Keep Periodontal Disease At Bay: Learn How To Protect Your Teeth And Gums

Periodontal disease is a dental condition that plagues millions of people, maybe even you, yet most of them aren’t even aware; so how are you supposed to prevent it? Periodontal disease is a simple infection that gets into the tissues that support your teeth. The infection is caused by bacteria found in your mouth that causes plaque to form. You can remove a lot of plaque by regular brushing and flossing, but eliminating all of it is not possible outside a dentist’s office. The plaque left behind soon turns into tartar. Your gums become irritated and swollen with infection caused by the tartar forming below the gum line, ultimately leading to gum disease.

Fortunately, however, periodontal disease is easily preventable with a few simple steps. Maintaining healthy teeth and gums is a reminder often given to the public by the Pennsylvania Dental Association. Periodontal disease has two stages gingivitis and periodontitis. The first stage, gingivitis, is the early stage of periodontal disease, where the bacteria get in between the tooth and gum, causing inflammation. This first stage of the disease can likely be reversed by daily brushing and flossing. If left untreated, periodontitis, the more advanced stage of periodontal disease, can develop, causing irreversible damage to the gums, teeth and surrounding bones.

Periodontitis is regarded as a serious medical condition due to its ability to destroy the tissue that connects the teeth to the bone. If this develops, the roots of the teeth will be exposed, which ultimately leads to serious tooth decay, inflammation and receding of the gums, and in some cases, tooth loss. Many factors, such as tobacco use, can also lead to an increased chance of one eventually developing periodontal disease. You should also be careful if you have certain systematic diseases like diabetes, or take certain medications like steroids and anti epilepsy drugs, cancer drugs, calcium channel blockers and oral contraceptives. Not to mention having a bridge that no longer fits correctly, crooked teeth, defective fillings, and even pregnancy.

Researchers have found that people with gum disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease, an expert and general dentist point out. Clot formation, the theory goes, is that when the heart is affected by bacteria from the mouth entering the bloodstream, it stimulates clot formation as it attaches to fatty plaques in the blood vessels of the heart. Following are tips from the experts on preventing periodontal disease and maintaining optimal dental health. Brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily. There are areas in the mouth where a toothbrush can’t reach; removing plaque and food particles left behind by the toothbrush can be accomplished by flossing.

Replacing your toothbrush at least 4 times a year or sooner if the bristles become frayed or worn. Using a fluoride toothpaste plus an antibacterial mouth rinse will also give you the upper edge on fighting tooth decay and disease. Don’t forget that eating a nutritious, well-balanced diet will also help. To make the most of a well balanced diet, simply keep your choices within the five food groups of dairy, fruits, veggies, grain, meat and poultry. Get a dental check-up and professional tooth cleaning at least every six months.

If you note any symptoms of periodontal disease in the interim, call your dentist right away. The symptoms of periodontal disease are: tender gums, swollen gums, bleeding gums, gums that receded from the tooth, bad taste in the mouth, loose permanent teeth, separating teeth, chronic bad breath, alterations in tooth alignment, pus present between the tooth and the gums when you press on your gums, changes in how your partial dentures fit. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your dentist immediately.

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