General Health Information

When gingivitis strikes, it will affect the gums, teeth and even the
other mucosa of the mouth. Gingivitis is a dental disease brought on by
an overactive bacterial community and although many products claim to
completely eliminate the threat this ailment poses to gums and teeth,
this is more of a hoped for promise than a medically proven point.
Relying on the toothbrushes failure to reach in between teeth and other
tiny crevices that exist between gum line and teeth, gingivitis begins
slowly but before long will cause bleeding gums, teeth which appear
loose and of course pain at the gum line. Visiting your dental health care
provider is of course one of the most important steps in achieving and
maintaining oral health and even though this is a given, it bears
repeating that many of the early diseases affecting gums and teeth can
be successfully treated by a dentist with little invasive action.
Failure to nip up and coming conditions in the bud will instead result
in the need for serious dental work.

Many of us are fully aware of the more common dental problems
like tooth decay, crooked teeth, and gingivitis. In fact, only a few
realize the full extent of the crisis because even these issues are
entirely “too common”. While the addition of fluoride to community
water supplies and common dental health products has drastically
reduced the rate of tooth decay (by an estimated 50%) in the past five
decades, the effort does not seem to be enough according to the CDC
which estimates:

* ¼ of all children have at least one cavity before the age of 6
* ½ of all children under the age of 18 have had at least one cavity
* 90% of adults will continue to have tooth decay problems after the age of 40
* Only 75% of adults make it to the age of 60 with SOME of their
original teeth left-1/4 of us have none of our original teeth by this
point
* Between 10-15% of all adults have advanced periodontal disease

To address certain threatening dental problems, the medical community has become more aware of how common dental problems
like gingivitis and severe periodontal disease that can cause far
greater medical issues than previously thought. However, this vital
dental health information has not been disseminated properly to the
public. Logically, 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. Let’s face it, gum disease should be
eliminated - promote good oral hygiene and observe cleanliness in our
environment.

Gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease and typically are painless is one of the most common dental problem
among people. Gingivitis and advanced periodontal disease is really an
infection that primarily affects the gum tissue (at first) and is
caused by anaerobic bacteria (such as S. mutans). This infection
becomes more severe when it spreads below the gum line because it
produces toxins that can dissolve the supporting bone and gingival
tissue that help support your teeth. If periodontal disease treatment
is not performed, the teeth will fall out and the bacteria will then
spread to other areas of the body-such as your heart. These harmful
bacteria that may attach to fatty plaques (responsible for clogging
arteries) in the heart. This will further clog the arteries and
restrict blood flow making heart attacks more likely. The bacteria may
also cause an infection in the heart itself (known as Infective
Endocarditis) and add further strain to this organ. That is why
superior oral hygiene should be observed beforehand before getting
threatened with this disease and it’s not too late.

The rate of common dental problems
is still higher than it should be because millions of people still live
in communities without fluoridated water. Many of these areas are rural
and tend to be comprised of mainly low-income residents who may not be
aware of dental health products made with fluoride or how they can help
prevent cavities. However, the high rates of tooth decay are not the
only cause for concern. 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 the
life-threatening gum disease.

Many of us are fully aware of the more common dental problems
like tooth decay, crooked teeth, and gingivitis. In fact, only a few
realize the full extent of the crisis because even these issues are
entirely “too common”. While the addition of fluoride to community
water supplies and common dental health products has drastically
reduced the rate of tooth decay (by an estimated 50%) in the past five
decades, the effort does not seem to be enough according to the CDC
which estimates:

* ¼ of all children have at least one cavity before the age of 6
* ½ of all children under the age of 18 have had at least one cavity
* 90% of adults will continue to have tooth decay problems after the age of 40
* Only 75% of adults make it to the age of 60 with SOME of their
original teeth left-1/4 of us have none of our original teeth by this
point
* Between 10-15% of all adults have advanced periodontal disease

While prevention is better than any cure, your best defense against serious dental health problems like gingivitis and periodontitis,
tooth loss, receding gums, etc, is to practice good oral hygiene daily.
Brush twice a day when you wake up and before you go to bed for at
least two minutes at a time. Don’t forget to brush the gums. It also
helps to brush between meals whenever possible. Floss at least once a
day. See your dentist every six months and stick to recommended
treatment. Quit from smoking and too much alcohol intake. Develop a
proper diet to strengthen up good nutrition.