Your Bite and Gum Disease 

Here is a patient talking about a dramatic reversal of gum disease over a nine month period.   Deep inflamed gum pockets are eliminated by stabilizing the position of the jaw at night with a dental device called the Micro 02.  

At first glance, this would seem an anomaly, a freak occurrence, as the usual treatment for gum disease is the elimination of harmful bacteria, not a device worn at night that holds the jaw in a forward position to facilitate an open airway, less snoring, the elimination of bruxism (teeth grinding) and the prevention of symptoms from obstructive sleep apnea, a problem in breathing while asleep.

A "why" can be found for this gum disease reversal by understanding the bite and what happens to the supporting bone and tissue around the teeth when the bite is altered from its ideal vertical pathway!  The periodontium, the name given to the supporting structure around the teeth, is designed to adapt to and handle the forces of chewing.  It is a remarkable mechanism, as are many of the body systems.

However, acute trauma to the jaw or other parts of the body from impacts or from misguided dental procedures can change the direction of the bite force which puts sideway pressure on the teeth.  This breaks the bond between the gums and the tooth, an open door for bacteria.  The person may also have parafunctional habits, such as clenching, grinding of teeth, fingernail biting, etc., that add to the horizontal force.

When we see abfractions, or loss of tooth structure at the base of the teeth, we know they are being subjected to sideway pressure.

The Micro 02 eliminates the grinding sideways pressure, improves the airway, and normalizes the energy and blood flows in the body, without adding additional trauma!  

Now, that's a good Natural Dentistry outcome!!

Ray Behm Jr., DDS

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