Achieve Better Oral and Overall Health with Our Holistic Dentist Near You
Your mouth is home to billions of bacteria—some beneficial, others harmful. When disease-causing bacteria outnumber the helpful ones, they can lead to more than just oral health problems. At ASE Dental in Silver Spring, we use salivary testing to uncover the specific bacteria and pathogens affecting your oral and systemic health, allowing Dr. Bassford to tailor treatment to your unique needs.
This advanced, holistic diagnostic tool provides valuable insight into your oral microbiome—the community of microorganisms that affect not only your teeth and gums but your entire body. With these insights, we can create customized treatment plans to restore balance, improve periodontal health by preventing oral and periodontal diseases, and support your overall well-being.
Contact our dental office in Silver Spring today by calling (301) 593-5500 to schedule your appointment and maintain optimal oral health. We also proudly welcome patients coming from Bethesda, Takoma Park, Wheaton, and the surrounding areas. Experience our warm and welcoming atmosphere, where the quality of service, your comfort, and overall oral health are our top priorities.
What Is Salivary Diagnostics & Testing?
Saliva testing is a simple, noninvasive diagnostic procedure that analyzes your saliva to detect the presence of harmful bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. These microbes can cause gum disease and tooth decay, and they are also linked to systemic inflammatory conditions such as:
- Heart disease and ischemic stroke
- Brain abscesses and heart infections
- Cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s, and dementia
- Airway issues and obstructive sleep apnea
- Alveolar bone loss and tooth loss
By identifying the specific pathogens present in your mouth, Dr. Bassford can better understand the cause of infection and develop a targeted treatment plan—helping protect both your smile and your overall health.
Who Needs Salivary Testing?
Salivary diagnostics are recommended for patients who may be at risk of or already experiencing oral and systemic health challenges, including:
- Chronic or recurring gum inflammation
- Periodontal disease or bone loss
- Systemic health conditions such as diabetes or heart disease
- A desire for preventive, holistic, and personalized care
- Concerns about oral-systemic health connections
- Patients who want an oral screening before a joint replacement
How Is Salivary Testing Done?
Testing is quick, comfortable, and completely noninvasive. Here’s how it works:
- Sample Collection: You’ll provide a small saliva sample by spitting into a sterile tube.
- Lab Analysis: We seal the specimen and send it to a certified laboratory for analysis.
- Results Review: The lab report gives us detailed insight into your oral microbiome and identifies specific bacteria contributing to oral and systemic inflammation.
A trained professional will typically use the following testing systems to provide comprehensive insight into your oral health:
- SimplyPerio: Assesses gum disease and related organisms associated with systemic conditions. It also screens for Candida albicans and viral markers linked to cognitive decline.
Benefits of Salivary Testing for Oral and Periodontal Diseases
Traditional periodontal exams only measure existing damage from gum disease—they don’t identify the specific bacteria responsible for infection. Salivary testing removes this uncertainty, allowing Dr. Bassford to diagnose and treat oral infections at their source.
Key Benefits Include:
- Early Detection: Identifies infections before significant tissue or bone damage occurs.
- Personalized Treatment: Tailors care to your specific bacterial profile for more effective results.
- Accurate Diagnosis: Distinguishes between different types of infections for precise therapy.
- Validated Progress: Confirms the effectiveness of treatment and supports follow-up care.
- Systemic Health Support: Helps assess risks for post-operative infections following joint or heart valve replacement.
Salivary testing is the foundation of preventive, personalized, and holistic oral care.
After Your Salivary Test: Ongoing Care and Prevention
Once your results are available, Dr. Bassford will review your report with you in detail and explain what the findings mean for your oral and systemic health. Based on your results, we may recommend:
- Targeted periodontal therapy
- Holistic antimicrobial or probiotic treatments
- Nutritional and lifestyle adjustments
- Follow-up testing to monitor improvement
Maintaining excellent at-home care—including daily brushing, flossing, and hydration—will help sustain the benefits of your treatment and keep your oral microbiome balanced.
Protect Your Smile and Your Overall Health
Salivary testing at ASE Dental empowers you with knowledge about your oral and systemic health. By identifying harmful bacteria early, we can prevent serious issues before they start and tailor care that supports total-body wellness.
Contact our general dentist in Silver Spring by calling (301) 593-5500. You can also send us a message or request an appointment online. We also proudly welcome patients coming from Bethesda, Takoma Park, Wheaton, and the surrounding areas.