{"id":6126,"date":"2020-01-17T12:00:12","date_gmt":"2020-01-17T18:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/?p=6126"},"modified":"2021-05-20T15:48:52","modified_gmt":"2021-05-20T20:48:52","slug":"up-your-oral-health-game-with-salivary-testing-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/index.php\/2020\/01\/17\/up-your-oral-health-game-with-salivary-testing-part-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Up Your Oral Health Game with Salivary Testing: Part 2"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The Path of Pathogen Destruction<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cardiovascular Disease<\/strong><\/p>\n

We know that the oral pathogens Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa), Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), Tannerella forsythia (Tf), Treponema denticola (Td), and Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) are directly connected to atherosclerosis.1<\/sup>\u00a0 We know cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death and disability in the United States.\u00a0 Gastrointestinal and colorectal cancers, as well as adverse pregnancy outcomes and aspiration pneumonia all can connect back to oral pathogens. \u00a0Pg is common to all these diseases.2<\/sup> Oral pathogens are swallowed, inhaled and\/or transported via the bloodstream.\u00a0 Oral bacteremia occurs from brushing, chewing, flossing, dental prophylaxis, and dental surgeries – things our patients do daily.\u00a0 These bacteria and their endotoxins create systemic inflammation throughout the entire body.<\/p>\n

\u201cFifty percent of heart attacks and strokes occur in people with normal cholesterol levels. Inflammation is the key contributor to heart disease and cardiac events.\u201d3<\/sup><\/p>\n

Oral bacteria of endodontic and periodontal origin have been found in coronary artery thrombus aspirates and cerebral aneurysm walls.4 <\/sup>Further research is looking onto the connection between oral pathogens and lower limb vascular events.5<\/sup><\/p>\n

Alzheimer\u2019s Disease<\/strong><\/p>\n

We also have new research connecting Alzheimer\u2019s Disease (AD) to a spirochete infection.6,7 <\/sup>Dental spirochetes have been found in 93.7% of Alzheimer\u2019s patient\u2019s brains.8<\/sup><\/p>\n

\u201cLong-term exposure to periodontal disease bacteria causes inflammation and degeneration of brain neurons in mice that is similar to the effects of Alzheimer’s disease in humans. Periodontal disease may be an initiator of Alzheimer’s.\u201d9<\/sup><\/p>\n

Spirochetes take many years to divide, multiply, and form biofilms.\u00a0 We also know, AD symptoms show up slowly over a long time period.\u00a0 We must be aggressive in changing the oral microbiome and eliminate the spirochete population before it infects the brain.\u00a0 I have taken plaque samples in very young children and viewed aggressive spirochetes on their phase contrast microscope slides.\u00a0 These spirochete pathogens create a biofilm in the brain and as we well know, biofilms are impenetrable. The hippocampus is only four centimeters from the posterior oral cavity and a favored area of AD involvement.\u00a0 These same periodontal disease bacteria are present in gingivitis.10<\/sup><\/p>\n

Research is also connecting the pathogen Pg to inflammation in the brain and the cause of amyloid plaque buildup in healthy mice.11<\/sup><\/p>\n

Caries Pathogens are not Benign<\/strong><\/p>\n

Further research also connects caries pathogens to facial cellulitis.\u00a0 Dental caries can lead to brain abscesses and death, so testing for caries pathogens is also vital.12,13<\/sup> Early childhood caries is destructive and painful for our youngest clients.\u00a0 We know early childhood caries pathogens become more aggressive and virulent when candida albicans combine with the Streptococcus mutans.14<\/sup> Testing for these pathogens should be part of our dental protocols along with diet and risk assessments.\u00a0 OralDNA\u00ae<\/sup> salivary testing allows for early intervention and enhanced preventive care for these susceptible little people. Having the right tools makes the difference.<\/p>\n

Viral Connections<\/strong><\/p>\n

In addition to bacteria, we must address the viral component of periodontal infections as well. Herpes simplex viruses, Epstein-Barr virus, and Cytomegalovirus all contribute to the pathogenicity of the perio pathogens.15,16<\/sup> The combination of bacterial pathogens and viruses makes the pathogens that much more virulent. Viruses don\u2019t show up on the microscope.<\/p>\n

Your Genes are Not Your Destiny<\/strong><\/p>\n

Genetics play a role in our susceptibility to periodontal pathogens.\u00a0 Our unique genes may be the root of all chronic illnesses within us.\u00a0 Folks that are genetically susceptible are called hyper-responders.\u00a0 By being aware of your own genetic risk level you can hopefully prevent not only gum disease but also its connection to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and atherosclerosis17<\/sup> by guiding your lifestyle to emphasize prevention for you and the entire family.\u00a0 We can certainly override our genes with unhealthy lifestyle choices such as smoking, vaping, cannabis,18<\/sup> and sugar19<\/sup> intake.<\/p>\n

Testing <\/strong><\/p>\n

Bleeding gums are not okay.\u00a0 Period.\u00a0 These same pathogens exist in both gingivitis and periodontal infections.10<\/sup> Before we can treat, we must diagnose so we know exactly what we are treating and what our end point should be.\u00a0 Then we treat and retest until these bad, destructive, inflammation-causing pathogens are reduced and a healthy plaque biofilm is present.\u00a0 Prevention is vital for even our youngest clients.\u00a0 It is time to treat both gingivitis and periodontitis infections as well as caries pathogens aggressively.<\/p>\n

An important point to emphasize \u2013 our patients can mask infection by their excellent oral hygiene yet still harbor these pathogens within the periodontal pockets.\u00a0 Spirochetes are hard to kill, going into hiding in spore form not only in the oral cavity but elsewhere in the body.\u00a0 We cannot tell just by looking if someone is indeed infected with these viruses and bacteria. \u00a0We must look, and we must test. Absence of bleeding is not an endpoint.<\/p>\n

The Time is Now for Salivary Diagnostics<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dentistry\u2019s time has come to do preventive dental care. We can be better practitioners than the drill\u2019em fill\u2019em days.\u00a0 We should be the principle healers of the body.\u00a0 We need to test for the keystone pathogens, viruses, and the genes that cause oral infections and systemic disease, and to truly up our game.\u00a0 Let\u2019s take advantage of all the tools at our disposal. Because of this new research connecting perio pathogens and dementia, we at Green City Dental are now testing every new patient for these pathogens and viruses as well as genetic risk level.\u00a0 The microscope cannot distinguish between all the different rods, cocci, and spirochetes. In other words, the microscope isn\u2019t sensitive, or specific but salivary diagnostics can provide you results that are sensitive and specific, so we know exactly which pathogens are present and their actual bacterial level. We want to know where our patients are starting and then how they are progressing.\u00a0 Eventually, all of our patients will do a salivary test as a baseline; then, just like yearly checkups and other preventive medical testing, saliva testing will be added to our lineup of preventive protocols.\u00a0 With current research connecting oral pathogens to systemic illnesses it is important to use all the tools at our disposal, so we can best direct and customize their treatment and care.<\/p>\n

Testing in Action<\/strong><\/p>\n

By using testing, we were able to diagnose and treat a patient with a heavy bleeding situation.\u00a0 No periodontal pathogens were present, so we referred the patient for additional testing with his medical practitioner.\u00a0 He was found to be in a dire diabetic condition.\u00a0 Same with a patient that was found to have leukemia-caused bleeding rather than just \u201cpoor oral hygiene.\u201d\u00a0 Testing reveals root causes.\u00a0 Medical offices test, then treat.\u00a0 If we want to move from the shadows of healthcare to true health and prevention specialists, we must join their ranks.<\/p>\n

21st Century Preventive Oral Wellness <\/strong><\/p>\n

Bottom line \u2013 we must help our patients kill these pathogens BEFORE they get to the brain, to the arteries, and elsewhere in the body.\u00a0 My mantra is test, treat, and retest until the pathogens are gone, or at minimum reduced, and the mouth is healthy.\u00a0 We can no longer say things look healthy when we have no true idea what is lurking below the gumline. \u00a0It\u2019s dishonest.\u00a0 Patients trust us to be educated and proactive. \u00a0They expect us to KNOW the research. \u00a0They love when we use technology.\u00a0 They want our expertise.\u00a0 Salivary diagnostic tests are the cutting edge of non-cutting dental care.\u00a0 Use them on every single patient for preventive 21st century dental healthcare at its very best.<\/p>\n

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References:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. https:\/\/pmj.bmj.com\/content\/postgradmedj\/early\/2016\/11\/29\/postgradmedj-2016-134279.full.pdf<\/li>\n
  2. https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/331466973_Association_between_periodontal_pathogens_and_systemic_disease<\/li>\n
  3. https:\/\/www.dentaleconomics.com\/science-tech\/article\/16392172\/oral-inflammation-the-tipping-point-of-health-care<\/li>\n
  4. https:\/\/www.ahajournals.org\/doi\/10.1161\/CIRCULATIONAHA.112.001254<\/li>\n
  5. https:\/\/www.ejves.com\/article\/S1078-5884(19)31308-5\/pdf<\/li>\n
  6. https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4981904\/<\/li>\n
  7. https:\/\/www.sciencedaily.com\/releases\/2018\/10\/181004100009.htm<\/li>\n
  8. https:\/\/www.oravital.com\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Dementia-Miklossy-J-Neuroinflammation-Spirochetes-and-Alzhiemers.pdf<\/li>\n
  9. https:\/\/www.sciencedaily.com\/releases\/2018\/10\/181004100009.htm<\/li>\n
  10. http:\/\/queenofdentalhygiene.net\/2016\/10\/say-no-to-ginger-vitis-and-her-friend-perry-o\/<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    For more information on how to become an OralDNA Provider \u2013 scan HERE:\u00a0\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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     <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    We should be the principle healers of the body. We need to test for the keystone pathogens, viruses, and the genes that cause oral infections and systemic disease, and to truly up our game. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":94,"featured_media":6133,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[120,57,110],"tags":[9,17,3],"class_list":["post-6126","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cardiovascular-disease","category-oral-systemic","category-salivary-diagnostics","tag-bacterial-testing","tag-oral-systemic-connection","tag-salivary-diagnostics"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/QDH-FINAL-Logo.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":false,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7W16z-1AO","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6126"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/94"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6126"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6126\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7734,"href":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6126\/revisions\/7734"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6133"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6126"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6126"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6126"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}