish.We use "natural" antibiotics, as necessary, such as for example garlic extract (Allicin) or Oil of Oregano for inflammatory or infectious conditions.Second, alter host response. A biological dentist should use you to balance the body chemistry. An acidic body chemistry is really a major causative factor for disease in oral cavity and throughout your body. This may take the time depending on your trouble. Therefore, balancing your body chemistry might be a longer term phase of your therapy.Balancing the body chemistry could be the hardest area of the program because you have to have a serious look at your own lifestyle and behavior to determine areas that require improvement. Following recommended protocol will certainly enhance your body's capability to heal and repair damaged tissue.Nutritional Guidelines:"Get Back to Basics." Eat natural, fresh, whole foods.Eat vegetables and fruit with low glycemic index.Eat animal products such as white meats and fish.Consume monounsaturated fats from olive oil, olives, nuts, natural peanut butter, almonds and avocados.Drink plenty of WATER!Take natural supplements for biological periodontal therapy:Multi-Vitamin/MineralCoenzyme Q-10AntioxidantProbioticVitamin COil of OreganoThird, reduce susceptibility through maintenance care.Once your biological periodontal therapy is completed, it is necessary that you keep up with a maintenance program that is personally designed for one to ensure an effective outcome for years ahead. This includes:Regular hygiene check-ups, every 3 - 4 months at first, then increase to 6 months as appropriate for your own situation.Follow proper home care instructions.Eat a healthy diet.Take nutritional supplements.The systemic problems associated with periodontal infections are too dangerous to ignore. These include heart disease, stroke, pre-term, low birth weight babies, pregnancy gingivitis, stomach ulcers, diabetes, brain abscesses, prosthetic joint failure and sub-acute bacterial endocarditis.Did you know the risk of having a stroke is 2� times greater than normal for those who have periodontitis? Therefore, it makes sense that the treating periodontal disease, alongside good nutritional support and quality supplements, may offer a new solution to prevent strokes and cardiovascular disease.As a biological dentist, I really believe the therapy outlined above provides an excellent possibility to create healthy teeth and gums for the overall health. I encourage dentists to market this concept of biological periodontal therapy to safeguard our patients in a far more holistic fashion.Dr. Michael Rehme, DDS, CCN, practices Biological Dentistry that includes mercury free, tooth colored fillings; healthy dental materials; balancing body chemistry; and nutritional therapy. To find out more about Biological Dentistry and Patient Success Stories visit [1] Attend a free of charge monthly presentation by Dr. Rehme on Biological Dentistry in the seminar room of his newly expanded office on the 3rd Tuesday of every month @ 6:30pm. Please call to verify and reserve your space 314-997-2550.