This article focuses on how gum disease can be treated beyond a regular cleaning, including laser therapy, ozone, and medication placed directly into periodontal pockets, and why the goal is to keep your natural teeth whenever possible.

When Symptoms Blamed on Aging May Start in the Mouth

Dr. Gandhi points to short term memory, cognitive function, and waking energy as areas people often assume decline simply with age. In his experience, unresolved problems in the jaw, such as lingering infection or inflammation around old dental work, may play a role for some patients. Chronic infection can keep the immune system activated, and research continues to explore how ongoing oral inflammation may affect the rest of the body.

This does not mean every symptom has a dental cause. It does mean the mouth is worth evaluating as part of the bigger picture, especially for people who have had extensive dental work or who have signs of gum disease. To learn more, read about dental infections and the oral systemic connection.

Gum Disease Bacteria and Brain Health: What Research Suggests

Dr. Gandhi highlights one bacterium in particular: Treponema denticola, a species closely associated with periodontal disease. Researchers have detected gum disease bacteria, including Treponema denticola, in brain tissue, and some laboratory studies suggest these bacteria may stimulate the production of beta amyloid, the protein that builds up in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease.

This is an active and evolving area of research. Scientists have not established that gum disease causes Alzheimer's, but the findings have increased interest in how controlling oral infection might support long term health. For Dr. Gandhi, it is one more reason to take gum disease seriously and treat it thoroughly.

Treating Gum Disease Beyond a Regular Cleaning

A routine cleaning removes plaque and tartar above and slightly below the gumline. When gum disease has created deeper spaces between the gums and teeth, called periodontal pockets, bacteria can hide where a regular cleaning cannot reach. As Dr. Gandhi explains, treatment sometimes needs to go more in depth. Depending on the case, options may include:

• Deep cleaning (scaling and root planing): careful cleaning of the root surfaces below the gumline to remove bacterial buildup.
• Laser therapy: dental lasers may be used to help reduce bacteria in periodontal pockets and support healthier gum tissue.
• Ozone therapy: ozone gas may be applied to help reduce bacteria in the treatment area.
• Medication placed in the pockets: antimicrobial medication can be delivered directly into periodontal pockets so it works where the bacteria live.
• Ongoing maintenance: more frequent periodontal visits to monitor pocket depths and keep bacteria under control.

Your dentist will recommend an approach based on the depth of your pockets, the amount of bone support around your teeth, and your overall health.

Saving Teeth Comes First

A diagnosis of gum disease does not automatically mean teeth need to come out. Dr. Gandhi emphasizes that not every tooth needs to be removed, and that if the infection can be controlled, the goal is to hold on to your natural teeth. He notes that today's tools give dentists better ways to do that than ever before.

In some cases, a tooth or area of bone may be too compromised to save, and removal may be the healthier option. Biological dentists often use 3D cone beam CT imaging to evaluate the bone and to identify areas such as jawbone cavitations that may need treatment. The decision is always made tooth by tooth.

Signs You May Have Gum Disease

Gum disease is often painless in its early stages, so many people do not realize they have it. Common signs include:

• Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
• Red, swollen, or tender gums
• Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
• Gums that are pulling away from the teeth
• Teeth that feel loose or are shifting position

If you notice any of these signs, a periodontal evaluation can measure your pocket depths and show whether treatment beyond a regular cleaning may help.

Schedule a Gum Health Evaluation

If you have signs of gum disease or want to know whether your mouth may be affecting your overall health, Dr. Jigar Gandhi can help. Contact Tooth & Body to book an evaluation at our North Massapequa office at 875 N Broadway, or schedule a nationwide virtual consultation. To prepare, learn what to expect at a biological dentistry virtual consult. No weird stuff. Just science.

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