Dentist in Lake Jackson TX

The DDS approach to Gum Therapy

The mouth is the window to the body, and the team at Distinctive Dental Services believes a healthy mouth is one of the initial steps to whole body wellness. Extensive research shows there is a direct correlation between the health of your mouth and overall systemic health. The DDS approach to periodontal therapy includes: microscope technology, laboratory microbial testing, modular non-surgical gum therapy, and Twin Light (Nd:YAG/Er:YAG) laser assisted gum therapy. Utilizing this multifaceted approach, DDS develops an individualized treatment plan to help clients achieve optimal dental health.

Technology for optimal dental health

Dentist Lake Jackson - Microscope

Microscope
Everyone has bacteria in their mouth. Good bacteria helps keep your mouth healthy and keep the bad bacteria in check. Sometimes this balance can be disrupted, and the bad bacteria flourishes. When this happens, we see changes in your gum, tooth and bone health. Your hygienist will collect a saliva sample to view under our microscope. This gives us a real-time, snapshot of what is happening in your mouth right now. In a nutshell, a healthy slide is quiet while an unhealthy slide will show a lot of movement. High-risk bacteria twist, turn, spin and move under their own power. The activity we see on the microscope slide will aid us in determining the health of your gums.

5 Types of Bacteria in the Mouth


Dentist Lake Jackson - Modular

Modular Non-Surgical Gum Therapy
A comprehensive gum health evaluation is performed which includes reviewing your microscope slide, radiographs and a clinical examination. Traditional periodontal measurements are not direct indicators of gum health. The absence or presence of high-risk bacteria will be an important factor in determining the best avenue of therapy. Each treatment plan is individualized and will include: bacterial laboratory testing, oral hygiene homecare kit, oral hygiene instruction, segmented medicated cleanings for bacterial biofilm removal, follow-up microscope slides, routine maintenance cleanings.


Dentist Lake Jackson - MicrobeLinkDX

MicrobeLinkDX 11-Microbes laboratory testing
There can be over 700 different microorganisms and bacteria in the mouth, but there are 11 specific microbes that are directly linked to periodontal disease. Your hygienist will collect saliva samples for laboratory testing, and the results take approximately 2 weeks to return. Through this testing, we are able to accurately identify the specific type of pathogenic bacteria present, so we can better treat your gum infection

Report Results

Interpreting Your MicrobelinkDx Results


Dentist Lake Jackson - Periodontal Therapy

Twin Light laser assisted gum therapy
The TwinLight® Laser Assisted Gum Therapy is a minimally invasive procedure used to successfully treat periodontal disease (also known as gum disease) without the need for scalpels and sutures. The dual wavelengths are utilized to remove diseased gum tissue, disinfect the microbial biofilm and promote healing with a stabilizing fibrin clot. The LightWalker® is FDA cleared for the laser-assisted new attachment procedure and true periodontal regeneration, which means that in favorable areas new bone and periodontal attachment can be regenerated.


The mouth is the window to the body

Since 1999, DDS has been on the forefront of educating clients on the relationship between periodontal (gum) disease and overall body health. There is now over 2 decades of research that links oral pathogenic bacteria to systemic diseases, such as: diabetes, heart disease, respiratory disease, cancer and Alzheimer’s. The bad bacteria that lives and grows in your mouth, causes inflammation and irritation throughout your entire body, which increases your risk for certain health problems and makes it harder to control health conditions that you may already have.

Gum Disease & Whole Body wellness

Dentist Lake Jackson - Diabetes

Diabetes and gum disease are very closely related and have a two-way relationship. If you are a diabetic, you have a 3 times higher risk for periodontal disease. The inflammation associated with periodontitis will then make it more difficult to control your blood sugar. Uncontrolled blood sugar will make it harder to manage your gum disease. Without proper intervention, this cycle continues with both diseases progressing in severity.

Periodontitis and diabetes


Dentist Lake Jackson - Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular diseases are conditions that affect the heart and the vessels of the body. The bad bacteria in the mouth causes chronic inflammation throughout the whole body, causing hardening of the arteries. People with periodontal disease are 2x more likely to have heart disease.

Gum Disease and heart disease


Dentist Lake Jackson - Respiratory Diseases

Respiratory Diseases like COPD and bronchitis are usually chronic diseases that slowly develop over time. Not only can the bacteria from your mouth irritate your respiratory passages, but it can cause an increased inflammatory response that can cause the breakdown of the connective tissue in your airways.

Respiratory and periodontal health


Dentist Lake Jackson - Cancer

Cancer risk greatly increases with active gum disease. Men with gum disease have a significant increase in risk to develop lung, kidney, pancreas and blood cancers compared to men without gum disease. Women with gum disease had a 14% higher risk of breast cancer compared to women without gum disease.

Link between gum disease and cancer risk


Dentist Lake Jackson - Alzheimers

Alzheimer’s and related dementias have been found to be associated with the same bacteria that causes gum disease. The bacteria in the mouth can travel through the bloodstream to the brain, causing an inflammatory response. The result is a disruption in the communication of the brain cells.

Gum disease with dementia


Brush Up: Continued Care for Your Smile.

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Dental Care for the Whole Family.

DDS provides a friendly environment for the entire family. In this group testimonial, the family talks about their appreciation of Dr. Elrod’s thoroughness, willingness to listen and proactive client education during their dental visits. From Invisalign and bite guards to general care, each member has had a positive, pain-free experience.

Best Dentist in Lake Jackson TX

Make your smile a priority.

Make an appointment for your next cleaning or general dentistry checkup today.

Financing Worth Smiling About.

Don’t let cost deter you from schedule your biannual cleanings. DDS partners with the leaders in oral care financing to offer payment options personalized to your individual treatment needs.