By Dr. Devin McClintock, DDS — Precision Dentistry of Williamsburg
At Precision Dentistry of Williamsburg, we believe that exceptional care starts with understanding the why behind disease, not just treating the symptoms. That’s why we’ve integrated salivary diagnostics into our practice using OralDNA® testing, including the powerful MyPerioPath® panel.
What Is Salivary Testing?
Salivary testing is a simple, non-invasive way to gather valuable information about your oral health. In just a few seconds, a small saliva sample can tell us which types of bacteria are present in your mouth and in what quantities. This is especially helpful when evaluating gum health, as specific bacteria are directly linked to periodontal (gum) disease and systemic inflammation.
Why We Use MyPerioPath®
MyPerioPath® identifies 11 key pathogenic bacteria known to contribute to periodontal infections and bone loss. It serves as a baseline before starting any periodontal therapy, helping us understand the specific bacterial profile driving disease in each patient.
Once we’ve completed your initial treatment, whether it’s a deep cleaning, guided biofilm therapy, or adjunctive antibiotic therapy, we repeat the test to assess and evaluate improvement. These post-treatment results serve as an endpoint, helping us determine if additional intervention is needed or if you’re on the right path to long-term stability.
How Salivary Testing Personalizes Your Care
- Customized Treatment Plans: Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, we target the specific bacteria found in your mouth.
- More Predictable Results: We can pair therapy with site-specific antimicrobials or systemic antibiotics only when appropriate.
- Better Monitoring: By retesting, we can measure progress objectively – not just visually – and adjust your maintenance plan accordingly.
- Whole-Body Benefits: Many of the high-risk oral bacteria are linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other systemic conditions. Early detection and control support both oral and overall health.
If you’ve been told you have gum disease, or you’ve noticed signs like bleeding, bad breath, gum recession, or just want to have a better understanding of your individualized risk factors, salivary testing with MyPerioPath® can help us provide the answers, and the results, you deserve.
Give us a call and see if salivary diagnostics might be right for you. Because when you understand what’s happening in your mouth, you become your own greatest advocate.
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