Protecting your mouth and body with insightful and easy Oral DNA Testing/Saliva Testing
Your mouth is teeming with bacteria. Some of these microorganisms are highly beneficial, whereas others have been implicated in both oral and systemic disease. Additionally, challenges to oral and overall health can arise when there is an overgrowth or imbalance in this “community” or microbiome of bacterial species. At the Periodontal Center of Georgia, our specialist team in Conyers takes a “big picture” view of your oral health. We look beyond the condition or state of the oral cavity (mouth) to other interconnected body parts. Oral DNA Testing/Saliva Testing presents a particularly helpful diagnostic service, allowing us to stay ahead of oral conditions that can affect and be affected by other parts of the body.
What is Oral DNA Testing/Saliva Testing?
This noninvasive screening involves collecting and analyzing a small saliva sample for biomarkers indicative of periodontal/gum disease, Human Papillomavirus, and other pathologies. We may use this test to confirm diagnoses and risk factors for all sorts of oral and systemic illnesses.
How is saliva testing done?
Very easily! Our periodontist Dr. Jean-Max Jean-Pierre will take a small sample of your saliva with either a rinse or a swab. It’s painless and secure and can be completed in seconds. Then, the sample is sent to our lab, where it is analyzed for certain genetic markers that could predispose you to oral disease (like periodontitis) and systemic disease (like heart disease).
What are some of these markers?
It’s estimated that 500 to 650 different bacterial species alone live on the teeth, tongue, and inside the cheeks and mouth. Most of the time, these bacteria do not cause any problems. However, suppose bacteria are not removed with proper and consistent brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings. In that case, they build up and promote the development of oral infections such as decay and gum disease. To protect your body, the immune system attacks these infections; consequently, the tissues in your mouth become inflamed. We can order Oral DNA Testing/Saliva Testing anytime during your oral health journey. Such analysis can pinpoint those hidden disease-causing substances (pathogens) that threaten your overall health and not just the health of your gums or teeth. We may find that you were born with a genetic predisposition toward increased inflammation, for instance, which is, in turn, a risk factor for periodontal disease, diabetes, pregnancy complications, and more.
What happens after my sample is analyzed?
Dr. Jean-Pierre will go over the results with you so you can be empowered to understand your risk factors and stay ahead of any potential threats to your health. The Periodontal Center of Georgia uses this information to craft your one-of-a-kind treatment plan. This proactive approach avoids the damage that then leads to pain and other distressing symptoms, as well as the need for costly, time-consuming, and invasive restorative treatments. Let’s guard your smile to promote your best health rather than playing catch-up after diseases and damage have already occurred. Oral DNA Testing/Saliva Testing is among the many tools our team in Conyers offers to maintain your good health. For more information, call us at (770) 767-0603 today.
