Chicago Dentist

Your dentist may treat gingivitis in several ways, but the first step is to thoroughly clean your teeth, removing all traces of plaque and tartar — a procedure known as scaling. The cleaning may be uncomfortable, especially if your gums are already sensitive or you have extensive plaque and tartar buildup. Gingivitis usually clears up after a professional cleaning as long as you continue to follow a program of good oral hygiene at home. Your dentist may recommend using an antiseptic mouth rinse in addition to brushing and flossing.

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Bacteria in the mouth have been linked to heart disease, premature birth, uterine infection, diabetes, and now dementia as well. There are possibly many more ailments that have not yet been linked to oral bacteria, but one thing is for sure, bacteria in the mouth is responsible for a significant portion of disease in our body. With the news that the brain may also be negatively affected by oral bacteria and the destructive immune response that the body mounts in response to it, preventing the proliferation of this bacteria should become a primary objective for all of us.

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Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums surrounding the teeth. Gingivitis is one of many periodontal diseases that affect the health of the periodontium (those tissues that surround the teeth and include the gums, soft tissues, and bone). Periodontal diseases are often classified according to their severity. They range from mild gingivitis, to more severe periodontitis, and finally acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis, which can be life threatening.

Gingivitis

by www.napsnet.com

Why Women Should Be Aware Of Their Oral Health And Its Association With Their Heart Health

(NAPSI)-Did you know that having healthy teeth and gums may result in more than having sparkling white teeth and fresh breath? Many people may not realize that taking proper care of their mouth may be important to their overall health. In fact, a growing body of research suggests an association between severe gum disease and certain serious health conditions, such as heart disease–the No. 1 cause of death in women.

Gum diseases include gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis, an early form of gum disease and the first stage of gum inflammation, is caused by the buildup of plaque and bacteria above the gumline. Untreated gingivitis can result in chronic infection and inflammation, which can lead to periodontitis, a more serious form of gum disease. Recent studies have demonstrated that there is an association between periodontitis and certain systemic diseases, such as heart disease.

On the positive side, recent research also suggests that achieving and maintaining good oral health may be important to an individual’s overall health, including the heart. This is especially important news for women, as heart disease is the leading cause of death of women in the United States. In 2003 alone, cardiovascular disease claimed the lives of more than 480,000 females, compared to the nearly 270,000 lives lost to all cancers combined.

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 by www.dentalplans.com

Periodontal disease is defined as an infection caused in the periodontium. The periodontium is the tissue that surrounds and supports the teeth. It is composed of several components such as the gingiva, the cementum, the periodontal ligaments as well as the alveolar bone. When infection in these regions causes inflammation, it is known as periodontitis that is also called Pyorrhea alveolaris. According to research, 50% of American citizens who are over 30 have some form of the disease and almost 10% of the cases deal with severe forms of periodontal disease.

Between the teeth and the gums, there is a deep crevice that acts as a connective tissue between the two. This is called the sulcus and this is where periodontal disease usually occurs. This tissue is often infected, which leads to break down and severe bone loss in and around the root region, if the condition is not treated early on. Microbial plaque and biofilms are the root cause of periodontium. Plaque is colonies of toxin producing bacteria that collect on the surface of the teeth every day. It is because of this acid production that the gum tissue separates from the tooth. This leads to periodontal disease and bone loss along the gum line.

With time, plaque and tartar buildup progress to form pockets. The vacant space formed becomes home to colonies of harmful bacteria. These vacant spaces that get infected separate the teeth from the gums. Periodontitis can affect the teeth in mild forms but sometimes it can also cause severe damage.  

In the preliminary stages, it is called gingivitis, which may redden the gums and cause bleeding. However, the effects of gingivitis are reversible if treated with proper care. This includes regular brushing, dental flossing and decreasing the rate of dental plaque and tartar build up. Although gingivitis does not cause bone loss, it may advance into severe plaque build and eventually periodontal disease.

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by Anthony Stai

If you are asking yourself, “How can I stop gum disease?”, a good way to start is to understand the conditions of the disease. The two basic types of gum diseases or periodontal diseases are gingivitis and periodontitis.

Gingivitis is the first phase of periodontal disease. It results when plaque forms on the teeth’s surface and the gum line. When plaque builds up, the bacteria that compose it cause inflammation in the gums. A person with gingivitis has red and puffy gums that bleed easily. Gingivitis develops into periodontitis over time. At this phase, bacterial infection damages the bones that support teeth and the connecting gum tissue resulting in pockets where more bacteria can flourish. This condition ultimately leads to tooth loss.

How can I stop gum disease?

Detecting and treating the problem while it has just started is the best way to put a stop to periodontal disease. Pay attention to your gum’s health. Healthy gums should be pink in color, firm, odorless and should not bleed with normal brushing. If the condition of your gums is the opposite, you likely have a problem. Make sure to see your dentist regularly. Most people are not aware they have a problem until their dentist points out the problem to them.

How can I stop gum disease through clinical treatment?

Your dentist or periodontist may perform several cleaning procedures in your mouth. Root planing or scaling are ways to remove the buildup of plaque and tartar in your teeth and gums. Your dentist may also place antimicrobial liquid solutions beneath your gum line through a procedure called periodontal irrigation to wash out any remaining bacteria in the infected gums.

Severe gum diseases may require periodontal surgery, which removes the infected gum to expose and strip off bacteria. In case of critical bone loss, the dentist will perform a bone graft. To complete the surgery, the dentist will cover the treated area with a new gum line through a skin graft.

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by d3scene.com 

The practice of keeping the mouth and teeth clean to prevent dental problems and bad breath is dental hygiene or oral hygiene. The removal of dental plaque and tartar from teeth, which cause cavities, gingivitis and gum disease is known as teeth cleaning. Gum disease causes at least one third of adult tooth loss.

It is always recommended that teeth be cleaned at least twice a year, professionally. Tooth scaling, tooth polishing and debridement if too much tartar is built up, followed by a fluoride treatment all constitute teeth cleaning.  Tartar build up which is one of the root causes of all dental problems can be prevented through good dental hygiene. Oral hygiene involves frequent brushing with a toothbrush and the use of dental floss prevents buildup of plaque producing bacteria. For a good dental hygiene, massaging of gums is essential.

The food and drink that are taken in play the most important role in dental hygiene. Vitamin D strengthens the teeth. Vitamin B that is present in bread and cereals and vitamin c present in fruits and vegetables contribute to healthy gum tissue. Magnesium and zinc present in non-vegetarian foods are also needed for teeth.

The pH level in the mouth should be stabilized to just above 7 to prevent tooth being exposed to acid. Milk and cheese raise the pH value in the mouth and also contain calcium and phosphate essential for remineralisation. Fibre rich foods help to increase the flow of saliva and thus help to prevent cavities. Starch is not an ideal food for the bacteria because enzymes should convert it in saliva first. Therefore containing foods starch and sugar are commonly associated with dental cavities. Sucrose, glucose and maltose are equally likely to cause cavities.

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