What you should know about periodontal disease

What you should know about periodontal disease
September 02, 2007
Christiane Tourtet B.A.
American Chronicle

An estimated 80 percent of adults in America have some kind of periodontal (gum) disease. Until they are in their 30s or 40s people usually donÌt show signs of gum disease. Men are more prone to gum disease than women. It is rather rare for teenagers to develop periodontitis, however they can develop gingivitis.

Gum diseases can range from simple gum inflammation to quite serious disease that result in major damage to the bone that support the teeth as well as to the soft tissue.

Teeth are lost in the worst cases. Gum disease is a real threat to oral health, and research is also pointing to health effects that can go well beyond the mouth, such as increased risk of stroke or heart attack, difficulty controlling blood sugar levels in diabetic people, and an increasing risk of delivering preterm, low birth weight babies. Depending on how well you care for your gums and teeth daily, the disease might slow down, stop, or get worse. Some of the things you can do to prevent periodontal diseases, is to brush your teeth twice every day (preferably with a fluoride toothpaste), floss daily, eat a well balanced diet, do not use tobacco products, and visit your dentist routinely for a check-up and professional cleaning.

Our mouth is full of bacteria which along with mucus and other particles form constantly a colorless, sticky ÏplaqueÓ on teeth. Flossing and brushing help get rid of the plaque, however plaque that is not removed, can become hard and form what is called bacteria-harboring ÏtartarÓ that brushing is unable to clean. Only cleaning done professionally by a dentist or a dental hygienist can remove tartar.

Please visit the website to view the article in its entirety.