Who Does Your Teeth is pleased to offer an advanced periodontal prevention and treatment option for our patients: oral bacterial DNA testing. This treatment is not widely offered among dentists. By collecting a DNA sample from the inside of your mouth and having it analyzed at a laboratory, Dr. Jeffrey Neal can precisely and accurately diagnose periodontal disease and provide early treatment to prevent painful symptoms and keep your smile looking beautiful and feeling healthy. For more information, please call us at 804-447-1435 to schedule your appointment with our dentist and learn more about how you can receive your oral bacterial DNA testing in Henrico, Virginia.
Periodontal disease is a major concern among dentists and other healthcare professionals, especially since gum disease is the most common chronic infection among US citizens. Periodontal disease can lead to several painful and serious side effects, including red and inflamed gums, bone and/or tooth loss, and bad breath. If left untreated, periodontal disease can also contribute to several other health issues, including diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Previously, dentists would identify and diagnose periodontal disease by its extensive and specific symptoms. Today, however, our dentist is pleased to offer oral bacteria DNA testing.
Bacterial DNA testing is an advanced treatment used to accurately diagnose periodontal disease before the symptoms become too widespread. At any given time, there are over 600 types of bacteria inside the human mouth. Of these, scientists have been able to accurately identify 13 strains that cause periodontal disease. These bacteria can attack quickly, especially when your body is under stress. By testing for these 13 bacterial strains in the DNA of any bacteria in your mouth, our dentist can specifically identify which strains you have and provide necessary treatment.
The DNA testing is very simple, painless, and non-invasive. Patients simply need to spit in a cup or swab the inside of their mouth with a cotton swab. These samples are then sent to a lab what will analyze it thoroughly and provide a list of present bacteria. If any of the 13 strains are identified, our dentist knows to begin treating for gum disease, even if the traditional signs have not yet appeared. By doing this, we can help prevent gum disease from developing further and protect your beautiful smile. For more information about oral bacterial DNA testing, please feel free to call or visit us today! We look forward to keeping your smile beautiful.