MIND YOUR MOUTH.

If you have it, you're not alone.
Many adults nationwide have some form of gum disease. It can simply cause swollen gums or give you bad breath. It can also ruin your smile or even make you lose your teeth. The good news is that gum disease can be prevented with daily dental care.

The problem begins with bacteria. Our mouths are packed with these tiny microbes. They combine with mucus and other particles to form a sticky, colorless film-called plaque-on our teeth. Brushing and flossing can get rid of some plaque. But any that remains can harden and form tartar, a yellowish deposit that can become rock-hard.

Plaque and tartar buildup can lead to gum disease- technically known as periodontal disease. The most common and mild type of gum disease is called gingivitis. The gums become red and swollen, and they can bleed easily. Daily brushing and flossing and regular cleanings by dental professionals can usually clear up gingivitis.

If gingivitis is not treated, it can become a more severe type of gum disease called periodontitis. Symptoms of periodontitis include bad breath that won't go away; gums that are red, swollen, tender or bleeding; painful chewing; and loose or sensitive teeth.

With periodontitis, the gums pull away from the teeth and form "pockets" that become infected. Bacterial toxins and your body's natural response to infection start to break down the bone and soft tissues that hold teeth in place. If not treated, the tissues will be destroyed. Your teeth may eventually become loose and have to be removed. If you have periodontitis, your dentist may recommend a deep-cleaning method called scaling and root planing. In severe cases, you may need surgery.

Most people don't show signs of gum disease until they're in their 30s or 40s. But getting older doesn't necessarily mean you'll get gum disease. Daily dental care and regular visits to your dentist can reduce your risk of gum disease.


Smoking greatly increases your risk for periodontitis- another reason not to smoke. Other factors that boost your risk include hormonal changes in women, certain medications and some illnesses like diabetes, cancer and AIDS.

Some studies suggest that gum disease may increase the risk of heart attack or stroke or cause other health problems. But so far, it hasn't been confirmed that gum disease contributes to these conditions.

Although many aspects of gum disease are still being investigated, one thing is clear: controlling gum disease can save your teeth. That alone is an excellent reason to take good care of your teeth and gums every day.

THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD ORAL HYGIENE.

Our teeth are one thing that we cannot afford to lose. Without them we aren't able to eat the way we should and our smile isn't always worth showing. Some people only see a dentist when they have a toothache but it's important that you have a dental visit twice a year, unless you are told otherwise by your doctor. In addition to dental visits you need to take care of you teeth between check-ups. Brushing 3 times a day, as well as flossing is effective in protecting your pearly whites. Although it can be difficult to brush 3 times a day you should always brush at least ttwice. Preferably once in the morning when you wake, and at night before you go to bed.

If you aren't practicing good oral hygiene you're opening the door to dental problems that isn't easy to close.Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone that support the teeth. If it is left to itself and not treated, it will lead to tooth loss. Periodontal disease includes gingivitis and periodontitis.

The mildest form of the disease is gingivitis, which causes hte gums to redden, swell, and bleed. In most cases there is either little or no discomfort. Although a person can develop gingivitis, it is reversible with professional treatment and proper oral health care at home, which includes brushing and flossing 2 times a day.

Without treatment, gingivits can spread and grow below the gum line. There are toxins that are formed by the bacteria in plaque which irritates and affects the gums. This fuels a chronic inflammation reaction and the body turns on itself, and the tissues, plus the bone, which holds up the teeth, is destroyed. Since the gums separate themselves from the teeth, this caused spaces between the teeth and gums and they will become infected. As the disease advances, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroooyed. Eventually, teeth can become loose and may have to be removed.