Salivary Sample Tests – What They Can Do

Saliva has a significant role in supporting the health of soft and hard tissues in the mouth. The defensive functions of saliva include maintaining a neutral oral pH, cleaning and remineralizing the dentition, aiding swallowing and digestion, and protecting oral tissue. Reduced salivary secretion can lead to multiple oral problems, such as dental caries, fungal infections, mucositis, and periodontal diseases. Saliva is also regarded as the mirror of the body, reflecting the overall patient's state of health.

Diagnostic Tool

The diagnostic properties of saliva are readily accessible, and the sample collection is non-invasive. A sample can be tested for proteins, electrolytes, hormones, antibodies, as well as other substances. The benefits are even greater when multiple samples over a period of time are obtained and tested.

Chair-side diagnostic tests and biosensor technologies are currently under development. These tests can be used to evaluate oral fluids for disease detection, which will also enable improved access and healthcare outcomes for patients. The detection of specific periodontal pathogens hidden in a patient’s mouth can promote treatment planning and risk assessment using hard data, rather than a subjective assessment.

For example, a saliva test can identify highly toxic bugs linked with aggressive forms of periodontal disease. The salivary test report will specifically state which antibiotics will be effective for each bacterial profile. Patients with periodontal disease can be periodically tested to determine if the process is active due to various bacteria. The salivary sample test results can be used to determine a treatment plan that is individualized for each patient, rather than providing a one-size-fits-all approach.

Future Development

Large-scale clinical trials and independent authentication studies are needed before noninvasive oral fluid tests become commercially available for the early detection of oral cancer and other systemic conditions. Further refinement of oral fluid screening tests to help identify individuals at increased risk for oral and systemic diseases holds great promise to strengthen our understanding of the relationship between overall health and oral health.

Dental practitioners can better explain and link the gap between oral and systemic health by implementing saliva testing. Additionally, the clinical events and the science of salivary diagnostic testing can have a positive impact on patient outcomes with minimal to no health risks or financial concerns for many patients.

Give the dental office of Dr. Steven K. Okamoto a call to see if you can benefit from Salivary Sample Testing.

Intraoral Cameras

The use of intraoral cameras in daily dental practice can serve numerous purposes, from patient education to attaching images with insurance claims. Rapid advancement in technology and ease of use have greatly improved over the years. Intraoral cameras are very slim and ergonomically designed handpieces with a single button for capturing images of difficult-to-reach areas in the mouth, and most are corded and can plug into the USB port on a computer.

What They See

Intraoral imaging and education complement each other in the dental practice. A dentist can show as well as tell the patient what they see. Many patients are able to grasp the condition and are often willing to complete the recommended treatment. With the use of intraoral imaging, the patient sees the broken filling or recurrent decay on the computer screen.

What Insurers Can See

Many individuals want only to do a treatment that dental insurance will help pay for. One way to aid in the preauthorization process is to provide an intraoral image to the insurance carrier. Submitting the intraoral image may help the approval process of needed treatments such as crowns and even periodontal therapy.

'Watching' Disease Progression

Dentists and hygienists see numerous patients every day and often find areas to "watch". These include soft-tissue lesions, incipient decay, or other concerns. One great way to monitor these areas is with an intraoral image to refer to at each following dental visit. Having the ability to compare photographs side by side and evaluate and monitor changes creates a standard of care that is valuable in any dental practice.

New patients

New-patient visits for preliminary records, radiographs, and periodontal charting can add in intraoral images for a more complete understanding of their dental health. It is very convenient to add pictures of suspicious areas that will need future treatment or monitoring, such as failing restorations, caries, and the general gingival condition.

Going over the intraoral images with the patient before the dentist comes in for an exam prepares the patient that there may be work to do at future visits. The images give the hygienist an opportunity to answer any questions they can before the dentist enters the room. In turn, the hygienist can communicate concerns to the dentist to help mainstream the exam and keep on schedule.

In dentistry, the saying "A picture is worth a thousand words" is so true, especially regarding the use of intraoral cameras. Using images to describe needed treatment helps patients visualize oral conditions as well as the options to improve their smiles. Intraoral imaging is not only used to identify fractured teeth or periodontal conditions, but it can also be used for areas of cosmetic improvement. Intraoral cameras are essential for daily use in clinical dental practice and have the potential to improve the standard of dental care.  Contac the dental office of Dr. Steven K. Okamoto for a complete evaluation today.

Smoking and Your Dental Health

Many people don't understand the damage that smoking does to their mouth, gums, and teeth. Smoking has many negative effects on the mouth that can lead to the weakening of gums and advancement of periodontal disease. Smoking significantly weakens your oral health, constricting the blood flow to your mouth and turning it into a breeding ground for bacteria. Smoking may also

• Give you bad breath
• Cause staining of the teeth
• Increase needed recovery time from oral surgery
•  Raise your risk of developing oral cancer

Smoking weakens our immune system and increases risks of developing periodontal (gum) disease significantly. The swelling and irritation connected with gum disease can distress the underlying bone and other supporting structures, eventually causing tooth loss if left untreated.

Gum disease is still the most common cause of tooth loss in adults, and people who smoke are more likely to have bacterial plaque, which leads to gum disease. Smoking causes a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream, and can also suppress your immune system, affecting your capacity to recuperate from common illnesses and heal from minor injuries. 

Any use of tobacco increases the risk of developing a compromised immune system, making it more difficult to treat other illnesses, like oral cancer. It can also increase your risk of developing cancer of the tongue, inflamed salivary glands and the chance of leukoplakia, or white patches inside the mouth.

Smoking and Your Smile

Tobacco use increases the risk of tooth decay and makes cosmetic and restorative treatments more complicated. It also leads to deep tooth discoloration, so professional teeth whitening treatment is less effective. When you stop smoking, and your oral health improves, you may still require veneers to brighten your smile.

Smoking creates more dental plaque and causes gum disease to get worse more quickly than for non-smokers. To combat the effects of smoking, your dentist may recommend you see a dental hygienist, for extra treatment. Thorough cleaning and keeping a closer eye on the health of your mouth can help prevent the negative side effects of smoking. Your dental hygienist will most likely advise you to visit your dentist every three to six months to keep ahead of any problems.

Call us today to schedule an appointment to keep your smile looking bright.