Periodontal (Gum) Disease – Healthy.net

Turn off the Tap!

Dr.Fred Pockrass — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:28:43 +0000

Did you know the average person wastes approximately 90 glasses of water every day by leaving the tap running while they brush their teeth? That means in the United States alone, we’re literally pouring down the drain as much as 27 billion glasses of clean, drinkable water every day, just brushing our teeth. While it may seem like a small thing, according to the World Water Council one out of every six people on the planet lives without clean drinking water.

In light of this, I am asking everyone to save 90 glasses of water a day by turning of the tap while brushing their teeth. It’s easy, something everyone can do, costs nothing, and has a big impact on the preservation of a precious resource.

Brush your teeth twice a day and conserve ninety glasses of water every day by:

Wetting your toothbrush under the water
Turning off the tap
Applying toothpaste
Brushing your teeth for 2 minutes
Filling a small glass with water
Rinsing and swishing with water from the glass.
Tell a friend or family member to do the same… Together we can make a big difference with small changes!

More information of eco-friendly dentistry can be found at www.ecodentistry.org

The Connection Between Gum Disease and Heart Disease

Flora Parsa Stay DDS — Thu, 19 Apr 2001 21:04:08 +0000

Most people believe that a little bleeding while brushing their teeth is normal. It is such myths and misconceptions that have resulted in more than 80% of the population with gum disease. Periodontal disease (gum disease) is an infection that causes chronic inflammation of the gums, with one of it’s signs being bleeding while brushing or flossing. Recent studies have found that there is a direct correlation between heart disease and gum disease. The understanding of this relationship and what to do about it is a matter of life and death.

Research describes the affect of gum disease and heart disease at least as strong as the link of heart disease to cholesterol, smoking or body weight. These recent studies have found blood clots escape into the bloodstream, increasing the risk of heart attacks and stroke. These same blood clots were found to contain the most common strain of bacteria in dental plaque.

Unfortunately, there are no early warning signs to gum disease, it progresses silently, often without pain. Since there is no pain or discomfort present during the initial stages, people often ignore the signs and symptoms, believing them to be normal occurrences. The disease eventually destroys the gum and supporting bone that holds the teeth in place.

What is alarming is that other health concerns are also being found to relate to gum disease. Bacteria in plaque have also been found to have a link in a weakened immune system that can slow wound healing; higher risk of premature; low birth weight infants; stroke; and lung infection in people with chronic lung diseases.

The mouth is an extremely important organ and is the doorway to the body. Digestion begins here, many diseases, such as diabetes and AIDS show initial signs here, and our confidence in how willing we are to smile, depends on how we feel about the appearance of our teeth. The teeth are made to last a lifetime and even after;, as seen in excavated ancient skulls. It is a myth to think that with age, teeth become loose and are lost. Many factors affect tooth loss: heredity, diet and nutrition, stress, and the health of the gums. We have no control over heredity, but we can counteract any week links in our genes with the other factors.

Numerous studies have established the importance of diet and nutrition, stress management and exercize for a healthy body. The same rules apply to the health of the oral cavity. Fresh food free of chemicals, preservatives and additives are essential for prevention of disease. However, stress can deplete our body of vital nutrients if supplements are not taken to replace those needed vitamins and minerals. Bleeding gums have been associated with defficiency of vitamin C. Calcium and it’s importance for healthy teeth and bone is well documented. During menopause, a woman’s body decreases the production of the hormone estrogen, which helps bones absorb and retain calcium. If calcium supplements are not taken (at least 1200-1500 mg/ day) the first place the needed calcium is taken from is the jaw bone. This may lead to loose teeth.

Proper oral hygiene is the other factor which may counteract any bad genes passed down for gum disease. There are may tools available to take responability towards good daily hygiene. Of course, brushing and flossing are the main part of daily hygiene, however, if deep gum pockets exist, it will be almost impossible to floss those areas. In that case, water irrigators are useful. Proxi-brushes are very small, brushes that resemble pipe cleaners. They are used to clean between exposed roots of back teeth and deep gum pockets.

If the basic rules for a healthy body are practiced daily, with added good oral hygiene, you need never be afraid of going to the dentist or of loosing your teeth.

Periodontal Disease

American Institute for Preventive Medicine — Wed, 06 Dec 2000 13:28:02 +0000

Plaque build-up, crooked teeth, illness, poorly fitting dentures, trapped food particles and certain medications can irritate or destroy your gums. With good oral hygiene, however, you can prevent gum (periodontal) disease. If caught in the early stages, gum disease is easily treated. If ignored, the gums and supporting tissues wither and your teeth may loosen and fall out. Knowing the signs and symptoms of periodontal disease is important for early treatment. Pay attention to the following:

Swollen red gums that bleed easily (a condition called gingivitis).
Teeth that are exposed at the gum line (a sign that gums have pulled away from the teeth).
Permanent teeth that are close or separating from each other.
Bad breath and a foul taste in the mouth.
Pus around the gums and teeth.

Periodontal disease should be treated by a periodontist, a dentist who specializes in this area of dentistry. Material called tartar or calculus (which is calcified plaque) can form even when normal brushing and flossing are done. The dentist or dental hygienist can remove tartar at regular intervals. When periodontitis (pockets of infection and areas of weakened bone) are established, the dentist can treat the problem with surgery or with a process known as “deep scaling”.

Self-Care Tips

Make sure to brush and floss your teeth regularly. Use a soft, rounded bristle toothbrush (unless your dentist has told you otherwise). Have your dentist or hygienist show you how to brush and floss your teeth correctly.
Eat sugary foods infrequently. When you eat sweets, do so with meals, not in between meals.
Finish a meal with cheese because this tends to neutralize acid formation.
Include foods with good sources of vitamin A and vitamin C daily. (These two vitamins promote gum health.) You get vitamin A from cantaloupe, broccoli, spinach, winter squash, liver and dairy products fortified with vitamin A. Good vitamin C food sources include oranges, grapefruit, tomatoes, potatoes, green peppers and broccoli.

Questions to Ask

Are one or more of the symptoms of gum disease present? Swollen gums Gums that bleed easily Teeth exposed at the gum line Loose teeth Teeth separating from each other Pus around the gums and teeth Bad breath and/or a foul taste in the mouth