Periodontal diseases are caused by plaque, the sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth, creating toxins that attack the gums. These gum diseases infect the supporting tissues of the teeth in the v-shaped crevice between tooth and gums known as the sulcus.

Gingivitis is considered a mild, early stage of periodontal disease, indicated by red, swollen gums that can bleed easily. Good dental hygiene consisting of daily brushing and flossing should eliminate the infection at this stage.

In more advanced stages of periodontal disease, the sulcus can develop into a pocket so deep the tooth is no longer supported and can loosen, fall out, or must be removed by a dentist.

Risk Factors

A number of risk factors increase the likelihood of developing periodontal disease. These include:

• Certain types of medications and medical treatments
  These can include steroids, some anti-epilepsy drugs, cancer therapy drugs, some calcium channel blockers and oral contraceptives. Some medications reduce the production of saliva which can affect gum tissue health. Others can stimulate abnormal gum tissue growth.
• Diabetes or other systemic diseases
  Cancer and HIV compromise the immune system, making the gums more vulnerable to infection. Diabetes affects the body’s ability to use blood sugar, which raises infection risk.
• Ill-fitting bridges
  Bridges that do not fit properly can hide food particles from proper cleansing, thereby encouraging the growth of plaque.
• Fillings that have become defective
  Defective fillings may trap bacteria and plaque, increasing the likelihood of periodontal disease.
• Pregnancy and other hormonal changes
  Puberty, pregnancy, menopause, and menstruation all make the gums more sensitive.
• Tobacco smoking or chewing
  These products present an obstacle to the gum tissue’s ability to repair itself.
• Poor dental hygiene
  Failure to brush and floss regularly will allow plaque to develop.

Warning Signs and Symptoms

Warning signs of gingivitis include:

• Bleeding gums during teeth brushing
• Irritated gums that are red, swollen, or tender
• Receding gums
• Persistent bad breath
• Pus between your teeth and gums
• Loose teeth
• Changes in your bite
• Changes in the fit of partial dentures

Often gingivitis sufferers have no symptoms. Regular visits to your dentist can assure early detection and prevention.

Detection, Treatment and Prevention

Early detection of gingivitis is the best non-surgical way to reverse the disease. In an office visit, your dentist will examine:

• Your gums for pockets between the gums and teeth
• Your teeth for looseness or sensitivity
• Your bite for changes in alignment
• Your jaw (using x-rays) to determine if the bone has deteriorated in any way.

Gum disease often can be reversed by twice-daily brushing and flossing. Food particles trapped between teeth and under gums will create plaque in hard to reach places. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush, floss or interdental cleaners, and toothpastes and oral rinses with fluoride will help to strengthen teeth and prevent decay.

Eating a balanced diet with limited between-meal snacks will also help to reduce the risk of gingivitis. Choose foods from the basic food groups: grains and cereals, fruits and vegetables, meat and poultry and fish, and dairy products.

Depending on the severity of the gum disease, treatments can vary from non-surgical bacterial-limiting therapies to surgeries that repair supporting tissues.

Finally, scheduling regular check ups with your dentist for professional cleanings and exams is an essential element of an effective dental hygiene regimen to avoid gum disease. Maintaining this regimen will ensure healthy – and long lasting – teeth and gums.

Source: Dental Insurance

Before we get to that, it is important to note that the most foods contain some amount of sugar – even fruits and vegetables. Nobody is suggesting that fruits and vegetable should be eliminated from your diet because they contain important vitamins and nutrients that your body needs. What we are concerned with here are foods and drinks that are chock full of sugar and have no nutritional value to us whatsoever. This would include soft drinks, sweetened fruit drinks, and non-nutritious snacks.

So what do such foods and drinks do to our teeth over time that is so bad? Well, according to the ADA, “When bacteria (plaque) come into contact with sugar in the mouth, acid is produced, which attacks the teeth for 20 minutes or more. This can eventually result in tooth decay.” Tooth decay is a very ugly condition that not only puts your oral health in jeopardy, but your overall health as well. So, it is best to avoid it at all costs.

How can you minimize your risk of tooth decay? The ADA suggests the following:

• Maintain a healthy diet.
• Make sure water is readily available.
• Limit the number of between-meal snacks. When you must snack, choose nutritious foods that are low in sugar.
• Brush thoroughly twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste that has the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance.
• Floss or use another kind of interdental cleaner daily to remove plaque (a thin film of bacteria) from under the gums and between teeth.
• Schedule regular dental visits for checkups and cleanings.
• Keep a food diary for a week. Record every item you eat and drink, including hard candies or chewing gum that contains sugar. Compare the diary to the Food Pyramid recommendations.

If you can not follow all of these guidelines right away, start with one and work your way up. When you are following all of these guidelines you may greatly reduce your risk of tooth decay!

Source: Dental Heroes