Periodontitis
Periodontitis is a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue and bone supporting the teeth.
Overview
Periodontitis is a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue and bone supporting the teeth. It often starts as untreated gingivitis and can lead to tooth loss. In Australia, around 30% of adults have moderate to severe periodontitis (AIHW, 2019).
Common Misunderstandings
Some think tooth loss in later life is inevitable, but periodontitis is preventable. Because it’s often painless until advanced, many patients don’trealise they have it until significant damage has occurred.
How is Periodontitis Linked to Your Microbiome?
- Periodontitis is linked to oral microbiome dysbiosis, with overgrowth of bacteria such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, and Treponema denticola (¹Lamont et al., 2018).
- These bacteria can trigger chronic inflammation and destroy supporting tissues.
- Periodontitis-associated bacteria have been found in other parts of the body, linking gum disease to heart disease, diabetes, and adverse pregnancy outcomes (²Tonetti et al., 2017).
- The balance between protective and harmful bacteria — and the host immune response — is central to disease progression.
Symptoms
Swollen gums
Bleeding gums
Bad breath
Gum recession
Loose teeth
Changes in bite
Pus between teeth and gums
The Microbiome Clinic™
Our treatment approach for Periodontitis includes:
Oral Microbiome Test
The Oral Microbiome Test identifies imbalances and pathogens in the oral flora to explain symptoms and guide precise, personalised treatment and prevention.
Targeted Antimicrobial Strategies
Antibiotics and plant-based/pharmaceutical antimicrobials (where appropriate) to reduce the overgrown population of unwanted bacteria in the gut and mouth.
Probiotics and Prebiotics
Targeted probiotics and prebiotics are introduced slowly to restore balance and biodiversity of microbes in the gut and mouth without fuelling overgrowth.
Individualised Nutrition Plans
Recommendations based on the latest science to enhance the effectiveness of the Repair-4™ and maintenance programs prescribed by your doctor.
Suspect you might have Periodontitis?
References
¹Lamont RJ, et al. Oral microbiology and periodontitis. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2018;16:745–759. doi:10.1038/nrmicro.2018.187
²Tonetti MS, et al. Periodontitis and systemic diseases. J Clin Periodontol. 2017;44(S18):S112–S131. doi:10.1111/jcpe.12671