Protecting Your Teeth And Gums From Periodontal Disease
Saturday, July 31st, 2010Periodontal disease affecting the teeth and gums is a condition millions of people suffer from, maybe even you, and it often goes untreated. Periodontal disease is an oral infection of the surrounding tissues that support your teeth in your mouth. Plaque-forming bacteria, which grows in your mouth, causes periodontal disease. Brushing and flossing are important actions, which discharges quite a bit of plaque. However, it’s not possible to rid your mouth completely of plaque. The plaque which remains behind, even after you’ve cleaned your teeth thoroughly, solidifies into tartar. A buildup of tartar that collects under the gums can cause serious irritation and even lead to infection, which opens the door to gum disease.
The good news is that periodontal disease is easily preventable. The crucial importance of keeping your teeth and gums healthy is a message emphasized by the Pennsylvania Dental Association. The dual stages of gum disease are periodontitis and gingivitis. Inflammation begins at first as gingivitis sets in during the early stage of periodontal disease and bacteria forms between the tooth and the gum. If caught early on in this stage, periodontal disease can quite easily be eliminated by a daily brushing and flossing routine. If left untreated, a more advanced stage of periodontal disease known as periodontitis may develop, causing irrevsible damage to your gums, teeth and the surronding bones of your mouth. To understand more about braces sydney visit this resource.
In this most serious stage, tooth loss becomes a real possibility as tooth roots are exposed, gums recede, and inflammation and decay become worse, all due to the destruction of the tissue which holds the teeth to the bone. Many factors, such as tobacco use, can also lead to an increased chance of one eventually developing periodontal disease. Oral contaceptives, particular systemic diseases including diabetes, certain kinds of prescription drugs, including anti-seizure medications and steriods, chemotherapy drugs, and calcium channel blockers are all potential contributors to the development of gum disease. Improperly fitting bridges, old fillings, which have become defective, crooked teeth and pregnancy are also risk factors for periodontal disease.
In some studies, researchers have come to the conclusion that people who are afflicted with gum disease are more at risk for developing coronary artery disease. The whole concept centers on the way oral bacteria impacts the heart after finding a way into your circulatory system, and it hooks onto the fatty deposits inside of your heart’s blood vessels to increase blood clotting.Experts offer the following tips to maintain optimal dental health and prevent periodontal disease. First, brush your teeth twice every day and floss daily. By flossing and brushing your teeth, you eliminate the amount of residual food plaque from the external surface of your teeth and in those hard to reach spots between them.
Trade out your toothbrush for a fresh one every three months or when you notice wear and fraying of the bristles. Tooth decay can be held off by the use of antibacterial mouth wash, or by using a toothpaste with fluoride. Don’t forget that eating a nutritious, well-balanced diet will also help. Every day, plan meals that use foods from the five food groups: grain, dairy, fruit, vegetables, meat and poultry. Make it a priority to pay your dentist a visit every six months for a routine checkup and cleaning. You will find info on sydney braces by visiting that site.
Any symptom of periodontal disease should be brought to the attention of your dentist immediately. Periodontal disease symptoms can include: red, swollen or tender gums; gums that bleed easily or are pulling away from the teeth; permanent teeth that are loose or separating; pus appearing between the teeth and gums when the gums are pressed; chronic bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth; changes in the fit of partial dentures; changes in the teeth alignment when you bite.

