Have you ever noticed blood in the sink when you’re brushing your teeth? There is something known as “pink toothbrush” when blood stains the bristles. It’s generally a sign that you have some form of gum disease. When a patient has periodontitis (severe gum disease) they have either ignored early signs like puffy gums, or perhaps went without any symptoms while the disease progressed. Gum disease involves bacteria which infect the gingival tissues that are supposed to protect and support your teeth. When bacterial plaque stays on teeth too long, periodontitis often results in complete tooth loss. The Riverside dentists at Riverside Dental Group will explain a new diagnostic test developed in Germany to help the gum disease battle.

Gum Disease Study

Gum disease is not an American problem, of course. It afflicts people all over the world. Anyone who has gingival tissue is susceptible to periodontal infections. Twelve million sufferers of periodontitis are estimated to exist in Germany alone. When periodontitis is ignored, gum recession and periodontal pockets create loosened teeth and eventual tooth loss. Recent German research has resulted in the development of a diagnostic platform which might enable dentists to detect pathogens sooner than ever. This will give dental professionals the opportunity to apply appropriate treatment as quickly as possible.

Periodontitis and DNA

The new diagnostic platform was developed to create a much faster identification of eleven of the most common pathogens implicated in gum disease. BECIT GmbH and ERT-Optik are two companies who are equipped to develop a lab-on-a-chip module named ParoChip. Scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI in Leipzig worked in collaboration with BECIT GmbH and ERT-Optik based on the information they uncovered in the research. The diagnostic tool is designed to duplicate DNA sequences, providing results that used to take four to six hours in less than 30 minutes.

Dental Checkups in Riverside

Researchers are always making great strides, but for now keeping up with good oral hygiene and visiting your dentist regularly are two surefire ways to battle gum disease. To schedule a checkup and cleaning with your Riverside dentists, call our 92504 dentist office at (951) 689-5031. We offer comprehensive dentistry to patients of all ages in Riverside and surrounding areas.