Category: Oral Health

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The Truth About Periodontal Disease and Bleeding Gums

Post author By Dr. Shauna Palmer
Post date July 28, 2022

Bleeding gums can be alarming, especially if you’re not sure what to do about it. Fortunately, periodontal disease isn’t something that should keep you up at night (pun intended). But before we go into treatment options, it’s important to understand what periodontal disease is, and what might be causing your bleeding gums.

What Is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease is an infection of the tissues that support your teeth. It’s typically caused by plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth. If plaque isn’t removed, it can harden and turn into tartar. Tartar can irritate your gums, causing them to swell and bleed. Once tartar has become too difficult to remove with regular brushing, you will need professional cleaning from your dentist or dental hygienist.

A key sign of periodontal disease is bleeding gums—or even loose teeth. According to nationwide research, 80% of adults over 30 have some form of periodontal disease in their mouths. If you are experiencing symptoms like bleeding gums or loose teeth, seek treatment as soon as possible.

Located in West-Kelowna, Dr. Shauna Palmer at Health & Beauty Dentistry provides treatment for periodontal (gum) disease with a holistic approach. Our motto, “treat it before it’s too late”. Make an appointment today.

How Do I Know If I Have Periodontal (Gum) Disease?

Periodontal disease is typically caused by poor oral hygiene. Symptoms include red, swollen, and bleeding gums. If left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss. Treatment options include scaling and root planing (a deep cleaning), antibacterial agents, and sometimes surgery.

You can help prevent periodontal disease by brushing, flossing or using a water floss system regularly and visiting your dentist for regular cleanings. You may also want to ask Dr. Palmer and her team about the Perio Protect® system, which is a non surgical, at home treatment system or the laser therapy. (see below). Dr Palmer’s office also carries the Young Living® Thieves line of toothpaste and mouth wash which use essential oils rather than harsh chemicals.

What Are the Symptoms of Periodontal (Gum) Disease?

The following are warning signs of periodontal disease:

Bad breath or bad taste that won’t go away.
Red or swollen gums.
Tender or bleeding gums.
Painful chewing.
Loose teeth.
Sensitive teeth.
Gums that have pulled away from your teeth.
Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite.

What Treatment Options are Available for Someone With Gum Disease?

If you have gum disease, it’s important to know that you’re not alone. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost half of all adults in Canada have some form of periodontal disease. The good news is that there are treatment options available. Here are a few to consider:

1. Regular dental cleanings – This is one of the most effective ways to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth and gums. Scaling and root planing – This is a deeper cleaning than a regular cleaning, and it’s often recommended for those with more advanced periodontal disease.

2. Perio Protect® system or laser therapy. (see below)

3. Gum tissue graft surgery – A piece of skin is cut at the roof of your mouth (palate) to replace affected gum tissue.

Why Choose A Holistic Dentist for Periodontal Disease Treatment?

Your mouth’s ability to heal from periodontal gum disease depends on the advancement of the disease and the extent of damage done. The good news is that there are treatments available to help your gums recover from even advanced stages of periodontal gum disease.

At Health & Beauty Dentistry, Dr. Shauna Palmer uses Perio Protect® trays that resemble mouth guards. These trays rest over your diseased gums and a patented hydrogen peroxide gel is placed in the trays for a few minutes daily to help kill the harmful bacteria in the pockets and help heal your smile non-invasively.

Additionally, Dr. Shauna Palmer uses specialized laser therapy to help focus-in and kill bacteria in your gums with minimal invasion so that your gums and teeth can begin the recovery process. Laser therapy continues to become a revolutionary treatment approach in the oral health industry.

The more intense and severe the periodontitis, typically the longer the healing process and the more rigorous dental treatment you will need. At Health & Beauty Dentistry, Dr. Palmer strives to take the least invasive and most gentle approach possible.

While periodontitis can be extremely upsetting, scary and painful to experience, you can rest assured that the treatment Dr. Shauna Palmer provides, will help support you through the recovery process, whether you are in an early or advanced stage of gum disease. Dentist, Dr. Shauna Palmer, and her hygienist in Kelowna are able to identify any early signs of gum disease and provide treatment accordingly. Treating periodontal disease is important not only to help prevent you from losing your teeth but also improves your overall health as there is a well-studied mouth and body connection.

When you experience any of the symptoms above, please contact us to book a gum disease appointment.

Tags Bleeding Gums, gum disease, natural treatment bleeding gums, periodontal disease

best dentist in kelowna best dentist in west kelowna best kelowna dentist near me best west kelowna dentist near me blog Holistic Approach to Dentistry Oral Health

3 Important Reasons Why You Should Get an Oral Cancer Screening at the Dentist

Post author By Dr. Shauna Palmer
Post date June 23, 2022

Oral cancer is one of the most deadly forms of cancer, and every year thousands of people die from this cancer without ever knowing they had it. To combat this, all Canadian Dental Associations recommend that you get an oral cancer screening in Kelowna at least once every year, particularly if you are age 50 or older, or have a history of heavy smoking or alcohol consumption. Screenings typically include visual inspection of your mouth and tongue by your dentist, which can lead to early detection and removal of pre-cancerous lesions before they turn into cancerous tumours.

Oral cancer, though relatively rare, can affect people of all ages and backgrounds. The good news is that oral cancer has one of the highest cure rates of any type of cancer – provided it’s caught early enough! Your dentist can screen you for oral cancer during your next checkup, so take time to learn about the three most important reasons why getting an oral cancer screening at the dentist is essential to your health and wellness.

#1. PREVENTION (Can oral cancer screening prevent oral cancer?)

Many people fail to get oral cancer screenings in West Kelowna, but they’re an easy way to catch possible problems before they become a major problem. Kelowna Oral cancer screening isn’t meant to replace your normal oral care routine (it just complements it). Your dentist can spot trouble spots that you may have missed during a routine dental checkup and may suggest ways for you to make changes to your routine, such as brushing your teeth more often or adding flossing. However, there is one surefire way of spotting all potential issues—getting a professional oral cancer screening in West Kelowna from a dental professional.

Oral cancer can also be a symptom of another medical condition, such as diabetes. Because these diseases are treatable, if oral cancer is caught early enough, it’s easier to treat and eradicate. Your dental hygienist or dentist in Kelowna may suggest an oral cancer screening if you’re over 50 years old and haven’t had one in two years. However, no matter your age or whether you had a previous oral cancer screening in Kelowna, keeping up with your regular cleanings every six months is a good idea. Getting teeth cleanings twice per year greatly reduces your risk of developing gum disease and other ailments that may result in periodontal disease.

#2. EARLY DETECTION (Does early detection make a difference for survival rate?)

Early detection is critical to survival rates and preventing oral cancer. In fact, 90% of oral cancers are diagnosed in late stages when they have already begun to spread to other areas of your body. A great way to help prevent early detection is by getting a regular dental exam every six months. Early detection is one of three important reasons why you should get an oral cancer screening at your West Kelowna dentist’s office.

Another important reason is CONFIDENCE (How do I feel about my smile?). Getting an oral cancer screening can also boost your confidence because it allows you to know for sure that there are no oral health issues that could affect your smile or overall health. If there were any problems, you would be able to address them before they got worse. Many people who have gotten their oral cancer screenings say that knowing for sure that everything is okay makes them feel more confident about their smiles and themselves as a whole.

#3. IMPROVED TREATMENT (Can oral cancer be treated effectively?)

An oral cancer screening in West Kelowna is one of several tests you may need if your dentist suspects you have oral cancer. Oral cancer, also known as mouth cancer, can develop in your lips, tongue, cheeks and throat. While it’s less common than other types of cancers, it’s also one of the most deadly cancers since symptoms don’t usually appear until it’s in its late stages. But with early detection and a biopsy, chances are good that it can be cured. If not caught early enough and completely removed by surgery or chemotherapy (oral cancer treatment), your risk for recurring disease or death increases dramatically.

Kelowna Oral cancer screenings help dentists detect oral cancer before it spreads to other parts of your body. It’s important to get regular oral cancer screenings because there are often no symptoms to indicate you have oral cancer until it has reached an advanced stage, which makes treating it more difficult. Oral cancer screenings aren’t just for those who use tobacco products; anyone who wants to lower their risk should schedule an appointment with their dentist to learn more about how they can protect themselves from developing oral cancer.

Dr. Shauna Palmer at Health & Beauty Dentistry in Kelowna BC can provide oral cancer screenings regularly. Schedule yours ASAP.

Tags oral cancer, oral cancer dentist west kelowna, oral cancer survival rates, oral health, oral health dentist kelowna, oral health kelowna

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How long do you wear a Perio Protect Tray™?

Post author By Dr. Shauna Palmer
Post date March 29, 2022

In taking a holistic dental approach in West Kelowna, we strive to provide treatments that are as minimally invasive and as highly effective as possible for long-term results.

That’s why at Health & Beauty Dentistry, we treat conditions like gingivitis and periodontal gum disease in West Kelowna with noninvasive Perio Protect Trays™ . Perio Trays™ are designed with a customized sealing system that can apply medication deep into your periodontal pockets, where your toothbrush, mouth wash and dental floss can’t reach.

The length of time that you will need to wear your Perio Tray™ depends on the severity of your periodontal gum disease. On average, however, you can anticipate needing to wear your Perio Tray™ for 10–15 minutes.

The frequency of these sessions will be outlined in your personalized treatment plan by your West Kelowna dentist!

Can you cure periodontal gum disease with a Perio Protect tray™?

The Perio Tray™’ takes treatment from the dentist’s chair to the comfort of your own home. This is what truly distinguishes it as a holistic dental treatment vs traditional dental treatment for periodontal gum disease in West Kelowna.

Perio Tray™ treatment can be very simple to administer. For at-home treatments, we show our periodontal gum disease patients in West Kelowna how to apply medication into the tray and insert it into their mouth for optimal application.

Plus, the Perio Tray™’ method is also currently the only periodontal medicine application tool that has been cleared by the Food and Drug Administration!

To further add to the benefits of the Perio Tray™, they are designed to be a more comfortable, more effective option to deliver medication deep below the gums without the need for surgical intervention

Can you use perio protect trays™ at home?

Plus, the Perio Tray™’ method is also currently the only periodontal medicine application tool that has been cleared by the Food and Drug Administration!

Do you need antibiotics while using the perio tray™?

Periodontal dental gum disease in West Kelowna with Perio Trays™ can also help prevent the need for systemic antibiotics.

We fully believe in the use of antibiotics and will absolutely prescribe them when required. At the same time, we are very mindful of the over-use of antibiotics in our holistic dental approach. In excess, antibiotic consumption can lead to severe health consequences from gastrointestinal issues, to brain fog and much more. In some cases, it can lead to food intolerances.

Are perio trays™ non invasive?

Perio Trays™ can facilitate a more thorough treatment of the bad bacteria under your gums in a non-invasive way.

To prevent the medication from trickling into your mouth, there is a special sealing built into Perio Trays™ located close to the gums. These seals exert pressure that forces the medication into pockets under the gum line, preventing spill-over.

To learn more about our holistic dental approach in treating periodontal gum disease in West Kelowna, contact us today! We are happy to help answer any of your questions and support you on your journey to greater health.

Tags Bleeding Gums, dental hygiene, gum disease, kelowna dentist oral health, natural treatment bleeding gums, oral health dentist kelowna, periodontal disease

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A Holistic Approach to Healthcare in Dentistry

Post author By Dr. Shauna Palmer
Post date October 23, 2018

What does ‘holistic’ mean and how does to fit into the healthcare world? According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the term ‘holistic’ refers to ‘dealing with or treating the whole of something or someone and not just a part.’ In healthcare, doctors and practitioners can choose to take a more holistic approach to their practice.

As a dentist in Kelowna, BC, I take a holistic and biological approach to treating my patients. As a proud West Kelowna dentist, I work to change people’s lives and not just their appearance. I focus on helping clients live better and more fulfilled lives, which starts with taking smiles and making them better.

What to Expect with a Holistic Dentist Approach

What does a holistic dentist practice look like? The holistic approach to dental care involves examining the tooth meridian as it connects to specific organs in the body. You can compare this to acupuncture medicine, which is centered on the belief that there is a meridian connection in the body and that two different points are always connected.

A biological dentist aims to treat patients in the safest and most natural way possible, while still achieving the successful outcomes that modern dentistry offers. Biological or holistic dentists look after the patient’s entire wellbeing by taking a physiological, whole-body approach to dentistry.

In my practice as a dentist in Kelowna, I implement holistic, homeopathic, and science-based principles into both the diagnosis and treatment of all my patients.

Fluoride-Free Treatments
A holistic dentist will take a fluoride-free approach to dental healthcare. At my office, we are completely fluoride-free.

The International Academy of Oral Medicine & Toxicology has made several preliminary determinations over the last 18 years all concluding that fluoride added to the public water supply delivers no discernible health benefits, and in fact, causes a higher incidence of adverse health effects.

Safe Removal of Amalgam Fillings (SMART)
We became a SMART Certified safe amalgam fillings removal practice because I believe in removing silver fillings in the safest and most effective way possible. SMART stands for Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique – its goals and recommendations strongly align with the holistic dental care goals in my practice.

I believe that the people in my care will be exposed to less risk of adverse health reactions due to mercury exposure from the removal of silver fillings.

Alternative Pain Management
By taking a holistic dentist approach to my medicine and practice, I believe in alternative forms of sedation that are different from the drugs and narcotics most dentists use today. If you are looking for a dentist in Kelowna who believes in alternative pain management, I offer NuCalm technology, which has zero negative side effects. In just four simple steps, NuCalm will soothe your dental anxiety, keep you calm and allow you to face any dental treatment with ease and relaxation.

Collaboration With Other Healthcare Professionals
As part of my approach to patients’ healthcare, I love to collaborate with other healthcare professionals in order to ensure that my patients receive the most holistic approach to their treatment and diagnosis. We refer our clients to local Kelowna and Vernon health providers who we know and trust to bring the most value to our clients.

Local health partners include family doctors, general physicians, physiotherapists, neurologists, surgeons, and orthodontists, to name a few.

Symptoms and Conditions Treated Naturally by Dentists
Because I take a holistic and biological dentist approach at my practice, I treat a wide variety of conditions that might not normally fall under the traditional dentistry umbrella.

In my holistic dentist approach to healthcare, I offer treatments for snoring and sleep apnea including CPAP services, snoring devices, and sleep apnea treatments. Other common general practice offerings we tackle include periodontal disease (gum disease), pain care for TMJ/TMD, jaw pain, headaches, ear pain, migraines, cosmetic teeth makeovers, and dental treatments.

Other Holistic Practitioners

A holistic dentist approach to healthcare is not uncommon. In fact, many facets in the healthcare profession utilize a more biological approach to treating clients. Nutritionists, naturopaths, and chiropractors are just some of the other healthcare professionals who use holistic and biological healthcare as their foundation for diagnosis and treating patients.

I believe that holistic care provides the most successful outcome and the safest way to reach each client’s treatment goals.

If you are ready to find a new dentist in Kelowna who takes a more holistic approach to dental care, call my office or book an appointment today!

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