Preventive care dentistry in Dothan, AL starts with a little spit

Understanding oral bacteria testing

• Dental caries – Tooth decay is highly preventable. Cavities are caused by acids produced by bacterial plaque. Acidic bacterial excretions lower pH, putting enamel, dentin, and cementum at risk. Salivary testing helps to identify high risk patients, so that precautions can be put into place – instructions on home care, anti-bacterial mouth rinses, and possibly more frequent checkups.
• Periodontal disease – Gum disease is present in more than 50 percent of American adults, and is the leading cause of tooth loss. Traditional diagnostics include measuring pocket depth (the seal of gum tissue to teeth), and digital x-rays to reveal bone loss. Both of these tests expose gum disease in advanced stages, when there may already be irreversible damage. Oral bacteria testing identifies biomarkers that help to detect periodontal disease in a preclinical phase, when treatment is most effective.
• Oral squamous cell carcinoma – OSCC is the most common type of oral cancer. Any form of cancer is a serious concern, but the prognosis for OSCC is very good with early detection. However, OSCCs have a high rate of recurrence, so prompt discovery is essential. Saliva contains exfoliated cells which can be screened for oral cancer biomarkers, revealing OSCC much earlier than with visual evaluation alone.