Gum Disease And Its Relation With Our Health

A lot of dental problems happen because of what we eat and drink. When we suffer from any sort of dental disease the first impact is on our gums leading to gum diseases such as gingivitis and Periodontitis. So today's point of discussion is how gum disease relates to other problem in our overall body.

Gum Disease is classified in two categories - Gingivitis and Periodontal Disease.

Gingivitis: This is a less severe form of gum disease but causes gums to be red, swollen and also bleed. In this stage patient will feel a little uneasy because of the swollen gum. The prime reason why patients suffer from this disease is due to lack or oral hygiene. The condition can be cured by professional dental treatment and following proper oral care. Diabetes, Smoking, Aging, Puberty, Pregnancy and HIV are the most common factors that cause gingivitis.

Periodontal Disease: Gingivitis if left unnoticed and untreated can lead to Periodontal Disease. As time passes by plaque spreads below the gum line and starts to irritate the gums because of the toxins released by the bacteria. These toxins cause inflammation which leads to deterioration of bones and gums. The gums then start to separate from teeth and creates pocket which eventually becomes infected. As time passes by, the pockets become deeper causing further damage to underlying gum tissues. The end result is that the tooth tends to become loose and is removed.

Periodontal Disease has many forms such as those mentioned below:

• Aggressive Periodontitis: This is not a very common problem and is mostly seen in younger patients. The common symptoms include bone destruction and the condition being carried forwarded to the next generation.

• Chronic Periodontitis: This is inflammation in the tissues that support the teeth. This form of Periodontitis is the most common globally which results in pocket formation and recession of gingivitis. Although it is very common among adults but can happen at any age.

• Necrotizing Periodontal Disease: In this stage of Periodontitis, the gum tissues, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone are practically dead. It is commonly found in patients suffering from HIV or any sort of malnutrition.

Research has proved that Periodontal Disease is linked with many other diseases in our body. During the initial stages of the research it was thought that the disease happen due to the bacteria present in our teeth. However after further investigation it was proved that inflammation was the root cause of the diseases. This is the reason why I have always laid emphasis on the fact that it is advisable to treat periodontal disease at an early stage so that inflammation can be cured. Treating inflammation before any further damage will save you from the risk of getting infected by:-

• Diabetes: Patients who are suffering from this problem are more prone to periodontal disease because they are more open to be infected. Patients suffering from periodontal disease will find it difficult to control blood sugar. This eventually results in uncontrolled diabetes.

• Heart Disease: Research has laid emphasis on the fact that periodontal disease can also lead to heart disease. Researchers have agreed upon the fact that inflammation is the main reason for it.

• Osteoporosis: Research has proved that there is a direct link between Periodontitis and Osteoporosis. Reason being osteoporosis leads to tooth loss as density of tooth is reduced.

• Respiratory Problem: The bacteria in our gums can travel to our lungs leading to various respiratory problems.

• Cancer: It has been proved that men who suffer from gum disease are more likely to develop kidney cancer, pancreatic cancer and blood cancer.

Early identification and treatment is extremely important to prevent further damage of gum tissues and bones. Following proper dental hygiene is the most important factor in controlling gingivitis.

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The Importance of Proper Dental Hygiene and Care

Ever since you were little, either your parents, dentist or both have told you the importance of proper dental hygiene and care. You know that brushing and flossing your teeth on a daily basis will cut down on bad breath and lower your risk of cavities and gum disease.

But what is the big deal? If you develop gum disease or tooth decay, can't the dentist easily fix it at your six month check-up and cleaning?

Tooth decay and gum disease are bad news and not things to take lightly. Yes, cavities can be treated with fillings and crowns, but these dental procedures will cost you. Crowns, especially can be expensive and require multiple trips to the dental office.

Most American adults have some form of gum disease. Fortunately, in most cases, the severity isn't that great and the disease can be stopped and reversed with professional dental procedures like deep cleaning, root planning and scaling and root canals. Sometimes improved at-home dental oral hygiene can be enough to reverse a patient's gum disease.

Like cavities, treating minor gum disease can be expensive and time-consuming with multiple appointments needed.

What happens when a patient who doesn't practice sufficient, proper at-home dental hygiene has moderate to severe tooth decay and gum disease?

First, the extent and invasiveness of the necessary dental procedures to treat them will increase which means more expenses, more time in the dentist chair and a longer recovery time. A root canal, for instance, will be more expensive, painful and take longer to recover from than a filling or deep cleaning, for example.

There is likely going to be more pain and discomfort and one's ability to chew and bite may be hindered. If you don't daily brush and floss your teeth and the plaque builds up on your teeth and along the gum line, your teeth and gums will become more sensitive and the decay weakens them. Infection-like symptoms such as pain, discomfort, swelling and bleeding are likely to occur, which can make everyday life miserable. The discomfort can be constant or it can come about with chewing or consuming hot or cold foods and beverages.

If nothing is done about the gum disease or tooth decay and infrequent, poor dental hygiene is continued, tooth loss and the breakdown of the jaw bone can occur. The loss of teeth and the disintegration of the jaw bones will make proper eating and clear speaking difficult. On top of that, one's once proud, bright, straight smile will be destroyed by embarrassing gaps.

Patients may think that a few missing teeth are no big deal, but it is missing teeth that prevent people from smiling and experiencing the positive effects of showing off their beautiful, natural smiles. People who don't smile are seen as unhappy, negative, self-conscious and anxious. Social and professional opportunities can be missed as friends and others will avoid someone who doesn't smile and bosses will more likely pass over employees who don't smile, and therefore, lack confidence, for jobs and promotions.

Missing teeth can also cause other teeth to grow crooked, which will require even more dental work to be done.

Patients who don't practice daily, proper, dental hygiene risk needing expensive, extensive dental procedures, a lower quality of life, missing teeth and compromised jaw bones.

When your dentist stresses the importance and need for proper dental hygiene, don't ignore it. You will be glad you didn't in the future.

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Why Teeth Sensitivity and Toothaches Should Be Treated ASAP

Grimacing after each sip of hot coffee in the morning or taking painkillers every few hours to ease the throbbing pain of a toothache is not normal. It is an indication that something is wrong.

If you have tooth sensitivity or a toothache, you're probably miserable. You may think that if you continue taking Tylenol and using an ice pack, the pain will eventually go away. After all, that usually works for other body pains.

Maybe you decide to live with the pain because you're afraid of what the dentist will find. You've heard that tooth sensitivity and toothaches are symptoms of deep tooth decay and that likely treatment will range from crowns to a root canal. You don't want the hassle of undergoing a dental procedure or paying for extra dental work.

The reality is that the longer you let your tooth sensitivity and toothache to continue without getting professional treatment, the worse the pain and the damage to your tooth and gums will be.

If your tooth ache or tooth sensitivity is caused by tooth decay, it is important to have a dentist look at it sooner rather than later. The earlier the cavity is removed, the less the chance of it destroying more of the tooth and spreading to nearby teeth and gum tissue.

If left unchecked, what began as a toothache or tooth sensitivity could result in lost teeth and even possible gum and jaw issues.

Losing teeth and getting severe gum disease is nothing to take lightly. Missing teeth can cause eating and speaking difficulties as well as ruin your beautiful smile. They can even lead to the other teeth to grow in crooked which will require further dental work to correct your smile.

Severe tooth decay and gum disease can weaken a tooth's roots as well as the jaw bone that holds the teeth in place. A weakened jaw bone will less likely hold the tooth in place and it will reduce the patient's ability to have dental implants inserted to replace lost teeth.

Tooth sensitivity and toothaches indicate that somewhere the nerves in and around your teeth are exposed. This will only happen if the enamel (he tooth's hard, outside layer) has been compromised.

Tooth decay (or cavities) are almost always the culprit of weakened and destroyed tooth enamel, though in some rarer cases, a tooth's enamel is weakened because of trauma to the tooth. In the instance of tooth trauma where there is a crack on the tooth or if the tooth is broken, it is important to see the dentist immediately as it is a dental emergency.

Toothache pain and tooth sensitivity are not normal and they can greatly hinder the proper functioning of your mouth as well as lower your quality of life.

Both conditions likely indicate tooth decay or gum disease, though that isn't always the case. Regardless of the cause, it is better to have the pain and discomfort of toothaches and tooth sensitivity treated by a professional sooner rather than later as the decay and pain will only get worse.

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Gone Batty: What A Vampire Has To Say About Oral Health

Happy Halloween! Check out what this vampire has to say about being mouth healthy in today's blast from the past. And remember to bush twice a day and floss once a day to maintain healthy teeth and gums.

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In-Office Whitening Vs At-Home Whitening

Teeth whitening is one of the most common dental procedures done in America today. The difference that whitening your teeth has on your appearance and your confidence is being noticed and everyone wants it done. There are two options to getting that bright, white smile; an in-office whitening treatment or a do-it-yourself product you go do at home. The best way to determine which method is right to you is to look at your lifestyle, preferences, and budget.

In-Office Whitening

Whitening procedures that are done in the dentist office are also called power bleaching, power whitening, professional whitening, chairside whitening, or laser whitening. These are all done by professionals who have been trained in the specific methods and to use the products in a controlled environment.

The Advantages

· Faster Results. Many patients leave the dentist's office with a smile already several shades whiter than when they walked in. Since dentists are licensed to handle a bleaching gel with a higher concentration of bleach, it works faster. Tools in the office are often used to make a dramatic difference too, including lasers and lights.

· Safety. Whitening is known to increase sensitivity in teeth that are already sensitive and to cause tingling and pain in the gums. Exact steps should be used when applying the solution and people doing the at-home kits often disregard the directions. Enamel is ruined when steps are not followed exactly.

· Convenience. In-office whitening takes less time and effort on your part to get great results. Rather than setting time aside each day for two weeks to let solution sit on your teeth, you can get on with your life.

· Removes More Stains. The peroxide used during in-office whitening treatments is more concentrated. This makes removing stubborn stains more effective, even on hard to remove spots.

To put it simply, the in-office whitening is best for people who need fast results and don't mind spending a little more money to get it done.

At-Home Whitening

There are plenty of good whitening products available at your local drugstore. These products are great for whitening your teeth a shade or two. It is also helpful to use these kits to refresh a professional whitening job. If you just don't have enough money to do an in-office whitening treatment and opt for a DIY kit, make sure you follow the directions exactly.

Prevention

Maintaining your whitening results is just as important as the method you chose to get them. To help protect your teeth from stains, avoid some of these common staining agents:

· Tobacco

· Coffee

· Soda Pop

· Tea

· Red Wine

· Dark colored fruits and vegetables

If you must use these items, make sure you brush your teeth as soon as you can afterward. This will prevent them from having time to do damage to your teeth. It is also important that you maintain good oral routines, like brushing every day, twice a day. Don't forget to floss every day too. This will all help you keep your smile bright and beautiful for a long time.

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