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Archive for the ‘gum/periodontal disease’ Category

Reversing Gum disease

Tuesday, November 15th, 2011

Gum disease has been one of the most common health problems in the United States today.  It has affected both teenagers and adults.  If untreated at its earlier stage gum disease may lead to more severe health problems. It has been believed that reoccurrence of gum disease is a symptom of heart problems and stroke.  These diseases can be fatal to your health. Hence, should be treated if not avoided.

There are many ways to prevent gum disease such as regularly brushing your teeth. It is recommended to brush your teeth at least twice a day. It would be best if your brush your teeth in the morning before going to work and at night before going to bed.  You can also make use of a dental floss to eliminate excess dirt that is not removed when you brush your teeth.

You might wonder how a person can acquire gum disease.  It all starts when an individual refuses to brush his or her teeth on a regular basis.  Moreover, improper brushing can also add to the problem. It doesn’t transpire instantly. Plaques start to build up in your mouth. Then it gradually progress until such time that it becomes ready to surface in your mouth starting with mouth sores.  This is a painful symptom that you should want to get rid of in an instant.

Scheduling a check up with your dentist is the best thing that you should do.  Your dentist can give you the right diagnosis.  Furthermore, he or she can give you the most relevant recommendation on what to do. You are sure that his or her prescriptions are based on her medical findings.  Seeing your dentist at the earlier stage of your gum disease can prevent dental surgery.  Most likely, your doctor will recommend reversing gum disease treatment. To do this, you have to follow proper oral hygiene such as diligently brushing your teeth to eliminate bad bacteria. Aside from this, you should use oral products that can eliminate bacteria that have been plaguing your gums.

Alternatively, you can also treat this oral problem through the homeopathic treatment for gum disease. Most doctors would suggest this type of treatment especially if you are in a tight budget. Moreover, evaluating your dental tools such as your toothbrush and toothpaste can also help in the fast elimination of gum diseases.  Knowing that your dental tools are functioning as it should give you the assurance that you are in the right track.

Dental Care and Its Relation to Heart Diseases

Sunday, May 22nd, 2011

Gingivitis, the mildest form of gum disease; and periodontitis the advanced stage; are the two most common and prevalent forms of gum infections. The symptoms of these conditions are inflammation of the gums, pus between the teeth, and bleeding of the gums during brushing. When the symptoms are not detected early and not treated readily; these will destroy the bone that supports the teeth leading to tooth loss. Gum disease risks include development of cardiovascular disease and other systemic diseases.

The warning signs of heart disease are not usually that obvious than those indicating that you have a gum problem. Doctors have to manage either the gum disease or the heart disease hoping to reduce the risk that may occur. Gum disease is related to heart problems because bacteria can enter the bloodstream and may find their way to the heart. It is found out that bacteria causing the gum disease are the same ones that are associated with the development of heart disease. Risk factor that is common for the two diseases is inflammation. Although blood clot formation is needed as defense against cuts and bruises, this cannot help much with cardiovascular system problems.

The theory behind the association of gum and heart problems is that bacteria present in the gums can travel throughout the body by means of the bloodstream. Upon entering the bloodstream, bacteria will stick to the arterial interiors of the heart. This may lead to irritation, as the body will try to defend itself and protect the area with the use of cholesterol, causing the artery to narrow down. This action will reduce or stop blood flow to the heart creating chest pain as the heart struggles to receive enough oxygen in order to function normally. When the action shuts down blood flow to the heart, heart attack is likely to occur.

In order to prevent this occurrence, and stop the serious threat posed by periodontal and cardiovascular disease to health, it is best to follow some important practices.

1. Visit a periodontist and seek periodontal evaluation to find out if you have periodontal disease or if your family has history of chronic diseases such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease. This periodic visit lowers the risk of acquiring the disease as proper dental care practices are recommended for you.
2. Prevent the occurrence of periodontal disease by regular brushing and flossing. But when there are already signs of periodontitis, this is already difficult to cure.
3. Oral health must be maintained by quitting the habit of smoking or chewing tobacco and consumption of a healthy diet. Good dental hygiene is essential to achieve and maintain overall health.

Brushing the teeth is the first line of defense against gum disease thereby reducing the risk of heart attacks and other heart problems. If you have healthy and clean gums and teeth, you will be free from gum diseases, diseases of the heart, and other diseases, which will lead to the maintenance and success of overall health.

The Importance Of Good Oral Hygiene

Monday, March 28th, 2011

Good oral hygiene may be the best care you can do to your teeth. Staying free from oral ailments such as tooth decay, gum problems, mouth ulcer, halitosis or bad breath, bleeding gums and loss of tooth is an indication that the teeth are healthy and are in good shape. You don’t just avoid these mouth issues by way of good dental hygiene, but additionally, you can smile at many people with confidence knowing that your teeth are white and dazzling. Proper oral hygiene is essential to one’s health. Maintaining it should be the priority of every person since that’s the only thing you can do for your teeth and gums.

Strong teeth don’t just allow us to talk and eat; it also makes us feel good with ourselves and look great. Our teeth are necessary to our lifestyle; it’s the initial phase of the digestive system. Chewing of the food is also known as mastication, when it is mixed with saliva ingesting of food is much easier.

Preserving a good oral hygiene involves brushing of teeth, flossing, and gargle with mouthwash, maintaining a healthy diet food and visiting the dentist on a regular basis. Let us take these precautionary cares one by one. Brushing teeth at least two times a day decrease the development of plaques and bacteria in our mouth. Brush all the areas of your teeth and your tongue. Use a tooth paste that has fluoride since it fights away bacteria and prevent cavities to arise. Put pea sized toothpaste in your toothbrush and never a huge amount.

Choose a toothbrush with extra soft bristles for the teeth not to be harmed. Move the bristles around your teeth and below the gum line. You can consult your dentist for an exhibition of how you can properly brush your teeth. Flossing takes away the germs or harmful bacteria in between our teeth; it clears the spaces where toothbrush cannot go through. Making use of mouthwash will strengthen the enamels of our teeth. If you purchased a mouthwash, read and follow the instruction that goes with it. Mouth washing is nice at night before you go to sleep.

Proper oral hygiene – preventing bleeding gums can also value the overall good health of the person. It wards off enduring illnesses. If an individual has poor oral hygiene, he/she can have heart disease or systemic infection because bacteria that go into the mouth will go into the bloodstream. Undesirable dental hygiene can lead to gum problems which weakens the defense mechanisms.

Teeth Whitening Made Easy with DIY Kits

Monday, March 28th, 2011

With the revolutionized teeth whitening products coming out of the market, cosmetic dentistry has also changed.  People are looking for alternatives to keep up with maintaining the shiny smile that everyone loves to have.  Visiting the dentists would require sufficient funds and you need to find time to schedule your visit.  Good thing about visiting your dentist is that you’d get to see immediate results.  However there are products in the market that let you do teeth bleaching at home.

Products available for teeth whitener abound in the market.  You can also have the option to get these whitening products from your dentist however it would still be pricier than the ones available over the Internet or from your neighborhood drugstore.  The merchandise you get from the drugstore or online are similar products dispensed by the dentists.  These products are formulated by a few corporations so there’s not much difference with them.

Home teeth whiteners have their advantages…and disadvantages.  But more importantly it will give out a result that is beneficial for the user.  At-home teeth whitening kits, especially those not professionally dispensed are less expensive.  Good thing about these products is that you don’t have to be away for long to be able to do the whitening therapy.  You can do this at the comforts of your home and at your own convenience.  No need to take so much time in order to do teeth whitening at home.

Concentrations of 21% to 35% of carbamide peroxide in gel form are safe to use for whitening your teeth.  Stronger dosage of carbamide peroxide gel may irritate gum lining and oral tissues which might cause gum infection.  We don’t want gum infection; the goal is to get our teeth lightened.  With whiter chops, you can flash your dazzling smile and have the confidence to be around people.  You won’t have second thoughts of flashing your killer smile.  Using teeth whitener can bring back ones smile.

Downside of do-it-yourself teeth whitening is there is a tendency for teeth to feel sensitivity.  In order to avoid this or alleviate sensitivity, there are debilitate the oral cavity and teeth for possible effects of applying carbamide peroxide to the chops.  On the lighter side, lightening stained teeth has never been easier with home teeth whiteners.  The mouth trays that come with the kit makes it easy to have the whitening gel in contact with the teeth and for even application, as well.  Such innovative products makes tooth bleaching accessible to many people.

Gum Disease and Symptoms Of Gingivitis

Friday, March 4th, 2011

If you suffer from periodontal or gum disease in the early stages, consider yourself lucky. You can treat it. There are actually cures for the problem. Treatment can be as simple as starting a proper system of oral hygiene.

Yet, how do you know if you have gum disease? How can you recognize it? What are the stages of early gum disease? These are important questions.

What Is The Early Stage Of Gum Disease?

The early stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. This refers to the initial and mild stage of the dental problem. As the disease advances, it becomes more complex. It also becomes even more difficult to treat. This stage of gum disease is periodontitis.

What Is The Cause Of Gingivitis?

The cause of gingivitis – and periodontitis, is bacteria. Bacteria accumulate inside the mouth. It increases to such an extent that it infects the entire mouth. Bacteria develop into first the whitish and sticky substance of plaque before calcifying into tartar.

The cause of bacterial build up, however, is most frequently poor oral hygiene practices. While genetics may play a role, the most common factor is a lack of proper hygiene. Food particles and other substances remain on the teeth and gums. These provide a breeding feast and place for bacterial growth.

What Are The Symptoms Of Early Gum Disease Or Gingivitis?

The presence of gingivitis is indicated by at first subtle signs. These increase in intensity and number as gum disease develops from simple gingivitis towards more serious gingivitis to periodontitis. General symptoms consist of many of the following in different degrees of intensity:

  • Inflammation of the gums
  • Redness of the gums
  • Possible tenderness of the gum when touched
  • Bleeding of the gums upon brushing
  • Halitosis or bad breath

As the disease progresses, the symptoms become more obvious. These include:

  • Receding gums
  • Your teeth fit together differently when you clamp them together or bite down on something
  • Spaces or pockets between your teeth and gums are visible

A dentist can treat these early symptoms. Some may involve minor surgery. In the earliest stages of gingivitis, however, a thorough cleaning will remove the plaque. Follow-up and ongoing treatment will include committing yourself to a program of oral hygiene.

Cures And Remedies

You can prevent gum disease by daily taking care of your teeth and gums properly. If you want to get rid of gum disease, you have to address the cause – bacteria. Daily oral hygiene will stop gum disease. You must commit yourself to brushing your teeth daily. Use a natural or commercial product. You might want to try OraMD. It combines 2 products of your program – a mouthwash and toothpaste.

You will also need to floss daily. Combine this with a regular visit to the dentist for a check up. See the dentist or the dental hygienist for a cleaning every 6 or 12 months.

Conclusion

If you recognize gum disease during its early stages, you can work to prevent it. Adopt a proactive approach. It is better than traditional or conventional remedies. Do examine your gums for signs. Better still – avoid gum disease through a proper and thorough oral hygiene practice.

Tooth Abscess and Prevention

Thursday, March 3rd, 2011

Dentaveolar Abscess, commonly known as tooth abscess, is an infection that afflicts not only your teeth and gums, but your whole mouth and jaw as well. This infection is a cause for alarm in itself as it puts in peril your overall oral health. It is vital that detection happens as early as possible, and you visit your dentist at the first few signs of discomfort, throbbing or a swelling sensation.

Any kind of tooth infection is always awful and painful, and having tooth abscess is one of the most painful things that one can experience. A tooth abscess is the infection that is rooted within the pulp of your teeth, so it not only requires a thorough dental care, but it can grow at such a fast rate that not only the mouth, jaw or cheeks are affected, but even the blood vessels and other nerves of the teeth die because of the bacteria.
So what can we do? Can a tooth abscess be prevented?

Start with the basics

Dental hygiene is crucial to prevention of the foundation to which tooth abscess stems from. With even the most basic oral hygiene, it can help reduce tooth and gum decay that will invariably lead to infection. Regular brushing and flossing can help with removing the cavities that can build up from food debris which reside around and between the teeth. Simple but habitual brushing, flossing and gargling are your best defenses against mouth problems.

Eat well and choose to be healthy. A healthy eating plan paves the way to a healthier you. Doing away with  sugary food and drinks may seem like a great sacrifice, but you will reap your rewards later Instead of chewing candies and other sweets, choose fruits instead.

More Dental Information

Visiting your dentist is not just an “option”. Make your visits regular! It is only with the dentist’s help that you are assured of your teeth’s general well-being. Talk to your dentist and get informed about taking good care of your teeth and how to prevent tooth abscesses in the future. Get the best advice from the one who knows about it the most! When it comes to our body and our health, we can never know too much.

Treat Oral Problems ASAP!

If you are currently experiencing oral problems such as cavities, broken enamel, unhealthy gums and the like, it is all the more reason to fortify by following the suggestions above.

How Do I Avoid the Pain and Discomfort in my Mouth Caused by Periodontal Disease?

Thursday, February 24th, 2011

There are different ways you can avoid the pain that comes from periodontal disease. One way is to look at the treatment of periodontal disease and how it affects your life. There are many different things you can do to avoid the pain and suffering that comes with periodontal disease. Make sure that you are consulting with your dentist to see what it is that they recommend as well as what it is you should be doing on a daily basis. It may be difficult to find how to cure periodontal disease, but there are definitely measures you can take to ease symptoms, prevent it from worsening, and possibly even reversing some of the effects.

One of the most important things you will need to do is pay particular attention to your gum line when you are performing your regular oral hygiene. You need to do this as a way to eliminate the gum disease you have and to be able to get the decrease in mouth pain you seek. Using the right tools and products can lead to you receiving the right treatment for periodontal disease in your home and will result in less pain and better results in your dental visits.

One essential change you must make is to consistently follow a good daily oral hygiene program. However, this is not a cure. There is no actual guaranteed cure for gum disease; however, there are varying ways to treat periodontal disease and to reduce the amount of pain you are experiencing.

Make sure to follow the advice of your dentist in regards to how it is you should be brushing as well as the type of toothbrush you use. There are no magic cures and there is no miracle mouth rinse. The only way to treat and eliminate your gum disease is by performing the daily oral hygiene as your dentist prescribes as well as with the use of products that can aid in reducing the disease.

Using the right tools and following your dentists orders are the best ways to reduce the pain you have from periodontal disease. The best way to avoid the pain is through proper oral hygiene and using the right products to get the job done. Finding out what works best for your mouth as a treatment will make sure you are able to have a happy and pain free mouth. Follow the advice and do as you should and you will live a pain free existence.

Gum Disease, Take an Early Notice

Thursday, July 2nd, 2009

Author: Angela Rogers

Periodontal disease is also known as gum disease. There are many reported cases in which the patients have lost tooth because of gum disease. Just like any disease, the gum disease can be treated best when diagnosed early. You must know the warning signs of gum disease so you can report it as early as possible to your dentist.

These warning signs include bleeding gums, swollen gums, expression of pus when the gums are pressed, increase in the gap between your tooth and the gum, bad breath, difference in the strength of the bite, loosening of tooth. It is important to note here as to what causes the gum disease. The major cause of gum disease occurs because of plaque. The plaque lies between the gum line and the tooth.

It then combines with the sugary substances on which the bacteria act to produce acid and toxins. This then acts on the tooth and the gum resulting in the breakdown of the gum tissue. Brushing the teeth along with flossing is truly important in preventing gum disease because brushing alone is not sufficient to remove the food residue that gets stuck between the gums and teeth.

You can also use fluoride toothpaste as it helps prevent decay. Mouth rinse is also a very good option to help remove bacteria, which prevents tooth as well as gum infection. Some of you might not pay due attention to the periodontal disease or gum disease. The periodontal disease is an irreversible disease process. In this disease, the support of teeth is lost, which results in the tooth to become loose and finally fall out.

Did you know that gum disease is also directly linked to heart attacks and it is also linked with the increased blood glucose levels. Another research suggests that the gum disease is also linked to premature birth. All these facts are the result of periodontitis and have very serious health impact on individuals who do not take proper dental hygiene measures.

There is also a condition known as pregnancy gingivitis. This occurs due to hormonal changes and has a strong impact on eating habits. In this condition, the gums are red, swollen and extremely tender and on brushing, the gums bleed. This condition occurs in about 50% of women who are going through pregnancy. This is also a situation that requires serious attention.

You might have heard of a very serious infectious condition known as Trench Mouth. It is a very painful gum infection. This infection occurs due to poor dental and oral hygiene. Other causes of this infection are lack of sleep, smoking, increased stress. The name Trench Mouth was given to this condition when the soldiers in trenches suffered from severe gum infections, which resulted in necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis.

The only way that you can safeguard yourself from severe gum infections is taking proper care of oral and dental hygiene. Therefore the message goes out to all including adults and children to take proper care of your oral and dental hygiene.

Source: Articlesbase.com

Diabetes and Periodontal Disease (the Association?)

Monday, September 22nd, 2008

 

Diabetes, which is not properly controlled, can lead to periodontal disease (of the gums) in both the young and the elderly. Periodontal diseases are infections in the gums and bone that holds teeth in place.

Diabetes and periodontal diseases:
 

Because of changes that occur in the blood vessels with diabetes, thickened blood vessels may prevent the efficiency of the flow of nutrients and the removal of debris from tissues. This impediment in the flow can weaken the gums and bones, making them more susceptible to infection.
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Gum Disease Worsen Heart Disease And Diabetes.

Monday, September 22nd, 2008

 

With growing medical research, it become important periodontal disease (gum) can contribute to, or worsen, heart disease and diabetes – serious health problems. Studies show that Gum disease may also lead to the birth of premature babies of low birth weight. The researchers believe that oral infections, such as periodontal disease, characterized by inflammation and bacterial infection of the gums, adversely affect other evils out of the mouth, as the disease allows the bacteria travel by the bloodstream to other parts the body.

“The Hispanic Americans are at high risk for heart disease and diabetes, and recent research suggests that periodontal disease may contribute negatively to those conditions. It’s important that people know that problems with oral health can affect the rest of the body, “says Dr. Gilbert Barajas, Periodontal Health Group of East Los Angeles, and member of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP).

Researchers believe the bacteria of periodontal disease can affect a variety of ways to heart health, diabetes and the birth of premature babies with low weight:

Heart Health
The periodontal bacteria can enter the bloodstream and contribute to the formation of clots – the leading cause of coronary artery disease. The bacteria in the bloodstream can lead also to inflammation of the inner covering of the heart and heart valves, known as bad infective endocarditis.

Among Hispanic men, heart disease and stroke, represent approximately 27 percent of all deaths – more than cancer and AIDS combined. Similarly, heart disease and stroke account for 33 percent, roughly, of all deaths among Spanish-American women – more than cancer, diabetes, pneumonia and influenza combined.
 

Diabetes
Patients with diabetes are more likely to develop periodontal disease. Diabetics, in general, have a more compromised immune system. Moreover, if a diabetic patient has a periodontal infection, there is a greater chance that his diabetic condition worse. Approximately 20 percent of Hispanic Americans aged 65 and over have been diagnosed with diabetes. It is estimated that an additional six percent of the Hispanic American population has diabetes but has not yet been diagnosed.
 

Premature babies of low birth weight:
Pregnant women with periodontal disease suffer from an increase in the production of fluids that induce the work of delivery, leading to premature births of babies of low birth weight. This threat shows the importance of incorporating a periodontal evaluation standard prenatal care.

Approximately 26 percent of the Spanish-American did not receive prenatal care during the first quarter – the most critical period in fetal development, as it is when you develop all its major organs, legs and arms.
“The research shows clearly how important is paying attention to our oral health. It is vital that Hispanic Americans understand that periodontal disease is preventable and treatable. I would advise all performed oral examinations annually to rule out tooth decay, deterioration and the beginning of periodontal disease, “adds Dr. Barajas.

“The symptoms of gum disease in its early stages, are generally difficult to detect. Many people may have this wrong and not know it. Therefore, as indicated by this study, people have to be sure that your dentist or periodontist revise the gums on a regular basis, because the periodontal assessment can help protect health in general, “says Dr. Jack G. Caton, president of the AAP. (more…)