Gum disease is one of the main causes of tooth loss in adults and has also been linked to heart disease and strokes. If diagnosed in the early stage, gingivitis can be treated and reversed. If treatment is not received, a more serious and advanced stage of gum disease, called  Periodontitis, which includes bone loss, may follow. Brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and getting regular dental check ups and cleanings are the best prevention against gum disease.

 

 

 

Going to the dentist for regular check ups & cleanings is one of the most important factors in maintaining good oral health  Regular check ups can prevent cavities, root canals, gum disease, oral cancer and other dental conditions. Don’t wait until you have a problem before you see your dentist help prevent problems before they happen.

 

 

 

Researchers are finding possible links between periodontal infections and other diseases throughout the body. Current studies suggest that there may be a link between periodontal (gum) disease, heart disease and other health conditions. In fact, research suggests that gum disease may be a more serious risk factor for heart disease than hypertension, smoking, cholesterol, gender and age. New studies suggest that people who have gum disease seem to be at a higher risk for heart attacks, although no one is certain how this relationship works. Your oral health affects your overall health, but the studies that will find exactly why these problems are linked are still underway. How can gum disease affect my overall health?The current theory is that bacteria present in infected gums can come loose and move throughout the body. The same bacteria that cause gum disease and irritate your gums might travel to your arteries. Researchers are unsure what causes the bacteria to become mobile, but it has been suggested that bacteria can be dislodged and enter the bloodstream during tasks as simple as brushing, flossing and even chewing.

 

 

When you brush your teeth properly, at least twice a day, you are removing the plaque that causes cavities. Plaque is the soft and sticky substance that accumulates on the teeth from food debris and bacteria. Flossing daily will remove the plaque from in between the teeth that the toothbrush cannot reach. Removing plaque from your teeth also helps to prevent gum disease.

 

 

 

About 85% of people with persistent bad breath have a dental condition that is to blame. If bad breath is the cause of a dental condition, mouthwash will only mask the odor and not cure it. Don’t be embarrassed to talk to your dentist, they are there to help you. Flossing daily and brushing your teeth & tonguetwice a day can greatly reduce and possibly eliminate bad breath.

 

 

 

The sugars from soft drinks and non-nutritional foods combine with the bacteria in our mouths which produces acids that attack tooth enamel. This can lead to cavities and gum disease. Limiting the amount of beverages and foods that are high in sugar can greatly help to maintain good dental health.

 

 

 

If your dentist gives you a treatment plan for dental work that you need to have done, you should focus on getting your teeth fixed as soon as possible. Even cavities continue to get bigger. If they get big enough to reach the nerve in your tooth, your only options would be to have a root canal or have the tooth extracted.

 

 

Soda pop (liquid candy), i.e., Mountain Dew, has about 14 tbs. of sugar, an adult-sized dose of caffeine and acid.

 

Besides the obvious effects of caffeine, it also depletes the body of calcium because of its diuretic effect.

 

The sugar contained within the soda provides empty calories (non nutritional), promotes bacterial growth, and is also converted to acid by the bacteria on the teeth.

 

 

 

I can’t tell you how many times I have heard a patient say, “Just pull the tooth, I’ve heard root canals are horrible.” With today’s technology, root canals are nothing like most people think. I have had root canals and I was pleasantly surprised every time. In my opinion, a root canal is as painless as having a filling.

 

 

 

Manual toothbrushes become worn out after about 3 months and are not as effective as they once were. If you have gum disease, you should change your toothbrush every 4 - 6 weeks because bacteria can harbor in the bristles. You should always rinse your toothbrush out with hot water after every use and change it after you have been sick.

 

 

Some people think that having good dental health takes too much effort. Seeing your dentist for regular dental check ups and cleanings, brushing twice a day, flossing daily and eating a nutritional diet are the key factors in having healthy teeth and gums. Now, what’s so hard about that?

 

 

 

 

Remember, it's these sugary and starchy treats that put your teeth at extra risk.

Cavities most often begin in hard

-to-clean areas between teeth and in the fissures and pits - the edges in the tooth crown and gaps between teeth. Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and brush inside, outside and between your teeth and on the top of your tongue. Be sure the bristles are firm, not bent, and replace the toothbrush after a few weeks to safeguard against reinfecting your mouth with old bacteria that can collect on the brush. Only buy toothpastes and rinses that contain fluoride (antiseptic rinses also help remove plaque) and that bear the American Dental Association seal of acceptance logo on the package. Children under six should only use a small pea-sized dab of toothpaste on the brush and should spit out as much as possible because a child's developing teeth are sensitive to higher fluoride levels. Finally, because caries is a transmittable disease, toothbrushes should never be shared, especially with your children.

Because caries can be difficult to detect, a thorough dental examination is very important. If you get a painful toothache, if your teeth are very sensitive to hot or cold foods, or it you notice signs of decay like white spots, tooth discolorations or cavities, make an appointment right away. The longer you wait to treat infected teeth the more intensive and lengthy the treatment will be. Left neglected, caries can lead to root canal infection, permanent deterioration of decayed tooth substance and even loss of the tooth itself.