A comprehensive presentation of how oral health is related to overall systemic health, The Perio Protect Program is an easy and effective way to treat and manage periodontal disease.

1. The Perio Protect Program
• Periodontal disease is a
chronic bacterial infection
of you gum tissues. It
causes inflammation of
the gum tissue, biofilm
build up, and eventual
bone loss leading to tooth
loss. Scientific studies are
now linking periodontal
disease to other systemic
diseases.

2. What causes periodontal disease?
• Periodontal disease is caused
by bacteria that live beneath
the gumline. These bacteria
create a biofilm. Biofilm
adheres to and grows on tooth
surfaces. Periodontal disease
then causes deep
pocketing, which leads to
tartar and calculus build-up.
This causes your gum tissues
inflammation and sensitivity .
Over time, periodontal disease
leads to bone loss, and can
make teeth loose.

3. Oral Bacteria

4. How Quickly Do Bacteria Grow?
• Bacteria multiply very
quickly. They begin to
develop a protective
shell (matrix), and in 24
hours, 1 bacteria
becomes 5,000 billion-
billion.
(5,000,000,000,000,000, 0
00,000)!
• 1,000,000 – 10,000,000
bacteria fit on a pin
head.

5. Signs of Periodontal Disease
• Bad breath or bad taste
that won't go away
• Red or swollen gums
• Tender or bleeding
gums
• Painful chewing
• Loose teeth
• Sensitive teeth
• Gums that have pulled
away from your teeth
• Any change in the way
your teeth fit together
when you bite
• Any change in the fit of
partial dentures

6. How Periodontal Disease Can
Affect Your Whole Body
• Periodontal disease
has many systemic
effects, and through
research, has been
linked to other
diseases such as heart
disease, diabetes, respi
ratory illnesses, and
adverse effects on
pregnancy.

7. “Oral health is body health- you
can’t really separate the two.”
--Dr. Lee Shackelford D.D.S. FAGD, AGD Director

8. Effects on the
Cardiovascular System
• When patients have periodontal
disease, the CRP level in the human
body goes up. A CRP level measures
the amount of inflammation present
in the body. When there is an active
infection in the body, this is caused
by the body’s secretion of oxidants.
When bacteria is presented into the
bloodstream, the body triggers the
liver to make proteins such as CRP,
which can clog arteries and clot the
blood. P Gingivalis bacteria enter the
bloodstream through the diseased
gum tissue pockets. There have also
been periodontal bacteria found in
plaque deposits that narrow the
heart’s arteries.

9. “As researchers continue to sort
out the link between periodontal
disease and heart disease, my
advice remains the same, do not
take your gum health for granted
or you may have more to lose
than just your teeth.”
--Dr. Michael McGuire D.D.S.

10. Effects on the Endocrine System
• Diabetes is a disease of the
endocrine system. There are many
similiarities of periodontal disease,
and mpst importantly the effect
they have on one another.
• The #1 systemic risk factor for
periodontal disease is diabetes.
• Patients with diabetes have a
28.4% death rate when periodontal
disease goes untreated.
• When a PT has high blood sugars,
the body loses some ability to
fight infection, and ward off the
bacteria that cause perio disease.

11. Effects on Pregnancy
• Periodontal disease has also been
linked to adverse effects during
pregnancy. Pre term labor
resulting in low birth weight
babies has been linked by
research to periodontal disease
that is not under control. Due to
a hormonal increase during
pregnancy, mothers can
experience an in increase in
bleeding, and an environment
that promotes bacterial
overgrowth. The inflammatory
response in the body measured
by CRP level has been
associated with a higher
outcomes of adverse pregnancy
effects.

12. Effects on the Respiratory System
• Periodontal disease poses a
threat to your respiratory
system.
• The bacteria in the biofilm
that causes periodontal
disease can be inhaled
, causing an infection in your
lungs.
• Based on study findings, the
relationship between oral
health and pneumonia has a
direct association.
• The mouth acts as a reservoir
for bacterial organisms that
can travel systemically.

13. Effects on the Brain
• According to studies, patients
who had severe periodontal
disease at an early age were
linked to a higher incidence of
Alzehmer’s Disease.
• This supports the connection
between chronic systemic
inflammation and degenerative
brain disorders.
• The chronic inflammation can
cause tissue damage, including
the brain, which can contribute
to the development of brain
disorders.

14. “Every patient is a candidate
to change the atmosphere
from one that is conducive to
disease to one that promotes
health and healing.”
--- Dr. Duane Keller

15. What We Can Do
• Effectively managing your periodontal disease can
be done.
• By killing the cause of the bacteria versus only
treating the effect,you will be more successful
with treatment.
• When we control the environment of our
mouths, we control the bacteria/biofilm.
• Many of the bacteria that live beneath the
gumline, cannot exist in the presence of
oxygen. These are know an anaerobic
bacteria.

16. The Perio Protect Program
• Perio Protect is a lifetime management tool for periodontal
disease. This system works by killing bacterial
pathogens, promoting healing, and preventing
reoccurrence. Easy to use, the Perio Protect Program is an
effective treatment regimen for treating and managing your
periodontal disease.

17. How It Works
• This system implements the use
of trays made from impressions
of your teeth. The impressions
are taken here in our office and
sent out to a lab. Once they are
returned to our office, you are
ready to begin wearing them.
You will then place the
medication the Doctor feels will
work best for you inside the
trays. Trays are worn for 15
minute intervals. Interval
frequency is based upon your
specific periodontal condition.

18. Perio Trays
• Depending upon the type of
periodontal disease you have, as
healing occurs, you may need a
new set of trays. This is because
as healing occurs and
inflammation decreases, your
gum tissue will reshape and
pocketing will become smaller.
We will take new impressions
so the trays will contour your
tissues. Some people also want
duplicate trays made, so they
have more than one set. Many
people will keep a set at work or
in their car for their
convenience.

19. Diagnostic Testing
• We will perform diagnostic
testing. This will include the
following tests:
• My Perio ID-determines
genetic susceptibility
• A1C/CRP- This will measure
your average blood glucose
level and C reactive protein
level, which meausres the
amount of inflammation in the
body.
• BANA test- This measures the
level of oral bacteria present.

20. What else the program consists
of:
• Some patients will need a
“deep cleaning” as well.
This is determined at your
initial visit. This is
necessary when you have
tartar build up beneath the
gumline, and is also
referred to as “root
debridement therapy”.

21. Laser Surgery
• Sometimes with
periodontal disease, an
infected type of tissue
forms called
“granulomatus” tissue.
This type of tissue may
require surgical removal.
This is typically done with
laser surgery. Laser
surgery is less invasive
than traditional
periodontal surgery.

22. Follow Up Care
• Incorporated into our
program are your follow
up periodontal
appointments. The
program includes 12
months of treatment.
These visits are generally
every 3-4 months, but will
be specific to the necessity
of your care.

23. Home Care
• Home care is key to
maintaining periodontal
health, and managing
periodontal disease.
Brushing, flossing, and
wearing trays at
recommended intervals is a
key component to treatment.
This in addition to regular
dental hygiene appointments
will sustain oral health and
in turn whole health.