General Health Information

Most of us are completely unaware that there is literally a full-blown dental health care
crisis occurring right under our noses. While many of us are fully
aware of the more common dental problems like tooth decay, crooked
teeth, and gingivitis-few realize the full extent of the crisis because
even these issues are entirely “too common”. Recent research has
revealed an undeniable link between dental health and heart disease
problems. While common dental health problems such as tooth decay are
always cause for concern, far too little attention is directed towards
addressing advanced periodontal disease. Until the public is adequately
educated as to the full extent of the damage that can result from
conditions like advanced periodontal disease, then the dental health
care crisis will continue into the foreseeable future.

Periodontal disease can simply be an oral hygiene issue. In such cases,
daily brushing and flossing should remove the plaque that leads to
gingivitis and other periodontal diseases. It is also a good idea to
use a mouthwash or other bacteria-fighting agent each day. Be sure to
use an all-natural product because mouthwashes made with alcohol or
other chemicals may dry your mouth out and deprive you of the saliva
that naturally protects the mouth. A cause of periodontal disease
is basically an infection raging in your gums that can ultimately cause
the loss of teeth if untreated. However, it is also quite common for
periodontal disease to be a symptom of a larger medical problem. Secure
dental health by regularly visiting your dentist.

By any other name, periodontal disease is really fancy talk for gum
disease. There are tons of products out on the market that are supposed
to fight plaque which is the main cause of periodontal disease. Harmful
bacteria breed much faster behind tartar because saliva, the body’s
natural defense against the bacteria, cannot get behind it. The best
way to avoid the periodontal diseases
is to practice good oral hygiene each and every day. However, you also
want to control the bacteria so using a mouthwash or similar product
made from all natural ingredients is highly recommended. Try to avoid
products using chemicals or alcohol as these tend to dry the mouth out
and therefore remove the body’s natural defense against bacteria in the
mouth-saliva.

To this end, it is important to focus on fluoride intake. Almost all dental health information
released in the past 3 generations points to the importance of fluoride
in the prevention of the most common dental problems-cavities. If you
ingest a single milligram of fluoride every day since the day you were
born, the odds of having tooth decay decreases by an estimated 50-60%.
This is because fluoride is particularly important when teeth are
developing because it will literally increase the strength of the tooth
and its surrounding enamel as the teeth are mineralizing.

Sugars are carbohydrates and they are the foods that cause bacteria to
grow fastest. Fructose, lactose, and glucose are all sugars that cause
a rapid production of acid and the resulting destruction of teeth
enamel. Current dental health information
available from the ADA (American Dental Association) recommends
avoiding the following products like table sugar, molasses, honey, corn
syrup and beverages made with fructose or dextrose.

Sadly, it is absolutely no exaggeration to say that incorrect dental health information
can shorten your life. Simply stated, every single system in your body
is connected so when common dental problems are allowed to get out of
control, then other systems are affected and larger medical issues tend
to develop. What may begin as a simple case of gingivitis may quickly
become advanced periodontal disease which as been linked to a number of
severe medical problems, including: increased chances for stroke, more
likely to develop coronary artery disease or worsen the condition, and
may develop infective endocarditis-an infection in the heart itself
that can weaken and deteriorate this vital organ and shorten your life.